You are the Reason
A/N: This chapter isn't really H/D fluffy but it gives more character development and I thought it was needed to show the relationships between the characters. Hopefully you all like it! Thanks to everyone who reviewed and please review again if you want more of the story!!
To Hermione the next Friday could not come quick enough to suit her at all. It finally came along, though, with a very early wake up time. She got up put on a pair of sweatpants she had borrowed from Draco and which were rather comfortable, (Even if they were green and said Slytherin Quidditch on them) and a faded silver shirt (saying the same thing) with Malfoy on the back. She put her hair in a messy bun grabbed her suitcase and apparated to Harry and Ron's house where Ginny, Blaise, Liz, Ron, Harry, Draco and to Hermione's surprise Luna were waiting for her. Seeing what everyone else had done to their luggage she felt her cheeks redden because she didn't think of it. She turned to her suitcase and shrunk it so it fit in her palm. Once everyone was ready they all apparated to a safe apparation point about a block away from the train station. Once they arrived at the train station they walked straight to platforms nine and ten. Hermione and Draco went through first followed by Harry and Liz, Ron and Luna, and finally Blaise and Ginny. Hermione gasped at the sight of the Hogwarts express and she felt Harry grab her arm and Ron gripped her shoulder from behind. It was certainly a sight for sore eyes. Hermione, Ron and Harry exchanged a look and the three had a silent conversation. They were finally going home and it had been far to long since they had gone. To Hermione seeing the train brought every memory that she had from Hogwarts rushing back. Even the ones that she's tried to desperately to bury in the years following school. Silently they boarded the train and found the compartment that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had always claimed on the way to Hogwarts. She smiled as she remembered the first time she saw them here. She was just a bushy haired bookworm looking for a boy's frog and now look at her, she was dating her then worst enemy and everyone was getting along. She was still a bookworm; but then again somethings never change.
The eight of them were soon absorbed in a conversation from quidditch to their jobs and everything in-between. Suddenly Harry excused himself and Hermione noticed that he looked troubled and after giving Ron a look followed him out, Ron soon followed suit. Draco got up to go after Hermione but was soon tugged back by Ginny, "Let them go, they need this time alone." Understanding Draco nodded and silently wished he could've had friends like that when he was in Hogwarts. He was always jealous of their friendship they had, but now that was in the past and he hoped he could acquire a friendship like that between them and the others that joined them on this trip.
Meanwhile Hermione followed Harry's path until she saw him in an empty compartment staring out the window. Ron soon came up behind her and they let themselves into the compartment. "Hey Ron, Hermione," Harry acknowledged them with out even turning to look who it was." "Hey" Hermione said softly as she lovingly put her arms around him. He lost it, tears were soon running silently down all of their cheeks and they sat there in a group hug comforting each other. They had experienced so much in their young life the three of them sad there in silence running through every little memory they had of this school and the years they spent there. "So much has changed," Hermione whispered breaking the silence. "But it was for the better," Harry replied looking at her. "One thing will never change," Ron added, "our friendship and our bond. I mean look here we are five years later just as strong if not stronger than we were at school, and that alone can get us through any change that life wants to throw at us." Hermione smiled tears running down her face. "I love you two so much," she said through her tears, "and nothing will ever change that, we will be together forever no matter what." Harry looked at her and said, "Hermione, Ron, before I met you I never knew what love was, or at least I never remembered what it felt like to be loved. You two showed me a whole new world, a world where love was the main ingredient in your happinesses. Without you two in my life I would've never had a reason to fight like I did. When I fought Voldemort every year at school the one thing that I thought of as I struggled to stay alive was the thought of you two. You two gave me the strength to continue on, so it wasn't really me that defeated Voldemort it was you, both of you. You've changed my life forever and I never want to go back to before I met you. I don't want to lose you, you both mean too much to me, and I know that our friendship will last forever 'Mione because I love you both and I know that you both love me and that bond will last. I thank you guys so much for everything you've ever done for me, every sacrifice you've ever made, thank you." After Harry's speech Hermione and Ron both smiled and they exchanged hugs and Hermione kissed each of the two boys on the cheek before Hermione called their attention to the window as she pointed and gasped, the castle just came into view. Hermione grabbed both boys' hands and squeezed as the trio stood up and started out of the compartment and down the corridor to the other compartment arm in arm.
The train arrived at the station a few minutes later and they all got off and separated into two carriages (seeing that their group was too big for just one) and before they knew it they were walking into the home they left so many years before. They were greeted by Professor Dumbledore who told them they were to stay in Gryffindor tower. Draco, Blaise and Luna couldn't help but look forward to this seeing as they've never been in another house's common room besides their own. After a long walk to the seventh floor they finally said the password and walked in to the common room. Draco and Blaise gasped because the room was so much warmer than their common room was.
After they sat their stuff down Draco, Hermione and Harry headed to Dumbledore's office seeing as he wanted to speak with them. They said the password and entered to find Dumbledore sitting at his desk. "Please sit," he requested and they complied, "I am sure you are wondering what I could have to talk to you three about and it is this, It seems that Professors, McGonnagal, Snape, and Lupin are ready to retire from this school and well we need a transfiguration, potions, and defense against the dark arts teachers and I was wondering if you three would consider filling those positions." He looked at them over his half moon glasses as the three of them glanced at each other and the three came to a silent decision amongst themselves and nodded smiling. "Fantastic, you three will start September first along with the new term, Oh and Ms. Granger would you mind asking your friend Elizabeth if she would consider being an assistant to Madame Pomfrey I daresay it won't be too long before she decides it is time for her to leave as well." Hermione nodded, "I'd be happy to professor," as the three got up and headed back to the tower.
Once they had arrived they told everyone the news and everyone was so excited for the three. Ron couldn't believe that Harry would give up quidditch but Harry said he was intending to be involved in the program at the school and it would give him an opportunity to scout for the pros and give them his professional opinion. This made Hermione snort as she pulled Liz away from the rest of the group. "Liz, Dumbledore wanted me to ask you if you would consider becoming an assistant to the nurse here at the school to learn her ways before taking over her job next year?" Elizabeth looked surprised and nodded happily "that means we'll be working together again 'Mione!" Hermione smiled and looked at her watch, "oh bloody heck!" Hermione exclaimed, "we need to start getting ready!" She ran down the stairs and alerted everyone to the time, the girls shrieked and ran up the stairs pulling out their robes, makeup and jewelry and headed to the bathroom to take showers and get ready.
Meanwhile down in the common room the boys were talking about a much more serious subject. "I think I'm going to do it tonight," Draco said while looking around at the other men, "do you think I should?" Harry nodded, "why not? I mean if you love her as much as I think you do they why not? I know she loves you, she's the happiest she's been in years since she is with you. Ron and I couldn't even make her this happy." Ron nodded, "go for it Malfoy, tonight is the perfect opportunity," he paused, "but first, let us see the ring." Everyone gathered round as Draco pulled a little black box out of his pocket and opened it up to see a gold band with a big diamond in the center and accompanied by smaller diamonds on either side set into the band itself. "That's a beauty Draco, she's gonna love it." Harry said as he looked up and smiled at Draco who smiled in return, "thanks guys, NOW! Who's up for a game of chess before we have to start getting ready?" Four boys smiled as they summoned two chess sets to them and started playing. About a half and hour later they packed up the sets as Ron was doing a victory dance around the room, "I won, I won woo hoo! I haven't lost my touch!" he danced happily before Harry grabbed his shoulders, "come on victory boy lets go get ready for the par-tay!" Everyone smiled as they headed up the stairs to their rooms, everyone anticipating the night that was before them.
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