A/N - well, some very polarised reactions to the last chapter, which I expected. I guess I just wanted to make Harry human and not perfect because, quite frankly, no-one is, really. I think there is some redemption in this chapter…
Thank you to all who have reviewed, some quite extensively! I do read every review (and even replied to a couple this time) and appreciate them immensely.
Righto - not too long to go now…
Chapter 6
Okay
That was all Hermione said after his apology, but it was enough. She didn't tell him what was going on, just that she had forgiven him - he had to live with that.
Not that he had much time to delve too deeply into what may or may not be happening in the outside world. The first lot of exams were set for the end of May and the five months of his life since the start of the year seemed to be consumed by classes and studying.
After the harrowing two weeks of exams had finally ended, the recruits left their isolation to start their on-the-job training with qualified Auror's at the Ministry. It meant that Harry could return to Grimmauld Place and that he had a day off a week to catch up with his friends.
His new partner was a chap named Paul Smith, who, on the outside, was as unremarkable as his name. But Harry found out quite quickly not to underestimate the fifty-one year old and had immediate respect for the man. Paul also showed none of the awe or fan-like enthusiasm of Harry's fame as others in the department - and the Ministry - showed. Sometimes Harry wished he was back to the seclusion of the past year, locked away in some secret place with only a few around him. Instead, he had to endure requests for pictures and autographs wherever he went.
Not so strangely, Harry became very apt at disguises and concealment charms, preferring to be unrecognisable when out and about. He also spent any free time he had in the Muggle world where no one knew him at all. It made him wonder how he would ever be able to do his job successfully as he couldn't walk around anywhere in the wizarding world without being harassed.
Which was what was happening as he stood in the Atrium waiting for Paul so they could go to lunch. He hadn't disguised himself as he had planned to storm through the Atrium to the lifts then have lunch at a Muggle café. But Paul had forgotten something so now he stood in full view, trying not to scowl at everyone who came his way.
Trying to be polite to the sixth person who had asked for his autograph, he heard his name being called by a voice he would recognise anywhere. Grinning, he turned to see Hermione striding towards him, beaming.
"Oh, I hoped I'd see you around," she said when she was close enough, "I heard the trainees were now at the Ministry but I wasn't sure if you were able to be visited! My, look at you!"
"Hey Hermione," he smiled, engulfing her into a hug without really thinking about it, "what are you doing here?"
"It's summer holidays so I'm working here full time until September," she explained, still holding his hands in hers, "gosh, it's good to see you."
"Actually, I'm surprised you didn't hex me," Harry told her honestly, "especially after the last time we met."
"You apologised and I forgave you," she stated matter of factly, "though you do have some making up to do."
"How 'bout taking you out for lunch for starters then," cut in Paul, who had arrived while they had been talking.
"That would be nice," Hermione agreed with a smile, "we can catch up."
So after some introductions, shooing away of persistent fans and an escape into Muggle London, Harry and Hermione were sitting at a pub sipping on glasses of tonic water.
"I must say, you're looking rather fab, Harry," she said as they sat down, "Auror training really does agree with you."
"Thanks, I guess," Harry replied with an embarrassed blush, "they do work us out a bit."
"Are you enjoying it?"
"I don't know," he frowned, "sometimes."
"You don't sound very enthusiastic."
"It's just that," Harry paused as he thought about it, his frown deepening, "I feel like I'm just doing it because everyone expects me to do it. I'm not particularly brilliant yet everyone assumes I can do anything they give me. Drives me mental."
"Oh," she sighed sympathetically, "will you stay on?"
"Probably."
"You could always leave…"
"And do what?" he groaned, "there's nothing else I can do!"
"I'm sure that's not the case…"
"How 'bout you?" he interrupted, desperately wanting to change the subject, "how is school?"
The next little bit was spent with Hermione telling him about her classes and how horrid her exams were and how the law department at the Ministry had dropped from twenty to eight because of the war. He was enjoying hearing her talk about her life and it was like the mess of New Years never happened. Remembering Neville's words, he knew he'd have to bring up Dan sooner or later as she seemed to make sure she didn't mention him. As their food was served and Hermione paused in her conversation, Harry decided it was now or never.
"So, how's it going with Dan?" he asked what he hoped was casually. She looked up at him in surprise.
"Are you sure you want to know?" she asked back.
"Yeah, I do," he carried on, smiling slightly, "look, I know I've been a prat when it comes to you two but if he's a part of your life, I need to accept that. He seems to make you happy."
