Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 20| Welcoming the Granger

Hogwarts was buzzing with people talking about what had happened over Yule. To hear that a horrible, Voldemort-supporter wasn't even that and a true backstabber had been hiding out as a Weasley rat! Everyone couldn't get enough of it! For once in his life, Ron was the center of attention. He told anyone who listened that he always knew something was wrong with that rat. People often told him some comforting things, a couple even offering him a few galleons to buy a new pet.

Everyone also looked at Harry in a new light. They still saw his Boy-Who-Lived title, but they also saw a boy who had to live in the muggle world all because of some idiot who didn't get a man his proper trial. A Noble, Pureblood at that. They did know about the money given to him and Sirius though. The grant that was given to them was wonderful to! Harry alone could've bought a small island with how many galleons he was given! Sirius had gotten almost triple that for being wrongfully imprisoned for so long, and in hopes that he wouldn't do anything rash against them when he got out of St. Mungos. He was also glad to be getting Sirius back. Back early at that too.

The powerful Half-blood didn't care much for the staring. He was used to it, since he had gotten stared at basically all his life. However, he noticed one person's staring the most. Well, two, but one of them at the current time was more important. Hermione Granger.

She held this conflicted happy look, the guilt showing him what she was conflicted about. Tears sprang to her eyes as she gave him a kind smile. It wasn't like everyone else's who just wanted to be polite, she truly looked happy for him. He smiled back to, quickly moving to her. Her smile fell as he walked to her.

"H-Harry..." She murmured, shifting uncomfortably.

"Mione, let's get some books." He hummed as he pulled her with him.

She looked conflicted, but she did stumble after him. The two were silent as they walked to the library. She looked very unsure with being next to him, but the old habit of being in sync still hadn't disappeared. The two were soon in the familiar library in a quiet and dark corner.

"You remember when we went in back in time to save him? I told you I had wanted to go with him, that it would be just me and him... But I still had to go to back to the Dursleys." He said as soon as they were in the private corner.

She lightly shook her head, looking very uncomfortable and guilty.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about..." She murmured.

He couldn't help the soft chuckle that left his throat. He gave her a sweet smile as he gently cupped her face, caressing her cheeks. She closed her eyes as she held his wrists, enjoying the friendly warmth that radiated from him. She forgot how comforting he was, she also forgot how much she loved his kindness. Yes, for a short while she had loved him, he was always there for her, understood her, Ron wasn't and couldn't. But then, she had noticed something, something special between him and Draco and she let that love become familial just for them.

They were at a party. It was in honor of Harry's birthday, long before everything was found out. It had at least been a few months since they were able to find Dumbledore, so spirits were high, and the victory of the war was like sweet honey. Because of this, they had no choice but to go. Ginny had also hosted the party, so even more of an incentive to be there.

Hermione had gone with Ron despite having so much work to do. She had plans and bills to sort through, complaints and few other things that she couldn't remember fully. Still, she went with him while he complained to her about how much work there was for him to do. She couldn't help the feeling of disgust and anger at him. He was an Auror, yet he wasn't the best. He didn't put himself out there. He didn't even try! He was still riding on Harry's name of being his Best Friend! Harry put himself out there, he did his best... He always had.