If You Were Mine

The Burrow

She reappeared not far away from the Weasley's home. She hadn't intended on going there, but her subconscious had other ideas. It was the first place she thought of. Two weeks trapped in Malfoy Manor made her long for familiarity and comfort; Ron had once upon a time offered both of those things and she needed him. Was he still angry at her? She hoped not.

It was a short walk to the house, she remembered how to get there, even though it was well hidden. She ran the rest of the way, bumping into Arthur in the garden.

'Hermione!' he called out. He wrapped his arms around her. 'We've all been so worried about you,' he said.

'You have?' she asked, her heart swelling.

'Well you disappeared from the castle... Hagrid said you went home? Of course, none of us know where you moved your parents! Good job you showed up, Molly was about to send the Ministry to hunt you down!' Hermione hugged him tighter. Knowing that they still cared for her, made her undeniably happy. 'Come on... Molly will want to see you with her own eyes!' he said with a chuckle.

They walked up to the house, his arm around her shoulder. She could see Molly in the window. Her mouth opened wide, like she was shouting. Then she appeared at the door.

'Where have you been! You gave us quite a fright, we've all been beside ourselves with worry!' she scolded her, then gave her a tight squeeze. 'You could have sent an owl at least,' she tutted.

'Sorry, I've been a little tied up,' Hermione said truthfully.

'Ron said your parents were somewhere in Australia? How did you manage to get an international Portkey? The Ministry is quite behind processing, I wouldn't have thought you could get one?' Arthur said. Hermione was a little annoyed Ron had told them what country they were in, she had only told him and Harry their location; no wonder it was so easy for Lucius to find them. 'I'm hoping to start back at the Ministry soon,' Arthur told her proudly. 'It's madness there at the moment,'

Molly fetched Hermione a cup of tea and sat her at the kitchen table. Everything felt so normal, just like it used to be. 'Biscuit dear?' Molly asked, placing a saucer of assorted biscuits in front of Hermione. She smiled, feeling a little overwhelmed.

'Who authorised the international travel? I could have sworn that department had been moved, they needed somewhere to start storing all the evidence for the upcoming trials,' Arthur asked, sipping his tea. 'The fifth floor is now just a warehouse full of documents,'

'I didn't travel by Portkey, I went by plane, muggle style,' she found herself lying instinctively. He was babbling about the Ministry and Hermione was trying hard to pay attention, feigning interest.

She wished she could tell them the truth about her parents and ask for help.

'Plane! Yes... fascinating!' Arthur said, enthralled.

'Your looking very pale, have another biscuit,' Molly said adding three more to her saucer. 'I thought you'd have a tan after spending so long in Australia,' she added curiously.

'Where's Ron?' Hermione asked. Arthur and Molly gave each other a strange look. 'Has something happened?' she asked, sensing something was wrong. Before Molly could speak Ginny came running inside.

'Hermione!' Ginny shrieked then flung herself at her, almost knocking her off her chair.

'Ginny!' she choked.

'I'm so glad you're here!' she said, smiling. 'Come with me,' she grabbed her hands and pulled Hermione away from the table. They slipped away into the sitting room. George was sat reading the Prophet. He flung the paper onto the coffee table and came to embrace Hermione.