Title:Torment

Author: HPFan126

Language: English

Genre: Romance/ Angst

Rating: T

Ship: Hermione/?

Summary: When Hermione left England after the Final Battle, she had hoped to find some peace and normalcy in her life but that went out of the window, when she heard about the animal attacks. Now, she wonders if there was something more to this town than being something normal.

Everyone had once felt pain, at least once in their life and pain takes the form of many things. Physical pain is the type of pain that only affects your body while the mental pain is a perception of pain, which is caused through anguish, suffering, extreme negative emotion and it causes you to 'feel' pain in your body and it is hard for Hermione to describe. However, the pain that she felt was one of emotion. It had been months since Ron's death and Hermione still had a hole in her heart, a hole that had been empty since he had died in battle.

She thought the pain was going to get better after a few months but it never did, if anything it just got even worse. Looking at their friends was painful especially when they gave her pitying looks and walking in the streets of London, reminded her of the past as well as the future that they could have. The newspaper weren't helping her heal, asking and accusing her of being with other men. Particularly Harry.

The mere thought of Harry being her boyfriend made her sick. The only person that was the closest thing to a boyfriend had been Ron. The same Ron, who she often argued, but he died and that means he is never coming back.

Hermione blinked back the tears that threatened to come out, concentrating on her parents, who were talking to their distant relatives. Her father had a tight smile but his hazel eyes were looking at her with concern while her mother gave a laugh at one of her Uncle's jokes but she kept glancing at her, looking worried for her.

The brunette witch gave her mother a curt nod before putting a fake smile at her Aunt, who was boasting about her cousin James, who got into a good university in America as well as the beautiful girlfriend that he had for the past three years.

"It is a pity that you aren't dating, my dear." Her Aunt Clara said, smiling apologetically at her. "But maybe that is good for you…"

Hermione arched her eyebrows at her Aunt.

"I heard about that boy, what was his name again? Donald? No, Ronald." Clara explained, her smile becoming sweet. "Sweetie, I know how it feels when the love of your life dies but there are other boys for you to date."

The brunette choked in her water before glaring at her Aunt while her parents shook their heads at her, looking quite crossed at their relative. Her Uncle Evan frowned at his wife before rubbing his beard at his wife, not knowing what to say to them.

"I know Aunt Clara but I can't forget about Ron!" Hermione said, gritting her teeth at her.

"Dating other boys does not mean that you are forgetting about the boy! It just means that you are moving on." Clara scoffed. "I doubt that boy, Ronald would have wanted you to mope around."

Mrs. Granger put her hands on her face, groaning at what her younger sister had just said. Her husband sighed and squeezed his lips together at his sister-in-law, looking even more irritated at the woman.

Hermione glanced at her Uncle, who gave her an apologetic smile and the brown-haired girl wonder why this kind man even married this vile woman. They were complete opposites; Uncle Evan was a sensitive man that loved the arts and music while Aunt Clara was a vile, evil woman. How the two of them got together was a complete mystery to her.

"So Clara how's Mystic Falls?" Mrs. Granger asked, trying to change the subject. "How's Miranda? And Liz? It had been years since I last talked to them."

Her Aunt raised her eyebrows at the change of subject but didn't comment; instead she took a sip of her tea. "Your friend Miranda died in a car accident along with her husband, only that girl of theirs survive the accident. Liz became sheriff and did I mention that her husband had left her and her daughter for another man." Clara answered stiffly. "It was a pity when it came out, quite the scandal. You would know this if you bother to keep in check with us."

Mrs. Granger bit her lips at this, a signal that told Hermione that the older woman wanted to cry. The young witch didn't know the reasons for her mother leaving the small town, not once had her parents discuss about the small town, which was curious.

She glanced at her father, whose grip on his glass had tighten and his eyes clearly show his anger towards her Aunt. Uncle Evan simply slumped against his seat, feeling just as awkward as she was with what is happening.

"I had my reasons for leaving." Her mother said softly, tightening her grip on the chair. "You may not like these reasons, Clara but there were good reasons. Mother and Father wanted me to be something I am not so it is only natural that I left."

