Bringing Back You

Title: Bringing Back You

Author: Lady Refa

Disclaimer: hmmm….lets see...since im not jk rowling, I guess I don’t own harry. *cries* o well, I own the plot…sort of. Theres not really much of a plot to own…so far neway….however, if peeps would review this I’d be very happy!! J so I hope you all like it and please please review!! J

Summary: When Hermione was seventeen, Harry broke her heart and left. Five years later, he returns to find a totally different woman than the one he left, one who is independent, glamorous, and breaks men’s hearts. Will Harry be able to bring back the real Hermione and teach her the true meaning of love? R&R please!!! J

Chapter One: Nightmares and Memories

Everything was hazy. Hazy, but familiar.

She was at Hogwarts. Near the lake to be exact. It was sunny and she felt comforted by the feel of the trio’s favorite tree trunk behind her.

Leaning back, she soaked up the warmth of the beautiful day. There were shapes moving in the background, indecipherable shapes that she knew were her fellow students going about their daily routine.

She closed her eyes with a sigh of contentment. Suddenly, something tickled her nose.

Her eyes flew open, and suddenly her happiness vanished. Vanished to be replaced by overwhelming hope.

He was there.

His face only inches away from hers, his dazzling green eyes gazing into hers.

A lock of black hair fell casually in front of his left eye. Subconsciously, her hand reached up and moved it into place.

He smiled at her, a smile full of sweetness, and she felt her breath catch.

It came out before she could stop it.

“I-I love you Harry.”

She waited, holding her breath, staring at his face and waiting to see how he would response.

His smile disappeared. His eyes weren’t happy anymore.

Now he was beginning to look worried and she noticed to her horror, sad.

Only she could make someone depressed by confessing her love, she thought sardonically.

She waited for him to say anything. Anything at all to break the silence.

He said nothing.

Maybe he’s just surprised, she thought hysterically. Maybe he still doesn’t understand what you meant.

“Harry, I love you. As in, I m-mean I really love you.”

For a moment, his mouth quirked into a wistful, wry sort of smile. But only for a moment.

Very carefully, he detached her arm from his and started to walk away, not saying anything…almost as if he was ignoring her very prescence.

“Harry!” His name left her mouth, her voice sounding shrill and hollow at the same time with disbelief.

He just kept walking away.

“Harry!” Please, she thought frantically, this can’t be happening. Why is he walking away?

Running after him wildly, she screamed his name once more.

He was gone.

*****************************************

“Harry!” Heart beating rapidly and adrenaline rushing through her body, twenty-three year old Hermione Granger bolted upright in her bed, mind spinning as she opened her eyes.

One glance at the clock told her that it was barely three thirty in the morning.

Relax, Hermione, she thought incredulously. It was just a dream. A horrible, terrible nightmare.

Except this dream wasn’t just any old nightmare.

She wondered if all bad memories eventually came back to haunt you in your sleep. And if they did, then why this certain memory had waited eight years.

As her breathing became steadier, Hermione crawled out of bed and walked down the spacious hallway of her five-bedroom flat. Located in one of the most posh wizarding neighborhoods in London, its size seemed big enough to host her whole class at Hogwarts.

With a sigh, Hermione went into the kitchen and started to rummage through the cupboard. Her recent diet didn’t leave much room for midnight snacks or wallowing food. No, all it seemed to consist of was salad and bits of absolutely tasteless meat.

Oh well, she thought, it has certainly paid off. And it had. Looking at her reflection in the dark glass walls of her breakfast nook, Hermione smiled. Gone was the unkempt bookworm.

Her deep chestnut brown hair fell in sleek curls to a spot just above her waist. Even though she’d just woken up, it looked artfully tousled instead of messy. Thanks to her new diet, her body had slimmed down even more, and looked very fit.

With a cold smile, Hermione thought about her dream. She’d been rejected, watched helplessly as her best friend broke her heart without saying a word. She could recall every instant of that memory as vividly as if it were happening right now.

But that Hermione Granger was gone. Gone was the innocent little girl who let people use her and play with her feelings. This Hermione was beautiful, hot, and best of all, desired. To hell with all the people who thought they could break her now.

**********************

“Hermione!! What are you doing? Don’t you know what time it is???”

