Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Alright, new chapter. Thank you for the reviews and keep reading. Thank you all.

Chapter 8:

Learning

"Truth is more of a stranger than fiction"- Mark Twain

Harry had eaten his lunch quickly and avoiding looking any where other than his plate or Hermione. Not the he could see; it was just that every time he looked in Hermione's direction, he could see her face and beautiful eyes staring up at him. A sigh of content told him all he needed to hear as she rested her head on his shoulder. He could not help but place his head over hers as the day began to talk its toll. Hermione must have noticed because he felt her stand up.

"Sir, I'm taking Harry back to our room if that is alright," Hermione said as she picked up Harry's hand.

"Very well," Dumbledore said to her with a smile. "I will talk to you two tomorrow after lunch, I suggest you continue your studies Hermione." He gave her a knowing look and she just nodded under everyone's gaze. He wanted her to teach Harry Occlumency. Dumbledore had confessed to her that he could not teach it to Harry himself as of the connection to Voldemort. She had started to study it before the memorial service, but had not picked up the book on it since. Now seemed like a perfect time for her to help Harry. "Serge will not be with us for the balance of the week, Hermione." She looked up at him confused. Serge had already left them, on a mission she assumed. "He has asked that you keep Grace entertained for some time."

"I would be our pleasure," Hermione voiced for both her and Harry. Harry looked at her, questioning her sanity. Although he had no problem entertaining Grace, he just wondered what they would be doing, and more importantly, when they would be with her.

"Good, you may retire until I call for dinner," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Grace may come looking for you after a while." Hermione nodded, looking forward to interacting with the younger girl. "And tomorrow we'll discuss further training sessions. For now, I want you both to continue to study."

"Yes, sir," Hermione said, as Harry stood up and she led him out of the room. She was careful not to lead him into anything as they proceeded to their room. She expected Harry to take a nap as she refreshed her mind on Occlumency and Legilimency. She knew it would be important for Harry to master Occlumency and possible Legilimency.

By the time they reached their room, Hermione could tell Harry was beginning to drift off. She led him to the bed and as she helped him down, he grabbed hold of her and pulled her with him. "Harry!" Hermione said in part shock and in part laughter. "Let me go." He shook his head as he buried it in her shoulder. The bandages around his head were rough, but his hair felt good against her skin. "Harry, I have to study, we have to study." He reluctantly let go and lay against the pillows, facing the ceiling. "Harry, don't give me that look, you know I can't stand that look." She just stared at him, trying to remain firm, as he pouted, and gave her puppy dog eyes, or at least the facial equivalent of them. "Fine, let me get my books and I will lie down next to you." He nodded and gave her that smile.

Sighing, Hermione went over to the bookshelves and began to grab the books she wanted to look through. Harry was the reason she worked so hard, trying to be the best witch possible. She wanted to be worthy of his friendship, and despite being told by him that she was, she still had a thirst to prove it to herself. She had to prove to the world that she loved Harry for who his inside and not the superficial one that Ron and the rest of the world sometimes saw. Finding the two books she needed, she turned back to the bed to see had removed his shirt and was underneath the covers.

"You are enjoying this aren't you?" Hermione said, as she looked at his bare chest. He looked over at her, the questioning look apparent. "How do you do that? You can make the same looks without those emeralds of yours." She sat with her back to the head of the bed, positioning herself so she could play with Harry's hair in one hand. He gave her a noncommittal shrug before turned to drape his arm over her legs and move his head to her lap. "You are enjoying this way too much Harry." She giggled as she opened her book and began to read to herself.

Harry remained on her lap, falling in a deep sleep. Hermione knew he was exhausted and that everything was over with, but she could not get over what Dumbledore and her had discussed during Harry's and Ron's fight. Hermione was very upset over the fact that they were fighting over her like a prize. She confided this to her great-grandfather, telling him how much she abhorred the idea. He agreed with her completely because he believed that they could work it without resorting to fighting. Yet as they had proved the day before, Ron and Harry could not solve this alone by words. In her heart, Hermione knew that Ron would not be swayed by words either. And had Harry not been as against it as he was, maybe she would have hated it even more. But as he spoke to Ron throughout the fight, his voice was filled with rage and, more importantly, passion. She knew of wandless magic reacting to anger and fury, but when the glasses around them broke as Harry said those three words, Hermione felt a sense of pride rise up in her chest along with the fear. She was the one who gave him such strength. Strength that she would undoubtedly have to help him control.

