Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Across the Universe	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 5055 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Marvel and am not making any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Author's Notes:
As i've mentioned, reposted.
For anyone who has been writing hp or marvel or crossovers, please do let me know if anone is okay for beta. I am in desperate need of a beta for this fic as of the moment hahah.
Thank you.
Lots of love
xx

II
Café Rameau

“You sure I can’t accompany you?” Harry asked Hermione as he followed her out of her department and straight to the corridor that led to the lifts.
“It’s Monday afternoon.” Hermione said with a nice smile at him. “It’s my Me-Time kind of day, remember?”
“You can pretend you bumped into me.” Harry offered as he pressed the lift button for her to take.
“Yes, I’m quite sure that will work alright.” Hermione said as Harry helped her in her traveling cloak and handed her purse. “I’ll make pasta and see you tonight. Go upstairs – you’ve got a meeting in half an hour.”
Harry nodded and looked disappointed.

Monday afternoon had always been her time to have some time off.
The afternoon hours used to be occupied by another department for creatures that had closed down a few weeks ago due to lack of fund.
The department had hitched onto another and Hermione was then given free afternoon for Mondays.
Harry kissed her over the cheek before letting her take the empty lift.
“I’ll see you tonight.” Harry said with a smile.
“Don’t forget to eat your lunch.” Hermione said standing back at the wall of the lift and waving her hand back at him.
Harry send off a flying kiss as the doors closed down.

It clicked closed and Hermione’s smile slowly faded from her face.
She sighed heavily as she pulled out a small notebook from her sling bag as the lifts moved downward.
She opened the list and flipped pages one after another.
There were things to-do on the list, places to go to and so on and so forth but at the few pages from the last was a long list of things that she had always wanted to do – her bucket list.
Out of the nearly thirty-something list, there were only a handful that had been crossed out.
She stared and read a few of them then sighed heavily as the lifts clicked to the ground floor.
Hermione quickly closed her notebook and pocketed it back into her bag just before dismounting the lift.

“Goodafternoon, Miss Granger.” the old woman behind the register greeted Hermione as the café’s bar rang about when she entered.
She smiled back at the woman and went to the counter.
“The usual?” she asked her.
“Yes, please.” Hermione said taking out a few money from her sling bag. “And maybe a small platter of the usual pasta – I haven’t eaten.”
“Yes, will you be staying in or to-“
“Staying in.” Hermione said handing the money over.
The old woman took note of her order and prepared the change and called out for her order back at the kitchens.
“Maybe you would like to wait for a bit Miss Granger?” she offered handing over the change.
“No, I’ll stay at the usual spot.” Hermione said smiling back at the woman.
“Oh, but can I get you another table, Miss Granger? Your table is sort of.. taken..”
Hermione looked up and around and moved her eyes at the farthest corner of the café.
The café was a usual place for her and the farthest corner table was her favourite every single time.

It was usually empty or reserved for her but today, someone buried behind a tall stack of books, a platter of half eaten steak and two cups of coffee mugs.
She looked back right up at the counter.
“Oh, well, I can have my order for take-out then.” Hermione said with a small smile as she thought she could take her late lunch and coffee back at her apartment.
Maybe a good nap instead for the afternoon was better than an afternoon out with a book.
“Sorry, dear.” the old woman said as she gave Hermione a warm smile. “I promise I would reserve next time he isn’t here for the whole night.”
“The whole night?” Hermione repeated as the cup of coffee was handed to her.
“Yes.” the old woman said. “Been here since my shift started and Bart – that red haired little boy that does the night shift – said he’s been here since around ten lastnight.”
Hermione’s eyes widened at the thought of it.
The café was 24 hours but she barely ever knew anyone who stayed or lasted that long there.
The longest she’s ever stayed in there was with Harry – a dinner and coffee night with him from seven in the evening that lasted only until two in the morning but that was it.
“Who’s he?” Hermione curiously asked then. “What’s he doing?”
“Don’t know.” the old woman said shaking her head back at her. “Young Bart’s said he’s been ordering through the hours so he isn’t exactly taking a space for nothing for hours. Says a new face and has never been here.”
“I see.” Hermione had said as her ordered meal was halfway prepared for takeout then.
“But he does look all brushed up and all – like he doesn’t really belong in the social class in this area – not that there’s something wrong with it.”
Hermione only gave her a small chuckle as she stared at the direction of her favourite spot that was presently occupied.
Her eyes roamed back at the corner of the room where the man had been reading but from where she stood, she couldn’t make out the stacks of books he had occupied himself with through the hours.

