August 16th -- Mid-Afternoon
Hermione sat on a park bench and took in her surroundings. Probably two blocks from the Leaky Cauldron, she estimated. Not that she really cared. She needed to talk to Fred eventually, but she wasn't sure if she was in the mood for that day or if she'd rather put it off longer. Really she was here for a break. It had been a very long few weeks in the castle and escape was bordering on necessary.
She looked at the Muggles walking around her and almost smiled. It felt good to blend in. Yes, Hermione Granger thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention in the classroom, loved having that little bit extra over her classmates, but...there were days and times when she wanted nothing to do with Hermione Granger, not Harry Potter best friend, not Ronald Weasley's...whatever she was.
But to be a person, blended with everyone else, in normal jeans, a normal sweater, a comfortable camisole, that was what she needed right in that moment, to look normal.
...and have her wand tucked away in her pocket.
She looked at the Muggles walking around her and almost smiled. It felt good to blend in. Yes, Hermione Granger thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention in the classroom, loved having that little bit extra over her classmates, but...there were days and times when she wanted nothing to do with Hermione Granger, not Harry Potter best friend, not Ronald Weasley's...whatever she was.
But to be a person, blended with everyone else, in normal jeans, a normal sweater, a comfortable camisole, that was what she needed right in that moment, to look normal.
...and have her wand tucked away in her pocket.