"He does," she admitted shyly, "he's a really nice bloke, Harry."
"Well, I'd be disappointed if you fell for someone horrid," he joked weakly, "so, you and him are still going strong?"
"Yes, we are."
"That's really good, Hermione."
"Thanks," she blushed, "hey, what about you and Alex? Have you spoken to her since New Years?"
"You know about Alex?"
"Considering she told anyone who would listen about her activities that night, I'm afraid I do," she chuckled.
"Bloody hell," Harry groaned, hiding his head in his hands, "I'm so sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean…"
"Don't worry about it," she tried to reassure but when Harry looked back at her, he could see the hurt in her eyes, "you're a young man and I know Alex. Once she gets set on someone, nothing will get in her way."
"Still, that was well out of order," he muttered, "especially after what I said to you…"
"It's all in the past."
"Can you really let it go that easily?" he asked, knowing he was walking on shaky ground.
"I have to," she told him firmly, looking at him straight in the eye, "your friendship means too much to me to give up on it."
"You're friendship means a lot to me, too," he admitted, "I thought I'd really messed it up, I really did. I've been such an idiot."
"Yes, you have," she agreed, "you really hurt me, Harry."
"I know, and I'll do anything to make it up to you. I'm so sorry, Hermione."
"So, are you ready for the ball on your birthday?" she asked suddenly, completely changing the subject.
"No," he answered sourly, "I really wish they wouldn't do stuff like this. Kingsley assured me this would be the last that I have to attend."
"I still chuckle when I think you will never have to work on your birthday ever again," she grinned, "considering it's now a public holiday."
"Well, I'm glad you find it amusing," he grumped, "because it's just plain embarrassing."
"You should be proud of yourself."
"Are you bringing Dan to the ball?" Harry questioned.
"No," she sighed, "he doesn't know I'm a witch yet."
"What?" he cried, "Hermione, you've been going out for months!"
"I know," she sighed again, "there just never seems to be the right time."
"You can come with me then," he told her, then blushing as she looked up at him in surprise, "as a friend," he hastily added, "I mean, I'm not taking anyone and you'll be on your own. I'm guessing Ron will be taking Lavender…"
"Ron and Lavender broke up on Valentine's Day," Hermione informed him with a smirk.
"Really?"
"Yes," she carried on, still grinning, "but it seems he's found someone else…"
"Who?"
"Well, Luna's name is coming up quite a lot in conversation…"
"Luna?" Harry repeated, surprised, "our Luna? The girl Ron thought was more mental than you?"
"Thanks for that, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes but still smiling broadly, "but yes, 'our Luna'. Since he opened the store in Hogsmeade…"
"That's right," he nodded, "I'd forgotten about that."
"…her name is often mentioned. Oh, and Ginny's dating a Ravenclaw called Simon, in case you didn't know."
"I didn't know," Harry frowned as he tried to work out how he felt and realised he felt nothing, "good for her, I guess."
"Are you okay, Harry?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," he answered, once more smiling, "yeah, I am. This has been fun, catching up. Just like old times."
"It has been nice," she smiled at him, "we should do this again what with both of us now at the Ministry."
"I'd like that," he agreed, and as he paid their bill and began the walk back to the Ministry, they discussed how Harry would just meet her in the Atrium at one o'clock if he's free. If he's not there at one, she'll have lunch on her own.
Over the following weeks, they managed to have lunch four or five times with each catch-up as relaxed and fun as the last. Harry visited Ron on the first Sunday he had off but vowed the following week he'd visit Teddy and Mrs Tonks - the first time since Christmas.
Nervously standing at the door, he shifted the small posy of flowers from one hand to the other, took a deep breath to calm his nerves, then knocked. Mrs Tonks let out a little cry of surprise before ushering Harry into the house and re-introducing him to the now toddler playing in the lounge. Harry couldn't believe how much Teddy had grown in the six months since he saw him last and found himself quickly enjoying the enthusiasm of the little boy.
It wasn't until Teddy was put down for his afternoon nap that Harry realised how much effort it would be to keep the active child occupied and how difficult it must be for Mrs Tonks.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, sipping a hot cup of tea, Harry looked at Mrs Tonks and saw just how tired she was. A new wave of guilt swept over him.
"He's a bit of a handful," Harry ventured after a while, "keeps you on your toes."
"He certainly does, the little mischief," she replied fondly, "but I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Really?"
