Chapter 12: Boyfriend

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione and Benjamin clambered out of the car which stood in front of the local hospital. Benjamin's mother waved at them happily before driving off. Hermione looked at Benjamin levelly, "I'd like to see them alone for a bit if you don't mind." Benjamin nodded, "Oh no that's fine. I'll uhm, wait for a bit in the gift shop."

Hermione shot him an anxious smile before rushing off to her father's room. Her mother greeted her with a swift hug, she looked haggard in last night's clothes. Hermione inclined her head towards her father's bed, "How is he?" she asked.

Her mother shrugged, "He wants to see you."

Hermione nodded at her before stepping closer to her father's bed. He smiled at her, and to Hermione it seemed he aged 10 years in 24 hours. His skin had a grey colour and his eyes had sunken deep into their sockets. Weakly he raised his hand, and immediately Hermione took it, entwining her fingers with his, "Hey dad" she said softly, "How are you?"

"I've been better" he remarked, and Hermione frowned at him, "considerably" she conceded grimly.

"I need to ask you something dear." he said softly.

"You can ask me anything you want." she said reassuringly. Her dad blinked away a tear, "Please don't leave."

Hermione laughed, "Of course I won't leave, not until your better. Plus the Christmas holidays are starting tomorrow. I'll be here every day!"

Her dad shook his head slowly, looking at her with an odd expression, "No. I mean don't leave. I don't want you to go back to that school." he clarified, his voice snarling up at the word school.

Hermione sat stunned for a moment, she then drew her hand back, "What?"

He heaved a laborious sigh and sat himself up a little straighter, "the last two days made me realize that I want to see you more often. Everyday. I don't want to see you for 3 weeks in the summer and one during Christmas. You have already changed so much and I, and your mother too, we don't want to miss out anymore! It's my right as your father that I take you away from that school. You can go to a high school here. With Benjamin if you like. You could become a dentist, maybe take over our business. Hermione, please. It's the only thing I want." He said, reaching for her hand again but Hermione kept it in her own lap, well out of his reach.

Hermione was furious, she couldn't believe this! She shot a look at her mother who looked at her pleadingly. Hermione shook her head, "No." she got up and started pacing, "No, no. You can't ask me to that!" she scanned their faces anxiously but they looked deadly serious. "I fought for that world! I fought for that school, that life, those people...magic, just last summer! I risked my life for it and you're asking me to give that up? All of that?" Hermione asked in a high angry voice which was usually reserved for Ron.

Her dad shook his head again, "I don't want you to risk your life. I don't want you to fight goblins and dragons, elves, centaurs, fawns, ghosts, trolls, monsters and fairies and dark witches and not to mention the lord of all evil. You've had some fun, you've lived in this fanciful world for a while but now you must return to reality. It's for your own safety." He said as firmly as his shaky voice would allow.

Hermione turned to her mother again, "And you agree?" she all but screamed.

Her mother wringed her hands nervously, "I want you to be safe."

Hermione jumped up, "But I am safe! The danger is gone. If you had done this last year I would maybe understand but now? Lord Voldemort is gone! Dumbledore protects us, we have nothing to fear. I'm good at magic; you can't ask me to give that up! You can't ask me to give up that life."

The icy silence that followed was rudely interrupted by a blundering Benjamin who entered the room with a bunch of balloons. Hermione sighed in exasperation and pushed past him. Benjamin looked questioningly at her mother, who grimaced. Benjamin shrugged and started talking to Henry.

Hermione in the meantime was storming down the hallways; Hermione's mum caught up with her and grabbed her arm, twisting her around, "We do not mean to bully you, or to make you unhappy. We do not want to lock you up in a dungeon, although may I point out that the place you call home practically is a dungeon...we only want you to be safe, and happy and most importantly alive!"

Hermione glared at her, "I'm happy and safe there."

"No you're not. Your life will always be in danger if you stay friends with Harry. He's trouble." When Hermione didn't reply but continued glaring angrily at her, her mother sighed, "When you were young, ten, before that damned letter, you wanted to be a dentist so badly. I don't think you'd be too unhappy with a normal life. You're smart enough to do anything you like. Plus, Benjamin is a very nice boy. A very quiet and a well, lacklustre boy. He won't make you chase after vice wizards like Harry and Ron did."

