I do not own Harry Potter, those of you who thought I did…..well that would be really sad so I'm going to assume that no-one believes I own this and that you all know its J.K.R.'s.
Hermione walked slowly to Gryffindor tower and only noticed she had arrived when she stopped automatically in front of the Fat Lady's portrait. "I, I don't know the password." She said looking at the paintings kindly face.
The portrait smiled down on her. "That's ok dear, there are no passwords in the summer and I recognize you, the most studious Gryffindor. Enter and be welcome." She smiled down on the poor child and swung open welcoming her to the only home she had wanted in 6 years. Inside waiting for her were Ron and Harry with concern written all over their faces. Hermione took a deep breath and stepped inside the lions den.
"Mione!" the boys shouted in unison, jumping forward to give her a hug and pull her farther inside the common room, "you're finally out of the hospital wing!"
Hermione gently disentangled her self from the boys enthusiastic grasp." it's good to see you boys too, what have you been doing with yourselves?" she asked in a bid to distract them before they got around to questioning her. The simple question was all it took and they were off on a rambling account of how they had spent their summer so far, constantly interrupting the other and jumping randomly from event to event. She just stood there and let the flow of their words rush soothingly over her as she took in the changes even a month had made in her two best friends. If it was even possible Ron had gotten even taller although she suspected he would not appreciate the comparison in her mind to a daddy long legs his gangly limbs suggested. His mother had long since lost the hair war with him and it now reached halfway down his back despite all of her cajoling to cut it respectably. And Harry, well she suspected the years of poor treatment had left their mark in his height as he was not quite even the average height for a wizard, prompting some of his friends like Seams who knew muggle terms to call him and Ron together Mutt and Jeff. The biggest difference she could see was his hair; he hardly had any and what there was stuck up in little black spikes.
"Hey Mione, earth to Mione." Hermione jumped a little as their voices once again registered consciously, judging from the looks on their faces they had been trying to get her attention for a while. "Sorry guys, I guess I just zoned out for a while, what was it?" she asked with a sheepish smile.
"Hey isn't it my job to go of in a daze?" Harry gently teased smiling at her before his face turned serious. "Mione? Why were you in the hospital wing for so long? We were really worried about you."
"Yeah and mum won't tell us anything." Ron chimed in "every time we asked she just started crying and walked away."
Hermione looked at their expectant faces and made her decision. "Harry, Ron, m...m...my…..parents are dead." She stopped for a second to take a deep breath and compose herself for the remainder of the lie she was going to tell them. "Whoever it was left me for dead. I, I guess I was lucky that Dumbledore sent Snape to come get me." The minute she stopped speaking she knew that this lie was a mistake. She knew they would eventually discover the truth about her and leave but for now she wanted their comfort. She blinked, trying to control her tears as she felt their arms around her once again.
"Was it Voldemort?" Harry asked his voice flat and harsh with the anger he felt at seeing his friend in tears, and hearing the terrible news she had sprung on them.
"I don't remember" Hermione sobbed as she buried her head in Ron's thin chest.
Ron looked across her head at Harry, both faces pale with anger and shock. They made a conscious unspoken decision to leave the rest of their questions for later and concentrate on comforting their shattered friend. They gathered her closer, murmuring nonsense words and petting her hair.
In-between sobs Hermione was conscious of a feeling of triumph knowing she wouldn't be asked anymore question before letting herself go and finally grieve for her mother, secure for the moment in her friends love.
Snape walked to the great hall for dinner and moved to his customary place at the single table in use during the summer. He looked over those of his colleagues who were staying and noted that the bane of his existence, Potter as well as his redheaded sidekick, but nowhere was there a sign of Miss Granger. He knew she had been released today and had fully expected to see her with her annoying friends. "Potter!" he snapped satisfied with the way his head snapped to attention. "Where is the third of your unwholesome trio? Sulking in your common room?" he injected his voice with a considerable amount of disdain and inwardly smirked to see both boys turn red with indignation.
Harry swallowed hard and said with as much politeness as he could muster "Mione was very tired and decided to go bed instead of eating tonight."
"Mione?" Snape repeated arching one brow, "that sounds more like the name for a dog than a friend." He knew was being deliberately provoking and refused to think about the bushy haired reason behind his pique. He was amused at the colors the Weasley boy turned trying to stifle his incoherent mumblings. He took a final bite of the roast in front of him and turned to go adding as he left "kindly inform Miss Granger that her presence will be expected at mealtimes as this is a school and not a resort where one can choose when to dine." He left to the sounds of Weasley's sputtering and Dumbledore's soft chuckle's.
A/N: thank you for reading and reviewing. I apologise for any errors as my beta has abandoned me for real life. Hopefully the next chapet will be up soon.