Chapter 4: The Reunion

Author's Note: It's been a long time since I've updated this story, but I had a request by two fans and decided to update it. Let me know what you think! Also this is an AU story since I wrote this before the 6th and 7th book were written. Meaning that nothing fits right with the ending of the series. Also some things that happened in the end of the series didn't happen in my story. Also, I started writing the first half two years ago back in 2008, but haven't put much thought to it since then. Might I add, that real life got in the way, preventing me to update, and for that I am truly sorry, but I have two children now instead of one when I first started writing this so that's been keeping me busy. To the two unsigned reviews, I apologize! Here is your update. This is for you.

Hermione stared into the fireplace after Ginny had gone. Suddenly there was a tap at the window. She turned to see an owl hovering in the air waiting to be let her in. She stood up, went to the window and let the owl in. The owl waited on the table while Hermione untied the letter. Hermione petted the owl and it took off out the window. She sighed and opened the letter, dreading what was inside.

"Dear Miss Granger,

We regret to inform you that the Witch and Wizard Airlines are going out of business. There are not enough witches and wizards who are wanting to fly so we decided to shut down. We would have liked to talk to you in person, but decided that it was best to send everyone a letter via owl post. We are terribly sorry to give you such a short notice. We have already put your pay in at your account in Gringotts Bank. Enclosed is a statement of the paycheck. Good luck with life.

Sincerely,

Witch and Wizard Airlines."

Hermione stared at the letter. What a week. She started crying and tossed the paper aside. She couldn't believe that the airline was closing. What was she to do now? She turned to her room and lay down on the big king sized bed and cried. Her alarm woke her up the next morning at six. She didn't have to go to work so she turned it off, rolled over and went back to sleep.

She awoke hours later not knowing what made her wake up. She stared at the clock; it read twelve PM. The bushy haired, brown-eyed girl decided it was time to wake up and picked out her clothes—a denim jean skirt with a pink top. After showering and getting dressed she decided that she needed to get out and get a dress for the reunion tonight. 'Oh my goodness. The reunion's tonight and everyone's going to see that I am not with Draco. Perfect,' she thought, sarcastically thought. Hermione wasn't paying attention to where she was going and wandered into a shop. She looked up and almost started crying. Wedding dresses were on display everywhere. A lady dressed in pink approached her.

"May I help you, miss?" Her name read Maureen.

"N-N-No thank you," Hermione managed to say.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to see our clearance dresses? They're very beautiful and not at a bad price. When's the wedding?" Maureen asked.

"I don't need a dress. I'm not getting married. The lying idiot cheated on me. I walked in here by mistake," Hermione stated and stormed out of the store leaving Maureen in the entrance looking stunned.

'I won't make that mistake again. Ugh I am so embarrassed,' Hermione thought. She went down two more stores and found the one she was looking for.

Hours later, Hermione was at her apartment wearing the dress of her dreams. The long flowing burgundy dress fitted her body perfectly, showing every part with care as if it was made for her. Delicate little silver butterflies stood alone on either side leading down to her bust line which held the dress in two. The back of the dress hung nice and snug, showing a small amount of skin shaped like a "v". Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was tied neatly in a bun, showing the features of her face. A single curl flowed down her face the way she wanted it to. Silver butterfly earrings dangled from her ears.

She sighed. She really didn't want to go to the reunion, but she promised Neville that she would go. She would love to see him again. Hermione looked at her clock on the wall. She panicked. She was late and didn't want to be the center of attention. They all would be at Hogwarts waiting for her. Or would they even notice that she was late? She sighed again and checked herself one more time. Grabbing her silver hand bag, Hermione Granger apparated right out of the Hogwarts castle walls.

The Great Hall was filled with people talking and dancing. Music from the latest band in the wizard world was flaring. All of a sudden everyone stopped what they were doing for the Great Hall doors had opened. Heads turned to see who had disrupted all the fun. Standing before her former classmates stood Hermione Granger alone.

Hermione walked forward trying to ignore the stares of the heads of her fellow students. Trying to search for a familiar face, and trying not to cry, Hermione stared at the floor. Someone tapped her from behind and she turned around.

"Neville!" She exclaimed. He embraced her in a welcoming hug. People turned back to what they were doing before she came in.

"How are you?" Neville asked.

