Chapter 2

The train station was incredibly busy today, as it was every year this time. Hermione hoarded her small brood toward the correct platform, 9 ¾, and loaded her children quickly onto the Hogwarts Express, but not before quick pecks on the cheeks.

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Harry and Ginny out of the corner of her eye. For fear of looking rude, Hermione turned and forced the most genuine, fake smiles she had ever mustered.

"Hello!" Hermione beamed at her old friends before being engulfed in hugs. She felt like screaming but held it in, waiting for the embrace to end. After stepping back she looked both of them up and down. Older, but still looking healthy.

"Hermione!" Ginny cried, "It's been too long."

"That it has," Harry agreed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Two years," Hermione muttered, a small smile across her lips.

"That long already? How have you managed to dodge us?" Harry chuckled.

Hermione forced her smile a little bigger, awkwardly crossing her arms.

"Guess what?" Ginny grinned before pulling her coat apart to reveal a very large bump, "We're pregnant! Eight months along."

Hermione went slightly white, feeling suddenly jealous and extremely claustrophobic, "I.. Erm.. Congratulations," she cleared her throat, "I don't mean to be rude but I have a lunch date."

"Of course," Harry looked concerned, but gave Hermione a solid pat on the back, "Go on. We will see you at Christmas, I'm sure."

Hermione gave a noncommittal nod before turning and walking as fast as she possibly could. As soon as she could duck into a bathroom she did, breaking down miserably. She sobbed, wondering why that couldn't be her baby about to be born… Why couldn't her husband be there with her at King's Cross to see the kids off to school? Why? Why her?

After returning home, Hermione stripped down to nothing, tossing her clothing in the hamper. She climbed the stairs, dragging her feet as she went. She was tired in every sense of the word. Her body and mind ached and throbbed from depression. It was difficult to keep things up for the kids. When she knew they weren't watching she let it all out: cried, sobbed, shook, screamed, everything…

She drew a bath as hot as she knew she could stand it and poured probably half the bottle of Calgon inside. After it had reached a properly foamy consistency she climbed inside, dropping down to her chin and closing her eyes.

Tears flowed freely into the bubbly water, silent tears that held all of her frustration, pain and guilt. Hermione balled up, her knees coming to her chest as she let everything go.

"Hermione?" A rough voice came from the doorway.

Hermione jerked upward, her arms covering her chest as her eyes settled on a scarred, weathered face. Her husband's face.

It was two seconds. Two seconds that it took for Hermione to make it out of the tub and across the bathroom into her husband's arms. Two seconds that took everything she had been enduring away, out the window, forever to be gone.

Hermione couldn't believe this. She must have been dreaming, but he was so real. Warm, strong, virile, her's.

(Third chapter to come soon! Please review!)