Disclaimer: Everything in and about Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.
Author's Note: Please R&R (positively begging). And write any comments or suggestions you like. Be as kind as possible, no flames please.
Summary: Harry and his friends hadn't seen each other for quite a while. When they finally had this "reunion", he finds out that Hermione's is getting married. He has no say in it. All that he could possibly do is remind himself: She's happy.
***
It was a hot summer day and Harry Potter was hovering high above the Quidditch Pitch of the England Dragons searching for the snitch. He felt the light breeze, and it reminded him of how he loved Quidditch. He loved the wind on his face whenever he dove for the snitch and the scream and gasps of the crowd that loudly cheered for him. But behind all this, Harry hid the truth, that deep in his heart, he was lonely.
Sure he loved quidditch, that's why he decided to play professionally. But he loved his friends more. He missed them so much. There hasn't been a minute that gone by that he didn't think about them. He missed their company and support. He thought that they would be together for as long as they live, but he was wrong. They had been distant from him since the day they left school and had different jobs.
They lost contact with each other. All Harry knew was that Ron became an auror and Hermione became a research assistant at the ministry of magic and had a part time job as a professional musician. But it was not as if they had not tried to get together. They owled each other every now and then, but it was very seldom that it happened.
His heart ached as he remembered Ron, but his heart ached more when he reminisced about the only girl he ever loved, Hermione. It was very unforgettable. The way they said goodbye to each other. It was unforgettable but painful at the same time.
Flashback
It was the last night they will ever have at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After their graduation, with Hermione the top of their year of course, after the giant feast at the great hall, and after their goodbye party at the common room, the trio sat down at one of the comfy couches near the fire, all sweaty and tired. They were the only ones left because everyone has retired to each of their dormitories. There was nothing more to say and silence enveloped them. It was Harry who finally spoke.
"Hey guys?"
"Hmmm?" said Hermione.
"I'm really going to miss you two. Everything that we did all those seven years that we've been together," he continued, "I'll never forget those."
"Same here." Said Ron.
"We'll be friends," Hermione looked at Ron and him, "forever."
And they hugged each other for what seemed like an eternity. And Harry could hear that Hermione was crying, it made him want to cry too. He remembered everything they did together. Memories that are engraved in his heart until the day that he die. And he found himself sobbing too. It was only Ron who was strong enough to prevent tears from falling.
"Umm…guys?" Ron said when they finally broke their embrace. "I think I'll go up and sleep already. I'm really sleepy. My eyes are getting all watery."
"Ok." Harry understood him and just smiled at his best friend. "G'night mate."
He saw Hermione rose and give Ron a kiss on the cheek and said "goodnight" too. Ron then went to their dorm. Leaving the two in awkward silence. Harry hated being alone like this with Heremione. It made him felt so vulnerable. He couldn't help but look at her beautiful face with so much admiration. The girl that he loved quietly for seven years was now beside him.
"So Harry," Hermione moved closer to him "All these seven years, you haven't told me a thing about whoever you're crushing on."
"What's it to you?" said Harry casually. "I mean it's not important."
"Of course it is," replied Hermione. "We've been together for seven years and you haven't told Ron or me you're crush, some friend you are. And besides we'll be apart – temporarily" she added seeing Harry's stare with his mouth open " -and you wouldn't like us to part like that, do you?"
"Well, that goes the same with you." He said in defense.
"I told you about Viktor Krum, didn't I," she said, "I'm still trying to forget Ron's reaction though. Anyway I didn't love him, that's why the relationship didn't work out. I loved this other guy -"
"Who?" Harry interrupted.
"I can't tell you" Harry thought he saw a blush rising on Hermione's cheek.
"Why not?"
"The world will end the moment I tell you."
"You're so unfair." Harry pouted and crossed his arms on his chest.
"Well who's the unfair one?" Hermione half shouted. "You haven't told me why you can't mention your crush."
