One More Chance

A/N: Ok, so this is my first fic ever and I apologize in advance for any mistakes or if this is the worst thing you’ve ever read. I am so new this this whole thing. If you feel the need to flame, please make it constructive criticism, I would do the same for you…

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, really. The plot and characters other than the ones in the book are mine.

A Lucky Save

“Damn bloody car!” Harry said to himself as the car sputtered, groaned, and limped to a dead stop. He tried the ignition again, hoping it would start. It gave a meek, taunting click and went silent. Cursing, he got out of the car, grabbed his wallet and proceeded to walk down the road, in search of a phone. Grumbling all the while, he cursed everything that came into his head.

Meanwhile, Hermione drove cautiously down the street. She knew this was an ugly side of town and wanted to get through it as fast as humanly possible. Many gangs of ardent football supporters lived down this way. If they found out you supported any other sport other than football, they would find you and force you to like football, by means that were less than appealing. To the person unacquainted with the whole idea, it seemed absurd, but Hermione knew different and feared it.

After making a left turn on to Hancock Avenue, she noticed a young man, walking down the road. She planned to drive by without making eye contact, less he was one of “them,” but changed her mind when she noticed his Chudley Cannons Quidditch jacket.

“Shit man, you should know better than to go out in that!” she thought to herself as she approached him, slowly, still deciding whether to give him a ride or be afraid of being a victim of a trap set by one of the football gangs.

She realized that he probably didn’t know and decided that she had to stop him, at least to warn him. Rolling down her window, she pulled up next to him.

“Hey!” she called, as he kept on walking.

“Hey! HEY YOU!” she called again, speaking louder this time, hoping he would hear her before she attracted too much attention to the situation.

“Hey! HEY YOU!” Harry heard called out, looking around he saw no one but himself. Turning around slowly, he saw a small gold sedan pulling up along side him with a young woman inside. Though it was dark, he saw the glimmer of her eyes and urgency in her voice.

“Damn, I hope she doesn’t think I am a male prostitute…Wait! Yes, I do!” he thought to himself amused. He was interrupted when she spoke to him again.

“You really ought not to be walking around this part of town with that jacket on”

“Oh, really? And why is that?” he said, trying to sound tough.

“Because if you are caught with it on, you will be beaten within an inch of your life or possibly worse. You have no idea, and don’t try to make me think you do, because even the most stupid of people around here are smart enough to know not to wear something like that.”

Harry gulped hard; he didn’t want to find out what the “or worse” was.

“Listen, I’ll give you a ride home if you want. It won’t be an issue, just get in the car before someone notices we are speaking and sees your jacket,” she offered.

Normally, Harry would have declined and ran the other way, however, he was kinda freaked out and a little scared. Thankful for the offer he opened her passenger side door and got in.

“Gee, thanks” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “I really appreciate it.”

“Its not a problem, just didn’t wanna see the Cannons’ best seeker end up Seeker pâté underneath the fist of one of those football nuts’ fists.”

Harry, for some reason felt comfortable driving with this complete stranger. He felt an odd familiarity with her voice, as if it were that of someone he once knew. He started to feel the effects of that night’s partying take its toll. He was tired, but willed himself to stay awake. However, all the will in the world couldn’t stop him from drifting into a catatonic stupor, which was only disturbed when she spoke again.

“Where do you want me to bring you?” She asked him, in a calm, quiet tone.

“Shit!” he thought, his hotel was on the other side of town. “Who do I know around this area? C’mon, know someone! MIKE! Mike is home, how did I forget?”

“22 Patterson Drive. I have a mate there who I am staying with.” He answered, praying Mike wouldn’t mind him crashing at his house

“Ok, no problem.”

“Wow, she is pretty laid back about driving me. Should I be worried? What if she is like that homely-as-sin lesbian serial killer in that movie Monster and uses me only to kill me afterwards? Awww crap. I’m so in for it.” He thought as his mind raced though malicious thoughts of his own death.

Hermione turned the car on to Patterson Drive. She hadn’t said much throughout the entire ride because she had this massive lump of worry and fear in her throat the entire time. She, unbeknownst to Harry, had been silently freaking out the entire drive. “Phew only two more houses to go. Thank God. I am still alive and have not been brutalized. I am going home and pulling the covers over my head when I get home!”

She pulled up to the house and Harry got out. Thanking her profusely, he walked up the steps of the house to the front door. When Mike answered the door, he was confused, but let Harry in anyway.

Hermione made her way home and breezed swiftly passed her roommate and made her way to bed. She changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. Never wanting to get out ever again.

**A/N: Sorry about the shortness. Like I said, it’s my first, so I didn’t know how much to write. Don’t forget to review!! Thanks!!!**

***A/N: Ok, so here’s chapter two. Just wanted to clear up something. Hermione IS a witch. She just left the wizarding world after graduating from Hogwarts. Also, the rating’s at “R” because there might be some adult themes later on and nasty language (I can’t help that..) Thanks for reading!!!***

** Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except for the plot, Mike, Kathryn and any other characters you don’t recognize. YOU HEAR THAT?! SO, DON’T SUE!**

*A Lucky Save *

“Whew!” Harry breathed after shutting the door of Mike’s house. When he saw Mike standing in the door way with his head cocked to the side and a confused, yet goofy, look on his face, Harry sighed and began his story.

