Harry waited for Hermione at the Andres'. He had told her that Luna would be happy to play host, as long as none of the Weasleys came. Hermione readily agreed to this, surprising both of them. He could tell there were parts that Hermione had left out about the Weasleys, parts that showed that things were not going as well for her as he thought.
"I'm here," Hermione said. He looked at the entrance where Hermione was, currently holding Tommy upside down as both boys were giggling.
"Hey," he said, smiling. He stopped spinning Tommy around and placed him back on the floor. Hermione had chosen to dress casually, wearing a conservative skirt and blouse for the evening. He honestly was wishing he had chosen to dress up a little more.
Setting Tommy on the floor, he walked over to her, despite the boys groans and complaints. "Ready?" Harry said. She nodded, smiling at him lightly.
"Harry where are you going again?" Shirley asked after sending the boys out of the room.
"To Luna's," Harry said. He really did not want to say it, but he knew that what followed was necessary. "Then probably back to my flat."
"Are you sure thats a good idea?" Harry did not miss the flicker of her eyes between him and Hermione. He sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but Chuck interrupted him.
"Love, he doesn't need a mother, he needs his friends," Chuck said. Harry nodded in the man's direction. Chuck understood a lot of what Harry was going through, especially since he had told Harry his father had gone through the same problem. It was why Chuck understood him so well. "And he needs to be able to stand on his own. Without the help of anyone else for now." Chuck's gaze had turned to Hermione, staring at her for a moment.
"Come on Hermione, we're going to have to head out if we want to make it there in time," Harry said. He gave Shirley a tight smile before walking out the door, his hands in his pockets. Once at the curb, he took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. The hand on his shoulder let him ebb some of the anger, but he'd need to talk to Luna to get rid most of it. He knew they cared, but he needed to be on his own. Why did people not seem to understand that?
"How we getting there?" Hermione asked.
"Apparate," Harry said with a shrug. "She's a bit of a distance, and its through some wards."
"Harry, what kind of wards?" Hermione asked.
"Ones that restrict the entrance of certain people," Harry said. "She's removed you from the list for now."
"Why was I on that list?" At her question, Harry just shrugged his shoulders again.
"You're going to have to ask her that," he said with a smile. "I just set up the wards."
"Side-along then?" Hermione said, holding out her hand. He nodded, taking her hand in his own. "I'm ready when you are." He pictured the space that Luna had designated and felt the squeezing sensation that accompanied him when he did this. Opening his eyes, he could not help but smile. Scotland was a bit out of the way from his station.
"Uncle Harry!" He turned in time to catch his niece. He swung her around, a smile plastered onto her face as she hugged his neck.
"How are you Mary?" he said, settling her onto his hip.
"Good, Mommy's in the other room, setting up lunch," she said, staring at Harry before looking at Hermione. He turned and looked at her as well, not surprised at the young girl's face hiding in his neck.
"Now, you know better manners than that Marigold," Luna said. Harry turned to look at her, smiling lightly. That last few years had been about as hard on her as they had been on him. She wore her pain a lot better then him, hiding it behind the mask that he knew she had. Harry put down Mary for a moment, before moving off to the side.
"Hello, my name is Marigold Lillian Lovegood, nice to meet you," she said, holding out her hand for Hermione to take. Hermione snapped out of her shocked look and took the hand, shaking it gentle.
"My name is Hermione Jane Granger, nice to meet you," Hermione said with a large smile.
"Mary, why don't you show Hermione your room," Luna said. Hermione looked over at him for a moment questioning if that was what he wanted. He nodded with a smile. Mary had taken her hand and began to pull her in the direction of her room. Hermione seemed all to happy to go. Shaking his head, he turned to Luna, who quickly hugged him.
"You've been gone way to long, Mary was starting to worry," Luna said. Harry hugged just as hard, happy to be back with his friend. They had a lot to talk about, and not much time. "You've looked better. You haven't.....have you?" Luna's eyes focused on him for a moment, and he shook his head, knowing that he had disappointed her a great deal when he had fallen off the wagon the first, well second time.
"Shirley was making a big deal of it," Harry said. "Lets talk in the kitchen, little safer there." He looked toward the bedroom, hoping that Hermione did not hear him. He moved in there before Luna could protest, sitting down in the center of her modest kitchen.
