My Heart Belongs to You…Again

Chapter Two: After Three and a Half Years

"Why Miss Granger! So lovely to see you again!" His blue eyes became full of life behind his glasses as he saw his former student in front of him.

"Hello Professor Dumbledore! I'm glad to see you again as well."

A twenty-year old Hermione walked to her old Headmaster and gave him a big hug. It had been 3 ½ years since she left Hogwarts, but she always made sure she stopped by to visit every so often. Each and every time she made sure to see Dumbledore. As she looked around the office, she noticed nothing had changed since her seventh year.

"I'm so glad you came to visit. How have you been?"

"Oh I've been wonderful, just a little busy at times."

"Yes, I imagine being a Healer keeps you quite busy at times."

"It's definitely different than school. I miss this place sometimes." She took another look around the room. "My best memories are from here. This place was the greatest thing that happened to me. It gave me everything, me job, education, as well as the great friends I meet here." She laughed as she remembered the great times she'd had with her best friends. "Oh the fun times we had, me and Ron and -"

Her smile vanished instantly. Harry. His name made her heart ache, and she nearly cried out in pain. Harry. Oh my Harry. Dumbledore noticed her change in attitude as soon as her smile left her face.

"Ah yes, Mr. Potter. I understand he's a very sensitive subject to you." His voice was so calming, yet very empathic. It always was. "Have you heard from him at all?"

She shook her head. "Not from him, no. Of course, I keep up with news about him, which isn't very hard to do. I'm so proud he's top Auror. We worked so hard for it, during and after school."

"Yes, he's done very well. You're a very amazing woman Miss Granger." She looked up at him, confused. He had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. "Even though you and Mr. Potter had a disagreement at the end of seventh year and haven't spoken since, you still care about him when most others would have made an effort to forget his name. He was and, even though he may not know it, is still very lucky to have you."

She looked down, almost unable to hold in her tears. "I miss him so much. He mattered more than anyone else to me. He still does."

"And you still matter to him. He knows it. You will always matter to him."

She looked at Dumbledore and smiled. "Thank-you sir. I hope you're right. Well, I'm due at work soon. I'm glad I got to see you again."

He smiled. "I'm glad you came. Come visit again whenever you can."

"I will. Goodbye sir." She left his office and made her way to Hogsmeade. Then she apparated straight to St. Mungo's. When she arrived, she noticed healers rushing to and from several rooms.

"Granger!" She turned and saw her boss running at her. When he reached her, he grabbed her arm and dragged her back the direction he came. "We need you. There was a Death Eater attack and several Aurors were injured. Many are fine, but one got hit badly. You're the only one who can help him!"

They arrived at a room with several healers already there. Hermione looked to see who the Auror was, but a healer was in the way. She quickly got prepped and turned back to the bed. She looked at the poor man's face and gasped. She suddenly could barely breath and felt lightheaded. She felt weaker than she ever had. Hermione he needs you. She quickly pushed her feelings aside and tried to regain her composure as best she could. She had to be strong. She had to save him.