Belong to Nowhere
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 04: Finding Hermione
Harry and Ron were ashamed. How could they? Of course they didn't say anything out aloud about that day in the common room, but the two friends knew what they had done.
Hermione wanted a friend's shoulder and they had laughed at her.
Laughed at her.
Fred told them that Anthony Goldstein, the Ravenclaw Head Boy, also knew about Hermione's parents.
To Harry's dismay, Anthony Goldstein was the person who comforted HIS Hermione after the Grangers' funeral.
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Flashback
Like every morning, Harry and Ron were waiting for Hermione so they could leave for breakfast. However, that morning she was late. And Hermione never was late.
"Do you think something happened to her, Ron?" asked Harry.
"Nah, she is only late. Let's wait."
People could find this 'dialog' strange. Harry and Ron would never be so concerned about Hermione. At least, not in public. The truth is, after the Horcruxes ordeal the two friends had made a pact to always make sure Hermione was saved.
They couldn't ever forget what happened between Hermione and Nagini. Harry could never forget what Hermione had done. Her sacrifice.
No one knew what had happened except Harry, Ron, the Headmistress, and Madam Pomfrey.
Harry got very angry when he found out that Hermione knew what would happen if she destroyed the Horcrux.
She had sacrificed her future.
For him.
They still were in the common room waiting for Hermione when Ginny showed up.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here? Lets go to the Great Hall," said the redhead girl.
"Oh, we are waiting for Mione," answered Harry.
"Oh. Well, I think she won't mind if we go. Come on, let's go!"
Harry and Ron tried to say no but Ginny was very persistent and they finally gave up.
~*~
Great Hall
They had almost finished their breakfast and Hermione hadn't shown up. Harry had just decided that he would go to the Head Girl to see if everything was alright when the Head Boy came to the Gryffindor table.
"Harry, Ron," he said. "Hermione isn't feeling well today. She has the flu. So, she won't be going to class today."
"Is she alright?"
"Oh, yes, Harry. She only needs to rest."
"Oh Merlin! Hermione Granger won't go to class! Call the Prophet!" exclaimed Ginny in a sarcastic tone.
"Well, Weasley, if you want to know, Hermione's life isn't only about school," Anthony snapped.
END FLASHBACK
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Harry was lost with his thoughts when the sound of Fred's voice 'woke' him.
"I think I know where she is. I am going to…" Fred was saying.
"I'll go with you!" Harry and Ron exclaimed at same time.
"No!" Ginny cried and everybody looked at her.
"Why not, Ginny?" snapped Ron, a little annoyed with her sister. "Hermione is our friend. We had already failed her. We need-"
"That's why I think you shouldn't go! She is probably upset. Fred is the one who helped her so she will be more comfortable with him."
"But-" Harry and Ron said at the same time.
"Your sister is right, Ron," said Mrs. Weasley. "I know you want to help Hermione but I think you shouldn't go."
Harry and Ron didn't like the idea but nodded. They didn't want a row with Molly Weasley. After all, Hermione would be back soon…
Without anyone noticing, Fleur said something in her husband's ear. Bill looked at his wife in surprise but nodded.
"I'll go with Fred. Mum, tell Dad about what happened. Fred, where do you think Hermione is?" said the oldest Weasley.
"She is probably at her parents' house."
"Okay. Let's go then. Mum, if we don't return in forty-five minutes, you can call the Order."
Without waiting for an answer, Bill and Fred Disapparated.
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Grangers' Residence
Fred and Bill Weasley found Hermione lying in her bed, shaking and crying. She was crying so loud that she didn't notice the two pops in her room.
Fred came to her and shook her lightly. Hermione looked at him and Bill in surprise.
Wiping her tears, she asked, "Fred, Bill, what are you doing here?"
Bill smiled and answered, "I think it's us who should ask that. But we are here because of you."
"You scared us, Hermione," said Fred. "Why did you leave the Burrow like that?"
"I-I wanted to be alone," Hermione said after a few seconds of silence.
"Everyone is waiting for you there."
Everyone except Harry, Fred. He isn't here. He doesn't care.
"I don't want to go back, Fred. I want to stay here. I want to be alone."
"But-"
"Fred," interrupted Bill. "I think we need to respect Hermione's wishes."
Hermione smiled thankfully.
"However, I think you shouldn't be here, in this house. This is a Muggle house, Hermione. It isn't safe."
Fred and Hermione looked at Bill in confusion. He smiled.
"To tell you the truth, it was Fleur's idea. What do you think about staying in mine and Fleur's apartment? Fleur and I are spending the Christmas break at The Burrow so our apartment is free. I also received a box with several books from a friend of mine. If you want, you can take a look at the books. Someone told me that you like Arithmancy."
Hermione thought about Bill's offer. Did she want to spend her Christmas alone? Well, no. But she couldn't go back to the Burrow. Ginny's words had hurt too much.
"I think I will accept, Bill. You said that shouldn't be a problem so…"
"Good."
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Christmas' Eve
Hermione was sitting on the floor of Bill's study. Alone. She wasn't crying anymore.
The young witch was surrounded by dozens of old books. Books that she hadn't ever heard about.
It was a sad scene. She, there, on the floor, alone. Without a single friend. Only with those books.
She was thinking about Harry. What she had done for him.
She had given up of her future for him.
And even if he didn't care about her, she would have done everything again.
Hermione looked at the old book on her lap with a sad smile on her lips.
'The Veil and the Phoenix: Death and Resurrection."
Despite Everything, Hermione would do anything for Harry.
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Meanwhile, in the Burrow…
Ginny Weasley was kissing Harry Potter. On the lips.
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Thanks to Brooke and Idailey22!