Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 2

It Took It Back From Me

Hermione was grabbing her coat quickly, and launched down the stairs out into her lawn, the note from the owl still firmly grasped in her hand. The night sky was alive in its starlight and vast spaces of emptiness. Hermione flicked her wand, locking up and protecting her house, and with a quick turn, she Apparated away.

Once the siphoning feeling left her, her feet hit the gravel of the road, and she looked up at the magnificent castle that was Hogwarts. Although the Astronomy Tower had been destroyed with the Death Eater Invasion, it still held immense pride in its image, and still looked as prestigious as ever. Making sure she looked presentable, she approached the front gates, and waited for the man who wrote the note. It said to meet here at eight that night, and knowing who's writing it was, she was surprised to hear from him.

Keeping an eye open, and her ears tuned to her surroundings, she began hearing the footsteps of her letter's author. She turned and watched as the man walked up to the gates, and smiled at Hermione, opening them up for her. She entered, and gave the overly large man a hug.

`Hermione! It's great ter see yeh! Yeh got my message then?' Hagrid asked, returning the hug gently. Even after all these years, his right arm was still in pain, as it had been hit with numerous curses at once and causing irreparable damage. He still had his groundskeeper job at Hogwarts, but he couldn't teach anymore with the injury.

`Hi Hagrid, how are you doing?' she asked, as they started off towards his rebuilt hut. The grounds had lucky been restored, and the green grass returned. Some of the trees along the edge of the forest were still burnt, but most grew back and started looking like it used too.

`I'm alright' Bin busy wit the grounds an' all' Hagrid answered as they continued on. Hermione asked about things in general with Hagrid and Hogwarts, and only when they sat down in his hut, and he was getting tea ready, did he mention her book.

`I read yer book. Very well done!' he boasted, turning around to see Hermione blush a little.

`Thank you Hagrid. It took me years to write it.' Hagrid came over with the tea, and placed it on the large wooden table. He poured some for Hermione, then took some himself, and sat down on his chair; it creaking against the move.

Hermione took a sip, and looked around his new hut. She found it was almost identical to the last, except a very important part was missing: Fang. When Death Eaters attacked Hagrid, Fang tried to protect him, but ended up being killed. Hagrid was of course devastated with the loss of his best friend, and buried him next to Aragog behind his hut. Even though Hagrid was trying to hide his loneliness, Hermione knew better.

`Have you been keeping contact with people?' she asked, trying to remind him of his friends. She had to admit, mentioning this made her feel bad she didn't write more to Hagrid, but she had to move on too. Hagrid didn't know about her and Harry's night in the rain.

`I `ave. Professors er still at the school, an' I see some students here and there. I heard `bout you an' Ron' he said, looking sorry for Hermione.

`Oh, don't worry Hagrid. We're both doing much better' she lied. Of course Ron was doing better she imagined, since the last time she heard from him was six months ago, before he was going away for a month to New Zealand. She, on the other hand, knew she was not doing well, but Hagrid mailed her, so she wasn't about to start pouring out her heart.

`Well Ron's doin' well. He met a girl in New Zealand he told me. He's still down there, but com'n back next week. Are yeh gonna say hello to him?'

`If he'll let me' Hermione answered. She would like to see Ron, especially if he found a girlfriend. Ron would probably be in a better mood than last time they saw each other now, and would be a little easier to talk to.

`I'm sure he will. What about Harry? Have yeh talk ta him lately?' Hagrid asked, taking a sip. Harry's name, spoken by Hagrid, made Hermione's chest hollow with memories of her times at Hogwarts, and visits they made to Hagrid's hut together. She buried her memories before they could begin to resurface, causing tears, and she shook her head to say no.

`I don't know where he is' Hermione admitted after a few seconds, collecting herself, hoping Hagrid didn't notice. He looked at her for a second, a mixture of curiosity and worry in his face, but he nodded, and went back to his tea. He offered Hermione a cookie, something he said he just started trying to make, and she smiled, agreeing to be a taste-tester.

Hagrid got up from his chair, the quietness in the hut only broken by the large man's steps on the wooden floorboards, and he reached into a cupboard for a tin. `I have `er question for yeh' he mentioned, placing a few cookies on a plate. Hermione could see from here that they were rock hard, as the bottom one broke in half when the others were piled on top.

`What's the question?' Hermione asked, a bit of wonder entering her mind, to the relief of her conscious for getting away from thoughts of Harry.

`If yeh knew were Harry was' he started, coming back over, and placing the plate on the table, `would yeh see `im?' He took one of the cookies, and made a massive dent in the side of it with a bite, and chewed while Hermione thought.

Hermione was of course, shocked by the question. Did Hagrid know where Harry was? It was something she never thought of. If he did know where Harry was, why didn't he tell her earlier? And if Hagrid did know, and told her, should she go and see Harry? There were so many questions going through her brain, which were in turn making even more questions and worries, that she had to close her eyes to actually slow down the seemingly cascading reaction.