Just as her pack of take out had been given, the second table away from her favourite spot had been emptied by an old couple who were about to leave.
Hermione quickly grabbed her meal and her cup of coffee and quickly jumped over the table to occupy it before anyone else did.
She breathlessly threw her sling bag at the other chair and opened up her take out to be devoured there.
Her eyes were throwing looks across the room to see who had occupied her usual table.
But whoever it was, he was very immersed and busy in the books he had been reading and it made her even more curious.
It was a café but she’s barely ever seen anyone read that much of books or actually be focused on reading in a place as crowded and as noisy as it was that afternoon.
She had just unpacked her pasta and was halfway into opening to indulge herself when out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the man stand up and had gone into the men’s room.
She looked around her and back at the now empty table.

Her eyes took another round around the café and when she was sure that nobody was looking, she quickly strode forward the table to check out the books he had been reading.
Her eyes were quick and she already had a mental picture of the cover of the books as she read through the titles as fast as she could.
“History books?” Hermione muttered to herself. “Dark Arts Defensive books? Fantastic Beasts and-“
“May I help you?” asked a deep and calm voice behind her.
“Fuck.” Hermione muttered to herself closing her eyes and already knowing that the man had returned to his table only to find her hunched and bent over his table.
“May I help you?” repeated the voice and this time Hermione could swear a hint of forced politeness in it.
“Sorry.” Hermione said quickly standing up and turning to the man. “I was just – “
She looked up at him and stared up only to have her voice lost and her eyes widened at the sight of the man.

“Yes?” the man said standing straight and tall before her.
Hermione had lost her voice as the handsome man stared back at her.
“You –“ Hermione said gently pointing at his direction. “It’s you-“
“It’s me?” repeated the voice. “I’m sorry, am I missing something here?”
“The man – you’re the man who bought –“ Hermione began feeling stupid and foolish at her jumping into one squared conclusion immediately.
She shook her head.
“Sorry. Got a little over-excited there.” Hermione quickly said blushing furiously.
“Have we met before?” he interrupted her with slightly narrowed eyes and Hermione couldn’t tell if he was contemplating if they’ve met before or was plainly annoyed by her presence within his personal space.
“Well – you – we were – I was-“ Hermione was at loss for words.

She didn’t want to sound like she was stalking him in some manner despite that she was already caught red-handed snooping over his table.
“Again, may I help you?” the man merely repeated walking past her and back to his chair. “Is there any reason you’re here at my table?”
Hermione could not be mistaken at the hint of annoyance in his voice.
He was well-dressed into a full black soon, his slightly long hair was neatly drawn and combed back in a sleek manner that oddly reminded her of Draco Malfoy and his pale face and greenish or bluish eyes made him look way better than how he sounded at the moment.
He stared back at her, waiting for her answer and Hermione blushed furiously at the way his eyes roamed back at her as if reading right through her soul.
Hermione’s eyes were quick and she quickly pointed over the pepper at the side of his plate.
“I was wondering – if I can – sort of – borrow-“
“This one?” he asked taking it from the table and handing it over to her.
Hermione reached for it and for a very split moment, the ends of her fingers passed the back of his hands.

Their eyes locked in and Hermione could swear that she felt an actual and familiar jolt right down to her spine.
She continued to stand there wordlessly gaping at him.
He quickly let go of it and his eyes moved away from her for a moment as if he also felt it.
Hermione lowered her hand with the pepper and looked away.
“Is there anything else?” he asked politely at Hermione’s flushed faced.
“I-I’m sorry.” Hermione said quickly taking the pepper and cursing herself. “Thanks – th-thanks for this.”
The man only nodded at her and was obviously back into being disinterested and only disturbed by her presence all the same.
Hermione had walked two paces away from the table but had quickly turned back unable to stop herself.
It startled the man as she breathlessly stood before him.
“What is the-“
“Did you happen to attend a sort of grand event or ball these past few days or about a week or so?” she asked in a very fast manner that she was sure that she was barely heard at all.
Hermione felt extremely stupid at that very moment but she was almost sure that it was him who had bought the Desiderata – almost.