"You didn't leave because of Mother and Father, you left because you were scared of the secrets that they told you! Secrets that they didn't tell me!" Clara yelled, towering over her older sister. "It was always you! Not once did they trust me!"

"Not this again." Uncle Evan muttered, looking quite displeased at the turn of events.

"What's this about?" Hermione asked leaning her head towards her Uncle, feeling perplexed at the current situation.

"I knew it was a bad idea to come to England but no, I had to listen to Clara." Evan said to his niece as he rubbed his temple. "Your mother and Aunt Clara have a history that is too complicated for me or your father to explain."

"How complicated?"

"Let's just say that not even books can cover how bad their past is." Uncle Evan answered. "It goes back to when the two of them were kids, Hermione."

"And you ran away the moment Mom and Dad announced that you were going to work with-"

"I have you know I didn't run away because of that! I simply wanted to rule my own life without them bossing me around!"

"Yeah right! You had everything!" Aunt Clara screeched, flapping her arms at them. "The perfect boyfriend, the perfect job, perfect grades and great friends! Your life was perfect so why did you leave?"

Mr. Granger clicked his teeth together before going towards the kitchen. Knowing her father, he was going to get a cold bottle of beer while he waited for this drama to be finish and Hermione had the same urge to get some alcohol as well. Just listening them argue gave her a headache.

The brunette witch took a small sip of her tea and tried to pay attention to the television, hoping that it would distract her from the arguing sisters. The way they argue reminded her of the time when Percy and Ron…

Hermione closed her eyes and took several calming breaths before looking back at the T.V. The movie that she was currently seeing was one of vampires and werewolves. She scoffed at the sight of the vampires, remembering from her textbooks about what is a typical vampire.

"Those actors can't play the part of the vampire, well, and their facts are just completely wrong." Her Uncle Evan said, taking a seat beside her. He looked tired, which reminded the brunette witch that the man had just came all the way from America to visit them, and wasn't from here.

"Which of the facts is wrong Uncle Evan?" Hermione asked, tilting her head at her Uncle. She put her hand on her chin, looking at her Uncle intently, who seemed to look uncomfortable with her stare.

"If you were to read your family books, Hermione, then you would know the strengths and weaknesses of a Vampire." Evan answered wearily. "Through of course, it might be some kind of faux as you know about the olden times."

The brunette witch pursed her lips at this piece of information, looking quite impressed at what her Uncle had just told her. She glanced at her mother and was surprised by the unreadable expression in the elder woman's face while Aunt Clara simply sneered at this.

"Olden times indeed." Aunt Clara said, crossing her arms at them. "Half of the stories in those journals were insane, I don't even know why I even kept those journals. Bunch of nonsense that's for certain."

"Bunch of nonsense indeed." Mrs. Granger said, suddenly looking quite nervous at them. "So how is William? Why didn't he come with you, Clara? I am certain that my lovely nephew could have taken the time to visit me."

Clara sighed at the mention of her youngest son and answered angrily. "I didn't allow him to come since his grades were horrible! Really that son of ours could be very smart at times yet he chooses to act dumb."

"Clara, you know that he had been through a lot." Evan answered, grimacing at his wife. "That girlfriend of his did break-up with him."

"I never liked that girl, Vicki. The girl was floozy." Aunt Clara explained, distastefully. "She was ruining our son's future with that behavior of hers."

"Vicki…"

"Vicki Donovan." Clara answered. "She's Kelly daughter and she reminds me just like her mother when she was at that age."

Mrs. Granger nodded her head at this, looking quite exhausted at the mention of Kelly. Hermione had the distinct impression that neither her mother didn't seemed to like this Kelly woman.

"Never liked that woman." Mrs. Granger said. "Always trying to steal any taken man."

"Not only that woman is floozy, she can't even take care of her own children!" Clara said in disgust. "Left her son and daughter for a truck driver and now these kids are fending for themselves. Her son Matt is a sweet boy despite all of this, I really feel for that boy."

"You always try to spoil that boy." Uncle Evan muttered.

"He is just so cute." Aunt Clara explained to them. "Reminds me of his father when he was his age. Remember the time-"

"Aunt Clara, what's Mystic Falls like?" Hermione suddenly asked, interrupting the two women's conversations.

