Sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoyed the story.
I do not own Harry Potter. This is my own idea. All rights are reserved to JK Rowling
Chapter 12:
Laughter echoed off the walls and high ceilings of the Gryffindor common room giving the sensation that there was ten times the amount of people present than in actuality. Only three people occupied the vast circular room. They were each seated in their own large red squashy armchair that they had situated in a semicircle around the huge fireplace, which was dying down. The two young wizards flanked the witch their same age on either side.
Hermione's hair was a bushy mass that resembled the tresses she had during her school years. Her legs were curled underneath her body and covered with her delicate blue robes. A red and gold striped quilt encircled her shoulders and was held in the front by her small hands to keep the damp winter chill away. On her left was Harry, the wizard who was supposed to be one of her best friend. His raven colored hair was in utter disarray and the dark green robes he wore were askew. The back of the chair was being used to prop his head into an upright position. His legs were concealed with a red afghan that had a gold lion in the center. Throwing the blanket off to the side, he rose and made his way to the large fireplace. Picking up a poker and two more logs he returned the fire to its original fury. On her right-hand side was her other alleged best friend, Ron. His legs were crossed in front of him and his head leaned on the backrest of the chair. His trademark Weasley hair was just as chaotic as Harry's and his large hands held firmly to each other in his lap. The blue eyes numerous witches adored were trained on the only one he ever loved.
"So," she giggled, "I actually smacked him!" She could not believe the things they told her, it was even more amazing than what Professor Dumbledore alluded to earlier. Harry and Ron had been telling her about their first few years at Hogwarts for hours. They had just told her about her 'attack' on Draco Malfoy in their third year when he insulted Hagrid and Buckbeak.
Both wizards were snickering loudly. "Yeah," Ron said between sniggers, "Malfoy didn't know what hit him. It was great!" His laughter abruptly froze and his face was ablaze when he noticed Hermione's eyes focused on him. He decided to change the topic of discussion. He and Harry, after all, had been talking frenziedly for the past few hours and Hermione had thus far avoided any and all discourse concerning her recent life. "What have you been up to this past year?" he posed.
Hermione looked uncomfortable. She was enjoying hearing about her childhood very much and had not expected to have to tell them about her life for a while yet. "What do you want to know?" she responded.
Harry could tell that she would only tell them things they asked her. While he was repositioning himself in the plush chair he questioned, "Well, how long were you in the hospital?"
Hermione was thoughtful for a second before replying, "From what Adam told me I was there for four months but I was only awake for a week. I went through extensive physical therapy for that week before I left the hospital. Adam was able to get donations from the other nurses and rented me a flat for a month and got me a job at Book Classics. I still go to the hospital regularly to continue my therapy." She was tracing her fingers gently over the small, hardly noticeable scar on her left temple while she talked. Even just explaining the story made her head throb perpetually and her right hand lifted to clutch the charm on her necklace in a reflex action.
Ron and Harry were listening intently to every word Hermione spoke and both were confused about the identity of Adam. They were not sure whether he was just someone who helped her while she was injured or if he was her friend, or maybe even more. Harry could tell that Ron thought the latter of the three and knew full well he would not be able to ask. They both watched as her fingers massaged her temple and she clung to her necklace. Harry could not help smiling as he realized that necklace was the one they gave her for graduation. "Who is Adam?" Harry politely questioned.
"Oh," Hermione grinned at the thought of her friend. "Adam was the nurse who took care of me while I was in the hospital and later we became friends." She heard Ron breathe a sigh of relief. While she was stating 'and later we became' Ron listened with bated breath praying that she would not respond with lovers, a couple or any related saying. "I spent some time with his family on Sunday nights. His wife and I get along wonderfully and his kids are terrific."
Ron's face visibly relaxed as Hermione explained their relationship even further. "While I was in the coma he did a lot of research to try and find my family," she hesitated. She was not certain that talking about the absence of her loved ones while she was injured was a good thing to be discussing. "His family sort of became my family." The only thing she was sure of was that she had to be honest. They were supposedly her best friends so there was no way she could lie to them.