"What's the problem?" Luna asked.
"I'm moving back into my place again," Harry said. Luna only nodded, her focus on something over his shoulder. He had known her long enough to know that her eccentric behavior was just how she coped with the world. Each had their own way. "I need to stand on my own again. I just feel too crowded there."
"Harry, you and I both know that isn't the problem I was asking about," Luna said with a small smile. She reached over and took his hand, giving it a small yet comforting squeeze.
"Moony got married," he said. He might as well be blunt about it. "I thought I would have been invited to it, at least I hope I had."
"But Molly must have taken over everything, right?" There was no love lost between Molly and Luna. Molly had treated her just as badly, if not more so than him. Harry nodded, letting Luna lean back and grow angry. "How dare she presume that she knows best?"
"Who Mommy?" Mary said as she entered with Hermione trailing behind her. Both had large smiles on her face.
"A woman that hurt Mommy and Uncle Harry deeply," Luna said, moving toward the stove where something was cooking. "Now, you ready for your lunch?" Mary immediately sat in the seat next to Harry. Hermione stood, looking about trying to figure out what she should do. Harry took pity on here, standing from his seat.
"Come on, no reason to be shy," he said, taking her hand. He led her to the seat next to him, where a smiling Mary proceeded to tell her all the wonders of one Harry Potter.
"Uncle Harry is the best uncle in the world did you know that?" Mary asked. He just smiled, used to hearing the praise from his niece.
"I've thought that a time or two myself," Hermione said with a small smile, but a large blush.
"He got me this really pretty doll last Christmas, and he promised me that he'd take me to work with him one night," Mary said. "He even promised to let me pick the songs."
"Oh, really," Hermione asked, looking over at Harry. He groaned, he hadn't told her what his job was, and now she'd be able to figure it out. Mary only nodded, eager to continue. Luna however managed to put that conversation on hold. A plate of tomato soup was placed in front of Mary, as well as a plate of grilled cheese.
Harry just smiled as a plate of the same was placed in front of him. While Luna was a good cook, when she was nervous, she had a hard time concentrating on just about anything. Simple was good for her.
"Luna, I wanted to apologize," Hermione said after a few moments of silence. Luna looked at her, her focus upon her now. "I should have tried to stay in contact, and I lost two friendships from the same mistake. Just on different people."
"Yes," Luna said. "You did." Hermione looked down at her plate, not eating for a moment. "But you are the only one who has made a move of reconciliation. That means more than you could know." There was another pause as Mary got up from her seat, and moved into Luna's lap.
"Uncle Harry is really the only one who cares," Mary said. "All of Mommy's friends left her. Were you a friend of my Mommy?"
"We weren't close, and we disagreed at time," Hermione said. "But yes, I counted your mother as one of my friends." Luna smile widely at this. "I'm just sorry I never told you that."
"Its alright," Luna said, waving her hand. Her focus has moved off them, and Harry knew that things would be okay for now.
"I also wanted to say that your articles are well done," Hermione said. "You've done an excellent job researching something that I've never believed in and proving me wrong. Proving a lot of people wrong actually." Luna looked ready to cry at this, as she hugged Mary even tighter to her chest. Harry took Hermione's hand in his own, giving her a smile. She was doing the right, making up for everything that she had done wrong.
"You don't know how much that means to me," Luna said. "Every Ravenclaw was jealous of you, or at least admired you. Your compliments mean more than you could possible imagine." Mary just smiled at this before going back to her seat. The rest of the conversation involved Luna and Hermione talking about Luna's newest research project, and getting Hermione's help for it.
By one, Mary was nodding off in her plate. Harry took it upon himself to set her down for her nap. And like every toddler, she was adamant about staying up for at least a little longer.
"I don't wanna go," Mary said. Her arms wrapped around his neck, hugging him lightly. "I want to stay up and talk with Hermione."
"Don't worry, we'll be here when you wake up," Harry said. Laying her gently on her bed, he could not help but smile as she hugged the stuffed lion he had bought for her birthday last year.
