A Different Kind of Scar

"Harry! Harry! Wake up!" bellowed Ron, shaking Harry out of his bed.

"I'm awake! What is it?" Harry snapped at Ron, because he was mad Ron had woken him up.

"I just received and owl from coach. It confirmed that practice has been canceled for this week!" Ron pointed out to Harry, who still did not see where this was going.

"Ok, and that's good why?" asked Harry waiting for an answer.

"It is good because now you can see Hermione," Ron said with a grin on his face. Harry's heart skipped a beat as Ron's words came out. Seeing Hermione would make him feel much better, and who knows, he thought, maybe they could even hook up. A grin spread across Harry Potter's face for the first time in ages. Ron could see he was happy and added, "I've already told coach we might go to Egypt for the short break. He says its fine but only if we don't get hurt and that we are back on time."

Harry suddenly remembered Angelina. "What about Angelina, your brothers and the bunch?" he asked.

"They are coming, too! They are getting packed," he replied

"Does Hermione know yet?" asked Harry looking up at Ron.

"No, maybe you should send her an owl. Or, should we just drop by?" Ron pondered over his own question.

"No, I'll go write a letter to her right now," Harry said walking out of the room with a little bit of a jump in his step. He went to the living room and began to write:

Dear Hermione,

It's been a long time since we've got to see each other. Our game against Belgium isn't for two weeks coach has given us the week off. I- we, Ron and I, were wondering if you had anything special happening this week because we wanted to stop by and stay for the week. I've hope you been following all my games. Anyways, it was Ron's idea so we hope you aren't busy and wouldn't mind some company for the week. Write back as soon as you can.

Love,

Harry

Harry tied the letter to Hedwig's ankle and she took off. Harry knew Hedwig would get there shortly, so Harry and Ron packed their belonging as quick as possible.

"I wish Hermione was here right now," Ron said, "she would be able to cast a spell that does all our packing for us." Harry laughed. He knew Ron was right; Hermione had a vast intelligence, just one of the many things Harry admired about her. Just then Hedwig swooped in from the window with a letter attached to its ankle. Ron took it off and read aloud:

Dear Harry and Ron,

I think that would be a great idea. My schedule is clear for the week. Skye and I would love to have you as company. Skye is especially ecstatic of meeting two great quidditch stars. Well, I've tried my hardest to follow your games; it's just hard with all the muggles around. And tell Ron that I am surprised he came up with such a brilliant idea. I'm just kidding, Ron, don't worry.

Love,

Hermione

Ron drew a deep breath after he read her insult. Harry laughed silently to himself. Ron and Hermione would always bicker about things, from quidditch to studies to candy. Ron caught Harry's smile. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"Umm, nothing," Harry said quietly.

"No, tell me," Ron said, who seemed a little annoyed.

Harry didn't want to get Ron mad before the trip, so he mad up a lie as quick as he could. "Well, I thought, since I want to spend time with Hermione, maybe you'd want to spend time with Skye. I mean she seems nice from all of Hermione's letters."

"Yea, I was thinking that, too, and I agree. But, I just don't get why that mad you laugh," Ron pointed out.

"Yea me either," said Harry, who still had a grin on his face. Harry and Ron finished packing and picked up their wands. They went outside to meet Angelina, Fred, George, Katie, and Alicia. Harry figured the twins were now going out with Katie and Alicia because they were always together. With a flick of their wands, they apparated right to Hermione's front door. Harry looked at Ron who seemed calm. Harry was quite nervous, he was about to see Hermione for the first time since graduation from Hogwarts. With one last look at Ron, determined not to show him that he was afraid, he lifted up his arm and gave the door a few quick knocks.

"Harry! Ron! All of you! Come in! Please, come in." Hermione sat bolt upright in her seat. She had just heard Skye welcome in Harry, Ron, and the rest of the group. She didn't know how but she had completely forgotten that they were coming. Hermione tensed up as she saw Skye lead two of the most famous wizards through the door. Ron was the first to walk in. Hermione noticed quickly that he had grown to a good height of 6'2". His body very muscular and he was wearing his famous Weasley red hair very short. Hermione gasped out at who walked in next. There was Harry Potter, probably the most famous wizard a live. His hair was cut short, bringing out his bright green eyes. He stood at about 6'. His body was very muscular, even more than Ron's. Then she noticed his hands, which were holding onto the person who walked in next, Angelina Johnson! Her heart almost stopped when she saw the horrific sight.

"Hermione!" the two boys said together as they went over to her and gave her a hug.

"So, Mione, you've been watching all our matches?" asked Ron.

"I've been trying to," she said. "It's hard because no one around here really knows about Quidditch."