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Hermione was still shaking when she stumbled into her flat, knocking over her roommate’s golf clubs behind the door, which crashed loudly to the floor.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” screeched her roommate Kathryn, who had been sleeping rather soundly on the sofa in the next room.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Hermione replied wearily.

“Oh yeah? Try me.” Kathryn said, now wide awake and filling the teapot with water for a cup of tea for the two of them.

Hermione smiled at her, she always knew she could count on Kathryn as a confidante. She always had an objective view on things. You could always count on her to tell you straight to your face what she thought. Hermione reminisced about how they met. It was two years ago when she had gotten her doctorate from Liverpool Hope College University and need a place to live. She found a want ad in the newspaper for a roommate and called it. Two months later, she was take up residence with someone she had known for less than two weeks. That person was Kathryn and she thanked Merlin for her everyday.

“Yooo hooo! Her-money, come baack!” whistled Kathryn, waving a hand near her roommate’s face. “I am dying to find out this über-dramatic story, which you so daintily breezed in the house proclaiming about!!”

“Huh, oh right.” Hermione mumbled coming back from the comfort of memory. So, she began her tale. She told Kathryn everything from the original sighting to the trip home. Kathryn murmured occasionally, completely enthralled. When she finished, Kathryn, who had never been without words, found it hard to find her voice. Once she found it, all she could muster was a quiet, yet squeaky “Damn.” Then she started to giggle. Now, it wasn’t that You-Just-Told-Me-Something-Serious-and-Now-There-Is-An-Awkward-Silence kind of giggle. It was a full on laugh, loud and proud.

“What’s so funny?!” Hermione asked, perturbed and kinda hurt.

“That story is the most twilight zone-ish story I have ever heard! Either that or maybe a bit Ricki Lake…” Kathryn said, wiping her eyes from laughing so hard.

“You know what? I am mad at you. We aren’t friends anymore. I am gonna put a want ad in the paper. Give me your half of the rent and leave.” Hermione said trying to suppress a giggle and keep a straight face. She giggled as the color came back to Kathryn’s face and she gave her a foul look.

“I thought you were serious.” Kathryn breathed.

“Nah. How could I be mad at you?” Hermione said giving Kathryn a hug. “I am gonna go to bed. I need sleep. G’night, Stinky!”

“‘Night!” Kathryn said and made her way back to the couch. The movie she was watching when she fell asleep was still on.

Meanwhile, Hermione was asleep. She had fallen asleep, amidst changing into her pajamas.

**********************************************************************************************************

“…then I made it here.” Harry said, concluding his story.

“Mate, that was one weird-ass story, you know that?” Mike commented when he was finished.

Harry laughed. That was something about Mike he liked. He always avoided a completely conventional conversation by adding the word “ass” within it at least once. Mike had been his friend since he joined the Cannons. He kinda had taken Harry under his wing, helping him get assimilated into life as a Cannon. He was a beater and a good one at that. However, the one thing about Mike, despite the “ass” thing, was that he was a gentleman. He was the kind of guy who would hold the door for anyone and knew his place at anything formal. It was amazing, but then again, that was Mike.

“Yeah, I guess it is.” Harry said, coming back from his memory. “Well, I am gonna go crash. Do you think you could help me get my car tomorrow?

“Yeah, dude, not a big deal. ‘Night.” Mike said plodding up the stairs to bed.

Harry made his way to the guest bedroom at the end of the hall. That room was more familiar to him than his own bed at home. He had spent many a night recovering from some Quidditch related injury there. He made it to the bed and stripped off his pants and shirt, so he was down to his boxers and t-shirt. He folded his pants when a card fell out the back pocket. He picked it up, and switching on the wall light, found that it was a business card for a doctor’s office. He read the address on it aloud: “Dr. H. Abigail MacMillan, 75 Brunstane Road, Liverpool, IP1-6QU, UK. He stopped when he hit the phone number. He made a mental note to call her and ask her to dinner as a thank you for all she had done for him. Taking off his watch and placing it on top of the card, he fell asleep.

*** A/N: Ok, so I know that you are probably being like “WHY ARE THESE CHAPTERS SO SHORT?” I have a bunch already written and they need to be this size to properly fit the story in the manner of which it needs to go. I have certain progressions in my head and unfortunately, they are kinda short. Sorry, but keep reading. I will try to get another one up by the end of the week. Thanks !!! ***

***A/N: Wow, 5 whole reviews. Thanks so much! That made me happy. I am trying to lengthen the chapters, but like I said, it’s all happenin’ in my head, so this is directly from head to paper with a few punctuation marks along the way. Thanks again, I truly appreciate it. ***

** Disclaimer: Other than the plot and my characters, I own nothing. How could I? **

*A Lucky Save*

When Harry awoke that next morning, he felt strange. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt different. Deciding to go for a run, he noticed the time on the clock and realized it was still early. Not wanting to wake Mike, he got up, dressed in some running pants, trainers and a t-shirt, and headed out the door.

The morning air felt brisk on his face and made him feel so alive. He kept up his pace as he ran through the park. Normally, he would be thinking about the day ahead of him, yet today he was thinking of one thing, the voice of the woman who had helped him last night. He knew the voice, it was warm and familiar, yet, he just couldn’t remember to whom it belonged.

