Unknown Love

Chapter 8 Homecoming


She took the portkey to the arrival area at the ministry in London where she drank down a potion she had developed that instantly removed the effects of the potions she had taken to change her appearance (though the one that took the frizz away was permanent... it had taken six months to develop that part of it) before going to the Atrium to Floo to Ginny and Colin's house. When she ended up in their living room she was immediately accosted by a miniature version of her first fiance. He ran up, hugging her, as he screamed at her in his excitement. "Auntie Hermione! You're here! We've been waiting and waiting and now you're here!"

She scooped the six year old into her arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek before setting him back down as Ginny came into the room. She had filled out a bit since her Hogwarts days, but one wouldn't call her overweight. Her flaming hair was pulled into a ponytail, looking quite relaxed paired with her baseball tee and jeans. She gave her friend a hug as she said, "I'm glad to see you."

"I'm glad to see you too, all of you," came the response, directed to the exuberant boy who was bouncing in front of her. "Where's your sister and daddy?"

"Mags is taking a nap," he said, his face contorted with displeasure at the thought of such a baby thing like napping before he continued "and Daddy's at work." Colin had become a photographer for the Daily Prophet, but he took in more money doing weddings and such than he made at the paper, he just loved working there.

"Let's get your things into the guest bedroom. So, how have you been?" The woman of the house led the way, followed by Hermione and Little Ron, who looked positively awestruck at his mother's oldest friend.

"I'm good." The smile could be heard through her voice.

"So where are things at with you and Jared?"

"You just cut right to the chase, don't you?" Her smile turned from warm to wry, as her friend shrugged.

"Well, there's no point in beating around the bush."

Hermione responded with a sigh. "I didn't promise anything when I left. I would love to go back to him, but I don't think I could keep pretending I'm not who I am. And I think I want to stay here where I have friends and family."

"We want you too!" Little Ron jutted into the conversation and Hermione patted him on the head.

There was a niose at the doorway, and everyone turned to see a four year old girl in there. If one could look at Little Ron and peg him a Weasley, they could look at his sister and just as easily know that she was a Creevy with her mouse brown hair and small stature. "Hey there, Mags. How are you?" Hermione asked, picking up the girl and lifting her onto a hip.

"Sleepy," she answered as her arms wound around her godmother's neck.

"Yeah, that happens to me when I wake up, too."

"Hey, Margaret, do you and Little Ron want to go downstairs and find the presents you made Hermione?"

Glaring at her mother, Mags answered with a forceful "Okay." before Hermione put her down and the the two children went in search of their creations.


******

By the end of the day, Hermione had recieved her presents from her godchildren (a book of pictures that they had each drawn over the time she was in the States), had gone to St. Mungo's to visit Ron, and had had a wonderful homemade dinner with the Creevy family before reading the children to sleep. All in all it had been a good day that succeeded in reminding her all the things she missed about being home.

******


The next morning Hermione was woken by two children jumping on her bed calling for her to wake up. When her eyes opened, the elder started jumping even more, whereas the younger crawled up to her and touched their noses together before informing her that her breath smelled, causing a fully awake Hermione to let out a long breath into the child's face. Both of the children let out a large "eeeeeewwwwwwwww" before telling their guest that she had to get up because they had to get ready to leave.

Fifteen minutes later she had showered and dressed in jeans, a red polo shirt and matching sneakers, her hair pulled into a twist with a red claw clip.. Over the last few years she had found that she liked dressing like a muggle more than wearing robes all the time and when she went to America this feeling had only been furthered by their practice of only wearing robes to work, school, and certain functions (unless, of course, one wanted to wear their wizard robes).

She helped Ginny make breakfast and soon they were preparing to go back to Hogwart's. The family flooed to Hogsmeade. After dusting and scourgifying themselves of all the ashes from the trip they started the walk to the castle Mags perched on Hermione's shoulders.

The day seemed to go by in a flash. She was amazed to see all of the children that were there; the oldest being Alicia Spinnet's son Alexander who would be entering Hogwart's this year. She was just hoping that he wouldn't be sorted into Slytherin, where his rapist of a father Montague had come from. Then there were children of almost every age down to those who were currently still in their mother's wombs.

She had a few issues dodging Cormac McLaggen who was still the snobbidh playbot he had always been but otherwise had such a wonderful time getting to see all her friends, and those who had become friends over the years. Even Percy and Penelope Weasley along with their nine year old daughter Claudia were accepted right into the fold as he had gone back to apologize to his family many years ago.

The end of the day brought Hermione again in the guest bedroom of the Creevy house, where she passed out as soon as her head hit the soft pillow.