Second Chances

Chapter five … I hope your enjoying this fic as much as I enjoy writing it …short fluff…scratch that it ain't short but I do hope I won't exceed 10 chapters.

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Chapter 5: Rekindling the Past

We looked the doors but didn't go up to our rooms. Harry and I stayed up all night talking. Once he got started asking questions and me answering them we just went on for hours. For that one night I tried to forget that I was alone in this world with no one to love me. For that particular night Harry was my companion and he made me feel a lot better. It was far better than the many people who came to the house to console me but it was that estranged feeling of Harry understanding what I was going through that made the night bearable.

We were sitting at the big couch with our feet crossed and we were facing each other. I just finished telling him about our sixth year.

“So you mean Draco Malfoy wasn't actually our friend back then. He's a death eater's son only he wasn't that all bad,” Harry said.

“You can say that,” I just said.

“So you and Ron became just friends after he cheated on you. Did I hit him or anything like that?” he asked.

“I don't know. I think you should ask Ron that questions,” I replied. I was staring at a very familiar stranger. Harry my dear best friend, the man I loved so much was hearing a few events that took place in his forgotten past.

“What happened then? You said Cho broke up with me. Did I love her?” another question I didn't feel comfortable to answer but I think he ought to know these things.

“I think you did Harry,” I replied quietly. He suddenly took my hands in his and asked me another embarrassing questions.

“If you and Ron broke up and Cho and I aren't together, did we by any chance became a couple?” he asked me and I saw the eagerness in his eyes. He longed to know the truth and I really didn't know whether I was ready to tell him about that particular past.

“Well, we… we did have a relationship. But you left to fight Voldemort and I was left behind,” I reluctantly told him and I felt him squeeze my hands gently.

“I'm sorry I did that,” he muttered. I just gave him a small smile. The pain of that night when he left me came back.

“So we loved each other back then?” he asked. I only nodded. “Did you loved anyone else when I left?”

“I never loved anyone else while I waited for your return but then you went missing and for two years I've waited. I did have one relationship but I ended up with another broken heart,” I admitted.

“Draco Malfoy?” he said and I just nodded.

“He and Ginny got together while we were still together. I have no regrets though. We even became close friends,” I said.

“I must have caused you a of pain then. Leaving you like that. I wish I could remember everything and finally correct my mistakes,” he muttered. “When I was in America I had always wondered who I was and where I could find people of the same kind. I knew I was different and it scared me. A girl helped me. She was also a witch we met at Salem. I don't know how I got there but somehow it felt safe with her. She lived with a muggle family. I went out with her after a couple of years but somehow I felt like I was betraying someone's trust and I just couldn't continue seeing her. I moved out and contacted the ministry in Salem and I guess that's when they told Dumbledore about me. Dumbledore helped me practice my magical skills and surprisingly they're still intact. I have always wanted to have my memory back and Dumbledore told me about my mum and dad and how they died. I asked him if I had any friends and he told me your name and Ron's. I couldn't quite place what I felt but I knew that knowing your names made me feel a little better.”

Tears were blurring my sight. Harry may not have remembered me but there was something in him that still held Ron and me in his heart if I could only find a way to help him.

I hugged Harry. “I missed you Harry so much. Please don't ever leave me again. I have nobody left,” I broke down into sobs.

“I promise Hermione, I'll always be here for you. I will do my very best to get my memory back. Hermione, what if I tell you that I think I'm falling in love with you, would you believe me?” I just looked at him. I was a bit shocked but I threw myself at him and hugged him. I wasn't sure if he would still remember his past but I pretended that for just one night he was the Harry I've known all my life and in a way he was, only without the memories.

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At my parents' funeral service at the cemetery I didn't cry. The Weasley's were all present and even Percy and Penelope who came all the way from Greece just to console me. After everyone left though I started crying and buried my face in Harry's chest. My parents are gone forever. I no longer have my mum and dad with me. I had to wake up to the reality that I was once again lonely being.

“You're not alone Hermione I'm with you,” he whispered in my ears. I hugged Harry even tighter. I was held on to him as if holding on to dear life. I was kept in his protective arms. I felt safe. I realized that tomorrow I would have to move on. My parents would have wanted me to be strong and I wouldn't want to disappoint them.

“Thanks for being around,” I said as we walked towards the road in the quiet and empty cemetery.

“I wasn't around enough. I should have saved you a lot of trouble if I didn't leave you behind,” I heard regret in Harry's voice.

“You did what you think was right Harry and the important thing is your back and you came just right in time. Just when I needed you with me,” I admitted.

“I'll never leave you again I promise,” he said as he reached and cupped my faced and kissed me gently on the lips. Then it was like something hit him and he fainted.

To be continued…