"Oh, it would've been grand to watch Dora with the little chap," Mrs Tonks said softly, "and I'm sure Remus would've been a brilliant dad, but that wasn't to be. Teddy is my grandson and I love him to pieces. If I feel exhausted at the end of the day because of a child's enthusiasm, then so be it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I don't know if I could do it," Harry told her honestly.
"Actually, I think you could," she smiled at him fondly, "you're a good boy, Harry."
"But it must be difficult for you," Harry carried on, ignoring her compliment, "I mean, Teddy's so much like…" he stopped, realising just in time how tactless he was being. He was going to say how much Teddy looked like Tonks, that seeing her daughter every time she looked at her grandson must be excruciating. Instead, he blushed furiously as he glanced at Mrs Tonks.
"I have my good days and my bad days," she admitted, her eyes glistening - Harry quickly looked at the table in embarrassment, "but mainly good. Molly and young Fleur have been a great help, especially now that Fleur has a little one of her own. Your friend Hermione has been a frequent visitor too! She seems quite taken with little Teddy."
"Hermione's been here?" Harry asked, surprised, "she never told me."
"From what she's said, you haven't been around that much to tell," Mrs Tonks smiled slightly, any trace of her tears gone.
"We've been talking heaps these past weeks!"
"I'm glad," she continued seriously, "she was really quite worried about you…"
"You talk about me a bit then?"
"Your name does come up now and then," Mrs Tonks admitted, then cocked her head to the side slightly as she looked at him, "can I ask you a question, Harry? Please, feel free to tell me to keep my nose out of your affairs if I've crossed the line but, I must say I am quite curious."
"About what?"
"Your relationship with Hermione."
"Relationship?" Harry repeated dumbly, immediately feeling heat return to his cheeks.
"There you go," Mrs Tonks chuckled, blushing herself, "I've overstepped the line. You don't need to tell me…"
"No, no that's okay," Harry stumbled out, "it's just that…well…I don't really know. Last year it would've been easy - Hermione's my best friend…"
"But now?"
"Now, it's complicated."
They both sat in silence for a moment, Harry both hoping the conversation would go further and wishing for it to stop because it was embarrassing to talk about this type of stuff with a woman he hardly knew.
"It was complicated for Ted and I as well," Mrs Tonks said finally, looking directly at Harry, "what with one thing or another." Harry didn't say anything, not sure whether he was meant to or not. It seemed he didn't need to speak as Mrs Tonks quietly continued, "as you know, my family disowned me after I refused to marry the pure blood wizard they had picked out for me. I walked away from Grimmauld Place without a second glance.
"I came here, to this little village and started my life as a Muggle. I worked in a coffee shop, lived in a little flat in the village and loved it. After a few months, this handsome young man kept coming in to the shop and we started talking. He eventually asked me out and it wasn't long before we were courting.
"The trouble was, Ted didn't know I was a witch and I really didn't know how to tell him. I had heard the rumours that there was a dark wizard gaining strength and that the wizarding world was in danger. I knew I would have to tell Ted soon - but I really didn't know whether I loved him then. We had only been together four months and telling him what I was required so much trust that I was petrified on what to do. I was so confused about how I felt and whether my initial crush was indeed love. I had no idea - love in my family meant honour and duty.
"In the end, I took the chance. I listened to my heart and it told me that this man cared for me, respected me, loved me and he deserved to know the truth."
"What happened?" Harry asked when Mrs Tonks paused, caught up in her story.
"I didn't see him for two weeks. I thought I'd lost him and was devastated. Then one day he turned up to my flat and told me he didn't care. That he loved me and that was all that mattered. It was at that moment I knew I loved him back.
"We were married a year later with no members of my family present. Dora came along quite a bit later and we were so happy. He was truly a wonderful man."
"I'm sorry…"
"You've got nothing to be sorry for, Harry," she smiled sadly, "what I'm trying to say is that most relationships are complicated. For Ted and myself, it was because we came from two different worlds. For Remus and Dora, he felt he was too old for her and too dangerous. Even your mother and father's relationship was complicated…"
"You knew my mother and father?"
"Your mother was a dear friend, even though I was so much older than her," Mrs Tonks recalled fondly, aware that she now had Harry's full attention, "which is why I would like to help you."
"How was my parent's relationship complicated?" Harry asked, ignoring the offer of help.
"Lily's feelings for James changed over the years and it confused her," Mrs Tonks told him, "just like your feelings for Hermione have changed."
Startled at how the conversation had somehow returned back to Hermione, Harry frowned.