Mrs. Granger frowned at her daughter's question while her Aunt Clara smiled brightly at her. "It is a lovely town, Hermione, one that I am certain that you would enjoy with all your heart." She answered. "It is filled with rich history despite being a small town and the people there are generally nice people."

"How old is the town?"

"Been around before the Civil war if that's what you are asking." Aunt Clara answered, placing her chin on her hands. "Through we have a small library, it is filled with books that will blow your mind. James spent half his time in that library."

"And the people there, they are nice right?" Hermione asked them.

"The people there are very friendly." Aunt Clara affirmed. "They are all ready to help their neighbors but it is a small town. It is completely different from London."

It is completely different from London. Her Aunt words echo in her ears. It was in her mind as she listened in boredom as her Aunt Clara returned back to boasting about her eldest son, James.

Hermione wanted to heal from her broken heart and living in London wasn't helping her. There's a bigger world out there and maybe, she should start living her life by travelling, learning about different cultures but most especially live life.

Mystic Falls seemed like a good town to start with, not because of how her Aunt spoke so fondly about it but how her mother rarely spoke about the small town. In all honesty, Hermione just wanted to know a more about this town that seem to have a rich history.

The brunette witch licked her lips and groaned at her thoughts, not noticing the worry looks that her parents were directing at her. Curling her hair by her finger, Hermione wonders if she could really leave her parents and friends just to go see Mystic Falls.

Harry would not be happy with her, he would blame himself if he knew that she had thoughts of leaving America. The last thing that Hermione wanted was for her best friend to blame himself for her leaving.

It wasn't his fault that Ron died.

The blame laid on her. If she had been able to see that curse being sent at her then he would be alive. Hermione sniffed and gave a placated smile to her parents, who still seemed to be unsure about her fake smile but nodded all the same, giving her a look that said that they would talk.

"So Hermione dear, what's your plans for the future?" Aunt Clara asked, giving her a small smile. "I heard from your parents that your school is closed down for a year because of construction. A shame really, I know how hard it must be for you."

The brunette witch gave a fake smile and answered. "It truly is misfortunate, Aunt Clara but I was actually planning to go to school in America, maybe to Mystic Falls. If you don't mind that is, Mother and Father?"

Mrs. Granger gaped at her daughter, looking very shell-shocked at this sudden piece of news while Mr. Granger spit out his tea, frowning at his daughter. Aunt Clara simply clapped her hands in delight at this news and her Uncle Evan blinked his eyes at this.

"Um…Sweetheart, are you certain about this? Aren't you being a little rash?" Mr. Granger asked, trying not to show his distress to them.

The brown-eyed girl didn't answer immediately but the silence was all her parents needed to hear from her. They sighed at her and looked at their relatives, who seemed to be a bit loss at what to do, particularly Uncle Evan, who felt awkward at their stares.

Mrs. Granger sighed and put her hands on her face, trying to sort out her erratic thoughts at the sudden news that Hermione had given her. It was painfully obvious to everybody that the mother didn't want her daughter to go to her hometown.

"You should allow the girl to study in Mystic Falls." Aunt Clara said as she drank her tea. The older woman's brown eyes shined with understanding and pity. "Whatever reason you have for hating the town should be forgotten especially for the sake of Hermione. Your daughter doesn't seem happy here, even I can see that and you used to say that I am the most self-centered person that you can meet."

"B-But…"

"Honey, as much as it pains for me to agree with Clara, she's right. Hermione isn't happy here." Her father said softly, looking quite dejected as he said this. "If she wants to go and live with your sister for the year than allow her, it might probably better for her."

"It isn't safe. What if she gets attack or worse?"

"You know that Mystic Falls rarely has attacks, Monica." Clara said, smiling at her sister. "So, you don't need to worry about attacks."

Her mother didn't ease at her sister's words, if anything it got even worse. The brunette witch rubbed her hands together, waiting anxiously for her mother reply. It would really break her heart if her mother said no. Her mother must allow despite the fact that she hated the town that she was raised in.

"Alright but Hermione, you must tell me everything when you are there. Everything!" Mrs. Granger said, stressing the word everything. It was almost like her mother knew something that she did not know.

