Happy
Someone once told me that you have to choose what you win or lose, you can't have everything. Don't cha take chances you might feel the pain. Don't cha love in vain
Cause love won't set you free. I could stand by the side and watch this life pass me by.
So unhappy but safe as could be…
Hermione Granger
That's what the letter read. It was a name I hadn't seen or heard in a while. Not since leaving England. Everyone here knew me as Hermia Grey. They didn't know my past.
"I'm sorry Hermione"
Those words still rang in her head. He had bailed. And she was left alone. It doesn't bother her most days. Not now, but if a sudden memory came...it was a reminder of why she left. The Love that she felt for him. How did it even happen? Hermione and Draco Malfoy? Did anyone even remember when it started. How it started? They both worked in the hospital, but it seems a little fuzzy now. Hermione had left her husband for him and for what?
Nothing! That's what! He left me hanging.
I had cheated Ron and left my family but that didn't mean anything to him. I was just his bit on the side. I see that now but I knew I could never go back. I can still see the look on Ron's face when I left. He reminded me of a love sick puppy and I almost stayed but I didn't. I left. I made my bed and then I had to lie in it. I made my choice.
And she had regretted it every day since. She left England and moved to France. A personal favourite of the bookworms, she had always liked France. The language, the city, everything. It was...home. A fresh start where no one would know her past. She chose the perfect place. A muggle city. So far, in the last five years, no wizard had stumbled into her. This was her get away. Everyone was angry and hatful. In the first 2 days after she walked out on Ron, over 500 pieces of hate mail were received.
Everyone seemed to love Ron. Except me. Not in the way he wanted anyway.
She had moved on. Created a life for herself. Everyone back home had made it clear they wanted nothing to do with her. Hermione wanted to see her children but Ron had made that impossible. The law in the wizarding world favoured Fathers for full custody so Hermione never stood a chance at gaining any access. It broke her heart. But she knew she deserved it after everything she had done to Ron. She kept a picture of her two children on the wall of her kitchen. She missed them like crazy.
She had another one to fill the whole though. Mia Gray was about to turn 4. Conceived out of wedlock, Hermione had told her neighbours that she was a widow so that no questions would be asked about the father. Mia was the one good thing that came from this whole mess. Her bright blue eyes, chestnut hair and big smile was enough to keep Hermione living her life. In fact, finding she was with child may have been the one thing that saved her. It was dark times for Hermione when she had first fled England.
But she was happy now. Comfortable at least. She lived in a small 2-bedroom semi on a quiet street in a quiet village where nothing ever happened. A great difference from her past life in London. She was a preschool teacher so her hours matched Mia. She was able to spend all the time she could with the child, something she deeply regretted with Rose and Hugo. She was so career driven as a young adult that she hadn't spent as much time as she should have with her first 2 children. She was making up for it with Mia.
She didn't think much about the past now. She had a new life. But then she received this letter. Addressed to Hermione Granger. She hadn't seen that name in a while. But the name wasn't the only thing that Hermione noticed. It arrived on a bird. A snowy white owl; Harry's Owl. The letter sat on her kitchen table for the whole morning as she was afraid to open in.
It made her start to think more about the past; Before she married Ron. The War, School and Friendship. Before any of this happened. She remembered first getting her Hogwarts letter and finally feeling like she wasn't alone anymore. She remembered Halloween, when Ron had saved her from the troll and she felt accepted. She remembered being welcomed with open arms by the Wesley's when they met in Diagon alley for the first time. Waking up after been petrified. The boys always protecting her. Ginny being there to share secret with. It all made her feel like part of something.
Eventually, she opened the letter. It was from Harry and Ron.
Hermione,
I know it has been nearly 5 years now and it shouldn't have taken this long but it's time to put the past where it belongs. It's time to come home. We are not saying that all is forgiven and it may take a long time to fix this but we should be at least trying to do so. It is our 10 year reunion at Hogwarts next month and I think it would be a great opportunity to meet up and try to put all of this behind us. You were our friend before and it should be any different now. Please come. We miss you.
Love,
Harry and Ron.
Attached was her invitation back to Hogwarts for a 2-week reunion starting in august. There was information on activities which would be held and sleeping arrangements, there was even a summer program for anyone with children, a kind of 2-week summer camp. It would be good for Hermione to keep Mia away from everyone else. She didn't want certain people knowing about Her.
Hermione didn't reply straight away. She wanted to explore how she felt about all of this first. But eventually she conceded and owled back to say she would be there and they should meet before the 12 oclock welcome luncheon. She suggested 11am in the room of requirement.
