Disclaimer: See chapter four.


Hermione walked up the ramp towards the terminal. Lauren was standing there. She spotted her friend and ran forward, squeezing the life out of the poor girl.

"Hey! How was it?" Lauren was giddy with happiness from seeing her friend again. (Yes Lauren, I'm making you giddy D)

"It was… fine."

They grabbed Hermione's bag from the carousel and headed off to Lauren's car. The two had finallyforced the bag into the trunk when Hermione collapsed on the ground, bawling. Lauren dropped down and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Hermione, it's ok. Hush hon, come on, let's get you to bed." Lauren helped Hermione into the back and drove off.

When they reached Hermione's apartment, Lauren levitated the suitcase up the stairs while she helped Hermione up. Hermione was still weak and nearly collapsed again. She was led into her room by Lauren, who then turned off the lights and quietly left after Hermione fell asleep.

Hermione woke the next morning with the sun shining on her face. She got up and went to the window, staring out at the horses in the pasture. Yanking herself away from the beautiful sight, Hermione went to the kitchen to make some coffee and sat down on the couch with a warm mug in her hands. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door and Lauren walked in.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah."

"Want to talk about it?"

Hermione stared up at her friend. After a moment of silence, she told Lauren everything.

Everything.

"—And they were just so angry with me, I ran away and bumped into…"

"Him?"

"Yeah," Hermione looked down at her feet, trying to push His face from her mind.

"You've told me basically you're entire life story and I'm yet to hear the name of this guy you love." Lauren grinned, "Want some pizza? It's 1 and I skipped breakfast."

"Sure, the phone's over there… somewhere." Hermione waved a hand in the relative direction of where the phone lay hidden in stacks of stuff.

"I was thinking of an easier way," Lauren pulled out her wand, flicked it and a large pepperoni pizza appeared. "So much better than hotdogs!"

She shivered as she thought of the evil food and grabbed a slice of pizza.

Hermione followed suit, "What, no drinks?"

With a wave of her own wand, two cans of Dr. Pepper popped up.

"Efficient, no?" Lauren laughed as she grabbed a can and opened it.

They continued to eat without saying a word, each enjoying the warm sun and slight breeze coming in through the window.

"Let's go back, for good," Lauren suggested suddenly.

"Go… back?" Hermione was unsure of what she just heard.

"Yes, back to England."

"You want to come too?"

"Of course! How else will I get more Chocolate Frogs?" Lauren chuckled as she got up and raised her voice, "Let's get out of this hell-hole!"

"What about work?" Hermione still wasn't too sure about going back and desperate to find an excuse to stay.

"Well that manager can just go screw herself for all I care. Let her do the damn bathroom duty!" Lauren was getting excited about going, "Come on, you know you want to."

"I don't know…"

"Hermione!"

"But…"

"Do you really want to stay here?"

"Not really but…"

"Then let's go!"

Lauren's face was red from screaming and the people living in the apartment above were stomping on the floor letting the two girls know that screaming at during their afternoon nap should earn them heavy fines. Hermione's cheeks were streaked with tears.

She jumped up and nearly strangled Lauren with a hug, "Thanks."

Lauren grinned when she realized she'd won.

They were going to England. Not just going, they were moving!