Ginny Weasley ran an impatient hand through her glossy auburn hair. Standing in Hermione’s elegant foyer with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and brushing imaginary pieces of lint off her business suit with the other, she looked every inch the star Daily Prophet reporter she was.

“Coming!” Hermione’s voice sounded muffled, as if she was surrounded by fabric. Two minutes later, a slightly out of breath Hermione came rushing down the stairs, still clipping her earrings and trying to keep a hold of her black stiletto heels.

Without bothering to say anything, Hermione grabbed the cup of coffee Ginny held out to her and headed straight for the closet to grab her purse and jacket, ignoring the elegant, questioning eyebrow the redhead raised at her.

“No time to explain now Ginny,” Hermione said, fastening her buttons and dabbing on some lip gloss. “My case is in less than ten minutes, and if I keep my client waiting one more second he’ll probably sue me.”

“I’d be more worried about the Wizengamot kicking out their world famous lawyer when she shows up in those atrocious heels. Your feet are going to be killing you by lunch, let me tell you,” Ginny replied. “Anyway, you won’t believe who I got an owl from this morning…Harry and Ron just—”

Pop.

She was talking to thin air. Hermione had apparated. With a sigh, Ginny proceeded to do the same. She would just have to inform Hermione of her great news later.

*********************************

“All rise for the verdict of the Wizengamot.”

Holding her breath, Hermione stood, silently cursing her wobbling heels. She’d done all she could, used all methods she could to prosecute for this case, and it all came down to one moment. She couldn’t be certain of anything, there were still too many conservative muggle haters on the Wizengamot…

“Vincent Crabbe, you are hereby found guilty of numerous proven crimes against muggles and the order of the Ministry of Magic, and are hereby sentenced to fifteen years in Azkaban by the Wizengamot.”

The courtroom filled with cheers as Hermione stood up feeling a giddy sort of relief. Crabbe was lead away, and Ministry members crowded around Hermione, congratulating her profusely on what one senior member who was shaking her hand said was “her most spectacular case yet.”

Forty-five minutes later, Hermione was walking happily to her office. Since this had been a highly publicized case, she knew there would have to be a press conference, and she would rather get that over with sooner than later.

Running through times and dates in her head, Hermione knew she would have to sit down with her secretary to schedule it. She still had piles of work for her next case to get through, and it was already late afternoon.

Winking at Derrick, her secretary, Hermione made her way into the room that she now spent most of her life in. It was much more suited to her taste than her flat. High ceilings, wall covered with bookshelves, a brightly burning fireplace, and squashy armchairs and desks covered with stacks and stacks of parchment completed the workplace. Yep, this was definitely her home.

As she settled down to review papers and go through files and documents of research, Hermione felt contentment mixed with regret. Her work appealed to her, almost too much. If it weren’t for Ginny, Hermione knew of several times when she would have probably broken down from strain. But then again, no matter how hard she tried to delve into her work to take her mind off certain other things, it didn’t really work.

Hermione sighed. A part of her had disappeared five years ago. Now all she had to do was get used to her almost perfect life and make sure it didn’t return.

***********************

Ginny Weasley was calm. Ginny Weasley was collected. And at that moment, Ginny Weasley was downright boiling with rage. She was going to kill Draco bloody Malfoy. She was going to kill Hermione. Hell, she might as well kill Harry and Ron while she was at it too.

Murderous. That was a good way to describe her mood. For starters, her day had been terrible. Thanks to Hermione, she’d arrived ten minutes late to a very important board meeting. Where she’d been informed that Rita Skeeter had printed her usual rubbish, and that meant Ginny had had to come up with a hasty article redeeming the paper. Matters didn’t improve much when two employees admitted they’d slacked off and didn’t have their drafts ready for the deadline.

As if all this wasn’t enough to try a girl’s patience, that absolute git Malfoy had to be hanging around her place of work, disturbing the press and messing with her mind. Why did he have to be there all the time? Didn’t he have a family company to run? All Ginny knew was that it had taken her fifteen minutes to get away from Draco. Ginny had been tempted to Bat-bogey hex him, but that would have ruined his pretty face, so why bother.