`Do you know where he is Hagrid?' she asked very slowly, looking directly at the half-giants eyes. Hagrid by this time had put his cookie down, and looked a little more serious. He nodded, and Hermione immediately became something she never intended to become while visiting: angry.

`Why didn't you tell me earlier! How long have you know? Why ask me this now; I haven't seen him in over two years!' she shouted. She was already standing up, and at this height, was at eye level with Hagrid, since he was still sitting. Hagrid looked astounded with her reaction, but immediately lowered his head in sadness. Hermione, huffing from the yelling, realized what she did, and moved around next to Hagrid, placing her hand on his good arm.

`Oh Hagrid, I'm sorry. I really am, I didn't mean to shout, it's just-`

`I know, I know. Yeh miss `im. I know why you an' Ron split' Hagrid said. Hermione was surprised by this, and seeing her surprise, Hagrid motioned her to sit again, and she did. He wiped his eyes clear first, then continued.

`When Harry left, he wrote me a letter sayin' where he was goin', and what happened wit you an' him. Said he loved you, but you loved Ron, an' he needed time away. Tol' me I couldn't tell anyone `bout where he was, not even you. I wanted too, I really did Hermione, but Harry tol' me not to. So I kept `er secret.'

`Then why are you telling me this now?' she asked. Hagrid sighed, and went to a drawer, which when he opened, was full of used parchment and envelopes. He shuffled a large amount around, and pulled out a book. He walked back over, and placed it down on the table. It was Hermione's book.

`When I read yer book, I knew it was about you an' Harry. Do yeh love `em?' Hagrid asked bluntly. Hermione breathed slowly again, and took hold of the book in her hands. She sniffed as she felt her eyes brimming again, remembering her book and the parallels to her life.

`Harry opened up my eyes that night. I knew something was wrong with me and Ron, but I didn't know what exactly. I thought Harry was in love with Ginny. When he came and told me everything, he made me realize what I couldn't see. I didn't know how to react, and he left before I could say anything' she divulged, tears slowly falling down her cheeks as she remembered the night for the second time that day.

Hagrid pat her shoulder, surprisingly light, and stood up once more. He went to the same drawer, and dug deep in the messy drawer. Hermione wiped her cheeks, and glanced over at Hagrid, who pulled out a worn piece of parchment. He glanced at it, then at Hermione, then came over, and dropped the letter on the table, facing Hermione. She looked up at Hagrid for reassurance, and he nodded towards the parchment, slowly sitting back down. Hermione took a breath, and moved the parchment closer.

Dear Hagrid,

Harry

Hermione's brow lowered in confusion, and looked at Hagrid, who was still looking at her solemnly.

`This doesn't say where Harry is' Hermione stated. Hagrid put his hand out to the parchment, and took it back. He took out a very large and rather tattered quill, and wrote something on the back. He folded it once, and passed it back to Hermione on the table. Hermione, still confused, picked up the parchment, and opened it.

Harry Potter is located at Godric's Hollow

`He put a Fidelius Charm on the Hollow? And . . . wait, you're the secret keeper?' she asked, not able to keep her astonishment out of her voice. Hagrid was always terrible with secrets. How he managed to keep this secret for two years is quite a feat for him.

`He said I was the only one he could trust, or somethin' like tha'. I kept it, an' haven' told a soul until tonight' he said quietly. Hermione, just in case Hagrid forgot, took her wand, and burned the parchment, and laid the ashes on the table. He nodded, and thanked her for reminding him.

`Why did he put a secret on where he was? And why are you telling me?' she asked consecutively. Hagrid put his hand up to slow her down, and it succeeded. Although she was an adult, she was still prone to those outbursts of immaturity and rash action, especially when it dealt with Harry.

`He didn' want anyone watchin' him. Said he needed to be alone an' such. I didn' think he'd be gone fer so long, but I've bin keepin' track o' him.' He shifted in his chair slightly, and gave a long breath before continuing. `An' I'm telling yeh because I'm no fool; I know what tha' book meant, and that Harry needs a friend.'

`He wouldn't call me a friend anymore' Hermione replied quietly, looking at the ashes on the table that were still smoldering. They sat in silence, as Hermione's last words slowly sunk into her brain like water to a sponge.

`I should . . . I should go Hagrid. It was really nice to see you and all, but I have to go' she muttered, getting up from her chair. Hagrid stood up as well, and looking at Hermione for a moment, nodded in agreement.

`Alrigh' Hermione. Just take care o' yerself, and go see Harry.' Hermione gave a upsetting and somewhat fake smile to Hagrid, and a few minutes later, was back at her house on the coast, opening the door and petting an anxious Crookshanks.

