Belong to Nowhere
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Thank you so much to Brooke (Archie) and Idailey22!
Words: 2,311
Chapter 07: A talk with Harry
"Oh! How silly of me to think that you were feeling alone…that you were suffering! I can see that you are just dandy, Hermione Granger!"
It was Harry.
He, a smirking Bill, and a pale Ron had just arrived.
Hermione let go of Dean and stared at Harry.
"Harry?" she managed to say.
"No, Prince Charles!" Harry replied sarcastically.
"I see you are very well, Hermione."
"What are talking about, Harry?" asked Hermione, totally forgetting the presence of Bill and Ron.
"I am talking about you, Hermione! You simply disappear from The Burrow! Then I-we- found out that your parents were killed and... You haven't said anything to me…or Ron!"
Hermione was about to say something but Harry ignored her and continued.
"I was so preoccupied about you! Bill said you didn't want to return to the Burrow and you would be staying at his place. I didn't agree but I understood that you wanted to be alone. And then I came here and- and you are with- with him," he finished pointing a finger at Dean who cried, "Hey!"
"Shut up, Thomas!" Harry cried back.
At that point Hermione was red with anger. She loved Harry very much but sometimes…argh! How dare he?
"How dare you, Harry? How dare you come here and say these things?! You want to know why I left The Burrow? Let me tell you! I left the Burrow because I was feeling alone! Yes, alone! I know that might sound strange, but I was feeling more alone in there than in here! There, it was like I didn't even exist! You were only talking about Quidditch! When was the last time we talked, Harry? I mean I really talked? Can you remember?"
"But-but we talk…"
"No, Harry! I am not talking about homework or Hor-, er, the war! I am talking about life! The small things, you know! Little talk! Those things that friends usually do!"
"Hermione-" Harry tried to say but Hermione ignored him.
"I thought that sixth year had been a nightmare, but I was wrong! I began to realize that I wasn't so important to you- and Ron- as I thought. In sixth year, I was very happy when you began to date Ginny, you know. Yes, I always thought you deserved a little of happiness…I just didn't think you would become so distant. And then, this year. Dumbledore's death. Our hunting…We finally succeeded in that, right? We finally destroyed the- you know- and then you could be almost normal again."
Hermione took a breath and continued.
"Ron began to date Luna. I have to confess that I was a little surprised but not unhappy. They make a sweet couple. And you- you didn't come back to Ginny but- what is that, Harry? A date without kisses? Who are you trying to fool?"
"Hermione, Ginny and I aren't-"
"And me, I was left behind. It was as if I wasn't that important anymore. I was useful until the last…was destroyed and now I am only the plain, know-it-all, Muggleborn Hermione Granger. A boring girl that didn't deserve to even goes with her friends to Hogsmeade! Oh, yes! I didn't forget that day, Harry! The day you forgot to wait for me to go with you to Hogsmeade. After all, why wait for the bookworm? You had Ginny and Ron was with Luna-"
"I already said that I am sorry for that day, Hermione," Harry said. "And you said you spent that afternoon studying."
"I lied, Harry! I spent the afternoon crying! I am not only about books, Harry! And you should know that!"
"Sorry," he whispered, feeling guilt settle unpleasantly in his stomach as he remembered that day. Why didn't he wait for her, dammit? Why was he so blind to not even notice when his best friend was hurting and needed him there?
"And then my parents died." Hermione had at that moment tears in her eyes. "All I wanted was a friend's shoulder and- and- what did I receive? Laughs! You, Ron and Ginny laughed at me! You laughed at me and made jokes about my book! So you know why I was with that book, Harry?"
The young wizard shook his head, feeling numb and almost dreading her reason, knowing nothing he could ever say could justify his actions.
"It was the last thing my parents bought."
"Oh, Hermione! I am so sorry! So sorry!" Harry said coming closer to her and taking her in his arms, tears threatening to fall from his shame-filled eyes. Tears of regret and hope for forgiveness.
