Belong to Nowhere
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter.
Chapter 04:
Finding Hermione
Harry and Ron were ashamed. How could they? Of course they didn’t say anything
out aloud about that day in the common room but the two friends knew what they had
done.
Hermione wanted a friend's shoulder and they had
laughed at her.
Laughed at her.
Fred told them that Anthony Goldstein, the Ravenclaw head boy, also knew about
Hermione’s parents.
To Harry’s dismay, Anthony Goldstein was the person who comforted HIS Hermione
after the Grangers’ funeral.
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Flashback
Like every morning, Harry and Ron were waiting for Hermione so they could leave
for breakfast. However, that morning she was late. And Hermione never was late.
“Do you think something happened to her, Ron?” asked Harry.
“Nah, she is only late. Let's wait.”
People could find this ‘dialog’ strange. Harry and Ron would never be so
concerned about Hermione. At least, not in public. The
truth is, after the Horcruxes ordeal the two friends had made a pact to always
make sure Hermione was saved.
They couldn’t ever forget what happened between Hermione and Nagini. Harry
could never forget what Hermione had done. Her sacrifice.
No one knew what had happened except Harry, Ron, the Headmistress, and Madam
Pomfrey.
Harry got very angry when he found out that Hermione knew what would happen if she
destroyed the Horcrux.
She had sacrificed her future.
For him.
They still were in the common room waiting for Hermione when Ginny showed up.
“Hey guys, what are you doing here? Lets go to the
Great Hall,” said the redhead girl.
“Oh, we are waiting for Mione,” answered Harry.
“Oh. Well, I think she won't mind if we go. Come on, let’s go!”
Harry and Ron tried to say no but Ginny was very persistent and they finally
gave up.
~*~
Great Hall
They
had almost finished their breakfast and Hermione hadn’t shown up. Harry had
just decided that he would go to the Head Girl to see if everything was alright when the Head Boy came to the Gryffindor table.
“Harry, Ron,” he said. “Hermione isn’t feeling well today. She has the flu. So,
she won't be going to class today.”
“Is she all right?”
“Oh, yes, Harry. She only needs to rest.”
“Oh Merlin! Hermione Granger
won’t go to class! Call the Prophet!” exclaimed Ginny in a sarcastic tone.
“Well, Weasley, if you want to know, Hermione’s life isn’t only about
school,” Anthony snapped.
END FLASHBACK
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Harry was lost with his thoughts when the sound of Fred’s voice ‘woke’ him.
“I think I know where she is. I am going to…” Fred was saying.
“I'll go with you!” Harry and Ron exclaimed at same time.
“No!” Ginny cried and everybody looked at her.
“Why not, Ginny?” snapped Ron, a little annoyed with her sister. “Hermione
is our friend. We had already failed her. We need-“
“That’s why I think you shouldn’t go! She is probably upset. Fred is the one
who helped her so she will be more comfortable with him.“
“But-“ Harry and Ron said at the same time.
“Your sister is right, Ron,” said Mrs. Weasley. “I know you want to help Hermione
but I think you shouldn’t go.”
Harry and Ron didn’t like the idea but nodded. They didn’t want a row with
Molly Weasley. After all, Hermione would be back soon…
Without anyone noticing, Fleur said something in her husband’s ear. Bill looked
at his wife in surprise but nodded.
“I'll go with Fred. Mom, tell Dad about what happened. Fred, where do you think
Hermione is?” said the oldest Weasley.
“She is probably at her parents' house.”
“Okay. Let’s go then. Mom, if we don’t return in forty five minutes, you can
call the Order.”
Without waiting for an answer, Bill and Fred disapparated.
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Grangers’ Residence
Fred
and Bill Weasley found Hermione laying in her bed,
shaking and crying. She was crying so loud that she didn’t notice the two pops in
her room.
Fred came to her and shook her lightly. Hermione looked at him and Bill in
surprise.
Wiping her tears, she asked,
“Fred, Bill, what are you doing here?”
Bill smiled and answered,
“I think its it's us who should ask that. But we are here
because of you.”
“You scared us, Hermione, “ said Fred. “Why did
you leave the Burrow like that?”
“I-I wanted to be alone.” Hermione said after a few seconds of silence.
“Everyone is waiting for you there.”
Everyone except Harry, Fred. He isn’t here. He
doesn’t care.
“I
don’t want to go back, Fred. I want to stay here. I want to be alone.”
“But-“
“Fred,” interrupted Bill. “I think we need to respect Hermione’s wishes.”
Hermione smiled thankfully.
“However, I think you shouldn’t be here, in this house. This is a Muggle house,
Hermione. It isn’t safe.”
Fred and Hermione looked at Bill in confusion. He smiled.
“To tell you the truth, it was Fleur’s idea. What do you think about staying in
mine and Fleur's apartment? Fleur and I are spending the Christmas break at The
Burrow so our apartment is free. I also received a box with several books from
a friend of mine. If you want, you can take a look at the books. Someone told
me that you like Arithmancy.”
Hermione thought about Bill’s offer. Did she want to spend her Christmas
alone? Well, no. But she couldn’t go back to the Burrow. Ginny’s words had hurt
too much.
“I think I will accept, Bill. You said that shouldn’t be a problem so…”
“Good.”
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Christmas’ Eve
Hermione was sat on the floor of Bill’s study. Alone.
She wasn’t crying anymore.
The young witch was surrounded by dozens of old books. Books
that she hadn’t ever heard about.
It was a sad scene. She, there, on the floor, alone. Without a single friend. Only with those books.
She was thinking about Harry. What she had done for him.
She had given up of her future for him.
And even if he didn’t care about her, she would have done everything again.
Hermione looked at the old book on her lap with a sad smile on her lips.
‘The Veil and the
Despite Everything, Hermione would do anything for Harry.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Meanwhile, in the Burrow…
Ginny Weasley was kissing Harry Potter. On the lips.
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Thanks to my beta Brooke!