Back at the party, her distance to the man who had claimed the valued jeweled had been close enough to see his features but not close enough to actually see how he looked like.
He looked up at her with curious eyes and he looked somewhere in between perplexed and entertained at the sight of her.
His handsome face turned slightly and he opened his mouth to answer when someone from the other end of the room had excitedly screamed.
They both looked up and before Hermione could understand what was happening, she was being dragged by her arms away from the man by an excited pair that was made out of Ginny Weasley and Fleur Delacour.
“What’re you doing here-“ Hermione asked them as she was excitedly taken away by the pair.
She looked back at the table at the man but he was suddenly – gone.
“Where’s he?”
“Where’s who, ‘Mione?” Ginny asked squeezing her into her arms. “What are you doing here? I thought you’re at work?”
“Oui.” Fleur said leaving a peck over her cheek and tightly embracing her for a brief moment. “I’ve missed you. We’re here to buy pastries. Come with us?” she asked her.
But Hermione was still lost in thoughts and wonder as she looked back at the table of the man in black suit and beautiful eyes who had disappeared right before hers.

“I’m home.” Harry announced as entered his loft. “I’m home, my darling!”
“Very funny!” Hermione called back up. “I’m in here. Help me with my apron!”
He smiled as he heard Hermione answer from the kitchens and the smell of lasagna wafting well from the kitchens.
He excitedly entered the kitchen to find it half in mess from her cooking and Hermione standing at the corner struggling to remove the tie of her apron.
“Hungry?” she asked as she gestured for him to come closer to help her out.
“Starving.” Harry replied walking behind her to help her out of it.
In one tug, he managed to remove it completely and he took it off her and handed it back to her.
“What will you do without me in your life Hermione Granger?”
“I’m sure I’ll survive.” Hermione said rolling her eyes. “Go change. I’m just going to – right. Nevermind.”

But she stopped as Harry already pulled up a chair for himself and had started with the greens she had made.
Hermione shook her head and began taking the lasagna out from the large container and had started serving them on platters.
She happily asked how his day had gone while Harry gobbled down the greens and then the soup and then waited then for the lasagna.
“Loads of work.” Harry had said. “We are quite busy this past week to be honest, trying to solve out something with the Astonomy Department.”
“Astronomy Department?” Hermione repeated as she placed Harry’s lasagna platter over it.
Harry had quickly gone after it.

“Weird astronomical activities they said.” Harry answered in a mouthful of the warm and freshly baked lasagna. “Bunch of star-gazing and reading and all that. Almost the same as our Astronomy subject and all that – kind of ridiculous – but well, we couldn’t say no to anything or anyone that seeks out the help of the Auror Department?”
“Why, what’s going on out there?”
“Well, we don’t really know.” Harry replied swallowing hard from a mouthful he had just taken in. “I really don’t get what’s been going on but a bunch of Aurors are actually understanding it and are interested – but since I’m hoping for a position soon enough, I need to be there. I’m just riding my way through it.
“So you’re taking the case in?” Hermione asked filling in a tall glass with freshly squeezed orange.
“Yes.”
“Well, do you need any help with it?” Hermione asked him. “I was actually good at Astronomy back then.”
“Hermione, you were bloody good at it and at everything else back then.” Harry said with a sheepish grin. “I’ll let you know if we need your help but at the moment, please let my men suffer as they live off with their dignity without your help.”
“Oh, shut it.”
Harry laughed at her as she made a face at his direction.
“But seriously. If things are going from bad to worse, I’ll let you know. God knows how hopeless we can be with this case – the stars? The galaxies and planets? The universe? I could hardly get through the first chapter on our subject before.”
“It’s easy.” Hermione said. “You were just always complaining a lot before. But if you sat down with me in the library way back and tried harder, you would find that studying the stars, the planets ,the galaxies and the entire universe is actually kind of… brilliant.”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Harry said finishing his first serving of lasagna. “But I’d really appreciate it if we can do some review or some sort. It’s driving me mad – all those stars and readings and dates and stuff. It’s seriously driving me crazy.”
Hermione laughed at him as she settled on her own chair and began over the salad.
“So that means you’re sleeping over?” she slowly asked him.
“No.” Harry answered her. “I wouldn’t sleepover for that.”
“But you always wanted a sleepover at my place.” Hermione teased him with a grin as she served him another helping of the lasagna.
Harry reached over for it and smiled at her as he took a large bite.
“If I’m sleeping over…” Harry slowly said. “It’s not reading the stars or reviewing the stars we’d do.”
“Enlighten me.” Hermione said with a suspicious look. “What would we do then, Harry Potter?” Hermione asked with a narrowed look over her face and her hands over her hips.
“Oh, I’ll make sure you won’t just see the stars – but you’d actually be screaming for the mercy of the gods of the universe.” Harry said winking devilishly right at her.
“Oh, you bloody pig.” Hermione said throwing her napkin over the table right at him before laughing as hard as he did so across from her.

