Disclaimer: You know already, all HP characters don't belong to me.
Author's Note: This is an alternate universe where there's no Voldemort, Hermione is a pureblood and Harry's parents are still alive.
Author's Note: Those words in italics represent French.
Thank you all for your reviews!
Chapter 7: Separation
The next day, Harry woke up with a sore body, because he had been sleeping in a sitting position at the window. He took a look at his belongings and his friends (who were getting prepared for the day) realised that he would be leaving Hogwarts today.
"Morning." said Ron flatly when he had noticed that Harry had woke up.
Harry just nodded.
"… so you are leaving today, huh?" said Ron.
Harry got up to his feet. "Yeah." he said, rubbing his shoulders.
He and Ron stared at each other before Ron said finally, "We're going to miss you, mate. We wish we could go and see you off, but McGonagall wouldn't let so many students to be absent from class. So only Hermione could go."
Harry shrugged helplessly but didn't say anything.
Silence.
Finally, Harry and Ron hugged like brothers.
"Be sure to write, all right?" said Ron.
Harry only nodded in response.
During breakfast time, the Gryffindor table was silent. Everyone who knew Harry were either eating very slowly or not eating at all.
Harry just pushed his porridge around in his bowl gloomily, his trunk and Hedwig (in his cage) ready at his feet. All his friends were looking at him as if he was dying.
The bell rang.
Harry pushed his bowl away and got up. "I'm going off."
His friends followed suit. They walked to the Great Hall's entrance and the boys either gave him a slap on the back or shook his hand.
"Don't forget us when you have become a successful Auror, ok?" asked Seamus Finnigan.
"Go and get a distinction in your exam." said Dean Thomas in encouragement. "You can do it."
The girls hugged him, not really want to see him go. Finally, it was like a long time before they walked away to their classes, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.
Harry looked at his friends with a miserable look on his face. He wished that he just could join them for their classes.
It took Harry and Hermione very long time to reach the Hogsmeade station, because Harry kept on stopping to turn and take a last look at Hogwarts, the place that he loved so much.
Harry and Hermione stopped at the station and they looked at the familiar Hogwarts Express, which would take Harry home to London. People were getting onboard the train as the train's leaving time approached.
"Here we are." said Hermione.
"Hm-mm." said Harry quietly, his hands holding on to Hermione's.
"Harry?" said Hermione.
"What?"
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"About keeping a clear head during my exam? Yeah, I remember." said Harry absentmindedly.
Hermione smiled slightly. "Yeah, and um…"
The train let out a loud whistle.
Hermione sniffled.
"I'm going to miss you." said Hermione weakly.
"Me too." whispered Harry.
"You will write to me, won't you?" asked Hermione.
Harry nodded eagerly. "Every week. I will keep writing until we meet again."
Hermione smiled.
Silence.
"Y-you better go." said Hermione, "The train is leaving."
Harry nodded. Then he pulled his fiancée close to give her a long, lingering kiss.
The train whistled again.
Suddenly, Harry released Hermione and he rushed up the train, without even looking back.
Hermione was still, trying to get a glimpse of Harry through the train's windows. Then, Harry had his head out from a window and waved at her. Blinking her eyes furiously, Hermione waved back.
The train gave a final whistle before it slowly pulled out of the station.
"Remember to write!" called Hermione.
"I will, goodbye!" called Harry as he waved.
Hermione just kept waving until the train was out of sight.
When Hermione went back to Hogwarts, it was time for her Advanced Charms class. So she joined the rest of her friends for the class.
"Now class, today we would be learning about lighting up fires without using your wand." said Professor Flitwick. "Everyone lift up your wand hand…"
Everyone did.
Then Hermione heard a snore beside her. Annoyed, she turned and said, "Harry, stop sleeping and…"
But it wasn't Harry who was sleeping beside her, it was Ron. It was now then Hermione truly realised that Harry had gone.
Slowly, Hermione lowered down her hand. The professor didn't notice.
"Now, point at the candle in front of you…" he instructed.
"Harry would love to be here…" thought Hermione and sniffled.
