Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this fiction. JKRowling does. I'm just having some fun playing with them.
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Hermione woke the next morning to the sound of someone tapping on her bedroom door. She sat up and called sleepily that they should "Come In". The door opened and Mrs Weasley appeared, shutting the door behind her.
She walked over to the bed and sat down on it, taking Hermione's hand.
"Hermione" she said in a gentle motherly voice. "I've been thinking about the situation over the past few days. I think what you really need is a chance of scenery. You need something to take your mind off things." Hermione wasn't sure what to say. Half of her thought at once that it was a horrible idea. She didn't want to forget. It would be an insult to Harry to try and forget about it. The other half of her knew however that it was a sensible idea. She was getting thinner and thinner as she never felt like eating and a lot of her time nowadays was spent in her room, curled up on her bed, staring into space and just thinking.
She nodded slowly, though the thought of leaving the people who had become her family brought tears to her eyes. She wiped them away quickly and thanked Mrs Weasley.
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It did not take Mrs Weasley long to make arrangements for Hermione to leave the Burrow. She went to see a distant cousin of hers that same day and when she returned, told Hermione that she had found somewhere for her. Her cousin Belinda lived in a small cottage in the countryside and would be delighted to have her to stay for as long as necessary. She had told Mrs Weasley that Hermione could go at any time that was convenient for her.
The next day, Hermione packed her bags and at about 4 o'clock with Ron's help, took them all downstairs to the kitchen. Ginny and Mrs Weasley were standing by the big old fireplace and Hermione went to stand in front of it. She turned to Mrs Weasley, who pulled her into a hug. Hermione found tears threatening again, but forced herself to keep smiling.
"Thank you for everything Mrs Weasley" she whispered before letting go of her and hugging Ginny. Over the past year, Ginny had been a sister to her and had helped her through some of the most difficult times recently. She held Ginny tightly, not wanting to leave. She felt as though leaving would mean she would no longer be a part of the family that now meant so much to her.
At last letting Ginny go, Hermione paused, before giving Ron a quick hug too. Ron hugged her back. As Hermione drew away from him, she saw that his face showed only too clearly the pain he had felt over Harry's death. Once, Ron had been full of witty speeches and was always grinning or fooling about. Now, the only smiles that were ever seen on his face didn't reach his eyes and it was only too easy to tell how fake they were. His eyes showed pain even when he wouldn't let his face show it and nothing could disguise that.
Knowing that it really was time to leave at last, Hermione did not try to stop the tears that came so quickly to her eyes.
"Goodbye" she choked "Thank you for everything." She took a handful of Floo Powder from the jar Mrs Weasley offered her and threw it into the fireplace. She stepped in, holding her bags tightly and speaking as clearly as she could, told the fire to take her to Kneazle Cottage.
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Moments later, Hermione stumbled out of the fireplace in another big kitchen. A tall woman with long red hair was standing at a large stove and turned to greet her as she regained her balance. She had a warm smile on her face and reminded Hermione of Mrs Weasley. Although she looked quite different, her eyes had the same warm, friendly look in them and she looked delighted to see Hermione.
"Welcome to Kneazle Cottage" she said, taking Hermione's bags from her and setting them down near the door. "I've been looking forward to you coming. I hope you'll like it here" Hermione felt sure she would and thanked Belinda. "I have a relative staying at the moment too." She informed Hermione "About your age I should think" Hermione smiled, thinking how nice it would be to have the company of another girl her age. "It's my cousin's son" Belinda continued, putting an end to that idea for Hermione. "I'll call him"
Belinda went to the door and Hermione heard he calling up the stairs.
"She's here. Come and get her bags" Hermione heard footsteps on the stairs and she looked up at the door expectantly. A tall boy with blonde hair entered the room and Hermione froze. She had not seen that face for over a year, but she still recognised it only too well.
"You!" Draco Malfoy said in a disgusted voice. "Filthy Mudblood" He grabbed her bags and walked quickly from the room. Belinda re-entered the room looking very embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry" she told Hermione and Hermione felt suddenly sorry for her. She could see how embarrassing the situation was for her. "I didn't realise you knew each other" she said.
"It's alright" Hermione told her and smiled warmly to show she meant it. "It's nothing new to me." Belinda looked relieved that Hermione took this attitude.
"He's going through a very difficult time too" she told Hermione, setting out three places at the table. Hermione nodded to show she understood. "That's why he's here" Belinda told her. "I'm sure he'll be ok. I just hope he doesn't annoy you too much."
Belinda left the room and went upstairs. Hermione heard her talking in a low voice and a moment later, she returned to the kitchen with Malfoy behind her. Hermione took her seat at the table, avoiding looking at Malfoy. He took a seat opposite her and without looking at her, mumbled an apology. Hermione did not reply, not knowing what to say, but she knew that Belinda had made him apologise. Malfoy would never have done it of his own accord. She didn't care though. Malfoy has always been like this and she had no reason to expect he would ever change.
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That night Hermione lay awake for several hours. She had told herself firmly that she must try to be cheerful and put what had happened behind her, but it was all too much for her. Her happiness at the welcome she had received had been ruined by the presence of an old enemy. She sat up in bed and pulled back the curtains. The sky was very clear and the moon almost full, casting a ghostly, silvery light over the quiet countryside. Hermione could remember another night just like this. It had been almost two years previously. She had spent a wonderful day in Hogsmeade with Harry . When they had returned, they had made their way down to the lake and sat by it, the moon reflecting on the still water. They had sat for an hour, hardly speaking, just enjoying being together. Hermione broke down in tears again. She would never be in Harry's company again. It was all over and nothing could bring it back.
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BlueEyedFairy: I've been writing fanfiction for about a year, but not really posted much here before. This is a rewrite of a fanfic I wrote a long time ago. I'm sorry the first chapter was so short. It was written in a hurry. I've doubled the length for this chapter. Hope you like it.