Chapter 3
Chapter 3 of 18
livvy6Life after Voldemort isn't as everyone thought it would be.
Chapter 3
Hermione sat watching the family who had adopted her and hoped would marry their youngest son do their very best to have a happy Christmas. Everyone had his or her own personal pain, and Hermione was no different. Her trip to Australia in August had been a terrible shock. Her parents had not handled the news well that their daughter had used her magic on them. They had informed her that they could not trust her. She was too different. Hermione, though, had known the real truth: they were afraid of her, afraid of her magic and how she had used it without their knowledge or permission. Although she had done it for their safety, it hadn't mattered.
Harold and Jane Granger had decided to stay in Australia and gave the rights and property titles in England over to their only child with the provision that she never contact them again. Hermione had sat in shock as they had informed her the house, the dental practice and their secret bank account in Switzerland was all hers. Hermione was rich, more than rich; she was an heiress, and she could do and have whatever she desired. The ironic part of it all had been that all Hermione had ever wanted was a family who would love her. That want had grown to include what Hermione heard on the other side of the wall in Ginny's room and also a child, which came to mind whenever she watched Harry play with his godson, Teddy, Remus and Tonks' son, or Fleur when she would feed baby Victorie.
Hermione had kept all of this information to herself and had also hired a barrister and an accountant to handle and oversee the liquidation of her parents' house and practice. When all had been said and done, Hermione Jane Granger was worth more than five million pounds. When she had been informed of her worth, she wondered if she should just say her final good-bye to the Muggle world, take the money and pour it all into Gringotts. She was still so unsure.
Unsure about Ron.
Unsure about Harry's sanity.
Unsure about the direction of her life.
It was time for her to discover a life on her own. She had spent more time worrying over Harry's moods and Ron's not-so-subtle prodding towards marriage than on her own dreams of a career and for her future. She was now a financially independent young witch as well as a formidable one who could do whatever she pleased.
However, what pleased her was just having peace of mind.
Hermione announced the day after Christmas that she was leaving and going back into the Muggle world for a while to sort herself out. She had no other choice but to make her plans known to the entire Weasley clan. Late on Christmas Night, as everyone had sat around eating Christmas pudding, Ron had pulled out a box, got on one knee in front of Hermione and proposed.
Her eyes grew larger and larger as the horror unfolded. He was speaking, but all she could see was the gold ring with a ruby setting in front of her.
"She must be so ecstatic!" said Molly. "She's speechless!"
Ginny's forehead puckered as Hermione turned to her best friend. Her mouth was gaping open in shock and disbelief. She couldn't believe Ron would do this. Not in front of everyone, not like this. Then she realized everyone was looking at her for something.
An answer.
"O-Of course!" she blurted out.
Everyone clapped and cheered for the newly engaged couple. After a toast by Arthur, the wizards gathered in one area, and the witches went into the kitchen. Ginny pulled Hermione to the side for a chat.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
Hermione's eyes darted around the room. "I couldn't do that to Ron. Not in front of everyone! I'll turn him down easy, when we are alone. He has such a fragile ego," she whispered anxiously as she looked down at the new ring on her left finger.
"I hope for your sake you know what you're doing," the redhead warned her darkly as she joined the other witches.
That night, Ron took Hermione into his bedroom and said, "Now we can spend the night without sneaking around. We're engaged now. They'll let us sleep together."
"Ron, we need to talk," she said as Ron began to strip off her clothes.
"NO talking, Hermione," he said firmly as he attacked her breasts. "I love you. I've loved you since I was thirteen. You are so perfect."
Hermione loved how Ron praised and admired her body. He told her constantly she was the smartest witch in the world, and he felt so lucky that he had a girlfriend so intelligent and hot to boot. Sure, he didn't understand or enjoy the things she did, but he said just watching her talk with someone about smart stuff made him hard with the thought she let him be the one to fuck her. Many evenings after numerous parties and celebrations for the end of the war had ended had been spent with Ron shagging her mindless in her evening gown and robes up against a wall in some isolated area of the building.
Within minutes, Ron was deep inside her as he pounded into her on his bed. Hermione thought to give it a final try, if she could have with Ron what Ginny had with Harry. She tried to get him to slow down and savor what he declared to love, but he just got confused and talked over her. Ron had Silencing Spells down to an art form, so Hermione again felt the familiar drilling inside her, but she couldn't orgasm. She kept thinking about Harry and Ginny, imagining their bodies intertwined in abandon. Ron tried to use all the tricks in his arsenal to trigger Hermione into an orgasm, but it just wasn't happening.
"Just finish, Ron, I'm okay. Don't worry," she reassured him.
"Hermione," he whispered. "Please, stroke my balls."
Lovemaking with Ron was all about getting what one needed. 'Ask and ye shall receive' was their motto. Hermione knew all about how to get hers, Ron had told her from the start just to blurt it out, and he would do it. Mystery had never been a part of the discovery of sex. Sometimes, Hermione felt they never made love, they more like...relieved each other. The feeling of connection of oneness just didn't exist for them.
