Coming Home by FayeValentine00

Rating: PG13
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 04/09/2006
Last Updated: 29/03/2007
Status: Paused

After the war is over, Hermione has trouble adjusting to everyday life so she decides she needs
a vacation. She only plans to take a short trip but six years later, she's back and standing on
Harry's doorstep with a baby and a lot of explaing to do. Hermione POV.




1. Chapter 1
------------

**Coming Home**

**By: FayeValentine00**

*Hermione, Age 18*

The war was over. The last Death Eater had been arrested nearly a week ago and life in the
wizarding world seemed to be going back to normal. Then again, how did I even know what normal was?
The whole time that Harry and I had been part of the wizarding community, Voldemort had been a
threat. It wasn't until the fighting ended that I realized I didn't know what to do next. I
didn't know how to move on because peace was all new to me and the same thing was true for
Harry.

Harry handled it by taking a vacation and I wanted to do the same. I wanted Ron and I to just
leave for a while. I wanted to start my life with him all over again and do the things that young
lovers do. The problem was that Ron didn't feel the same way. He'd grown up in the
wizarding community and knew what normal was. He wanted to go back to doing the things he done as a
child and spend time with his family.

Please don't get me wrong. It wasn't like I didn't want him to see his family or
that I didn't want him to spend time with them but I did want to be a little selfish. Just for
a while, I wanted undivided attention from the man I loved. I didn't think that it was too much
to ask but he simply couldn't understand why things just couldn't stay the same.

"Hermione, what good will going away do? We'll still end up back here anyway. It
isn't going to change anything."

"You just don't get it, Ron." I answered tearfully. "I don't know who I
am anymore. I am sick of being the smart girl or Ron and Harry's friend. I don't know how
to be a witch without having some kind of evil to fight. When I was little, everything had seemed
so simple but now it isn't and I just need to go until I realize how to find myself
again."

"This is stupid. Everyone we know and love is here. Everyone here will help you adjust. You
know my family loves you and as soon as Harry comes home it will be like old times," he said
trying to reach out to me but I backed away and looked Ron dead in the eye.

"You just don't get it, do you? I don't want it to be like 'old times.' It
will never be like 'old times.' You grew up around wizards. I didn't. All I know these
days is survival. Harry feels the same way. That's why he left and you know it. You supported
him. Why can't you support me the same way. I love you, Ron. I want to be with you."

"Then don't go," Ron said. His expression was hard to read but my decision was
made. Right or wrong, I had to leave. With or without the man I loved.

"I have to go, Ron. I hope you'll come with me."

Our eyes met and we stood in silence for a long time but I knew his answer from the start.
"I can't, Hermione. My family needs me here.'

"Dammit, Ron. I need you."

"I'm sorry."

That night I left without a goodbye to anyone. I didn't even say goodbye to my parents. I
felt like my life was over. It wasn't until years later that I realized that it was just
beginning.

*Hermione, Age 24*

Almost six years to the day from leaving England, I find myself back again. I'm back to
where I once had been but no where near that same girl I'd been when I left. I'd learned
some very important lessons while I was away and I didn't know if I belonged anywhere
anymore... especially here.

Tonight would be the biggest leap of faith I had taken in years and if this didn't work out,
I would be completely out of luck. I think there is only one person in the world I still trust but
I hadn't spoken to him in years. I'd never answered any of his owls no matter how much
Hedwig tortured me and only now do I realize how stupid that had been.

Now I am standing on the doorstep of Harry Potter's door carrying more baggage than he could
ever have imagined. I knocked on the door solidly and waited for an answer, praying he was
home.

When the door opened, my breath caught in my chest. Harry stood before me looking so much more
like a man then I'd remembered. He'd filled out and put on a little muscle but his bright
green eyes were still just as sharp. When my brown eyes met his, there was a long silence. Before a
word was even spoken, Harry held me tightly and I was crying on his shoulder like a child.

After a long while, I gathered myself together and met Harry's eyes once again.
"Hermione, are you okay?" he asked softly, only just then noticing the baby carrier
behind me. His mouth dropped but he didn't say a word.