The brunette witch chuckled at the idea of her mother not telling her something important. Her mother would tell her if something was important right? She wouldn't keep her in the dark.

Would she?

Hermione had been counting down her days, feeling happier as each day passed as the due day came close. However, she was not looking forward informing Harry and the Weasley family about her last minute decision to study in America. It was only two more days before her flight to America and only now did she had the courage to inform them about this.

The question now is how does she tell them? Hermione asked herself as she stokes the comfy armrest. Watching Harry and Ginny as they flirt with each other, wasn't helping her with resolve to tell them nor as she watches little Teddy looking quite bemused at the sights in front of them.

She sucked in her breath as she looked at the old clock that once had 9 hands but only seven of them were pointing towards home. Hermione clenched her hands into a fist at this, trying her best to maintain a calm disposition but her distressed must have been seen as Harry was walking towards her.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked, pulling a seat beside her.

The brown-haired girl gave one of her infamous fake smiles and said. "Of course, I'm fine Harry. Why wouldn't I be?"

The black-haired boy arched his eyebrows at her and said. "It had been months since his death and you haven't been the same. You avoided the Weasley Family, and me and now you decided to come for the annual Sunday's lunch. I know that it might sound like I am acting like an asshole but what's the real reason, why you're here?"

Hermione pushed her sleeves up, knowing that it was her chance to tell him about her plans but the earnest look in his eyes made it difficult for her to confess to him about this need of hers. Maybe she can leave without telling them? No, what was she thinking; these were her friends that she was talking about, she couldn't leave without telling them.

If anyone deserves to know that she's leaving then it is Harry, the boy been with her through thick and thin. It was only fair that she tells him of this need of hers to be out of England.

"I am going to America, Harry. I am planning to study in a muggle high school." Hermione confessed, giving him a small smile as her eyes started to tear up. "I know that it might be seen as incredibly selfish of me to do this but it is just so hard being here! Everywhere I look, I am reminded of Ron and the life that we could have had."

"Hermione…"

"Don't tell me not to leave, Harry!" Hermione said, bunching her skirt as she tried to calm her anxious heart down. "I just want to be able to look at a building and not feel my heart break at the reminder of what we lost. I know that I am not the only one that lost someone but, I just can't handle it."

"Hermione, I understand but do you really have to go to America of all places? Why not Ireland or France? Why America? It is so far away." Harry asked, furrowing his eyebrows at her.

The brunette witch tilted her head at him before answering. "I have never really been to America and a part of me is telling me that maybe, living in the land of Freedom would help heal this ache in me."

The green-eyed boy opened his mouth to protest and Hermione knew the arguments that her best friend would have however, she wasn't going to give in to his request. However to her surprise, Harry sighed and ran his hand through his messy hair, making it even messier.

"Nothing, I will say will change your mind, right? You're really planning to go to America." Harry said tiredly, looking older than the seventeen-year-old boy that he is.

The caramel-eyed girl nodded and said. "You know me all too well, Harry. Nothing, you will say to me will change my mind about leaving England. I will be back, Harry, don't you worry but for now…I just need to figure out my priorities."

"You sure that nothing I say will change your mind?"

Hermione chuckled, shaking her head at him and answered. "No but thanks for even asking." She smiled and continued. "I will be okay Harry, who knows maybe I will find some hot bloke who's madly in love with me."

The raven-haired teen turned green at her words, causing Hermione to slap his chest and shaking her finger at him. He smile at her and without warning, he pulled her in for a hug.

"Promise me that you'll write at least once a month and visit us when you have a holiday." Harry whispered in her ear, pulling her away from his embrace. The brunette witch hesitated before nodding in agreement at his request.

A part of her wonders if it was wrong for her to leave England. Just being hugged by Harry was making her question her rash decision in going to America but, the ticking clock with its two non-moving hands reminded Hermione that Ron was gone and that it was all her fault.

For the first time in months, Hermione allowed herself to cry on Harry's shoulder. The boy-who-lived hesitantly stroke her back, whispering comforting words into her ear, already figuring out the reasons for her snuffles. It was strange that she was the one being comforted, as she was usually the one that was trying to cheer Harry up.

She wasn't complaining.