"Uncle Harry?" He brushed a hair out of her face, kissing her forehead lightly. "Can you sing me a song?"
"Sure," he said. "Which one you want?"
"My song," Mary said with a sleepy smile. She yawned and took Harry's hand close to him. He never realized how small she was until right now. He knew that she was small for her age, through no fault of anyone, but as she held onto his hand, he felt a tug on his heart.
"Sure," he said.
"Hush a bye, don't you cry. Go to sleep....my little baby," he sang. She smiled and hugged his hand closer to her chest. "When you wake, you shall have... all the pretty little ponies. Into bed, Mama said. Baby's ridding off to dream land."
"One by one, they've begun. Dance and prance for little baby." Mary had relaxed her grip on his hand, but still he held her close. She was an important part of her life. He took his job as godfather very seriously. "Black and bays, dapples and grays. Running in the night. When you wake, you shall have, all the pretty little ponies.
"Can you see the pretty ponies, dance before your eyes?" There was nothing he would not do for her, and he never wanted to disappoint her. Ever. "All the pretty little ponies, will be there when you arrive."
He stood up with a smile as she drifted off to sleep. He took her blanket and brought it up over her. "Sleep well." he said. He turned off the lights and closed the door slightly. He wanted to hear if she woke up from a nightmare. Luna told him she didn't have them often, but he still felt better knowing that he could hear it if she did.
He stepped back into the living room, slightly surprised to see both of the women with tears in their eyes. He felt his cheeks warm up as he sat on the recliner that Luna had bought. Luna and Hermione both were sitting on the couch, a cup of tea in their hands.
"So Hermione, would you like to know why we really brought you here?" Luna asked. Harry groaned, he was hoping to put it off longer, and of course Luna decided to go the direct route.
"It would be nice," Hermione said. "Not that I haven't enjoyed your company, but it seems like there are certain topics that you and Harry are avoiding like the plague."
"Luna, I'll speak for us both, okay?" Harry said, sitting up. He took her hand, giving it a squeeze as her focus rested on him. "I know you can do it, but I'd rather talk, its easier for me, remember?" She nodded, her eyes staying focused on him.
"Hermione, what was your first impression of Mary?" Harry asked.
"She's one of the sweetest little girls I had the pleasure of meeting," Hermione said. She appeared to be slightly confused by the question but continued on. "She has a little trouble focusing, but its the same as any child would. There aren't any problems with her are there?" Her tone of voice was panicking now. Harry just shook his head, his smile grim.
"There isn't a thing wrong with Mary," Harry said. "But there were some problems before Mary was born."
"Like what?" Hermione asked. Luna had tensed at this, closing her eyes tightly. Harry gave Hermione a nod as she took Luna's hand in her own.
"Love, he's gone, its not going to happen again," Harry whispered as he caught the sight of tears on Luna's cheeks. He moved her over easily, letting her cry into his shoulder. Hermione refused to let go of her hand, and Harry could only smile at her. Luna needed to know there were more people that cared for her. He knew that this had been a good idea for her. "Do you still want me to tell her?" Luna pulled back from him, shaking her head.
"I'll do it," she said. She took a deep breath, holding tightly to both of their hands. "About three years ago, I was walking home at night, because it was one of those spring nights that seems just right." Hermione moved closer, but still held onto Luna's hand. "I was almost here, a couple blocks away when..." She paused here, taking in several deep breaths, holding onto both of their hands tightly. "He took me to the back of the alley." Her face was now devoid of emotions, as if she was pushing them away. Harry knew otherwise. He had seen her like this before; she pushed everything aside so she could get the facts out. So she could get the facts straight. She had done the same thing when she was relating it all to the police, and she was doing it again. "He slapped me a couple times, telling me to shut up or he'd kill me." Harry felt her hand squeeze his tightly, and he could only squeeze back. "He then threw me to the wall, and...." Her mouth opened and closed several times, as if she did not know the words to describe it. Maybe she did, or she could not bring herself to speak what happened to her again.
"Mommy?" They all frozen and Harry felt another piece of his heart break as Mary came walking over to them, her lion held tightly to her chest. "Are you okay?" Luna let go of their hands, and lifted Mary into her lap.