"I'll be okay, Harry. No physical wounds to speak of. I - I know I have a lot of
explaining to do and I… I'm sorry but I need your help. I didn't know where else to
go."

"You're always welcome here, Hermione. You know that. Now come inside, have some tea.
We'll talk about everything later."

It was his calm acceptance and understanding that surprised me. I know it shouldn't have but
it did. Even when Harry saw my daughter, he didn't ask questions. He simply picked up her
carrier and brought her inside. It wasn't until nearly an hour later after Harry insisted on
giving us a room and helping us settle in, that we sat down on the couch for tea and a long
talk.

"I know I should have written you so many times, Harry. I've been so stupid. I know
that now," I started slowly.

"Hermione, you don't have to explain anything if you don't want to. I'm just
glad to see you safe," he responded, squeezing my hand tightly and smiling at me liked I
remembered so often over the last six years.

"No, I do. I do have to explain everything. It isn't fair to you if I don't. You
might not forgive me for some of the stupid things I've done and if that's true, I rather
find out now." I waited until he nodded his agreement before going on.

"When I left I tried to get Ron to go with me but I am sure he already told you that. I
know why he didn't leave. I know he wanted to be with his family and I respect that. I just
couldn't function any longer. I didn't know who I was anymore. I didn't understand my
place in the world. All I knew how to be was little-miss-know-it-all or Harry Potter's friend.
Somewhere along the line I felt like I'd lost myself and I thought going away was the solution.
Maybe it was…"

"Before we go further, I have a question," Harry said politely with a smile and I knew
he was trying to keep me from sinking even further into myself. "I'm guessing that
beautiful baby in the crib over there is yours?" he said gesturing to the other side of the
room where he'd insisted on putting the crib while we spoke.

"Yes. She's my daughter." I answered with a smile, following his gaze to where my
baby slept. No matter the mistakes I'd made, she was something I would never regret.

"My questions are… what is her name? How old is she? And where was she born?"

I turned back to Harry once again and smiled. "Her name is Alicia Marie Granger. She is two
months old and she was born in the United States in Los Angeles. I must say that you've been
very nice. You haven't once mentioned that I put on some weight since I last saw you but Alicia
is my excuse."

Harry laughed along with me. "Hermione, you don't need an excuse for anything. You look
beautiful."

His words were so unexpected that I stopped laughing abruptly and tears filled my eyes. I leaned
over and kissed Harry's cheek lightly before replying. "Thanks. That means a lot. It's
been a long time since anyone has said that."

As a lone tear rolled down my cheek, Harry wiped it away and pulled me close to him. He held me
protectively as I began the story of where I'd been for the last six years, why I was coming
home now and who fathered the little girl that slept only a few feet away.



2. Chapter 2
------------

**Coming Home**

**Chapter 2**

**By: FayeValentine00**

"So… it wasn't supposed to be like this. I was only going to take a short trip to find
myself. After that I'd come home and move on with my life like everyone else." Harry
laughed under his breath which caught me of guard.

"It's not that easy, Hermione and I know it. You're preaching to the
choir."

Giving Harry another tight squeeze, I smiled. "I know."

"I didn't even know where I was going when I left. I just wanted to get away. I
don't even think Mars would have been far enough away but I settled on America. At first I
found a wizarding village in New York City but people recognized me from stories in the paper of
our adventures against Voldemort and it scared the hell out of me. I had left to get away from
those kind of memories and 6 months in New York City showed me that another Wizarding village
wasn't far enough away."

"By that point, I was sick of the magic community and magic itself. I realized the only way
to truly get away was to go somewhere that no one would know me. I needed a place where no one had
ever heard of Voldemort or curses or anything like that. I ended up in Santa Monica, California. I
got a Muggle apartment and put away all my magical items. I even stashed away my wand. I didn't
touch it again for 5 years."