"I don't want to talk about it," he muttered, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms to accentuate the fact.
"Okay," Mrs Tonks agreed, nodding, "I'm sorry…"
"It's just that…" Harry continued, unfolding himself so he could lean onto the table, not looking at his host, "ever since I've known her, I've never been attracted to her, you know? I mean, I knew she was a girl and I knew she was pretty. When I saw her at the Yule Ball she looked amazing…but I never thought of me and her together. I never got jealous when she dated Krum or Ron. She was just my best friend who just happened to be a girl."
"So…" Mrs Tonks started but Harry cut in, not even hearing her.
"Sure, when she and Ron started hinting that they liked each other, I didn't really want it to happen. But it was because it would mean I'd be left out."
"Did they…"
"And when everyone kept assuming Hermione and I were together during the Tri-Wizards Tournament," he interrupted, "I couldn't understand why. I kept thinking that it was obvious that we were just friends, why couldn't everyone else see that?"
"Maybe everyone…"
"Besides, I liked Cho then. Of course, that didn't work out and she even thought I had something with Hermione, but still. Then it was Ginny…"
"Arthur and Molly's youngest?"
"Yes," Harry sighed, "every time I saw her, I went crazy. I thought about her all the time, dreamt about her…the short time we were together was brilliant…"
"So why…"
"…Hermione encouraged me, supported me. She and Ginny got on fine. Well, except when Ginny had a go at Hermione that one time…
"But it didn't matter. All the time when it was just Ron, Hermione and me hunting the Horcruxes, I never once thought of Hermione being more. Even after Ron left and it was just her and me, it never occurred to me that we could've got closer. I thought she was missing Ron, I really did. I saw her in her pyjama's every day! Some nights we'd share the same bed to keep warm! Nothing ever happened because I never, ever saw her that way!"
"Until now."
"Now, I think about her all the time!" Harry cried, standing up and starting to pace, "I wonder what's she's doing, if she's thinking about me. I see her in that summer dress she wore, I remember how her eyes are the deepest brown, and how when the sun hits her hair, there are so many colours there that it makes her hair seem to dance!
"The thought of her with some other bloke makes me crazy! She makes me crazy! And I don't know why I'm feeling like this - she's my best friend, and that's it! She can't be more…"
"Why not?"
"Because!" Harry yelled, glaring at Mrs Tonks before immediately calming down and slumping once more into his seat, "I don't know. Maybe because I've spent so long with her being just my friend that the idea of it being more scares me."
"Maybe you're right," Mrs Tonks agreed gently, reaching out and placing her hand over his, "Harry, love is scary just as love is wonderful. You never know where it will lead you, when it will last forever or when it is just a fleeting fancy. But to not give love a chance - oh, honey, you miss out on something magical."
"What if it doesn't work out?" he whispered, staring at their hands.
"What if it does?"
Harry looked up at Mrs Tonks knowing that he was close to crying but he couldn't help it.
"I don't know how to love," he breathed, a tear falling down his cheek which he swiped away quickly.
"Yes you do," Mrs Tonks told him, "I've watched you with Teddy, I heard Remus and Dora talk of you and I've seen the light in Hermione's eyes when she tells me of the things you've done. You've been loving all those around you for a long time, Harry - all you need to do is recognise it."
Wiping away another stray tear, Harry nodded then took a deep breath to get himself under control. It felt strange to have shared so much but he knew he was better for it. Like talking to Neville, it had given him a clarity that hadn't been there before and he was grateful.
He left Mrs Tonks with more to think about, but a lot of the turmoil had gone. On his way home, he realised she was right, his feelings for Hermione had changed but she was with someone else. Strangely, he didn't have the urge for vengeance - she deserved to be happy and Dan was making her happy. Instead, he decided that he would be the best friend he could be. Her birthday was still a few months away but he planned to make it the best birthday she ever had.
His own birthday was horrid. The ball held in his honour both embarrassed him and reminded him of all that he had lost. The only bright spot was the fact that Ron and Hermione never left his side, with Neville, Luna and even Ginny (with her new boyfriend) making the night bearable. Still, he accepted the placards with humility before leaving early and retreating to Grimmauld Place with his friends.
On one of his days off, he waited for Dan outside the place he was working at for the summer and asked him what he had planned for Hermione's birthday. Hermione had told Dan that she never did much for her birthday so nothing special had been organised. Harry told him of what he had thought and over a couple of beers, the two young men worked out what they were going to do.
Harry was pretty pleased with himself.
