Do You Love Me?

Far Away - Nickelback

“This time, this place
Misused, mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait?
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
You know, you know...

[chorus]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long.
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
And you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore.”

Chapter 4 - Do You Love Me?

“I'm going to kill Ginny,” he muttered as a multitude of emotions took hold of him.

Hermione stood unmoving staring at Harry as if she had seen a ghost. Or rather as if she had seen Voldemort being resurrected. Indeed not a good image to have in mind. Though the sight of Harry was more pleasant - perhaps even welcomed - Hermione did not react for a few minutes until a deep-seated blush took over her features.

“Harry!” exclaimed a medium-sized, sixty year-old version of Hermione standing behind her daughter.

Mrs. Granger soon moved to give the young man in front of her a hug. Mrs. Granger absolutely adored Harry. He was her favorite of Hermione's friends. Truth to be told she found Ronald Weasley too quiet and a bit surly. Harry, on the other hand, had an agreeable disposition. He was tall, lanky, boyish, shy, intelligent and good-hearted. A fit match for her daughter.

Yes, Hermione's mother was shocked to see Harry at her door. Hermione had not been forthcoming with details about what happened between the two of them. She had asked to move back in six months ago. However, slowly, Mrs. Granger had pieced tiny parts of the story together. Hermione had not been able to reconcile certain expectations of hers in her relationship with Harry. She sensed that there was still unfinished business between the two young people. Indeed Hermione had drowned herself in work spending every waking moment at the hospital because her guilt seemed to consume her being.

Harry robotically returned Mrs. Granger's hug. She was a good woman. He did not want to hurt her. But Merlin did he want to run out right now. However, it was not in Harry Potter's nature to avoid a direct challenge. He knew what would happen when he had rung the bell. He seemed to be calling Hermione back into his life. And Ginny? How dare she interfere? How dare she presume anything on his part? A righteous indignation crawled upon him.

“Harry, come in! Should I put the kettle on for a spot of tea? Hermione dear, show Harry to the living room please while I get some biscuits,” said Mrs. Granger leaving Harry and Hermione in the foyer.

“Harry, I…”

He stared at her.

“I'm sorry,” she said breaking eye contact with him and leading him into the living room.

He wanted to shout at her. Tell her she didn't mean it. Scream at her. But he was so confused. He was in her house. Her territory. He had made the first move though unwillingly.

She turned around and surveyed him. Finally, she took his hand and whispered, “Don't leave.”

And this is how it begins. Another dance. Another song.

“Don't touch me, Hermione.”

However, suddenly, she pulled the tie that he had forgotten about from the collar of his shirt and started to tie it into a Windsor knot fixing it around his neck. Her fingers worked quickly and expertly. Her scent filled his nostrils. He was mesmerized all over again. But he began to resist every urge in his body that told him to lean down and kiss her. He had every right to be angry with her.

“I'm sorry.” she said then shaking her head tossing her mop of curls, “I don't even have the right to ask you to stay.”

He immediately pulled away from her once she finished tying the knot. He backed away adjusting the length of the tie. At least he knew how to do that. He hated how dependent he was on her right now. Next time, he was going to buy a readymade tie. One of those things with a strap.

But she did want him to stay. She missed him and just being this near to him reminded her of that.

“But we are going to the same charity event. Can we go together for old time's sake?”

He scoffed.

“I won't be your escort for the night, Hermione.”

Hermione remembered Ginny. She appreciated what Ginny had done for her. This was another chance. But had she all ready lost her chance with Harry?

“I understand.”

Instinctively sensing the tension between Harry and Hermione, Crookshanks hurtled out of nowhere into the living room. The kneazle purred and meowed scratching at Harry's robes. Despite himself, Harry smiled picking Crookshanks up and into his arms.

Hermione was surprised by how much her attitude towards Harry had changed. She had taken Harry for granted after the War. But now she saw all the same things she had loved about Harry before the War. After the war, she had gotten caught up in the “reality” of life. She expected normal life to be a certain way. But there were no parameters. No guidelines on how life should be. Life was what you made of it.

