I Promise

Chapter Five: "Never Had a Dream Come True"

A/N: Thanks for all the fantastic reviews. I get more and more each chapter! You guys have no idea how happy you make me. So here it is… the reunion. Enjoy & don't forget to review (:

      "Yes, Ron." Hermione looked at him confidently, sure that she had made the right decision. There was no use in sitting around, waiting for Harry to come back. Ron had stayed by her side the past ten years, and Harry hadn't. Ron was the only one who had been there for Hermione. However, there was still that feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her to wait for Harry. Hermione ignored it, however.  

      Ron looked at her, stunned. It looked as though he hadn't expected her to accept the proposal. "Do you mean it, Hermione? Are you really giving your heart to me?" 

      Hermione nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. Gosh, why did she have to cry for everything? "Yes, Ron. Yes."  

      Ron smiled, kissing her. Tears were welling up in his eyes as well. "It's okay to cry, Mione. I can't believe it either. We're going to get married."  

      And as they kissed, Hermione realized that the tears she was shedding weren't tears of happiness. She wasn't crying because she was happy she was marrying Ron, she was crying because she knew she would never be with Harry.  

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      Hermione pictured the decorated Great Hall in her head. Tonight was the Hogwarts Reunion. She was finally going to go back to her old school. 

      Hermione checked the clock that hung on the wall. Ron was already seventeen minutes late. Hermione's hair was down and she was dressed in her pink dress. The dress was simple, yet elegant at the same time. She stood in front of the mirror, admiring herself.  

      "Okay, I don't look half bad," Hermione admitted to herself. "I definitely don't look like a bookworm." As she continued to admire herself, the doorbell rang.  

      Hermione headed over towards the door and opened it slowly. Ron stood there in a suit, looking very uncomfortable, carrying a bouquet of pink roses. Pink roses again. Would he ever learn that she didn't like them?  

      "To match your dress," Ron muttered, giving her a half smile. He handed the flowers to her. Hermione took them politely. 

      "Oh, Ron… thank you," Hermione smiled, looking up and down Ron. "You look great in that suit. I don't think I've seen you in a suit for years." 

      Ron shrugged, looking uncomfortable. He wasn't the type to enjoy formal outings. "I don't exactly feel great in it." He looked at her dress and gave her another half smile. "Is that a new dress?" 

      Hermione sighed. That was it? No compliment? No "you look gorgeous?" "Yes, Ron, it's a new dress." 

      Ron smiled at her. "Well uh the dress looks nice. And you look good in the dress as well."  

      "Was that an attempted compliment?" Hermione asked softly, a small smile plastered on her lips. Ron was terrible at compliments, but his attempted compliments always reminded Hermione what she loved about him. She loved how he was so hopelessly cute.  

      "I'm getting better," Ron replied hotly, taking her hand in his. Together, they apparated to the portkey that was to take them to Hogwarts. 

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      "Wow, McGonagall has really outdone herself," Ron commented, looking around at the decorations. The sky up above was decorated with dangling silver candles and each wall represented a different house. The walls had the animal that represented each house and had the colors of the house. The Great Hall was cluttered with familiar faces dressed up in fancy clothes.  

      Hermione nodded, distracted. She was glancing at the crowd, looking for Harry. He had to be here. McGonagall had said that every single Hogwarts student was attending.  

      Hermione's stomach flipped a few times as she thought about her meeting with Harry. She had thought about it for weeks, and had made up the conversation they'd have. Now that it was really the reunion, she could hardly believe it. She was going to see Harry again tonight. 

      Ron dragged Hermione towards the food, eyeing the food in a greedy sort of way. "It's important to eat up before all the good food is gone." 

      "I'm sure McGonagall has plenty, Ron," Hermione replied, feeling irritated. Was food the only thing Ron thought about? 

      Ron shrugged, stuffing his face. "I had to think of some excuse to eat now. I'm starved." 

      "You're always hungry, Ron," Hermione answered, disgusted. Honestly, was he ever going to learn to control his stomach? "I'm going to go over towards the dance floor for a bit, okay? Meet me there once you're done eating. I want to catch up with some old friends." 

      Ron waved her off, absorbed in his food. "Yeah, yeah whatever. I'll be done soon with all this food. I'll come get you in twenty or so minutes, okay Mione?" 