And then, in the midst of this, she’d gotten a bloody owl from Ron early in the morning. All day she’d been trying to tell Hermione about it, but no, Miss Granger had to be involved in some big shot case and holed up in her office. Apparently she’d told Derrick she didn’t want to be disturbed.

Well, she was going to be disturbed all right. And Ginny was betting that in less than twenty minutes, Hermione was going to be far more than disturbed.

Bang.

Startled, Hermione looked up. She was settled behind her desk, scribbling madly on a piece of paper, and looked, in Ginny’s opinion, stoned.

“What’s going on, Ginny? You know how much stuff I have to get through,” Hermione stood up and stretched, looking distinctly annoyed.

Ginny snapped. If anyone had the right to be annoyed, it was her. With two movements she had snatched Hermione’s papers away and was standing in front of her. “You, Hermione Granger, are going to go change into something incredibly fancy and sexy and are going to be at the Rain Locus in less than ten minutes. For the rest of the night, you are going to enjoy yourself and stop working so hard that you look dead. There’s no time to explain right now.”

Ginny held up a hand as Hermione started to speak. “Ten minutes, Hermione.”

Pop.

Hermione threw up her hands in confusion, and was already yelling to Derrick that she had to go before she got her jacket on. With a distinct pop, she too disapparated.

*****************************

“So, care to explain what the hell I’m doing here?” Hermione’s voice cut sharply as she strode toward Ginny at the main entrance of the Rain Locus.

The Rain Locus was a very expensive restaurant that appealed to both Muggles and Wizards, as the owner was a muggle born wizard. However, all wizards who attended had to conceal their true identities.

With an approving glance, Ginny nodded at Hermione. Thank Merlin the girl had decided to take her advice. Now all Ginny had to do was quickly prepare her for what was going to happen before Hermione had time to bolt.

Ginny lead the way to a private dining room in the back, and took a deep breath as Hermione followed behind her. “This morning, I got an owl from Ron.”

“So?” Hermione’s brow furrowed, and she looked put out. “We always get owls from Ron.”

Ginny stopped in front of the door. The glass windows surrounding the exclusive area were darkly tinted, so all that could be seen were two indistinct shapes moving around inside.

“He sent me an owl telling me that he’s coming back to London today. For good. Ron wanted us to come here for dinner at seven to meet them both, something I’ve been trying to tell you all day. By both I mean him and Harry.”

“What?”

Ginny ignored Hermione’s freak out and just pushed her through the door.

Review…please?? J

Title: Bringing Back You

Author: Lady Refa

Disclaimer: its all mine…*not*.

Summary: When Hermione was seventeen, Harry broke her heart and left. Five years later, he returns to find a totally different woman than the one he left, one who is independent, glamorous, and breaks men’s hearts. Will Harry be able to bring back the real Hermione and teach her the true meaning of love? R&R please!!! J

A/N: Wow!! You peeps at Portkey rock!!! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so many reviews for one story like ever!! And they were all very helpful…made me feel very happy, and inspired me to come up with the second chapter of this. Special thanks to one anonymous reviewer who caught my mistake of the whole lead/led thing. Now I’m just hoping people won’t kill me from disappointment over this chapter or anything…please please review…they are so much fun to read!!! J

Chapter Two: Seeing is Believing

Five years.

It had been five years.

Harry glanced at Ron, who sat calmly beside him, stuffing his face with hors d’ouevres. Apparently he didn’t understand that they were just appetizers.

Five years, Harry, a voice whispered. Sure, he’d had Ron with him all along, but it still had been five years since he saw his other best friend. The other best friend who happened to be the one person who was the foremost person on his mind all those years.

And she was going to walk in through that pretty glass door any moment. Harry held his breath, counted to ten, heard girly voices, and looked up. So did Ron.

Ron spat out his hors d’ouevre.

Harry just blinked and shook his head. Then he opened his eyes and blinked again.

“Hey,” Ginny said, smiling brightly. Her eyes looked a little teary though. “Don’t I get a hug?”

“Hug?” Said Ron in a strangled voice as he stood up and strode toward his sister, shrugging out of his jacket as he walked. “NO, you don’t get a hug, you get a jacket. Tie this around your waist now.”

Ginny made an odd noise and just wrapped her arms around her brother. He might be just another overbearing male protector, but she sure had missed him.