At this point, I pulled away and looked at Harry. "This is where I wonder if you'll
forgive me. I gave up magic and I had no intention of ever coming back. I knew that you would
probably worry about me but I was too selfish. I knew that if I contacted you or Ron or the others,
I'd be dragged back into a world that I no longer desired to be a part of. I started to hate
magic. I felt like it ruined my life."

I couldn't read Harry's expression when he asked, "If you really felt that way, why
did you come back?"

"I promise to get to that, Harry. I've learned a lot over the last few years."

"I ended up making some Muggle friends and got a job as a waitress of all things. I was so
bitter at how things I'd turned out that I didn't even want a teaching job or anything like
that. I just wanted to be 'normal' and waitressing was as close as I could get to my idea
of 'normal.' Life was pretty bland but no one recognized me and no one around me was dying
or being attacked and that seemed like a blessing."

"Then about 2 years ago I met a man. He seemed perfect. His name was Chris. He was tall,
handsome and smart. He had a good job and really cared about me. We dated for a short while and
then I moved in with him. He treated me like an angel and for the first time since I was very
small, I felt protected. I felt safe. I felt like I was finally where I belonged. About a year ago,
Chris asked me to marry him and I accepted but that was when things started to get hard."

"I started to realize that I did miss some things about the Wizarding world. When I was
finally happy with my life again, I realized how much I missed everyone and how much I missed
magic. It was like a very slow awakening that should never have taken as long as it did. I realized
that I had to tell Chris the truth. I'd never mentioned magic to him or told him what I was. In
the beginning of our relationship, it didn't seem to matter and even after our engagement, I
put off telling him. It was when I realized that I was pregnant with Alicia that I knew I had to
tell him. I couldn't wait until a letter came when Alicia was eleven for him to find out the
truth. That wouldn't be fair to him or Alicia."

"I honestly thought that it would be okay. I knew Chris would be shocked but I never
expected what would happen."

*Hermione, 3 months ago - Santa Monica, CA*

"Chris, can we talk for a moment?" I asked, taking his hand and pulling him towards
me.

"What's on your mind?" he asked in a sexy tone, wrapping his arms around my
pregnant belly and pulling me in for a tender embrace.

I kissed him softly and then pulled out of his embrace. "This is serious. There is
something I need to tell you. Something I probably should have told you a long time ago."

I could tell immediately that he was unsure of what I was going to say but he nodded and sat
down next to me at the kitchen table. I took his hand in mine, took a deep breath and said the
words I'd hoped to never have to say. "Before our child is born, I have to tell you
something…. Something about my past."

"What is it, 'Mione?" He asked, looking really concerned now but I tried my best
to smile.

"Chris, I am a witch." I said as gently as I could but he laughed in my face.

"Ha! Come on, Hermione. What do you really have to tell me?"

When I didn't laugh along with him, he looked confused. "Seriously, I am a witch. I
know I told you that I graduated from a school called Hogwarts but what I didn't tell you is
that the full name of the school was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I found out I was
a witch when I was eleven years old."

"Stop kidding, Hermione. You and I both know there is no such thing as witchcraft or magic.
Now really… tell me the truth." This time he looked a little more serious and I knew I had to
prove it to him so I got up, crossed the room, and got my wand out of it's hiding place.

"Chris, I'm not joking." With the flick of the wrist, I lit all the candles on the
table with a simple spell. Once Chris realized what I'd done, I put them out again. When that
sank in, I transfigured my teacup into a cat and then turned it back again. By that time, Chris had
an expression of horror and I knew I'd done enough. In fact, I began to think that maybe
I'd done too much.

"Chris, I love you but I wanted you to know the truth. I also wanted you to know that there
is a good chance that our child could also be a wizard and I thought it only fair that you learn
the truth now."

He didn't say a word for a long time. Chris' blue eyes were wide with shock and when I
tried to take a step towards him, he leapt out of his chair and out of my reach. "D-Don't
touch me."

"What?!" I was in shock. I loved Chris with all my heart. I knew finding out about
magic and learning that I was a witch on the same day was a big shock but he looked horrified. No,
closer to the truth, he looked sick and my heart sank. Even before our conversation was over, I
could tell I'd lost him.