Her mother held her tightly, "your father had quit a scare there. I don't want to lose him any less then I want to lose you...and letting you go back to that school…..it would kill your father. Please understand."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione sipped from her cola, avoiding Ben's gaze. Ben however was wonderfully persistent, "Are you okay? You were rather upset back there." Hermione rolled her eyes, "Gosh, You're a real Houdini there for figuring that out." She snapped.

Ben looked at his sandwich sadly, Hermione felt guilty; "No I'm sorry. I just, I don't know." She finished lamely. Ben smiled and took her hand in his; Hermione noted with distaste that it was sweaty. "I think you should be happy. Moving back home. The school here isn't that bad. Far better than that fancy boarding school you went to I imagine."

Hermione frowned at his insensitivity, "No school could compare to my school. It's one of a kind. And really, what makes it so special is not what they teach there, or how beautiful it is, but my friends." Hermione said gloomily.

Benjamin snorted, "Yeah you told me about your friends. Barry and John wasn't it? Oh and Jenny and Nicholas? You said that Barry was always sad and depressed because his parents died, and that he got angry real quick. You also said John was the most pigheaded guy you ever met. You also thought that it was annoying how Jenny fawned over Barry and how to how you always needed to help Nicholas with chemistry. You have some real emotional attachment to them."

Hermione felt like slapping him, "Their names are Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville. I said those things when I was angry, I didn't mean them!" Benjamin quirked an eyebrow, an action that had made Hermione giggly during the summer but now made her hot with anger, "Oh really? I never say things like that about my friends when I'm angry. I knew you since were five and moved here. You were never a social girl, and probably you're just friends with them because you think you need friends."

Hermione got up, "I don't need this right now, not form you, not from anybody. I love my friends, and yes, they have their faults but I do too and I'm sure they complain about mine when they're angry with me as well and yes, I DO need friends. My friends are the only people who understand me, and you could never understand me like they do so stop trying."

Ben looked up, clearly surprised, "Look Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it-" Hermione's nostrils flared dangerously, "Don't lie, you did mean it. I'm going home now, to MY home." Hermione turned and left the cafe. She was half way down the street and still tugging on her coat when Benjamin ran to catch up, "I'm sorry! Don't be mad, I don't know what I'm saying. I'm just so happy to see you again I don't want you to leave. Don't you understand?"

Hermione faltered, she knew Ben cared a lot for her and she also knew he still felt things for her. She sighed, "Okay, but still. I'd rather go to my own house. Or to the hospital tonight."

Ben shook his head, "My mother wouldn't allow it and you know it. Just come." He locked arms with her and tried to stroll down the street, but his pace was too nervous, as if scared Hermione would leave if he would slow down.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ben was of course right, his mother had assured that Hermione would stay with them until her mother felt comfortable enough leaving Henry alone in the hospital. Hermione had to accept that she was stuck with them for another week.

It was the second day of the Christmas holidays when Hermione was sitting in the crowded living room of the Bradley's. She was watching TV with Georgiana and Fiona, because she had already visited her father that day, and Ben was at football practise.

The doorbell rang and Fiona got up with a grumble. A few moments later Hermione heard a noise which never sounded so welcome before, "Where is she?" Ron bellowed.

Hermione jumped up and ran to the hall way and found Fiona looking confused at the sudden invasion of teenage boys in her home. Ron pushed past her and lifted Hermione up in a big bear hug and Hermione held him tight, both of them forgetting all awkwardness which was between them lately. "Save some for me Ron!" Hermione heard Harry laugh. As soon as Ron released her, Hermione shot forward and flung her arms around Harry's neck and buried her face into his chest, "Harry!" she practically sobbed, "I'm so happy to see you!" Harry held her at arm's length and smiled, "Wow it's only been a few days but it seemed forever, how's your dad?" His face a mixture of concern and happiness.

"He's on the mend." Hermione said quietly. Then all of a sudden Hermione was thrown up again into a tight embrace, Hermione cried out in surprise and looked down to find Neville grinning up at her and only a second later Ginny jumped out of nowhere and flung herself on top of Neville, causing all three of them to topple over. Ginny flung an arm over Hermione from her interesting position on the floor, "We wanted to come yesterday evening after the train arrived but mum wouldn't let us," she told her happily, whilst squeezing Hermione's arms.

Hermione found herself being pulled up by a Weasley twin, but she immediately recognized him as George and gave him a hug, her heart drumming loudly knowing that Fred was next.