**********************************************************************************************************

Hermione had been up for three hours before the bell of her alarm chirped its irritating beep to wake her. She had woken up silently sobbing from a dream she had had around 2 am and couldn’t fall back. She could still feel the cold shiver up her spine every time she thought about that dream. It angered her, however, because it wasn’t a nightmare or even remotely frightening for that matter, it just brought back so many memories of the past years that they over whelmed her.

With a cup of tea to the left of her and a photo album on her lap, she sat on her bed gently leafing through the pages, reminiscing and laughing about the good times. These photos were magical, they would usually move to mimic the scenes in them, however, due to years being in the non-magical world, they had stopped, frozen in the first frame of the scene.

This was the book from her 7^th year. She loved and hated that year. She grew closer to her friends, only to be ripped from them by the painful means of circumstance. She thought about the death of one of her best friends, Ron, and how she never felt completely without him. Then she happened upon a picture with her and Harry. She had forgotten about that picture. It was taken immediately after their last N.E.W.T so that they could remember the priceless look of relief. She felt the pain of the loss of their friendship at the end of that year. She could still remember the argument.

Harry was angry at her when she told him she was giving up magic to pursue a career in muggle child medicine. He was furious because she was giving up something she was so good at. When she told him that she was doing it because she wanted to help muggles too, he screamed at her in a manner she had never seen. He told her she was so smart she was stupid. She would never be able to adjust and would never be a true witch in his mind. She could have handled all this if he hadn’t said what he ended the argument with. He called her a mudblood. That word had punched her in the stomach so hard it knocked the breath out of her. She was use to it, because of Draco Malfoy, but coming from Harry, she might have well been fed to the Whomping Willow or one of Hagrid’s creatures. She was so stunned that all she could do was stand there until it sunk in. Then, with all the power she could muster from every fiber of her being, she slapped him, right across the face, making it hurt. The next thing she knew she was in her room, sobbing and thanking Merlin she was going home. They had never spoken since; eight years had come and gone and not a word exchanged.

Hermione wiped a tear from her eye as she picked up the book and put it back on the shelf. She had heard Kathryn go downstairs, and she needed more tea. She would take her shower in a half hour and then walk to her office, as she did every morning, like usual, pretending everything was the same as it was yesterday.

**********************************************************************************************************

Harry came home to the smell of coffee brewing. Mike was sitting there, barely functional.

“Hey buddy. Good mornin’.” Harry said gently so as not to scare Mike with any theatrics.

“Hmmmm, uhhh, ok.” came Mike’s reply, deep and dreamy.

“That’s nice. Listen, I’m gonna go take a shower and then try and find my car. Hopefully, it’ll still be there so I can have it towed home or something…” Harry said, rambling slightly. Mike, however, wasn’t listening. He was asleep with his head down on the kitchen table.

The shower felt warm and kind against the coolness of the morning. When he got out, he brushed back his hair, watched it gradually fall into its usual unkempt stance, and put in his contacts. He finished getting dressed, tied his shoes and reached for his watch on the nightstand. His hand breezed over the business card underneath it and he remembered to call it and put it in his wallet.

He looked fondly at the four pictures in his wallet. He had one of Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, one of Sirius and the Weasleys, and one of the entire Cannons team. He stopped however on the last one. It was of Ron, Hermione, and himself during a 7^th year Hogsmeade weekend. He sighed at the thought of Hermione. That fight they had had destroyed their friendship, and he didn’t even remember what it was about.

Sighing again, he made his way to the door, but stopped at the phone before he left. Looking at Mike, who was still asleep, he picked up the phone and removed the card from his wallet. Dialing the numbers carefully, he listened to the gentle buzz of the rings and heard the click of someone picking up.

“Thank you for calling Dr. MacMillan’s office. How may I help you?” a cheerful voice said on the other end.

“Uhh, could I speak to the doctor, please?” Harry asked, feeling his stomach in his throat.

“Sure, hold just a second.” Said the voice. Harry could hear the woman calling the doctor over with a loud screech of her name.

“Gimme the phone” he heard as someone snatched the phone.

“Dr. MacMillan here, how may I help you? …… Hello?” Harry sat there with the phone in his hand, dumbstruck.

*** A/N: Ok this one’s longer. I’m trying here! Hehe. I really thank those who have left encouraging words!! I really want you to enjoy this. Thanks so much!! ***

*** A/N: You guys have no idea how much I appreciate all these words of encouragement for the fic! This is so exciting!! *does little dance around the room* Sorry though about a delay in updating, I am trying to balance work and stuff, so it’s kinda drained me of my want to write. I think its back so here goes!***

** Disclaimer: I own nothing, just the plot and my characters. Don’t sue, for your own sake. You won’t get anything but five cents and some pocket lint.**

*A Lucky Save*

“Uhh, hello?? Kathy, is there really someone on the other end or are you pulling that ‘COME QUICK! BRAD PITT IS ON THE PHONE!’ joke on me again?” Hermione said a bit annoyed at the pause.

“SAY SOMETHING!” the voice in Harry’s mind was screaming. “Huh. Uh. HI! Yeah, I’m here. Sorry though, it’s not Brad Pitt.” Harry said, hoping that he sounded smooth.

“Phew, I’m glad you’re there. I would have looked pretty stupid falling for that joke again. What can do for ya?” Hermione asked, slightly amused that the anonymous guy on the other end was playing along. For some reason, she knew the voice though; it was as anonymous as she had originally thought.