Harry and Ron both shifted uneasily in their seats while she talked about her 'new' family. They felt guilty for not being there for her when she needed them the most. There was nothing they could do to make up for their inexcusable absence. The only thing they could do was to pray they would eventually be forgiven.
Harry forcefully cleared his throat, "We're so sorry, Hermione!" His eyes began to mist over and he had to turn his gaze to the high ceiling above. Ron was tearing up as well and transferred his eyes to the flickering flames in the fireplace.
Hermione swallowed hard before she retorted, "You have nothing to be sorry about! There was no way you could have known I was in the hospital. As far as either of you were concerned, or the rest of the world for that matter, I was considered dead." An embarrassed hush filled the space. "I guess in a way I am," she said in a barely audible whisper that the boys were just able to distinguish. Almost immediately they veered their heads around to face the young woman who had her eyes glued to her knees. Harry and Ron's eyes had drained of all moisture but were now immersed in trepidation.
"Hermione!" Ron retorted in an agitated tone. "I never want to hear you talk that bloody way again! You hear me!" His voice was low and coarse. It contained a harsh quality that was even able to frighten Harry.
"Well, its true!" Hermione blubbered softly. "I'm not the same person you called your best friend. I don't do magic and I hardly recall anything prior to-t-to the at-t-tack," her voice amplified in volume and her sobs were rapidly overtaking her slim body. Her one hand stiffened its grip on the charm while the other hand tried in vain to cover her soaked face.
Ron could not handle seeing her in such an atrocious state. In one swift movement he had relocated from his seat to her side, encircling her in his arms. His hands gently caressed her back trying to ease her whimpers. The hand that clutched at her throat was pinned between them and the one that was over her eyes snaked its way around his neck. She started to run her fingers through his fiery locks as her hysterics began to subside. Harry made his way over to her as well, squatted in front of her chair. He consolingly rubbed her knee in a futile attempt to minimize the hitching of her body.
After a few minutes there were no sounds coming from the trio. Hermione had her head resting on Ron's chest, her body wrapped comfortably in his soothing embrace. Harry had his head placed on her shoulder, squeezing her knee and arm reassuringly every so often. The room was so quiet that they could have heard a pin drop.
Reluctantly, Hermione pulled herself away from the two wizards and settled herself back into her comfortable armchair. Ron and Harry both returned to their previous positions as well. The silence was unnerving and they all knew someone had to muster the courage to speak soon.
"Oh and Ron," Hermione started, a twinkle in her eye. Ron cocked an eyebrow, wondering what she would say. "Don't swear!" She giggled.
Both wizards smirked at her comment. 'Some things never change!' Ron thought. "Either of you interested in a game of wizard's chess? I could conjure us up a board."
"Nah," Hermione replied. "You always win anyway."
Silence engulfed the room once more. Confusion was written on Ron and Harry's faces. "What do you mean?" Harry questioned.
Now it was Hermione's turn to look confused. "He always wins. Harry, neither you nor I ever won one single match against him."
"How would you know that?" Ron quickly asked.
Hermione scrunched up her face in thought. "I, um, one of you must have told me, of course."
"No we didn't!" they replied simultaneously.
"Hold on!" Hermione stated. She closed her eyes. "Polyjuice potion! I turned into a cat!"
Shock. Pure Shock.
"That was second year, " she continued. "Goblet of Fire. Beaubatons. Durmstrang. Mad-eye Moody. Dragons. Mermaid. That was fourth year."
"What - - -" Harry started, but she cut him off.
"Krum. S-P-E-W, which Ron likes to call spew. Quidditch Match. Winky. That was all fourth year too."
"Hermione, what's going on?" Ron managed to squeak out.
"It was like what Dumbledore said would happen. It would come back." She still had her eyes closed, tears pouring down her cheeks from her closed lids. "I love you both!"
She opened her eyes and looked at both of them in turn. Hastily wiped the moisture from her cheeks. She sighed, let a smile creep over her lips and stared into the fire.
"I Remember!"