In the meantime, he had started to go on missions and such as an Auror while still frantically learning the laws and rules needed to guide them when out on the field. With every passing day, it became more obvious to Harry that Neville was the better Auror and that Harry wasn't enjoying it as much as he thought he would.
September arrived with Hermione leaving the Ministry and returning to university. Although their lunches had got fewer as Harry spent more time out in the field, he hated the fact that the option of seeing her during the day had been taken away.
With her birthday now only days away, he started to get nervous. It had been planned at a Muggle bar so her parents, school friends and even some relatives, could attend. Those of the wizarding persuasion were getting used to handling themselves in a Muggle environment and Harry couldn't see there being a problem.
Yet, as with so many things in his life, it didn't go to plan. The mission he, Neville and some other Auror's were called to took longer than anticipated so they were both an hour late and Harry was starting to lose it.
"How do I look?" he asked Neville as they sat in the back of the taxi as it wizzed through the streets of Oxford.
"Fantastic," Neville replied absently as he frantically did up his tie, not even looking in Harry's direction, "especially for a bloke who isn't planning on pulling tonight because he's after another bloke's girl."
"I'm not after her," Harry scowled.
"Right," Neville retorted, finally relaxing in his seat, "that's why for the first time since you've known Hermione, you're throwing her a birthday party."
"We couldn't before, we were at Hogwarts!" Harry tried to justify; Neville answered with a snort, "what?"
"How many birthday presents have you bought Hermione?"
"Presents?"
"Yes, presents, you daft git," Neville repeated, "gifts and such like. For her birthday. How many?"
Harry thought about it, thought about it hard and realised the best way to answer is to say nothing. He knew he'd bought Hermione Christmas presents, but birthday presents seemed to have been few and far between.
"Just like I thought," Neville continued smugly, "and now you've organised a huge party just for her. Of course you're not trying to impress her so she will leave Dan and come running to you. You're a shocker, Potter."
Just as he was about to respond, the taxi pulled up at the bar he and Dan had chosen so his reply was lost in the payment of the fare and them making their way through the crowds to the private function room up the stairs.
It was full with people laughing and smiling but Harry found Hermione immediately. Neville muttered a 'good luck' at him before disappearing to find his girlfriend while Harry just stood there stunned.
She looked beautiful.
"Harry!" His name echoed around the hall as others, along with Hermione, spotted him. Soon he was engulfed in one of her bone crunching hugs, a bemused Dan watching him from her side.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry managed to choke out, "sorry we're la…"
"Oh Harry," she gushed, still holding him, "this is wonderful! You organised all of this for me?"
"You're having fun then?" he answered, finally being released from her embrace.
"Yes!" she cried, "oh, I can't believe you found the time to do this!"
He was about to take all the credit, say it was nothing and then bask in her gratitude - but he couldn't. Dan's smile was quickly fading and Harry also noticed Neville standing nearby with his arm around his girlfriend, Kelly, watching him with interest.
"Actually, I didn't," he finally admitted with a smile, "Dan did most of it and to be quite frank, he did a bloody brilliant job. I just gave him some ideas and a bit of dosh."
Hermione's attention turned to her boyfriend, hugging and kissing him in thanks. Harry caught Neville's eye and accepted his friend's slight nod of approval with an inward sigh. Just as he was about to go and try and find Ron, who hadn't yet made an appearance, Hermione turned back to him, grinning.
"Thank you Harry, this is…" she paused and suddenly frowned, "is that blood?" She reached out to his forehead, with Harry doing the same, cursing to himself as he felt a gash that he'd missed when cleaning himself up after the mission.
"It's nothing…" he began but gave up when he saw the familiar gleam of concern in Hermione's eyes.
"What happened?" she asked as she took a hanky and started to clean it up, "is this why you were late? Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"Hermione, I'm fine," Harry assured, removing her hand from his face gently, "it's just a scratch, nothing more. Go - have a good time. Don't worry about me."
He watched her go with a pang of regret, but shrugged it off and scanned the crowd for Ron. He spotted Alex amongst a group of girls and the passing thought that he could replicate New Years Eve tonight crossed his mind - but he discarded the idea quickly. The whole 'one night stand' thing didn't suit him and he didn't want to go through that again. No, tonight, he'll be going home alone.
Eventually he saw Ron talking to one of the girls from the Ministry, so with a grin, Harry made his way over to his friend, determined to have a good time.