Those gleaming bluish and greenish eyes.
“The sky is so beautiful..” Hermione muttered turning to the other side of the bed.
“You should see the universe.” answered a dark voice. “You shall be queen of this universe and of all the other realms.”
“It’s only you I would want.” Hermione whispered closing her eyes as the cold air swept her face. “Only you.”
Her eyes slowly opened at the sound of her own voice speaking.
She had been talking in her sleep again.
It was a dream-filled sleep once more.
She wasn’t sure if she should now call it nightmares because it had been occurring for a couple of nights now and they were mostly dreams of the galaxy and some ice-filled grounds.
Hermione turned to her other side to check the small clock by her bedside – it was exactly three in the morning.
That was odd – for she mostly kept having the dreams either on that exact time or a few minutes before it when she wakes up.
Hermione sighed heavily, tossing and turning until she knew that sleep won’t be back in a few hours or be back at all.
She sat back up on her bed in her pjs and spaghetti strap top and buried her face in her lotion-filled hands.
The week had come and again and it was going to be another weekend again.
She had chores and errands to do and some other office work she wanted to finish back at home but she was sure that she was going to be distracted again by Harry tagging her along at the Weasley’s or maybe at Bill’s or somewhere, some party and get-together again that has been a habit either on a weekly or monthly basis.

Everyone seemed so keen into having a get together – may it be lunch, dinner or just some time at one another’s place.
Not that she was being anti-social but they had been doing it since after the war and she felt that it was beginning to lose its charm on her.
She didn’t and wouldn’t say it to Harry or to any other individual that was really close to her heart, ever since the war had come to a close, she felt quite bored with such occasions that even the Ministry of Magic parties she was required to attend to as an employee had been too dragging.
She didn’t want to be misunderstood by the ones she loved and she was extremely happy that most of them had survived the war – but there was something else, something that was seemingly missing from all of it.
And that, she just couldn’t quite point her finger into.
She wasn’t sure if it was the lack of adrenaline of solving something, of studying or leaning something more, of going somewhere place else – but something, something was lacking and her soul was feeling parched for whatever it was that was seemingly amiss amidst all the happiness and luck they have been enduring since they’ve won the war against the Dark Lord.
She wouldn’t let anyone know of it, but ever since the war, she felt like she’s been missing something.

As Hermione had already guessed, the first weekend night was meant to be attended to a large dinner of all of them.
The big together of all friends and family had been postponed for two weeks and so tonight, almost everybody was quite present at the large dinner reservation at Café Rameau.
It was located at the middle of the city and at the side of most hot-spots of dinners, coffee and parties of sorts.
As always, she would arrive with Harry at the dinner while some are already there and the rest would soon follow.
They arrived at quarter past eight that night and the other were already settling in their orders.
Mrs. Weasley greeted her and Harry with a large embrace and kiss before resuming to helping Mr. Weasley who had just arrived to read through the menu of what he could order.
Bill had come back from the men’s room while Fleur, Ginny and Luna whom Neville had been rumoured to be dating lately were hunched up in a corner talking low about the latest things they could possibly discuss.

