Chapter 4-
"You said two," Ginny pointed out to Hermione.
"He said two," Hermione protested. She checked her watch. It read: 2:35.
They were at the train station where Harry had told Hermione to meet him and Virginia. Her mother had received the same instruction, and the whole family-Hermione, her mum, her dad, and Ginny and her dad had come to receive Harry and Virginia, who would be staying with Hermione.
It wasn't a hot day, but it wasn't a cold day either. It was perfect weather outside, with not a single cloud in the sky.
Hermione sighed, as she shifted from one foot to the other.
"Why does it always have to be train stations?" Ginny complained.
"I told you," Hermione exclaimed, "Virginia is a muggle! She can't Apparate!"
"I can't believe I'm doing this for you," Ginny said for the fifth time that day.
Hermione rolled her eyes over at Ginny. "If it's that much of hassle for you, then leave it!"
Ginny opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off as a large honk came. Both girls swirled around to see a large scarlet train arrive in the station.
Despite herself, Hermione felt herself swell up in anticipation and her stomach do somersaults. This was it…the big moment…
Train 3019 from America has now arrived, a loud voice said over the intercom.
"That's him!" Ginny squealed.
Hermione's parents and Ginny's dad had now bustled over to the entrance of the train, and were waiting eagerly for their passengers.
They weren't the only ones, Hermione noted, as her eyes skimmed over to the other side of the train station. There were a group of young reporters to the side of the train station, with large cameras. Apparently news of Harry coming back had spread.
"Is that him?" Ginny half-sighed-half-exclaimed.
Hermione's head spun around to the train station and she inhaled deeply. That was Harry?
He-was-an-angel. He looked every better than she had remembered, and exactly what she thought he looked like while writing. He still had the same, thin framed glasses, but he had gotten rid of the tape that held them together. His hair was now long and messy, and covered up two-thirds of his forehead. He had grown much taller, Hermione noted, and his clothes no longer seemed to hang off of him…but fit just right.
He smiled as he noticed Hermione's parents and Mr. Weasley and waved. Hermione almost fainted. Since when had his smile been so…bright?
Following him was another lady, around Hermione's mother's age. Her hair was dark brown with specks of gray and she had deep hazel eyes. She had a bright smile, not as brilliant as Harry's, but good enough. This must be Virginia, Hermione thought, smiling as Harry helped her out of the train.
All of a sudden Ginny snapped her fingers in Hermione's faze and she blinked and fell out of her daze.
"You there?" Ginny asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Y-Yeah," Hermione said, exhaling and feeling her heart do somersaults in her stomach.
Ginny, unconvinced at Hermione's expression, turned back to look at Harry. He was now talking to Hermione's parents, and laughing.
"Should we go over there?" Hermione asked.
Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes as she patted the top of her hair with her hand. "Hermione," she said, rolling her name off of her tongue, "Ginny doesn't go to people. People come to Ginny."
"Since when has Ginny been so modest?" Hermione asked, "And since when has Harry become people?"
"Since-"Ginny was cut off as she let out a large, deafening squeal. Hermione winced as Ginny exclaimed in a hushed whisper, "He's coming over here!"
Hermione turned to look, and sure enough Harry was coming their way.
She took in a large breath, and tried not to look to excited, though she could feel her cheeks reddening immensely.
He was getting closer and closer. Every footstep resounded the beat of her heart, and if she wasn't biting her tongue she was sure she would burst out screaming.
He was almost there, just a foot.
Hermione managed to open her mouth and smile. He was right in front of her now.
"Hi Har-"she was cut off as he walked right past her and stood infront of Ginny.
"You must be Ginny?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face.
Ginny blushed, "Yes," she said, "Hi Harry."
The grin wiped off of Hermione's face as she saw Harry and Ginny talking, and her self esteem was the only thing she could do to prevent crying.
"I can recognize you. Your image is imbedded in my heart"
These were his words. So much for his promise.
Her heart dropped. Harry had failed. He hadn't seen past Ginny's beauty…he didn't care about Hermione. Feeling worse than she had ever felt in her leave, she turned to go stand by her parents, squeezing her eyes shut to restrain tears that she felt pricking her eyes.
"Hermione!"
Swearing slightly under her breath, she turned around to see Harry smiling broadly at her. She struggled to smile back, and in one swift movement, Harry had his arms wrapped around her.
Hermione couldn't breath, and that was because of two reasons. One was because Harry's mere touch made her feel dizzy and two was because he was crushing her face against his chest.
He broke apart from the hug and looked down at Hermione, his face in a wide grin.
"H-Hi Harry," Hermione stuttered, looking up at him. He had grown quite a bit.
"I missed you!" he exclaimed, taking his hands off of her shoulders. "Wow, ten years does do a lot to a person!" He looked over at Ginny and winked. Ginny blushed. Hermione felt like she was going to hurl.
"Harry?" Hermione asked quickly, trying to get away from the uncomfortable situation, her eyes averting to where her parents were standing. "Don't you want to introduce us to Virginia?"
"Yeah!" Harry exclaimed. He grinned over at Ginny, "She's dying to meet you!"
Hermione tried not to scowl as the three of them walked over to where she was standing. She felt like the jealous girl in all the movies.
Harry neared the adults and tapped Virginia gingerly on the shoulder and she turned.
"Virginia," he said proudly, placing his hand on Ginny's shoulder, "This is Ginny. And this is Hermione."
"Ah, yes," she said, her eyes skimming over the two of them. "I've been waiting to see the girl who's been writing letters to Harry." Her eyes landed on Hermione.
Apparently Harry noticed this and said, "Yes, Ginny does write well…"
Ginny smiled and Hermione tried not to look like she knew too much.
Virginia's gaze still lingered on Hermione as she smiled brightly and then looked over at Ginny and asked, "What do you like to do dear?"
"Er," Ginny said, her eyes darting over to Hermione, "I like to-"
"Ginny loves to House Elves," Harry interrupted, "At first they were Hermione's thing-"
"-But then they were too much work for me," Hermione finished off.
"So she has this thing called spew-"
"S.P.E.W!"
"Yes that, and it cares for house elves, and their rights."
Virginia smiled as her gaze lingered back to Hermione.
"Harry's been talking nonstop about you two," she said smiling, "I'm so glad I finally got to meet you."
"Same here," the two girls said in unison. And Hermione meant it…somehow, through Harry's letters; she had started to like Virginia even before she met her.
Hermione's eyes averted to her watch as she checked the time, her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Oh no! I'm going to be late!"
"For what?" Harry asked, looking crestfalled, "I thought you were free today."
"I was," Hermione explained in a rush, "But your train came late, and I never expected it to take this long…but I have a meeting with Neville today!"
"With…Neville?" Harry asked, confusion furrowing across his brow, "For what?"
"Sorry," Hermione lied quickly, "Can't talk…have to rush…meet you two back at the Burrow later."
And with that, she was gone.
