Stay the Night

Chapter 8

After a restless and sleepless night, Hermione decided that it was time for her to pay a visit to the Burrow. It's been so long since I've seen everyone, plus it's Saturday morning, so everyone should be home.

Standing in front of her wardrobe, Hermione looked for something to wear. Settling on a pair of jeans and a sweater for the windy weather outside, she apparated and, when she opened her eyes, came face to face with the familiar place of her youth- the Burrow.

Before she could knock on the door even three times, she was met with the face of Mrs. Weasley. The maternal woman hadn't aged much, but a few noticeable gray hairs were evident.

"Hermione? Is that you? Oh my gosh, Hermione! My sweet sweet girl, where have you been!" Mrs. Weasley took a step back and scowled. "Do you know how worried I have been about you? Anyhow, come into the kitchen, you look in need of a meal."

Leave it to Mrs. Weasley to be nice to me. I hope the rest are the same way. She walked into the kitchen and immediately blushed. Ginny, Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Mr. Weasley were all seated at the table, not eating, but looking straight at Hermione.

Ginny was the first to say something. "Well finally, after four weeks of returning, you now decide to come and say hello. Were we that low on the priority list? Well now," she looked at Ron, "I don't very much want to see her, do you Ron?"

He shook his head, and they walked arm in arm up the stairs. Fred and George snickered and followed.

Mr. Weasley was next. "No matter how late you decided to contact us- which really was a while- I'm glad you decided to come and stop by Hermione. We really missed you." He got up and gave her a hug.

Now Harry.

"So um, Hermione- how have things been?" She looked at him incredulously.

"You mean you're not angry?"

"How could I be, I mean it was obviously our fault you left; you should be angry with us, right?"

Her face fell. "Oh Harry, you weren't the reason I left. You guys weren't a part of my decision."

His smile faded. Harry's eyes became clouded as he opened his mouth. "Then I guess I should be angry. What! You gave no thought to how we would feel if you just up and left two days after graduation? Where did you go? What did you do? Why in the bloody hell did you leave?"

"Harry, there will be time for all that later, dear. Eat you breakfast- I only get to see you twice a week now," Mrs. Weasley interjected, but it was to no avail.

"Actually, I'm not very hungry. I'm going to see about Ron and Ginny- you know- my fiancée. But you wouldn't know that, Hermione because you cut off all ties with the people you led on to believe were your best friends." He then walked up the stairs.

Hermione looked in Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's eyes. Her eyes were flooding with tears, and she knew before long, she would be crying in front of them. So, taking a deep breath, she whispered, "I'm sorry," and then

POP!

She was gone.

Again.

A/N: Another short one, but I will definitely be updating in the week. Thanksgiving Break is coming up, so I definitely don't have much school work.

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