It just felt nice to allow the tears to fall and not worried that she was going to be seen as weak. Perhaps, this might be because the emotional strain of pretending to be strong was finally taking a toll on her or it may be that she just needed a really good cry.

"So when are you leaving for America?"

"Two days." Hermione replied. "I am going to stay with my Aunt Clara and Uncle Evan in Mystic Falls for the next year, who knows maybe I will stay in England after the year is up."

"That's fast." Harry said, looking at her in concern. "I know I said that I am fine with this but are you sure? You know if it-"

"Harry, I am certain that I want to do this." Hermione lied. Of course, she wasn't sure but she needed to get away from everything and Mystic Falls was her chance.

"I am just concern, Hermione." Harry said.

The brunette witch sighed and said. "I know Harry but I will write everyday. It isn't like I am going to get attack while I am in Mystic Falls, there's nothing there from what my Aunt told me but…it is rich in history."

"You always did love history." Harry teased.

Hermione smiled at this, feeling relieved that her best friend supported her decision of leaving England. Still as she looked around the smiling faces of the Weasley's family, the brunette witch wonders if she made the right decision of leaving England.

Even through she had doubts, the brown-haired girl knew that she couldn't back out now. Backing out now meant that she was a coward and Hermione Granger wasn't a coward.

…Or that's what she tells herself.

…Three days later…Mystic Falls, Virginia, America

When they arrived to Mystic Falls, her Aunt and Uncle had shown her around the town, speaking enthusiastically about the small town that they grew in. She listened with a smile as her Aunt boasted about how their family had helped founded Mystic Falls. She was thankful that Aunt Clara never once asked her about her judgment in coming here.

She knew that her Aunt Clara was completely noisy, a trait that her mother didn't have.

They finally stopped at a bar called Mystic Grill but Uncle Evan informed her that it was better to call it the Grill. The bar was nothing special, reminding her for a moment of the Leaky Cauldron; through it have a homier feel if that was even possible. It was good to have a little reminder of England.

The waitress came to them with her hips swaying and having a flirty smile. Immediately, Hermione disliked the girl not because of her looks but how she reminded her of Lavender, who had the same type of behavior like her.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Fell, Mr. Fell, what do you like to order?" The waitress asked, smiling at them.

Hermione can see that her Aunt was completely pissed at this waitress. How could she not notice? Her mother's sister was crunching her teeth at the young girl and the brunette witch had a good idea that this might be her cousin's ex-girlfriend, Vicki Donovan.

She slumped against her seat and hoped that she wouldn't get notice.

"I want some pancakes, sweetie while Evan wants scrambled eggs." Her Aunt answered, giving the young lady a sweet smile. "Now, Hermione-dear what do you wish to eat?"

"I will have pancakes." Hermione answered, trying to avoid the disdain look from the girl.

Vicki smiled at her and nodded her head at her request, writing down her order before leaving them alone. The brunette witch let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in her seat while her Aunt looked at the older girl with distaste, curling her lips into a frown.

Hermione had a distinct feeling that the older woman was about to rant.

"That girl had the nerve to smile at me." Clara muttered, glaring daggers at the waitress back. "Not only did she broke-up with William but she cheated on him with that Tyler boy."

"Aunt Clara, I am sure that my cousin will get over her." Hermione answered, trying to calm down the woman. "I am sure that there are many girls that are better for him…I mean you did say that he is a catch."

Uncle Evan smiled at her and gave her a thumbs-up, causing her to give him a weak smile. She bit her lips, watching the Grill with curious eyes, taking in the new scenery. There were many teenagers in this place, which made her smile as it reminded her of the books that she read.

You only needed a gorgeous boy and you will have your typical romance story.

Her eyes stopped scanning when she saw a familiar face. Hermione found her heartbeat quickening at the face and found it harder to breath. She gripped the table and tried to calm herself down, trying to reason with herself, telling herself that she was just hallucinating. There was no way that vampire was here.

It just couldn't be possible especially that vile vampire. The vile vampire that ruined her life, this couldn't be the same vampire that had nearly killed Harry. No, this had to be a trick because why would she be here? Vampires hated small towns.

There was no way that girl was Katherine.

She just didn't want to believe it.

Author Note: Please review.