Chapter 14
Hermione was surprised to say the least. She hadn't expected Seamus to turn up. He had gone abroad for a couple of months. So how come he was here so early? Seamus saw disappointment on her face.
"Hermione, you don't seem to be thrilled to see me. When I realized I wasn't needed at Atlanta I was so happy. You face was swimming in front of my eyes. Clearly the case doesn't seem to be the same with you. What's the matter?" he asked.
"That's not it Seamus. I was just very surprised to see you here", replied Hermione not looking at him. Seamus was convinced. The two of them walked inside Hermione's tent. Seamus noticed Hermione's coat.
"Hey, whose coat is that", he asked.
"Oh that is Harry's. He's come here with his daughter", she replied shortly.
"What! Harry! My old pal! I must go and meet him. It's been ages since I met him last. I'll be right back", he said kissing Hermione and getting out. He found Harry walking around.
"Hey Harry. Long time no see", said Seamus excitedly. The two of them hugged.
"Hi mate. Nice to meet you again", said Harry. The two of them walked together exchanging news.
"So you must have heard about Hermione and me", said Seamus.
"Obviously", replied Harry shortly.
"Hermione is a great girl. I love her so much. Listen Harry, in school you knew Hermione much better than anyone else. Tell me about her", Seamus said.
"Hermione is someone who will never let you down. Unless of course she feels let down by you. She'll stand by your side even if the whole world is against you. She'll be there for you when you need her the most", Harry replied dreamily.
"Wow! You sure know her better than me. She'll be perfect for me", said Seamus. The two of them said goodnight and parted. Seamus went back to Hermione's tent. She still wasn't looking very happy.
"Hermione though I am back, I'm afraid we can't get married before next month. I'll be very busy at work. I hope you don't mind", he said.
"No, not at all", said Hermione disinterestedly. Now Seamus was really curious. This wasn't the first time Hermione was behaving like this. He decided to ask her a question which was in his mind for a long time but he had refrained from asking it. He held her hand before speaking.
"Hermione whenever I see you I feel I'm the king of the world. My friends tell me that just by looking at my eyes they can say that I'm happy beyond words. That is how much I love you. However I've never seen that feeling in your eyes. Before today you never said `I love you' to me and even today I felt that you didn't mean to say it. Is there any problem? Can I help you? Remember I'll always be there for you", he said. Hermione kept quiet for a while.
"There is no problem, Seamus. We're getting married soon. Everything will be alright", she replied.
"Will be alright", repeated Seamus, "So it isn't alright now. Obviously you don't want to speak about it. So I won't pester you. You can tell me if and when you wish to. Now it's too late for me to ask for an extra tent. So I'll have to sleep here. Hope that's okay with you", he said. Hermione just nodded. Seamus took out his sleeping bag and went to bed.
Hermione too got into her sleeping bag but couldn't go to sleep. All that had happened was fresh in her mind. She had wanted Harry all her life. Yet when she finally got him she couldn't have him. She cried for a long time. She couldn't bear to tell Seamus any of this. What would he think of her? So it was better if all this ended quickly. It was three in the morning. She woke Seamus up.
"Seamus we'll go home tomorrow. We'll get married over the weekend. It won't take much time and we'll call only our close relations and friends", she said.
"Are you sure Hermione? What about all the kids? We can wait" said Seamus.
"Lucas can manage the camp for the remaining days. I want to get married fast", she said.
"As you wish", replied Seamus and went back to sleep.
Next morning the usual cheerfulness was missing in the camp. The kids had heard that their Miss Hermione was leaving. Many of them burst into tears. But the one who was inconsolable was Hermione White Potter. She had heard why Hermione Granger was leaving. It couldn't happen. What about her mother's wish? Time came for Hermione to leave. She kissed all the kids. She shared a long hug with her namesake. Seamus made Harry promise that he'd come to the wedding. Just as they were about to apparate Harry spoke.
"Hermione can I speak to you for a moment, alone", he said. Hermione nodded and went to him. She was afraid of what was coming. Harry put something into her hand. She saw stared at it intently. It was the red scarf.
"You gave this to Caroline when she and I were about to start our lives together. I found this in my daughter's tent. Soon you and Seamus will start a new life with each other. So I'm presenting this back to you", he said, wiping a tear. Hermione also felt tears but blinked them away. She didn't say anything before apparating away with Seamus.
Only two days remained before Hermione's wedding. Harry, Diana and Hermione were back in their house. The atmosphere was very gloomy. Especially Harry was very downcast. It was painful for others to watch him. Hermione was not much better off. She had failed her mother. During the camp she had seen how right her mother was. Harry and Hermione truly loved each other. She had tried her best to bring them together. But she was too late. Then something occurred to her. Maybe it was too late for her to do anything but she could get her father to meet Hermione Granger one last time. Perhaps something would result. She spoke to him in the evening.
"Daddy I can't watch you in this state anymore. What is the problem?" she asked.
"You won't understand. You're too young", Harry replied.
"Oh won't I? Well, I do. You are in love with Miss Hermione. You should tell her that. You'll feel better then", she said.
"I can't, it's too late", Harry replied.
"You have to say it Daddy. It's never too late to say anything. Don't bother about her reaction", she said a little hysterically.
"I just can't", Harry said.
"So you're afraid. What sort of a Gryffindor were you? I always thought my Daddy was the bravest in the world. You duel Voldemort and can't confess you love to somebody", shouted Hermione and started crying loudly. Harry picked her up.
"You'll say it Daddy, won't you? For my sake?" she asked, literally begging him. Slowly he nodded his head.
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