Misfit

CHAPTER II

18.04.1999

Hogsmeade seems to be busier than ever, Hermione hasn't seen it this busy since the first Hogsmeade weekend for Hogwarts students in October. She had trouble walking down the main road, littered in students, roaming the shops, like it's their last shopping run. Confused she steps into the Three Broomsticks, which is still run by Madam Rosmerta. Hermione usually comes here once a week for a Butterbeer and to read her newest addition to her library. The one good thing about the Three Broomsticks is, that younger students aren't allowed inside, so the pub wasn't overly packed. It was busier - yes, but not too busy to make Hermione turn around and go home. She wouldn't break the tradition she built up over the last 4 months. She quickly ordered her Butterbeer and after being served, chooses to sit in her usual corner, a table for one person, with only one chair and no one ever sits there - except for Hermione. Blending out her surroundings she opened the new book she just bought, the newest version of Hogwarts - A History. Even though it is hard for her, she is curious as to what is written about the most important battle in history. Curious as to what people knew about what really happened and how much information they were able to gather. Hermione believed that unless Rita Skeeter wrote the newest developments at Hogwarts, there could hardly be any damage done. Sighing in content she opens her book and begins to read from the beginning. She read those historical stories about a hundred times, but she could never get enough of them. Only a few pages into the book and half her Butterbeer gone she hears a gasp from to her left. Putting her book down, she looks up into those all to familiar eyes of one of her best friends.

"Hermione?"

"Ginny. How are you?"

"How am I? After 4 months of barely any contact you ask me how I am?", Ginny whisper shouts at her.

"How about we have that conversation somewhere else?", Hermione suggests, not wanting the entire pub to listen in.

"No we can have that conversation right here. I'm not going to blow up on you, don't worry. I'm just really surprised to see you. I missed you", Ginny says much calmer, pulling up a nearby chair and sitting down with Hermione.

"I'm good actually. N.E.W.Ts are a lot but I think I am handling it alright. How have you been? It's been so long! Mum is sending me a letter every two weeks asking if I heard anything from you. She misses you as well, you know", Ginny says with a sad smile on her face.

"I know. I might go over soon."

"Don't lie to me, Hermione. I know you won't go over soon!"

"I just have a lot on my mind lately and I am not in the mood to see people at the moment", Hermione explains, which is half true. The younger witch lets out a sigh and her shoulders slump.

"I won't push you. But do you know that there will be a celebration at the castle in two weeks time to honour the end of the war?"

"Yes, I've heard Ginny. I haven't decided yet if I go or don't", Hermione replies, hoping this conversation will end soon.

"You HAVE to go, Hermione. If not for your friends and family, go for the people who died on those grounds. What would it look like if one third of the Golden Trio doesn't show up?"

"Could everyone stop talking about others? What about me? What about what I want? What about what I need? Has anyone ever thought about me in the past year? Has anyone EVER considered my feelings?", Hermione says annoyed and angry, letting out what had built up over the last few months. She grabs her bag and her book and walking out of the Three Broomsticks without looking back, apparating directly into her living room. Today could not have gone any worse for Hermione and she was annoyed with herself that she blew up on Ginny. Now she is going to tell Molly, then Molly will tell everyone and they are all going to show up and pretend to care and pretend to want to help her, when it was all a show.

She didn't want to go to the celebrations being held. They all moved on. They all found a purpose in life. Everyone seems to be okay. They all will be asking questions about Hermiones life that she didn't want to answer, nor could she answer them. She just needed time. A lot of time.