The books she had were very similar, in that they both spoke of needing to relax and organizing the mind to have the full potential of Occlumency. The mental shields were very potent in that they often would reflect greater mental attacks when a person was at ease or not stressed. But as the stress increases so does the amount of energy exuded during the exercises. But what surprised her most was the Patronus charm. The books stated that the charm itself was proof that just about any capable wizard or witch would have some skill in Occulmency.

The charm was designed to be an outward defense against mental probes from Dementors. Dementors dive into the minds of people and feed upon happy memories. By performing the Patronus charm, a mental shield is built up that can be seen. The more powerful the shield, the more definite and potent the charm is for a person and therefore, the more powerful a person can be in Occulmency. She sat back in deep thought as she finished reading.

Hermione had seen Harry perform the Patronus charm, on more than one occasion. His was the most powerful she had ever see, and it had driven away at least twelve Dementors. This was in their third year. If Harry had been able to do that powerful of a charm in his third year, to that large of decree, how powerful could he be in Occulmency, let alone Legilimency. Harry no doubt would be an accomplished Legilimens as well as an Occlumens. By why had he failed in his lessons with Professor Snape? She shook her head at the bluntness of the question.

Professor Snape loathed Harry because it reminds him of James Potter. Looking down at the childlike sleeping form of Harry, she could not begin to see how everyone saw James in him. Yes they physically were similar, but from what she had read about Lily and what Professor Lupin had told her, Harry was more like him mother every day. His devotion to his loved ones in indefinable, but that is what makes him Harry.

She kissed Harry's forehead lightly as she began to think about the day again. Dumbledore had told her that Harry had progress a step further in his specialty, but how was going faster than normal a step up? She had healed his hand, but the professor was more impressed with Harry's speed.

If she was going to be truthful, she was jealous of that. She always had been jealous of the relationship that Harry and Dumbledore had. They could speak so freely with one another that it seemed like a grandson-grandfather relationship. Maybe it was because she never had one either that she was jealous. A knock upon the door snapped her out of her reverie.

"Hermione?" Grace peaked her head through the door. "May I come in?"

"Sure," Hermione said, closing the books on her lap. She did not bother to move Harry's head, but continued to play with his hair. A sigh was the only reply out of him. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted to do something," Grace said, coming into the room. At first she sounded excited, but then seemed disappointed. "But I can see that you're busy."

"No, I'm not," Hermione said, sliding Harry's head off her lap. She heard him whimper but kissed his forehead to stop it. "Come over here." She patted the spot next to her, hoping Grace would come. As much as she wanted to talk to the younger girl, the need to keep Harry safe was greater.

"Okay," Grace said, bounding over to the bed. "I wanted to ask you a question."

"Well, I'm always here," Hermione said. She climbed up on the bed and moved to Hermione's side.

"I wanted know if I'm a bad person," Grace looked down at her lap.

"What?" Hermione felt her jaw drop. Did this young girl really think that? "Why do you think that?"

"My dad left me again," Grace said with unshed tears. "And I don't know if he's coming back." Hermione felt a strong urge to gather Grace in her arms, like when her little sister would have a bad dream and come to her for comfort but thought she was too old to go to her parents.

"Well, you do know that you an I are related right?" Hermione said, trying to comfort her. Grace nodded and Hermione could not help but wrap an arm around the younger girl. "You are my cousin," Hermione smiled at confused face on the little girl, "which means that I love you. Your father is doing something to my family out."

"What's he doing?" Grace asked wiping away the tears. Something in the young girl's eyes made Hermione realize how alike she and Harry were.

Both must have grown up with a childhood of little love, and both still acted childish with emotion. Granted, Grace was still a child, and having found her father, she clung to him desperately. Harry clung to his friends and Sirius like lifelines. Knowing Harry, Hermione knew that he needed to know people cared about him, and a look into the young girl's eyes told her that Grace needed it too.

