A/N: Hmm . . . not really the best chapter, but I felt the need to update . . . there's still more. I might update the third chapter later today even. Review, and I'll review, like always! Enjoy!
"Hermione?" Harry called softly, "Hermione, dear, wake up."
No response.
"What did you do to her?"
Harry looked at the girl sitting on the floor next to the couch he had carried Hermione on to.
"I didn't do anything to her."
"Well, you did something. She's normally conscious."
"How old are you?"
"Don't we have more pressing matters to think about right now?"
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. I'll be eight in two days."
"Go get a damp cloth. Maybe that'll wake her up."
The girl sighed and stood up, glancing at Harry only once as she walked to the bathroom.
Harry watched her walk out and turned back to Hermione. "Come on, wake up. Come on."
"Doesn't seem to be working." the girl remarked as she handed Harry the cloth. Ignoring the girl he set to work with patting Hermione's face with it. After a moment or two Harry watched as her eyes fluttered open and she looked around to take in her surroundings.
"Ha-Harry? Is that really you?"
Forgetting his nervousness from earlier Harry nodded.
"Then it wasn't a dream?" Harry shook his head.
Hermione made a strangled sound in her throat and sat up to hug Harry. Harry embraced her tightly, never wanting to let go. Finally, after nine years, he had her back in his arms.
Harry heard a slight cough off to the side, and felt Hermione pull away.
"Very touching, really, and I'm sure it would mean more if I knew who that man was, but there is the small matter of lunch. And I am very hungry."
Hermione smiled at the girl and brushed away tears on her cheek. "Oh, I forgot. You don't mind eating alone, do you dear? I think I'll stay in here with Harry."
Harry could see the glare the girl gave him, but choose to ignore it. Following Hermione and the girl into the kitchen, he said "I'm Harry by the way. And you are . . . "
"Addison Miranda W-"
"Would you like a sandwich?" Hermione interrupted, "Or something else?"
"A sandwich, please."
Hermione fixed Addison a sandwich and set it down in front of her. Then, after telling Addison that she'd be in the next room, she walked out, Harry following.
Hermione stopped suddenly and spun around. As if to make sure Harry truly was there she walked around him slowly, looking intently at every inch of him. Harry chuckled nervously.
"Her-Hermione? What-" But Harry was cut off by Hermione falling back onto a couch to his left, and bursting into tears. "Hermione!" Harry cried and rushed over to her, panicked.
"It's . . . it's really you. I never thought - we all believed-" Hermione took a shaky breath and tried to start all over, as Harry wiped gently at her cheeks, "I thought you left me forever. I thought you'd gone away." Hermione sobbed even harder as Harry sat back, stunned.
Finally, he was able to say, "Hermione, I love you. And I'm sorry." He picked up her hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Nine years. I thought . . . I thought you broke your promise. " Hermione looked at Harry, deeply. "You remember your promise?"
Remember it? Harry thought, It was what kept me going. And, like those many times before, Harry felt the rush of a memory coming to him. And, unlike those many times, he welcomed it.