Change, chapter 2

A/N: Thanks for reviewing the first chapter. I'm happy so many people liked my story. Here's chapter 2, enjoy!

The summer rain poured down as I ran away, leaving the shocked faces' behind. From a distant I heard them yell my name but my feet just kept going. I couldn't run that fast with the tons of white fabric wrapped around my legs. I knew it won't take long before someone caught up with me. I first thought the lack of footsteps behind was due to the heavy rain but then it hit me. Apparation! I stopped and pictured the first place that came in mind, Hogwarts. No, the apparation guards prohibit me from doing that. I need a place which is near by and with a way into glowing white wedding dress did make heads turn. Somewhere not to many people would notice me. The Hog's Head, that's it. The portrait leads right to the hall way up to that place, they only place I wanted to be at the moment.

Focusing on Hogsmeade, I apparated as I felt something swiftly trying to grab my arm but it was too late. I didn't even have a chance to see who it was, not that it did matter anyway. I didn't want anyone to stop me from running away from my own wedding, our family and friends and most of all Ron. All I said to him was that we needed to talk and then I ran away. I didn't have the courage to tell him the truth so much for a Gryffindor huh? But what could I've had said anyway?

Well, I could have told him that I wasn't ready yet. That I had cold feet and wanted more time. Maybe that I was overwhelmed by the size of the wedding. We did agree about a small wedding with just the closest family and friends but Molly convinced us otherwise. You can't really say no to Molly Weasley if you enjoyed having you head attached to your body. No, it was better like this. Leaving without a explanation.

I continued to talk myself into believing it was the right decision as I felt a chill down my cold body. I must have been standing out here a while. My joints were stiff and I shivered like a mad man. The letters Hog's Head were barely visible, the owner never bothered to fix the sign. The place were commonly known as a pub for people up to no good went, the pub with the crazy bartender and old beer.

When I walked into the Hog's Head I felt how the warmth struck me, burned my frozen skin. I looked up and met Aberforth's confusion-filled eyes and with a flick with his wand my clothes were quickly dried. I mustered a silent thanks when the shivering ceased. His only answer was a simple nod. Over the years I often came here when I needed to escape from bad reputation of the pub reduced the risk of someone recognizing me, Hermione Granger, the genius of the Golden Trio.

Almost every time I was down at the Hog, there were only me and that guy in a funny cloak, who I made fun of even though I shouldn't. I slowly noticed the similarities between Professor Dumbledore and his brother Aberforth. I could confide in both of them and get advice. One clear difference lied in the fact that Dumbledore felt more a Grandparent who would let you off the hook easily, Aberforth on were like a uncle who wouldn't get you in trouble in the first place.

I took the firewhiskey he'd put in front of me. It went down fast and I no longer felt any traces of the cold left in my body. A simple Butterbeer would have done the trick but I guess I needed it. I transformed my dress to something more comfortable, something that aloud me to move freely. Beside I would look rather crazy walking around in a wedding dress. Before I rose and walked towards the secret passage at the back, I eyed Aberforth once again expecting him to answer with the earlier nod. However he sighed.

"I knew you would never go through with the wedding but I never thought it would take you this long to figure it out."

"What, when, who, how did you know?"

He huffed "No one ever told anything about it but it's not that hard to figure out, dear. Beside you always say 'I miss him'" emphasizing on the word him "when you've had a little firewhiskey."

"But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Ah, the interesting part is what you say when you have a little to much to drink. When you're not consciously making yourself to say him, you say 'I miss Harry'. I always kept it to myself but I think you're ready to handle the truth now."

I honestly couldn't remember. The drinking part is relaxing, not being in control and let the feelings influence my actions. I blushed a bit thinking about what I've done while during those moments. I felt a little dizzy because of the drinking during the day.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Aberforth. I think I can take myself back to the castle, no need for your help this time."

"You didn't think I've been the one to carry you back to the castle every time, did you?" eyeing me with surprise as he spoke.

When I didn't answer he opened his mouth once more to speak, I already knew what his answer was going to me.

"By your blush I think you have guessed who our mystery man could be. The dark figure with the funny cloak, the one you felt watching you, it was Harry all along. He asked me to give him a signal whenever you came down here. Harry wanted to make sure that you were safe and not disturbed in any way."

"I--"

"You must go, someone will apparate here soon. The passage is still at the back, feel free to use it. No one will know you even been here today. Now go!"

Almost forgetting about the earlier events today and suddenly realizing that he was right. I needed to go, they would find me to easy here. I ran to the back and kept running back to the castle. It was much easier without the dress and the cold rain. My instincts guided me through the castle up to the astronomy tower. I took deep breathes to slow down my pulse. They won't find me up here but to make sure of that I looked up that secret cupboard Harry and I found during our 4th year. We decorated it with a lot of pillows and candles making the place cosy and livable.

We started to spend time up here when we needed to be alone. It came in handy while Harry and Ron weren't on speaking terms. He used to joke about how this cupboard were roomier than the one he lived in at the Dursley's for the first 11 years of his life. I would scold him by telling him that it wasn't a laughing matter. It still isn't and I felt how much it saddened my by thinking of it. Harry..I let the name linger as I lay down, letting out a yawn in the process. Decided not to think more about it, enough epiphanies for one day, I closed my eyes and let myself drift to sleep. I'm home, safe.

A/N: Loved it, hated it, review and let me know. If there are any errrors let me know as well. :)