Chapter One
The Return
Stepping out onto the crowded street, twenty-two year old Hermione Granger began to second-guess her choice on coming back to this familiar place. She kept asking herself why she was back here. Did she make the right decision?
It all started several weeks ago when she had a surprising letter owled to her saying she was invited to the 'wedding of the century' or so it said. Since then she had been battling with herself on whether to attend or not. She spent many sleepless nights asking herself this when she finally made her choice. Time had past since their days at Hogwarts, they were best friends at one point in time and she owed it to her first love to show up at what was going to be the happiest day of his life.
Taking a deep breath she stared at The Three Broomsticks and slowly made her way into the shop, memories of happier times flooding back to her. Looking at the place she noticed it hadn't changed much since the last time she saw it, in fact, it was exactly the same. It almost felt like she was stepping back in time, back to her school days.
Gracefully crossing the room she took a seat at an empty table. It didn't even occur to her at first as to where she sat until it finally hit her. This was their table. He always brought her here whenever they visited Hogsmeade, which became more frequent in their last year at Hogwarts. They'd walk in, hand and hand, and sit at the same table each time, ordering their two butterbeers. There they'd laugh, joke around, and just enjoy each other's company. She missed those days with all her heart and to say she had had little relationships since they parted ways was understatement. She had none.
It was three years ago when she made that big decision and left London, heading to Paris. There she got involved in Journalism, writing editorials on political and environmental issues for the local paper. Her column soon became popular, readers all over enjoying her truthfulness to important matters. But with all her success, she couldn't say she was truly happy and she hadn't been for a long time. She dedicated all of her time and energy on her work, using it as an excuse to not go out with other guys. Truth was, she missed him. Sure, she went out on a few dates here and there but every time her mind always drifted back to him.
Her smile faded as she came back to the present, discouragement filled her as she remembered why she was here in the first place…his wedding. She couldn't figure out why he invited her to his wedding, they hadn't spoken for ages now, but for some reason he did.
"Hermione!"
Turning her head around she saw a face she hadn't seen in a long time. Ginny Weasley had changed quite a bit in the last three years. Her hair hung loosely down her back and she had grown in height. She definately looked like a mature, young women.
" Ginny! You look wonderful" Hermione smiled, getting up from her seat to hug her old friend. Ginny squeezed her into a tight embrace, not letting go for a few minutes. When she finally did, they both took seats at the table, each not believing that the other one was there.
" Hermione, I am so glad you decided to meet me here. You have no idea how much I have missed you" Ginny admitted, a sad look appearing on her face.
" I know, I missed you too and I am sorry for not keeping in touch as much as I use to, it's just that- well things have been hectic lately…you know." Hermione replied, running a hand through, her now, tamer brown hair.
As the minutes went by it felt like they had never been apart. Gabbing about everything from funny past memories to Ginny's current boyfriend, Greg, who worked at the Ministry with Mr. Weasley.
" This week is our two year anniversary" Ginny gushed, her smile growing wide. Hermione had to laugh at her friend. She was totally in love with this guy.
" He is going to take me out for dinner, somewhere nice, so he says. But what about you? Any guy in Mrs. Hermione's life?" she asked, arching her eyebrow.
Hermione coughed awkwardly and shook her head. " Er-no. I don't have time for love...I want to concentrate on my work with the paper and my work with getting S.P.E.W further off the ground" she replied, avoiding her friends gaze.
Ginny gave her a knowing gaze and Hermione knew that she didn't buy her lame excuse.
" You know.." she began " I am kind of surprised that you are actually here. I didn't think you would show, given the circumstances. I mean, attending your former boyfriend's wedding must be difficult."
Hermione sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable.
" Ginny, you and I both know that I am only here because at one point and time, he and I use to be best friends,
that's all."
Ginny, however, didn't respond to this. Her eyes suddenly became fixated on the entrance. " And speaking of the devil" she grinned. Hermione followed her gaze and turned around, her heart dropping to the pit of her stomach.
" Hey Gin!" he yelled heading towards their table. Hermione turned back around and slumped down in her seat.
" Fred and George told me you'd be- Hermione?" he asked, surprised. Hermione turned around and gave him a weak smile.
" Er- Hello, Ron."
" Hermione?" Ron repeated, jaw dropping to the floor "What- what are you doing here?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she failed to look him in the eyes, staring at her feet instead.
