Chapter 14
As Hermione made her way through the large oak doors. She caught her breath and took a look around. It has been ages since she has last seen this school and being there now was a surprise. She left in such a hurry that she forgot why she had left this place. It was first of all her home and secondly her safe place. Here she had no worries and feared nothing but out there it was nothing but fear.
A lot has changed in these past ten years she thought to herself. Next to the doors where the counters used to stand was one large one, Hermione just figured that it was showing house unity. Also ,she noticed that there were no designations as she looked around when you got in you were put into a house but that's just where you were to sleep. The whole school was now your family. Looking around made Hermione remember why she was here and she slowly stepped to the doors that were holding her from her past.
Walking in was an achievement for Hermione. Looking around she recognized so many faces yet no one had recognized her yet. When thinking about it she was quite different than she remembered but she didn't think she was that different. Her hair was slightly darker, and it was a deep chestnut brown. Her face was a lot fuller that it used to be and her eyes seemed to be darkened with memories. She slowly walked through the decorated hall. The room now had many small tables instead of the four house tables. But at the top of the hall the staff table was still there but for now none of the teachers were there.
"Hermione, is that you?" questioned a face Hermione recognized as Lavender Brown. With that simple question people started crowding around Hermione. Slowly glancing around the large circle she noticed all the people she longed to forget when she left. Then taking one last look, she noticed Harry standing next to Ginny. And next to them she noticed Neville and Luna and so many others her friends at least they used to be. Not knowing what to say she just nodded her head and said yes. That's what she thought she had said.
"Where have you been?" asked Harry. As he was stepping forward to look her in the eyes because that was the one place she had yet to look.
"I . . . I. " Faltering, Hermione turned to leave and ran right into the arms that had kept her safe so many years back. Looking up she looked right into the grey orbs that were so familiar to her but looking into them noticed how different they were. They were the eyes of Draco Malfoy the one man she had loved more than anything and the one man she had hated. He was the reason she wanted to come back but was scared to.
"Hermione . . . " questioned Draco. Unable to say anything she just tried to leave again. But his grasp was too tight.
"Just let me go, I..I don't belong here anymore." Cried Hermione struggling to get out of his grasp. The only reason, Hermione wanted away was because she wasn't as ready as she thought she couldn't face them, face him.
"No! It's been ten years we are not ready to let you go again. We need answers' Hermione. We deserve them." Stated Draco. Behind him there was an air of agreement and Harry gallantly stepped forward and looked at her. She had changed he was certain of that but he could tell in her eyes she was hiding something. Something she didn't want anyone to know. And what did Draco have to do with this?
"Hermione, Malfoy's right, we do need answers. And you do to belong here, and you always have this is your home as much as it is everyone else's." Said Harry. Again, looking at her. This look was making Hermione very nervous it seemed that he was trying to read. She tried to look anywhere but him knowing if he looked into her eyes that, he would know every secret. Trying to get her to look at him, Harry asked what everyone wanted to know.
"Hermione, why did you leave without saying something to anyone?" Hermione looked even more nervous and then she started to cry.
"I was scared, and everything was changing so fast and . . . I..I didn't know what else to do. I lost everything and didn't want to be here to lose something else. After, Ron's, funeral it sank in and I . . . " cried Hermione as she slowly looked up to Draco. Draco saw it, in that one look that she was lying only partly. There was something bigger, something more life changing than an ex-boyfriends death.
"But Hermione you had all of us." Stated Harry grabbing Hermione's hand and causing Draco to let go. "We knew Ron's death would be hard on you but he wouldn't want you to leave your life behind because you were frightened he would want us to help you." Hermione looked up at him for the first time since arriving. His green eyes were misting and she knew that this was hard for him. Looking past him she saw Draco and her she cried. Not for Ron, which Harry believed it to be. But for the secret she kept from him. Harry then pulled her close and slowly whispered, "It will be all right we are here. We are not going anywhere." Harry noticing that she had stopped crying and saw that she was not staring at him turning around to see what had caught her gaze he sees Draco standing there locking eyes with Hermione. That's when Harry realized he was part of the reason she had left.
"Hermione." Harry says. "Hermione, what is going on?"
(Back to the present...)
This brought Hermione to where she was know standing in front of her friends. The questions, the reactions she was not as ready for this as she thought. But she was a Gryffindor she could handle it. She would have to tell them sooner or later. It was not fair to Draco. He needed to know the truth. How she would break to everyone in front of them she had no idea.
"Hermione. Are you okay?" She looked at Harry and nodded.
" I just need to sit down and drink something." Harry walked her over to a chair and Ginny brought her some Pumpkin juice. She looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at her.
"Hermione what are you really afraid of?" Draco asked. Everyone turned to look at him. They knew he had changed but that was after Hermione left. They never talked or he did not think they did. She just looked at him trying to gather her thoughts. When she decided to come back she wanted to talk to Draco but she was not ready to face him here. Not in front of everyone. "Look Hermione I can read you like a book. You left not only because of the war there was something else. I am not stupid Hermione. You never fooled me before and you certainly do not fool me now." He was kneeling in front of her, she tried to look away but his eyes held her. "Hermione."
"Look you do not know what I have been through none of you do. I did leave because I was scared. Who would not be. Everything was changing and I was scared that I would get caught up and lose the one thing that means something to me. I had to leave it was what was best for Haily and I." She slipped. She covered her mouth and moved to get away. She should not of said that. She should not of said that. That is all she could think of. Draco just looked at her as did everyone else.
"Who is Haily?" Harry asked this because Draco could not form a word. He just looked at her waiting for her answer.
"Uh. um. No no one." She looked around no one believed her. She knew it was time to tell them and wait for their or Draco's reaction.
"Hermione. You can not lie to us. Who is Haily?" Harry just stared at her. He was waiting for her to speak. He had heard a few rumors a few years back when he was looking for her but he never believed them. She turned to look at him and took a deep breath. She caught herself doing that a lot tonight. Anyway, getting back on track. She looked all of them in the eyes. Well, as best as she could.
"Haily is my daughter." Whooh, she said it, it was out there and done with. Now for the reactions. Her gaze never wavered and she stood proud waiting for the words that never came. Complete silence surrounded her. She took the time to look at Draco. He was just standing there. She could not read him.
"So you got married. Congratulations." Draco's tone was very bored. But she knew it hurt him. Draco looked at her. He thought she was married. For some reason she wanted to laugh. But it was not a laughing matter. It was time for the truth.
"No Draco I never got married." Then he looked at her like she was some kind of hussy. Now she really needed to explain. "Haily turns eleven on November 17." Thats when the wheels started turning.
"I, I have a daughter." Hermione looked at him with a sad smile. "For the past eleven years I have been not only searching for you. But a daughter that I never knew I had."
"Yes."
"And you tell me this now. Did you not know when you left?" Hermione looked down.
"I found out in May before the war." Hermione still did not look at him. From there on the floor gained much of Hermione's attention.
A/N: Sorry for the wait went camping with the family. But thanks to those who have reviewed and I hope you enjoy this chapter. I think I wrote it over 4 times. But here it is. Please review. PLEASE>>>>>