Hagrid in the mean time, sighed when he re-entered his hut, and greeted Hedwig, who delivered Hermione's letter.

`I got one more letter for yeh girl' he said to the beautiful owl. He opened the messy drawer again, and pulled out the newest piece of parchment; the last letter Harry wrote, which Hedwig delivered earlier that day.

Dear Hagrid,

Harry

*

`Hi there Ron' Hermione said quietly, greeting her old red-haired friend the following Friday on the garden at The Burrow. Ron turned around, and gave her a strange look, which she thought was more appropriate for when someone turns around and finds a vampire baring its teeth at you.

`Hermione! What are you doing here?' he asked, getting right to the point. Ron was, and always would be tactless in Hermione's mind.

`Hagrid told me you were coming back today, and I wanted to see you. See how you're doing and such' she answered, keeping her voice level, and hoping for some positive response. Ron continued to look puzzled at her for a moment, then finally allowed his shoulders to relax.

`I'm good' he answered. Hermione nodded, and a strange feeling silence hung between them for a moment. Ron laughed a little, and looked at Hermione, opening his arms. She smiled warmly at him, and happily gave him a hug, which he nicely returned.

`I've missed you Hermione' he admitted from Hermione's shoulder.

`I've missed you too. I heard you found a woman' she stated, stepping back and looking at his reaction. He blushed a little, which in Ron's case means a lot, and Hermione smiled.

`Yeah, well, she's inside with mum. She's great Hermione, really.' Hermione nodded, and quietness once again hung in the air. Ron sighed, and looked at the door, then up at the blue sky above The Burrow. He glanced at Hermione for a moment, who was looking around as well, and asked what he was wondering about.

`Have you . . . have you talked to Harry?' he asked, very hesitantly. Talking about their former friend, that he originally though caused their break up, was a hard thing for Ron. But after two years, he knew it was not his fault. Love chooses blindly, and he realized it was not his place to stand in its way.

The comment caused Hermione's head to droop, and her expression to turn sad. `No, I haven't. I could, but I shouldn't' she declared quietly, looking at the green grass.

`You could? You know where he is?' Ron asked. Hermione nodded, and Ron reacted much as she did with Hagrid.

`How long have you know?'

`A couple of days. It doesn't matter though Ron, he hates me, and he probably thinks I hate him too.' Ron moved forward, and lifted Hermione's chin, looking at her very seriously. Ron, in the months since she last saw him, became more rugged, and filled out a little, making him appear stronger and gave him a stern face.

`I read your book Hermione. Are you saying all that's a lie?' he asked oddly, but still looking at her seriously. She looked back down, and felt her eyes brimming.

`It . . . it isn't alright. That book shook everything up in my world. I was starting to move on, and then it came out, and took everything back from me. I just can't move on, I . . . I still love Harry' she professed, allowing herself to cry as she said those last four words. Since the night she told Ron about her loving Harry, she never mentioned it again. In her head, she laughed at the irony that once again, it was Ron who was hearing it, and not the person it was meant for.

Ron moved over slowly, and embraced Hermione once again, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Hermione clung to Ron, and sobbed into his shoulder. She remembered how Ron felt when giving hugs, and it was something-whether as a friend or more-that she always loved. It was comforting to her to feel him back in Britain, and finally getting a hug that was meaningful and from someone who truly meant it.

Hermione heard the door open to The Burrow, and Ron waved the person away. Hermione immediately backed away, and wiped her eyes, looking to see the door closing. She didn't see who opened it, but she felt bad.

`I'm sorry Ron, I should go. Your family is waiting' she said, pointing to the door. She was starting to walk away, but only got two steps when Ron took hold of her arm, turning her around to face him; the same determined expression on his face, this time mixed with some hopefulness.

`Go and see him Hermione. He loves you, and you love him. Don't wait any longer, you've been through enough.' He kept his blue eyes on Hermione, and she again looked away.

Ron was, for what must have been the first time ever, right, and she was wrong. She buried herself so deep into thinking Harry would hate her, that it would be an even more painful experience seeing him than not. If she explained herself, and was able to express her love, then Harry might forgive her for what happened two years ago. If not, then at least she would have some closure.

Hermione looked up to Ron, and felt his determination siphoning into her, as his words began imprinting on her. She looked off at the sun, which was just beginning to set, and nodded.

`Wish me luck please Ron' she asked, looking back up as the nervousness started seeping into her arms and legs, radiating into her chest. Ron gave her a hug, and simply smiled at her, then walked over, and entered The Burrow; leaving Hermione alone.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to focus. Not on Godric's Hollow, but instead on staying determined and confident to do this. Harry did it that night, and now it was Hermione's turn. Harry was lost, but she was going to find him, and try as hard as she could to bring him back to her.

Finding herself brimming with confidence, and a determination to finally see Harry after such a long wait, she thought of Godric's Hollow, and with a twist, she Apparated away.

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