“Um, yeah. I am the guy you picked u… I mean, helped last night. I was just wondering if you’d have any free time that I could take you out for dinner as a thank you anytime soon.” Harry said, spitting out the words with hopeful precision.

Hermione motioned to her secretary Kathy to give her the date book that sat on her desk. Leafing through the pages, she saw that she was booked all week. “Ahh, what day would be good for you?”

“Any day after noon. I have practice in the mornings.” Harry said confidently, though secretly knowing that practices never ended before noon and hoped that she would say something later on.

“ Oh goodness, I don’t know. You pick the date and I’ll be ready.” Hermione said flustered. She had never been good at taking the charge when it came to planning anything.

“Ok, Friday night at 7, ok? I am thinking about this little Italian place. Its not dressy, but I wouldn’t dress in ripped jeans and stuff.” Harry told her, his mind was still reeling.

“That’s great. I’ll be ready.” Hermione said, erasing a follow-up appointment that was set for that time. It would have been the last one of the day, but she could reschedule it in sometime next week.

“I’ll meet you at your office at 7 then. See you then!” Harry said quickly, trying to get off the phone as soon as he could.

“Alrighty. See you then! Thanks for calling!” Hermione said, glad that a possibly ugly day was averted. She made a face at the very interested Kathy straining to hear as she hung up the phone. She rolled her eyes and told Kathy what happened.

**********************************************************************************************************************

“HOLY SHIT!!!” Harry said loudly scaring Mike out of his kitchen table dreaming. “Jesus, that was Hermione. I knew I knew that voice. Oh damn, she is gonna flip. Shit shit shit shit SHIT!!!” His mind was racing at what was going to happen. He kicked himself for not realizing it last night. Realizing that he was going go insane over something that hadn’t happened yet, Harry walked out the door. He needed coffee or heroine or something to make this idea of impeding doom disappear from his mind.

**********************************************************************************************************************

Hermione couldn’t get her mind off what went on that morning. It wasn’t the dinner, but the voice. She knew it. It was setting off fireworks in her head, but she couldn’t tell why they were there. It wasn’t until she sat down to type some of her notes on her last patient that it hit her. There it was. Sitting in a picture frame next to her pen cup, a picture of the Weasleys and Harry. Her eyes narrowed on Harry’s goofy smile staring back at her. “Stupid, that was Harry on the phone. Why didn’t you know that? Call him back and tell him that he has a better chance of seeing the Easter bunny than you on Friday,” her mind was telling her. “NO!” Hermione said out loud, startling Kathy out of her hourly “meditation” moment. “I am gonna do it. I am gonna be there on Friday. God help me, or him rather, because I will be there.” Hermione vowed to herself and got on with the rest of her day.

**********************************************************************************************************************

As if in some sadistic mood, time seemed to rush from Wednesday to Friday in about twenty minutes. Harry had been completely distracted from practice and had forfeited his spot in this Sunday’s game to Adam McGill because of it. He and Adam were the one and two best seekers in the league, however, Harry had been playing like he was still a rookie.

Hermione was so busy that she didn’t notice it was Friday until Kathryn told her she would be at her boyfriend Todd’s all weekend. When she realized it was Friday, she panicked. “Awww fuck. I am so screwed. Fuck Fuck Fuck!” Hermione said, fumbling through her laundry to find something that remotely matched. Finally deciding on a striped skirt and a tee, she made her way to the shower. However, despite her unabashed hatred of Harry, she was feeling excitement rising in her. “No! You cannot feel excited. You’re angry, remember?” that annoying voice in her head sounded like a broken record. “Shut up.” Hermione said out loud and proceeded to wash her hair.

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“Typical Harry,” Hermione thought “its 5 minutes to 7 and he still isn’t here.” She then caught site of a man walking towards her building. “Ok, Hermione. Keep it together. He was your best friend once. BE CIVIL.” She said giving herself a pep talk.

“There she is. Wow, she is gorgeous. Damn, I wish she didn’t hate me, or maybe she doesn’t anymore. Whatever, we’ll find out.” Harry told himself, making his way into the lobby of the building.

“Hi,” Harry said, out stretching his hand, “I’m….”

“I know who you are, Harry.” Hermione said, interrupting.

The next action surprised them both. Hermione ignored his hand, but hugged him instead. He caught the whiff of her shampoo, the same one that she used in their days back at Hogwarts.

“How’d you know it was me?” they both said in unison, breaking the awkward silence.

“Your voice.” Harry answered.

“Same here. I forgot for a moment, but remembered once I sat down and looked at that picture of us at graduation with the Weasleys.” Hermione told him truthfully.

They walked out of the lobby chatting randomly. When they made it outside, Hermione was perplexed to see no car anywhere in sight.

“Where’s your car?” she asked imploringly confused.

“Being fixed. Someone sideswiped it sometime this morning.” Harry answered, wincing at the thought of the bill that would be coming from the auto body. “I thought it would be ok to walk considering how nice it is out. The restaurant’s only a little ways down the street.

“Ok. That sounds fine to me.” Hermione said contently. This was going better than she had hoped.

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Dinner had come and gone without anything eventful. Only playful banter, laughter and wonderful food erupted instead of tempers. They both realized that the evening was going better than they had hoped.

“Mione? What’s with the name change? Didja witness a brutal slaying or something and need a new identity? Harry asked, half joking, half concerned.

Hermione’s head drooped slightly. “ No. I was married.”

