Note: Hello people! I should be ending my other story but I'm here, starting a new one! *sighs*

Just a few things I feel you need to know before starting reading this:

- There will be many ships in this story, but my heart is totally H/Hr so everything is always about them in a way.

- I love the drama and the angst. Be warned.

- And I want to apologize in advance for any errors, unfortunately they're bound to happen.

That's it! Hope you enjoy this first chapter.


One year after the Battle of Hogwarts

June 1st, 1999

The music is so loud he doesn't hear her apparating inside. Harry awkwardly swings to the beat, following the lyrics, singing out loud. If she's not mistaken, he's singing a famous muggle song. "Couldn't understand/ How to work it out/ Once again as predicted, left my broken heart open/ And you ripped it out."

She waves her wand and the music stops immediately. Harry turns on his heels, surprised, but with a wide smile on his face.

"Hermione!" He exclaims as he comes to her, his arms open.

As they hug tightly she feels his sweat all over her and he distances himself after her complains. "Honestly!"

"I was cleaning the place." He explains, apologizing. "Without a wand." She raises her eyebrows.

"Well, that's certainly new." He agrees as they head to his kitchen. Harry fetches both glasses of water and they settle at the little isle.

"So, tell me." He urges her.

Hermione's not sure how to tell him the news. It was hard enough to tell Ron, she's not sure how Harry is going to take it, but she knows that from him she can expect at least some kind of support. "I'm… leaving." He opens his mouth.

"What? Why?" Hermione watches as his smile fades slowly.

"I want to go after my parents, Harry. And now I know where they are. I got in touch with my only cousin… I was afraid the way I had stripped myself from their memories was strong enough to reach my uncle and cousin but it didn't." She shakes her head. "My parents are living right next to them. At first, Tessa, my cousin, didn't understand why they weren't talking about me and later she just figured we've had a nasty fight and they didn't want to talk about it." She shrugs.

"But Hermione," He takes her hand over the isle, "that's amazing! You found them. Finally! I knew you would succeed. I told you, didn't I?" He's smiling again, happy for her. She smiles too.

"Yeah, you did."

"So, what's wrong?" He asks.

It shouldn't surprise her that he always knows when something is wrong, but it still does. And it still warms her heart.

"Ron." She says. "I knew he wouldn't take it well… but I wasn't expecting him to end things between us."

Harry shakes his head. "Is he an idiot?"

Hermione laughs. "We know he is." She sips on the water and Harry waits. "To be completely honest I can't even find inside me the energy to be sad, you know? If he can't understand me and my emotions, what's the purpose? We've been together for the past year and I gave everything I had to him, to his family, to their moment of extreme grief." She stops, words being silently exchanged between them as they watch each other. They all suffered greatly after the war, but Ron was the worst. He couldn't accept his brother's death. He still doesn't. "But, ugh!" She grunts. "I just can't deal with his jealousy anymore… I mean, if it were just that maybe I could find a way of ignoring it for the sake of our relationship, but no, it's like he wants me to be his prisoner, to be there 24 hours, always available, always waiting. I can't. I-"

"You deserve more than that, Hermione." She tilts her head to the side, her hand now seeking his and squeezing it gently, thanking him. "So, when are you leaving?"

"In three days."

"Already?" His smile falters again.

"Maybe even earlier." She bites her lower lip, pondering. "I won't lie to you, Harry. I'm afraid."

"I know. It would surprise me if you weren't. I mean, this is a huge deal. How do you think they'll react?"

"I have no idea." She closes her eyes, memories of when she was a little girl invading her. Hermione was a quiet child, even if she used to ask a billion questions, her best friends were her parents until she found Harry and Ron. They were her everything and she didn't hesitate when the time to protect them arrived. She doesn't regret her decision, but now that she has to face the consequences she's not sure what she's feeling.

"Look," She opens her eyes at his words, "you know what? What if I go with you?"

"What? Are you serious?" She tries hiding how much she wants him to be serious. She can't deny his support would make all the difference in the world, but she doesn't want to push him either, "I mean you have your stuff here. What about the Auror training?"

