A/N: Guess who's back!? :D
Its been almost a month since I posted my last story. And almost two weeks since I changed my pen name from pottermaniac1101 to IWillGoWithYouHarry. *I can never control my Harmione feels*
Anyway, as I promised my dear friend iheartian96 (Hope you are reading this) I am dedicating this story to her as an early birthday present and of course, to all you readers :*
Since today it the 1st September, I am posting this chapter for obvious reasons. You may find errors in this chapter and mind you, I've already given it to my beta for correction. :)
So anyway, hope you enjoy ^^
Disclaimer: Dreams of owning the world of Harry Potter never come true. They only belong to Jo.
Hermione Granger had never expected to go back to the place she belonged; Hogwarts, her home. It had been almost four long months since she saw the place where she grew up, breaking into stones and glasses. People died fighting for what was right, for her best friend, for the light. Many lost their loved ones or their dear lives, yet they rejoiced and celebrated on the occasion of the Dark Lord's defeat. And now, Miss Granger was known as the 'Brightest Witch' of all times in the Wizarding world. These four months had changed everything for her, which also included her parents, who were furious of her and had refused to see their daughter of almost nineteen years, who had been protecting them for herself.
To say, Hermione had everything. All except for someone to love her like there's no tomorrow. The Grangers had nearly disowned her, yet she had Harry Potter, her best friend and her so called 'surrogate brother', Ron Weasley, her boyfriend and above all the whole of Wizarding world. That's the least she could ask for, after all they all had been through.
And now Hermione sat in one of the compartments of the scarlet Hogwarts Express, waiting for her friends to show up. There was a lot to tell and loads to hear. Harry, and the Weasleys had been renovating the Grimmauld Place, where Harry had decided to reside after finishing his last year in Hogwarts. Currently, they all were returning back to their castle in Scotland to finish what they had started almost eight years ago; learning the magic they always wanted to.
It was when she heard a knock on the compartment door, to find those three people, without whom her life wouldn't have been brighter. The two red-heads and the green eyed wizard, madly grinned at her as they helped themselves into the small room that Hermione had reserved for the four of them.
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed and enveloped the brunette into a bone crushing hug. "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too!" Hermione chuckled as Ginny broke the embrace and Harry pulled Hermione's arm and brought her into an embrace. "And how have you been mister?" She asked him.
"Living." Harry answered. "A normal life." He added with a small laugh.
Hermione shook her head as broke the embrace when she found Ron shyly smiling at her. It was hard to fathom that they had got together during the treacherous war, while destroying a hocrux. And now, after snogging almost four times in four months, awkwardness could be sensed from almost a mile away.
"Hey." Ron said softly.
Hermione gave out a small laugh, remembering the minor physical abuse Ron had to go through after saying the very same word last Christmas. She smiled and pulled him for a brief kiss, when the tension was all forgotten and the couple fell into the depth of their kiss. What brought them back to reality, was someone clearing their throat.
Ron broke away and found Harry smirking at him. "Not funny Harry." He mumbled, his ears turning maroon. "I have the rights to kiss my girlfriend."
"I never said anything." Harry said innocently as Ron glared at him.
"Forget him." Hermione said, kissing him briefly again. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Ron smiled back at her, before they sat on the seat, opposite to Harry and Ginny. The four sat in a comfortable silence, when Harry looked at Hermione's pretty face, bearing a small frown. At an instant, he knew something was wrong with her. He turned to look at Ginny, who had been enjoying the scenery outside and hummed herself an unfamiliar tune. He then looked at Ron, who raised an eyebrow.
'Something's wrong with her.' Harry mouthed to him as Ron shrugged.
'Ask her!' Harry urged again, glancing at the brunette.
'You ask!" Ron mouthed back.
'You're her boyfriend-' Harry mouthed back, when he found Hermione curiously looking at them.
"Boys," she started. "Have you gone crazy, that you are mouthing at each other?"
"Um, no." Harry said, revealing his dimples and adjusting his glasses.
Hermione then looked at Ron, who smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "How was your trip to Australia?" He asked.
Hermione looked away from him as her frown deepened. "Mum and dad are not talking to me anymore." She said softly, trying her best to avoid the salty droplets to leave her eyes. "And I learned that I have a two month old sister."