“ You were what? When did this happen?” Harry was dumfounded. Hermione was so young; getting married young like that wasn’t her usual self.

“ It was three years ago. Well, five actually. We were married for just two years when….” Hermione’s voice trembled and broke.

“What? If he hurt you, I’ll hunt him down.” Harry told him, puffing out his chest a bit.

“No, no. No need for that. He was killed in a car accident three years ago when we still lived in Edinburgh (*A/N: The pronunciation of this city is EDIN-BRA. I had to clear that up. Thanks). His last name was MacMillan. I never felt the need to change it back. I started to use my middle name to escape sympathy comments and because none of the kids could pronounce Dr. Hermione.” Hermione explained, in a careful, soft tone. She was trying to hide the tears that came with the memory.

“Oh. I am so sorry, Mione.” Harry told her. “And not just for your husband’s death, but for everything. I really am sorry.”

“Harry, its ok. I have moved on. I know that we both didn’t mean what was said.” Hermione confided to him.

They stopped for ice cream and ended up eating it while watching Casablanca in the park. They walked back to her apartment. She was about to invite him up for a while when he told her that he needed to get back so he could crash before practice the next day and turned to walk the other way.

“Harry!” Hermione called.

Harry wheeled around to see her approaching him. She looked up at him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

*A/N: Hey! I’m back! Sorry that has taken so long for an update. I’ve just come back from a job, which kept me away all summer. Add in an almost complete computer meltdown and family issues and you’ve created a sticky, disgusting mess that I have been wading through for the past four days or so. Not to mention I looked at all the stuff I had already written and realized that it was complete crap. Yay me. This is the first of the re-written chapters. I appreciate your patience! Thanks so much! Enjoy!*

*Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did, I’d have someone write this stuff for me….*

*One More Chance* <- Realized that I haven’t changed the title throughout the story………

“Harry!” Hermione called.

Harry wheeled around to see her approaching him. She looked up at him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

When they broke off the kiss, Hermione blushed and swiftly made her way to the door. She made her way up the stairs, only to sit down on the fourth one from the top and burst into tears. She was so confused and angry about being confused. She wasn’t supposed to have forgiven him so quickly! They needed to talk about it. Yet, per usual, her non-confrontational self had just let him walk all over her without even a thought.

Her self depreciating inner cranial rant continued until two arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her up off the stair. Kathryn had heard something outside the door, opening it; she had found the sobbing mess that was called her roommate. She picked her up and guided Hermione to the couch, where she sat there and demanded that she be told why Hermione was so upset. Sniffling, Hermione told her everything, up to and including the kiss on the street. Kathryn knew that anything she said to Hermione at this point wouldn’t help, but she knew one thing would. She walked over and, wrapping her arms around Hermione’s small frame, pulled her into a hug and stayed there until Hermione had cried her last tear into her shoulder. When she was unable to cry anymore, Hermione got up, gave a watery smile to her roommate and made her way to her bedroom, where she collapsed in a miserable, fatigued heap on her bed.

Harry, on the other hand, was on cloud nine. He walked back to Mike’s house like he had just won the lottery - whistling every now and then and generally walking with an extra bounce in his step. “She kissed me” he thought. He could remember the taste of her lip gloss and the tingle he felt in his lips upon impact with hers. “She must have really forgiven me. That was somehow easier than I had thought.” He continued in his head, as he whistled “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story. His smile began to fade when he thought about that night’s course of events. He had apologized, he rationalized in his head, but it wasn’t really as heartfelt as it should have been. “Hermione needed more than just an ‘I’m sorry’. She deserves more than that for what I had said to her and for the complete lack of appreciation I showed for all she had done for me.” Harry determined grimly. “Great. What am I going to do now?” He said out loud, garnering a questioning look from one of Mike’s neighbors mowing the lawn.

*~*~*

It had been two days since the whole incident had occurred. Life for Hermione settled back into the normal, hectic schedule she so enjoyed. Lately, nothing seemed to upset her. That mini-breakdown she had had cleansed her of all her penned up frustrations and emotions, thus freeing her to go about her life more happily. She wasn’t getting as annoyed with her secretary, Kathy’s, constant “meditation” moments and useless babble about her “gifted” grandchild. Not to mention that the one child, who wouldn’t speak to a single soul on the floor, opened up and asked her if she would play a game with him after lunch. After that, Hermione decided her day was made, nothing to kill her happy mood, not even Harry. Well, that’s what she thought anyway, as she picked up the post-it note she had found on her desk. It was in Kathy’s flowery, schoolteacher-like handwriting.

Mr. Harry Potter would like you to call him as soon as you possibly can. He said it was important and that you have the number. I meant to ask him for it again so you wouldn’t have to fish for it, but he just hung up on me. How rude was that?

Good luck,

Kathy

Hermione groaned as she looked through her numbers, secretly hoping not to find it. As usual, it was right where it should be, written in neatly under the letter “P”. She said a silent prayer and picked up the phone. “Please don’t pick up. Please don’t pick up” Hermione chanted in her head, eyes tightly closed as if trying to shield herself from reality.

“Hello?” Harry asked. “Hello?”

“Shit. Now what do I say?” Hermione thought. “How to I tell him that I never want to see him again?”

“Hello?” Harry repeated again. “Christ, I know it’s her, why isn’t she saying anything?” He thought.

“Hermione, is that you?” he said, as the pause continued.