Harry waves his hand, dismissing the subject. "It's fine. I'm not even sure if I want to be an Auror anymore. I know, I know what you're about to say, but follow my logic here, Hermione. I don't need this job, I don't need to do anything at all if you think of it. Yeah, okay, after the war I was eager to fight more, to give everything I had seeking dark wizards," He huffs, "but now I want to enjoy life, you know? I want to go out, travel, meet new people and such. I want to live a little before I bind myself to one job that will consume me for the rest of my life." He smiles. "So I guess I'm coming with you. It's perfect. I get to travel and meet new people while enjoying it with my best friend, so, please, don't even try to convince me to stay just because I have this boring Auror training."

She opens her mouth ready to argue, but the way he looks at her stops her words. "Fine. I guess you're coming with me then."

"Of course I am!" He gets up from the little stool and comes to stand by her side, his arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, okay? I'm sure they'll love remembering you." He gently squeezes her in a reassuring way and she smiles, a tear running down her cheek. "Help me pack?"

How can she deny his request? Rolling her eyes she agrees and they head to his bedroom. Hermione is surprised to see that he actually cleaned the place. "Why are you cleaning, by the way? A special occasion? A special someone?" She lifts her eyebrows, teasing him.

"Maybe." He says.

"Ah, come on. Tell me."

"Okay," He says as he fetches a medium suitcase and lays it on his bed. "Do you remember the other day I went out with Draco?" Hermione snorts. Harry being friends with Draco Malfoy is ridiculous, but a reality. Ron didn't take it very well, another reason why they've drifted apart a little. "So, we went to a nice pub and I met someone. She's coming later and I figured the place should be a little decent."

"Is she nice?" Hermione asks as they pick up a few of Harry's clothes from the cabinet.

"Nice? I have no idea. She's beautiful though." He laughs when she slaps his arm.

"Honestly." Hermione glances at him. "What about Ginny, Harry?"

He grunts. Harry avoids talking about Ginny the same way people avoided talking about Voldemort. Another reason why he and Ron drifted apart. "It's over, Hermione, how many times do I have to say it? A million?"

"Fine, fine! Sorry, won't ask again."

"Thanks."

They fumble through his clothes in silence for a while. Hermione's mind is away as she thinks about her parents. His voice takes her out of it. "Are you trying to get back with Ron?" He's looking at her sideways, unsure if the subject is a touchy one.

"I don't know. There's everything I just told you, but… I love him. Even if I'm tired of being with someone who makes me cry more than smile." She stops, sighing. "Well, being with Ron is exhausting and maybe we've reached a point of no return. Maybe only love is not enough."

Harry stops and turns to look at her. "Do you really believe that?" She shrugs.

"Maybe. I don't think only passion or love itself are enough to make a relationship work. It takes time, respect, love, desire, empathy, trust, admiration, communication-"

"Wow, wow. Hold on." He raises his hand. "Are you serious?" She nods, not understanding him. "Hermione," He chuckles, "I'm sorry but I think you're looking for something that doesn't exist. Really. To love and desire someone at the same time is already difficult, to even think about all those other things…" He trails moving his hand, emphasizing the absurdity of her words.

"Well, excuse me, Harry Potter, but I do believe I can find someone who will love and desire me while respecting and understanding me."

He doesn't answer for a while, but then he sighs. "Okay, sorry, I root for your happiness, you know that, right? You will find this impossible man." He bumps his shoulder against hers and they chuckle together.

"But maybe I'm talking to Ron when I get back, who knows, right?" Harry agrees.

"By the way, where are we going? I'm packing and I don't even know."

"Not that far, actually."

"Really?"

"Paris."

"Uh, lálá." He teases her. "Do you speak french?" He turns to her with wide eyes as if discovering something he never imagined possible. She nods. "Of course you do." Hermione watches his expression turns to something she can't decipher. But it's soon gone. "That's amazing, I get to have a free translator with me all the time."

"You wish!" They laugh.

When the silence fills the room again, Harry takes a step closer to her, his arms pulling her into a hug. "It will be fine." He kisses the top of her head and Hermione kisses his cheek, thankful again for all his support. "Okay, you have to go now because I need to shower." Hermione rolls her eyes, but nods.

"Have a nice night, Harry. See you?"

He winks at her and she's gone.


Paris

June 3rd, 1999

They decided going the muggle way. When Hermione said to him she wanted to travel through portkey they almost had a fight. He hates it with all his heart and after a long conversation he finally convinced Hermione the Eurostar was the best thing in the world. Harry argued it was a fast trip and they would get the chance to mingle in the muggle world (something which she laughed at since she practically lives more in the muggle world than the wizarding one), not to mention she would have more time to get used to the idea of seeing them again… he knows it was a low blow, but only after that she gave in.

