Author's Note- I do not own Harry Potter so NO copyright intended. All characters belong to J.K Rowling except for the plot.

This is my first story posted on fanfiction, so it may be a bit rough. It is a Harry/Hermione fic shortly taking place after the war (mostly written in Hermione's POV…maybe Harry later on). All comments are welcome. Enjoy!

My body was slowly being engulfed by a cloud of darkness, for what seemed like an eternity. The wisps of black smoke teased my skin and made the hairs on my neck stand as my fear peaked. One more step to fully giving into the darkness that attracted every pore of my body. One more step until it was too late to turn back. One more step until I was completely alone. Something I considered undecided up to this point was either welcomed or feared.

My consciousnesses woke, but my body lay limp. I would have gotten up, but my whole body was unresponsive as I contemplated the meaning of the nightmare that "graced" me with its presence every other day for the past few weeks. Knowing my mom would come in screaming to get up, I got up and opened my eyes. My breath hitched as I took in my surroundings.

'This isn't my room.'

My thoughts became frantic as I searched my memories from the night before to explain my predicament. Soon the memories flooded back in all at once and my heart sank.

I was in Grimmauld Place. I had been in Grimmauld place for the past 3 weeks after coming back from my 'epic' journey to Australia. A journey that wasn't completely epic as everything I had hoped for crumbled into a million pieces. The plan was to go to Australia immediately after the fall of Voldemort and restore my parent's memories to their original states. It was the goal that kept me going throughout the rigorous war. Whenever my travels with Ron and Harry became almost unbearable, I would think of my parents out there and how one day they would remember they had a daughter. A daughter who contributed to making the world a safer place again. A happily ever after.

Reality however didn't seem to follow the rules of fairytale books, where the protagonist got whatever they wanted at the end.

I stared at the crack just above my dresser that seemed to be growing in length ever since I made it the first day I arrived from Australia to Grimmauld Place, my new home. A day that would forever haunt my memories…

3 Weeks ago:

I apparated to the front door of my parent's new home. Not new to them since it would soon be a full year since they began inhabiting this house, but for me since it was something alien and strange to see compared to their original home in England. This house was smaller with a quaint garden thriving of beautiful colors in the front. It seemed to be a cozy abode for two people.

'Only two people'

That thought made my heart ache. My head was throbbing from all the blood trying to pump into my head at once. I was nervous naturally as I assumed my parents would yell into the next century once they found out their only daughter wiped out their memory, but ironically I also yearned for their scolding. Anything really that would prove that I did belong to them. The louder they yelled my name, the better the better I would feel that they remembered it.

I slowly walked toward the front door and looked around at my surroundings to make sure I wasn't putting on a magic show for an unsuspecting muggle. Once everything seemed clear I discreetly took out my wand and whispered, "Alohomora," The unlocking spell. I quickly observed my surroundings again before stealthily walking into the house.

I wasn't surprised to hear the 8 o'clock morning news as soon as I walked in. This was a routine that would never change for my parents as I silently smirked. Even if the house was different I could smell the familiar scents that were always inviting during my childhood. Even the small words my parents would exchange, along with the clatter of silverware, and background noise of the television took me back to the years before the war. Heck even before Hogwarts and before magic!

I snuck in closer toward their sounds, hoping my parent's backs were toward me before I lifted the obliviate spell permanently. I caught sight of my mother first who was wearing a blue blouse facing the television screen and then my dad who was doing the same before I lifted my wand and whispered the counter curse.

They were still for a few seconds and then they resumed their earlier actions of eating and talking like nothing happened.

'That's strange…'

But then it hit me they were doing the exact same routine when I first cast the memory spell a year ago so naturally they didn't realize the difference right away.

Without hesitation I spoke up first, no longer waiting for a visible reaction to occur from the spell.

"Mom…. Dad…it's me Hermione." I announced initially with a weak voice, but then sounded confident.

"I'm back…i..it's me…your daughter." I continued as I began to shake from the pent up emotion I had been holding in since I first apparated to their home. By then my parents were turned facing me with distant stares that soon became stares of utter shock.

My mother was first to speak and the next words that slipped from her mouth caught me off guard.

"How did you get in our home?" She whispered, "Is there anyone with you? What are your intentions? Are you here to rob us?" Every single question she spoke louder than the last.

I was so preoccupied with my mother I hadn't noticed my father dialing the emergency number into the house phone that was lying next to him. I looked at both of them in horror.

"I don't know why you're here, but I've contacted the authorities so it would be wise to leave," My father declared in a serious tone before his face softened to the father I used to know and continued, " unless your in need of medical assistance then I would stay because you seemed to be confused earlier claiming you our daughter."

My mother stared at my father in disbelief while occasionally glancing in my face and then my wand.

The next seconds of silence were painful as the couple looked at me like a stranger. I continued to stare at both my parents praying that the spell would take a few more seconds before kicking in, but nothing. They were still looking at me like an insane patient escapee waiting for me to say something.

I was about to lift my wand to repeat the spell when the next words that left my mothers mouth scarred me for the rest of my life.

"You're confused. I've never had a daughter in my life. This is our only family….me and my husband." She stated as she looked from my face to my wand and to my face again.

I turned away finally letting my tears spill for the first time since I arrived. I didn't take another glance at my parents as I made my way to the exit. After fully shutting the door I leaned against it and sank to the ground with my head in my hands. I could have stayed there all day lying to myself that it was a nightmare, but was brought back into reality when I heard distant sirens approaching. I willed myself to apparate away from the house with only one thought.

'They're safe'

I apparated to the first place I knew I was safe to be unbothered. Grimmauld Place.

Harry was the only inhabitant for the moment with a vast supply of empty rooms and had mentioned sharing the place with Ron, and me but I said I would think about it after returning my parents to England if they wished.

I quickly arrived and heard noises in the kitchen. I ignored them and made my way upstairs running to the nearest empty room before locking the door and casting a silencing charm. I stood still rocking on my heels waiting to hear someone follow me up the stairs, but no such thing happened. Once I was convinced my presence in the house was unknown I began moving again.

I had no idea what to do with myself as I paced around the room. I was livid, angry, confused, and most importantly devastated.

'They're safe…they're safe' I kept telling myself that to calm down, but it made me more anxious.

Then I hit a breaking point.

I marched toward the wall and slammed my fist just above a dusty abandoned dresser putting all my weight into the blow. When I removed myself from the wall I examined the damage. My knuckles were beginning to bleed and there was a single crack where my fist used to be.

I needed that. I no longer felt anxious and my thoughts became clearer and less chaotic. I sank to the floor drained of my energy and leaned my head against the dresser.

The only thoughts that went through my mind now were 'They're safe…but they don't remember me.'

A/N- Did you like it? There were probably some grammatical errors, but I was anxious to upload my first story so it's expected :D I'll try to update soon! Please comment!