Finding Home

CHAPTER 1

Hermione Granger sat on the windowsill in the head girl common room, gazing out over the grounds of Hogwarts. This had been her home for 7 years, she was going to miss it. There was an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach knowing that after graduation, which was today, it would all be over.

If she was completely honest with herself she was pleased she wouldn't have to face Harry Potter every single day.

It hadn't always been like this; they used to be best friends, Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were called the trio, inseparable, never one without the other two.

That's how everyone saw them.

Hermione was truly happy in those days, she would call them her two boys. Ron had a crush on Hermione for almost two years until he finally made a move at the Yule Ball in 5th Year.

The Yule Ball had become a tradition at Hogwarts after the success of the Triwizard Tournament ball. The three of them had attended the ball together, Hermione in the middle with her two boys escorting her in. Every girl in Hogwarts wished she were Hermione Granger that night.

Ron had plucked up enough courage to ask Hermione to dance and then confessed his feelings towards her. Hermione was stunned, as she had always secretly had feelings for Harry even though she felt she would never have her chance with him.

I mean he was Harry Potter and Hermione was plain, Jane bookworm Granger. Don't misunderstand her feelings for Harry. She was certainly not the attention seeking, money grabbing airhead who threw themselves at Harry's feet. No Hermione loved the real Harry, the nightmares, the scar, the lack of self-confidence and all.

If she thought about it, she believed she had loved Harry ever since that first day on the Hogwarts Express when she was looking for Neville's toad.

So, here was Ron declaring his love for her. She had her misgivings but decided not to hurt his feelings and give a relationship a go. It wasn't really fair to Ron but since Ron was so pleased she could hardly refuse him.

He suggested they have their first kiss and Hermione reluctantly agreed. Ron leant forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. They both waited for the fireworks, the tingles, the exhilaration but it did not come.

They separated and Hermione could see her own feelings mirrored on Ron's face. Ron so eloquently stated that it was like kissing his sister Ginny, and added a few terms along the lines of err gross.

Hermione laughed and held out her hand in a very business like manner, Ron smiled and went to shake it. They both agreed they make better best friends than boyfriend and girlfriend.

So that was the end of the crush Ron had on Hermione. He had asked Luna Lovegood to dance later that night and somehow they just seemed to fit. It was like they had found their home.

Hermione hadn't mentioned it to Ron at the Ball, but she wasn't surprised when he asked her advice on asking Luna out later that week. They have never been apart to this day.

Now where Harry is concerned, that is a different matter all together. Hermione had seen so many expressions on his face that she had committed them to memory. Some expressions still puzzled her, like the one that crossed his face when Ron and Hermione had told him of their first kiss. She wasn't sure what the expression was, but it was a mixture of hurt, shock and possibly disappointment. Why the latter, she wasn't sure, maybe he had hoped Ron and her would get together as a couple.

This thought hurt too much so she decided not to dwell on it. Oh, but nothing could have prepared her for the expression on Harry's face when he saw "her". It was the first Quidditch match of the sixth year, and it was Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

The game was in Gryffindor's favour 120-50. Harry was doing his best to taunt Malfoy, and then he spotted the golden snitch. Harry leant forward on his broom, the firebolt, and started his dive to catch the snitch. He was speeding past the stands with Malfoy hot on his tail. Harry was enjoying the Gryffindor's cheers when he chanced a look at the stands.

That was when he saw her and time stood still. Harry stared at her as Malfoy flew past him to catch the golden snitch. Malfoy wrapped his hand around the snitch and Madame Hooch blew the whistle.

The Slytherin's erupted into an enormous roar and the stands literally shook. The Gryffindor's faces were etched with disbelief. This had never happened, Malfoy had never beat Harry and here was Harry still hovering on his broom with his mouth opening like a fish out of water.

Hermione followed his gaze and to her absolute horror, noticed whom Harry was staring at. He had seen Elizabeth Deneuve, a transfer student from Beauxbatons Wizarding School.

Professor Dumbledore had introduced her this morning at breakfast, but since Harry was Captain of the team he wasn't at breakfast today. Elizabeth's family had suffered at the hands of Voldemort like many other families. The death eaters had attacked their small village, Champagne, but strangely, luck was on her side as she was visiting her Grandparents with her parents.

Their house was reduced to rubble, as were hundreds of other families' homes. Elizabeth's father had attended Hogwarts and they thought it best to move to there.

Elizabeth was definitely beautiful; she had long golden blond hair, which hung down her back in tight curls unlike Hermione's messy hair. She also had big green eyes although not as rich as Harry's, and flawless skin. She was quite small, much shorter than Hermione. So, here was Harry acting like a lovesick puppy, and Elizabeth was revelling in the attention.

Another airheaded, money grabbing bimbo, Hermione thought.

But she was oh so wrong.