“OH! Um, hi, Harry. Sorry ‘bout the pause. My beeper was going off and I had to somehow dislodge it from my hip. It wasn’t an easy process. Anywho, you called?” Hermione babbled. She knew that he would pick up on the fact that she was nervous. She hoped he wouldn’t mention anything, because if he did, she would have to hang up out of sheer embarrassment and crawl into the nearest closet, where they would find her curled up in the fetal position a week later, chewing on one of her shoes.

“Yeah. I wanted to talk about the other night. It kinda ended awkwardly for the both of us. I was wondering if maybe you were free to meet me for coffee or something this afternoon to talk about it.” Harry said, rather professionally. He prided himself on his ability to swallow his nervousness and still sound normal. “Hermione, on the other hand, is a complete basket case. I hope all is ok.” He thought.

“Ahh, yeah. I think I could clear off an hour or so around noontime. Would that be enough time, or do you think we’ll need more?” Hermione whispered into the phone.

Kathy, who had returned from her “meditation” moment, gave her a rather suspicious look. At which, Hermione scowled at, causing her to remember that she was supposed to be typing up the reports Hermione had dictated earlier that morning.

“No, that should be ok. If we need more time, we can meet later on.” Harry said. “I’ll meet you outside the hospital at 12 by the front entrance.”

“Sounds good to me. See you then.” Hermione said, hanging up the phone, only to see Kathy looking at her with her eyebrows raised.

“Oh, grow up.” Hermione chided, picking up her tape recorder and walking out of the office.

*~*~*

“Shit man, its cold out here today. I think I am completely frozen from the waist down.” Harry thought as he leaned against a newspaper machine, waiting for Hermione to emerge for their little rendezvous. “Coffee was definitely the way to go today.”

Hermione was visibly freaking out during the elevator ride down to the lobby, where she was to meet Harry. Trying every meditative thing she knew, she managed to get herself under control enough to be able to actually get out of the elevator without wanting to push the “up” button and reverse her path right back to her nice, safe, warm office.

She saw him standing there, and for some reason, all her fears pacified. He was dressed in a long overcoat, leaning up against the machine where she got her paper every morning, waiting patiently. “You can do this. You survived six years of med school, you can do this.” She chanted in her head.

Harry had spotted her coming out of the elevator and immediately his stomach lurched and began to flutter. He once again realized how beautiful she had become since their days at Hogwarts. As she approached him, he wondered how ever he was going to get through their meeting without doing something rash or staring too much. “Well, you still are male, but we’re gonna have to try to out best, ok?” he rationalized in his head.

*~*~*

Once they were settled in their booth, neither one of them knew how to start what they knew needed to be said.

“Well,” Harry said, in an attempt to break the awkward silence that surrounded them.

“Yeah, about the other night…” Hermione continued. “At this pace,” she realized, “We’ll be here all night.” However, she couldn’t form the words to what she wanted to say.

“I was a jerk.” Harry said, rather abruptly.

“Huh?” Hermione responded. She hadn’t expected a statement like that. It had caught her off guard.

“I was a jerk.” Harry repeated. “I walked into that whole thing expecting that a simple ‘I’m sorry’ would nullify my actions from years before. It wasn’t fair of me to have thought that, and to have thought that you would just accept it and move on. You deserve the right to still hate me for what I said. I would like to try to earn the privilege of being your friend again, if that would be alright with you.”

Hermione was speechless. Harry had just said everything that she had wanted to say to him. She was completely dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say. The only things that would come out was “I…I…”

“Oh shit. I said something wrong.” Harry feared in his thoughts.

Regaining her composure, Hermione recovered her professionalism and spoke clearly. “You’re right that those words from so many years ago did hurt. I appreciate that you want to make up for them. I, however, was not completely blameless in that whole scene. I had instigated the whole conversation, and therefore, apologize to you for the caustic and insulting words that I said as well.

Harry had never thought of her role in that entire situation. However, he did appreciate her apology for her actions.

“So where does this leave us?” Harry asked. He was sure that she had notice he was staring at her. He had caught himself twice already, but this time it just couldn’t be helped.

“As friends. Just as it should be.” Hermione answered, brushing her hair back into a loose bun.

“Friends it is.” Harry said, extending his hand to her.
As she had done on their initial meeting, Hermione ignored his hand, choosing to hug him instead.
“This is going to be the hardest friendship I’ve ever had.” Harry thought, as he embraced her.

*A/N: I was reading this story over again and realized that the beginning chapters, like the others, aren’t as amazing as I would have liked them to be. I hope to express a more adult view throughout the rest of the story. I thank you for your reviews and constructive criticism, as well as your patience. I will try to update as soon as possible!!! Thanks again!*

*A/N: Hey folks! Thanks for all the reviews. I'm sorry for the delay, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue building the story line, or just abandon it. I was really teetering on the whole idea, but thanks to WriterLady1031, who cast the deciding review, I decided that I'd just keep going. I really want you folks to enjoy the story, so please continue to read and review. I can't change things if I don't know that they need to be changed.*

*Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own this. I never will. You can see my bank balance (or lack there of) to prove it…*

*One More Chance*

The next few weeks progressed in their usual, slow pace. Just being friends with Hermione was taking its toll with Harry. His coach worried about the recent decline in his ability. He was easily irritable and often in a bad mood. It seemed that he was drinking more and training less. His teammates, especially Mike, began to worry that Harry was going to do something stupid that would end up causing him to hurt himself.