"He's bringing them home," Hermione said with a smile. "You can then meet my sister."

"You have a sister?" Grace said, surprised. Hermione nodded.

"I think she is going to be accepted into Hogwarts this year, I hope she is," Hermione said, playing with Harry's hair.

"What's she like?" Grace asked.

"Well, she is a lot like you, full a questions," Hermione said, causing the young girl to laugh. "My mother and father are apprehensive about her going if she does. They are very worried about being lonely."

"My dad keeps saying the same thing," Grace said with a small smile. She lost it as she asked her next question. "What's a mother like?"

Hermione stopped twirling Harry's hair at this. She did not expect this type of question from her. "Well, um…" Hermione's voice trailed off as she thought about it. "A mother is a person that loves you without regard for her own life. She gives you a hug when you need it most; she'll be there for you without question, supporting your every move. A mother is someone that a child looks to for the compassion and love in their lives." She turned and gathered Grace in her arms. Small tears were falling down her face, and Hermione wiped them away.

"Does my mother love me?" Grace asked, crying into Hermione's shoulder.

"Yes," Hermione said in no more than a whisper.

"Than why did she leave me in that horrible place?" Grace said. "Dad keeps saying that she loved me enough to keep me safe, but I was tortured there. They made fun of me and they made me feel like a freak..."

"Grace, can I say something?" Harry said, supporting his head by his elbow. The girl nodded into Hermione's shoulder. "Your mother loved you because she moved you out of a horrible place where you were sure to be hurt physical and possible be killed." Hermione gave him a strange look, when did he wake up and when did he get his voice back? "Now, I never knew my parents but that does not mean they did not love me. You may not know your mother, but I have a feeling she loves you." Hermione watched as he gave the young girl a smile and laid his head back on Hermione's lap.

"Thank you Harry," Grace said, moving from Hermione's arms to crushing Harry in a hug. Hermione saw Harry wince, but he did not pull away. "I have a question for you Harry."

"Shoot," Harry said, sitting up straight with the help of Hermione.

"Can Hermione sit next to me tonight?"

"You'll have to ask her," Harry said with a smile. Hermione was taken back at the statement.

"Can I Hermione?" Grace asked with pleading eyes.

"Sure," Hermione said. "But I have to fix Harry's plate first." Grace nodded and gave Hermione a hug. Taken back by it, Hermione finally gained enough sense to return the hug. "And tomorrow, we'll teach you a few Muggle games." Grace nodded again, a smile plastered across her face.

"Leave now, I've got a few more hours `til dinner and I want to sleep," Harry said, lying back down in the bed. Grace hugged him once more too before hopping off the bed and going out the door. She popped her head back in once more, looking at Hermione.

"Do you mind if I play with Crookshanks a little more?" Grace looked at her.

"Sure, he'll see enough of me during the year," Hermione said with a smile. Grace skipped out the room and closed the door behind her.

"Now let me rest," Harry said returning to his position in her lap. Hermione giggled and flushed as he made sure his head was comfortable.

"Fine," Hermione said, faking a sigh. She picked her books up again and began to read once more. She felt Harry relax as she played with his hair, humming a tune to herself.

Hermione spent the remainder of the afternoon reading the books. She barely was able to summon the healing book that she was reading before, with Harry shifting in her lap as she performed the spell.

"You just have to be difficult," Hermione said mock-glaring at him as he woke up. He moved so he was laying face up in her lap. She continued to play with his hair as he lay there. "We have to go down for dinner you know."

"I know, I'm just wondering how I'm going to eat tonight," Harry said, smiling. "I know I didn't do to bad at lunch, but it just seems harder now that you're sitting across from me."

"Harry, I'll still fix your plate for you," Hermione said, kissing the bandages. She looked down at him for a moment. "I just want to see your emerald eyes again." She whispered as Harry smiled.

"I could go without seeing Hermione forever, because your face and image have been engraved into my very soul," Harry said, sitting up and placing a hand on her cheek. "It's your comforting voice that I could not live without. It's the touch of your gentle hands that make me realize that life is worth living."

