Pain.

I felt it in my legs when I hit the grass-covered ground that surrounded the burrow. I felt in my lungs when I gasped for air, trying to breathe normally when I was not in a normal state. But most of all, I felt it in my heart. That twisting pain of knowing what I had just done, of knowing that they no longer knew who I was, nor did they care. At that moment, although I was so close to the home of the biggest and most loving family I knew, I felt desperately alone.

I had done it: Erased my parents memories. I kept telling myself that it was for their own good, that it was the only way, but whenever I had the confidence to cast the spell, I would look up and see the pure fear in their eyes and I would crumble. I had squeezed my eyes shut tight, Trying to say 'obliviate' in a strong voice, but it came out as a cracked, shaky plea, a plea for this to be over. Even behind closed eyes, I could see their terrified faces. It hurt enough to see them so scared and desperate, but to know that I was the one to put them In that state killed me. I didn't want that to be their last image of me before their memory was erased.

I had run after that, knowing that I should leave before they questioned who I was. I knew that It would be confusing for them to see me, but I did not leave for that reason; I knew that hearing my parents say that they didn't know who I was, to not see that loving smile that my mom always showed just for me, to see my dad look at me with no familiarity at all, as if I was a stranger on the street, It would be too much. I would break down then and there.

So I ran. I had a moment of pride knowing that I had run after I did what needed to be done, but that pride slipped away into the sobs that wracked my body as I tried to breathe. I ran into an alley where no one would see me and become suspicious and apparated to the burrow, the only other home I knew.

The unpleasant feeling of apparating was pleasure compared to what I felt in that moment: Pain in knowing that they no longer cared about who I was, Regret in not spending enough time with them, Fear in thinking that I may never see my family again, but most of all, I felt a desperate need to be held, for someone to tell me that it would be okay while I let my emotions pour out with the tears.

The whole situation had made me dizzy as my head pounded and I fell to my knees on the grass. I cried as quietly as I could, afraid that a window in the burrow was open and that someone would hear me; I wouldn't want to trouble anyone else. I suppose I hadn't really thought this whole thing through; I was so focused on getting the spell right and staying strong that I hadn't really thought of what I would do after I charmed my parents. Looking around through the tall grass, I supposed I would just stay outside here and cry myself to sleep. After all, I wouldn't want to wake anyone up. All of the lights were off…

But the kitchen – The light was on in there. Someone was awake. I knew I shouldn't impose on the Weasleys. I knew that they must be tired enough from wedding preparations and plans to get harry to the burrow. I realized I knew a lot of things. Maybe it was time to stop being an 'insufferable know-it-all' and act on feeling, not knowledge. Feeling that desperate need for comfort, I wandered towards the kitchen.

I crept over to the window, peering through to see which Weasley was up and about. Part of me hoped it was Ron, Needing to see his face again, another part hoped it was Ginny, needing the help of a girl who understood how complex female emotions were, but I was divided into more than 2 parts: I third, greater part of me had its wish granted. There, through the window I could see the face of Molly Weasley.

Her eyes caught mine and seeing the tears that stained my face and the trembling lips that were threatening to let loose a sob, her eyes were tainted with a sad, sympathetic look, and her mouth fell just slightly. Her expression at that moment so closely resembled one of my own mother's that I wanted to fall part right then and there. Seeing that I was no threat, see motioned towards the door for me to come in.

Crossing the threshold, I collapsed into her motherly embrace. I finally cried, truly breaking down. I attempted to keep quiet so no one would wake up. It became increasingly difficult to do so as images of my parents crossed my mind. I let my sobs become muffled in her embrace. She held me tight, rocking me back and forth and whispering words of comfort even though she didn't know what she was comforting me for. After a few moments, I pulled away, not wanting to cause her any more stress, as she led me into the kitchen and pulled out a seat for me. She started making me some tea while I tried to calm my breathing and keep my emotions in check.

As the water boiled, she sat down and took my hand.

"What's happened, dear?"Her voice came softer than I had ever heard it, and hearing the concern laced in her words gave me such relief that I breathed a shaky sigh. I had been so scared knowing that my parents wouldn't care about my well-being anymore, it was nice to know that I had someone to lean on now.

"My…My parents", I started, but had to stop at the threat of my tears starting again."I had to do it, Mrs. Weasley, it was the only way that they might be safe…"

As I paused again, she took her turn speaking, angling her head at an attempt to catch my downcast gaze. "What did you have to do? Take your time." I did just that, taking a few moments until I was stable enough to tell her the whole story.