Hermione didn't refused his embrace and let him hug her, loving the comforting feeling he brought out in her. She was finally receiving what she had been longing for ever since that terrible day, comfort from Harry. Harry, who was her best friend, whom she loved and cared for more than anyone in the world.
Harry hugged her with all the feelings he had deep in his heart. It felt so good, so right…
His hands softly stroking her hair…
Her fingers rubbing his back in slow circles…
They were so absorbed into their embrace that they didn't notice that Dean, Bill and Ron had left the room.
When he finally let go of her, Harry looked into her beautiful eyes. He never had realized how beautiful she was. Of course, he always thought she was pretty but at that moment…at that moment he felt something so incredible, so strange…
"You are beautiful, Mione," Harry whispered looking between her teary eyes and her trembling (and almost irresistible) lips that he found his eyes involuntarily drawn to.
"You don't need to lie, Harry," she softly said, hiding the blush in her cheeks by shyly looking away.
"I am not lying, Mione," he said gently touching her cheeks with his fingers.
"I don't need to lie. You are beautiful. Both inside and outside. You are beautiful, Hermione Granger."
At that moment their eyes met and everything seemed to stop. Harry didn't know what he was doing. He simply put his hand behind her neck and brought her head close to his and…
"Oy! Harry! Hermione! Oh, you finally made up!"
Ron had just re-entered the room.
With a deep breath, Harry let go of a very blushing Hermione. The young, dark haired wizard didn't know if he wanted to kill or kiss Ronald Weasley.
"Yes, Ron, Harry and I made up. We are fine now."
"I am glad, Hermione," Ron said walking towards her.
"Me too," she replied and hugged him.
"I am sorry, Hermione. You know I am not very good with these things but, er, I just want you to know that, er-" he was saying as he awkwardly hugged her back.
"I know, Ronald. I know."
They talked a little more until Bill came with Dean, saying that they should go. Of course, Harry had asked Hermione to come with them but Hermione said she needed to be alone.
When they finally left, Dean followed suit and also left.
Harry and Ron never asked Hermione what Dean was doing there with her.
And she was glad for that.
*~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~
Next day
The ministry of magic
Aurors' department
Hermione was at the Aurors' Department talking with Tonks.
"But tell me, Hermione, what do you want to talk with me about that Remus- or Harry- can't know?"
Hermione nervously looked around. She knew that Tonks had cast a Silencing spell in the room but…Oh, for Merlin's sake she was there! She knew she needed to go on!
With a deep breath, the young brown-haired witch spoke.
"I will bring Sírius back."
She didn't say must, perhaps, want. No, she said will.
Tonks almost fell from her chair.
"W-What did you say," the young auror managed to ask.
"I said that I will bring Sírius back."
"Er, Hermione- Sírius is, er-"
"Dead? No, he isn't. And you know that. He only passed the veil. He is in another, I don't know, dimension, but not dead."
Tonks knew that Hermione had a point.
"Okay, lets suppose that you are right. He is not dead. How can you bring him back? I mean, if this was easy every wizard or witch that had passed the veil would return."
"No, only those wizards and witches that pass the veil by accident or the innocent ones can return. That's the first thing. Then, there is a ritual. That's why I needed to talk with you. I need you to fulfill the ritual."
Without waiting for Tonk's reply, Hermione took from her coat a book and gave it to the Metamorphmagus.
"Here," she said. "It's here."
In silence, Tonks took the book from Hermione's hand and began to scan it.
After a few minutes, the auror finally spoke.
"Where did you find this? It's- It's amazing!"
"Bill's apartment," she said, but didn't elaborate.
"Okay, from what I can see, you need a familial blood to do the potion and to be with you on the day of the resurrection. I believe you have the drawing."
"Dean Thomas made it."
"Right, and of course the other requirement is you…"
Hermione just nodded.
"Hermione, I will do this for you- for Sírius. I know I am the only one that can help you. No, okay, there are aunt Bel, er, Bellatrix and Narcissa…"
"And Draco Malfoy."
