A/N: I felt bad for not updating for a few days then giving you a terribly short chapter that I decided to type up another.

Disclaimer: I don't own it, I'm not claiming to own it, I'm only borrowing.

Bitter, slushy snow slapped against the windows as the Hogwarts Express sped through the country. I was sharing my compartment with Neville, who seemed content to sit and watch the snow. It was growing dark, and I knew we would be reaching London soon.

"S-so, what are you doing for the break, Hermione?" Neville asked out of the blue.

"Nothing, really. Probably just going to be home the whole time," I replied, lying through my teeth to him. "What about you?"

"The same."

We fell into silence again. I tucked my legs under me and stared out the window, seeing the trees turn to buildings and houses, until we finally slowed to a stop.

"Have a nice break, Hermione," Neville said, flashing me a quick smile before leaving.

"You, too," I said quietly, grabbing my trunk and dragging it after me.

I left platform nine and three-quarters, then left King's Cross, and began making my way across the busy street. Traffic was moving slowly due to the snow, though I was nearly hit by a cab fish tailing around a corner. The driver beeped at me, but I ignored him and finally reached the other side of the street. From there, I proceeded down a few alleyways until I reached a less populated area.

I set down my trunk and fumbled in my pocket for my wand. It was cold, and my fingers were numb, but I grasped it tightly and thrust it out before me.

A few seconds and the sound of screeching brakes later, the purple triple decker Knight Bus came to a stop before me.

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I fell onto the bed, basking in the soft, warm sheets. I was tired, I was still slightly cold, my nose was running, and my feet were wet from tramping through the snow, but I was free for the time being. No parents arguing here, no supposed friends glaring at me, no teachers trying to talk to me. No one. I was the only living being in the house, which was owned by an aunt of mine. She would be in Chile for the entire winter.

I should probably feel bad that I was using her house without her permission, but the bed was so warm and comfortable that I slipped into a light sleep before I could decide if I felt anything about it.

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"Damn it, John, don't you care about our son?"

"Our son? OUR SON! He's not our son, Janice. He's your little keepsake from Stephen!"

My eyes widened as I sat on the staircase, out of sight, listening to my parents arguing. Truths I had never known, never even thought possible, were coming out.

"How could you?" my mother demanded. Her voice was choked slightly, and I knew she was on the verge of tears.

"How could I? How could you! We took vows, Janice. See that ring on your finger? That stands for what we've promised each other! And you shoved that right in my face by sleeping with some other guy! You've known I know, and yet you still continue to act as if I'm bloody insane!"

"It's not fair, John. It's not fair! Hermione is always away at Hogwarts, you stopped talking to me, being around me. Even before I had the affair! And then I had Nick, and he needed me, and now he's dying! Lying in a damn hospital bed and thinking his father hates him!"

"I'M NOT HIS FATHER!"

My perfect image of my family was shattered right then and there, and I quietly crept back to my room, still able to hear them arguing with my door closed and locked.

I woke with a start, drenched in a cold sweat and shaking. I took a deep breath and let it out, then rubbed the sweat off my face with my sleeves. I hadn't had a dream of that memory in a while, but it still hurt just as much.

She, my mother, blames me. She blames me for being away at Hogwarts, for being a witch, for pulling the family apart enough that she felt she needed to do what she did. At an intellectual level, I knew that wasn't right, but at an emotional level I couldn't help but feel guilty. I could've rejected the Hogwarts letter. I could've done a better job at sending letters to them and going home during breaks. I could've spent more time with her over the summer.

I could've, I could've, I could've...but I didn't.

A/N: Just wondering, but is a witch or wizard supposed to hold out their wand hand to summon the Knight Bus, or their wand?

Anyway, constructive criticism is still, and will always be, welcome!