"The world will end the moment I tell you"
"Ughh! Okay just a clue, mine's in Gryffindor. Yours?" she asked Harry.
"Slytherin. Of course it's a Gryffindor. What's the year of your crush?" he asked back.
"Seventh and graduating. Yours?"
"An incoming second year. Kidding! Seventh and graduating."
"Who then?" Harry wanted to know one last thing.
"You"
"Me?" Harry was taken aback. He hasn't got anything to say either. He just froze there and watched Hermione gaze into the fire.
"So who's yours?"
"You."
The Harry leaned forward and kissed her. It was light at first, but when Hermione accepted his kiss, it became deeper and more passionate. Nothing else happened that night. They just continued to gaze at the fire until it went out. But still they were warm in each other's arms.
End of flashback
Harry wondered about where she is now. He could picture her in a bar playing the piano wonderfully then the crowd would stand and cheer for her when she finished. He knew Hermione had always been a fan of music. He was lost in thought for a few more minutes unaware of somebody shouting behind him. Then suddenly –
WHAM!
A bludger hit him square on his left shoulder causing him yelp in pain. He wasn't aware of anything after that. All he knew was that he was falling down into the darkness. He could hear a bunch of people gasping and a couple of paramedics rushing towards him.
***
When he woke up, he was on his flat and his teammates surrounded him as well as their coach. This was bad, thought Harry. He knew that their coach was extremely short tempered. One itsy bitsy mistake and you get shouted at. His coach never did it at him, of course, but that was until now. He must have caused some racket out their in their pitch, and how the hell did they get here, he thought. He pretended to sleep some more, his shoulder still stung, but his coach saw his eye open and –
"ARE YOU MAD." His coach shouted at him. "You can't let your mind wander when you're in a game."
"Hey, what happened to the normal 'how are you' and 'are you okay'." Said Harry. Roger and David, the beaters laughed.
"Well I would have been worried if you haven't been such an idiot," his coach continued. "Roger here has been shouting like a lunatic, warning you."
"Ok. Fine. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Harry apologized.
"It better not." Said the coach, finally calming down. "We can't have that during our next game with Ireland, it's the semi's already, mind you. We'll leave you to rest. C'mon. I'll see you next week at practice. At that I expect you to be focused, okay?"
"Sure, see you next week" he said.
"Bye." His teammates said.
"Next time clean your ears okay?" Roger shouted. "So I wouldn't have to scream at the top of my lungs." And a few people laughed.
"Oh, by the way," Keith, their keeper said to him. "Hedwig came back while you were sleeping. I think he brought a letter from Hermione." He winked and made his way to the door.
It took a few moments to sink in. When he finally realized what Keith had said, he jumped up, not minding his shoulder, and went to Hedwig's cage. Surely enough, there was a letter on his table which he picked it up and stared at. It had been weeks since he wrote to Hermione and waited for her reply. It was finally here. He tore it open and read:
Dear Harry,
It's so nice to hear from you again. I'm sorry for the late reply, my schedule's been very hectic lately. It's hard to have two things to do at one time. At the morning, I have to run to the ministry, and my boss is very strict, I can barely stand her. And in the evening, I have to go to different wizard and muggle pubs to play the piano. But don't worry about me; I love what I'm doing so it's worth it.
Anyway, I really missed you a lot. I miss Ron too. I haven't heard from him lately, but I guess it's required isn't it? To be as far from the people you love so their lives won't be at a risk. But I wrote to him the same time I wrote this.
Hey Harry, could I ask you a favor? I have some very important news to tell you and Ron. Could you come to my condo this Saturday around 10 in the morning? I would really love it if you say yes. The address and sketch is attached. Thanks.
Love,
Hermione
P.S. Did I already say how much I missed you?
He folded it and his heart was swelling he thought it might pop any second. He then was flooded with emotions. But the thing he thought about the most was the "important news" she needed to tell them. Although that was instantly brought to the back of his mind when he realized: He was going to see Hermione again.
***