“Dude, are you alright? I mean, no offense, but you're playing like a sorry assed rookie. What's going on?” Mike said, on the ground, after Harry had nearly fallen off his broom after colliding with a beater.

“Yeah” mumbled Harry as he carried his broom off the pitch and made his way to the changing room. Ripping off his clothes, he walked silently into the shower. Scrubbing vigorously, he was trying to wash his love for Hermione away. It was beginning to fester within him. He knew she'd never feel the same and the self pity he felt was clouding all of his rational thoughts.

Turning off the shower, he grabbed his towel and quickly changed. Pushing open the door, he walked to the abandoned building less than 600 yards from the training pitch. A door on the side of the building was the portal from the magical world to the muggle world. Opening the rusted old door, he walked through and onto a London street, one down from the one where his apartment building stood, welcoming him home each afternoon.

Upon entering his apartment, he made his way to the liquor cabinet. Opening it, he pulled out a bottle of whisky, which he uncapped and took a swig from. The soft liquid flowed gently down his throat, taking all his feelings with it. He was just about to get a glass and some ice when he noticed the display on his answering machine blinking. Pressing play, he heard the voice of his hell, the reason he was in the state he was.
“Harry? Are you home? I am worried about you, sweetie. I haven't heard from you. I hope you're alright. Give me a call later. If I am not home, try my cell. If that's not working, call the office. Please do, Harry. I am really worried about you! Thanks. Bye!”

“Christ, I'm fine. I'll call you later when half this bottle is gone. That way I can express my feelings for you, and I won't remember the look on your face right before you slap me.” Harry said to the answering machine, as if Hermione could hear him.

*~*~*

“Anything yet?” Hermione said, poking her head into the office, while making her rounds.

“Not yet.” Kathy said. She was filing her fingernails, while waiting for the base coat of nail polish on her toes to dry. This had been her project all morning. Not to mention the 5 fifteen minute “meditation” moments she had taken, plus the twenty minute breakfast break she had taken earlier.
“By the way, have you gotten around to those reports?” Hermione asked. She knew she hadn't, but it was fun to watch Kathy get all flustered when she was reminded of the work that she was supposed to be doing.
“Not yet. I am going to start them in just a minute” Kathy said, jovially rubbing the emery board against her index fingernail.
Hermione rolled her eyes and closed the door. She had been checking in with Kathy throughout the morning to see if Harry had called. She was worried because she hadn't heard from him.

“That's it. If he hasn't called by the time my shift is over, I am going over there.” Hermione resolved in her head as she grabbed the next chart in her box.

*~*~*

No matter how much Harry was trying he couldn't seem to get to that point where he could forget everything. The alcohol wasn't working. Looking at the bottle of whiskey, he realized that the reason he didn't feel any different was because he had drunken much. Pouring himself another glass, he looked at the smooth amber liquid, dancing a merry waltz among the chips of ice in the glass.

“What's the point?” he said out loud. Putting the glass down, he flipped on the TV. A famous English soap opera was on. Upon watching it for five minutes, he found himself completely disgusted. He turned off the TV and made his way to the computer that was hooked up in his room. Deciding to check his e-mail, he flipped it on. Sadly, there was nothing there waiting for him, turning it off, he laid down on his bed and began to think. Soon, he was dozing, dreaming about Hermione and the love he knew was unrequited.

*~*~*

“Kathy, are there any messages for me?” Hermione asked, slightly annoyed. Kathy still hadn't typed those reports for her. However, her toenails and fingernails were all polished in a dark blue base polish with little gold spots on top.
“Nope. None. Sorry.” Kathy said, gathering all her things to leave. She gathered her coat and purse as well as the yoga mat she brought with her every morning. She used it to meditate on.
“Hey, tomorrow, how `bout maybe typing those reports?” Hermione asked, assertively.

Kathy looked up at her and paled. She knew she was walking on thin ice. “Of course. I should have done them today instead of screwing about like I did.” She apologized softly.

“That's alright. It happens. Just get them done for tomorrow afternoon, alright?” Hermione said, relenting. That was one thing she couldn't be. Angry. She didn't know how.

“Good luck with your fellow.” Kathy said as she walked out of the office door.

“He's not my fellow!” Hermione called after.

“Yeah, sure!” She heard come from the hallway.

“My fellow? Where would she get an idea like that?” Hermione said with a laugh as she grabbed a coat. Then it hit her, although she had always thought of Harry as her brother, she knew that there was something there; something different than when they were at Hogwarts. She felt it when they first reunited.

Putting on her coat, one question haunted her, “Did she love Harry?”

A/N: Well, there's the end of the chapter. Sorry that it's short, but I thought that it would be good to end here. I have a good idea of what I want in my next chapter. I'll try to update as soon as I can. School, may I say, sucks at life and zaps all my time. However, I may have time tomorrow; I'll see what I can do. Please READ AND REVIEW!!!!

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*A/N: I am very pleased with the response from the last chapter!!! Thanks so much, folks! I really appreciate it. It's amazing how I just let this story sit for a while, wrote something else, watched as my stories were completely hated on FanFiction.net and then came back to such great support. Thanks to all of you!*

*Disclaimer: Well, my economic analyst says that I am in what is called a “Great Depression”, so even if I did claim to own it, would you really want to sue? Wait, I still have viable organs…so don't answer that!*

*One More Chance*

“Loving Harry is completely ridiculous.” Hermione rationalized in her head, “Harry and I are just…just…No! I can't love Harry. I'm just having a weak moment. He'd probably role on the floor laughing if I told him all this.” She was still screaming at herself internally and slightly muttering out loud as she approached the steps of her apartment, fumbling with her keys, she finally opened the door and stomped up the stairs to her apartment door.