Neville was at the end of the table talking to Lupin and Charlie regarding some plants that could only be seen in rarest of forests in the Eastern part of the country.
Lupin and Charlie had been the two reasons why Hermione was able to drag herself into this big dinner gathering of their circle.
Charlie was back from Romania for a short vacation and Remus Lupin was in town for an unknown period of time.
Remus Lupin had been one of the biggest pillars of the Order while the world was at war. Despite losing his wife at the war, he was left with Teddy who had been nothing but a blissful gift of his late wife.
And with the sadness of his loss that everyone else felt, they had then stayed with Lupin – physically and emotionally – for the long period he needed them until he was fully recovered today from the pain of the loss.
“Great to see you, Miss Granger.” Lupin said giving her a kiss over the cheek and an embrace.
“Great to see you too, professor.” Hermione said giving the small Teddy a squeeze over the large and fat cheek of the child. “Long flight?”
“Long and exhausting.” Lupin replied. “But Greece was a sight to behold.”
“Are you staying at an inn?” Harry asked. “You can stay with me.”
“Thankyou. I have just arrived lastnight. We slept at Mrs. Weasley’s..”
“And he should stay there for as long as he would like.” Mrs. Weasley replied as she excitedly greeted and embraced Harry and Hermione.
“Mum’s so fond of little Teddy.” Bill said as he stood up to greet Harry while Fleur greeted Hermione. “We think she wants another son.”
A whole round of laugh was given after that comment.

Harry pulled Hermione at the corner Bill had ushered them to sit down and the menu was quickly handed right at them.
“Heard from Ron?” Hermione asked around the table.
“He’s good.” Charlie replied. “Great actually. Having the time of his life with Quidditch training and meeting girls.”
“He’s doing great.” George said. “Bloody ecstatic, really."

Everyone turned and squealed at the sight of him.
He was the last to arrive.
Hermione and Harry looked up and excitedly yelled for him to come over for an embrace.
George rarely ever attends their gatherings as he seemed the only one who never fully recovered from the war – which everyone thoroughly understood why.
“It’s bloody great to see you.” Hermione said with a tear in her left eye. “It’s been so long.”
“Eleven months, ‘Mione.” George replied embracing her tightly and kissing her over the head. “Been quite busy.”
“We missed you.” Harry said in a sincere way shaking his hand and giving him a pat over the back.
“I’m very touched, Potter.” George jokingly said. “Come on here mate and give me a kiss.” George said grabbing him to give a fake kiss over the lips that Harry tried to avoid and until he grabbed him harder and embraced him tightly around the neck as he pushed himself exactly at the very spot at the middle of Harry and Hermione.
Hermione was pulled farther towards Fleur’s side and the two began a tirade of things to talk about while Bill joined in the batch of conversation of Neville, Lupin and Charlie.
Everyone passed their greetings and cheers for him.
He had been traveling a lot – going to place after another as if looking for a solace he has never really found again since the loss of his brother.
But nevertheless, he had lived through it and he had to endure the remaining of his life without his beloved twin.

The dinner had come and gone for about two hours.
Good food, drinks and stories had been shared about the past weeks and months that they had not seen one another.
Ofcourse there were constant jokes about relationships and liasons going all over the papers which Hermione insistently and determinedly said that were all ‘made up’ by none other than Rita Skeeter who should be put on the mere entertainment part of the papers all over the country.
Ofcourse none of them believed any of the gossips or rumors spreading about.
What for?
They had one another who they could always ask any time about the truth they would want to know.
After all, after all the years and the struggles they’ve come to cross altogether, at the end of the day they were all family.
But ofcourse, the undying question and joke ‘If Hermione and Harry’ could already announce that they were a couple.
The two always denied anything that was ever written about them being a couple despite all the things going around at the office or the stolen shots of them around town or when they travel together.
Despite all of it and Mrs. Weasley’s denial of the truth about their relationship Hermione insisted that they were best of friends.
And if they would ask Harry?
He wouldn’t confirm all of it – but neither would he deny any of it which only seemed to be a translation of ‘a yes’ to other people.
Hermione would be annoyed about all of it and not that she does mind – but for her, it was hardly ever a priority.
She always proudly said that she was just all happy that they all lived through the war and that was all that she ever really wanted to happen – nothing more, nothing less.