Now, sitting in the train, Harry wonders how they can enjoy their time there. He knows Hermione is acting cool but inside she must be feeling like a bomb ready to blow. He wished he understood her situation a little better. He never got the chance to meet his parents, to talk to them, have an argument with them or just watch them together. However, he knows how it is to miss them, which is how he can connect to Hermione's situation. But different from her, he's never meeting them again - at least not until he dies - and even if he tries imagining what it would feel like his mind knows it will never happen. There's no risk of him disappointing them. Which is something he can't say for her.

He glances at Hermione. She's by his side, her eyes observing outside, but her hands tense on her lap as she cracks her knuckles intensively making him flinch a little. He puts one of his hands above hers and she turns her head to look at him while he intertwines their fingers. He doesn't need to say the words, his eyes tell her not to worry and she sighs heavily, nodding to him, her thumb caressing his hand.

"So," He breaks the tense silence, "We're heading to your uncle's first?"

"Yes. I've talked to my cousin and, leaving a lot out, I kinda of explained to her what happened." She looks down, her mind working fast. "Harry, they don't like us." She emphasizes the word and he gets the meaning. "I mean, my cousin has no problem with it, she's our age, so, I guess her mind comprehends it more openly, but my uncle… I guess he's a little like your aunt. He hates us, thinks we're freaks. My dad had a nasty fight with him when I got my letter and since then their relationship changed forever. I don't even know how they're living next to each other." She knit her brows. "To be honest I have no idea what to expect."

"I know it's frightening not knowing, Hermione." Especially for you, the one who always knows. "But you can hex me if I'm wrong: they'll be more than happy to reunite with their daughter." He smiles, their hands still together on her lap. "I may not fully comprehend the relationship between parents and their children, but I do know how amazing you are and how much I admire you… I don't think it can be so different for your own parents." His voice is low and when he lifts his eyes to hers he sees a few tears running down her face.

Hermione squeezes his hand. "Thank you, Harry. For everything."

He nods. She doesn't even need to thank him, he's not doing her a favor, he's just… supporting her, being there for her like she always did for him. Opening a little smile he realizes how incredible their friendship is. No one in his life comes even close to having with him what he shares with Hermione. Not Ron, not Ginny, not Draco. No one. He tilts his head, his eyes on her, hers again on the outside, their hands still together. It feels nice. He frowns to himself, the thought surprising him. Shaking his head, he dismisses it and the robotic voice of the train announces their arrival. Hermione immediately releases his hand and fetches her purse under the seat. Harry observes while she checks on a map the exact place they're heading. She states it should be easy finding them since they live in a Quartier by the Seine.

"Quartier?"

"Yeah, their neighborhoods."

Harry never left England and as they disembark he feels good. Good to be there with Hermione in such an important moment and good to be out of his comfort zone. It's nice to see the station. Harry immediately begins to hear other languages being spoken close by, a few words here and there he recognizes, but he can't even measure the quantity of tourists and foreigners at the station. It hits him how big the world really is, how amazing and full of different stories. It's exciting.

But he frowns when he glances at Hermione. She doesn't seem excited at all. In fact she looks like she's about to vomit. "Are you okay?" She nods and starts walking out. Harry follows.


After finding the Hotel they're staying in, Hermione tried to stall as much as possible, but Harry knocked and knocked on her door and when she opened it he was there with a dashing smile, his arms open and his face asking her 'let's go? Are you ready to do this?' Sighing she had no other choice than to leave the coziness and safety of her room. And now as they exit the Metro, she thanks him once again for coming with her. She knows that by herself she wouldn't have left that hotel room so soon.

Hermione stops him. "It's here." She motions to a charming little building. It's located in one of the many narrow streets of Paris. Harry crosses his arms by her side as they observe the place. She's shaking. If she understood her cousin correctly, her parents live at the top floor, the fourth, and her uncle and cousin at the first one. She swallows hard. This is way harder than I imagined. She has no idea how long she stands there watching the door. No idea. But she notices Harry walking around, his curiosity about the city getting the best of him even if he never distances himself too much, it warms her heart to know that he'll be by her side whenever she's ready.

