Hermione Granger stepped onto the train, and looked desperately for an empty compartment. She walked for what seemed like an eternity, until she came to find an empty compartment near the back of the train. As she finally managed to get her bag into the overhead carrier she couldn't believe she was finally going back after being away for so long. It had been exactly eight years since she had graduated, and she thought it would be for good; but she just couldn't stay away. She remembered that day as though it was yesterday. It was burned into her memory and she relived it every night in her dreams. It wasn't a lollipop and unicorn dream like it should have been. Oh no. It was everything that a graduation shouldn't be.
(Flashback…)
The day had gone just as every graduating witch or wizard would have hoped; families where there to congratulate, and friends where there to say a well deserved "good luck in life". And while all of this was merrily going on, Hermione couldn't help but feel that something very bad was going to happen. She was right, of course. Oh sometimes she hated being right.
It all happened so quickly. One minute Professor McGonagall was giving her speech, and the next there was a huge explosion. Standing where the doors to the great hall had been, was Voldemort, flanked by his cohorts. Soon there was a death eater at every possible exit of the great hall. The shutters of every window slammed shut one after the other. The room was flooded in darkness. The Hogwarts students and teachers were cornered, and had no choice but to fight. Fortunately, most of the newly graduated seventh years had been trained by Harry and all of the teachers to fight. Many of the original D.A. members were graduating and had been prepared to attack in any situation. But there where still too many casualties.
It had been too horrible; Hermione could remember the fighting quite clearly. She had killed Bellatrix and Dolohov, but not before they had very nearly killed her. Spells shot off in every which direction; exploding in mid air or crashing into other people. An hour later it ended with one final spell. The unforgivable curse that had been waited on for almost twenty years had finally been passed from the lips of the one that had faced so many times before. Harry Potter had finally killed Voldemort. After the realization of what was done had started to hit people the hall began to calm down.
Looking out at all the destruction Hermione just couldn't take it. She knew what she had to do. That night she cried herself to sleep, hating herself for what she had to do. A little before dawn broke the next morning, Hermione had awoken and collected her belongings into her trunk. She left a note for Harry and Ron, though she knew it wouldn't be nearly enough.
Dear Harry and Ron,
I am so sorry and I hate to leave but after all that has happened I really need to go away for a while and think things over. I don't know where I am going to go but wherever it I go don't try to contact me. I will come back on my own. I love you both and I will miss you horribly. I hope you will one day forgive me for leaving you at this time.
Love,
Hermione
(End flashback…)
She had left without ever looking back. She had always regretted leaving, but until now she had never had the guts to go back to London. She still didn't know what she was going to do. She couldn't just show up at their houses and expect them to welcome her with open arms. They probably had new lives that didn't involve her. She didn't expect them to stop their lives to await her return, but somehow she wished that they had. She couldn't bear to think that they had moved on without her, but then again she was the one who left. She hoped that it wasn't too late to repair the damage she had caused by leaving. She could only hope that they would forgive her.
Before she knew it the train had stopped. She took a deep breath and made to exit the train, and as she stepped out she found her self caught up in the crowd of King's Cross. She found her way to the parking lot and looked out. She had no idea what to do or where to go; she didn't even know what she was doing here.
She wandered aimlessly on the streets of London pulling her trunks behind her. She wondered what she could possibly do. She couldn't live like this. She had to have somewhere to go, she needed a job. She thought about calling Ginny, but as she thought about it she and Ginny weren't the best of friends. She could visit Ron but she wasn't sure if she was ready for that yet. And most of all she couldn't go to Harry. That would be the most painful, and she wasn't prepared to take that.
She wandered into a park and as she was wandered around the grassy lawn, her trunk caught a root from a tree nearby. She fell to the ground hitting her cheek on the hard earth below. As she rose in pain, she looked up to find a little girl looking down at her, concerned. She looked to be about five and her hair was dirty blonde. The little girl held out her small hand in an effort to pull Hermione up. Hermione stumbled forward as she was pulled off the ground, amazed at the young girl's strength.
She heard a deep voice behind her. "Kate, what are you doing?"
"Daddy! She fell and I had to help her up." The little girl, Kate, was looking at her dad and smiling widely, obviously very pleased with herself for helping Hermione.
"Well honey that is nice." He turned his attention to Hermione as she had her back to him brushing the dirt off of her clothing. "And may I ask who you are?"
Hermione turned around slowly, opening her mouth to answer. "My name is…" she stopped mid-sentence as her eyes met his. Those eyes. She couldn't mistake those eyes anywhere. The deep shade of emerald, and that friendly sparkle mixed with clouded concern…
"Harry?" Hermione asked in disbelief.
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