disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the characters.
a/n: This is just a prologue to the main story. The story will take place 10 years post DH.
Three months have passed since Harry Potter defeated Lord Voldemort. The Golden Trio were hardly ever seen together post war. Rumors were constantly swirling over what could have happened to rip the friends apart. Only Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew the truth. They simply grew apart.
Hermione was the first one to disappear. She left England for the States. She was pursuing her higher education. Ron and Harry were supportive of her decision and promised her they would keep in touch. At first her letters were overwhelming it felt like every other day she had sent them both a new one, but eventually her letters stopped altogether.
Ron accepted the job of being an Auror along side his best mate, Harry. The two boys remained close after the war. Ron was upset when Hermione told him, her plans on leaving for the States. Over time he got over it, and his feelings for her were left as a childhood crush.
Harry never let it show, but he was heartbroken when Hermione left. She had always been there for him through everything and now she was gone. Him and Ginny rekindled their relationship after the Battle of Hogwarts. Their relationship was long distance because of Ginny's job of being a professional chaser for the Harpies. Harry was so proud of her.
"Did you read The Daily Prophet?" Ron asked Harry as they sat down to eat Sunday breakfast. They promised Molly they would always attend Sunday breakfast at the Burrow after the war ended.
"No," Harry shook his head. He never read the paper. It was usually full of lies.
"They wrote an article on Hermione," Ron explained as he loaded up his plate full of eggs, sausage, toast, and bacon.
"So," Harry rolled his eyes. Rita Skeeter was always writing articles on the three of them. It wasn't news.
"Well, apparently Hermione is living as a muggle," Ron said as he bite into his sausage. "And now no one knows where she is. She has turned her back on the magical world." His mouth was full of sausage and Harry couldn't help but miss having Hermione around to yell at Ron to close his mouth.
"I doubt it," Harry said with an eye roll. "And you know better to not believe a word Skeeter writes."
Ron didn't argue instead he kept shoving his breakfast in his mouth unbothered. Harry on the other hand felt suddenly sick. He was worried that maybe for once Rita Skeeter was right. He hadn't heard from Hermione for a month now. His letters were always returned back to him. Harry stood up for the table and walked over the counter to find some parchment and a quill. His hand moved fast as he began to write. His handwriting was always messy, but Hermione could always read it easily. He hoped this was another lie. He knew the war was hard on everyone, but to leave the magical world behind? Well, that seemed to be too drastic in his mind. They fought together for a better magical world one without prejudices against muggle-borns. So why would she turn her back on it now? His green eyes held out hope that this letter would find her. He attached the letter to the leg of his brown Tawny owl.
"Find Hermione Granger," He gave Raza his command. The owl flew out the open window off to find it's new destination.
"She'll come back to us," Molly Weasley said to him with an all knowing look.
Harry didn't know if the older woman was talking about his owl or Hermione. Maybe she meant both.
"Yeah," His best mate agreed. "She will. She probably needs some time away from…" his brown eyes looked down on the floor. "You know the constant reminder of war." He said finally.
"Yeah," Harry said looking down on the floor as well. "I know."
He knew of the sacrifices she had made during the war. She had to wipe her parent's memory of her, and the repercussions of the spell was they never had their memories returned. A lot of their classmates had died during the Battle of Hogwarts. Fred's death was also a wound none of them could fully heal from. Fred and George were always a pair and always made the trio laugh, but now it will never be the same.
There was something else Hermione had gone through and only Harry knew of this secret. It was a secret they shared.
Flashback:
Hermione sat on the uncomfortable cot with her legs pulled up to her chest. It was so cold. She was also lonely. Ron had left them. He shoved it in their faces how his family was still alive and well. Her parents were hopefully safe in Australia, but she didn't know for sure if they were. Harry's parents were obviously deceased. Ron still had a family. She was sitting in a tent trying to help Harry learn how to destroy Horocuxes.
Harry and Ginny broke up because of Harry's promise to Dumbledore to finish the mission.
The radio started playing a soft melody and suddenly there was a hand next to her face. She looked up and saw her best mate standing in front of her. His green eyes twinkled brightly with hope. She laughed as she grabbed his hand. He pulled her up and twirled her.
Dancing with him allowed her to leave reality for a little while. As they danced she found herself laughing. Laughing on how terrible they were. Laughing because they were teenagers living through a war. Laughing because it felt better than crying all day.
The song slowly faded out. She looked up at his green eyes and without thinking she leaned towards him. His eyes widen with surprise when she placed a soft peck onto his pink lips. She was about to pull away when suddenly his lips were kissing her's hungrily.
His right hand tangled into her messy curly hair as his left one pulled her closer to his body. She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips harder against his. This was the escape they needed. She moved her lips off his mouth and began kissing his neck. Harry let out a small moan.
She felt his hands working to unbutton her grey flannel. She matched his hunger by removing his grey t-shirt. Her hands caressed his toned chest. His lips began sucking her neck and this time it was her who let out a small moan.
"Harry," she whispered. "Help me forget."
He picked her up and placed her gently down on the cot. He removed her pants and his own. He would help her forget for a few hours like she would help him do the same.
Two teenagers seeking out love in the worst situation. It was a reckless love. One that wouldn't have transpired if they weren't stuck in a tent together trying to defeat a powerful wizard with no outside help.
End of flashback:
Harry never forgot about that night. It wasn't something he was exactly proud of. He knew she was heartbroken over Ron leaving and maybe he took advantage of her vulnerability. They promised to never talk about that night. A secret they planned on taking it with them to the grave.
The thing about secrets though is they are often uncovered overtime.
a/n: leave a review?