"You haven't seen all of me," Hermione flirted. Harry's face turned a bright red and his jaw opened and closed. Hermione felt her face matching Harry's as he leaned into kiss her.

The sheer emotion within the kiss was incredible. Hermione had never felt anything like it. And with Harry's tongue running across her lips, begging for entrance, she could only give in. She melted onto the bed as she got her first taste of him, reminiscent of peppermint and butterbeer. After some quality time together, they broke the kiss, both with labored breathing.

"Wow…" Hermione finally said.

"The day will come Mione, the day will come," Harry whispered kissing her lightly on the lips once more, but pulling back before she could deepen it.

"Tease," she said, playfully hitting his arm. "What day?"

"You'll know it when you feel it," Harry whispered to her. "Now, I'm starving, so lead me to the dinning room." Hermione waited for a moment or two. "Please?" Harry asked. Hermione giggled at his face. Somehow, he gave her the equivalent of a pout without using his eyes.

"You know it won't always be this easy," Hermione said with a sigh, picking up his hand. Inside she was melting at love she felt radiating off of him.

"Yes it will," Harry said as he slid to the side of the bed. Hermione slid off the bed and stood up, taking Harry with her.

Hermione smiled to herself as she led Harry down to the dinning room. Harry had not changed since losing his eyes, the same qualities she had often used his eyes to see still shone through in other ways. He ran his hand through his hair, showing his anxiety about the upcoming dinner. She knew Ron would probable be there. She could only hope that Ron would not say anything stupid in front of Harry. Being blind, it probably was worse for Harry; he would lash out at anyone.

"Harry, before we go in, I want you to promise me something," Hermione said, stopping in front of the double doors.

"Anything for you Mione," Harry said, smiling. She blushed, like she had a thousand times before. She still could not get over the name and the protection and love that seemed to be wrapped around it.

"I want you to try and remain calm if Ron is in there," Hermione said in one breath. Harry looked at her strangely.

"Hermione, he has to be the one to initiate the conversation, not me," Harry said with a small smirk. "One I don't plan on talking to him until he apologizes, to me and you. You set my plate up for me, and I'll be fine."

"You'll tell me if you need anything right?" Hermione asked.

"Do I really have to tell you?" Harry countered. He knew she was blushing; that kind of statement would do that to her. Now that she and he had conquered whatever problem lay within Ron, Harry believed she was beginning to fall back into her normal shy mode. He loved to get a rise out of her or tease her in public, just to see her reaction. Not that he could see, but he knew her like the back of his hand, could not see that really either.

"Harry Potter," she cried, laughing over her blush. He gave her a lop-sided grin causing her to blush once more. "Thank you," she lean into his chest and met his lips, giving him a short, but intense kiss. He was taken back by it slightly, but as she pulled back, she felt the smile on his lips. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Harry said, giving her another grin. She opened the door for him and guided him toward the seat he normally was in. The Weasleys had not entered yet, and as Hermione walked around the table to sit next to Grace, she began to wonder if they would.

"Mind if I sit here?" Hermione looked up to Dumbledore who held a twinkle within his eyes. She shook her head as the old man pulled out the chair and sat down. "You may wish to prepare Harry's plate now. I told the Weasleys' to come down in about five minutes, best if he gets his food before anyone of them does." He chuckled to himself as Hermione blushed and prepared Harry's plate.

Dumbledore greeted Grace as he prepared a plate for the younger girl. Harry turned to look at her, somehow he knew she was staring, but returned to his conversation with Guile. Both were talking in very hush voices, and Hermione could not help but feel a familiar sense of being left out.

"Now, don't worry, Hermione, I doubt Harry will keep it from you," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Hermione, can you explain to me the Muggle games now," Grace asked as she began to eat. Hermione smiled and fixed herself a plate as she began to explain a few of the simpler games to Grace, and Dumbledore who chuckled from time to time about the conversation.

Harry was in the deep throws of a conversation with Guile at the moment. He seemed to be trying to explain to him the ideas of souls being connected through time and space. Guile had explained the idea behind the innate colors: red, blue, black, white, green, and yellow. These colors corresponded with the innate color of ones soul, or so Guile said. The colors personified some of the qualities with a person, particularly some of the strongest ones. Harry understood that much, but it was what came next that began to confuse him. He knew that he would have to have Hermione analyze this because he barely could himself.

