Notes: Hello my wonderful readers! Since the internet is cooperating at the moment, I thought I would post another chapter for you. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think! Thank you to all who have left a review, they give me inspiration to continue on. Also quite inspiring are seeing all the follows/faves everyone has given this story! Thank you all so much and please enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything and make no monies writing this.

EN-HG-G

Chapter 14

Hermione went to bed with a smile on her face. She knew the only way things could get better were if Harry was here too. She knew she was hoping on the impossible though. She hadn't heard from him since shortly after the Final Battle and it had broken her heart. Had she meant so little to him after all? She couldn't think of a reason for him to become so distant, unless it was due to the Weasleys. Well, Molly, Ron and Ginny to be more specific.

She and Ron had tried dating for about a week before she broke it off with him. They were way too different and she knew if they tried to stay together, she would hex him into the next millennia without batting an eye. All they did was fight and when they had kissed again, with no death or danger hanging over their heads, there had been nothing there. No chemistry whatsoever and Hermione had known then that their relationship was dead before it began. It had saddened her but nothing could be done about it. Chemistry couldn't be forced, well, she guessed it could have been but that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted true chemistry, at least, a little bit; like what she felt for Godric and Eric.

Thinking of those two vampires, Hermione's smile softened. They had handled the situation very well. They had engaged Severus in conversation and had kept the same boundaries she had established with them, nothing personal. With her mind on a happier subject, two very handsome and sexy vampires, Hermione allowed herself to fall asleep.

Just as the night before, Hermione was able to sleep half the night before her nightmares pounced on her. She had woken with someone shaking her and calling her name. When she opened her eyes, she saw Severus leaning over her with a concerned look.

"Oh, I am so sorry Severus! I didn't think to silence my bedroom." Hermione had apologized. Severus just shook his head and knelt beside her bed.

"No apologies necessary. Are you alright? Were they about the war?" Severus asked her gently.

"Yeah, for both and so sorry to disturb your rest." Hermione quietly answered.

"Do not concern yourself, I told you no apologies were necessary and I meant it besides, I was awake anyways." Severus told her.

"Nightmares for you too?" Hermione asked, wondering if he ever truly rested after all he had been through and seen.

"Always," was all Severus would say. Then he rose and exited her room to allow her privacy to get ready for the day.

When Hermione came out of her room, she asked, "Did you manage to get any sleep?"

"I did actually; I was able to sleep several hours before my rest was disturbed." Severus answered her honestly. Then Hermione took in his attire and the shock showed on her face plainly. He wore muggle clothes; a pair of nice fitting jeans, a t-shirt and loafers. She had never seen him outside of his teaching attire and it was surprising to her. He looked good and told him so.

"Muggle clothes look good on you Severus."

"Don't act so surprised brat. I do have other things to wear." Severus told her with a mock scowl. "I do not believe robes will be very fitting in our new world."

"I never doubted you did, I've just never seen you in anything else, so excuse my shock." Hermione retorted with a smirk, barely holding her humor at bay.

"If you must know, dressing in muggle clothing helped me to disappear in a crowd when the need arose." Severus told her. "Did you manage to get any sleep Hermione?" he asked her, concern in his voice.

"I did actually. Just like the night before, I was able to sleep half the night before my dreams turned on me. It's been quite nice to sleep more than an hour or two before my memories turn against me." She answered, enjoying someone showing concern of her well-being, it had been so long. "Daisy and I think it's because I'm back in my tent, away from the source of my nightmares and have made two new friends."

"That may very well be. I, myself, have not slept as well as I did last night in quite some time." Severus told her.

"Well, I'm glad you felt so at home here." Hermione said, genuinely happy for him.

"I must admit, this feels more like home to me than anywhere before." Severus commented. Hermione beamed at him and sat at the table. Daisy had whipped up some food for them to enjoy with their "morning" coffee. After eating, Severus asked her if she had a potions lab.

"Well, of course, I do." Hermione answered with a laugh. "How respectable of a Potions Master would I be without a lab to work in no matter where I'm at? And before you ask, yes, you may use it. It's the door off the living room. I merged a smaller tent to have one."

Severus nodded his head and rose to inspect said room. Hermione trailed after him and was about to ask if it met his approval when she was alerted to the portal opening again.

"The portal's opened. I should go make sure no one comes through, intentionally or by accident." Hermione said instead.

"Shall I go with you?" Severus asked, unsure if it would be safe for her to go alone.

"That won't be necessary. I just want to make sure everything is as it should be. I shan't be too long. Enjoy my lab while I'm out." Hermione said while slipping her shoes on.

Severus nodded his head and then told her, "I will be monitoring how long you are gone. If too much time passes, I will come looking for you."

Hermione gave him a warm smile and told him thank you before apparating to the bar.

When she arrived, her jaw hit the floor. There, waiting on the other side, was Harry. She had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Why would Harry be looking back at her?