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend, Hermione?" were Harry's first words since being in the presence of Hermione. She was taken back by how gently he had said it and how nice and calm his voice sounded.

"Yes, of course I will. Excuse me. Harry and Ron this is Skye Robinson. Skye I'd like you to meet my two best friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley," Hermione said introducing them. Skye said 'hi' to both, but her gaze fell upon Ron. This, Harry noticed, made Ron a bit uncomfortable, as he turned red in the cheeks.

"Well, I thought for today since it is already a bit late, we should just go out to eat somewhere," Hermione announced.

"I think that is a fantastic idea," said Harry with a warm smile on his face. So, the group went out to eat that night. Harry was being as nice as possible. Harry had already noticed that Ron and Skye were attracted to each other. He just wished Hermione would feel the same way about him. What was he thinking! I have Angelina, she is great and I really like her, he told himself. Though, Harry couldn't help noticing Hermione acted like she was hiding something from them. All through dinner, Hermione told Harry and Ron about her and Skye's adventures through the pyramids and other tombs. Harry listened to Ron impress Skye with his tales of their quidditch matches. Harry and Hermione and the rest of the group got sick of listening to Ron and started their own conversation.

"So what have you been up to when you're not doing work?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Well work keeps me busy but when I've had time I find ways to spend my time," she answered.

"Yea me, too, quidditch keeps me busy most of the day, everyday. But when I have time, like this week, I just relax. But seeing you again, has made this trip worth it," he complimented her. Hermione felt herself turn red in the cheeks. Suddenly, she remembered the face Harry had given her when she last saw him. She was about to ask him when Harry started.

"So, when you're not working... you meet anyone," Harry asked hoping to hear a specific answer.

Hermione turned red. She hoped Harry didn't notice, and she desperately tried to think of something to say to get her away from this question. She sat there staring in to his eyes, not wanting at all to tell him about Dale. She could see Harry getting confused on why she did not answer the question right away. Then, a very loud outburst of laughter from Skye saved her, as Harry was distracted.

"What are you laughing about?" Hermione asked her best friend.

"Ron, here, just told me about the time at Hogwarts when Moaning Myrtle saw Harry in the bathroom," she said back still laughing very hard. Harry was very angry Ron had told her this.

"How could you tell her that?!" he asked Ron, fury growing inside of him as he stood up from his chair.

"I dunno, mate. It just slipped out I guess," he said breaking down into more laughter with Angela.

"I'll give you just slipped out-" Harry said walking around the table to Ron but was cut off by Angelina's arm.

"I think its time that we should go back to the house," she stated quickly. She drug Harry out by the arm, and Ron and Skye, Hermione, and the twins with their girlfriends followed. Once, back at the house, they played games and talked some more about their lives since graduation from Hogwarts. Harry's anger was already gone and he and Ron were enjoying each other's company thoroughly.

"So you and Angelina going out?" Hermione asked in a casual voice.

"Yea for about a month now," he said looking at her and smiling as he gently grabbed her hand. Harry felt weird talking about that with Hermione but was saved.

The clock struck midnight, and Harry stood up and yawned "You must be tired," Skye stated as she looked at Harry and Ron. They both nodded in agreement. "I'll show you to your room." She led them upstairs. As Harry walked upstairs his eyes caught Hermione's. The moment seemed to last a minute when Ron tugged on his shirt.

"Are you coming?" he asked leading Harry into their room. It had two beds and was rather large.

"Yea," Harry said looking away and following Ron's lead. Harry was in a great mood that night. Angelina lay next to him in bed. They chatted for a while and cuddled. Harry fell asleep quickly, thinking about all the good things that happened that day, one in particular, seeing Hermione for the first time since graduation. He couldn't believe how much he missed her.

The sun shinning through Harry's window the next morning woke him up. Squinting around to shield the light out of his eyes he saw Ron fast asleep then looked at Angelina. Angelina looked so beautiful while she slept next to him. He glanced at the clock next which read nine thirty. He slowly got up from the bed, careful not to wake Angelina, and walked out of the room. He made his way to the kitchen for some breakfast. He didn't expect for anyone to be there but when he opened the door, he found Hermione sitting at the table. Then he noticed a guy sitting next to her, holding her hand.

"Oh, hi Harry," Hermione greeted him with a smile. Dale looked amazed to have such a famous person in his presence. "This is Dale, my boyfriend." The words hit Harry like someone was tearing his heart into two. He didn't realize it at first but then the pain was more than he could stand. He threw her a very angry glance before trying to calm himself to talk. He noticed that Hermione saw the glance, but Dale didn't.

