Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and never will. All the characters mentioned are own by JK Rowling and Warner Brothers.

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Chapter 2: Memories

Hermione had a restless night. Troubling dreams flitted in and out of her mind faster than a Pensieve sifting through someones troubled thoughts. Her nightly dreams were frequently haunted by Ron's angry and insipid face leering at her, Hugos hurt reaction upon seeing his father leave, and Harry and Viktor.

Harry and Viktor...Damn how could she have been so stupid not to follow her heart and marry one of the two boys who always made her feel like an equal. Where oh where exactly did her heart lead her astray and into the arms of that trollish Ronald Weasley.If she had chosen better she could have been as happy as Harry and Ginny were now.

Although Hermione would never admit it she was envious of the marriage shared between two of her best friends. Admittedly she was the one who brought them together in the first place. But it ached terribly for Hermione to see Harry and Ginny happy together.

She could remember Harry seeking her out tell her of his impending marriage to Ginny. Looking back at it now what would have been the case if Hermione had given an indication that she fancied Harry there and then.

Her mind began to wander back to that day 14 years ago when Harry owled she to say that he had some news.

Flashback

It was a cold blustery day; Hogsmeade was covered in thick blankets of snow. Hermione shivered as she removed her cloak within the warm enclosures of the Three Broomsticks, she had come to have lunch with her best friend Harry Potter who was ordering their drinks from Madam Rosmerta the bar lady of the Three Broomsticks. Hermione and Harry always were very close from the first time that they knocked out a mountain troll in the Hogwarts bathroom, to now sharing a drink in the Three Broomsticks.

"Here you go Hermione" Harry said passing her a Butterbeer.She gratefully accepted the drink and felt delicious warmth spread to her toes

"Thanks Harry a Butterbeer does wonders in this blustery weather" Harry chuckled, then said with a serious face

"Do you remember the promise we made each other, that we would come to each other first whenever we had major news to share?'"Hermione nodded, not sure whether she wanted to hear what Harry had to say.

Well I decided to take the step, Im gonna propose to Ginny and I wanted you to be the first to know"

Hermiones face fell at first then she quickly arranged it into what she hoped was a convincing smile

"Thats great Harry, congratulations." Harry blushed and said "Thanks, Ive been meaning to ask her for quite a while, but well you know me hoo-hah"

Hermione restrained herself from rolling her eyes with great difficulty

"I know you only too well Harry Potter, how many times did you actually try to ask her, and I dont mean pretend to ask her then quickly change the subject, like it wasnt important."

Harry grinned sheepishly and said "I wasnt that bad; to be honest ...ok I changed my mind more times than I did before I first asked her out."

Hermione chuckled and said "Ginny's mentioned to me that she has been dropping subtle hints to you all the time, knowing you Potter you missed them all, I swear Harry you still need me to point out the more subtle things in life to you. Hermione said jokingly.

"Yeah I do." Harry whispered

Hermione stared at Harry then after an awkward silence said "I taught you all you need to know about the mannerisms of girls Harry. Or have you forgotten." Harry beamed and shook his head no.

"Do you remember trying to ask Chow to the Yule Ball, I swear you and Ron looked so idiotic going around trying to get a date back then?

Harry said "You taught me 1 thing back then."

Hermione raised her eyes and said "Really, what?"

"Well never to ask Ron for advice on asking Veelas out for one"

Hermione and Harry chuckled " but more importantly you gave me the freedom and the courage to always persevere at whatever I am attempting, you saved my life countless times at school, and thanks to your inquisitive nudging I am now with a girl whom I Love dearly and who I can honestly see myself spending the rest of my life with."

Harry took out a small box and clumsly handed it over to her whislt fiddling with the intricate design that adorned the box.

I would like to give u this as a little keepsake of the strength of our friendship."

Hermione opened the box to reveal a necklace shaped like an unbroken circle.

Harry said "The circle signifies the fact that the bond that we both share will never be broken.

Hermione silently mouthed the words "Thank you" to Harry as she put the necklace round her neck...

End of Flashback

Hermione awoke from her reverie fingering the self same chain that she wears round her neck this very day 14 years later. She could help but break down crying again as she remembered the past and the feeling of what could have been a magical union between her and Harry...