Disclaimer: I unfortunately own nothing.
Author's Note: Hey guys, so this is actually a story I posted some time ago on which I don't post on anymore, and I decided to try to continue it here since In your Memory will be ending soon. Hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think.
Chapter 1: Home Is Where The Heart Is
Hermione knew something was wrong. She could just feel it when she read Harry's letters. They disturbed her in a way she didn't even understand. There was something about them that she just couldn't place, and Hermione rarely missed anything. She sighed and packed up her trunk. Though she had been in Sydney for five years now, she didn't have much to bring back besides her books and some clothes. Living months on the run had made their permanent marks in her packing habitso, especially since Harry had the moleskin pouch she had enchanted to be bottomless. But she wasn't complaining. She had finally been able to get away from everything, and just live a simple life. It was something she had desperately needed after the war, a quiet life.
She walked downstairs to find her parents already at the kitchen table waiting for her. "Still set on going back, then?" her father asked, putting down his wine.
She had waited a month after the Battle of Hogwarts to come to Australia to find her parents, just to make sure everything had died down. She had stayed more for the Weasleys and Harry though, so they could grieve for their fallen friends together. And then she had taken off to Australia to reserve the memory charm she had placed on them. It had taken them a week to convince her to stay in Australia with them, at least for a little while, to enjoy the peace and quiet. She had written to Harry and Ron immediately to tell them, and while they understood, she knew they would miss her just as much as she would miss them. That had been 5 years ago. She had intended to go back much sooner, after a short break, but she just couldn't find it in herself to face the devastation she knew she would feel when she returned home and remembered it all.
She nodded. "It wouldn't be right not to. I've been here too long as it is."
Her parents exchanged a look, but didn't say anything. She already knew what they'd say. She'd gotten the lecture a million times already. So what if there was something wrong in England? They didn't live there anymore. She had done enough for the wizarding world. They could get on just fine without her. But her response was always the same. From the sounds of Harry's letters, he needed her. And though they disapproved, Hermione always, always put Harry first.
"When do you leave?" her mother asked instead.
"I'm going to Apparate back in the morning."
"Are you coming back whenever everything's sorted?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I'd like to, but maybe just to visit." She didn't want to hurt their feelings by saying this with as much conviction as she felt. England had always been her home, and though it had been nice to think she could get away from reality for a little while here in Australia, the truth was that she missed her home. She missed her friends. And it wasn't as if she wouldn't see her parents again. She could Apparate over whenever she wanted. And she would always know they were safe.
They nodded but didn't say anything else on the matter as they silently ate dinner. They didn't want to admit that they knew she missed home and that she wouldn't be back as often as they would have liked. But as always, they knew that they could never sway her from her decisions. They had taught her to have conviction in everything she did. If something was wrong back in England, they knew she wouldn't leave, especially if her best friends were in trouble. So instead, they savored their last few hours with their only daughter.
Hermione helped her mother clear the dishes the Muggle way, instead of even offering to clean them all magically. And then she kissed them goodnight and goodbye before walking upstairs to finish packing before sleeping a few hours. There was a knock on the window as she closed her trunk. An owl swooshed in and dropped a letter on the table. She petted the owl and led it to the cage she kept for them to rest before their flight back to England. To her pleasure, it was another letter from Harry and Ron. They usually wrote together or just Harry wrote and mentioned Ron. Ron had stopped writing her four years back. She wasn't sure why, but she figured it was because he was mad at her for staying away so long to write her by himself. She was too much of a coward to ask Harry.
Dear Hermione, Hope everything is okay. Can't wait to see you. Ron is excited too. He won't stop jabbering about it. I really can't even tell you how happy I am that you're finally coming back. I know you needed to be with your parents, but it's been – hard, Hermione. It's not the same without you. Ron is – well he's Ron, so you can imagine. Can't say much now. You're going to have to Apparate to the Ministry, but stop by the Burrow as soon as you arrive. I'm staying here this weekend because Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have a conference to go to, and Ron can't be alone. Remember, straight to the Burrow the second you arrive. See you soon,
Harry
She sighed. It just didn't sound like Harry. She knew she had been gone for five years, but they wrote each other weekly. And she had noticed a change. She had known him long and well enough to know something was wrong. She just couldn't place what it was. She sighed and shook her head. She'd have to wait till tomorrow to find out. With that resolve, she got ready for bed. She knew she'd need a few hours of sleep since tomorrow seemed like it was going to be a long one.
