It's Nice To Have A Friend

12) Thanksgiving

It has been months since Hermione had last been at this place. From the moment she and Mary had decided to really give their relationship a try, to be exact. She was too afraid to return, to feel the judgement, to feel the void. But today was a national holiday, and she couldn't ignore it any longer. It was time to return, to see whatever was left.

"Hi... so, I haven't been here in a while. You must know why." She sat down in on the benches, looking up to the high walls of the church.

It was silent, and her words echoed harder than she remembered they did. The emptiness was quite louder than she hoped it would be.

"It feels like I lost you. I tried to talk to you, but it's like you're not there anymore." She looked up, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Is what they say true? Will you really punish me for being with the one I love?" She asked quietly, afraid for the truth.

"I always believed for you to love everyone. Why did you stop talking to me? Why don't I feel you anymore?" Hermione sniffed quietly and held onto the cross on her neck, one she had never dared to take off.

"Could you maybe forgive me? I never meant to cause anyone any pain." She asked softly, praying that she could be let in again.

"I miss my family. You've probably been speaking to them. If you do, I hope you can give them my message." Hermione smiled weakly. Through her faith was the only way to talk to her parents.

"Hopefully we'll find each other again, some day." She said quietly.

"Hermione?" A familiar voice called behind her. When she turned her head, she was looking right at her friend.

"Fred? What are you doing here?" She questioned, having never seen him here before.

"Yeah, weird, huh? I haven't been here in a while." He sat down next to her in the bench.

He had never been quite religious, despite his parents taking him to church on Christian holidays and having them say grace before dinner. However, desperate people find faith.

"Why the change of heart?" She wondered.

"My Dad's sick. I actually came to pray for him. I'm not sure if that is how it works, but I hope that if there is a God out there, he takes care of my old man." Fred smiled weakly.

"I'm not sure if there is one, Fred. Mine stopped talking to me." Hermione gazed down to the floor and when Fred saw she was about to cry, he grew worried.

"What do you mean?" He asked. Hermione looked at him, and her eyes said it all.

"Because you love Mary? Is that what you think?" Fred questioned, being afraid she really believed that.

She nodded sadly, and Fred instantly wrapped his arm around her.

"Hermione..." He said softly.

"I don't know anymore, Fred. You don't think it's a coincidence, do you? The moment I was finally honest with myself, God stopped responding to my prayers." She said sadly, seeing the connection oh so clearly. Being out of touch with her faith was her own fault, she believed.

"If there is a God out there, Hermione... then they will love you exactly for the way you are." Fred promised, feeling his heart break that a woman like Hermione felt so incredibly guilty when she was one of the most beautiful souls he had ever met.

"Do you think your Dad will get better?" Hermione wondered, not wanting for her own struggle to overshadow his.

"I'm fearing the worst. It's hard to see him like this, especially around the holidays." Fred said, feeling his chest tighten.