Then the last person to enter the house and through the door was Fred, looking rather shy but stunningly handsome in Hermione's eyes. Hermione grinned at him sheepishly and raced towards him. Fred out did all the dramatic hugs which went before by swooping Hermione up into both arms and twirling her around, before planting a wet kiss on her forehead.

"Ahem." A voice broke in. Hermione and Fred, and the rest of the hall way, all turned their heads to the open door. Benjamin stood glaring angrily at Fred in the door frame, "Who are you?" he asked rudely.

Ginny bounced forward, "I'm Ginny, you must be Ben." Ben frowned at her, he then turned his head again to Fred, "And you? Who are you?" Hermione slid away from Fred's arms, much to his and her regret. "I'm Fred Weasley, Ginny's brother. This is my twin George. My younger brother Ron, and his friends Harry and Neville. We're Hermione's friends, we came to see how she was."

Hermione smiled weakly at Ben, "Told you they were great." She said before she turned to Fred, "Let's go for a walk, we have so much to talk about."

Hermione ran out of the house, dragging Fred with her, leaving Ben and Fiona with the others. Fiona was eying Ron with great interest and quickly ushered them in whilst Ben's eyes followed Hermione and Fred down the street, only closing the door once he saw them turn a corner and he couldn't see them anymore.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As soon as Hermione and Fred were a few streets away from the house, by a little playground, Hermione stopped walking and she spun round and kissed Fred full on the lips. Fred, although surprised, was quick to respond. Hermione melted against him, then broke the kiss. Afraid of what she was about to tell him she started crying. Fred looked surprised, "Hey, what's wrong?" he said softly. Hermione sniffed sadly and allowed Fred to lead her to the swings where he sat her down, "What's wrong," he repeated.

Hermione looked him straight in the yes, "I can't come back to Hogwarts. My parents won't let me." She sobbed.

Fred's eyes widened in shock, "No, they can't do that." Hermione tried to brush her tears away as she said in between sobs, "Yeah, they want me to become a dentist."

Fred was about to say something but Hermione shushed him with a small kiss, "Please, my dad almost died, and he could still die if he's not careful. I have to stay. He wants me to stay and my mum wants me to too and if they don't want me at Hogwarts, they'll make sure I won't go so... I..."

Hermione hesitated, "I have to end this now. (she grimaced) We weren't really a couple anyway...but I can't come back, and I can't see you anymore...so there's no point is there?" Fred was so shocked he sat down onto the ground staring at her with big wide eyes.

Hermione wanted him to say something, but he didn't and since she couldn't say anything else herself slid forward to the ground from the swing as well and held him. Fred slowly raised his arms around her, and Hermione laughed bitterly, "First time I got you speechless."

Fred took her chin and turned her head so she looked straight at him, something she had been avoiding, "We don't have to end this. We'll see what happens. I'll see you again. Nothing can keep you away from Hogwarts. Voldemort couldn't so I'm sure Henry and Kaitlin Granger can't either."

Hermione leaned against his chest, "Will you tell the others?" Fred wrapped an arm around her, "Will you come for Christmas?" Hermione sighed, "My dad, I want to be with him." Fred nodded, "I understand. Just try and visit just once these holidays." Hermione kissed his check, "I'll try."

They returned to the swings whilst holding hands, "So am I boyfriend then? Since we are not ending it and all?" Fred smirked at her. Hermione answered him with another kiss.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That evening at the Bradley dinner table after everyone had gone, Ben was still glaring at Hermione. His parents didn't know about the visit so they were surprised when Ben snarled, "So what's going on between you and this Fred?"

Hermione looked up sharply, "He is my boyfriend. It's not really any of your business." Hermione hadn't intended to sound so rude in front of Ben's parents but this was the only way she could make it clear to Ben that it was indeed, none of his business.

Ben stabbed his beef angrily, "You said you didn't have a boyfriend."

Hermione sighed, "Well I do now."

"What is the point of that anyways, since you are staying here?" he asked crossly. Hermione avoided answering him. She did not want to worry about that right now.

Ben's mother observed the interaction carefully, then said diplomatically, "I think it's very nice of Hermione's friends and boyfriend to come and visit."

Hermione nodded, "I hope to visit them too. Maybe Christmas...I always celebrate Christmas with them."

Ben's mother looked hesitant, "I'm sorry dear but I talked to your mother on the phone yesterday and we decided to have Christmas dinner here, with your father and you. Like a big happy family."

Hermione looked down to her plate and never felt more trapped, "Alright," she said with some hesitance, "I'll visit another time then."