The next few days were uneventful as ever. Hermione had absolutely nothing to do. It was as if she was trapped in her apartment and unable to leave (A/N: *laughs in 2020*). But that was an exaggeration, she just didn't have the energy to go out.

Hermione was in the apartment she had bought. Her hands touched the cover of "Tales of Beedle the Bard" sighing as she opened the book. She was sitting on the couch re-reading a book she had read about a thousand times.

Hermione heard a knock at the door. Furrowing her eyebrows, she thought, "That's weird. No one should know I'm here."

She walked up to the door, clutching her wand tightly, and opened the door. Astoria Greengrass smiled up at her. She wore a nervous expression.

"Hey Hermione."

Hermione could tell she was dying to tell her something. "Hi Astoria." She greeted, moving to hug her. "How did you find me?"

"I saw you outside a few days ago and with a little detective work, I figured out where you lived."

"Stalker." Hermione said, smiling.

"You can't blame me for being clever."

"I can't, can I?"

"I have some news for you- come to my place. We can use your Floo." Astoria said, playing with something on her left hand.

"Shh- I live in a muggle area." Hermione thought for a moment. "We're going to have to Apparate. Just give me a second to change and I'll be right there."

In about 45 seconds (she was used to quick changing) she was ready to go. Astoria came in and they Disapparated to her house. Astoria's house looked the same as before.

Hermione breathed in the air. The same air she had breathed when she was in her most vulnerable state. She owed her life to Astoria, and she promised to herself she would never forget it. With a start, she realized Draco Malfoy was sitting on Astoria's couch.

"Haven't seen you in a while." She commented.

Draco was wearing a smile that suggested that this news Astoria had included him. Astoria opened the door of her house, a little out of breath.

"Sorry- my Apparation was off." She apologized.

"No need to apologize. What's this news you have for me?" Hermione decided to ignore the squeal. "Oh come here. Sit down."

It was then when she noticed. Hermione noticed something on Astoria's left finger. A glittering, diamond ring. Her jaw dropped a little.

"Took you long enough, Draco."

"What do you mean?" He actually had the audacity to act surprised.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, gently grabbing Astoria's hand and waving it. "Now this couldn't possibly be you, right? I don't think anyone is rich enough to buy this but you."

Astoria burst out laughing, taking her hand back. "We were going to surprise you."

"What surprises me is that you couldn't tell. He's been trying since New Years."

"What? I didn't know that."

Draco shrugged. "I really don't know why I was so afraid."

"Well I'm happy for the both of you." Hermione beamed, their happiness was contagious. "Have you picked a wedding date yet?"

"No. We're still thinking."

"Reckon it will be next year?"

"Probably." Draco answered.

The conversation went on like this for a while. Laughing, talking about how Draco finally proposed. After who knows how long, Astoria stood up.

"Well," She started. "Hermione and I are going shopping."

"What?" Hermione asked suddenly. In the background, Draco snickered. "You never told me this."

"Please?" Astoria begged.

She shook her head. "Sorry. I have tons of things to do."

Astoria deflated and Hermione felt a surge of guilt. "I'm sorry. Another time. I promise."

Ten minutes later- Hermione was back on her couch. She didn't feel good about, more or less, lying to Astoria. But she did need some time to herself.

She went to bed later, thinking about different things. Her thoughts strayed to Ron. About his smile that would never light up someone's world. Because of her. Ron had hurt her, bad. But she never, in all the years, ever wished him death. Tears welled up in her eyes, laughing softly as she remembered all the good times.

And that was all she had to do. Remember.


16 September

Harry Potter POV

Harry Potter was nervous. He had intended to leave her alone, after all this time. But he couldn't, she had been his friend. The guilt was weighing on him. Ginny and he had discussed it a few times. Harry had offered for her to come but she refused.

"You were her friend. She can't forgive me until she forgives you." She had said.

He was an Auror, the Ministry was keeping a watch on her, so finding her was easy. Harry took a deep breath, and knocked on the door in front of him.

Hermione POV

A knock at the door two days later made Hermione jump. Her cup of coffee spilled in the kitchen. Cursing, she used a napkin to quickly wipe the mess.

"Probably Astoria again." She thought. "I did promise her to go out later."

She opened the door, slowly, slipping her wand in her hand, just in case. The second the door opened, her eyes met the green of the one and only, Harry Potter. She gulped.

"Harry..." Hermione asked hesitantly. "Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to talk." Harry said, scratching the back of his head.

"Right. About what, exactly?"

"You'll see."

"Ok. Er- come in." She added a few seconds later, "Do you want some coffee?"

"No thank you." She led him inside.