"Harry?" Hermione asked, just to verify neither her eyes nor her mind were playing tricks on her.

"Hey, Hermione. It's me." Harry replied.

"What are you doing there?" Hermione asked, a little wary about his presence.

"Well, I'd love to explain everything but first, would you allow me to join you and Severus? I know this portal doesn't stay open very long and I don't want to miss my chance." Harry told her, a slight smile on his face, his eyes sincere.

"Ah, sure, if that's what you want. Come on through; just know that it may be the last time this portal opens before you decide." She told him.

"Oh, I'm fully aware of that. That's why I took care of everything yesterday and this morning." Harry replied, stepping through the portal.

Just before his alarm had gone off, alerting him of his chance at a new life, an owl had arrived from Fred and George. They had thanked him profusely and had wondered what he was up to. Harry had taken a moment to write them back to let them know that he had full faith in them and this was his way of saying thank you to them for their unwavering support throughout his school years and beyond. He wished them well but had told them that he would be incommunicado for some time.

When Harry stepped through he gave Hermione a once over. She looked better than she had the last time he'd seen her which was shortly after the Final Battle. The dark circles were still under her eyes but not as dark, more like smudges than black eyes. Thank goodness she had at least put on most of the weight she had lost, he thought. Then he looked in her eyes and saw happiness and hope lurking behind the wariness she was showing him. 'I deserve that' Harry thought. Knowing she would want to know why he had not been in contact with her for so long when they had been living together for almost a year before, not to mention being through thick and thin since shortly after starting Hogwarts before that dreadful year.

When Hermione started to speak again, Harry cut her off, saying, "I'm so sorry Hermione. I hadn't planned on going so long not contacting you and I plan to tell you everything that's happened just…please…give me a chance to explain. I know I could be asking for far too much, for you to be a better friend than I have been, but please…please say you'll give me a chance and hear me out. I have let too much time pass as it is and want to correct my mistake."

Seeing so many emotions flowing through his eyes, Hermione let out a sigh and nodded. He had apologized and the least she could do was give him the opportunity to tell her what had happened. She gave Harry a small smile and asked, "Are you sure about this Harry. This is another realm, another world. We are the only ones here of our abilities that I know of. If the portal closes again, it might be for the last time."

"I am sure and when I explain things to you, you will understand. This is my choice and I fully recognize the possible finality of that choice." Harry said with a steady and firm voice, straightening his posture while keeping eye contact the whole time so she would understand this was truly what he wanted.

Hearing the conviction in his voice and seeing it in his eyes, Hermione gave him a nod. "Okay, well, if you're ready then I'll apparate us to my tent. There's much for me to tell you as well." She said, giving him a warm smile.

Just as Harry wrapped his arm around her waist, the portal closed with a resounding *pop*. Seeing the surprise on his best friend's face, Harry asked, "Does it normally do that?"

"Uh, no." was her reply. "That was new. It may stay closed this time. I'll still ward it to make sure but I think I'll also add a barrier to make sure, if it does open again, no one can fall or step through."

"Probably a good idea." Harry told her, smiling. He was so happy to see the old Hermione coming back; it warmed his heart and soul. He wasn't sure what he would do if she didn't forgive him but would figure it out. The last thing he wanted was to become an unwelcomed presence in her life. Keeping all this to himself, Harry prepared for the coming apparition.

Once Hermione had the portal warded and a barrier in place, she put her arm around Harry and apparated them to her tent.

When they reappeared, Severus was in the living room waiting. After Harry and Severus greeted each other, Severus excused himself to the lab. He hadn't really checked it out yet, too worried about Hermione checking the portal on her own in this new world. Now, though, he would gladly disappear and give them some privacy. He was sure Hermione would tell him what was said if it was important.

It took several hours for the two friends to talk about all they had been through; both apologizing for not actively seeking the other after the dust had settled. Harry hated that he had made Hermione feel she was unwanted by him. She was his sister and he couldn't imagine his life without her in it. She had been his rock and reason from his second year on. There was no way he was going to let her go so easily.

Hermione had felt awful for not checking in on Harry. If she had, she would have known he was trying to heal himself and she would have supported him. She would have given those three manipulators what for! She couldn't believe what they had done. Drugging Harry! Of all the things she thought was going on, that had never crossed her mind. She really thought he was happy with Ginny. It would almost be worth risking the portal stranding her back there to have a go at Ginny and Ron! Molly, well, she'd leave her for karma to take care of but the other two would have been fair game.

Harry had hugged her tightly when she had ranted about the unfairness of it all. The Ministry of Morons really was a more fitting name. They couldn't figure things out without someone to hold their hands! After all had been said and explained, on both sides, the two best friends sat on the couch and enjoyed being together again. Hermione sat leaned up against Harry with her head on his shoulder when her wards alerted her to her nighttime visitors.

EN-HG-G