"I will be," Luna said. Mary wrapped her arms around her mother's neck as she cried again. Harry looked over at Hermione, not surprised to see the tears in her own eyes. He gave her a sad smile before reaching over a squeezing her hand. She tried to return it, nearly succeeding as well. She nodded and got up from her seat, heading toward the kitchen.
"You take all the time you need, love," Harry said. He leaned over, giving them a strong hug before standing up and kissing Luna's head lightly. He followed Hermione into the kitchen, not surprised to see her beginning to make a pot of tea.
"Does Luna have anything stronger?" Hermione asked, searching one of the cabinets. Harry could only smirk; Luna had thrown out all of the alcohol the minute he had gone to her flat drunk one night, and then forced him to go to AA.
"She hasn't for quite some time," Harry said. "Why, you looking for some for yourself or her?"
"Myself," Hermione admitted. She closed the cabinet door and stood up, leaning against the counter. Her back was to Harry, and he did everything in his power to not go over there and gather her in a hug. "How could someone do something like that to her?"
"There is evil in this world that you could never understand," Harry said. "There is a darkness in us all, and it is what we let that darkness do to us that defines us." He leaned against the table now, staring at Hermione as she tried to take everything in.
"What is your darkness Harry?" Hermione asked, turning around. Her tears were at bay, but not for long. There was a pain in her eyes that Harry knew to be guilt. He woke up with the same pain in his eyes for the last six years.
"You asked why Luna has no alcohol here, its the same reason that the Andres' don't have any in their house either," Harry said, crossing his arms. "Me. I'm.....I'm an alcoholic." He closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. He had taken the first step. Admitting the problem. Admitting that he had a problem. What came next was not what he expected.
He nearly broke the table as he braced himself from Hermione's flying tackle. Despite being intimate with her, he was now under the current belief that she could not get any closer to him than she already was.
"You are not getting anyway until you tell me everything," Hermione hissed into his ear. Harry flinched, the hot breath only making his resolve more difficult to hold onto.
"I would love to, if I could breath," he said. He coughed a bit as she loosened the hold on his neck, yet did not let him go.
"Now, talk," Hermione said. Harry smiled at her attempt to glare, but the tears prevented him from fearing her. The tears did however make him want to hold her even closer. And he did.
"I started drinking when I first left," he said. "Nothing large, just something to make me feel that things weren't so bad. That I could get through it.
"Nights grew longer, and I started drinking sooner in the day. Luna knew, and tried to help. She really did a lot of the time. But most of the time, I'd come here, and I'd see the world of magic that had turned its back to me, and I couldn't take it. I had to leave. I stayed in contact with Luna, and helped her out the first few years. She turned over quite a bit of a profit for me.
"I went to Oxford, with some papers I had Professor McGonagall draw up for me. It kept my mind off of everything here, at least while I was in class or doing the work." Harry leaned against the table, shifting slightly as it dug into his back. Hermione let go for a moment before forcing him into a chair. He wasn't too surprised when she climbed into his lap.
"You're not going anywhere until you finish," she said. She wrapped her arms around his neck, almost snuggling into him as she relaxed. He pushed that thought aside, chalking Hermione's actions up to seeking comfort.
"When I wasn't working one my projects, I was out at a bar, drinking, trying to forget everything," Harry said. "From Riddle, to what happened with you." He sighed and turned his head away from her ear. Did she have to be so bloody close? "Especially what happened with you."
"How long did this go on?" Hermione asked, not looking at him.
"It wasn't until I came here, once drunk that it finally stopped," Harry said. "That was about year and a half ago. Luna told me that if I ever wanted to see my goddaughter again, I'd have to get clean." With Hermione, telling her was so much easier than it had been at the AA meetings. He knew they would not judge him there, he knew that they would understand him there, but still... He always could talk to her about just about anything. Even his problems relating to her.
"I've been doing pretty good too, finished my degree, and then started working on my masters," Harry said. "Keeping myself busy so I didn't have time to think about the drink. I even dated a bit." He felt Hermione tense in his arms. She did nothing to get out of his lap though, if anything, she moved closer. "None of them ever worked out, my heart wasn't into it." They sat there for a few moments, just holding onto each other. To Harry, it was as if she had never betrayed him. And maybe, as if he could learn to love her again. But could he trust her again?