"D-don't touch me," he said again, taking another step backwards.

"Why? Nothing has changed, Chris. I am still the same person that I was ten minutes ago.
The only difference is that I can do a few magic tricks, ok?" I tried to take another step
forward but it did no good. He looked like he might run at any second so I stopped. "This is
stupid. It's not a big deal. Honestly."

"How do I know you haven't put some kind of spell on me?!" he asked near panic in
his voice.

"Don't be stupid. I would never do that. Besides, it is against the law."

"There are magic laws?! " I kept thinking that if I could just explain things to Chris
he'd come around so I kept talking.

"Yes, there are wizarding communities all over the world. Most of the people I know are in
England but there are loads of magical people and creatures everywhere."

"You're l-lying."

"It's true, Chris. Wizards make it a point to keep their existence a secret from
Muggles." Realizing I said just another word he didn't understand, I quickly caught
myself. "Muggles are humans that can not do magic. We keep the secret because we don't
want to cause a panic."

"If you are a witch, why did you leave England?"

I took a deep breath. I had been expecting to tell Chris the story of Voldemort from the start
but now I realized that it would do no good. It would only make things worse so I told a half
truth. "I left to find myself. I didn't know who I was anymore. I just needed to get
away."

"Well, you - you should have stayed there."

My heart sunk. "You don't mean that," I said quickly taking another step
closer.

"Stay away, Hermione. I don't know you anymore."

"Chris, stop it. Don't say that. I am the same woman you've always known."
Panic poured out of my voice as tears started to roll down my cheeks. "I should never kept it
a secret but I'm sorry. I love you."

"Stop it, Hermione. Just stop," he said, crossing the room and pulling a jacket out of
the closet. "I can't handle this. I am sorry but I can't. I'm leaving."

"Don't do this. Please, Chris! What about your child?" I was sobbing as I watched
the man who just minutes ago had held me tightly and now looked at me as if I had the plague.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I just - I just can't deal with this. I'm
leaving."

"Please don't do this," I repeated, sinking onto the couch.

"The lease is up in a few months. After that, you're on your own. Go back to England.
That's were you belong." Before walking out the front door, he looked me in the eye and I
saw a hint of sadness. "I'm sorry, Hermione."

*Hermione, present time on Harry's couch*

"After that he walked out the door. Alicia was born about a month later and I waited. I
kept hoping that Chris would walk back through that door and forgive me. I wanted him to tell me
that being a witch was okay. More than anything, I wanted him to accept his child but he never came
back. Three days ago, my lease was up in Santa Monica and I knew I had to come home."



3. Chapter 3
------------



**Coming Home**

**Chapter 3**

**By: FayeValentine00**

I turned to Harry and forced a smile I didn't quite feel. “I didn't know where else to
go. I haven't spoken to anyone… Not even my parents. I'm not sure they'll forgive me
but… but somehow I knew that you'd understand. Does that make sense?”

Harry smiled and pulled me into a hug. “I'm just glad your home.”

I allowed myself to sink into his embrace. I let all the feelings of childhood friendship sink
in and when I finally pulled away, a piece of me felt a lot better. “Thanks, Harry. I—“

My words broke off when Alicia started crying. With an apologetic smile to Harry, I leapt up,
crossed the room and picked her up. When I turned around, Harry was standing there with a bottle
from the diaper bag in hand. “Where are you planning to live?”

“I'm not sure just yet. I was going to look at some flats tomorrow and see what I can
afford. I also need to get a job but I need to find a job where I can make some money but still
spend time with Alicia.”

“Finding a job should be easy for you, Hermione. Everyone still knows that you were one of the
smartest witches around. They'll be falling over themselves to hire you no matter what time
constraints you have,” Harry said with a true smile, squeezing my shoulder supportively. “By the
way, how did you know where I live?”

I tried to cover my laugh by adjusting Alicia onto the other arm. “I don't think you want to
know.”