"Yep, I can't believe that git is my cousin! Merlin, what a family!" she chuckled. "But, Hermione, why are doing this?"
Hermione didn't answer. She looked down while biting her bottom lip nervously.
"It's Harry, isn't it? You are doing this for him."
With a very weak voice, Hermione answered, "Yes, it's for Harry. Oh, Tonks! He's lost so much! He deserves to have a little happiness!"
"Hermione, do you like Harry?"
"Of course! He is my best friend!"
"No, that's not what I mean. Do you love Harry?"
Hermione closed her eyes, thinking about that almost-kiss at Bill's apartment.
"No, Tonks. I don't love Harry. What I feel for Harry is bigger than love. I could die for him, Tonks. Before him- and Ron- I never had friends. I was nobody. He makes me want to live. But this isn't anything romantic. I don't want to marry him or whatever. After all, he deserves someone better than me."
Tonks looked at the young witch in surprise but didn't say anything.
"Oh, and do you know why the last pages of the book are blank?" the auror asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, no. I don't. But I think that's nothing important."
Tonks nodded.
Hermione and Tonks continued to talk for a while. They decided that it was best not to tell Harry and Remus about the ritual. After all, if something went wrong they wouldn't be disappointed. Well, the truth is, they wouldn't tell anyone. They would perform the ritual on February 1, the Imbolc. It was the day when the ancient Celtics celebrated the victory of life against the death. The ritual must be performed in the veil room. It was good that Tonks worked at the Ministry.
About an hour later, Hermione said she needed to go. Tonks said she would walk with her to the exit.
They were in the Aurors' hall when Kingsley Shacklebolt called Tonks from his room.
"Tonks, please come here! Quick!"
"What's up, Kingsley?"
"Hello, Miss Granger," saluted the auror.
"Hello, Mister Shacklebolt."
"Now, Kingsley what do you want?" asked Tonks again.
"I need to give you some papers. Please come here," he said, letting Hermione and Tonks entered his cubicle.
Kingsley's room was different from Tonks'. If Tonks room was clean with almost nothing on the walls, or her desk, Kingsley's room had papers and parchment everywhere. Wanted posters covered the walls and his desk had some pictures. Maybe from his family, Hermione thought.
Hermione was absently looking at pictures on Kingsley's desk while he and Tonks talked when she saw …she saw something. A picture. A picture of a young black man. She noted that he looked like Kingsley, just younger. She couldn't believe it. It was Dean's dad.
"Who is this?" she blurted, interrupting Tonks and Kingsley's conversation.
"What? Oh! This is my brother, Kevin," he answered with a sad smiled. "He died in the First War."
Hermione's eyes opened wide.
" Kevin? Er, sorry to ask, but, er, how-"
"He was an Auror and the years before Voldemort's first fall were very dark. Very dark. Avery killed him."
"Oh, I am sorry. Er, Mister Shacklebolt- do you know if he had, er, someone?"
"You mean, a girlfriend?" asked the Auror, curious by Hermione's questions.
"Er, yes."
"Well, I knew he was seeing someone in Manchester. I never met the girl. I just knew she was a Muggle. But why do you ask?"
Hermione smiled.
"Well, Mister Shacklebolt, I think you have a nephew."
*~*~* ~
Meanwhile, in the Burrow…
"Ron told me that Dean was at Bill's with Hermione," Ginny was saying.
"What? Oh! Yes," said Harry. His thoughts were away. He couldn't take his mind off that- that moment with Hermione. He never had thought about her with feelings that were not of a friend. However…If Ron hadn't showed up…oh Merlin! What a mess!
"Well, it's seems that they decided not to hide anymore," she muttered.
Those words startled Harry.
"W-What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing…nothing," Ginny answered trying to hide a smirk.
"No, Ginny! You were saying that they didn't need to hide…hide what?"
Ginny came closed to him and put a hand on his cheek.
"Harry, dear, Hermione and Dean are dating."
TBC
I hope you liked it. :)