"Did you have a relapse?" Hermione asked. She had pulled back to look at him, staring into his eyes. He turned away, not wanting to see the disappointment in her eyes as well. He had already gotten enough of that from Luna.
"Yeah, twice," Harry said. "The first time was right after I had started the program. Everyone was actually really supportive at the meeting. Said the first day was the hardest. It was."
"And the second time?" she asked.
"About two weeks ago." he said, trying to hide the pain from the still close experience.
"When you first saw me?" Hermione asked. There were tears in her eyes again as he nodded. She buried her head into his neck, muttering apologies to him between her tears. He tried to reassure her, yet found that his words fell on deaf ears. He finally had to pull back, knowing that was the only way to get her to listen.
"I forgive you," Harry said to her softly. Her eyes shot up to meet his, surprise still in them.
"Really?" she asked, drying her eyes. Harry smiled when she didn't realize she was using his shirt.
"I wouldn't have agreed to this if I didn't," he said honestly. She smiled again, before surprising him once more.
She hopped off him after she kissed him on the cheek, a shy smile on her face. "Would you like to know what's been going on?" At this she had diverted her eyes from him, and only then Harry saw Luna in the room. He wasn't surprised to see the small glare on her face directed at Hermione. Luna had become fiercely protective of him. She refused to print any rumors about him, and that was the only reason Witch Weekly was still in business; it was because they would.
"That would be nice," Luna said, sitting down at the table next to Harry. She took his hand before glaring at her. "Did Harry explain his own problems?" Hermione turned away at this, and brought a hand up to her eyes. Harry knew she was brushing away some tears, her eyes still red when she turned back to look at them. She just nodded before taking the other seat next to him.
"I first off want to apologize to you both," Hermione said. "I should have stayed in contact with both of you, or at least tried harder. I chose the easier of two roads and now I'm paying for it." She paused and took a breath. Harry shook his head, leaning back in his chair. There was a lot going on that she did not want him to know about.
"I guess I should start at the top, with Mr. And Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. "Mr. Weasley has been fine, and trying to control his wife, but Mrs. Weasley has taken it upon herself to insure that her ideals of a perfect family are met. Especially for her youngest. Ginny is an angel to her, and can't do anything wrong. Even she is tired of the treatment."
"Sounds like she's lost it," Harry said with a smile. He knew Luna was smiling as well; Molly had been a part of both of their exiles and a fair share of their pain.
"She has," Hermione said. "Bill and Fleur are expecting their second, and Molly is harping on them. Charlie is still a bachelor, but Fleur told me that there is a girlfriend he is hiding."
"From the twins?" Luna asked. Hermione shook her head with a sad smile.
"From his mother," Hermione said. "Everyone has just accepted that Mrs. Weasley is right, no matter what."
"Well look at what her 'right' way has done to the two of us?" Harry said, becoming angrier with the matriarch of the Weasley family.
"Its done more than that Harry," Hermione said. She folded her hands and looked down at them. "After you left, she was pushing Ron to marry." Harry heard a snap and felt something sharp pierce his hands as he gripped the table. He had managed to snap off a bit of the table and now had it stuck through his hands. He removed them carefully before Hermione charmed the pain away, letting Luna wrap them up. He gave them both smiles as he nodded toward Hermione continue.
He didn't like the fact that Ron wanted to marry Hermione. No matter how much he had told himself over the years, he wasn't over her. Her return only cemented that in his mind. And it made the pain he felt even worse.
"So what happened?" Harry asked. He swallowed the bile that came with those words, though he knew that he had nothing to be angry about. Not any more. That anger made him into a man he did not like, a man he hated.