Ron swore and cursed as he fucked her...hard. Hermione was in pain by now. She never thought "go ahead" translated into "fuck the shit out of me."
"Ron," she cried out. "Stop, you're hurting me!"
There must have been something about saying his name like that, for he was grunting out his release, and then it was mercifully over.
Hermione felt like a huge bruise. "You bastard, Ron!" she hissed. "You hurt me. I feel like you tore me in two!"
"Sorry, Hermione," he said, "you just don't know how awesome you feel. I just lost control. You've got the sweetest little pussy ever created."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, get your arse into the bathroom and put some healing paste on my 'sweet little pussy' before I go into Charlie's room and get that strap-on I found in there and see how you like being fucked within an inch of your life!" she snarled.
Ron jumped up and put on his boxers before leaving for the bathroom. The tears began to flow, and she wished she were in her bed, listening to Harry as he made love to Ginny. It wasn't that she wanted Harry; it was just that what he did was what she needed. Ron was never going to give that to her, and even if Harry were single, she just didn't feel that way for him.
Early the next morning, she dressed and waited for Ron to dress as well. She gave him his ring back and said she was sorry.
"I can't marry you, Ron. I mean, the sex is satisfying...most of the time, and you are a sweet man, it's just that there is something missing between us. I don't feel the connection of being 'one' with you," she explained.
Ron hugged her and said, "We haven't been together a year yet, Hermione. It will happen in time, I'm positive. I make you feel good, don't I? I don't ever deny you, do I?"
Hermione drew in a sharp breath. "No, Ron. You are wonderful. You have never denied me orgasms. It isn't about something being wrong with me, or you, per say. It's that the two of us together just don't fit. I couldn't say no in front of your family. I couldn't hurt you like that. I-I care too much to humiliate you like that. So, I wanted to do this privately," she explained.
Ron stood there, shocked and pale. Hermione went downstairs and made her announcement. It hadn't been easy, she had discovered. There were lots of questions and hurt feelings, but when Hermione finally left the Burrow, she felt free.
As she walked down the road that led from the Burrow to the Apparition point, Harry ran after her.
"Hermione," he said. "You have to level with me. You have to tell me. You know everything about me. Now I want to know about you. You and Ron were content. What happened?"
"I don't think I can tell you, Harry. It's private," she whispered.
Harry snorted. "What, sex?" he said as he laughed. "Come on, everyone in that house is having sex! What's wrong?" he said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and began to rub them.
Hermione burst into tears. It was wrong, it didn't make sense, but she just kissed him. She kissed him the way she always imagined he kissed Ginny, and she felt nothing but a sense of warmth and kindness.
"I'm sorry, Harry. You know that Ginny's bed is next to my room. I've been listening to you both make love, and it was fascinating. Making love with Ron is so animalistic and rough...I want tenderness. I-I want what I hear when you make love to Ginny. I will never find that with Ron, and I deserve more."
Harry put his arm around her and walked with her down the snowy road to the end where no one in the house could see.
He turned to face her and said, "Hermione, you are my best friend. In ways, you and I will have a bond that I could never have with Ginny. I think you understand that."
Hermione nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Hermione, I love Ginny. She is my heart, my sanity. Without her love, I would be forever lost. You are right, Hermione. You deserve to find a man that will make you feel those feelings that have awakened inside you. I know you don't love me romantically any more than I love you, but let me do this for you. I don't want you to go off into the world never knowing what it is supposed to be like," he whispered.
Harry slowly gathered Hermione into his arms and held her securely. "Let go, Hermione," he whispered against her lips. He pulled her to him firmly and gently at the same time as he kissed her. It was full of gratitude and love that was purer than any she had ever experienced. He let her wrap her arms around his neck and explore his mouth. When she finally let go, he did as well, giving her tender kisses on her cheeks and neck.
They drew apart, and Hermione knew her eyes were shining. "I've never been kissed liked that. Even though I didn't feel the passion, it was still wonderful!' she gushed.
"That's my thank you, Hermione, for sticking by me when I was so lost. When in the future, you lose your way; remember that kiss you want. Although I couldn't provide passion, hopefully, I gave you a blueprint. I pray you will find a wizard or Muggle that will make you feel how I make Ginny feel. She told me it's like we are the only people that exist, and if she couldn't...well, she just feels I fulfill her in every way a woman can be. Does that make sense?" he asked, looking a bit sheepish.
"Yes," Hermione replied whole-heartedly. "I know exactly what it means. Harry, I love you, and thank you...for everything."
They embraced as the friends they had always been and always would be. Then, Hermione waved good-bye as she Disapparated with a pop.
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Unforgiven
398 Reviews | 6.68/10 Average
Perhaps Hermione should have taken her parents to StMungos to visit Nevelle's parents, them maybe they would have understood what she did for them. Ron kicked to the kerb 
.
Hermione is begining to realize, that there is a world of difference between sex and making love.Ron is an insensitive clod, but Hermione is not making any effort to get him to change his ways. Seeing her bleed for a month, time after time, should have let him know he was doing something wrong, but no he is just too thick and selfish, the sooner Hermione leaves the prat the better.