"Want one?" Harry is eating a crêpe by her side. "It's amazing."

"Even thinking about eating makes me nauseous." She purses her lips. She's about to say to him that they should come back tomorrow, that she won't be able to knock today, but just then a man steps outside the building.

She stops breathing. Harry keeps eating by her side as if nothing happened, but of course he doesn't know the man practically standing in front of them is her father. He looks directly into her eyes and a flash of recognition goes through him. Hermione watches as he stops, knitting his brows and tilting his head. Her heart might burst out of her chest. Is he going to recognize me? Just like that? This easily? But her hopes are squashed down when he shakes his head and murmurs a french greeting to them. Hermione holds back her tears as she answers and watches him go.

"Oh, shit." Harry murmurs. "It was your father, wasn't it?" She nods, tears falling down.

"I- I thought he…" It's painful to say it out loud. She feels Harry's arms around her, his support keeping her from crumbling down.

"It's okay. Do you want to go?" He's whispering almost into her ear. "We can apparate now that we know the exact locations-"

"Hermione?"

She disentangles herself from Harry. Tessa, her cousin is walking up to them, it seems like she's arriving home. Hermione watches her beautiful cousin as she gets closer. Tessa inherited all the good looks from the family, it's undeniable how her high cheekbones and heart shaped face combine perfectly with her blue eyes and black hair. Not just that, she has an innocence to her that Hermione always admired, her cousin is one of those few people who can see only the good in others, something that Hermione can't tell if it's good or bad. She knows Tessa gives herself entirely to others in the most intense way, living each day as the last one, taking everything life has to offer.

"Tessa." She brushes her tears away and hugs her smiling cousin, who seems happy to see Hermione, which is a comfort after years apart. They used to have a tight friendship in a way they were often mistaken for sisters, but after Hermione left for Hogwarts, even when they met at summer vacations, things never felt the same again. But right now that doesn't matter. Tessa is a solid bridge to her family, a way of reconnecting with her roots. They separate and Hermione realizes she has no idea what to say.

However, again, Harry saves the day.

"Hi, I'm Harry Potter." He extends his hand to Tessa. "Hermione's best friend."

Tessa opens a smile capable of lightening a city. "Hi, I'm Tessa Granger."

Hermione watches them. Harry tilts his head the moment Tessa's hand touches his. Hermione sees the way her cousin leans forward into him and also the way Harry's eyes never leave hers, like he's hypnotized. Their handshake lasts longer than expected and when they finally let go, it doesn't go unnoticed to Hermione how Harry brushes his thumb over her hand. It's unbelievable the way her cousin actually blushes and Harry clears his throat. Hermione rolls her eyes. Great, now I have to deal with them flirting too. The notion annoys her, but she's sure it's only because of the shitty situation she's in.

"So," Tessa breaks the moment. "Do you wanna come in?"

"I-" Hermione looks down, her mind a mess. Does she want to come in? See her uncle? No. He started treating her poorly after they found out she was a witch.

"Look, Mi," She lifts her eyebrows at the nickname, it's been ages since someone called her that, "it's fine, I swear. My father came around some time ago… I mean, not that he loves the idea of" she leans closer and whispers the word, "wizards, but he accepts it a little better now. I explained to him what you told me and in a way he's thankful for the way you saved your parents. And I mean, shit, you're so freaking brave I don't even have the words to describe it. I don't think I would be capable of doing what you did, like really."

Hermione shakes her head, not knowing what to say. Even now she doubts if her decision was a brave or a coward one. "I don't know, Tess-"

"Tessa?"

Hermione freezes as they all turn on their heels. Her father is back from wherever he went. Hermione sees he's holding a boulangerie bag and again his eyes are glued on her, his face confused.

"Uncle John." Tessa says. "These are my friends, Harry and Hermione."

Hermione breathes relieved with Tessa's words and even more when Harry moves forward taking her father's hand. She purses her lips, knowing that he'll greet her soon, knowing she'll feel his gentle and calming touch again after years. When he finally steps closer, Harry's hand on her back is what puts her into motion. Extending her hand, Hermione forces herself not to cry. Her father smiles at her.

"Are you from London?" He asks, his hand still holding hers, he continues before they get the chance to answer, "Do I know you?" His question is direct. They all know he's asking Hermione. She thinks she might never find her voice again.