The idea was that a soul was, in reality, made up of two innates, sometimes opposing ones, some times corresponding, but always two. But the importance of this was that at the beginning of time, when it was singular, as Guile explained it (which made no sense to Harry), that the innates were split and separated into two people. This two people were meant to get together, always, until the end of time. Sometimes fate would not allow that, but in general, as Guile put it, she had the understanding that this must happen to keep order in the world.

If that was not bad enough, Guile began to explain the possibilities of different worlds, where the same innates existed, and the people were still similar in their personalities. These people were probably lived in different times, different places, different regions, and completely different lives. But what made them so similar was the decisions, big and small, they made in their lives. People, who die in one world, may wake up in another world and think the world they were just living in was a dream. But no matter what, the two parts of the souls, the two innates would meet up, because fate had deemed it so. Harry placed his hands on his head, trying to massage it through the bandages.

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked him. She was watched him as she ate an explained the games to both Grace and Dumbledore. She ended up inviting Dumbledore to enjoy a game with them, seeing as it would be more fun with more people. Harry looked up at her, stilling trying to sort everything that he had just been told.

Had Guile in more words that less told him that no matter what the situation, Harry would always have been with Hermione? Thinking now, Harry believed he had lied. He could not live without seeing Hermione's eyes. He knew that now as he stared ahead into the darkness. Slowly, he reached his hand forward, without knowing what was in front of him, toward where he thought her to be. He heard a gasp and moved his arm to the left slightly before reaching forward and grasping her hand in his.

Hermione could not believe it. Harry had reached across the table without touching the food in his plate or around him. He did it without knocking over one of the candles before them, or any of the goblets. But what surprised her the most was when he grabbed her hand, and the calming sensation that made her body relaxed. Without saying a word, Harry had answered her question. And all was right in the world.

* * * * *

`All is definitely not right in the world.' Hermione thought. Dinner was progressing so well, until the Weasleys came in, particularly the youngest redhead.

Harry seemed to be regaining some of the happiness in his life that was there before their fourth year, before Voldemort returned. Hermione could hear it in his voice as he laughed along with some of the twin's jokes and mirth. He needed this kind of life, carefree and happy, especially after the previous two years. She knew he had never told anyone really what he had seen that night of Voldemort, nor how it had affected him. Although every bone in her body told her to try and get it out of him, she knew he would talk when he was ready, telling her everything. He was a dam with a leak that grew. Once the leak started, it did not stop until the dam was gone.

The dam held strong through most of dinner as they discussed everything from Quidditch to Hogwarts. Hermione had to explain the game to Grace, who became engrossed in it as the twins, Harry, Bill, Charlie, and even Ron talked about the upon coming year.

But she could see the glances Ron was giving her. She caught his eye once or two, and he turned away blushing. A knot began to grow in her stomach; she knew the look that Ron was giving her, they were like the ones Krum had given her during their fourth year. She hated those types of looks: ones of lust and desire. She looked over at Harry as he laughed at something George said and sighed. She wanted to see his eyes again, she wanted to see the look of love, and hope, and everything else he represented to her.

Ron said nothing to her until the end of dinner. Hermione waited for everyone to leave the dinning room before leading Harry back to their room, when Ron came up and asked to speak to her in private. Seeing nothing wrong with it, Hermione told Harry that he should let Dumbledore lead him back to their room. Harry nodded, and she could see the sadness on his face, until she leaned over to him and kissed him lightly on the nose. She then whispered softly into his ear saying she would continue it later. He blushed immediately and returned her smile. Hermione turned to see Ron frowning, but he lost it once he noticed she saw him. This is were she was left.

"What do you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the gaze Ron was giving her.

"Lots of things," Ron said, motioning toward the chairs. She nodded and walked over to one. Ron beat her to it and pulled it out for her. She gave him a weak smile; he returned a toothy grin, one with a look that she did not like behind it.

Hermione sat and took a few moments to look him over. His skin was still red, for reasons Harry would have to explain later, and his left eyes were still bruised. He had a few cuts that were still healing on his face, but from earlier in the day, he did look better.