“Try me.” Seeing the humor in my eyes made him suspicious and there was a playfully wicked gleam
in his eyes.

“Well, Harry. You must know that you are the most famous wizard alive today,” I said, falling
back into my know-it-all voice. I waited for him to roll his eyes and nod before continuing. “And
you must know that every teenage witch magazine on earth still writes stories about you nearly
every issue, right?”

Again he nodded but pretended like he was going to be sick. “Well, somehow all those little
girls know where you live. All you have to do is ask and they will tell all.”

“Oh my god…” Harry said under his breath but then looked up at me with a smile. “Well, at least
*something* good came out it for once. I got my best friend back.”

We talked for a while about little things that had happen in our lives. We laughed and got
reacquainted. Then I looked down at Alicia, trying not to let Harry see my concern. I was really
worried about how I was going to provide for my daughter and myself but I didn't dare let Harry
know. When I looked back up to meet his eyes, I knew that he already knew.

“Hermione, I want you and Alicia to stay here.”

“Harry, we can't do that. If it was just me, maybe, but having a baby in the house is a big
distraction. I can't do that to you.”

“I *want* you to stay, please. I live in this 3 bedroom flat that I really don't need
for myself. Besides, it will be nice to have a friendly face around.”

I was trying not to panic. Quickly Harry was turning into my savior and I didn't want that.
He didn't owe me anything. In fact, I owed him quite a bit. The last thing I needed to do now
was add to that debt. “You're so sweet but I can't. I mean, what if you bring a girlfriend
home and Alicia starts screaming. It happens and that would be the ultimate mood-breaker.”

Harry just laughed good-heartedly and looked done at Alicia with a smile I'd never seen on
him before. When he looked back up at me, he was still smiling. “Well, number one, that is what a
sliencio charm is for. Number two, not much in that part of my life has changed over the years. I
am not one to bring woman home very often. In fact, I avoid the crazy ones like the plague.”

“So, are you bringing men home now?,” I retorted with a snort of amusement as I watched his jaw
drop in shock.

“As soon as you put Alicia down, you are going to pay for that.” We both laughed long and hard
about that but when we calmed down, he reached out and touched my hand gently.

Our eyes met and a little shock went through me that I didn't quite understand but
didn't dare examine. “Please stay, Hermione. I want you both to stay. Besides, I can help with
Alicia when you need to go on interviews and things, ok?”

“Harry…” I started but his eyes were pleading. “Okay. … Thank you but … but you have to let me
pay you rent, okay?”

“Deal.”

I looked down and saw that the baby was asleep so I waited while Harry put the crib in the room
that would be ours. When everything was settled, I laid her down again. We quickly left the room,
and went back to the couch. I felt like I had so many other things to tell him and so many other
confessions to make about smaller things but I couldn't, not just yet. I had already done so
much. Some things would just have to wait. However, other things probably couldn't wait and
Harry mentioned it when we sat back down.

“We should really tell Ron that you're back,” he said looking a little worried about
bringing it up but I smiled and he seemed to relax.

“I know. I would like to see him. How has he been?”

“Good. He has been really good,” He started and then paused as if he wasn't sure he wanted
tell me something so I pushed.

“What is it, Harry? What's happened?”

He paused for a long time but finally met my eyes and spilled the secret. “It's just, Ron
got married last summer and I wasn't sure how you would take it.”

I was surprised but not shocked. Ron was a great guy and he deserved to find happiness. Smiling
my best to make Harry relax, I nodded. “Good for Ron. Is he happy? Who did he marry? Do I know
her?”

“You know her, alright,” he grinned, sensing that I had taken it well and obviously wanting to
see my reaction to the name. “He married Luna and, yes, he is very happy.”

“Luna?! … Wow. Well, good,” I am sure that my eyes were wide as saucers in amazement but I guess
it made sense. “Wow…”

“Is it okay if I owl Ron and tell him to come?” Harry asked, trying to look more confident than
he felt but I did not say anything. It was clear he wanted to get this portion of the reunion over
so we could move forward.