Hermione eyes glistened as she hugged Ron too. He hugged her back, and then paused mid hug and snatched back his jacket from Ginny.

“Hermione,” said Ron in a voice pitched much higher than usual. “Where is the back of your dress?”

Exactly what I was thinking, Harry thought. Who was this woman in front of him? No, that was the wrong question. He knew this was Hermione. The question was, what had happened to her?

Hermione just laughed and rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Ron, don’t be so ridiculous. Its backless.”

As Ron sputtered some nonsense, she and Ginny walked over to Harry, allowing him to finally observe his best friend.

But then again, his best friend had never seemed so glamorous before. She’d never worn backless white evening dresses that showed off her flawless, creamy legs and well toned body. Her body had never been so alluring, and her hair had never been in such glossy curls.

Harry realized belatedly that he had gotten up, and was staring down at Hermione. She was looking up at him out of her cinnamon eyes that were framed with long, brown eyelashes and her perfectly pink lips were saying something.

“Its been a long time, Harry,” her voice was low when she said this, and Harry felt a shiver run down his spine as her arms came around him in a friendly hug.

He hugged her back swiftly before he let go. The feel of her chest against his was certainly doing unwelcome things to his pulse.

As chatter broke loose immediately, Harry realized that the other three were already sitting down. Slowly, he made his way to a chair beside Hermione.

*********************************

“Goodness, Ron, can’t you eat just a little bit more slowly?” Hermione’s light voice cut through the fog that currently passed for Harry’s brain.

As he and Ginny laughed, and Ron pretended to be affronted, Hermione smiled.

Inside, she seethed.

Life really had a way of getting at you just when you thought things were all right, Hermione thought viciously. She was going to kill Ginny for this. In cold blood, and with no second thoughts. Of course, Ginny had no idea of the full extent of the rage she’d caused, but right now that didn’t matter shit to Hermione.

What mattered was that Harry was sitting right beside her, looking more edible than chocolate ice cream.

Over six foot tall, still slightly shorter than Ron, Harry Potter was simply hotness incarnate. There was a reason why his dark green button down shirt sat so perfectly on his chest and why she could almost feel his muscles ripple underneath it as he moved. Those childish glasses had long ago disappeared to be replaced by new, rimless ones, and the deep emerald of his eyes was almost the exact same shade as his shirt. But his hair was still the same, such a messy, silky black, but at the same time so downright sexy.

It was really sad. She was supposed to be over him by now. No stupid feelings, no more hidden swoons every time he looked at her, and certainly no more thoughts of Harry naked.

That last line of thought brought up an unbidden memory that made Hermione blush.

Much, much more edible than chocolate ice cream.

“Hey, Hermione, you okay?” Harry’s voice was warm as he glanced at her. She felt a pang of bitterness at what he had done to her, and his cluelessness to what he was still doing to her.

“Yah, just fine.” Harry flinched inwardly at the cool tone of her voice, which changed as she turned back to Ron. “So, how much longer are you two going to keep me in the dark about your lives? What happened to chasing Death Eaters and killing monsters in Africa?”

Ron gave Harry a look telling him to handle this, as he was far too busy eating.

“All the Death Eaters are dead,” Harry answered smoothly. “And the monsters as good as. There will never another rising of Voldemort or his followers in our lifetime. If we can cull all the wizarding prejudices now, there may never be any in any lifetime.”

“If you’re here to fight prejudiced magical zealots, get in line,” Ginny answered, smiling proudly at Hermione. “Hermione’s gotten more equality laws passed than any official in the history of the ministry.”

“We read about how Hermione got Crabbe behind bars,” Harry replied with a smile. “Wish I could have been at that trial.”

Just before Ginny could reply, Hermione cut in. “Really? I was under the impression that you wanted to get as far away from me as possible.”

Ron’s fork fell to his plate with a clatter, and Ginny leaned back in her chair with a heavy sigh. She should have known something like this was going to happen. Hermione continued on regardless.

Avoiding her eyes, Harry managed a “What do you mean?”

Hermione smiled cynically. “What do I mean Harry? Hmmm, let’s see, what can I mean? Maybe, I, like the rest of the wizarding world, am simply wondering why the hell you and Ron have decided to return now?”