"Like what you see?" Ron smirked.

"Huh?" Hermione said confused. Ron shook his head, telling her to forget about it. "What did you want to talk about?" She asked again.

"Well, I wanted to talk about us," Ron started. She looked up at him again, confused. Ron continued before giving her a chance to talk. "I like you, Herms," she flinched at this but he did not notice, "a lot actually. I've liked you for a long time, and I think I'm in love with you." Ron looked up at her, expectantly. Hermione sat there, analyzing everything Ron had just said; she needed more information before she could let him down gently.

"How long?" she asked, not meeting his gaze. She was never good at letting boys down; her only experience was with Krum and both of them still kept in contact with each other.

"I don't know, since second year," Ron said. She took a chance and looked up at him. His face was a bright red like his hair. If it was another situation, she would have laughed. "I didn't realize it until fourth year when you came down for the ball."

Hermione nodded. Ron was dense, and he had to bring up that memory. She hated that night because of him. For the first time, the only time for that matter, Krum treated her with respect and dignity. Harry did too, and a look at him that night, she had wanted to dance with him, just once would have been good enough for her. But Ron had ruined that night for her. It took her all she could not to drop a tear at that moment.

"Why do you like me?" Hermione said. She needed to know this. She knew the reasons why Harry loved her; they had more or less told each other everything, and if they did not say it, it was seen in their eyes.

"Everyone says we would be perfect together," Ron said, look at her. His smile seemed to growing larger.

"Is that the only reason?" Hermione asked still not understanding. Ron shrugged his shoulders, and she figured that this was the extent of what she would be getting out of him.

"There is one more," Ron said as Hermione made a move to stand up. "You're not safe around him." She was taken back by this comment. She fell back into her chair and let him continue. How could Ron say that? "Every time we go on an adventure with him, you or I end up getting hurt. I don't want you hurt Herms." She flinched again, and once again Ron did not take notice.

"Harry would never hurt me," she said in less than a whisper.

"Intentionally maybe not, but last Herms, you got hit by that curse, you had to take those potions every day," Ron stated. Hermione nodded, and her analytical brain began to work overtime. Yes she had been hurt, but Harry had insisted, he always had, that the two of them stay out of trouble. He always put his friendship before his own safety and did everything in his power to keep them safe.

"Ron, he never wanted us to go in the first place," Hermione said, pleading Harry's case. After a few weeks of it healing, she rubbed her chest once more. The scar was still there, and she just now thought to ask Madame Pomfrey for a cosmetic potion.

"But we did, and you got hurt," Ron yelled, looking at her trying to understand something.

"Thank you for sharing that with the household Ron," Harry said, from the open door. Ron looked surprised at his friend, but Hermione could tell there was anger beneath the mask.

"Harry it wasn't your fault," Hermione pleaded with him. She stood up from her chair and embraced him. His body stiffened under the touch.

"Mione, I'm the reason you were hurt that year," Harry said, tears falling from underneath the bandages. "I'm the reason you had to suffer those potions. I'm the reason Neville got a busted nose; I'm the reason Ginny twisted her ankle; I'm the reason Ron still probably has those scars running up and down his arms, not to mention the ones in his mind." Hermione only held him tighter at this.

"I wasn't you fault, you told us we shouldn't have come," Hermione said.

"You tried to explain to me that Sirius wasn't really there, and to let the Order take care of it, Mione," Harry said. He brought his hand up, and moved it around until he found her cheek. He began to stroke it gently, feeling tears falling down over his fingers. "If I had listened to you-"

"They would have found another way," Hermione said sure of herself.

"Maybe not, Hermione," Ron said from his seat. She turned and glared at him. He shrunk back further into his seat.

"Harry, Voldemort, for Christ's sake Ron, it just a name," Hermione stopped short in her statement as Ron flinched at the name. She continued unfazed though. "Harry Voldemort wants you dead. Luring you to the Ministry using your godfather was just one way that he could have done it. He probably has millions of plans on how to kill you Harry. What you have to realize is that Sirius's death if not you fault."

"Yes, it is," Harry said. He found himself being fully pulled into Hermione's embrace, her tears running down his neck. He barely heard her muffled words.