“Of course. Are you going to tell him that I am here?” I was nervous. In fact my hands were
shaking just thinking about it but I knew that seeing Ron was the right thing to do. I needed this
and maybe he did too. Besides, if he and Harry were still close, I would be seeing a lot of him in
the future.

“No, I think I will just say it is important.”

The owl was sent and fifteen minutes later, I heard the familiar pop of an apparation, quickly
followed by a knock on the door. When Harry answered it, I stood up but stayed around the corner.
Quickly, I ran my fingers through my hair, took a deep breath and tried to hold myself together. I
heard his voice first.

“So, where's the fire? What is so important that it could not wait until later?” He'd
followed Harry into the living room but didn't lookup at me until Harry pointed. When he did,
he froze. Our eyes met and I smiled despite the tears running down my cheeks.

“Hi, Ron.” I stood frozen as I said those words. I didn't wipe my eyes or reach out for a
hug. I just stared and he stared back. “I hear I-I owe you congratulations. I-I'm sorry I
missed your wedding. … I am so sorry… about everything”

He just nodded and Harry must have thought that we were mad but we stood on opposite sides of
the rooms just staring. I didn't dare move to hug him. I didn't deserve it but I didn't
think I could bare it if he moved away so I waited and after what seemed like an eternity, he
cracked a smiled and moved forward to give me a hug. Of course, I hugged him back tightly.

“Good lord, Hermione. We thought you'd vanished for good.” To my surprise, his voice sounded
thick with emotion.

“I'm so sorry.” I repeated. I guess I was happy that there was no lingering spark of
romance. That would have been horribly inappropriate *and* uncomfortable knowing that he had a
wife but it was not a problem. I was just grateful to have my two best friends again.

“I'm glad your home.” He pulled out the embrace and looked me over. “Where have you been?
What have you---“ His words broke off, when Harry put a hand on his arm and shook his head.

“Let's go over that stuff later, ok?”

Ron nodded and I smiled. “There is lots to tell, Ron and I want to hear all about married life
but first I want you to meet someone new.”

To be continued…

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4. Chapter 4
------------

**Coming Home**

**Chapter 4**

**By: FayeValentine00**

I took Ron’s arm and led him to the bedroom. I was still nervous about introducing him to Alicia
but I was excited at the same time. My daughter was the one thing in my life that I was most proud
of. Despite all the mistakes I’d made in the last few years, she was my shining achievement.

Harry opened the door and we all stepped inside. I nearly laughed when Ron froze the moment he
saw the crib. He looked back and forth between me and the crib several times before sputtering out,
“You have a baby?!”

“Her name is Alicia and she is two months old,” I nodded, leaving the boys at the door and
walking over to check on her but when I got to the crib I instantly knew something was wrong. The
blankets had been moved and I couldn’t see her.

My mind was racing. I quickly reached forward and pulled the blanket out of the crib. I kept
trying to convince myself that maybe she’d managed to move around and that was why I didn’t
immediately see her when I looked in the crib but once the blanket was gone, my worst fears were
realized.

“Harry,” I managed to whisper. My voice was so soft and raspy that I hardly recognized it. I
couldn’t take my eyes off the place where Alicia should have been. I blinked over and over, willing
her to appear but she didn’t.

After that, everything was a blur. Harry and Ron were at my side in a flash, looking at the
empty crib. Ron swore under his breath. “She was just here!,” I managed to shout, pulling all the
rest of the bedding out of the crib and searching in and around the area for any sign of my
daughter.

Ron and Harry began searching as well and within seconds, they found the bedroom window cracked
open. Normally, that would not seem out of place but Harry had specifically made sure that the
window was closed when we put Alicia to bed. The men rushed outside to search while I turned the
room upside down. I was just about to give up when I looked in the car seat and saw a letter
written in green ink.

My heart sank and a wave of nausea spilled over me. My hands trembled as I opened the letter. It
was address to *Miss Hermione Granger* and somehow I already knew it held the key to my
missing daughter. I opened the envelope and read it slowly.

