Come Back To Me

Come Back To Me

If you wait for me

Then I'll come for you.

Although I've traveled far,

I always hold a place for you in my heart.

If you think of me,

If you miss me once in a while,

Then I'll return to you.

I'll return and fill that place in your heart.

-- Unknown

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Desperate to find sleep, 23 year old Hermione Granger tossed in bed for what seemed like to be hours. She wasn't sure if it was the abnormal heat or the absence of someone in the bed next to her; but either way the bed seemed achingly large without its other occupant there.

Finally, frustrated at her inability to sleep, Hermione surrendered to the forces, got out of bed and headed for the living room, hoping that there would be something on television that would eventually bore her to sleep.

"Perhaps the tree channel," she laughed inwardly.

Sadly there was no tree channel, and Hermione settled to watching a muggle reality show.

The presence of a muggle appliance such as a T.V. was quite odd inside of a wizarding household, but Hermione sometimes missed the objects of the muggle world that she grew up with. When she brought the T.V. home, she was quite surprised to find out that Remus knew what it was. Apparently he was quite familiar with objects of the muggle world.

"One more reason to love him", she thought to herself and sighed.

Struggling to get her mind off of the fact that her wasn't with her, Hermione returned to her T.V. show. But as the end credits rolled up the T.V. screen and the theme music started to play, she was brought back fully to the reality of the empty apartment and the absence of Remus. Trying to do everything possible to not think of Remus, Hermione grabbed a chocolate frog from the table and began eating it. Chocolate was always available in their household, Remus made that a point, but Hermione rarely ate it.

It has been 5 years now since they started dating. Their infatuation for each other however, had been present since Hermione met him during her 3^rd year of Hogwarts. Of course propriety had always been an issue for the both of them, so they waited until Hermione graduated before they openly dated.

She remembered how everyone reacted when she told them. Mrs. Weasley screamed and Mr. Weasley punched Remus, Harry was dumbfounded and Ron believed it to be a joke. She and Remus ensured everyone that it certainly wasn't a joke. Everyone but Ginny, whom Hermione often went to talk to for her problems, weren't to happy Hermione and Remus established a relationship. Hermione was so furious that they didn't except it, that she ran out of the burrow bursting with rage induced tears with Ginny and Remus tailing behind her. Remus and Ginny assured her that they would come around and accept it.

They were right. Two years passed and Hermione finally received a card at Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley which stated, "Wishing you, Hermione and Remus, a happy holiday." That year, Hermione and Remus would one again be welcomed to the Burrow, and Christmas would be spent together with the whole family. Happy times lasted, but not for long.

News of Voldemort's once again resurrection spread throughout the wizarding world, and Remus set off to battle along with what was left of the Order-minus Mrs. Weasley- and Ron and Harry. Hermione never cried so much before. But now they were gone- off fighting to protect everyone.

"Yea," she thought to herself, "They went to protect you! Remus went to protect you! You shouldn't be so upset! They'll come back! He'll come back!"

At least that's what she's been telling herself for the past two years since they left. Two years without an owl, a phone call- though highly unlikely-but still possible, a muggle post, or a floo transmit! Two years of nothing! Mrs. Weasley and Ginny told her that it was because they were probably trying to be cautious and that they were sure Remus missed her as much as she missed him. She started getting nightmares after a few months. Ginny, who was quite used to nightmares herself and knew how they effected someone, told Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley made Hermione a dreamless draught in quantity, which Hermione regularly took to fight away the countless nightmares of Remus dying.

Hermione shook the tears away from her eyes that were starting to form unable to cope with the thought of Remus dead. She distracted herself by looking at the clock.

"Ugh! Almost 2:30! I really should get to sleep or else I won't wake up tomorrow."

Determined to get to sleep, Hermione returned to the bedroom to once again fight to force that kept her from slumber, leaving the chocolate frog wrapper on the table. She made it to the bed and pulled off the duvet cover, she wasn't sure why she still had it on her bed, seeing how it was the middle of summer. For some reason, she felt safer with it there anyway. After a few minutes, she tossed and turned, once again unable to sleep due to the lack of someone next to her. She missed him so much, his strong arms wrapped around her while she slept, the feel of his breath on her neck, his hands tangled in her hair. Her body exhausted, sleep finally took over her. But not without allowing a tear slowly fall from her eye lids to her cheek.

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Remus Lupin, exhausted, tried his hardest to unlock the door to his house as quiet as possible, so not to scare the preciousness it held inside. Once inside, he made his way through the living room stopping by the sofa and picked up a wrapper. He smiled

"Hermione must have eaten a chocolate frog. Unusual, she doesn't normally eat chocolate."

He threw the wrapper out and went into the bedroom. He almost collapsed when he laid eyes on the bed. Laying there, sleeping peacefully was the love of his life. She always possessed a serene look while sleeping. He noticed a wet streak going from her eye down her cheek.

"She was crying! Damn it!"

Unable to wait any longer, he kneeled on the bed and put his hand on her shoulder. He kissed her forehead gently and quietly whispered her name in her ear. She stirred and slowly opened her eyes; eyes the color of chocolate.

"Hey 'Mione, I'm home hun." Remus said quietly while smiling.

Hermione's eyes began welling with tears.

"Remus?" she said in surprise and disbelief, "Is it really you?"

Remus couldn't help but laugh. "Yes darling," he took her in his arms and hugged her as if he would never see her again, "I'm home."

He felt her smile through his clothes and couldn't help but squeeze her tighter. He was back, and wasn't about to let her go anytime soon. He kissed the crown of her her head, then put his finger under her chin to coax her head up to look at him. Remus noticed how tired she looked, yet could see relief and love in her eyes.

Hermione choked with tears, "I missed you so much Remus!" she kissed him. Her arms entwined around his neck, her hands in his hair, as if checking to make sure he wasn't a mirage. They broke apart and Remus smiled.

"I missed you to." He said softly before laying down next to her and reclaimed her lips with his.

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Hermione had no nightmares that night. When she woke up, she woke up to a strong arm around her side. It took a moment for last nights events to collect in her mind. She smiled, realizing that Remus wasn't going anywhere, and slowly drifted off back to sleep.

The End...