"You say that again you're sleeping alone," Hermione said. He tried to smile at her, but she would not let him before she had her say. "I'm here for you Harry. You are not alone, you never have been."

"He never said he was," Ron said from his seat. Hermione sent him another glare before continuing.

"He's always felt that way Ron, I've seen it in his eyes," Hermione rubbed her thumb over the bandages. "He has you Ron, and your family; he has Professor Lupin and Hagrid; he has Dumbledore, and my family; but most importantly he has me." Harry nodded slowly, leaning into her touch. Her words were spoken with care and trust, but most importantly, love. The one thing he had been searching for his entire life, someone to love him unconditionally.

"Ron, you have to realize something as well," Hermione said, turning around and facing the redhead. He looked taken back at the statement and must have said the first thing that came to his mind.

"That you love me?" he said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Hermione face turned to one of shock before glaring at Ron.

"Ronald Weasley, if you would have paid attention you would have gotten it through your thick skull that I love Harry," Hermione said, her hands on her hips. She had been only curious about Ron's fascination with her. She never gave a second thought to one of his earlier statements. "I've loved him since our first year. I've only asked one thing from him, and that is to be completely honest with me. And he has done that." Harry stepped forward, wrapping his arms possessively around her.

"Hermione has done something that I don't think anyone in your family ever could Ron," Harry said. "She has chased away nightmares that have plagued me since I was one. You have no idea how horrible of a childhood I live in, and for the first time, I'm experiencing something normal for a child: love. My first love is Hermione Granger. We had this speech before, Ron. Don't you remember?" Ron nodded, but did not meet their gaze. "Then why the bloody hell were you putting moves on my woman?" He spoke with a calm fury, and it quickly was followed by Hermione's face snapped around to look at him.

Something in his voice or in his heart made the situation final. She was his, and he was hers. There was no fighting, but that was not what was bothering her. What was bothering her was that a sense of heat flushed through her body, one she wanted to come again and again. She began to blush as she thought about how he could finalize that statement.

"I thought it was all an act," Ron stammered out. "I thought it was all meant to get that demon out of me."

"Ron when have you know me, to `act' an emotion?" Harry asked, angered slightly at Ron's thickhead. "My emotions are on my sleeve for the world to see."

"I didn't think-" Harry cut him off.

"That's right, you didn't think," Harry said. "You don't think that I knew what may actions do? I know that Voldemort is after me, and I'm doing my damnest to keep you two safe as I can. I've tried, Ron to keep you safe, you two were the ones demanding that you go with me." Hermione turned back around in his arms, and wiped away the tears that fell from the bandages. He moved so his gaze would be upon Hermione at the moment. "I know we're supposed to be honest, but Mione, you don't know half of the demons that plague me, and Ron," he looked up at their best friend, "you don't know a fraction of that. I've finally opened myself up to someone, someone who's opened equally to me. And you here trying to take that one open link I have away from me, just because you believe that you `like' her, maybe `love' her. Well, dammit, I like her, and dammit I love her. She is my world, Ron."

Ron nodded but did not say anything. Hermione watched him carefully as he rose from his seat and walked over to them.

"I'm sorry, Herms," Ron said, not making eye contact. "I guess I've been jealous of what you've had with Harry. He's always on your mind," she blushed at this, "and those times we fought, your attention was solely on me. I began to feel left out, and now I feel that the Trio is gone." Harry was about to say something, but Hermione said it first.

"Ron, the trio is gone, it was gone the minute we stepped into the Department of Mysteries," she said with a smile from within Harry's arms. "Ginny, Neville and Luna are now apart of this too. We're all in this, as a team. It just happens that two of your teammates happen to be dating at the moment."

"But that makes all of the difference," Ron said, still not meeting their gaze. "Everything between us has changed."

"Has it Ron?" Hermione asked. Ron looked up at them for a moment before walking forward, trying to leave.

"Ron?" Hermione asked. Harry stood behind her, not knowing really what was happening.

"Harry, thank you for saving me," Ron said as he stood in the doorway. Hermione watched him walk out of the door, but hopefully not out of their lives.

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