A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I also want to say a special thanks to my beta on this story. Thanks Smurfette39 for the awesome work.
When Hermione finally pulled herself out of her shower, she changed into a pair of Harry's boxers and one of his tee-shirts. The shirt she had arrived in was ruined beyond repair and the rest of her clothing had remained at her house as she refused to step foot in it.
She made her way into the kitchen and once again met with a smiling Harry.
"Morning Hermione," he said cheerfully as he buttered a piece of toast.
"Morning Harry," she replied while moving to the table. "Uh, Harry? Do you think we could go into Diagon Alley so I can get some clothes?"
Harry glanced over, he thought she looked rather cute in his clothes but kept the thought to himself.
"Sure, we can go after breakfast if you'd like – I think I have a pair of jeans that might fit you in my old school trunk."
"Thanks Harry. I don't think people want to see me running around in your underwear."
He couldn't help but laugh at her. He placed a plate of breakfast down in front of her along with a glass of juice before sitting down to eat himself.
"If you'd like, I could go back to your house and get what you need," Harry offered. "That way you don't need to go there yourself."
"No, it's alright Harry. Everything that was of value to me is in Gringotts. I got a vault a while back and slowly moved things that I didn't want to lose in it."
"How?" Harry asked. He knew from previous conversation that Blake watched her every move.
"Blake had to go to work – I knew where he kept my wand so I would shrink whatever the item was down, go to Gringotts and do my business, come back and replace the wand – he never suspected a thing."
Harry grinned, she was always smarter then anyone gave her credit for. They finished up breakfast and retreated to the bedroom where Harry kept his school trunk.
He pulled the trunk from the closet and knelt down in front of it with Hermione by his side. He rummaged through the truck for a minute before pulling out a pile of clothes and taking them over to the bed to bring them to normal size.
Hermione peeked into the trunk and spotted a bundle of pictures. "Can I look at the pictures?" she asked quietly.
Harry turned to face her and made his way back over towards the trunk. He plucked the pictures out and gently pulled Hermione to her feet.
"Let's go to the living room and have a look together," he stated.
They both sat down on the couch and Harry gently pulled the red ribbon from the bundle.
"I haven't looked at these in years," he stated as the ribbon fell to his lap.
The first few pictures were of Quiddich games and friends they had long lost contact with, but the fifth picture was of a hug between the two of them.
"I remember when that was taken," she said with a smile. "It was second year after they had given me the mandrake juice and I went into the Great Hall."
"I remember that too – Colin took the picture I believe."
Hermione nodded, "He gave me a picture of me and Ron from the same time... did you notice how I didn't hug him?"
Harry thought back to that day, "You know... I do remember because I wondered why you would hug me and not him... it seemed... uncomfortable."
She laughed, "It was for some reason... it always was and I have no idea why."
Harry shrugged, "Beats me."
He flipped to the next picture which was of Ginny and Harry during fifth year.
"You look bored," she pointed out.
"I was." he replied with a chuckle. "Even after all the time I knew her she would still freeze up sometimes... it was awkward.
"I can imagine."
He flipped through a few more pictures, passing one of the Patil twins, Lee Jordan, and Professor Flitwick until he came to a picture of Cho.
"Why did I ever like her?" Harry asked. "She was so.. sooo, quiet and soft spoken, definitely not my type."
"Hormones," was her reply.
They looked at the pictures for a little while longer until they reached the end of the stack. The last picture was of her, Harry, and Ron.
Harry heard her sigh, "Do you miss him?" he asked.
"You know... I do, but I don't," she replied while sitting back. "He was always a good friend, a little dimwitted at times but a good friend none the less. But when I chose Blake over him... he called me a few names and left – I don't think I could be friends with him again – he hurt me too bad that day."
Harry nodded in agreement. Ron had said some pretty crappy things that day – even calling her a bitch at one point.
"Ready to find some clothes?" he asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yeah..I'm ready. I think going out will do me some good."
They went back into the bedroom where Harry came up with two pairs of jeans and a pair of his old shoes.
"I can't believe I have to dress like a boy," she stated while lacing up the shoes.
"Only for a little while. We will get you some girl clothes," he laughed.
Once they had finished getting dressed, Harry led her into the fireplace and wrapped his arms around her.
"Diagon Alley," he shouted as he threw the powder down.
Seconds later they landed in Diagon Alley and Hermione smiled at the sights before her.
"Merlin how I've missed this," she said breathlessly. "Do you have any idea how long its been since I've been here?"
Harry shook his head no.
"A year and a half," she said. "And last time I was here was with Blake – he didn't let me go anywhere without him... he was afraid I'd buy a spare wand or something."