“You little tiger,” Harry said, “Did you miss me?”

Crookshanks meowed.

“Finally, that cat has made some noise,” Mrs. Granger said bringing in a tray, “I was getting tired of it hissing around. Hermione, what time did you say you were supposed to be at the War Veterans' charity event tonight?”

Mrs. Granger's knowledge about her daughter's world was limited. Yet her daughter told her some of what happened during the “War” as it was termed. That time had been particular hard even on the Muggle world with strange signs of destruction and havoc appearing all of the world. Any other woman in the world would have refused to believe such stories of wonder and magic. Mrs. Granger was not ordinary though. She was a scientist. A person who believed that there was more to the world than the surface.

But then the War had ended. And she was drawn to believe even with the limited details that this peace was a result of the actions of these two stubborn individuals standing in front of her.

“Seven-thirty,” Hermione said glancing at her watch, “It's seven-fifteen now.”

“You're going to be late! Oh no!”

“Mum, I don't think I'm going,” Hermione said looking at her mother and sending her a look asking her not to question her right now.

“Right…” Mrs. Granger said trying to hide her disappointment as her smile disappeared, “We could finish watching that genetics documentary instead if you like.”

Harry noticed the silent exchange between mother and daughter and inwardly sighed as he petted Crookshanks on the head. Hermione had to be at the event. This was their brain child. He didn't want Hermione's mother to be upset either. Plus, there would be no better way to show her that he had moved on than for him to spend a few hours in her company.

“Hermione, you have to go. Come on,” he said setting Crookshanks down on the floor. He motioned towards the door apologizing to Mrs. Granger.

“Sorry, we couldn't have tea, Mrs. Granger. It was nice seeing you,” Harry said smiling and hugging Hermione's mother. Mrs. Granger was truly a nice woman. Maybe it was because she knew and treated him as “just Harry” but he always felt kindly towards her.

“Nice to see you too, dear,” Mrs. Granger said laughing. Harry Potter definitely had some charm that was evident even through his shyness.

Hermione was stunned. He wanted to go with her?

“Hermione, let's go,” Harry said briskly moving towards the door feeling confident. He had this sudden burst of adrenaline. He could do this.

Puzzled, Hermione checked that her wand was securely in her robe pockets before kissing her mother goodbye. Mrs. Granger clasped her daughter's hand. Brown eyes bore into brown eyes. On the pretext of tucking a stray hair behind her daughter's ear, Mrs. Granger leaned in and whispered, “Be yourself, please.”

Hermione nodded squeezing her mother's hand.

“It's starting to rain outside. We better hurry,” Harry said using a short, clipping tone despite his newfound self-assurance.

“We could use an Impervius. Bye, Mum,” Hermione said smiling. Then she grimaced. She remembered Harry's scary Quidditch match in Third Year when he had lost consciousness.

And so the couple stepped outside apparating to the charity event at the Ministry of Magic.

(A/N): This chapter portrayed Hermione more sympathetically. I still think Harry and Hermione are in for a huge row soon. Don't you think? I've written out part of the next chapter… Please, please review. Did I do justice with Mrs. Granger's character? We will find our more about her in later chapters and she is going to be instrumental in understanding Hermione's actions. I also changed a tiny detail. Harry and Hermione have been friends for eleven years. Not fifteen. And I know all of you want fluff… Lots of it… It's coming. They have to explain everything to each other before they can reconcile… Boy, is that going to be fun.

I want to thank all my anonymous reviews, mathiasgranger, autumnRose, gingercat, Xaviel, 101309, azi, izzieq, Drake, mushypeas, Brenda, ivy, Mmbug98841, pottercrazy, harry_mione_love, Julesy, NicohlePotter86, Alcie, CrimsonTemplar, princessoftheworld, alayneni, passion fruit, LilytheSpitfire, Free28, Kiera, HermionePotter726, Bra4goten, Molly, oneiros lykos, minnimione, candid, cincoquatro and sad2bsony. Your encouragement and criticism means the world to me.