Loved this fic so much! Great job, Eugene was sublime, ss/hg interaction was fabulous. This was all kinds of Wonderful!
Your Hermione is so strong! And wise! Even though she's so young. I guess a war can do that to people, especially women. I mean, Ginny was strong also.
I can understand her need to be cherished, I think no one should settle for less but unfortunately a lot of people does.
Eugene was a lucky child to end up with them as parents. So..a Gryffindor...poor Severus :)) But I know he'll accept that. I wonder what Hope will be? :D
I loved reading this story. Thank you!
Lovely,powerful story!!!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)Thanks for reviewing!Livvy
Like a lot of other people Harry is attacking others, because he is feeling gulity himself.
Interesting. So now Hermione is master of the elder wand, right? Yep, that's the way it works.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
I actually didn't think of that! The Elder Wand doesn't get attention in the story. But what a thought!Thanks for reviewing!Livvy
A fascinating and believable characterisation and understanding of Snape, as well as being a well-crafted story with lovely writing! Thanks so much.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it :)Livvy
I loved it, it has an interesting plot, and fair writing and character development, though though some of the characters could have had more depth, Eugene especially. If you write a sequel, can it please be about Eugene, with a bit of his backstory?
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Absolutely. I like to keep my OC's a bit vague so I can do a sequel if the inspiration hits me.Thanks for reviewing :)
I KNEW THE SLANG!! yay! (i'm american, so was happy about that)
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
LOL! Great! I'm glad you liked that.Thanks :)
a very touching story, it has been a pleasure to read! I loved it from the first chapter to the last...great style!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you very much :)
Outstanding!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you so much for all your reviews :) I'm glad you enjoyed the fic!
I am loving, just POSITIVELY ADORING this story! This is AMAZING. Wow! *And I can soo see Severus akwardly having a man to ten-year-old 'sex talk' Heheeeeeee
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you! I hope you like how I start winding it all down and where I take Severus, Hermione, and Eugene.Thanks :)
Ginny always was a little bit#h. lmfao
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
LOL! Ginny can really dish it out when she gets her dander up.Thanks :)
So, what the heck's the holdup? Hermione is determined and stubborn. Why hasn't she just went and got Snape's memories back? And WHY would Harry not have immediately been over after she owled Ginny about him? Strange directrion. I wonder whats going on at the Burrow. This is very intriguing.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Yes, what IS going on at the Burrow? But Hermione knows that Harry is struggling with his own feelings of guilt and sadness. He has to be ready to do that. But you'll find out what the hold-up is.Thanks :)
I love the way Hermione is with these children and the way she tells stories. I think only Eugene is a wizard but it almost seems like a surreal 'otherworld' where all those who died in DH are back as children again. and Yaay. Bout time she finally gets yelled at by Snape. Id take a mean Snape over a dead Snape any day!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Oh, yes! Near death experience or not, you can't take the grouch out of Snape!Thanks :)
I chose this story to read first because of the many reviews. I feel you have kept the characters, well--in character wonderfully. I was sorely disappointed that there was never a 'true' epilogue in DH, I think all of us would have liked to have seen the real reactions of people who are so well renowned they are almost alive. Congrats on your close to 400 reviews and I applaud you. I am going to try and see if I can figure out who you are before voting closes. Excellent work!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Thank you for all your compliments! I really wanted to know Harry's reaction to the absence of Snape's body at the end. I just felt JKR didn't do justice to Snape's death... or did he die?Thanks :)
how very characteristicly pratish of ron. i'm glad severus is healing so well. lovely update. thanks muchly
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Prat is Ron's true middle name. Severus and Harry will be much better from here on out. A bit of happiness all around for those deserving!Thanks :)
Ah, Ron's a jerk. You'd think he'd have gotten the hint a long time ago.
It was nice of Harry to repair Severus' wand. And I'm glad Severus was able to repair a little of Harry too.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Yes, I thought that having the both of them helpin the other would bring closure and happiness to them.Thanks :)
Good for Severus to put aside his personal feelings in order to help Harry.
So typical of Ron though. No thought of anyone but himself.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Yes, Ron will never change.Thanks :)
I am glad Hermione has been able to convince Severus that he needs to see Harry and help him put his guilt aside.
I can just imagine Severus gloating about his potency over a Weasley!!
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Yes, some things will never change. Snape is such a smug bastard sometimes :)Thanks!
I hope this truly signifies the end of Severus' obsession with Lily. He now has so much to live for in the present with Hermione and Eugene, he must stop living in the past.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Yes, I think the destruction of the mirror will shake him out of his delusion and madness.Thanks :)
Poor Hermione. Not only is she dealing with Severus' guilt and depression, but just when she thinks she is making a breakthrough, he goes back to the Lily in the mirror. Good for her though. Breaking the mirror was probably the best thing she could have done.
Response from livvy6 (Author of The Unforgiven)
Absolutely. It was good for Severus to see something tangible that was feeding the madness destroyed-that it was not indestructible.Thanks :)