"They're from London, of course, uncle." Tessa is smiling and talking with enthusiasm. John finally releases Hermione's hand. "I don't think you know each other, but they're staying for a little while and I thought we could show Paris to them. What do you think? Aunt Claire should come with, we all know how she loves revisiting all the museums over and over again."

"Yes, sure, sure." John smiles. "It will be a pleasure." He puts one hand above his heart, his posture strange. "I'm sorry, I have to go, we're entertaining some friends tonight and Claire must be wondering why I'm taking so long." They all nod at him, waving their goodbyes.

The moment the door closes behind him, Hermione is sure she's fainting, her legs almost giving in, but Harry's arms hold her in place, his presence stronger than ever.

"Mi, I didn't know-"

"Don't worry, please." Her voice is thin. "Thank you. I wasn't prepared." She gives her a reassuring nod. "Maybe tomorrow we can actually visit some museums? So they can get a little used to me?"

"Of course! I'll talk to them, don't worry." Tessa looks at Harry. "Do you guys want to do something tonight? I'm on a little break from university and I'm hanging out with a few friends." Hermione knows she's asking both, but her eyes are still on Harry. Pursing her lips to dismiss her annoyance Hermione waits for him to decide.

"I would love to. I mean, if Hermione wants to."

Hermione shakes her head. "Harry, you're not my prisoner." She chuckles, the annoyance still there. "You can do whatever you want, but I don't think I have the energy tonight. It's been a long day and I need to be alone." She turns to him. "Actually I think I might head to the hotel already. You should stay." She emphasizes to him. "Tessa is an amazing company." Way better than me. Harry doesn't answer her, but she sees how much he wants to be alone with Tessa. Turning to her cousin she says, "Thank you again. See you tomorrow? Maybe we can talk about everything…"

"Mi, if you don't want to, we can go back to the hotel with you, drink a little and talk there. I see my friends all the time, they'll-"

"No." Suddenly she doesn't want to see Harry and Tessa interacting- flirting. "I can feel a headache starting." Not a lie. "Really, you should enjoy the night. I'll be fine." She gives them a tight smile and before she can control herself, she looks around the empty street and apparates away.


Hermione's sudden departure caught both Harry and Tessa by surprise. He was ready to spend the night with her doing whatever she wanted to, but if he said Tessa's invitation wasn't tempting he would be lying. And Hermione hates lies. The moment he shook hands with Tessa he felt something different, new and strong. And he's almost sure she felt the same. He can't tell what this 'something' is, but there's no way of finding out if he doesn't talk to her. He wants to know her. Badly. The feeling surprises him more than anything else.

Now, after a ton of laughs and drinks, he can't stop smiling, her blue eyes are like an endless ocean he wants to drown into. They met with her friends but she barely gave them any attention, she's focused on Harry and as they walk to the dance floor together, he feels his heart beating faster. He wants her. Normally he wouldn't dance, but he found it impossible to deny her request. As she moves sensually in front of him, he moves closer to her like a moth to a flame. He doesn't want to dance. He wants to kiss her. Being sure of it he seizes her by the waist, gluing their bodies, their hips attached. Harry moves with her, both breathing hard, their movements escalating quickly.

He'll never know if he's the one who did it or if it's her. But when he realizes they're already kissing, her soft lips touching his and sending a shocking wave through his body. They match instantly, their bodies in sync as they head, lip-locked, to the far end of the dance floor. Harry presses her against the wall, his hand on her neck, one trying to devour the other. It takes them long to separate and when they do, Harry already misses her addicting lips. He takes her hand and guides her outside. She understands him and they both walk holding hands on the street.

They stop to observe the Seine and the lights around the city. Paris is breathtaking.

Leaning over the ledge of the Pont des Arts, they watch one another. Harry is sure he never felt this way, never felt this powerful kind of attraction, this kind of… passion. She's not only beautiful, but funny, smart and easygoing. He gives her another kiss.

"We should head back." She says, their mouths close. Harry agrees and walks with her to her place. After a few more kisses they say their goodbyes and he apparates to the hotel.


Hermione finds him with a huge hangover the next day. He barely talks as he tries focusing on something else other than his headache. She doesn't feel that good either. She barely slept, her mind kept replaying the image of her father, the way he looked at her and how it seemed he would recognize her any second. She kept thinking about what to say to them, kept wondering if she should lie or try coming clean as soon as she's with them to avoid even more resentment later. She wanted to ask Harry what he thought… she even went to his room, but he wasn't back yet. Not that she minded, she was glad he was having fun, it's just…

"So, did you have fun last night?" She asks as she brings a cup of tea to her lips. They're eating breakfast and Hermione can't complain, the food is amazing.

