Forgiveness and Friendship
Chapter 1: When We Meet Again
He remembered what was called the epic final battle. He remembered her at his side fighting harder then anyone save himself to make it to the back where Dumbledore had already gone. He remembered her anguished cry at the sight of their beloved headmaster lying on the ground, he recalled with perfect clarity when his and Voldemort's wands met yet again and those three beads that would determine the fate of the world began their fight. He remembered her stepping into the circle while Voldemort's death eaters where repelled at every turn. He remembered the feel of her hands over his as her hands relaxed the grip he had on his wand but still holding it tightly as not to let go. He remembered her voice in his ear and the explosion that granted the death of the Dark Lord. He vividly recalled the splitting of Voldemort, half of the man went into her and the other half into him. He remembered seeing her in a new light, she had been changed by the curse, her appearance was still the same but something haunted her, he had been given through Voldemort his memories of destruction and all he had managed to get out of her was that she remembered each second of his child hood.
The memory first in his mind was the last time he saw her; seventeen years ago she had hugged him and kissed him gently on the lips before leaving with a smile. The paper she slipped into his hand was the headline of the Daily Prophet.
SIXTEEN YEAR OLD WIZARDS DEFEAT THE DARK LORD
HARRY POTTER AND HERMIONE GRANGER HAILED AS HERO'S
"I saw Dumbledore go down and I thought we where dead, then he runs up and they both cast the killing curse at the same time then this ball comes around them and I could see Granger running and screaming and the ball came down in the middle of the battle field. All the death eaters tried to get in and the Weasley boy tried to hold Granger back but she just ran in past all the death eaters getting vaporized and she stepped up to him and put her hands on his then whispered in his ear and these three beads hit him full on and the whole thing just blew up," said warrior Trent Fairbanks one of the surviving hero's of the final battle. Mr. Harry Potter and Miss. Hermione Granger not even of age yet are the most hailed witch and wizard this world has ever seen.
In the shadow of the death of the great Albus Dumbledore the pair rose above every expectation and saved the world as we know it. Mr. Potter, Miss. Granger on behalf of the wizarding world at large, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Rita Seeker
Harry Potter surveyed himself in the mirror in his bathroom as he tied his tie tight preparing himself for his best friend's rehearsal dinner. He stopped fiddling with the tie on his dress robes and stared at his reflection in the mirror, bottle green eyes stared back at him his glasses long since a thing of the past. Thirty one years old and still nothing to show for it, a girlfriend he liked but couldn't bring himself to love, and empty house he had hoped to fill with the screams and laughter of children and a hollow space in his heart where his best friends face used to reside. Sure Ron Weasley the future groom was a close friend and one of his best friends but Hermione Granger's departure had cut him like a knife he had never truly healed and still searched for her every chance he got. He groaned and slammed his fist through the mirror the mere thought of his sixteen year fruitless search wrenching his heart from his body yet again. Brown eyes and hair swam in the pool of blood that drifted to the sink from his cut hand. Shards of glass mingled with the bright red of the blood that came from a numb hand.
He healed it with a quick wand flick and repaired the mirror then left the room. He pulled open the door across the hallway, the candles lit upon his entry and he sat at the desk. The room truly was beautiful, hand crafted wood made the large four poster bed with deep red sheets and golden pillows. The dresser, mirror, and desk where he sat where the same deep mahogany, a large walk in closet adorned a wall that was covered with bookshelves, books littered them here in there but the shelf waited for the books of his friend to join them. He smiled fondly at the picture on the desk of the golden trio after the battle, both he and Ron had bent over to kiss one of Hermione's cheeks and she was laughing hysterically at the boys who she continually tried to push away.
"Your in here again?" his live in girlfriend sighed pulling him up, "Honestly Harry I think we should just get rid of this room," she held out her wand but his hand on her wrist stopped her.
"Don't touch it," he growled, Ginny Weasley looked up at him her blue eyes filled with anger.
"How can we move on together if you keep thinking about her," she spat fire in her gaze.
"She's my best friend, I'll look for her for the rest of my life if I have too," Harry dropped her wrist and led her to the fireplace where the flooed to the burrow.
"Hey mate!" his best friend Ron Weasley greeted pulling him into a deep hug, "I'm getting married."
"Only if she doesn't dump you first," Harry smiled, he was truly at home in only three places, Hogwarts where he was a non live in teacher, the room he had created for Hermione, and the Burrow surrounded by his family.
"Dad there's a car coming," Josh Weasley landed softly on his feet, a son of Bill and Fleur he truly was a handsome child. He inherited the Weasley hair but it fell in soft waves around his face, the seventeen year old boy was the hart throb of Hogwarts where he would go for his final year next semester.
"A car?" Bill looked to the road and sure enough a large Green Jeep was headed up the winding road to the Burrow.
"Looks like somebody's earned themselves an obliviate," Ron commented, Harry however was drawn to the car his eyes incapable of leaving it. The window rolled down slightly at the door and a few words Harry could not hear where spoken, the caterer the Weasley's had hired eyes grew wide but he waved the vehicle in. Ron moved toward the car curiously with Harry close on his heels, the doors opened on both sides and two people stepped out. Harry's breath caught in his chest as Hermione Granger's trainers landed on the ground, her Jean clad legs followed and she exited the car with a flourish smiling at Ron who had broken into a run as soon as he realized who it was.
Harry's attention however was drawn to the other door, a girl with hair blacker then his own so much so that in the light from the torches it almost looked blue was on the other side. She wore a black tee shirt and blue jeans with heels sticking out from beneath the jeans but the most intriguing thing about her was her deep purple eyes.
"Ron," she greeted her smooth voice capturing the attention of those around her, "Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginerva," she nodded to each in turn. She stepped around the car and moved up to Harry, "Harry."
"I don't know you," he said softly, she placed a hand gently on his arm before speaking.
"But I know you, I saw you last sixteen years ago on a battle field," she stood on tip toe whispering in his ear, "You killed me."
A roaring reached Harry's ears as he remembered, a maniacal laugh, his mortal enemy's eyes turning deep purple just before he died the last thing he heard was the drawing of wands as he fell into unconsousness.