They were halfway through the servings of some rounds of coffee, desserts, wine and cheese when Hermione’s eyes caught something or rather someone across the room.
It was the same man she’d seen at the café.
He was seemingly at the VIP section of Café Rameau and was paying his bill already.

“Harry, could you excuse me?” Hermione whispered as she stood up, squeezing her way away from Harry and Bill who had been blocking her way.
The boys continued on their drinking and stories with Lupin and Charlie as they let her pass.
“I’ll be right back.” Hermione quickly said as Mrs. Weasley who had been carrying a sleepy Teddy in her arms smiled at her direction.
Hermione managed her way out of their table and before she could reach the VIP part of the café, the spot was already empty and two servers were already cleaning the spot.
“I’m sorry, where’s the man in here?” Hermione asked unable to stop herself feeling slightly disappointed.
“The client?”
“Yes.” Hermione answered. “The one who was dining here?”
“He already left, Miss.” the older server answered with a gentle smile at her. “How may we help you?”
“Oh, nothing.” Hermione replied with a slight frown.
She was about to turn already but turned back at the pair.
“Would you mind telling me the name of the client?” she asked before she could stop herself.
They looked at one another then slowly shook their heads.
“We would like to apologize Miss that we can’t divulge such information to other customers if it happens that we know the name of the client dining here. It’s under our protocol.”
“Right.” Hermione replied. “Ofcourse. Ofcourse. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright, Miss.” the older one said.
“Would you.. Can you.. Is he a regular here?” she asked unsure if he had been a frequent there that she had always just missed.
It has only been her fourth time at the café – two previous occasions were both a party with the others and one occasion was a dinner meeting with the heads a the Ministry of Magic and today was the fourth.

The older servant opened his mouth to answer but the younger one who both looked excited and glad to be talking to ‘Hermione Granger’ of the Golden Trio quickly answered her.
“Not really.” he revealed. “He dined once two weeks ago. He dined three times last week and this week is his second. But he is a new face around here.”
“I see.” Hermione said as she slowly backed away from the VIP room. “New face.”
Hermione thanked the two and slowly left, lost in her thoughts.
She remembered the same wording of the person back at the café across the Ministry that he was seemingly a new face around town.

Could it be?
He was staying at that part of London for work or vacation?
She didn’t want to assume nor think about it, but it seems that he was being frequent at same places she went to.
Was he stalking her?
Or was it all just a mere coincidence?

“Hermione?”
Hermione turned and saw Harry staring questioningly back at her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked staring at the now empty VIP room.
“Oh, nothing.” Hermione said quickly leading him away from the spot. “Let’s go back to the table.”
“What were you doing there?” he asked her as she led them back.
“I thought I saw someone. I knew.”
“You knew?”
“It’s nothing.” Hermione said shaking her head. “Can we go home in a while?”
“Why?” Harry asked. “Are you feeling unwell again?”
“A little.” Hermione lied at him.
Harry stared back at her.
“Have you been sleeping well or not?” he suddenly asked her.
“I’ve been sleeping just fine.”
“You’ve been having nightmares or something like it.”
“What?” Hermione asked him. “I’m not.”
“You’ve been sleep talking.” Harry pointed out. “The two nights I stayed at your place and the one you slept at mine.”
“Maybe I’m exhausted or something. I’m fine.”
Harry looked doubtful.
“I can ask-“
“Harry, I’m fine.” Hermione said holding his hand firmly and pulling him back at their table. “I swear. If something is wrong, you’re the first to know.”
And before Harry could argue with her, they had reached the table and Hermione suddenly went back into chatting with Fleur, Ginny and Luna about a small thrift bookstore at the end of Diagon Alley that was closing down very soon.

