Disclaimer: You know, the other day I was walking down the street when I bumbed into J.K. Rowling and she goes "Hey, you know what, I'm going to give you all the rights to Harry Potter." True story. Ok, except for the bits about J.K. Rowling and the rights Harry Potter. I did walk down the street, though.

Well hooray for my reviewers! Thanks a bunch and lots ofimaginary flowers to Sk8ernv, AquaAddie, rachel, marissa and Princess Nightfire – (Btw, I'm not going to tell you that! That's the entire plot line. You'll have to keep reading – AND REVIEWING.)

Sorry this has taken a while but I've had rehearsals and other stuff (Cough, cough, Bette Midler concert!).


Heroes Returned

Chapter Two: Solitary Tears

Hermione's eyes flickered open. As the Weasley's lounge room quickly came into vision, what had happened dawned on her. This was so embarrassing. She had fainted! Ministry of Magic employees did not faint. Looking around slowly, she noticed the sea of red heads was interrupted by a raven haired young man. What the hell was he doing there?

Hermione slammed her eyes closed. This was a dream, only a dream. Suddenly the final moments before her collapse came flooding back to her. Harry was back. But Harry couldn't be back. He had gone, he was thought missing, dead even. Taking a deep breath, Hermione slowly opened her eyes. The faces circling her limp body were full of worry and curiosity.

Seeing Harry she jumped up. Carefully avoiding his eyes, she ran across to the coat rack and grabbed her bag. "Well, this has been nice," she said lamely, looking everywhere but at Harry. "I have to be going. Thank you, Molly. Good Night." She ran out the door and closed it, before stepping out into the crisp, cool night air.

Taking yet another deep breath, Hermione held her head in her trembling hands for a moment and began to hurry down the driveway; she was in no state to travel by Floo Powder - she would surely get lost – let alone apparate. After four or five paces she heard the front door open and close. Knowing very well who would be at the door, Hermione speeded up.

"Hermione!" the voice called. "Hermione stop," The footsteps stopped. "Please?"

Hermione stopped abruptly and wiped back the seldom tear rolling down her cheek. She had forgotten about the power he had over her.

"Will you please listen to me? Just for a second?"

Hermione didn't turn around. "What can you possibly have to say?" she spat indignantly, crossing her arms.

"Don't be like that, Hermione," He begged. He didn't sound angry or annoyed, like she suspected her would be, at all.

Hermione turned around reluctantly. "What, Harry?" she asked bitterly. "Have you come to apologise, to explain yourself? You know, I've had enough, I just don't care anymore!" She lied angrily. She looked at him right in the eyes.

He looked terrible. He had aged prematurely, with dark bags starting to form under his eyes. His clothes were worn and his hair was more ruffled than ever. His face was so full of sadness that it broke her heart to see him this way.

"Hey, who am I kidding?" She laughed sadly, turning away from him again. She knew for sure she wouldn't be able to say what she aboutto while looking at him. "I never stopped loving you, Harry." She whispered. She shivered in the silence of the cold evening air. "And that's why I can't forgive you." She turned around and locked eyes with him. "It doesn't matter why you left, it's the fact that you left in the first place! You played me like a fool. There I was thinking that you loved me, Harry -"

"Hermione, you know that's not true. Of course I love you. That's why I-" Harry interrupted, while approaching her gently. As he drew nearer, Hermione could make outsolitary tear flowing down his cheek.

"Really, Harry?" She spat sarcastically, stepping back. "Just not enough to stay," She smiled scathingly.

"Hermione, no! It wasn't like that! You know it wasn't. I didn't think you would understand," He pleaded.

"WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND!" Hermione asked, outraged. Her hands slowly clenched into fists. How could he think something like that? "Harry, you have to be kidding me! You can't seriously believe that you were the only one who cared about them, can you?"

Harry looked away before muttering something along the lines of, "Yeah, but it wasn't your fault,"

Hermione, already flabbergasted about his last remark, gaped in disbelief. "Harry, how can you say that?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Why not, Hermione? It's true. It's my fault they died; my fault they all died! Voldemort was after me and they were just in his way. Don't pretend it wasn't like that."

"Harry, it wasn't like that and you know it." Hermione said solemnly. She wiped away the drying tears from her face and took a deep breath. "I…I don't think I can talk to you right now." And with one last look into his sad, tear filled eyes, she spun around and began to pace down the driveway. On reaching the curb, she whipped out her wand. In a matter of seconds, the Knight Bus came clanking down the street from out of nowhere.

"'Ello, Miss Granger, and what a pleasure to see you lovely face again." A giant grin broke out amid Stan's blemished face. He had suffered from quite an infatuation with Hermione for quite some time now. "Hey now, what's that frown doing on such a pretty face?" He asked, helping Hermione on to the bus.

"I wish I knew, Stan. I really do."


Aw, I do love this chappie. Does that last sentence make sense? Well, if not, I'm sorry. All will be explained next chapter. So what will you now do? You'll grab your mouse and drag it over here - and REVIEW. That would be great. Thanks a bunch and a half,

Lucy