"Yes. It was great. I just wished I've had a lot less to drink." She waits for him to say something more, but he stays silent. She feels a little discomfort in her stomach. The food? But it's so good.

"What about Tessa? She's amazing, isn't she?"

Harry raises his eyes to her and she averts hers. Hermione knows what happened. A look from him is enough. "She is." He waits a beat to continue. "We really clicked." Harry pours himself some juice and she notices how nervous he is. Why? "We… we kissed." He swallows hard. "I- Are you okay with it?" She frowns, her stomach getting worse. Maybe I ate too much. She puts down the croissant.

"Harry, of course! Are you crazy? Why wouldn't I be okay with it? Tessa is one of the best people I know." He exhales heavily.

"I don't know, I mean, she's your cousin. I was afraid it might be awkward for you. You remember how Ron freaked out when I started dating Ginny and-"

"One thing has nothing to do with the other. Trust me, it's fine. You guys might actually be the perfect couple." She looks down, her stomach erratic, she's even a little nauseous. "I don't know what to do with my parents."

Her words seem to bring him back to reality, it's like he immediately sobers up. "What does your heart tell you to do?" She tilts her head to him. Tessa used to ask this every time she was in doubt when deciding something important. He's already quoting her? Hermione moves on her seat.

"My heart tells me I should come clean as soon as I see them. No museum or excuses."

"So, there's your answer."

"Yeah, but," She moves her hands, searching for the words. "I'm scared. What a Gryffindor, huh?"

"You know, that's something I thought a lot over the past year. I used to think: I'm a Gryffindor, I need to be brave, I need to end Voldemort, I need to accept death. I thought I had to do all those things with not even an ounce of fear inside my body, because you know, we're supposed to be brave, fearless, bold." He shakes his head. "But I realized that what made and still makes us Gryffindors is the fact that we're always scared, always afraid… but we don't let this feeling stop us. Never." He leans over the table, his hand searching hers again. "In that sense I think you're the bravest of us, Hermione. Do it and things will be fine. Trust me." He squeezes her hand and leans back on his seat, a little smile on his face.

"Okay. I trust you."

She feels better, her appetite back. As she chews her croissant she watches Harry trying to focus on his own food, but his eyes keep going back to the entrance of the hall. Hermione ponders about what he just said, about being afraid but getting things done nonetheless. They're are used to talk about everything, but even with her it's rare for him to share his feelings regarding his supposedly doomed fate and the sacrifices he had to make and especially how he dealt with them. Suddenly she wants to ask him more about it, maybe steering the conversation this way she can stop thinking about-

Her mind stops when Harry opens a dashing smile. It takes a second for Hermione to understand he's smiling at someone that's getting closer to their table. Tessa.

"Hey." She greets both. Her own smile almost ripping her face, it doesn't get wider than that. Hermione greets her back, a little confused, but her mouth really hangs open when Tessa sits by Harry's side and kisses him. They probably don't notice her utter surprise because they obviously don't have eyes for anything other than themselves.

Hermione clears her throat, smiling. She's happy for them, of course, Tessa is incredible, she's just amazed by how fast they connected, how comfortable they seem with each other… Hermione never saw Harry this relaxed with someone, not even with Ginny. As if remembering her existence, they blush a little and turn to Hermione, Harry's arms around Tessa's shoulders. Hermione blinks, trying to grasp what her eyes are seeing. They met yesterday.

"So, are you okay with this?" Tessa asks, her hand gesturing between her and Harry. Her question annoys Hermione. What difference would it make if she wasn't? They clearly wouldn't mind… as if they need my permission for anything, come on.

"Of course I am!" She says and her voice is firm. Tessa breathes relieved. "My best friend and my cousin whom I consider my sister." She leans closer, a sincere smile on her face now as she thinks about it. "It's amazing, really." She's genuinely glad… she's sure this little pang in her chest is just her imagination. She shakes her head.