"Nice to finally meet you, Harry," he said extending a hand for Harry to shake. Harry shook his hand.

"You, too," he said in a low voice. "I just came down for breakfast." He poured himself a bowl of cereal and was about to sit down at the table when he decided against it. He instead, turned and headed for the door.

"Why don't you sit down with us, Harry?" Hermione asked him as he turned towards the door.

"No!" Harry snapped at her. With one final angry glance at her, he left the room and ate his breakfast in the living room. An hour later the rest of the group got up and ate. Harry, Angelina Ron, Skye, Katie, Fred, George, and Alicia all spent the day in the house playing games, watching movies, and just talking. The only time they saw Hermione was when they ate dinner. After dinner, Hermione and Dale joined in the fun with the rest of the group. One by one the group got up to leave go to bed. After Dale left, it was only Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Skye. Ron got up to go to bed, and Harry noticed how quickly Skye said she'd go with him. It seemed as if Ron and Skye were enjoying each other thoroughly. When no one else was around, Harry told himself it was safe to talk to Hermione about Dale.

"So how long have you two been seeing each other?" he asked her as he moved one his wizard chess pieces up the board.

"A while, why?" she asked him, completely ignoring him.

"No, reason," he continued, his voice growing deep and angry. "I can't believe you never told me about Dale! How could you hurt me like that?!"

"Look who is talking," Hermione snapped back. "You never told me about Angelina, either. And I'm the one who liked you for seven years! I am the one hurting, Harry, not you! And why are you hurting anyway, its not like you care!" She turned to walk away. Harry sat at the table, staring into space. After an hour of sitting in silence thinking about what Hermione had said to him, he got up to go to bed. He slept horribly that night and awoke the next morning from the owl hooting in his window. It was Hedwig. She had a letter strapped to her ankle. Harry took it off. He opened it and read:

Dear Harry and Ron,

I have had a lot of trouble trying to find you. I'm glad I have. Our next game has been moved tomorrow. I know this is very short notice, but you need to come back at once. The game is against Italy. We need the both of you to win. So, as soon as you get this letter, I hope you start packing to come back. I'll see you at the game tomorrow.

Coach

Harry was most pleased to hear the news from coach, even though he knew Ron wouldn't be quite as enjoyed. He got up and walked over to Skye's room. He knocked and Ron was quickly there to answer it.

"Ron, I- um, have some bad news," Harry told him looking down. "I know you won't like it."

"What?!" Ron asked him looking confused, concerned, and angry.

"I just received an owl from coach. It said our game against Italy has been moved up to tomorrow. I know you want to stay with Skye and have fun, but the team needs us to win," Harry said trying to convince Ron. "When we win this game, we will be tied with the United States for the lead in the point's standings." Harry added that, trying his best to find new fragments of information to help Ron to come. But, to Harry's astonishment, Ron simply smiled.

"This is fine with me," he stated. He saw the confusion in Harry's face. "I have tickets to this game anyway. I want Skye and Hermione to come to it. I know they don't get much time off, and well I thought they might like the idea." He turned to Skye with a hopeful look on his freckled face.

"I love the idea, Ron!" she said to him, giving him a hug. "I'll go tell Hermione!" She hurried out of the room yelling for Hermione.

"So, how's Hermione?" Ron elbowed Harry in the gut, winking. Harry's face turned stern.

"I don't want to talk to her!" Harry said turning and going out of the room. He paused for a moment at the door. "You better start packing you stuff. We are leaving in three hours." Harry Potter left the room, heading back to his own to pack. He spent a good hour in his room, making sure he had everything packed. After that, he went downstairs for breakfast. Fred and George were the only ones in the kitchen.

"Ah, Harry! I've been meaning to talk to you," Fred stated.

"Yes, me, too," George agreed.

"What about?" Harry asked casually, even though he had a feeling it was about Hermione.

"Well, Katie and Alicia were telling us this morning that Hermione cried all last night. They said it had something to do with you and her fighting last night," George pointed out.

"Yes, well that is none of anyone's business," he said starting to feel an evil over coming him.

"Harry, chill out! We were only trying to help!" Fred said.

"You're right, I'm sorry," he said turning to leave.

"Wait," Fred called. Harry turned and looked him in the eye. "You know she still loves you, Harry." And with that, Harry was gone out the door.

Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Skye, and Hermione all left that afternoon. They were in France in no time. They all would be staying at Harry and Ron's house for the night. Once they got in, the gang went to bed, beat from the trip. Harry gave a quick glance at Hermione on his way to his room. The coldness in his eyes, made tears fill her eyes quickly. Little did Harry know this might be the last time he might see her.