      Hermione headed towards the dance floor, not replying Ron's last comment. A fast paced song had just turned into a slow song… her favorite one, "Never Had A Dream Come True." Hermione watched as all the couples started slow dancing, wishing she was there with them.  

      Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Assuming it was Ron, she said, "Wow, you sure do eat fast, Ron." She turned around to see a man with emerald eyes and messy black hair looking at her. 

      Hermione couldn't breathe. This was the moment she had been picturing for ten years- the day she saw Harry again. And now that it was here, she had no idea what to say. He still had the same sort of messy and tall look to him, but he was more handsome than before. He definitely looked a lot older.  

      Hermione stammered. "Uh… hello." 

      He offered her a hand, blushing slightly. He looked nervous. "Ehh… Hermione? Would you like to dance?"  

      Hermione nodded, her pulse racing. She swallowed. "Yeah. I mean, yes. I'd like that very much, Harry." 

      Harry nodded slowly, avoiding her glance. Harry led her onto the dance floor, and pulled her close. Hermione could hardly breathe. Harry smelt like a past memory, a good memory. A memory of Hogwarts. For some reason, she felt so safe and secure in his arms… a feeling she never had with Ron. 

      "I… " Hermione was at a loss for words. What do you say to your best friend who you haven't seen for ten years? "How are you doing, Harry?" 

      Harry smiled slightly, and whispered softly, "You look beautiful, Hermione. Your hair, your dress… you're stunning." 

      Hermione blushed. Now that was how a true compliment was presented. Not like the stupid half compliments Ron gave her. "You look great as well, Harry." 

      They danced for a few moments in silence. Then, Hermione asked the question she had been itching to ask since they had started to dance. "Harry, I have to know… why didn't you contact me? I mean, I thought… I thought we were best friends." She almost felt angry that Harry hadn't tried to contact her in the past ten years. Didn't she mean anything to him? They were best friends, for the love of Merlin. Why hadn't he contacted his best friend? 

      "Look, Hermione, can we not talk about this now?" Harry pleaded, looking at her. It was obvious he was trying to avoid the subject.  

      The song ended, and the two of them pulled away from each other slowly and regretfully. They sat down next to each other in chairs.  

      “Harry,” Hermione begged, “I have to know. You have to understand… I need to know why you didn't contact me.” 

      Harry looked down and shook his head. “I can't tell you, Hermione… I just can't.” His tone was flat. “Look we… we don't have much time. Please, I swear I will explain soon.” He looked back into her eyes. 

      "I've… I've missed you so much, Harry," Hermione whispered. Without notice, they both hugged each other tightly, and Hermione felt something wet on her cheek. She realized that she was crying.  

      "I've missed you, too, Mione," he whispered into her hair. "More than you realize." He kissed her cheek and then slowly made his way to her lips.  

      Hermione felt as though fireworks were exploding in her head. Her heart swelled as Harry started to deepen the kiss. Hermione loved the feeling of Harry's warm lips on her. Then something caught her eye- her engagement ring, glistening under the Great Hall's lighting.  

      Hermione pulled away quickly. "Harry… Harry I can't," she whispered quietly. 

      Harry looked crushed. He looked at her with a pained expression. "I've been waiting ten years to do that, Hermione…" He leaned in to kiss her again. Hermione pulled away.  

      "Harry, listen to me," she whispered urgently, "I've… I've been waiting for ten years to do that as well. But…" Hermione was crying now.  

      Harry looked at her, concerned. He pulled away from her. "Hermione, I'm so sorry! What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" 

      "No," Hermione choked, madly wiping away the tears. She couldn't let anyone see her crying. "You are perfect. You are wonderful. That's the problem. I'm engaged to Ron." 

      Harry flinched, and swore under his breath. He took a deep breath. "You're engaged to Ron?"  

      "That's what I said, wasn't it?" Hermione whispered softly, burying her head in Harry's chest. He put his arms around her, comforting her.  

      They sat like that for a few minutes, Hermione crying, and Harry hugging her close. Nothing in the world would break them apart. Except… 

      Hermione nudged Harry nervously. "We have to get out of here." 

A/N: Okay, so the reunion is continued in the next chapter. I'm getting back on August 12^th from vacation so I should be able to update once more before I leave. Thanks for all your reviews and support! <3