"So, Mi," Tessa says, "how do you want to deal with things? We can go back to my place and I can invite them to explore the city with us, or if you prefer we could-"

"Tess." She cuts her. "I- thank you for your help and concern, really." Tessa smiles at her. "But I think I need to do this alone. You already introduced us to my father yesterday and I don't want to wait any longer." She sighs. "No more excuses or false pretenses." Harry is watching her proudly. Hermione gets up, decided. "In fact I'm heading there right now. You two stay and enjoy your day." Harry moves at her words, standing too, his hands finding hers.

"I can go with you. I'm here for you, Hermione." She purses her lips, stopping the sudden tears from falling. "You know that, don't you?" He's worried.

She smiles, squeezing his hand. "Harry," Her voice is soft, "of course I do. You already came with me and you have no idea how thankful I am, but I have to do this by myself."

He understands what she means and they exchange reassuring smiles, however when she's about to release his hands he brings her closer and hugs her tightly. Closing her eyes she breathes him in. Her anchor. When she opens her eyes she notices Tessa watching them intensively. Hermione bids them goodbye and gathering all her courage she exits the dinning hall, ready to face her parents.


Without thinking twice she apparated in front of their door. Some good ten minutes ago. She's been watching the door as if it could talk to her and whisper secrets. Be brave. It's Harry's voice inside her head. Sighing, she raises her fisted hand and knocks. It's so subtle she fears - hopes - they might not hear it. But they do. Her father opens the door.

"Oh, hi! Hermione, right?" He looks confused, but friendly. She nods and forces the words out.

"Hi!" It comes out so high pitched she flinches to herself. John frowns.

"Are you okay? Do you need something? You do know Tessa lives at the first floor-"

"I do." She cuts him. "I'm actually here to see you."

"Me?" He doesn't hide his suspicion. "Why?"

Her mouth is so dry she's not sure how she's talking. "I know what I'm about to say might sound crazy, but can I come in? I need to talk to you and your wife."

He observes her for a long time, his eyes scanning every inch of her face, that same flash of recognition she saw yesterday is back and she tries again not getting her hopes up. After a long while he nods and steps aside allowing her in.

Their apartment is charming and welcoming, cozy. Hermione immediately notices a lot of things from their house in London, but there are loads of stuff she's never seen.

"John, who is it?" Her mother's voice comes from somewhere inside, but Hermione hears her steps as she gets closer to the living room. Hermione freezes, her hands and feet cold, tingling from nervousness. When her mother is there in front of her, she bites her lower lip to stop the word 'mum' from coming out. "Oh, hello." She says to Hermione. "Do I know you?" Claire is taking small steps in her direction, her expression similar to John's: doubt mixed with disbelief.

"You do."

They don't say anything. John walks up to Claire's side and they hold hands, they look as nervous as Hermione is feeling. When she obliviated them she gathered their memories in a vial she kept hidden all this time. Hermione is not even sure if she can give their memories back to them, not even sure if they'll be able to remember her, but she doesn't care, she can't live another day without trying. Shaking, she pulls the vial out of her purse. It shines with their memories. Her parents watch with wide eyes.

"You've known me for my whole life, you just forgot about it."

Claire gasps, a hand above her mouth, John seems unable to react. Hermione doesn't expect them to remember her without another spell, but she really wished they would. "I've seen you before." Her mother says. "In my dreams." Her mother comes closer, a hand raised to touch her face. Hermione starts crying. "I know you." Claire says. "I don't know from where, but I do. I'm sure."

Leaning on her mother's hand, she nods, sobbing. "I- I can make you remember." Claire's attention goes to the vial and Hermione grabs her wand. Both question her with their eyes. "It won't hurt, I promise." She prays silently to be right, because the truth is that she doesn't know if this will work, she doesn't know if she can actually return their memories properly. Hermione waits as they talk without words, deciding if they should trust this stranger who showed up at their door talking absurdities or if they should tell her to piss off. Their deliberation seems to last hours.

When they nod at her, accepting what she's offering, Hermione is more than sure that family bonds are so strong and indestructible that not even magic can wipe it out of existence. They don't know who she is, but their hearts do, their blood does. She's their daughter after all. Raising her wand she opens the vial and concentrating not to mess it up she says the incantation loud and clear.

The memories fly out of the vial hitting both of them at once. Hermione watches as they put their hands against their heads, grunting and blinking several times as if readjusting to this new reality. Her mother is the first one to focus on her again.

"Hermione. My baby."