Chapter 16
Hermione returned to her room that night. She thought about the events of the night. Haily was her main concern of course she wanted to move back to England but if Haily did not want to then she would not. She knew that Haily wanted to meet her father and Hermione was ecstatic that he wanted to meet her. She would call Katie first thing in the morning and arrange for a trip for Haily to come to England. Hermione had it all figured out by the time she stepped out of the shower. When she woke up at 7:30 she would call Katie and tell her that she would be coming home to pick up Haily. Then Hermione would got to the ministry and arrange for a portkey. Hopefully if she was lucky she and Haily would be in England for dinner.
When Hermione laid down to sleep she had many things on her mind. Mainly, Draco Malfoy. She had not seen him for nearly twelve years and there he was in all his glory standing as proud as he was the day she left. Of course things changed over the years. He was definitely a lot more mature. She could tell that he had been through a lot. His face seemed harder and his eyes held memories that not even she would ever understand. That night sleep did not come easy. All her thoughts drifted around Draco and her decision to leave. Then it sounded like an excellent idea. She did not think Draco would want a child at such a young age. The war definitely had an impact also. Things were changing so fast she was not sure that she could handle them. After she left she broke off all ties to the wizarding world. She bought a small house with her inheritance. Then she got a job at the local elementary school as a secretary. She loved her life in America but she always felt as if something or rather someone was missing.
Around six, Hermione grumpily got out of bad and got herself ready for the day. And a long one it would be. She called Katie just like she planned at 7:30. The phone rang softly for some reason she was nervous. She was not sure if Haily would even want to visit but that idea was driven out of her head as a voice answered the call.
"Hello." Katie answered barely awake.
"Katie, how are you?" Hermione said brightly. "Sorry if I woke you but I needed to talk to Haily."
"Alright let me. . ." she did not get to finish her sentence because Haily had interrupted her.
"Hello, mum. How is England? I am so bummed I could not go but you said next time. Oh, mom yesterday I went swimming and when I got back there was an owl on the table. And when I read the letter it said I could go to Hogwarts. Can I go? Can I go?" Haily finished this in one breath and her mothers chuckle answered her.
"Slow down. We will talk about Hogwarts later. How would you like to come to England for a week and visit with grandma and grandpa?"
"Seriously mum. I would Loooove to. When do i get to come? Do I get to meet Harry and that old fellow from your pictures you know the one that always wears that funny purple hat?" Haily busted out laughing at the thought of that old man. She always thought he was slightly crazy.
"Calm down honey. I am going to arrange for a portkey today and I will call you when I am on my way. So you need to put Katie back on the phone so you can go pack."
"Alright, mum. Cannot wait. Love you." Haily gave Katie the receiver and Hermione could hear 'I am going to England. Ody, I am going to England.' being chanted in the background.
"Well now I have a hyper ten year old on my hand. So I take it she will be meeting her father." Hermione could hear the smug smile on her face. Before she left Katie kept insisting that Hermione just take Haily to save herself a trip.
"Yeah, well he asked and just oh be quiet. I will call you when I am there." Hermione hung up the phone and left for the ministry.
It was a beautiful day. Hermione had gotten the portkey and was know on her way to the designated apparation point inside the ministry. She was about to step into the elevator when Hermione heard someone calling her name. She stopped and turned around to face the voice which happened to be coming from Harry. She scowled at him still a little upset at the way he treated her at the reunion.
"Look Hermione I know I, well I acted like a bloody part. I should not have said some of the things that slipped from my mouth. But I have not seen you for ten years and you left at the time when I needed you. I just lost my best friend and then you disappeared. I had a hard time. It hurt. We all searched. I always wondered why Malfoy did, I guess I know now. Hermione if you do not forgive me I will understand but I just want you to know I am sorry for the way I acted." Hermione had tears in her eyes. She thought about what she was going to say for a little bit. Which he must of taken the wrong way because he muttered, "I am sorry." And then turned to leave. But Hermione's hand reached out and grabbed his arm before he could get to far.