As he came in, they went into the living room of the flat, he stood in the middle of the room.

"I well- I just want to apologize."

Hermione froze on the spot noticeably. Oh no. She was about to open her mouth to tell him that she didn't want an apology, but she couldn't.

Harry took that as a sign to continue. "I know that we...I-I know that you didn't deserve all that. You had to go through all of that because we were too ignorant to believe you. And I'm sorry-"

"No..." She breathed, stepping back. "Y-You-You can't- You can't just come back and expect everything to be okay. Why did you think I would ever need your, or anyone else's, apology?"

"I'm trying to right a wrong."

"Well then stop trying."

"Why?"

"Because you have absolutely no right to do so!" She was aware how hysterical she was getting by the minute, but in the moment she couldn't care less.

"You've got to give me some credit for trying. Would you rather we not speak to you at all?"

"Yes, actually."

"C'mon that's not fair."

"That's not fair?" Hermione repeated, voice high. Harry backed away a few inches. "You want to talk about what's not fair?"

"No that's not what I meant-"

She took a deep breath. Harry tried again, "I am really sorry about what Ron and I did to you. I know how you feel-"

"You don't understand!" Hermione yelled, voice breaking. She was on the verge of tears. "I-I was alone... for four years by myself. Because my friends believed I would do something like that. So don't tell me you understand Harry Potter. You have no idea how I- what I've done to survive-"

"But I do understand Hermione!"

"OH REALLY?" Hermione roared, stepping forward, anger fueling up inside her. "TELL ME, HARRY, DID YOUR SUPPOSED BEST FRIENDS CAST YOU OUT AND CHASE YOU FOR YEARS WITHOUT GIVING YOU THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN? DID YOU HAVE TO BE ALONE FOR SO FREAKING LONG THAT YOU- I- you can't even feel anymore?" Her voice cracked, she choked on her words. Hermione clenched her fists, only to unclench them seconds later. "Did you stay by your friend's side, sacrificing your time and energy, only to realize that they didn't care in the first place?"

"No, but-" Harry tried to protest, face falling. "I do care and I get it- I had to live with the Dursley's for years- and it's my fault so many people died-"

"Oh here we go again! Harry Potter and his tragical tale of saving the whole bloody world!" Hermione closed her eyes, pausing. She spoke softly, "I get it, really Harry I do. Your life is hard, I sincerely believe yours is worse. But I'm sorry, your struggles don't invalidate mine, and that took me so long to understand. I don't ever play the victim card- but I don't think you truly understand what I went through and how much-'' that hurt me. She couldn't finish the sentence.

"I am trying to make this better-"

"Your point?" Hermione asked coldly, chin trembling. She was struggling to keep her composure. "You trying to make this better isn't going to make it any better."

"Hermione-"

"We made a deal." She enunciated, as much as it killed her. She bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying. "Even if it isn't legally binding. You will leave me alone."

"Please Hermione- everyone wants to make things right. We wanted to give you some time before talking in case-"

"I care as much as you and Ron did when that arrest warrant came out. Leave."

"No." Harry insisted.

Hermione closed her eyes for a second, clenching her jaw. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at Harry.

"Stop acting like a child. Two choices. You either get out unscathed, or I make you."

"You wouldn't."

"Oh yeah? Try me." She trailed off, waving her wand. "Avis!"

A flock of birds emerged. Harry seemed to know what she was about to do, his eyes widened with disbelief. Upon looking at her furious face, his hand strayed to his pocket.

"Trust me, I know we don't deserve it but-"

"Save it, Potter, I don't want to hear another one of your pathetic excuses."

Harry looked at her, a look of understanding came to his face. He acknowledged she needed time. "Okay fine. I'm sorry. But can we talk later? I won't try to think I understand."

Hermione lowered her wand, the birds disappeared. She didn't know what to say. It was as if her mouth was physically preventing her from speaking.

Harry nodded, taking her silence as answer. They looked at each other for a few seconds before he slowly stepped away and out of view.


A/N: SOoooooo...How is this? I mean I know it wasn't that...emotion inducing? Like I'm pretty sure you didn't cry, I didn't cry, but tbf I am ✨heartless✨ and it takes a lot to make me cry. So maybe you cried? idk you prob didn't, my writing's not that good.

But anyway pls pls pls tell me what you want to happen next.

I am having a little trouble on what to do next- I know I want an epilogue (already have a great sentence starter for that),

But do you want to have another chapter of Hermione meeting the Weasley's/ making up with Harry/ visiting Ron's grave? Or one of Draco/Astoria wedding?

But anyway pleaseeee give me some ideas for the next chapter.