Title: Trio (Part 3 of 9)
Originally published: July 20, 2007
Rating: PG
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My father once told me that when he was a boy he saw my mother walking along the bank of a river and knew he had found his soul-mate. I never thought I would be so fortunate. But then I travelled to Hogwarts for the Triwizard tournament and met Hermione. And I knew, just like my father knew, that there would never be another woman for me. But I also was convinced it was very unlikely she would ever return my feelings. I felt I was the luckiest wizard in the world when she agreed to attend the Yule Ball with me. I had hoped that she would visit me that summer, meet my family and see my country. But her mother said that she was too young to travel so far away. I was sure I would never get another chance. She would probably marry Harry Potter or Ron Weasley or someone I did not even know. Her letters would be all I would ever have and that would be enough for me. I threw myself into my studies, with the intention of trying to help as many people as I could. I would never love another, but, if I dedicated my life to others, I would not have lived in vain.
My studies led me to become a healer and my medical training has now taken me back to England to work at St. Mungo's. This comes too late, of course. I am happy to just be near her once more, but she has her own life. She does not need me in it. Still, she has offered to meet my ship at the docks… along with Harry and Ron. Just like she would meet any old friend from her youth, I am sure.
As soon as I disembark, I search for her face in the crowd, but it is Harry and Ron who I see first. They smile and wave at me but I do not see Hermione with them. She did not come, then. Just as I am trying to fight my disappointment, I am nearly knocked over as she embraces me. She doesn't say a word just holds me tightly so I do the same. I do not know how long we stand there. Just holding one another.
I think maybe my Hermione has missed me almost as much as I have missed her.