Don’t do it Harry, Ginny thought silently, don’t give her the fight she wants.

Harry’s infamous temper rose as he faced Hermione, emerald green eyes burning. “Oh yeah? Go on wondering, Mione, because I can return or leave whenever I want.”

Ginny groaned loudly. Ron sat looking like a man who knows he has to do something, but has no idea what that something is.

“Of course you can, Harry,” Hermione said sweetly. “I mean, you sure have no problem whatsoever in leaving without a word to go rid the world of evil, do you? No letters, no visits, not even any bloody goodbyes. After all, who can you have worth writing to back home, any way, right? Its not like—”

Harry was standing now, and so was Hermione. “You know very well that that was a top secret mission for the—”

Hermione just started speaking more loudly over Harry. “Its not like it matters, does it? Cuz you can just come waltzing back five years later and—”

“—the Order so I had to leave the way I---”

Harry and Hermione both paused as a good-looking young waiter stood beside them. He looked very nervous and stepped back a few steps when he saw the pure anger etched on both their faces.

“Would anyone like a drink?” If the pretty youth’s voice came out a little too high, it wasn’t his fault. The two people in front of him looked murderous.

“One vodka please,” Hermione said quickly.

Harry frowned. “Vodka? You don’t drink Hermione.”

“How would you know? Maybe I started five years ago.” Hermione shot back.

Before Harry could reply, the waiter did.

“Um, a certain Mr. Potter who made the reservations requested that no alcoholic beverages be served.”

Harry smirked.

Hermione turned to the waiter. Stepping closer, she ran a hand lightly up his arm, almost caressing it. “Really? Are you sure I can’t change your mind?” Her voice lowered, taking on a catlike purr. “Why don’t you go see if you can get that vodka for me now?”

“Y-yes, I’ll go get it at once.” The waiter left breathlessly.

Ginny frowned, Ron stared, and Harry blinked.

Hermione looked at Harry and smirked.

Angrily, Harry stepped forward and grasped Hermione by her wrist. “Why don’t you sit down?”

Ron decided his moment had come. “Look, you two—”

Hermione glanced at him calmly. “Shut up, Ron.”

Ginny threw up her hands exasperatedly and stood up. “Hermione, this has gone—”

“Excuse me, your vodka.” The good-looking server was back.

As one, Ginny, Ron, and Harry all moved toward the stupid waiter, ready to kill the interfering git.

“Thank you so much,” Hermione murmured as she grabbed the vodka with her free hand and drank it in one gulp.

Turning back to Harry, Hermione wrenched her hand out of his grip. “You have a lot to catch up with, Harry.”

Then she grabbed her purse and left Harry looking at the woman he thought he loved walking away from him.

*******************************************************

She couldn’t believe it.

She really couldn’t.

For five years, the only news she’d had about Harry had been through Ron. Not once had she received a letter or a card or anything from Harry. In fact, Hermione realized with a start, tonight was the first time that they’d actually met and talked face to face since when she’d foolishly confessed her love to him.

But he’d been so calm. So perfectly capable of pretending that the last words she’d said to him before tonight didn’t even exist. Maybe he’d even forgotten.

That was what had made her so furious. Watching as he calmly discussed the events of the last few years, stuff she already knew through Ron, and knowing very well that Harry was leaving half the information out, Hermione just couldn’t take it anymore.

They used to be so different, she thought. So trusting and happy. He’d tell her everything and expect her to give advice, and she’d help him even if he pushed her away. She’d been the first one he told about the Prophecy in sixth year.

What did you expect, a little voice whispered cruelly as she fumbled with her keys and wiped her wet cheeks, him to fall all over you when he saw you wearing a pretty dress?

But while she sat there beside him, she’d wondered. Wondered what it would feel like to have Harry grin at her with something more than friendship in his dazzling eyes, for him to wrap his arms around her body and hold her close.

The door opened with a click, and her trembling hands pushed it open. Once inside her dark flat, Hermione leaned against the door and let the rest of the tears fall.

It had taken her a long time to survive rejection. Slowly, she’d made a new Hermione, a new life. All those things helped her forget about Harry. She’d gotten over the stupidity of loving someone.

She just didn’t know if she could survive again.

***********************************************

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