"I-I charmed them, erased their memories. They don't know who I am; they don't know who they are. As…As far as they're concerned, they're Wendell and Monica Wilkins, and they want to move to Australia. They don't have a daughter…I don't have any parents…I feel so awful. Seeing their faces when I turned my wand on them…I couldn't handle it. It's horrible, Mrs. Weasley. Having the people who I've depended on my whole life not know who I am, not care about me anymore…It's like having a part of yourself taking away…"

They rest of my speech was dissolved into sobs as I felt Mrs. Weasley wrap her arms around me again. I let her console me, then instantly felt guilty, Pulling away, I continued.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't me bothering you with all of this. I just couldn't stay at my home anymore…" Saying that felt odd to me; Being unable to stay at your own home, the place where you were always welcomed and love, where so many memories rested, seemed so cruel. "This was the first place I could think of to go. I really shouldn't impose on you like this, I'm so sorry."

I tried to get up, but Mrs. Weasley's grip moved from my hand to my arm, pulling my attention back to her.

"Nonsense, Hermione. I'm glad you came here; you're always welcome here. Don't apologize for being wanted. Now, about your parents… I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. It must have been torture. But please don't fret; you did the right thing. The fact that you put yourself through so much pain just to protect your parents shows how much you love them. And they love you just as much. Wendell and Monica may not know it, but Mr. and Mrs. Granger do. I know that this is hard for you, but if you need someone to talk to. I'm right here."

Her contagious smile caused the corners of my mouth to turn slightly as I hugged her once more, not for comfort this time, but to express my gratitude.

"And don't say that you don't have any parents, Hermione. I know it may seem that way for the time being, but I've always thought of you and Harry as my children. You're both so precious to me."

A quiet laugh escaped my lips. "That means so much. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley"

"For Merlin's Sake, Call me Molly!"

I nodded, trying to smile again. The memories of the event still stung, but that fact that in a sense, I still had a mother was calming. "Alright, Thank you, Molly."

The moment was interrupted as we heard footsteps coming down the creaky stairs.

"Oh, now I've woken someone up. I'm so sorry-" I started, but Molly cut me off

"Don't Apologize!" She reminded.

A tall boy with a mop of red haired entered the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He was looking towards the ground, his face hidden by his bangs and his hands, but I knew who it was. He finally looked up, Squinting against the kitchen light. He looked towards Molly first.

"Hey Mo…" He trailed off and his gaze switched to me. I attempted to smile, but the expression was still foreign to my face.

"Hermione," He started, open mouthed, for a moment, as if trying to figure out if I was really there or not. Hi mouth then turned into a smile as he shuffled forward and hugged me." You're here." The way he said it made me think that he was actually trying to confirm it for himself. Molly smiled and left, knowing that I was in good hands. "How are you?"

"Uh…" I started. I honestly didn't know how to answer that question. Before talking to Molly, I would have said 'Horrible', but after I've been told that I'm considered part of the family, I can't really feel horrible can I?

"What, Hermione Granger doesn't have an answer to a question? I never thought I'd see that day", He breathed out, laughing slightly as he pulled away from the embrace. His laugh was cut short and his face fell slightly when he looked at me. He saw the tears stains, my red eyes, and my fumbling smile. He reached up and awkwardly brush his thumb over where the tears had fallen. "What happened?" He asked, not quite meeting my eyes, for his gaze was fixed on the tears that had spilled over.

Yet another emotion was mixed into the confusing jumble: Astonishment. Ron had always been the one to make me cry, to show no sensitivity at all, yet here he was, looking at me with a tenderness that I never knew existed.

He led me over to the couch of the living room, waiting for me to start. I explained the whole situation, just as I did the Molly. I thought it would be easier after all the encouragement from Molly, but going through it again and facing the reality of my situation with my parents just brought the tears be. By the end of the speech, I was crying into Ron's shoulder. He had his arms around me, saying nothing. Then, repeating his question from before "How are you?"

"Better. Your mum talked to me before, made sure I was alright. "

"Thank God she was there. I'm rubbish about making people feel better. I'm scared to say anything; I don't want to make me feel worse."

I breathed a laugh, then shook my head against his shoulder. "Thanks for being here. I think I just needed to have someone there; I didn't want to be alone."

"Well you won't be alone. I won't leave you." He started, sounding far more serious than he usually did. His statement brought me some hope in this dismal situation.

"Thanks, Ron", I said quietly, closing my eyes.

"Anytime".

I smiled slightly, remembering Molly saying that I was always welcome. I had a family here, no matter what.