Ginny's eyes brightened and so did her smile. "That's great! Congrats! What's her name?" She asked in excitement.
"Heather." Hermione answered. "But then, I guess, I'll never get to see her."
"What exactly happened?" Harry asked when Hermione found herself in his concerned gaze.
Hermione cleared her throat and wiped the lone tear which fell off her eye. "You know that I went to Australia last week." She started as the others nodded. "I had found them very easily. But what shocked me was that, they recognized me the moment they saw me. I dunno how that happened because, memory charm can be removed manually and it does not just disappear."
"Hermione, don't change the talk." Ron said sternly, yet with a gentle tone. "What exactly happened?"
Hermione threw him a look and continued "My mum was really happy to see me and then, I saw my dad, playing with my sister." She smiled. "She is so beautiful. Mum says that she looks exactly like me. But then, when asked for the reason, why I removed their memories, I just couldn't- I told them the truth." Now, she couldn't stop the tears to flow. "And they were so furious and so worried about me that they couldn't-" she sobbed and Ron held her closer. "Dad said that he never wanted to see my face again. I tried my best to tell them that I did it to protect them but-" she stopped when Ron let her cry into his shoulder. Rocking her in his arms, Ron looked at Harry and Ginny for help, knowing that he could never handle crying girls. Harry shook his head and kneeled down in front of Hermione's crying figure. Taking her hands in his, he squeezed it assuringly.
"'Mione, look at me." Harry said softly when Hermione sniffled and looked into Harry's eyes. He smiled sadly at her and wiped the tears off her pink cheeks. "They're just upset. I know they didn't mean any of it. Especially your dad. You're your daddy's girl, aren't you?" He asked with a genuine smile when she nodded. "He will be the first one to forgive you. And your mum can never be upset with you, believe me."
Hermione gave him a teary smile and squeezed his entwined hands, when Ginny came to sit next to her.
"And you always have us." She said. "Hermione, you're that sister which Harry and I always wished to have. It's just like a wish come true." Hermione smiled at her friend.
"Oi! What about me?" Ron asked playfully as Harry and Ginny laughed. "Am I invisible?"
"You're that boyfriend of mine, who doesn't know how to handle crying girls because of your emotional range of teaspoon." Hermione said with a small laugh as he scowled. "But the sweetest one." She added, giving a kiss on his cheek.
"And there's the Hermione we know." Harry said, getting up and cupping Hermione's cheek. "Remember, you always have us."
"Thanks guys." Hermione said with a huge smile when Harry and Ginny sat back in their places. "Anyway, does any one of you know who is the Head Boy?" She asked.
"Nope." Ron said, shrugging his shoulders.
"At least we know its not Ron." Ginny said casually. "He would only become one when pigs fly."
Harry and Hermione laughed an annoyed Ron, glaring at his sister. The brunette then caught Harry's eye and asked "Is it you?"
"Oh no! Thankfully not!" Harry laughed. "I'm better enough as the Quidditch captain. Wondering who's gonna be your dorm-mate Head Girl?" He further asked.
Hermione sighed and shook her head, when she caught the time in her watch. Her eyes widened as she swore.
"Merlin's pants! I'm late for the Heads meeting!" She screeched, jumping on her feet and and grabbing her Head Girl batch from her bag pack. "Sorry guys, see you later."
"See you later 'Mione!" Her three friends chimed together as she left hurriedly. How could she be so irresponsible on her first day itself!? She was the Head Girl for Merlin's sake, moreover, Hermione Granger. And Hermione Granger was never late for meetings. Somehow, the brunette had forgotten about the tension and started wondering about the new Head Boy appointed by Professor McGonagall.
'It has to be Terry Boot.' She thought, when the Head's compartment came into view. 'He was the third best in our year, after me and the ferret. probably he's the one, considering Malfoy won't be returning.'
Hermione opened the compartment door, and entered without seeing her Head counterpart.
"Sorry I'm-" she started and broke away the moment, to spare the horror which beheld before her. His pale face bore the very same smirk she remembered while his mercuric eyes glistened in bright light.
"What are you doing here?!" Hermione asked in a surprised yet an angry tone.
"Say hello to your co-head Granger." He said in his usually, vomit worth drawl and mockingly bowed at her. "Draco Malfoy is here at your service."
A/N: Meeting Draco Malfoy was just the beginning ;) There's yet more to come.