The End
I do not own Harry Potter. This is my own idea. All rights are reserved to JK Rowling
Chapter 12:
Laughter echoed off the walls and high ceilings of the Gryffindor common room giving the sensation that there was ten times the amount of people present than in actuality. Only three people occupied the vast circular room. They were each seated in their own large red squashy armchair that they had situated in a semicircle around the huge fireplace, which was dying down. The two young wizards flanked the witch their same age on either side.
Hermione's hair was a bushy mass that resembled the tresses she had during her school years. Her legs were curled underneath her body and covered with her delicate blue robes. A red and gold striped quilt encircled her shoulders and was held in the front by her small hands to keep the damp winter chill away. On her left was Harry, the wizard who was supposed to be one of her best friend. His raven colored hair was in utter disarray and the dark green robes he wore were askew. The back of the chair was being used to prop his head into an upright position. His legs were concealed with a red afghan that had a gold lion in the center. Throwing the blanket off to the side, he rose and made his way to the large fireplace. Picking up a poker and two more logs he returned the fire to its original fury. On her right-hand side was her other alleged best friend, Ron. His legs were crossed in front of him and his head leaned on the backrest of the chair. His trademark Weasley hair was just as chaotic as Harry's and his large hands held firmly to each other in his lap. The blue eyes numerous witches adored were trained on the only one he ever loved.
"So," she giggled, "I actually smacked him!" She could not believe the things they told her, it was even more amazing than what Professor Dumbledore alluded to earlier. Harry and Ron had been telling her about their first few years at Hogwarts for hours. They had just told her about her 'attack' on Draco Malfoy in their third year when he insulted Hagrid and Buckbeak.
Both wizards were snickering loudly. "Yeah," Ron said between sniggers, "Malfoy didn't know what hit him. It was great!" His laughter abruptly froze and his face was ablaze when he noticed Hermione's eyes focused on him. He decided to change the topic of discussion. He and Harry, after all, had been talking frenziedly for the past few hours and Hermione had thus far avoided any and all discourse concerning her recent life. "What have you been up to this past year?" he posed.
Hermione looked uncomfortable. She was enjoying hearing about her childhood very much and had not expected to have to tell them about her life for a while yet. "What do you want to know?" she responded.
Harry could tell that she would only tell them things they asked her. While he was repositioning himself in the plush chair he questioned, "Well, how long were you in the hospital?"
Hermione was thoughtful for a second before replying, "From what Adam told me I was there for four months but I was only awake for a week. I went through extensive physical therapy for that week before I left the hospital. Adam was able to get donations from the other nurses and rented me a flat for a month and got me a job at Book Classics. I still go to the hospital regularly to continue my therapy." She was tracing her fingers gently over the small, hardly noticeable scar on her left temple while she talked. Even just explaining the story made her head throb perpetually and her right hand lifted to clutch the charm on her necklace in a reflex action.
Ron and Harry were listening intently to every word Hermione spoke and both were confused about the identity of Adam. They were not sure whether he was just someone who helped her while she was injured or if he was her friend, or maybe even more. Harry could tell that Ron thought the latter of the three and knew full well he would not be able to ask. They both watched as her fingers massaged her temple and she clung to her necklace. Harry could not help smiling as he realized that necklace was the one they gave her for graduation. "Who is Adam?" Harry politely questioned.
"Oh," Hermione grinned at the thought of her friend. "Adam was the nurse who took care of me while I was in the hospital and later we became friends." She heard Ron breathe a sigh of relief. While she was stating 'and later we became' Ron listened with bated breath praying that she would not respond with lovers, a couple or any related saying. "I spent some time with his family on Sunday nights. His wife and I get along wonderfully and his kids are terrific."
Ron's face visibly relaxed as Hermione explained their relationship even further. "While I was in the coma he did a lot of research to try and find my family," she hesitated. She was not certain that talking about the absence of her loved ones while she was injured was a good thing to be discussing. "His family sort of became my family." The only thing she was sure of was that she had to be honest. They were supposedly her best friends so there was no way she could lie to them.