Harry looked at her funny, "Do you even know where your wand is?"
"Broken... in a drawer on his side of the bed," she said sadly. "I managed to get all of my belongs to Gringotts but one day his friend told him that he thought he saw me. Blake grew paranoid and broke my wand – after that he used his own to place the glamors on me and everything else – I haven't used one in ages."
"Then our first stop is to the wand shop," he replied. "You can't be a witch without a wand."
Hermione felt a bubble of excitement inside her stomach, the idea hadn't even crossed her mind because she had gotten to use to being without one.
Harry noticed her eyes light up at the suggestion. He couldn't even imagine being without his.
They made their way to Olivander's where they were greeted by an old man, "Finally came for a wand?" the man asked.
Hermione nodded, "Yes, uh, mine is".
"Broken," the man finished. "I felt it when that wand was broken – I remember every one of the wands I've sold and to whom."
He reached his hand behind the old counter and pulled out a box. "This one is almost a twin to your first," he stated while opening the box. It looked like hers, slightly darker, but it was very close just the same. She reached her hand out shakily and gripped the offered wand.
"It's been so long," she whispered, feeling like she had been reunited with a part of her life.
Harry grinned ear to ear, there was no mistaking the look of joy in her face. He paid for the wand and they left the shop to start the clothes hunting.
Hermione noticed the difference in the place since she had last been there. New shops had opened up, the area looked like it had been expanded to allow for more shops as well. It was still packed but it felt like home – in a weird sort of way. They passed the shops one by one, going in when she wanted to explore or buy something. She felt like she had before Blake came around... she felt freedom, relief and happiness and the more she shopped without restrictions, the happier she became.
They eventually stopped for lunch. She was having so much fun she had almost forgotten she was hungry. They took a table in the back where Harry slipped into one side and Hermione on the other.
"I take it you are enjoying yourself?" Harry asked.
"I am... I had almost forgotten how much fun this was."
"Good, I'm glad you are. I've seen more of the old Hermione in the last few hours then I have in a long while."
Hermione grinned cheekily and began to respond before a voice she recognized came up behind her. She knew he didn't know she was there, the booth was blocking her from view.
"Hey mate, whatcha doin' here?" Ron asked, freezing once he spotted Hermione.
"Just having a spot of lunch with Hermione," he replied. "What about you?"
Ron smirked a bit, "I'm on a date with Susan."
Hermione didn't fail to notice that Ron wouldn't even look at her.
"How's that going?" Harry asked.
"Going on three months now," he replied, this time making eye contact with the silent Hermione.
Ron cocked his head over to the side, "Finally get away from lover boy long enough to visit your friend."
There was spite in his voice, but Hermione ignored it and didn't answer.
"And why are you wearing Harry's clothes... Decide you like Harry better then Blakey Poo."
"Shut up Ron," Harry warned.
"It was just a question," Ron said with a shrug. "What's the big deal?"
"Just drop it Ron," Harry said again, this time in a deeper voice.
"What the hell Harry?" Ron yelled. "Why the hell are you telling me to back of the subject?"
"Because the past isn't important Ron, and some things are better left there."
Ron grew angry, How could Harry tell him to back off when he had been dying for years to confront her again.
"I have the right to say whatever I want," Ron finally yelled, this time slamming his hand on the table.
Hermione saw the hand raise and instantly put her hands over her face, scooting away and when the loud smack sounded, she couldn't control the small shriek that escaped her mouth.
Ron watched Hermione's reaction and despite the anger he had towards her, he felt bad for scaring her like that.
"I'm sorry," he sputtered, still not sure of what to make of the situation.
Harry stood from his side of the booth and scooted in next to Hermione. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she flinched out of reflex.
"Shhhh, hey it's just me," he said in as soothing of a voice he could muster while trying not to punch the hell out of Ron.
Ron's eyebrows knitted together as he listened closely.
"No one is going to hurt you anymore... I won't let them," Harry said a little softer. Hermione finally turned to face Harry and buried her face in his neck.
"I hate that I can't control that," she whispered. "I hate flinching all the time."
Realization hit Ron like a bludger as he listened to the conversation.
"That son of a bitch," Ron seethed. "I'm sorry Hermione... I didn't know."
Harry just glared at Ron, two seconds earlier Ron was picking on her and now he was sorry?
"Come on Hermione, let's get you home."
Hermione nodded and stood with Harry, keeping her face hidden. The last thing she wanted was for anyone else to see how she had become.
"I'll owl you later Ron," Harry stated before walking Hermione out and apparating her away.