On the morning of the August 2nd Hermione had butterflies. Her butterflies had butterflies. She was all packed. Mia was all packed. Everything was ready but she still felt anxious.
She floo'd in at 10am sharp and was met by complete silence. When she had accepted the invitation, he instructions gave her a precise room to floo into and told it would be her private quarter for the whole 2 weeks. Looking around, it was rather extravagant. Hermione took the time to put all of her stuff away and looked over to the double bed where Mia was asleep. Mia was only 4 so she was exhorted and had fallen back to sleep soon after their arrival, she normally napped for an hour or so. When everything was put away and her bags cleared, she took one last look at her youngest child and left the room.
As Hermione stepped out from behind a grand portrait, she noticed she was already on the 7th floor. She took a moment to observe which portrait was her quarter so she could find her way back later. While she took note of her surrondings she noticed a few light notes floating on the air. She followed the sound and the coser she got, she realised it was someone playing a piano. She was completely amazed. Intrigued as to why in the magical world, someone would have a piano, let alone know how to play.
She peered around the corner and saw a blond mop of hair on a man. Her breath left her lungs leaving her wounded as soon as she realised who it was. Draco...
A world of memories came flooding back to her.
She tried to stop them. She didn't want to be that girl. She didn't want her world to stop because of some man who broke her heart. But it did. She thought about him every day. When she looked into her daughters eyes and saw his. She hadn't even comprehended that he would be here too.
But it didn't matter. He had probably forgotten anyway. But I didn't care. And as much as I hated to say it. I think...
I knew I still loved him.
Hermione had to turn away. She didn't trust herself.
She had to find Harry and hide herself away. Protect herself from all the hurt that was sure to follow. She moved slightly further up the corridor as memories swirled around her. There was already a door on the wall to the room of requirement. They must already be inside. She stood for a moment, still able to hear the slight melody made from Draco's hands.
She pushed open the door.
There they were. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.
She froze on the spot. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. To hug them or offer a hand shake. She just stood there staring. Waiting for them to make their move. They didn't. They both stood there gawking at her. She suddenly felt very self-conscious. She had changed a bit while away. Her skin was darker and she had put on weight. Her brown hair had stray greys. She observed them. They looked the same. Ron still towered over Harry. Harry's hair was still as messy as ever. And both of them looked at her with love. It was hesitant but it was there and it gave Hermione hope.
"Hi."
Harry rushed forward, "Hi... Hermione. Hi."
He greeted her with a hug. Over his shoulder she could she Ron looking around awkwardly. All she wanted to do was throw herself at Ron and she almost did. But she stopped herself. Instead, she started to sob into Harrys shoulder.
She had never thought this day would come and she would be with her two best friends again. She never thought she would get the chance to apologise. But here she was. All the emotions she had been holding back over the past 5 years came flooding out. And she couldn't stop them.
They all sat down on the couch and once Hermione had calmed down. Harry tried to keep the conversation moving by filling Hermione in on His family. Ginny was now pregnant with their third ("and last!") child, it was going to be a girl. Their first one. The two that Hermione had known were both boys and she knew how much Harry had wanted a little girl. She was happy for them. Harry said they had stayed at home with Ginny for the 2 weeks. At this point Ron said that Hugo and Rose would be going on the 2-week summer camp. Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped she might get to see them but the camp left tonight (she knew because Mia was booked on) and Ron didn't elaborate. Hermione knew better then to push.
Hermione unconsciously registered that the piano four doors down had stopped playing. At which her thoughts turned back to Draco. What was he doing now? Knew had reached Hermione that he had trouble with his wife but never that they had broken up. Had they? She had to find out. Had to.
Hermione heard some banging but didn't take any notice at first. It seemed to be someone knocking on a door. But not this door. She carried on talking to Ron and Harry. Ron was talking about how Rose would be attending Hogwarts next year. It was a tense moment as Hermione waited for Ron to open up more about her children. She felt a tug on her heart as she thought of her youngest curled up in bed down the corridor, fast asleep.
As She thought that, she swore she heard the angels innocent voice but couldn't make out what she was saying. But that can't be right she was in bed. But then another voice slightly louder. His voice.
"Of course I'll help you find your mommy. Do you know mommy's name? Maybe she's in here…" Just as he said that the door opened and saw Draco walked in carrying Mia.
"Mommy, I found you!" she giggled but looked up confused when Hermione didn't laugh with her. Nor did anyone else. They were all staring at the new arrivals. They quickly realised she was talking to Hermione. Oh lord.
"Hermione, is that your daughter?" Ron asked at the same time as Draco said,
"Is She mine?"