"I finally told him yes," Hermione said. She did not make eye contact with him, instead finding the table interesting. "It was not one of my finer moments, I'm ranking it right below when I betrayed you. But he was all I had left." She looked up at him, her eyes pleading him not to be angry with him. The guilt hung in her eyes like the tears she had cried. "His mother took over everything, wouldn't let me make a single decision, saying that 'I didn't know how to plan a proper wizarding wedding.'" Harry wasn't too surprised to see Hermione angry, and he knew that the anger was still there as she shook her head, continuing. "Ron wasn't much better, he kept siding with her and pushing me to have sex with him again, despite me telling him I didn't want to." Harry wasn't sure what his heart was doing, flopping on the ground like a fish came to mind as it tried to jump at the sound of her not wanting to sleep with Ron, and it collapsed at the thought of Ron sleeping with Hermione. "Our fights were getting worse too. It seemed like everything was a problem for him. I finally told him that if he wanted to marry a girl, he'd have to stop turning her into his mother. Threw the ring in his face, hexed his arse, then kicked him out of my flat." Harry could not help the laugh that came out. Even Luna let out a small chuckle. Hermione smiled through her tears.
"What hex?" Harry asked, happy to see the smile on her face.
"I didn't let him stay long enough to figure out which one actually hit him," Hermione said with a sheepish grin. Harry chuckled loudly, as Luna giggled next to him.
"When was this?" Luna asked.
"A little over a month ago," Hermione said. Harry felt his body stiffen at this. She had first called his show over a month ago, asking to talk to him. "It finally was too much for me. I had to end it."
"How did Ron take it?" Harry asked. He was trying to keep his voice level, but he did not want her to know of his program.
"As good as could be expected I guess," Hermione said. "I haven't talked with anyone but Ginny and Bill. Fleur and I were really close to begin with. All of them understand what happened, and they've tried to help me, but Mrs. Weasley has decided I've betrayed her as well..." Her voice trailed off here, there was more to it, yet he doubted if he would be able to know until they returned. If they returned.
"No wonder Ron is the way he is," Harry said, shaking his head. "Look who his role model was. Take everything personally, and get angry. Sounds like Molly to me."
"I almost feel sorry for Arthur," Luna said. "Has Ronald gotten worse since....?"
"Yes, his complaints to his mother are really the reason why I'm not welcome as much as I am anymore," Hermione said. "I've been over there a few times, yet left early. Fleur isn't welcome any more than I am, and she's even told me that the only reason that she's tolerated is because Molly wants grandchildren."
"You think Bill and Fleur would like to come and visit?" Luna offered. Harry gave her a smile, knowing that she and Fleur had talked during the Tournament, yet hadn't since then. Fleur had been a bit of a friend to her during that year, and seeing her again might do Luna some good.
"I think they'd like that, Ginny might come as well," Hermione offered.
"If she apologizes, she can," Luna said. She took Harry's hand in her own, squeezing it. Hermione nodded, smiling lightly. "But just them for now, if that's alright."
"No, that's more than I expected," Hermione said. "You've both been so kind to me, and I really haven't done much to deserve it, from either of you."
"All I ever wanted was an apology," Luna said. "You gave me that. I have too much in my life that matters to me to not forgive you."
"Uncle Harry?" He turned to see the little image of Luna walking into the room. He easily lifted her into his lap, letting her settle there. "What are you talking about?"
"Just solving a few problems," Harry said as she took his hands to wrap them around her stomach. "And catching up on what Hermione has been doing."
"Oh, is Aunt Mione staying?" Luna and Harry shared a look of shock. Mary was very restrictive on who she let in. One day here, and Hermione was already let into the little girl's heart.
"That I believe is up to her," Luna said. Mary turned and stared at Hermione, pouting almost.
"I'd love to," Hermione said. Mary threw herself at Hermione, the smile plastered on both of their faces. Harry could not help but laugh lightly. Mary was never outgoing, and had very few friends. Now she had one more.
Harry could not help but think that things might work out in the end. He might be able to fully turn around his life after all.
I0I
Harry couldn't remember a time when he saw so many people proud of him. He had just walked across the stage in at Oxford, in the cap and gown he was required to wear. He had graduated with his Masters, now, onto his Doctorate. He had already been accepted into Oxford, and he knew that it would be a longer haul then the last, but right now, that didn't matter.
The ceremony was over, and he as standing with Luna and Mary. And Hermione. After he had told her about graduating soon, she had begged him to let her attend. Now that she was here, he couldn't think of anyone else that he wanted here.