Then she wept. She had been trying hard to keep herself from crying in front of Harry so that he wouldn't be worried. Now that he was gone, Hermione couldn't keep her sorrow in her heart anymore.
"And say… Miss Granger, are you all right?" asked Professor Flitwick in concern.
All the students were puzzled at the Charms teacher's instructions for a moment before they realised that he was talking to Hermione. The Gryffindor students murmured in sympathy as they watched Hermione cried.
"I-I'm all right." said Hermione in a voice choked with emotion.
"Perhaps you would like to go to the bathroom." said the professor kindly. "You may be excused from the rest of the lesson."
Hermione got up and practically fled out of the room.
Ron just remained sleeping.
Granger Residence
A maid (The Grangers didn't use house elves) came into Mr Granger's study. "Mr Granger, Mr Lucius Malfoy is here."
Looking up from his newspaper, Hermione's father blinked in surprise. "What for?"
"I don't know, Sir."
Mr Granger got up. "Tell him that I will attend to him shortly."
"Have a cup of tea, Lucius." said Mr Granger graciously to Lucius in the living room.
Lucius smiled in politeness. "No thank you. I'm here to discuss with you with an important matter."
"And that is?"
"How old is your daughter, Granger?" asked Lucius immediately.
"17."
"So she is graduating from Hogwarts soon, isn't she?"
Mr Granger smiled proudly. "She sure is. I'm planning to send her to the University of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Sighing, Lucius shook his head. "I afraid you can't."
Mr Granger's smile faded. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'm here to propose marriage for my son, Draco."
Mr Granger's eyes widened. "Marriage?"
Lucius nodded. "That's right. My son has often spoken highly of your daughter. And I have seen her for a number of times: a girl of beauty, charm and intelligence, perfect to be the daughter-in-law of the Malfoy family."
Mr Granger couldn't help feeling a little pleased at the praise that Lucius gave for his daughter. Lucius seldom praised anybody and even if he did, it was a sarcastic remark.
Lucius got up and walked around. "However, intelligent she may be, I believe that the basic Hogwarts education is enough for her." he said as he looked around. "Besides, I heard that she always comes in first in the Hogwarts end-of year exams, is that correct?"
Mr Granger nodded.
"A woman won't need to study that much. Have your wife studied past Hogwarts?" asked Lucius.
"No." admitted Mr Granger.
"Neither have mine." said Lucius truthfully. "But they make good wives, don't they?"
"But it's Hermione who wants to study…" started Mr Granger.
"If your daughter marries to my son," Lucius interrupted, "she won't have to lift her finger to do anything. She will have house elves to take care of her needs. It will be a whole life of luxury. Not that your family is poor, of course." added Lucius as he examined an expensive vase.
"Lucius, I appreciate your proposal, but…" said Mr Granger.
Lucius turned and gave him a cold stare. "But what?"
Mr Granger swallowed and said, "I believe my daughter has the right to choose who she wants to marry."
Lucius glared at Mr Granger for a while before he laughed. "Oh that's a good one, Granger, a daughter who has the right to choose who she wants to marry!"
Mr Granger didn't say anything but he kept a polite smile on his face.
"Granger, marriage is one of the most important things in a person's life and fathers should decide whom their children should marry. I mean, it's a big decision."
"My son has fine looks and he's from one of the richest families in the wizarding world. What's there about him for your daughter to complain about? I'm sure that she will be happy to marry to my son." said Lucius with confidence. "So will Draco. In fact, he's thrilled when I suggested proposing marriage."
Still standing, Lucius leaned forward to Mr Granger. "So how about it, Granger?"
Mr Granger thought for a while. "Let me discuss with my wife. Then I will talk to Hermione."
Lucius rolled his eyes. "Fine, have it your way. But no matter what…"
Lucius gave Mr Granger a deadly look. "Your daughter will have married to my family, whether she likes it or not."
Mr Ganger gulped.
"Well, I better be going." said Lucius, picking up his staff.
"Let me see you out." said Mr Granger, getting up.
"Oh there's no need." said Lucius. "Future in-laws."
Laughing, Lucius went out.