*Miss Granger,*


*We’ve been watching you for some time, you know. We still have many plans to bring an end to
Harry Potter and the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix but we were missing an important
piece to the puzzle. Your daughter should work quite nicely.*

There was no signature. No name. No symbol at all that might lead me to the people who’d taken
my daughter. Of course, I had my suspicions but nothing was concrete.

I kept reading the letter over and over, hoping new words would appear but they didn’t and when
Harry and Ron came back into the room empty handed, I passed the letter to Harry without a word. I
felt numb. My daughter was gone and someone had taken her. Not just anyone either. She was taken by
somebody who hated me, hated my friends and hated everything that we stood for.

I watched Harry’s face as he read the letter. I watched as his face changed from shock to guilt
to anger in a matter of seconds before passing the letter off to Ron who reacted with disgust. That
was when I felt a tiny spark in the pit of my stomach start to grow. It was a feeling that I hadn’t
experienced in quite some time. It reminded me off the days when we’d fought Voldemort. It reminded
me of the days when the future of the Wizarding world rested in Harry’s hands, (and to a lesser
degree, in Ron’s and mine as well.)

I took a deep breath, forced back the tears that could have come so easily and looked at Ron and
Harry. “I have to go. I have to find Alicia.”

I started to get up but Harry grabbed my arm. “Hermione, wait. We have to think this
through.”

He was looking at me with empathy but I snapped. “Think this through?! Harry, we don’t have time
for that! Alicia doesn’t have time for that! We ha-“

“Hermione!” My words broke off as Harry shouted over me. When I stopped talking, he softened his
voice and took my hand. “You of all people *know* we have to learn more about what is going on
before we can just run off into a fight.”

“But…” I started. I knew Harry was right but my heart wouldn’t listen. All I could think of was
Alicia. She was just a baby. She had nothing to do with… *anything.* Yet, now she was in the
hands of the enemy. To make it worse, I wasn’t even sure which enemy had her.

“Hermione, Harry’s right,” I heard Ron say as he took my other hand and squeezed it.

I looked back and forth between the men and finally allowed a few tears to fall. “I have to find
her.”

“We’ll find her, Hermione. I promise,” Harry answered and Ron nodded his agreement.

Within an hour, members of the previously disbanded Order of the Phoenix were streaming into
Harry’s apartment. I’d forgotten how much I’d missed these people over the years until I saw them
again but that feeling was overshadowed by concern for Alicia. Ginny arrived within minutes of the
owl she’d received and had been by my side ever since. I noticed what looked like an engagement
ring on her finger but didn’t ask. Instead, Ginny insisted that I tell her all about Alicia, Chris
and living in America. I didn’t realize it for a very long time but talking to Ginny about those
missing years, kept my thoughts off the current crisis until the entire Order was assembled.

“Harry, why don’t you tell everyone what is going on?,” Lupin said, glancing at me with concern
when the last member arrived.

“We need everyone’s help,” Harry started. With a flick of the wand, he levitated the letter I’d
found and enlarged it so everyone in the room could read it easily. After everyone had time to
process the words, he continued. “Hermione’s daughter, Alicia, is only two months old. We need to
find her quickly before anything else happens.”

I watched Tonks closely as she read the letter I’d received and then she looked over at me in
shock. I could tell she was floored that I’d come home with a daughter but the minute Harry
finished speaking, she was on her feet. “Where do we start?”

Quickly, the other members of the order agreed to help and before long, everyone dispersed. Even
Ron had left to bring Luna up to date and start an investigation of his own, which left Harry and I
alone in the flat.

“I need to go Hogwarts,” I said, climbing to my feet and grabbing my jacket.

“What’s at Hogwarts?,” he asked, grabbing his jacket as well. Obviously, he was coming with
me.

“The library.”

I don’t know how I expected him to react but the slight smile that reached his lips was a
surprise. “Of course. You always seemed to find answers there in the past. Maybe we can find
something to help us again.”

“Thank you, Harry,” I said quickly, kissing his cheek with a smile and then I disapperated a
moment before him.