Harry and Ron both shifted uneasily in their seats while she talked about her 'new' family. They felt guilty for not being there for her when she needed them the most. There was nothing they could do to make up for their inexcusable absence. The only thing they could do was to pray they would eventually be forgiven.
Harry forcefully cleared his throat, "We're so sorry, Hermione!" His eyes began to mist over and he had to turn his gaze to the high ceiling above. Ron was tearing up as well and transferred his eyes to the flickering flames in the fireplace.
Hermione swallowed hard before she retorted, "You have nothing to be sorry about! There was no way you could have known I was in the hospital. As far as either of you were concerned, or the rest of the world for that matter, I was considered dead." An embarrassed hush filled the space. "I guess in a way I am," she said in a barely audible whisper that the boys were just able to distinguish. Almost immediately they veered their heads around to face the young woman who had her eyes glued to her knees. Harry and Ron's eyes had drained of all moisture but were now immersed in trepidation.
"Hermione!" Ron retorted in an agitated tone. "I never want to hear you talk that bloody way again! You hear me!" His voice was low and coarse. It contained a harsh quality that was even able to frighten Harry.
"Well, its true!" Hermione blubbered softly. "I'm not the same person you called your best friend. I don't do magic and I hardly recall anything prior to-t-to the at-t-tack," her voice amplified in volume and her sobs were rapidly overtaking her slim body. Her one hand stiffened its grip on the charm while the other hand tried in vain to cover her soaked face.
Ron could not handle seeing her in such an atrocious state. In one swift movement he had relocated from his seat to her side, encircling her in his arms. His hands gently caressed her back trying to ease her whimpers. The hand that clutched at her throat was pinned between them and the one that was over her eyes snaked its way around his neck. She started to run her fingers through his fiery locks as her hysterics began to subside. Harry made his way over to her as well, squatted in front of her chair. He consolingly rubbed her knee in a futile attempt to minimize the hitching of her body.
After a few minutes there were no sounds coming from the trio. Hermione had her head resting on Ron's chest, her body wrapped comfortably in his soothing embrace. Harry had his head placed on her shoulder, squeezing her knee and arm reassuringly every so often. The room was so quiet that they could have heard a pin drop.
Reluctantly, Hermione pulled herself away from the two wizards and settled herself back into her comfortable armchair. Ron and Harry both returned to their previous positions as well. The silence was unnerving and they all knew someone had to muster the courage to speak soon.
"Oh and Ron," Hermione started, a twinkle in her eye. Ron cocked an eyebrow, wondering what she would say. "Don't swear!" She giggled.
Both wizards smirked at her comment. 'Some things never change!' Ron thought. "Either of you interested in a game of wizard's chess? I could conjure us up a board."
"Nah," Hermione replied. "You always win anyway."
Silence engulfed the room once more. Confusion was written on Ron and Harry's faces. "What do you mean?" Harry questioned.
Now it was Hermione's turn to look confused. "He always wins. Harry, neither you nor I ever won one single match against him."
"How would you know that?" Ron quickly asked.
Hermione scrunched up her face in thought. "I, um, one of you must have told me, of course."
"No we didn't!" they replied simultaneously.
"Hold on!" Hermione stated. She closed her eyes. "Polyjuice potion! I turned into a cat!"
Shock. Pure Shock.
"That was second year, " she continued. "Goblet of Fire. Beaubatons. Durmstrang. Mad-eye Moody. Dragons. Mermaid. That was fourth year."
"What - - -" Harry started, but she cut him off.
"Krum. S-P-E-W, which Ron likes to call spew. Quidditch Match. Winky. That was all fourth year too."
"Hermione, what's going on?" Ron managed to squeak out.
"It was like what Dumbledore said would happen. It would come back." She still had her eyes closed, tears pouring down her cheeks from her closed lids. "I love you both!"
She opened her eyes and looked at both of them in turn. Hastily wiped the moisture from her cheeks. She sighed, let a smile creep over her lips and stared into the fire.
"I Remember!"
The End