-
She had sent her trunk ahead of her, kissed her parents, and Apparated back home. She wondered why she had to Apparate to the Ministry, instead of directly to the Burrow, but she complied. Harry had told her it was just a new rule to regulate who was coming into the country. She didn't really understand their reasoning, but she chose not to argue. It wasn't much trouble after all. A witch was waiting by the side. "Hello, dear," the witch smiled, tapping on a clipboard, a quill in her hand. "Can I please trouble you for your name? Records, of course."
"Hermione Granger."
"Okay, and your age, dear?" she smiled sweetly at her as she wrote this onto her clipboard.
Hermione smiled back timidly. "22."
"Wonderful, wonderful," the witch said, making a note. "And your business in England?"
"Um, coming home," she replied. What was this? She had never heard of this before.
"I see, and how long have you been out of the country?" The witch peered at her.
"A little over 5 years."
"Oh that's lovely, dear. I'm sure you're happy to be back home."
"Yes."
"Welcome back to England, Moss Granger," the witch smiled and handed her a slip. "Carry that with you to the front desk. They'll explain more."
"Thank you," she said and walked in the direction the woman was pointing. Something seemed off about the whole thing. She just couldn't place her finger on it. Harry had said to go to the Burrow right after she Apparated. The witch had seemed friendly enough, but she just trusted her gut and Harry more. As soon as she was out of the vision of the witch, she Apparated, reappearing in the Burrow. Harry was sitting at the table.
"Hermione!" he jumped up to hug her tightly.
She welcomingly fell into his embrace. It felt good to see him again. She had missed him too much. "Hi," she hugged him tighter, trying to tell him to never let go. He seemed to get the message because his arms didn't move for several more moments.
"You didn't take it, did you?" he asked pulling back slightly, looking at her in the eyes, though his hands stayed on her arms.
"Take what?" she asked, confused.
"You Apparated right here after you got to the Ministry? Didn't talk to anyone?" He seemed more paranoid than usual.
"No, Harry, I did not," she said. "Unless you count the witch who asked me for my whole life story."
"But you didn't take it?" he asked again.
And again she asked, "Didn't take what?"
"The potion," he said in frustration.
"No I didn't," she said, still confused. "Harry, you're not making any sense."
"It doesn't matter right this second," he grinned, engulfing her in a tight hug again. "I'm just so glad you're here."
"Harry, you're scaring me."
He laughed and let go. "Sorry, Hermione."
"It's fine," she smoothed out her robes. "Now care to explain what the hell you're talking about?"
He sighed nervously and ran a hand through his hair. He was about to answer, but was cut off.
"Is that Hermione?"
She turned to see George coming into the kitchen. He grinned and hugged her as well. "Well if it isn't Brains herself. What'd you do in Australia? Solve their git issue?"
She laughed. "Hi George. How are you?"
He sighed and looked at Harry. "You didn't tell her yet, did you?"
"I was about to," Harry said.
"Tell me what," Hermione demanded, annoyed now. She didn't like not knowing what was going on. "I swear to Merlin, one of you better tell me before I hex you both to next week."
"Well clearly, a bit of Ginny seems to have rubbed off on her," George mumbled.
Harry allowed a smile before turning to Hermione and sighing. "You might want to sit down."
She sat and noticed something then. "Where's Ron? I thought you said he was going to be here alone. Why isn't he here to welcome me home? He can't be that mad at me, can he?" She didn't admit that it hurt a little bit. She noticed the look Harry and George exchanged. "What is going on?"
Harry looked at George, who nodded and left the room. "Hermione, when you left, it seemed like everything was going up. The wizarding world was rebuilding and everything was mending."
"Why do I feel a but coming on?"
George came back in with Ron. His eyes were half closed and he looked a mess. Hermione gasped in surprise. What the hell was wrong with him? He had a deranged look about his face. "Look Harry, it's Hermy," he grinned and started cackling before falling into George.
Hermione looked worriedly at Harry who just sighed and looked sadly at his best friend. "Turns out that it was too good to be true."