"Fine," she mumbled so quietly Neville could hardly hear her.

He took her by the arm and pulled her out of the Great Hall, and sat down on the chairs behind the table that was used to greet people.

"You're lying. I can tell by the tone of your voice. Sit down and tell me what's happening? I can start off by saying Draco's a prat. He showed up to the reunion with Pansy. Second, I heard about the airlines, and I am so sorry. Do you have a place to stay?"

Hermione stared at her friend. Neville, so kind, so loving in a friendship way to her. He had always been there for her throughout the years, even when Ron and Hermione weren't friends.

"How did you know all of that?"

"Word gets around."

"Ginny," Hermione said suddenly.

"Yes, but she came to me because she was concerned for you. She thought I might be able to help you more, since she was busy."

"Want me to punch him?" Neville offered.

"That's very kind of you Neville, but no. I kindly kicked him where it hurts. Twice."

"Atta girl," Neville said patting her on the back. "Shall we get back in the reunion?" Neville stood up, and offered his hand to Hermione.

"Hermione." A voice from behind made them both turn around. Harry and Ron were standing behind them. "Ron has something he wants to say," Harry said.

"I'll leave you alone. If you need me, I'll be in the Great Hall. I'm going to find Hannah Abbot. It's about time I tell her my feelings for her." Neville looked so in love when he mentioned Hannah's name. He straightened his tie, and then walked back into the Great Hall.

"We heard about you and Malfoy," Harry started to say since Ron couldn't put words together.

"Ginny?" She assumed. They both nodded. Hermione made a personal note that she must have a moment to speak with Ginny alone later as to not spread around her personal life.

"Only because she wanted us three to get back together. Mum misses you back at the Burrow, and has been begging for years for you to come," Ron spoke softly.

"We don't want to hear, we're right, for we're sorry we are. We gave Malfoy a swift kick in the ass. Two to be exact. We each gave two kicks each." Harry grinned.

"So all is okay then?"

"I'm okay with being friends again, I can't speak for Ron." Harry came over to Hermione, gave her a hug and walked away.

"So after all these years, you aren't mad at me?"

"You? How could we be mad? We felt foolish for being mad. But we never did anything because our pride stood in the way. Till Ginny told us about Draco being a big prat, like we knew he always was."

Harry hugged her when he was finished talking. Then walked into the Great Hall.

Ron shyly went over to Hermione. "Come back to the Burrow. Mum misses you so much."

"I miss everyone there." Hermione started crying. "I feel like such a fool for being with him. I feel used, unloved and unpretty. When I caught him with her—" She stopped talking.

Ron interrupted her. "Un-loved? Hermione, I've always loved you. Always have. I let my foolish pride get in the way of everything. Remember when Harry and I got in an argument and wouldn't talk for months because I thought he put his name in the Goblet of Fire? Pride got in the way. I've been talking to Ginny for a year now, wishing I never let you go. And finally, she told me because she knew how I felt, that you had ended it with him and I should act now because if I didn't then I wouldn't get another chance."

"Act now?" Hermione was confused.

Ron pulled her up off the bench, pulled him close to her, and stared into her brown eyes. "This may seem sudden to you, but it's a long time coming for me," he said softly.

Hermione let him kiss her on the lips once. She felt his rough skin on his lips against hers, thought he could use some chapstick, and then pushed away the thought, replacing it with more feelings for him as the kiss deepened. She let him kiss her and enjoyed it instead of analyzing it.

"Draco doesn't know what he's missing out on," Hermione said when they finished kissing.

"I don't want to picture Malfoy kissing anyone right now thank you very much." Ron smiled, letting Hermione know he wasn't mad, but disgusted.

"No, I mean me. He's going to regret being with her instead of me when he sees how happy I am," Hermione said.

Hermione knew the Reunion was a good thing. She was so glad Ginny talked her into going. It reunited her with Harry and Ron. And more importantly, Ron confessed his feelings with her. She knew those years wasted would soon be a thing of the past.

They were ready to rebuild and start over.

Author's note: I know, an ending with a twist. But I felt like it was needed. Hope you like it! As always, please review! Please take a look at my newly updated profile. Thank you.

PS. There will be an Epilogue, but that's the last part of the story. I won't update anymore after the epilogue. Stay tuned!