What Is This "Love" You're Talking About (Love Doesn't Lie Sequel)

Chapter 4: Welcome Home

Chapter 4: Welcome Home

1 year and 6 months later

'Hermione! You came!' Ginny said excited.
'Of course.' Hermione said giving Ginny a small smile.
Ginny wrapped her arms around her best friend and Hermione slightly patted her on the back.
'It's good to see you Gin.' Hermione smiled.
'You're horrible, you know that?' Ginny said pulling away and Hermione saw she was crying.
'Gin, don't cry.' Hermione said wiping the tears away.
'I'm just- I, everyone missed you so much. I wasn't even sure you got the invitation.' Ginny said.
Hermione gave her a look filled with sadness.
'I'm sorry, I know.' Hermione sighed.
'You did get my letters, didn't you?' Hermione asked.
Ginny nodded.
'Thank you for keeping us posted.' Ginny said softly.
'Can you forgive me for running away?' Hermione asked carefully.
Ginny looked up at her. Sadness crossing her face before tears started to roll down her cheek even faster.
'Hermione.' Ginny sighed.
'Of course I forgive you, but please promise me to never run away again.' Ginny said.
Hermione gave her a smile and nodded.
'I promise.' she said giving Ginny another hug.
'Come in, come in.' Ginny said gesturing behind her stepping aside.
'It's lovely here.' Hermione said, wiping the tear away that had escaped her eye.
'Thank you.' Ginny smiled.
'Is Harry around?' Hermione asked.
'No, he's at work.' Ginny said.
'Ginny, I'm so happy for you.' Hermione said.
Ginny smiled.
'Thank you.' she said.
'So tonight's your engagement party?' Hermione asked.
'Yep.' Ginny said.
'Would you like to have some tea?' Ginny asked.
'That would be lovely.' Hermione said following Ginny into the kitchen.
'Have you found your own place yet?' Ginny asked.
'Not yet, we're still looking.' Hermione said.
Ginny nodded.
'Who's coming tonight?' Hermione asked.
'Oh, just everyone. Mum, dad, Andromeda, Teddy, Billy, Fleur, Victoire, Blaise with this new girlfriend of his Rosaline I think it is, Ron and Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Neville and Luna, Charlie, George, Fred and his girlfriend Hailey-' Ginny started.
'The nurse?' Hermione chuckled.
Ginny nodded and smiled.
'They're cute together.' Ginny said.
'Good to hear he's found someone.' Hermione said.
'It sure is.' Ginny said.
'So those were all the people?' Hermione asked.
'No, Draco will be coming too.' Ginny said while looking right at Hermione, scanning her face.
'Perhaps you could talk?' Ginny asked.
Hermione shook her head.
'Rather not.' Hermione sighed.
'Why not? I know he still loves you. He's been waiting for you for two years.' Ginny said.
'He didn't!' Hermione said, not wanting to believe he did.
'He did though. He tried to move on when you didn't return after a year, didn't contact him at all, but he couldn't I guess.' Ginny said looking down at the mugs she was holding.
'Oh no.' Hermione sighed.
'You've left your mark on him.' Ginny said.
Hermione shook her head.
'Does he know I'm here?' Hermione asked.
Ginny shook her head.
'Is he happy?' Hermione asked.
'I don't know.' Ginny said.
'Perhaps it's better for me to not attend the dinner tonight, I don't want him to get hurt even more.' Hermione said.
'Hermione, don't walk away again!' Ginny said.
'I'm not, I'm just avoiding to hurt someone.' Hermione said.
Ginny sighed and shook her head.
'You might even make him happy by just showing up.' Ginny said walking over to Hermione and taking her hands.
'Please, just come. Everyone will be so happy to see you.' Ginny said.
Hermione bit her lip.
'Please Hermione, please, just do it for me.' Ginny said.
Hermione sighed and nodded.
'Okay.'
'Thank you.' Ginny sighed relieved.
'You can stay here if you want.' Ginny said.
'That would be great.' Hermione said thankful.
'So what has happened the past two years which you haven't written down and send to me in the form of a letter?' Ginny asked giving Hermione her cup of tea.
'Well....'

'Hermione?'
'How?'
'Where have you been?'
'What are you doing here?'
'I thought you wouldn't come back!'
'It's so good to see you!'
That's all Hermione was hearing that evening. She excused herself from Lavender who was talking to her, asking her where she had been the past two years, and quickly escaped out of the building. She couldn't keep the smile up on her face any longer, she needed some fresh air, she needed to walk away from all the noise and the chatting inside to clear her head.
'Hermione?'
Hermione's eyes widened. The voice belonged to the person she would never forget, no matter what, the person she had tried to keep away from so badly the past two years, the person she had tried to get out of her head.
'You okay?'
Hermione turned to see Draco slowly coming her way.
'Hi.' Hermione said with a small smile.
'You- you're back?' Draco asked carefully.
Hermione shrugged.
'For the moment, couldn't miss my best friend's wedding, could I?' Hermione asked.
'The wedding will take place next month.' Draco told her.
'I know, but Ginny and Harry send me an invitation for the rehearsal dinner and I figured to just let everyone stare at me right now instead of when the wedding's going on, it's their big day, all eyes should be on them.' Hermione said rubbing her forehead, trying to rub the exhaustion away.
Draco nodded.
'You look good.' Draco said carefully taking a step closer.
'What concealer can do for you.' Hermione chuckled.
Draco gave her a small smile.
'How are you?' Draco asked.
'Exhausted, you?'
Draco shrugged.
'I'm breathing, so I guess that's a good thing.' Draco said looking down at his shoes.
Hermione looked at him. She saw what Ginny meant. He looked broken. He looked like a lost puppy desperately searching for what he's looking for.
'How's your mum?' Hermione asked.
'Good, she misses you though.' Draco said.
'That's nice of her, I miss her too.' Hermione said with a small smile.
'And she's not the only one.' Draco said softly.
'I have to go though, have some things to do.' Hermione said slightly turning away before starting to walk.
'Hermione!' Draco said.
Hermione turned back around.
'Don't leave, not again.' Draco said and Hermione saw a desperation washing over his face.
Hermione sighed and shook her head.
'Perhaps it's better to move on.' Hermione said softly before turning back around and quickly walking away.