"Harry." He turned to meet her gaze. "You are forgiven, I probably would have acted the same if the tables were turned. If you are not busy would you like to come with me to get Haily." He nodded and she smiled. "We are going to apparate to a fixed point in Hemingway Village. It is a small wizarding community in North Carolina. Then we are going to head to Katie's house. Pick up Haily and then portkey back." He in turn nodded again. Then he picked her up in a bone crushing hug.
"I have missed you Hermione." She smiled at him and then led the way to the apparation point.
Hermione and Harry landed at Hemingway Village a little after eleven. From there Hermione phoned Katie telling her they were on there way to her house. They decided to walk because it was a great day and it gave them time to talk. Harry asked her about her life and what she had been doing since she left. Then he got to the topic she knew he wanted to know everything about, Draco. Hermione filled Harry in on everything that had transpired between the two at Hogwarts. Harry could tell by the way that she spoke about Draco that she still had feelings for him, no matter what she said to him.
Soon they approached a small cottage. It was a pale blue and had white shudders. The small porch had a two wicker chairs with a small table between the two. The garden was full of bright flowers all fighting for sunlight. When Harry looked back at the porch he noticed a small girl in the window left of the door. She then smiled and then he heard a small voice yelling, 'mommy, mommy.' Running towards Hermione was a small girl with light blonde hair. 'Haily' he heard Hermione yell. It was still mulling over that this little girl actually was Hermione's. When she turned to look at him, he saw her big brown eyes. He also noticed that Haily had a slight curl to her hair.
"Haily this is mum's good friend, Harry Potter." Hermione said as she bent down to Haily. Haily then peeked around him and held out her small hand.
"It is very nice to meet you Mister Potter. Mommy has told me a lot about you." Harry could not help but smile you could tell she was truly her mothers daughter.
"Haily have you and Katie gotten everything that you need packed." As Hermione said this a woman came out the front door. She smiled widely as she saw Hermione and pulled her into a hug. "Harry this is Katie." Harry reached his hand out and she graciously took it and smiled.
"Pleasure to meet you Harry." Harry smiled back. Hermione cleared her throat and motioned for him to follow. On their walk to pick up Haily, Hermione found out that Harry married Ginny just like everyone figured but after seven years things started slipping and then ended up divorcing. They were good friends though. They realized that they had married for the wrong reasons. Ginny's boyfriend had died in the last battle and so had Harry's girl friend. They found comfort in each other and soon married. When they decided to divorce there was not any hindrances to the marriage because they decided not to have children.
"Mommy is Katie coming with us. I think she should it would be fun. Like a vacation." Hermione looked up to Katie and raised her eyebrow.
"Well that is up to Katie. So what do you say?" Hermione could tell what her answer was she had been bugging her to go to England for some time.
"Alright but I am going to need to run home. I only brought Haily here after you called." Hermione nodded.
"I am sure Harry would not mind walking with you. He could help you carry your stuff back." Katie smiled and led the way out the door. Hermione smile sweetly behind the two.
"Mommy what are you thinking?" Hermione turned to smile at her daughter.
"Nothing honey. Now lets bring your luggage out here so we can shrink it." Haily headed off to her room and Hermione went to hers to pack a few more outfits. When done she returned to the family room and shrunk her and Haily's things then proceeded to put them in her purse. After ten minutes Harry and Katie had returned. Harry shrunk Katie's luggage and she put it in her bag. "Ready." Everyone nodded and grabbed the hair clip. The group landed with a thud in the portkey area of the ministry. Harry said something about going back to work. And left in the opposite direction of them.
Hermione headed towards the elevators. She grabbed Haily's hand because she did not plan on losing her. When the elevator door opened, Hermione turned around and fell right into some man. She made her apologies and then went to go around him. But a arm gripped hers and Hermione looked right into the gray eyes that haunted her dreams for so many years.
A/N:Thanks for all of those who have been reading and reviewing. I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer so far. I hope all of you enjoy this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW! Criticism is welcome. But please just REVIEW! Have a wonderful day.
