Edited 9/12/2023 Minor Grammar/Spelling.
Chapter 1/3 for today, AND I have a plan for the next FIVE days (in the timeline), AND I'm almost caught up!
ENJOY!
Friday, July 24, 1998
Hermione was adamant that she'd walk down to the Breakfast room that morning. Unfortunately for everyone in the household, she was extremely stubborn. When she couldn't manage to support herself on her legs, Theo had to carry her down the stairs, while she complained the whole time.
Her stomach could not handle the rich foods that the Elves had prepared, causing a huge ruckus in the kitchens with Elves crying. By the time they'd gotten back upstairs (Thanks to Draco carrying her this time), Hermione was exhausted and on the verge of tears herself.
When Andromeda came to show them the Physical Therapy exercises, everyone was on edge. Finally, Andromeda sent Theo and Draco away and had Harry come and assist. Hermione found that this un-interrupted opportunity to work with Harry was quite refreshing.
Horcrux-free Harry was a totally different person than the Horcrux-imbued one. He was much quicker to laugh, and she could tell that he'd already put on some weight and had grown a few inches. As they were stretching her muscles on the floor, he told Hermione all about the food and potions regime Andromeda had him on.
He seemed lighter. His whole energy had lifted from the suspicious, angry boy she'd seen for the past few years. He'd returned to his sweet, thoughtful personality. Towards the end of the session, he turned to her, "Hey Mi," he said awkwardly.
"Yes, Harry?" she asked, looking up from the chair he'd deposited her on.
"I wanted to apologise-"
"You have nothing to apologise for," she said with a sigh.
"Please let me finish," he said calmly, sitting next to her in another chair. When she nodded, he continued. "I know that when we were kids I never treated you the same as Ron. We often treated you like our Tutor, and that's not fair to you. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I know we weren't fair to you. I want to make sure you know that you're my priority and there is nothing you could do to make me…"
She'd found tears running down her cheeks. This is what she'd been hoping for for so long. "Don't cry!" he said quickly, coming to kneel in front of her chair. "I just… I can't help but think that if we'd been better friends to you you would have told us about Theo and Draco much sooner…"
"We can't change the past, Harry," she sniffled, "but we can go forward from here. I really appreciate the apology though. You're like the little brother I never had, but I always just wanted to be your friend."
"Yeah," he said with a grin, "we would not have survived Hogwarts without you. I'm glad you're my sister and my friend."
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!