Chapter 4 – Memories and More New Arrivals.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter (sorry too busy in Sims2 land and listening to Greenday, American Idiot to think of anything interesting to say.)

Bhekie – yeh I know pretty obvious but I needed some way to get him into the story didn't I?
Emma Barrows – thanks for the reviews and I'm half way through Revelation and it's great!
Tracey – very sorry about not emailing you about the beta reader thing I feel bad about it sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry. (I have now though) but is it ok if u just edit it on here? As I spose that will be easier for both of us as my attachment thingy on my email tends to screw up peoples computers for them which isn't really so good.
Harry kid – thanks very much for the review
PaulaS – I think I've read the story you're talking about, it's good isn't but I had no intention of making this anything like that as I had already started writing this before I came to read it so anything that is the same is just a coincidence.
FishAndMenCanLiveTogether - loz you may ask but my lips will remain sealed you just have to wait and find out like all the other nice people here.

Weeks passed and before they knew it half term was upon them. A happy prospect for the students, but a sad time for Hermione and all her friends. On the Monday of the holiday she dressed in a knee-length black skirt and a black short-sleeved shirt and slipped on a pair of flat shoes before joining Draco and Neville in a carriage to take them down to Hogsmade. It had been ten years ago to the day that the war had ended and the prophecy fulfilled. Harry had won, only just, and Voldemort was gone for good. It had been hard for them all, some more than others, but still hard. Hermione looked across at Draco, his eyes red with tears, his face paler than usual it was a heartbreaking sight to see. But then that's what had happened, his heart had been broken and he had been left to raise his one-year old son alone.

They got out of the carriage and walked the short distance to the graveyard where a large group of people were stood or sitting. A few minutes later the service started and Dumbledore stood up.

"We are here to day to commemorate those lost in the battle ten years ago. Many of you may have fought along side them and all of you held these people close to your heart. We are here to thank them for giving their lives to save ours. They are both brave and selfless and we love them because of it. I shall now read the names of those lost. Arthur Weasly, Susanne Bones, Hannah Abbott, Lavender Brown-Malfoy, Seamus Finnagan..."

Hermione wiped away the hot tears rolling down her cheek as she listened to the names of some of her best friends being called out. When the list had finished people went to the church hall to gather together while some people went to visit graves. Hermione walked with Draco to Lavender's grave.

"I know some people think I married her jus because I wanted to piss off father, but I really did love her. I changed sides because I didn't feel right and she accepted me without any questions, I loved her so much-" he chocked out as they were walking. He knelt down and placed his and Hermione's flowers on top of the earth mound. He started tracing the lettering on the grave with his fingers, not caring about the tears that fell from his face making the shirt he was wearing wet. Hermione stooped down and hugged him "She was one of my best friends and I know she loved you so much too. We all lost people and we know how you feel so if you ever want to talk just come and find us. You want to be alone for a while?"

Draco nodded and Hermione got up. "Thanks Hermione." He whispered.

Hermione smiled weakly and went to find Harry and Ginny who had just come inside after visiting the graves of their loved ones.

"You guys ok?" Hermione asked pulling them both into tight hugs.

"Yeh we'll be-" Ginny started, but her face froze, mouth hanging slightly open and her green eyes wide. Harry and Hermione frowned wondering what she was doing.

"Gin, you ok?" Harry asked giving her arm a slight squeeze, but still she did not move.

"Is she in shock?" Hermione asked. They heard a small cough from behind them and looked around to see what had made her freeze.

"R-Ron?" Hermione stuttered in a croak whisper. She could believe her eyes; he was back after ten years. Why now? Why hadn't he wrote or let them know he was ok? Why had he left without a word to start with? Hermione pushed all her questions from her mind as she watched Ginny run forward and hug her brother.

"Oh my god where have you been? Are you ok? Why didn't you come back before now? Mum's gonna kill you she been ill you know! Fred and George had to move back in with her and Charlie has spent years searching for you!" Ginny screeched when she pulled away from him. Hermione didn't listen to Ginny's rant though; she was too busy looking at the thirty year old Ron Weasly in front of her. He was taller and his hair was slightly longer, he had a tan and his arms had grown muscular, he looked good. Better than good.

"Hi Hermione." Ron said looking across at her for the first time and smiling, breaking her away from her thoughts and back to reality. She smiled back at him and tears filled her eyes as she stepped forward to envelope herself in his arms. She lay her head on his chest and let out a choked up sob.

"Hey don't cry! Are you that upset to see me?" Ron laughed kissing the top of her head.

"No! Of course not I'm just happy to see you!"

"RON?" Mrs Weasly screamed running towards him as she spotted him from the door. She practically knocked him flat as she hugged him making his face redder than his hair she was squeezing him so tight. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!" she yelled her face now also turning red. Dumbledore appeared next to her and took hold of her arm.

"Perhaps we should go back to the school and talk about it then?"

The whole Weasly Family plus Hermione and Harry got into a carriage and trundled along the path up to Hogwarts. They got out and walked into the Entrance Hall.

"Shall we all go in to my room?" Hermione suggested and they all followed her up. They walked in and Hermione transformed various cushions into chairs for them all to sit on.

"Well I can see why they got you as a teacher." Ron laughed but no one joined in with him. All their chairs were facing him, making him feel like he was on trial instead of being with his family.

"So where have you been?" Mrs Weasly snapped.

"Travelling."

"Why?"

"I think you know that. It was you're idea I take a break for a while/"

"But for ten years?"

