I realized that I forgot this in the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I only own the storyline. JK Rowling owns everything else. Except the title. That's Elton John's.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Chapter Two:
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Hermione was not in fact on her way to America. At that moment, she was actually crying on Harry's shoulder.
"I can't believe I just did that," she choked out between sobs.
"You didn't have a choice. You couldn't let anyone find out about you. I don't have to be a Legilimens to know that he would have told the world if he were given the chance."
Hermione had recovered enough to stop sobbing, although she was still occasionally sniffling. She attempted to change the subject. "So how is everyone? I kind of lost touch when I started seeing…" She choked back a sob.
'It's been that long? No wonder she's crushed,' Harry thought. Dobby came in with the tea. Harry noticed that there were only two cups. That elf always seemed to know what was going on in Harry's house.
"Thank you, Dobby," Hermione said. She took her cup with shaking hands. One deep breath later, she was steadier.
"It is Dobby's pleasure, Miss," Dobby said in his odd, high-pitched voice.
"I'm so glad you're back, 'Mione," Harry said.
"Hermione smiled. "Me, too. And what did I tell you about that hideous nickname? You know I hate it! Now, what's going on with the others? Again."
Harry grinned. "You'll never guess who Ron's engaged to."
"Lavender?" She grimaced thinking about it. After the 'Won-Won' incident in sixth year, Hermione thought that Ron would never see her again. Unfortunately, it was the only person she could think of.
Harry shook his head. "Not even close. Try Pansy Parkinson."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "No!"
"Yes. Apparently, she's a very nice girl. Even Mrs. Weasley likes her, and that's saying a lot."
"Wow. And the other Weasley's?"
"Charlie's still doing the dragon thing. Mrs. Weasley thinks he's a determined bachelor. You know Bill and Fleur got married. They have two little girls, Parvati and Susan." Hermione smiled sadly at the names. "Fred and George are still busy with the jokes. Percy is, well, Percy. He's running for Minister of Magic next term. Ginny is an accomplished author. She writes," here he made a face, "romance novels."
Hermione laughed. "At least she's been doing something." She sighed.
"You've been doing something! I heard about a certain apprenticeship from McGonagall."
Hermione gasped. "Oh right! Harry, can I borrow Hedwig? I need to accept that."
Harry shook his head in disbelief. "Of course. She's in the other room. Hang on." He stepped out and Hermione grabbed a quill and parchment out of her bag. She quickly scribbled a reply. She couldn't wait to start.
When Harry returned with his snowy owl, she attached the letter to Hedwig's leg.
"Take this to Professor Vector, please."
Hedwig hooted reassuringly and flew out the window.
"Well, that's done. I now have a job." Hermione collapsed onto the couch. "I guess I need to sell my house."
"Leave that to me," Harry said with a secretive smile.
"All right, what do you know that I don't?"
Harry was rifling through a desk drawer. He pulled out a flier that said 'Moony's Real-estate Agency' and had a grinning picture of Remus Lupin on it.
Hermione's mouth fell open for the second time, which was two too many in her opinion. "No way!"
"Yes way. He's made quite a name for himself in both the Muggle and Wizard worlds. Most people go through him when they want to buy or sell a house."
Hermione was still shocked.
"Do you want me to contact him for you?
She nodded. "Anything else you'd like to tell me? Like, did Snape become a therapist or something?"
"Nope." He ignored the sarcasm. "Everyone else is pretty much the same. Now, about this person on your house." Harry sat down next to her on the couch. "Are you certain it was Bellatrix?"
"There is no doubt in my mind. I'd recognize her in the dark!"
Harry nodded. "I understand completely."
"Is there any way to track her?"
"We've tried everything. The only way we'll be catching her is if she falls into our hands." At this, Hedwig flew back in the window, effectively ending the tension.
"That was fast," Hermione said. She opened the letter and read it quickly.
"What's it say?"
"She's very glad I accepted and wants me to be there next Monday."
"That's in three days."
Hermione gasped. "I need to get ready! I haven't done anything! I need to pack! I need to-"
Harry shushed her. "Come with me."
In the entry hall was all her luggage and furniture from her house, shrunk to fit in one suitcase. The suitcase was open and Hermione could see all her miniaturized furniture.
"I took the liberty of sending Dobby while I got Hedwig." She prevented her mouth from gaping, but just barely. "I also contacted Remus via Floo and told him about your house. He said he'd be delighted to sell it for you."
Hermione stood, stunned for a moment, then flung her arms around Harry. "Thank you so much!" she cried. "Now, while I've been caught up on everyone else, it seems we've left out one important person."
"Who?" He was thoroughly puzzled.
"You, of course! How have you been?"
Harry blushed. "Let's go sit back down. As you kind of don't have a furnished home, how'd you like to stay here?" he asked on the way back to the parlor.
"On one condition," Hermione said.
"And that is?"
"I want to see the Weasleys."
Harry agreed and they got to the topic at hand: him.
"Are you interested in anyone?" Hermione asked.
Again, Harry blushed. "Well, yes actually. Although you have to promise not to tell her. Or anyone else, for that matter."
"Of course."
"Ginny," he mumbled.
"GINNY?" Hermione shrieked.
Harry shushed her. "Do you think there's any chance of her still wanting me?"
"She did fancy you for quite a while, but that was six years ago."
"I guess I'll just have to tell her."
"That would be the best thing to do, I think."
"I figured." He sighed. "So the Weasley's house tomorrow then? I seem to remember they had quite the lunch on Saturdays."
"Definitely."
Harry yawned. "It's been quite a day for both of us I think. What do you say to some sleep?"
"Actually, I was thinking about a bath. I'm feeling a little tense, still."
"You remember where your room is, right?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes. It's still here, then?"
"The only way to lose a room in my house is to go ten years without contact."
Hermione chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
Harry nodded.
Hermione went into the foyer as Harry went upstairs. She rummaged through her suitcase of clothes and things for a while until she found a bag containing her nightclothes. She enlarged it and took out a soft flannel nightshirt and dressing gown. She also decided to pick some clothes for the next day.
She switched bags and pulled out some nice Muggle clothes and her travelling cloak, as her good one was too heavy for the weather. She had realized that earlier in the day.