Which he did. He even danced once or twice but most of his time was spent talking to his friends. Hermione kept coming up to him and making sure he was okay, trying to pry more information out of him (and Neville) about the mission and whether he had more injuries, but also ensuring he wasn't standing on the sidelines alone and bored. He constantly assured her he was anything but bored.
By eleven-thirty his long and tiring day finally caught up with him and after saying his farewells, he went home. With the following day one of his blessed days off, Harry slept in until midday, where he was woken up by Kreacher who told him that Ron was downstairs and wanted to talk to him.
Putting on some clean clothes (and telling himself he'll shower when Ron had gone), Harry shuffled down into the kitchen where breakfast and Ron were waiting for him.
"What's up, Ron?" he asked with no preamble, still full of sleep.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing," Ron answered casually, eyeing Harry's cooked breakfast hungrily.
"I'm fine," Harry told him between mouthfuls, ignoring Ron's longing, "and you?"
"Fine," Ron answered, "really good, actually. Me and Tania, that girl I was talking to, are going out again. Can't believe I haven't seen her around before."
"What about Luna?"
"She and I are just friends," Ron shrugged, "that's all."
Harry nodded and carried on eating. When Ron didn't say anything else, Harry glanced up and practically saw the drool dripping out of Ron's mouth. With a chuckle, he asked Kreacher to whip up another breakfast before going back to his own.
"What's the real reason you're here, Ron?" Harry questioned, finishing off his plate, pushing it from him then leaning back in his chair so he could watch his friend. He noticed the colour hit the redhead's ears and the small pause in eating - something was up.
"You left early, and I just wanted to see if you were okay…" Ron started, not looking at Harry.
"And?" Harry prompted, knowing that wasn't the truth.
Ron stopped, debated with himself for a moment then looked at Harry.
"What's going on with you and Hermione?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Harry blurted, startled by the question.
"Look, I know she's with Dan, and he seems a reasonable sort of bloke," Ron started, flustered, "and I know you…well, you said you loved her like a sister when we were in the forest. But that was a while ago, and last night you kept looking at her. Do you fancy her or something?"
Ron's question came out in a rush and now his entire face was red. Harry was ready to deny the notion but then decided that he shouldn't. Ron was his best friend and would find out somehow anyway.
"Yeah," he sighed, then clarified with, "I fancy Hermione," when he saw the look of confusion cross Ron's face. It felt good to have it out in the open but there was still some doubt on how Ron would react. When there was just stunned silence, Harry waved a hand in front of Ron's face, trying to get some reaction. When Ron finally focused on Harry, he asked, "do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Ron shook his head in confirmation, "but blimey Harry, she's with Dan now. And they seem really happy!"
"I know."
"What are you going to do?"
"Nothing," Harry shrugged, "she's with another man who makes her happy. What can I do?"
"Bloody hell," Ron exclaimed, his mind suddenly miles away, but then with a shrug of his shoulders, he went back to his breakfast, "I wouldn't worry about it though mate," he advised between mouthfuls, "she'll come back to you. It's always been you. You just wait."
Ron's advice stuck in Harry's head as he went back to work and began the paperwork that went with the last mission. It was Thursday before he and Paul were called out again, this time to a disturbance in Kent. They had it under control and another Death Eater arrested, allowing Harry to trudge home in the early evening. Stepping out of the Floo, he found Kreacher nervously sitting at the table.
"Sir," the elf cried as soon as he saw Harry, "oh sir! The Miss is outside! I's tried to get her to come in, but she wouldn't! I's tried…"
Harry left the kitchen and went straight into the darkness of the September night to find Hermione sitting in the square.
"Hermione," he cried as soon as he spotted her, "why didn't you come inside? You must be freezing!"
"I need to tell you something," she told him as she stood up, her arms wrapped around her.
"Okay," he frowned in confusion, stepping towards her to usher her to the house, "come on, let's get you inside and warmed up."
"No," she stated firmly, backing away from him. Harry stopped abruptly.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked quietly.
"I just wanted you to know that Dan and I broke up today," she announced, a sob making her pause.
"I…I'm sorry," Harry tried to console while his heartbeat increased in rate, "why? I…I thought you two were strong…"
"He asked me to choose," she interrupted and in the glare of the lamplight Harry saw her look at him, her glassy, tear filled eyes boring into him with sadness. The pain in her face took away any words of condolence that Harry could think of as his mind went blank with shock. Even after all this time, after all that he'd put her through, she still chose him.
Before he could gather his wits, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the darkness. When he heard the soft crack, he knew she had gone.