" Well, your wedding of course" she said, forcing a happy smile onto her face. Ron stared at her for a few seconds before breaking into a smile. Rushing over to her he gave her a big, yet surprising hug.
" I am so glad you decided to come, Hermione."
His face had changed since the last time she had seen it. Last time it was filled with anger, sadness and heartache, mostly on her part. But now he wore a huge smile and his face beamed with happiness, he looked truly happy. However, she couldn't tell if he was truly happy to see her or if time had infact cured his heartache because she knew it hadn't cured hers.
" Well...I think I'll go see what Fred and George are doing" Ginny smiled, heading towards the exit. Hermione cursed her friend under her breath for deserting her in this situation. She needed something to say...
" So-er- congradulations" Hermione said awkwardly. That was the word to describe this meeting, awkward. She could tell he was now just as uncomfortable as she was, stuffing his hands in his pockets and rocking back and forth on his feet.
" Thanks, Hermione. I just can't believe I'm getting married in five days!" he gushed. " Everything is so hectic."
Hermione forced a laugh and smiled, silence once again followed. Both of them were trying to avoid what they really wanted to talk about and say.
" This is weird, isn't it" Ron admitted, taking a seat at the table. Following, Hermione took a seat across from him and sighed. " Its just that-wow, you're here...I didn't think that you would be"
" Look, I know things didn't end that well between us..."
" You mean when you left me for Paris and your job?" Ron blurted out. He instantly regretted his words and a soft look then re-appeared on his face. " I'm sorry..."
" For what?" Hermione mumbled, playing with her fingers. " It's the truth..."
" Hermione, you and I both know that things were going down before you left for Paris. I admit, when we ended things I was angry, hurt and I put all the blame on you. But after three years I realize that- I guess it just wasn't meant to be you and me...maybe it could have been but, it wasn't" he said sincerely.
" Ron-" Hermione cut in without success.
" -'Mione, I have missed you...I have missed my best friend. I remember our days at Hogwarts, the trio, the three best friends who wouldn't let anything come between them...and it's sad that you and I did let something come between us. I don't want to miss out on anymore years of friendship with you just because things didn't work out between us."
Hermione stared at him, shocked and not knowing what to say. He had definatly grown and matured in her three year absence. This Ron wasn't the Ron she left behind. This Ron appeared more grown up. A small smile appeared on her lips as she heard his offer of friendship.
" I don't want that either" she admitted. Both smiling they leaned in and gave each other a friendly hug. " I'm sorry for everything" she whispered, as they broke apart.
" You shouldn't be. You always were an ambitious person...things weren't working out between us and you wanted to follow your dreams...I am happy for you" he said.
" Can it be?" came a voice.
" I think it is Fred!" came another.
Turning around Hermione saw Fred and George walking towards them, Ginny following close behind.
" Hermione! Nice to see you" George said, sticking out his hand. Hermione was about to reach for it when Ginny stopped her.
" Uh, I wouldn't if I were you." she warned, giving her twin brothers a disapproving look. Hermione gave her friend a confused and interested look. " Fred and George's new invention" she said, grabbing George's hand and revealing a blue patch.
" Er-I am afraid to ask what it does" Hermione smiled.
" It turns the person's hand you shake to jelly" George grinned.
" Basically you loose control of it until it wears off" Fred added. Hermione laughed and shook her head.
" You guys haven't changed at all."
" Nah, that isn't true, Hermione!"
" Exactly..." Fred began " I say we look more...more manly" he joked, puffing his chest out. Everyone cracked up into giggles and Hermione couldn't help but be happy, being with her old friends that she missed and loved.
" So, what are you all doing here?" Hermione questioned looking at Ron, Fred and George.
" Ron had to pick up a few things so we decided to be good older bro's and accompany him" George spoke up. " We didn't know Ginny was going to be here, however, until we saw her coming in here."
" Yea.." Ron cut in " You didn't tell us that you were meeting Hermione!"
" She didn't know if I was coming for sure or not...neither did I until this morning" Hermione admitted shyly.
" Well, why don't you come back to the Burrow and stay with us" Ginny suggested eagerly.
" Well...I don't know...I was just going to stay here and-"
" Don't be silly, Hermione" George said, putting his arm around her shoulders. " We have plenty of room, right Ronnikins?"
Ron smiled and nodded.
" Ok..I'll stay with you guys" she said, caving in. How could she say no?