The coming nights had come and gone and Hermione felt that dreadful feeling of being dragged into nothingness and routine once more.
Work load had been piling up no matter how much she worked at the office and Harry had been quite busy within the week himself in the Auror’s Department that they weren’t really able to have enough time to have dinner and relax within the two weeks that had passed.
The only time they were really able to talk and have a decent meal and time together was the one time that Bill and Fleur invited them for a dinner over at their place, the night the pair of them brought Remus Lupin back to Hogwarts for a quick visit to the headmistress McGonagall that ended to a nice and cozy dinner at Hogsmeade with the headmistress, Neville and Hagrid who they had not seen since he had been quite busy himself with school duties.
The year and months that had come to pass felt very fast for Hermione that she still felt unaccomplished and underwork despite that she had come and gone way ahead of her peers back at Hogwarts.

Hermione dismounted the lift half past nine and the only handful of people at the Ministry were the cleaning staff and a few officers at the Auror Department and some other employees who took care of the security at the building.
“Goodnight, Miss Granger.” greeted the people she had passed on her way out of the building.
She greeted them back with her smile and exhaustingly went out of the building with a very loud sigh.
Harry was out with the other Aurors for a project and work they had to do and he told her that he would unlikely be home until the following morning.
She promised him a good meal will be waiting for him at her place the moment he gets back.
Her place had always been the one place Harry crashes whenever he worked overnight or after coming home from some out of town or country duty for the Auror Department as it was located way nearer the Ministry of Magic than the place he had chosen for reasons of privacy.
Hermione was halfway deciding if she was cooking and eating at home or buying food outside to eat or what really to eat for the night when she saw something flash out of the corner of her eyes.
She quickly looked at her side and saw a tall man draped in an elegant cloak or robe and one who had taken a photograph up at the highrise structure of their building.
Her eyes narrowed as she tried to take a closer look at the man.
He was slightly far from her and it was quite dark by now that she could hardly see him clearly.
Was he a tourist?

Hermione had come to a decision to walk away when she saw it – he waved his hand and something like a long staff with a stone at the end of it appeared and glowed in his hand.
Curiosity took over her.
She slowly turned and took a few steps forward to clearly see what was going on when out of the blue a big light glowed from his staff and then she could see it clearly – something ignited by light practically showed her what looked like a map or some blue print of the Ministry of Magic itself.
Her eyes now narrowed in slight worry – were tourists allowed to do that?
She watched with keen eyes as she tiptoed forward the man who was now manipulating the blue and green glowing light.
He seemed to be studying and reading through the blueprint very carefully.
An air of bad feeling passed Hermione and she slowly drew her wand out from the insides of her robes as she stepped forward.
She looked around her – the alley was dark and there were barely any people passing.
Being attacked by the man she planned to confront would be a very bad idea yet at the same time something told her that this was the right thing to do.

She hoped against hope that she doesn’t get killed doing it.
Hermione moved forward as his staff glowed again as if he was planning to do something else.
She paced faster forward with all sorts of spells getting inside her head already including a Patronus should she need any help.
“Oh, fuck it.” Hermione muttered as she saw the man manipulate something like light with his bare hands – without a wand. “Hey!”
She strode forward but his attention was quite busy with the magical blueprint he had been studying.
“HEY!” Hermione called out louder this time around. “Hey, you!”
Finally she had drawn attention – and the slightest hint of panic from the man.

He looked up at her and with a small wave of his wand, the blue print had vanished and all the other glowing lights.
Hermione stopped dead a few feet from him as she realized that he was also too shock to know what to do next.
He was obviously not expecting someone else from around the area at that time of the night.
Hermione gripped her wand harder as she stood there, eyes transfixed at the man she could barely see out of the shadows now that the glowing lights had disappeared.
And then their eyes locked together – bluish or greenish pair of beautiful eyes settled on her.
She stared back at him unblinkingly.

Something like panic and an overwhelming curiosity filled her insides and her stomach was squirming drastically.
She took another step forward with her eyes still trying to see the man’s precise facial features for recognition.
She could hardly see him now.
The man had suddenly drawn out his staff protectively and without another word nor movement a blinding light appeared again.
“HEY!” Hermione yelled out as she ran forward the man with her wand at the ready for anything else that could possibly happen.
And before she could do anything else in the world, the moment she neared the spot where he had been, the light had slowly faded and once it was all completely gone so was the man who had been manipulating an advance sort of magic without any wand at all.
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Across the Universe