Harmione One Shots

Where the heart is

Summary: Immediately after the battle Hermione seeks safety. She and Harry find it in each other's arms.

Ship: HarryPotterxHermioneGranger

All credit goes to Rouch on Ao3

---------------

The world around Hogwarts was a cacophony of loud pops of people apparating and disapparating, shouts of people celebrating, fireworks lighting up the sky, and massive creaks and groans from repairing charms setting the castle and the castle grounds right again. If one took a second to listen close enough, a thread of mourning could be heard by those processing their losses. Hermione was overwhelmed by it all. There was so much to do, it was hard to know where to start. There was so much hurt, she didn't know how to help. Fortunately for her she could slip away from the grounds where crowds were gathering. She wasn't The Chosen One who saved them all from Voldemort. She hadn't just reunited with family after months of hiding. She was just Hermione. The muggleborn witch whose parents didn't know she existed. The hard part had actually been finding a place to slip away. The quidditch field was full of students. The great hall was full of the injured. The room of requirement was a major hub of people coming and going to Hogsmeade.

The world was closing in around her. All the fear and anxiety that had been chasing was her catching up to her. The far side of the black lake was the furthest point she could find from everyone. Sitting on the grassy edge she watched a tentacle from the giant squid break the surface. Running her hands along the blades of grass, it was strange to suddenly not have a purpose. To not have somewhere to go. She didn't have a home. She didn't know if she had a family. What was next? She could return to school in the fall. That was months from now. And returning to classes seemed... childish. After everything they'd done and seen, learning a spell for an exam felt silly. Then again, without her N.E.W.T.s, how would she qualify for a job? At that she laughed out loud. What a stupid worry to have.

"Something funny?" Harry asked from behind her.

Turning her head, she smiled. He grounded her. He felt like home. Hermione patted the ground next to her. "Nothing's funny. Come sit. If you can get away for a bit." Without a word, he sat close, shoulder to shoulder. They both looked out over the water. Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder. She was going to miss their time alone. She'd have to share him again. As much as she hated that tent, she missed the closeness they formed when they realized they were all each other had.

Harry took her hand, intertwined their fingers. "Are you trying to get away?"

Wiping at her face with her free hand, she thought about his question. "I would if I knew where to go."

"Twelve Grimmauld Place is still under Death Eater control. Minister Shacklebolt was working with some Order members to clear it out and apprehend anyone who's there. It might take a few days before they're sure it's safe," Harry told her. "Bill offered his place until we can work everything out."

We. Harry was planning and she was part of the plan. She didn't know why that surprised her. "They might need the space for family," Hermione said, not wanting to say Fred's name. Despite her efforts, her eyes filled with tears.

Releasing her hand, he wrapped his arm around her, pulled her toward him. "We could go find the tent. See if it's still where we left it."

The emotion in his voice brought fresh tears. She was going to shatter. "That was weeks ago. Do you think it's still there?"

Harry got to his feet and then pulled her up. While they stood there, they looked each other over. There were minor wounds to tend to. They were nothing compared to the injuries that couldn't be seen. "We won't know until we look."