Chapter 9
7 Months Later
Hermione apparated to the front gate, looking upon the large house, her nerves begin to run ramped. How mad were they going to be at her? Would they even want to see her? She wouldn’t blame them of course. She left them again, although this time she did send them a letter each month she had been gone though she knew it wouldn’t stop the hurt from her leaving. They weren’t very detailed and they never explained where she ran off too. Just that she and Madi were safe and she was getting better.
7 months ago Hermione had made the decision to leave France. She had taken the key to Gringotts and taken out a decent amount, though it didn’t even begin to leave a dent in the money Matteo had left them. She then exchanged the wizard money for muggle currency, rushed to the airport and bought a one way ticket to Canada. She was hoping the ocean that separated her and her lost love would be enough to help her heal.
There in Canada she found a small community and decided to settle there for the time being. She found a cute little house for rent on a quiet street and was more than happy when each of her neighbors decided to pay her a visit. She had taken an instant liking to her neighbor to the right of her. She was an elderly widowed woman in her late 70’s who lived alone. As soon as Hermione had opened the door to her new neighbor, Lilly Ann Little who insisted Hermione called her Anne, the elderly woman noticed how sickly Hermione looked and immediately took her under her wing.
She would come over every morning and would have coffee and breakfast with her and would invite her over for dinner most nights. Hermione was a good cook, but Anne was phenomenal. They never had the same meal twice and everything was just as good as the next. Madi had become quite attached to Anne and Anne had loved her like she was her own granddaughter.
One week before Hermione had come back to France, Anne had an accident and was rushed to the nearest hospital. When Hermione found out she was there with flowers and Anne’s favorite pastries from the little bakery in town. That’s when Anne broke the news to Hermione, she had cancer. She had known for the past year, it was terminal so there was nothing that the doctors could do for her except make her comfortable but Anne had refused to die in the hospital so she went home and went to live out the rest of her time. Hermione got to take her home the next day and that night Anne had passed away in her sleep.
Hermione was heart broken. She had known so much loss at such a young age. She felt like she had lost another parent. Anne had taken her in, healed her pain and made her stronger. She then realized just how much she missed her family back in France. Writing to Pansy and Blaise once a month just wasn’t enough anymore and the thought of being back there wasn’t nearly as suffocating now as it was right after Matteo had passed. She knew she was ready. The community held a small funeral for Anne, Hermione had helped some people pack up her house and once everything was done she hopped back on a plane to France and that is how she found herself standing on the front steps of Blaise’s and Pansy’s house late in the afternoon.
She stood there for a good 5 minutes before working up the courage to knock on the door. As soon as she lifted up her hand and balled it in a fist to knock, the double doors had flung open and a very mad Pansy was standing on the other side of them.
“How dare you, Hermione Granger! I can’t even begin to explain how fucking mad I am at you! You left again, even though you promised me you never would! I hope you know you broke me when you left and took that baby with you! Couldn’t even have the decency to tell me where you went, some best friend you are! What, you're just going to stand there and not say anything? Serves you right I should just slam these doors in your face and make you leave!” Pansy was panting from her rant, face red and hands balled into fists at her side. But even though she was beyond pissed Hermione could see the tears in her eyes, before Pansy could start yelling again Hermione rushed forward and enveloped her in a hug. Hermione tried her hardest not to cry but when she heard Pansy stifle the damns broke wide open.
“Pansy what on earth is goi-“ the sound of glass shattering behind them broke the two girls apart and before Hermione knew it Blaise was running to her, picked her up and gave her a bone crushing hug. “Granger I hope you have a bloody good reason for leaving because I swear to Salazar I could hex you right now!”
Hermione let out a watery chuckle and squeezed Blaise even harder. They broke apart when a shrill cry behind them erupted from the baby carrier that was still sitting on the ground.
“Oh enough of that you spoiled girl.” Hermione knew that she was used to being held most of the time, even at 8 months old she was practically attached to Hermione’s hip. Madi had never really taken a liking to anyone in their new town except for Anne. Hermione picked her up and faced her towards Blaise and Pansy. As soon as Madi saw the two new faces she gave them a cheeky grin then hid her face in Hermione’s hair, Hermione couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Um well are you two going to let me in or should I head back the way I came?” Hermione tried not to sound insensitive as she knew she had no right but also knew that her arm was going to be ready to fall off soon if she stood holding her daughter in the doorway.
“No of course come in, I’ll grab the baby carrier and bag, Pansy can take you to the sitting room I’ll follow.” And with that Hermione was following behind a very upset Pansy. Pansy made sure to sit in the lone chair and Hermione had taken the couch, Blaise sat down at the other end of the couch and Madi had decided that he looked quite interesting, which put a huge grin on Blaise’s face.
“So Hermione, please tell us why you decided to come back now?” Hermione knew Pansy had a right to be mad, she just hated how much she had hurt her. So Hermione began her story, leaving absolutely nothing out. She told them about how she felt and how she literally wanted to die when they buried Matteo. She told them about the town she moved into, the kind of community she lived in and lastly she told them everything about Anne. By the time she was done there were tears in her eyes and Pansy had looked like she had completely cooled down.
“I get why you left Mione, I really do. I know I can’t even begin to understand your pain and how you felt. But I get it, and I’m sorry for lashing out at you.” Pansy came to sit in between Hermione and Blaise. She wrapped her arm around Hermione’s shoulder and rested her head against her. “I just wish there was something we could have done to help, I hate how much time we missed out on Madi, she’s grown so much.”
Pansy was rubbing the little girls back. Madi was looking at her with her big hazel eyes but hadn’t made an attempt to reach for her yet. Hermione had told them how attached Madi was to her and never let anyone hold her except for herself and Anne. She told them not to get discouraged, to just give it some time and Madi will come around to them again. They talked for a few more hours, Madi long since fell asleep, but Hermione knew she needed this time with her best friends just as much as they needed her. They were about to say their good nights when Pansy got a worried look on her face.
“Oh Mione, would you be up for a dinner party tomorrow? If not I completely understand but we are hosting Daphne Greengrass and Neville Longbottom's engagement party here. I’m sure some of your old friends will be here so I understand if you aren’t up for it.” Pansy looked hopeful but knew not to push Hermione.
“I think it would be good for me, you don’t think they would mind? Especially having a baby at their engagement party?” Hermione knew that if she were to come Madi would have to come with her.
“Of course, Daphne as you know is extremely laid back and you know Neville better than I do.” Hermione nodded, gave a quick hug to Pansy and Blaise and headed to bed. She laid her daughter down beside her and set a charm on her that would notify Hermione when she woke so she didn’t have to worry about her rolling off the bed. She quickly changed into her pajamas, slid in the bed and was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.