"I needed to figure some things out."

"We could have helped you figure things out! We're your family!" George yelled.

"How? Did any one else here see their father being killed in front of them and be able to do nothing about it! Did anyone else see their two best friends seconds from death? Were you made to spend three weeks with Dementors around you constantly? No? Well then HOW THE HELL COULD YOU HAVE HELPED!" Ron yelled jumping up with such force he knocked the chair straight over. Everyone looked shocked. But Percy found his voice first.

"How do you think it would feel not knowing where your brother is for ten years, not even knowing if he was alive?" he hissed before turning and storming out of the room. Bill and Charlie followed to see if he was ok. Mrs Weasly stood up and hugged her son again. "I'm glad you finally decided to come home. You belong here." She whispered before also walking from the room. Fred and George hugged their little brother and followed her.

Harry and Ginny sat on one chair together and Hermione sprawled out on her bed. Ron paced the room.

"Ron you're gonna wear down my carpet." Hermione laughed.

"Huh? Oh sorry Hermione." He said and sat down on a chair but still fidgeted.

"Ron what's wrong?" Harry asked, all three of them look across at him very worried.

"What? Oh nothing." He said making it quite obvious that there was something wrong.

"Oh come on Ron just tell us."

"No it doesn't matter."

"Fine if you're not going to tell us how about you come and meet you're nephews then?"

"Great!" Ron smiled getting up more than to change the subject. The three of them got up to leave but Harry turned back to Hermione. "You coming too?"

"No I think I'll stay here for a while I'm going to get changed." She said sitting up on her bed. "I'll see you all at dinner ok?"

"Sure." Harry said and he and Ginny walked from the room, Ron stayed a moment longer, his face holding a pained expression before also turning and walking away. Hermione sighed and ran her hands over her hair. To be completely honest she had never really expected Ron to come back and she had come to terms with that. She had mourned and moved on but now he was back all the emotions she thought she had gotten rid of were back and more painful than ever.

"Oh god this is going to be interesting." She muttered as she pulled on her jeans and a black t-shirt to replace the funeral clothes. She fell back on to her bed sinking into the cushions and covered her face with her hands. She slowly went through all the emotions she was feeling. Sad? A little. Happy? Of course. Shocked? Very, very much so. Scared? Slightly. Angry? Unfortunately yes. But what to do with it all? Burry it all down and go about normal life or confront it all and hope for the best? She moaned in annoyance and pushed herself off the bed. She needed to clear her head. She pulled on a jacket and went outside for a walk.

She walked the edge of the lake and was just about to go back again when she saw a figure zooming around the Quidditch pitch. She frowned, students weren't allowed on the pitch without a member of staff supervising, and since Madame Hooch had gone it had been off limits. She made her way to the entrance and walked onto the pitch, the figure saw her and landed. It was Michael; he walked towards her, sheepishly.

"You do realise this pitch is off limits don't you Michael?" Hermione asked in her best teacher voice.

"I know I'm sorry Professor, I just needed to clear my head and this is the only place I can be alone."

"And why is it you need to be alone?"

"Well you're alone, why do you need to be?"

"Fair point. But in future try being alone somewhere that isn't against school rules ok?" She said and turned to walk away.

"Wait you're not going to tell me off?" Michael asked as he ran after her.

"No, I think you may take this to heart, but if I catch you again then I'll have to give you detention." She smiled at him and continued to walk.

"Professor Granger can I ask you something?" Michael asked as he jogged back up beside her. Hermione stopped and turned to face him.

"Sure go ahead."

"Why is it that you don't just not care about me like all the other teachers, you seem to want me to do well whereas all the others have just given up on me."

Hermione thought for a moment before talking.

"Will you come with me for a moment?" she asked and he nodded. They walked along in silence to Hermione's office. She went over to her desk and sat down, Michael sat on the other side.

"So you ask why it is that I haven't given up on you? Well take a look at this." She said handing him over a piece of paper.

"It's my test paper."

"Yes and look at what grade you got. You're the only student I teach that got full marks. Like I said you're a very bright young wizard and if you believe that you'll get on much better."

"Really?"

"Yes, now piss off I've got better things to do in my half term than talk to whiny students." She joked and looked up to see Michael laughing.

"See you on Wednesday Professor." He called as he walked from the room.

Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon in the office marking the papers that had been there for a week, not because she particularly wanted to get them out of the way, she just didn't want to have to face people right then. It worked well as she didn't talk to Ron until that evening when they all sat together at dinner but even then she was required to say very little.

"So Ron, where are you planning on living now you're back?" Ginny asked across the table.

"Um I don't know, I guess I'll just check in at the Leaky Cauldron for a while until I could find a place."

"Hey I know!" Neville cried suddenly making Malfoy, who was sat beside him jump, "Why don't you stay here? Apply for the Quiddich coach!" Everyone smiled except Hermione who could have kicked Neville.

"You know I think I might!" Ron smiled "In fact I'll go and talk to Dumbledore about it right now." He got up and drained the last of his pumpkin juice before walking away.

"So Hermione are you going to be ok if he gets the job?" Harry asked looking concerned.

"Oh god Hermione I forgot about that I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything." Neville says also looking concerned with a dash of panic thrown in.

"What yes I'll be fine." She lied "It'll be fun in fact we just need to get you two back and it will be just like seventh year again!" she laughed getting up. "I'm erm, going to go and mark some papers I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow." Hermione said as she quickly dashed away. "Shit" she muttered to herself as she walked away.

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