The Best of Me

Harry had trouble sleeping that night. He lied awake thinking about Hermione. Something was definitely wrong. It was clear that she was troubled, at least to him it was. Hermione was always flustered, especially when she was around Harry. It seemed like she was on the verge of crying every time that he talked to her. She was much thinner than she normally was. She must have stopped eating. But why? Harry turned over in his bed.

This was, he admitted sadly, on of the few times that Harry had ever lost any sleep over Hermione's wellbeing. He had to admit that in their previous years, especially at Hogwarts, he wasn't the best friend that he could have been. Harry rolled back over onto his other side. There was no sense in trying to think about it now. He would speak to Hermione in the morning at the Ministry. Harry sighed.

"Harry, sweetheart, are you alright?", came Ginny's voice. Harry mentally groaned. He had hoped that he could think in peace.

"I'm fine. Just having trouble sleeping.", Harry said flatly. Harry could feel the mood change, and he mentally sighed.

"Oh, well then", Ginny said seductively, "Let me help you with that". Harry didn't have time to protest before Ginny covered his mouth with hers. He laid there, not really in the mood for sex. Ginny attempted to climb on top of Harry, but he pushed her off.

"What's the matter?", Ginny asked with a fake pout. Harry hated it when she did that.

"Nothing, Gin. I'm just not in the mood."

"Oh, come on, Harry. I'll make it worth your while", Ginny murmured. Harry rolled his eyes, thankful for the darkness. Ginny once again climbed on top of him and kissed him with what Harry could only guess was an attempt at passion. Harry caved. If this is what it took to get her to leave him alone for the night, then this is what he would do.Harry put his hands lightly on Ginny's head. Suddenly a flash of brown came into his mind. He froze. Ginny sighed.

"Harry, come on. I want to", Ginny whined. Harry tried to regain his focus. Again, brown came into his mind. Only this time, it was accompanied by a face: Hermione. Harry blinked several times, trying to block out the image. It didn't work. Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and placed it on her breast. It suddenly felt much smaller. A flash of Hermione explained why. She had noticabley larger breasts than Ginny, something Ginny was always self-conscious about. Harry clamped his eyes shut. A vision of Hermione appeared. She looked beautiful. Her hair, although bushy, fell in a wavey spread down her back. Harry knew this was wrong. He couldn't do this to Ginny, but more so, he felt that he couldn't do this to Hermione.

"Gin....Ginny, I can't right now. I'm sorry. I'm going to go sleep on the couch."

"Harry....Harry!", Ginny yelled. Harry ignored her and left the room. It would be another hour before he would fall into a fitfull sleep on the couch.



Hermione awoke. It was morning. She rolled over. What time was it? She grabbed her wand off the bedside table and summoned a clock. Oh shit. She was late. Very late. Hermione sighed heavily. She got up and hopped into the shower. After a quick rinse, Hermione was dressed and out the door.

Hermione walked through the Ministry into her unit. She was looking down at some papers, but saw a figure out of the corner of her eye. It must be her boss.

"I'm sorry that I'm late, Liviana, I overslept and-"

Hermione looked up and stopped cold. It was Harry. He was holding two coffee cups.

"H-Harry", Hermione said dumbly. Harry gave her a small smile.

"H-Hermione", Harry mimicked. Hermione did not smile back.

"Don't mock me", Hermione said angrily. Harry's smile faltered. Hermione turned to go into her office, but Harry blocked the door.

"Hermione, we need to talk. Please."

Harry looked at her with deep green eyes, and she thought she might cry. Hermione sighed and looked around.

"Alright, come in", Hermione said. She felt pangs of tears at her eyes. No. She would not cry, not in front of him. Harry followed her and closed the door behind them. She avoided Harry's eyes.

"So, Harry, what is it?"

Harry set down the cups of coffee. Hermione reluctantly took a cup and sipped from it gingerly. Harry took a deep breath. This might be harder than he thought.

"Hermione, I know we haven't been....well, we haven't been....close friends for a while .At least, not like we used to be. And, recently, I've....well, I've noticed that something is up. Please don't try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me, however rarely that is anymore. Please Hermione, you're so thin and you seem so stressed. I just want to help you."

Hermione mumbled something under her breath.

"What?", Harry asked gently. Hermione looked up, and she was indeed crying.

"Since when do you care about my feelings, Harry Potter? When have you ever been there for me? I mean really been there for me? Like I was for you all these years? I gave myself to you, Harry Potter. I gave myself to you and you took that and abused it. "

Harry was stunned.

"Hermione....how can you say that? I've always cared about you -"

"Oh really? Really? What about all those times I worked my arse off for you, helping and protecting you, and for what? So you can run off with Ginny?", Hermione yelled. She clasped her hand over her mouth as the last words came out. Harry was shocked. There was much more to this than he knew.

"Hermione, what is going on?", Harry pleaded. At that moment, the door opened. It was Hermione's boss, Liviana.

"Hermione, you are still working for me, aren't you?", Liviana said in an annoyed tone. Hermione quickly wiped away at her eyes.

"Yes, sorry Liviana. Harry, I have work to do, and so do you. You should go."

Hermione followed Liviana out of her office, leaving Harry in a blurr.