Seven
SEVEN
Harry leaned against the table in the front of his classroom. He had a class of fifth years in a couple hours, so he really needed to get his head in the game. Something was nagging him though. Hermione was here and they had barely spoken. He was desperate to get to the bottom of things. “I bet Snape would be rolling in his grave to see you standing up there.” Ron’s voice startled him, and he thrust his wand forward, barely able to stop the hex from slipping from his lips. “Easy there mate, I’m not a death eater.” Ron joked albeit shakily. “Sorry, lost in my thoughts.” Harry placed his wand on the table behind him, still within reach but out of his hand at least as Ron made his way over. “Feels a bit surreal yeah?” Ron asked looking around. The class had barely changed from their days in Hogwarts. It was bittersweet as they both remembered as Remus Lupin taught in this very room.
“What’s got your knickers in a twist?” Ron asked as he leaned next to Harry. “I’m not sure honestly. Hermione’s here and it’s bringing up a lot of old feelings.” Ron tensed next to him but remained quiet. “Back when I started auror training, they did a brain scan. Do you know what it said?” Ron glanced up and shook his head, his brow furrowing. “It said I had been obliviated.” Ron let out a cough as he choked with surprise. “What!” Harry sighed, patting his friend on the back while he regained composure. “They said it was executed seamlessly. There was no recovering what was lost. I only know one witch that was talented enough in that particular spell.” The pair remained quiet for a moment, each lost in their own revelations. “I don’t know what she took, or why she felt she had to do it, but all I can assume is that it was bad. I had done something wrong, why else would she avoid me at all costs.” Ron sighed, rubbing his face in his hands before finally looking back at Harry, “I don’t know mate, but you should talk to her. Maybe it’s time you both clear the air.”
Harry stepped forward, moving through the classroom, placing parchment in front of each chair. “Did you know she’s a mum?” Harry asked curiously. He wondered just how much his friend knew that he hadn’t been privy to. Ron rubbed the back of his neck before stuffing a hand in his pocket. “Mum might have mentioned it the other night. I didn’t know before then though.” Harry nodded. “Why do you think she kept it from us?” Harry continued. Ron shifted uncomfortably as he watched his oldest friend move about. “Why does Hermione do anything she does?” Ron countered. Harry stilled, his thoughts still whirling in his brain. “I’m not sure, but I’m bound to find out.”
His classes had gone by well. The students all seemed engaged and interested in what he had to say, and not just because he was the chosen one. It was the first time in a long time that he had felt seen. He made his way out of the castle, walking the grounds and towards the lake. The weather had just started to change, getting a slight nip in the air. It made him think of Remus. This castle was full of memories. It was one of the biggest reasons he chose to come back. Harry had been happy, content even as an auror, but he still felt as though something was missing from his life. He walked past the lake, rounding the corner to come to the newest addition of the castle grounds. The war memorial burial grounds. Those that fell during the battle of Hogwarts were given the honor of being buried here.
He paused at the gate, remembering the day Minerva opened the gate for the first time. Ginny was by his side, Ron with them as they solemnly crossed into the hallowed grounds where Remus, Tonks, Fred and Lavender Brown were all laid to rest. Hermione had been absent that day. His heart had hurt, and he didn’t bother to hide the pain. He and Ginny fought about it that night. They always fought when it came to Hermione.
November 1999
Ginny swung the door open hard enough that it banged against the wall. Were they really only two months into their marriage and already fighting like this? Harry wondered as he followed her inside. They had just returned from Godric’s Hollow, paying their respects to his parents. All he had done was bring up that Hermione had placed a wreath on their graves the night they passed through nearly two years ago. Had it really been just two years ago? He shook his head, pushing the thoughts back, tucking them where he kept all his thoughts of Hermione. “Ginny…” He called out. She was already up in their room from the sounds of it. He took the stairs almost two at a time, trying to repair what he had done. His heart ached; he wanted to repair whatever it was that drove Hermione away, but he couldn’t focus on that. “Ginny… what did I do?” He asked as he pushed open the door. Ginny angrily pulled out her earrings before throwing her hair in a ponytail. “Merlin Harry! You can just be so daft you know that!” She yelled, spinning towards their closet and ripping off the sleek black dress. “I don’t understand what I did wrong.” He mumbled shoving his hands into his pockets. For a moment he thought she wouldn’t respond. She came out wearing a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt. “Dammit Harry. I feel like I will never amount to her. She’s so perfect in your eyes, like she can do no wrong. I bring flowers and you bring up that she conjured a bloody wreath.” She throws her hands up in exasperation. “As we get there, I’m upset and hurt and what do we see on their graves! A fucking wreath!” Harry wasn’t entirely sure that it had been Hermione that placed the small gift, but he knew her spell work almost as well as he knew his own. His heart thudded painfully at the sight. She had taken the time to visit despite the precarious position their relationship seemed to be in. He swallowed hard, realizing that Ginny had been staring at him while he was lost in his own thoughts. “Sleep on the couch.” She demanded, throwing a pillow at him. That was the first fight of many to come, all revolving around her jealousy.
Harry had made his way back to the castle just as the sun began to set. He caught her, coming out of the library, her arms full of books. He smiled despite his unease at seeing her again. “Would you like some help?” He asked, before he could second guess himself. Hermione spun; her eyes wide as they collided with his own. “Ha-Harry. What are you doing here?” She asked shakily. He hated how nervous she seemed to be around him now. It made his heart ache to watch as she put distance between them. Gone were the days where they shared a tent while running into the unknown. He pushed his hands in his pockets and curled in on himself, trying to look as harmless as possible. “Well…I do work here as well yeah?” He offered softly with a small smirk. Hermione chuckled nervously. “Yes, that is true isn’t it. Well, I should get going-“She moved to leave but Harry wasn’t ready for that, his hand shot out, his fingertips wrapping around her small wrist. “Wait…Please Hermione.” She stilled, her breath coming in quick spurts. He released her wrist, tucking his hand back into his pocket before licking his lips. He pulled a hand free, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure of where to go from here. “Whatever I did in the past Hermione…” He began, his voice breaking towards the end. “Whatever I did to hurt you…I’m sorry.” He caught her eyes then, staring into them, silently begging her to believe him.
She studied him, her brown eyes scanning his face and her lips parted in surprise. “Harry…what makes you believe you did anything wrong?” Harry shifted uneasily, “I had to of done something wrong for you to have obliviated me.” Hermione froze, the books slipping from her grasp before dumping onto the floor. Neither of them moved to retrieve them. Harry refused to pull his gaze from hers. He wanted answers. “What…” She started, pausing to take a shaky breath. Tears slipped down her cheeks and Harry had to use every ounce of will power he could not to move forward and take her into his arms. “What did you say?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Harry waited, his eyes darting to the few ravenclaws rushing from the library and back to their dorms. Finally, he spoke again, “I know I was obliviated Hermione. When I joined the aurors, they did diagnostics and found it. They said it was done by someone highly skilled at the spell, efficient enough that whatever was taken is unretrievable.” Hermione’s face paled. “I’m not mad Hermione.” He rushed, desperate to explain. “I know whatever happened, had to of been bad. I had to of hurt you for you to go to those lengths. I just want to fix it.” He pleaded. His own emotions tugging at his heart, his eyes watering. “I…” She began, taking a tentative step back. “No…Hermione please, don’t.” He could see she was about to run. She shook her head, “I can’t Harry…not yet…I’m sorry.” Before he could move to grab her, she took off running, the books forgotten on the floor.