The last few weeks were rough, for them all. Harry had found that once he had told Hermione of his problem, she felt guilt unlike he had ever seen in someone. Well, except himself, but that was different. Even the Wizarding psychiatrists seemed to agree that he should feel some guilt over what had happened to him. It was his choice that killed nearly forty people. They called it survivor's guilt. A natural part of life. He agreed, that was no doubt. But it didn't make the pain any lighter.
No, Hermione's pain seemed centered around how she had failed him. And while he wouldn't argue that she didn't, he had failed her too in a way. But she needed to accept that sometimes failure happens. He was trying to at least.
"I'm so proud of you," Luna said as she wrapped him in a hug. "You have any time off, between school and your job?"
"A little, but I've got nothing planned." Harry looked over at Hermione as she and Mary were talking in hushed voices. Mary was so much like her mother, in touch one moment, and out of touch the other. And Hermione seemed to be getting into the same act. Such were the woman in his life.
"Hermione told me that Remus and Tonks want to see you," Luna said.
"If they really had wanted to, they would have contacted me themselves," Harry said. "They have to make the first move, much like Hermione did."
"What'd I do?" Hermione asked as she and Mary walked up.
"Make amends," Harry said. "Now, we've got enough time for us to head out for dinner before I've got to go to work." Checking his watch, he didn't notice the questioning look Hermione sent him until he looked up.
"Where do you work?" Hermione asked.
"He works for the radio station," Mary said. Harry turned away and let out a groan. This was definitely not the way he thought it was going to happen. "He's got this really cool show that plays for people who have been hurt. Mum's listens to it all the time, when she doesn't think I'm listening." Harry looked over at Luna, just as surprised at Mary's words.
"You're still playing the hero Harry," Luna said with a tearful smile.
"What's your call name Harry?" Hermione asked. She tried to glare at him, but he could only smile. She had already figured it out, or at least the most important parts.
"You should know that by now Hermione," Harry said. "The brokenhearted call me up when they don't know what else to do." He gave her a half-hearted smile, knowing that she was growing more and more angry with him.
The sting across his face meant that she had figured it out and slapped him for it. Not that he didn't deserve it. "You knew I had called you and you said nothing?" She was crying, not a good thing for him. Before, he never could handle a crying Hermione.
"What did you want me to say to you?" Harry asked. He kept his voice level, not really angry with her, though he knew she was with him. "'Hey, my name's Harry Potter, and my girlfriend cheated with my best friend in my bed. That's why I've got this show to help me work out the problems.'" He turned away at this, knowing that she really could never understand what he had gone through after she had called the first time.
"You could have told me the truth," Hermione snapped back.
"When did I lie to you? When?" Harry said, turning back. "I never once said something that was false about my job or the interactions that it caused." Hermione stood there for a few moments, her mouth moving like a fish's, trying to come up with some response. "Look, if you want to believe that I did something wrong, then fine, believe that. As for me, I'm out of here." He turned to Luna, looking at her for a moment before kneeling next to Mary. "Love, I'm not going to be able to make it for lunch, but I promise you, I'll always be there for you."
He could not hold back the smile on his face as Mary hugged him tightly. She kept whispering apologies in his ear, like it was here fault for what happened between him and Hermione. Kissing Mary's cheek, he lifted her up off the ground as he stood.
"Its not your fault," he said softly to her.
"But you two are meant for each other," Mary whispered back. "I know, I can see it." She said with the wisdom of a three-year-old. He was shocked, but just smiled.
"I thought so too for a while," he said, kissing her lightly upon her cheek again. He said his goodbyes to both her and Luna. Hermione was long gone, having stomped off after he began to ignore her. They both needed to cool off before he talked again. He just hoped that she didn't go running back to Ron.
"She's sure using up a lot of second chances," Luna said. She had just stood to the side, and only now was commenting on the fight. Harry tried to smile, but the pain in his chest was just too great.
"Yeah," he said. "I really don't know if I've got it in me to keep fighting Luna." He looked back at where Hermione disappeared from, missing the tears that fell from Luna's cheeks. He was just too tired of fighting for something that didn't seem worth it anymore. Kissing her cheek once more and giving Mary one more hug, he left them, heading off to visit his parents. They couldn't tell him what to do, but maybe talking with them might help.
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