Kathryn opened the door just as Hermione reached it. “Bad day?” she asked. She had heard the stomping and rushed to the door.

“I think that I love Harry” Hermione mumbled as she passed by Kathryn and took off her coat.

“Forgive my ignorance, but that doesn't seem like a bad thing. Should it be?” Kathryn asked, confused. She was still standing in the doorway, though she has just shut the door.
“Kay, I have no idea. I am so fucking confused. I don't need this shit right now! I called him and he's being a bastard and not returning my call. My imbecile of a secretary, who did nothing all day, decides that Harry and I would be good together and won't let it go. What the fuck? Like Harry and I look good together!” Hermione ranted in one breath. She kind of scared herself. “Fuck this shit! I am going to bed!” She said, in one, final exasperation.

“Herms, its only 6:30!” Kathryn called after Hermione. She got only an “I don't give a flying fuck!” and set about making dinner. She knew that Hermione just needed to cool off. She'd be ok and would eventually figure herself out. However, in the meantime, being around her was like being around a volatile volcano; you never were sure when it would blow.

After a good hour or so of alone time, Hermione heard a knock at her bedroom door. Kathryn stood their holding a plate of food. “I thought you'd be hungry.” She said quietly placing the dish on the desk to her left. “I'm going to bed now; I have an early shift tomorrow.” She gave Hermione a kiss on the head and made her way to the door. “Oh and Herms?” she said as she stood in the doorway. Hermione lifted her bowed head and looked at her roommate with watery eyes. “For the record, you two DO look good together” and she closed the door behind her.

Hermione spent the next twenty or so minutes alternating between eating and sobbing. She was so confused. Finishing her dinner, she put the plate back on the desk and curled up into a little ball on her bed and fell asleep.

*~*~*

Harry awoke to the sounds of a soft grumble coming from his stomach. Getting up, he stumbled a bit and made his way to the kitchen. He couldn't decide what he wanted until his eyes fell upon the cereal box in the cupboard. Seizing it, he fixed himself a large bowl and set about eating silently. He felt better for some reason. He would be alright, he determined. It would pass. He could make it without her. His daydreams were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. It startled him because it was so late at night. Looking at the clock, its display read 1:36 am. “What the hell?” he thought as he heard a knock again on the door.

Getting up he made his way to the door. Opening it, he let out a small gasp. Hermione, dressed in work clothes, stood in front of him with tears in her eyes. “Mione, what's going on? Why are you here?” he asked concerned.

“Oh Harry!” Hermione gasped, rushing up to him and locking her lips on his. This kiss was far better than the initial one they had shared. The first one had been chaste and innocent. This one was full of passion and desire. Harry, though initially surprised, deepened the kiss and picked Hermione up and brought her towards his room, putting her down short of the door so that he could take a breath.

He looked down into her deep, brown eyes. Eyes, which were so full of love and tenderness, Harry's heart burst with love for her. “I…I…” Hermione stuttered. Harry shushed her with another kiss and picked her up, this time finally making it to his bedroom.

“I haven't done this in so long,” Hermione thought as she began to unbutton Harry's shirt. He continued to place small kisses following from her ear to her shoulder. His breath tickled her skin as she removed his shirt and he removed hers.

She rubbed her hands down his back and felt him fumble and finally succeed in unhitching her bra clasp. She gasped slightly as his hands began to roam all over her back and chest. He began to drop small kisses down the valley between her breasts, past her bellybutton and finally stopping at her waist, where her pants hindered his ability to continue. Unbuttoning the button, he seemed to follow each of his actions with a kiss in the newly shown skin. Unzipping her jeans, he pulled her knickers down with the jeans, and hardly noticed when they fell on his feet. He continued to kiss her, following along the lines of her groin. However, once he reached the epicenter of her womanhood, he stopped and climbed back up her body and kissed her passionately, causing her lips to swell.

Hermione, completely aroused, pulled down Harry's pajama bottoms and his boxers. Setting sight on his manhood, she sighed into the kiss they were so passionately locked in.

Stopping momentarily, he looked at her, silently asking permission. She nodded slightly and Harry moved himself to her center. His eyes, never left hers as she felt him gently push into her. She felt a slight pain because of the size of him, which needed to be accommodated, but soon was completely numb to any feeling other than pleasure. She watched his face as she completely surrounded him and he began a slow, steady rhythm. She felt wave after wave of pleasure over take her. Harry, thoroughly enjoying Hermione's moans and grins of pleasure, soon succumbed to his own pleasure, releasing his own essence into her, he collapsed, exhausted to the side of her.

Kissing her forehead, he whispered that one sentence she so desperately wanted to hear, “I love you.” Kissing him back, she whispered it back to him and snuggled into him. He smiled a satiated smile and slowly drifted to sleep.

*A/N: Well, there it is - my first romance scene. I am sorry if it sucked, but I hate those scenes that are graphic and explosive. To me, they seem to rob the whole act of any kind of passion. Well, please READ AND REVIEW!!!

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