Obliviated

Hermione drew a nice warm bath. There were several potions and bubble baths in the vanity cupboard and she poured a few in, enjoying the rich and fruity aromas. She stripped down and took a moment to study her body.

She looked somehow different. She felt like she had somehow fully grown into her body. Like she was a woman now, not just a teenage on the edge of the next chapter. She had a few bruises on her body from the attack and her hair also needed a good wash.

She climbed into the tub and sank into the water, letting the sensations envelope her fully. The warmth felt so good on her sore muscles and she sighed at the potion started coming into affect. She closed her eyes and stretched, smiled as the worry and pain melted away.

She felt more and more relaxed and thought of Draco. Her mind couldn't help but think of him intimately. She wondered how many times they had shared a bath or made love in the shower. She blushed. She tried to push him from her mind but the more she tried, the more he came to the forefront.

Then she imagined what he looked like naked. She suddenly realised that he would already know what she would look like naked, and it made her feel a little embarrassed. She brought her hand out of the water to study the engagement ring again. She wondered whether she should take it off. How would she feel? How would Draco feel?

She slipped the ring off of her finger to picture her hand without it. It felt wrong. She knew it would probably hurt Draco to see that she had taken it off. He would probably take it as a sign that she didn't want to be with him. Hermione slipped it back onto her finger and closed her eyes again, willing away her thoughts.

The next thing she knew, someone was banging at the door.

“Hermione?” The voice called. “Are you okay in there?”

Hermione sat up and took a moment to collect her thoughts. She had fallen asleep.

“Yes!” She called, sleepily. “I'm fine.”

“You've been in there for over an hour and a half.” Ginny called. “Are you sure you're alright? Can I get you anything?”

Hermione cleared her throat.

“No thanks, Gin.” She said. “I fell asleep. I'm going to get out in a sec, I'll see you downstairs.”

“Alright.” The redhead answered.

Hermione heard her retreat. She realised the water was still nice and warm and she smiled, silently thanking the universe for magic. She washed her hair thoroughly and then took time to wash every part of her body. When she hopped out, her skin was wrinkly and she felt drained of energy.

She wrapped herself in a fluffy blue towel and opened the bathroom door softly. She looked around making sure no one else was in the room. She made her way over to her dresser and pick out a matching pair of cotton knickers and bra. She then chose some blue jeans, a t-shirt, and a baggy jumper. She wrapped her towel around her head, not bothering to dry it with her wand, and slipped on her slippers. She looked at herself in the steamed-up mirror.

She felt much better and she looked it too. Her face looked much healthier; the bags under her eyes almost completely gone and she had a healthy glow. She smiled at herself and went to join the others downstairs.

When she walked into the kitchen Ginny was making sandwiches. She looked up as Hermione came into view and smiled.

“You look much better.” She said. “How are you feeling?”

Hermione smiled and pulled her friend into a hug.

“Much better.” Hermione replied cheerfully. “I am in no pain and I feel clean and relaxed.”

“Good to hear, hun.” Ginny said, giving her a peck on the cheek and going back to chopping up the salad.

Hermione took a seat on a stool on the opposite side of the counter.

“Can I help with anything?” She asked as she watched Ginny bustle around. She reminded Hermione a little of Molly in the kitchen. Though she would never tell Ginny this.

Ginny shook her head.

“No thanks, Sweetie. You just relax.”

Hermione looked around the kitchen. It was very cottage like yet very big. She liked the way it made her feel. It felt like her kitchen. This place was already starting to feel very much like home.

“Where are Harry and Draco?” Hermione asked, resting her head on one hand.

“They are in the lounge room.” Ginny said cutting the sandwiches and putting them onto a tray. “Harry said something about a show called Man versus Wild that him and Draco would get a laugh out of watching.”

Hermione laughed.

“Boys, hey?” She said. She chuckled at herself. “Well not so much any more. They're men now. We're all grown up.”

Ginny laughed. “True. Remember women mature faster than men though.”

“Did they tell you I remembered something?” Hermione asked, watching her throw the scraps into a little bin labelled 'Food Scraps'.

“Yes!” She cried.

She wiped her hands quickly before running around the bench to sit on the stool opposite her.

“Tell me what you remember.” She said, grinning from ear to ear. “In as much detail as you can.”

Hermione smiled, gazing off into the garden.

“Draco lead me into the outdoor room and then I went outside. I saw the bench out there and there was just something so familiar about it. So I went over to it and ran my fingers along the back and I was suddenly thrown into a memory of Draco and me.”

Ginny smiled as Hermione fell back into the memory again.

“We were sitting on the bench, his fingers linked with mine. We were watching the sunset. It was pink and orange and just so beautiful. We turned to each other and the way he looked at me, Ginny, I just felt so... I don't know how to explain it! There was so much love in his eyes and I remember feeling so giddy. He kissed my knuckles and then he kissed me.”

Hermione took a deep breath and looked at Ginny.

“That kiss was incredible.” Hermione breathed. “It just expressed all the emotions that we felt towards one another. It was the moment that I realised I was totally and utterly in love with him.”

Ginny let out the breath she had been holding.

“Wow...” She said quietly. “What a memory.”

Hermione smiled, nodding her head.

“I can't stop thinking about it, and him, now.” Hermione said, looking around. “I look around the house and picture me and him everywhere. And just earlier I felt the strange urge to hug him. Let me tell you I have never felt that before today.”

Ginny smiled empathetically.

“I believe that when you get used to things a certain way, your body and your subconscious mind remembers them.” Ginny said. “It's like, even though you can't remember specific memories, you body is responding to him the way it usually would. It remembers how you feel around him.”

Hermione looked at her. It was a plausible theory.

“Either way, you're beginning to remember.” Ginny said. “That's fantastic news.”

Hermione nodded and stood. She picked up the tray.

“Let's go take these to the boys.” Hermione said. “I for one, am starving.”

Ginny nodded and they joined the boys for lunch.