18 September 2004

"So that's what happened?"

"Yeah."

"What are you going to do moving forward?" Dean asked.

"Just move on, I guess." She shrugged. Hermione was back in another session. Dean sat in front of her.

"How about reaching out to him?"

"No, I won't." Hermione insisted. "How much of this do we have left?"

"Last day."

"What?" She yelped. Hermione had completely forgotten.

"Yes. Have you talked to any of your friends?" Dean asked.

"I went out with Astoria yesterday."

"Nice. Progress. I also have something I want to talk to you about."

"Ok…." She prompted.

"I advise you to continue to take therapy after this. Maybe not from me, if you want."

Hermione looked down. "I'm actually planning on leaving in a few days. Back to Australia. Staying here isn't permanent. I'll take your advice though."

She got up to leave, quickly bidding goodbye to Dean. He stopped her.

"Just wondering; Will you ever come back?"

She thought for a second. "Yes. I won't be gone forever. And I'll visit you and Seamus."

"Bye, Hermione, and good luck."

"Bye."

She Disapparated to her home. Hermione shut the door of her apartment. Like a ghost, she walked towards the cabinet, pulling out an array of medicine. Shoving them into her mouth, she sat down at the couch, picking up a book.


19 September 2004

"Happy Birthday!"

"What?" Hermione asked groggily. She had just opened the door.

Astoria's hands dropped. "It's your birthday, isn't it?"

"I- what?" She stopped. "Give me a sec."

Hermione sprinted to look at her phone. 19 September. Her heart dropped. It was.

"Oh…."

Astoria invited herself in. She dropped a gift bag on the counter, including a large box with holes.

"You forgot?"

"Seems like it." She responded, rubbing her forehead.

"So how old are you turning?"

"Uhhhh…Give me a second, you woke me up while I was sleeping. I am….24 now."

"Woah. Ok, now open your gifts."

"Astoria…."

"No," Astoria stopped her. "I can't return her- them. Just open it."

Hermione smiled as she opened the other to find a brown-covered book with "The Book of Requirement" written elegantly in gold.

"What's this?"

Astoria squealed. "It took forever to find. Put your hand on the cover and think of your favorite book."

"But what's that going to- fine."

She hesitantly placed her hand on the book, thinking of her favourite childhood book.

Opening her eyes, she found Astoria watching excitedly. She looked down at the cover.

"Hogwarts: A History." Hermione read slowly. She opened the book. "No. How is that possible."

"Magic." Astoria said, and at that they both burst out laughing. "Wait, I have one more thing."

Hermione looked at the box carefully. She took off the cover and gasped. Inside was a little brown tabby kitten.

"Astoria Greengrass." Hermione said disbelievingly. "That was not just a kitten I saw in that box."

"She's actually part Kneazle."

"I-I can't take this."

"You have to- besides...you'll be paying me back with a wedding gift. Please- take her."

Hermione hugged Astoria. "Thank you."

"It's nothing. I figured you'd need someone to be with you. Plus, you're going to Australia to bring back your parents' memories soon, right?"

She let go of her. "How'd you know?"

"You only mentioned moving after 'all this was done' about a hundred times."

Hermione laughed. "True…..but I promise- I'll be back for your wedding."

"You better. When do you plan on leaving?" Astoria asked, playing around with her ring.

"One week." Hermione said, taking a deep breath.

Meow. Hermione looked at the box again. She picked up the little tabby kitten gently. She stared at its gleaming aquamarine eyes.

"I leave you two to get accustomed. Don't forget to give her a name. I've left all her food in the box. Come stop by my house later. Or at least before you leave."

"Thank you Astoria, truly." Hermione bid goodbye with a smile on her face.


25 September 2004

"Got it!" Hermione exclaimed as she was stuffing things neatly into her beaded bag. "Artemis."

Artemis purred, she took that as a sign that her new pet liked it. She was leaving in a day, and she had already said goodbye to Isla, Astoria, and even Draco.

Hermione looked at the treasured piece of parchment she had folded and placed in between the pages of her black book. This. This was the spell that was going to bring back her parents. Of course. She had already memorized it after endless hours of tracing and murmuring the lines.

Hermione felt a rush of guilt inside of her. She had barely even thought of her parents over the last few months. How terrible of a daughter was she? That she hadn't even thought of her parents in so long.

"Take a deep breath." She told herself.

The best thing she could do...was leave. Hermione promised herself she would come back. She wouldn't leave anyone hanging. But she needed time. She first Disapparated to Isla's house.

"Hey."

"Hello, Isla."

"I am so glad you visited me."

"I have to tell you something….I'm moving to Australia."

Isla took it well. Perfect actually. It was great. Hermione then went back home to Artemis.


27 September 2004

It was time for her to go. She had said her goodbyes. All she had to do was board on the plane. Hermione nervously walked through the airport to her terminal. Artemis had already been taken to another part of the plane.

"Ok everyone we're going to start boarding."

Hermione took a deep breath. She handed the woman her boarding pass. After a few seconds, she gave it back. Nodding, she walked through to the plane. Quickly finding her seat, she sat down, and took a deep breath.


BONUS: Epilogue

Three years.

Three bloody years since the chains had come off. Four years since the frown had slowly turned to a smile. Four years since Hermione had slowly started picking up the pieces. Four years since Hermione Granger had gained a bit of herself.


A/N: Ok so I am done for now. But when I get a burst of inspiration I promise I will edit and revise this bc it is cringy….like really cringy….like eww- I wrote this?

Well anyway I have definitely gotten better in my writing skills. Like did you see that 9 year old grammar back in the first chapter? I realize now that the only way to get better at writing….is to write (or type?).

Anyway thank you so much all of you for the support you guys have given me for my first fanfic. Like seriously, this was a great experience. Also Happy New Year (yes I am aware we're already well into January)

If you ever plan on rereading- which idk why you would- cool. Like I will do a HUGE revision of this fanfic bc right now... *points at last chapter* it's …. Well….trash. But no promises- I might like never come back to this again. I wrote this when I was getting into the Harry Potter fandom again. But i've kind of...idk...I'm done with it...for now at least.

Plus I have a truckload of homework and stuff to do...

Anyway...Bye….Thank you again….have a good day :)