Miss Deneuve was as shy and quiet as Harry and didn't like being the centre of attention. So of course being "the best friend" Harry begged and pleaded with Hermione to include Elizabeth in their group. So now the trio became the quartet and it didn't quite sound as good, there wasn't that ring to it.

Everything had changed from that day on. Harry had spent all his time with "Lizzie," his affectionate name for her.

Harry studied with her, spent lunches together and basically forgot all about Hermione. Ron had Luna so he didn't really notice Harry slipping away.

Ron tried to include Hermione as much as possible but it wasn't the same anymore. Hermione felt as if Harry was deliberately ignoring her because sometimes Elizabeth would suggest they all hang out together and Harry would whisper something to her and then they would be off. He was breaking her heart more every day and he didn't even know it.

Ron was actually quite clued in, even though that may sound out of character, even for him. Possibly Luna's influence had a positive effect on Ron. Somehow Ron had suspected Hermione's secret and decided to call her on it one night. He confronted her quite bluntly while she was sitting in front of the fire in the common room.

"So Mione, tell me how long?"

Hermione continued to read her book and without looking up, she replied, "How long for what Ron?"

"How long have you been in love with Harry?"

Hermione froze.

She felt her heart fall through to the bottom of her feet. Her face went red and she was very nervous all of a sudden. Her hands were trembling and her heartbeat was racing and to be honest she felt as if she would die right there. It was like time had stopped as she slowly looked up to face Ron.

His face said it all. There was understanding, sadness and even a touch of humour, possibly at Hermione's reaction. Hermione truly felt as if there wasn't any point denying it now and maybe it would be good to have someone to talk too about it, and really, he was her best friend.

They had talked for hours that night and even when Harry returned from doing Merlin knows what with Lizzie in the Astronomy tower, they waited till he had gone to bed and continued talking till the early hours of the morning.

Much to Hermione's shock, apparently Ron had known for many years but couldn't quite put his finger on it. Everything made sense that day on the Quidditch field, when Harry had laid eyes on Elizabeth, Ron knew in an instant. He would never tell Hermione, but what he saw that day was the saddest, most lost face he had ever seen on her. It was like the Dementors had sucked the life out of her. That memory had etched itself into Ron's mind and he declared to himself that he would do whatever it took to see his best friend happy.

That goes for both of them.

Ron believed they belonged together, and Elizabeth was just a passing phase. Unfortunately this phase was taking much longer than expected to pass. Ron hadn't been Harry's room mate for so many years to not learn a thing or two.

He was absolutely sure Harry had feelings for Hermione. Harry had mentioned Hermione's name in his dreams on quite a few occasions but one particular night Harry was having quite a vivid dream.

He was tossing and turning, mumbling Mione over and over again. Harry seemed to be very distressed so Ron shook him awake and what happened next scared the wits out of Ron. Harry bolted upright and the look of fear on his face was indescribable. Harry screamed,

"You will never get her!" and Ron jerked backwards. Harry's eyes started to focus and he realised where he was. He was visibly shaking and sweating profusely.

Ron was staring at Harry trying to control his own heart from beating out of his chest. He regained control of his speech and asked Harry if he was OK.

Harry looked at Ron and for a moment and Ron thought he may confide in him but that protection wall that Harry puts up was firmly set back in place.

"It was just a nightmare mate, nothing to worry about." Harry wouldn't maintain eye contact with Ron and was it was clear that was the end of that subject.

Harry started to settle back down into bed.

Ron was disappointed but he respected Harry's wishes. He did ask Harry if he thought Mione was safe though.

"Why do you ask about Mione and what's it to do with me?" Ron was annoyed by now and proceeded to tell him that he was saying Mione's name over and over again while thrashing about.

Harry was visibly uncomfortable with Ron knowing this much information, and decided he needed to remember to put up a silencing spell on his bed each night.

He sat there quietly for a moment thinking about the best way to deal with this. If Harry confided in Ron, he would not have to bear this load alone. It was becoming harder and harder everyday trying to hide his true feelings from her. Ron had been a good friend, and Harry knew he could trust him. Although trust was not the issue here, it was Voldemort.

The dreams had been getting more and more vivid and sometimes they were so real Harry would have to get onto his firebolt and ride around to Hermione's window just to see if she was safe.

Lately the dreams had been unbearable and Harry wondered if his plan to push her away had really been the right thing to do.

It was too late now, if he involved them now it would be like signing their death warrants.

Voldemort knew how close they were but had suspected Harry's true feelings for Hermione along time ago.

Then the decision was made.

Ron and Hermione would not be sacrificed because of him. It was bad enough he lost his parents to Voldemort but he would be dammed if he would lose her too. He would prefer to watch her from a distance knowing she was safe than to place her in Voldemort's way.

Harry believed this was the safest plan, but was it the right one.

Hi, hope you enjoyed this chapter, as usual, if you like please review.

Thanks

Sirius xoxo