Worn Me Down
by MissMione26

Rating: PG
Ship: Harry & Hermione
Canon: Books 1 - 7
Genre: Angst, Romance
Status: Complete
Length: 1,234 words in 1 chapter
Published: 27 May 2008
Last updated: 27 May 2008

Seeing him standing here before her like that, looking like he hasn’t slept in days, hearing him say it’s because of
her, hearing these words come from his mouth makes her think this is a dream or possibly the cruelest joke.

From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/8067/

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1. Worn Me Down

Disclaimer:  I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter or the song Worn Me Down, which is by Rachael Yamagata. Great
song! Find it, listen to it, love it people! It's one of those songs on repeat on my ipod. Enough chatter, off you go to
read. Don't forget to review! Thanks so much-----you guys rock

Worn Me Down

Gone - she's gone.
How do you feel about it?
That's what I thought.
You're real done up about it.
And I wish you the best
But I could do without it
And I will because you've worn me down

It was over. Hermione heard the news a few days ago. He had ended it with her a couple of weeks ago. (Finally.) Now she
no longer had to play the supportive best friend who smiled and agreed that she seemed absolutely perfect in every way.
Except now she had to be understanding and supportive to help him get over the fact that the relationship had ended.
(Finally.)

At first Hermione had agreed that she seemed nice and that she did fit in with the group nicely, but after a couple of
months the joy had worn off. Never one to completely tell others how to live their lives, she didn't speak all of her
objections. She simply commented on the slight differences between Harry and Madeline. Madeline didn't always understand
exactly who Harry was, but few could, he had been through things people only have nightmares about. When he decided to
go off and be alone, lost in thoughts and memories at times, she didn't know that was when he needed you the most. But
Hermione never really shared these things with her either. Those were her jobs and she didn't really want someone
completing them for her.

So when she had heard that he had finally called it quits with Madeline, she wasn't very sorry. Oh she was sad that
Harry had to go through another trial where he possibly felt like he'd never get what he wanted, but she wasn't sorry to
see her go.

Worn me down like a road.
I did everything you told.
Worn me down to my knees.
I did everything to please you.
But you can't stop thinking about her.

Hermione knew that he was blaming himself for the relationship's failure. Harry had a tendency to blame himself for any
kind of failure that had any kind of connection to him no matter how small. Knowing him for so many years had made her
somewhat of an expert on Harry she liked to think. She knew he was spending time with Ron lately doing those guy things
that she had no intention of being a part of and she knew that he'd come and talk to her about it when he was ready.

She had gone to see him after she heard the news, but in typical fashion, he said he was fine and moved the conversation
on to other neutral topics. It happened whenever she tried to bring up the subject and she was use to it since Harry did
it whenever he wanted to avoid speaking of his feelings. He'd talk when he was ready. She just had to wait it out. She'd
been waiting two weeks now, but she was his best friend and she wait even longer.

You're wrong.
I'm not overreacting.
Something is off.
Why don't we ever believe ourselves?
I feel that word for you.
And I will because you've worn me down.

So seeing him standing here before her like that, looking like he hasn't slept in days, hearing him say it's because of
her, hearing these words come from his mouth makes her think this is a dream or possibly the cruelest joke. The “your
best friend is a girl and you have very strong feelings for her” argument had been played before, but this is the first
time he has ever reacted to it like this. It's taking all she has to not jump for joy. He's just confused and hurting
and looking for an explanation and she tells him this while pacing and waving her arms about in a frantic way. There is
absolutely no way that he feels like that. Yes, you feel like that about him, but you've been positive for quite some
time now, years even, that he does not feel the same for you. No evidence has been found to prove otherwise.

She gasps and covers her mouth when the words leave her mouth. Normally Hermione plans her words carefully and filters
out anything that may get her into trouble. There was a few times in the past where she's slipped (saving people
thing…so stupid…look where that got the two of them), but this was by far worse. This isn't good. Nothing good can
possibly come of this. Oh god if she could just figure out how to backup and start this whole conversation over again.

Worn me down like a road.
I did everything you told.
Worn me down to my knees.
I did everything to please.
But you can't stop thinking about her.

He's smiling. That damn crooked, I just caught the snitch, I know you're not going to tell McGonagall about me sneaking
out, grin. She should never be allowed to speak again. She talks entirely too much anyway so it would be a lovely break
for all if her voice took a holiday.

Hermione's next plan of action was based on the age old question of “fight or flight”. Should she completely deny what
she said or simply explain that it was all meant in a hypothetical sort of way (which she was even having trouble
following)? This was quite the mess she got herself into. And Harry just stood there looking as if Christmas had come
early. Was her slip up so funny that he had to stand there and enjoy it in front of her? The idea of flight was looking
better and better.

She slowly (so as to not draw too much attention to her decision) began edging her way to her own front door. She was
such a Gryffindor. To continue her distraction she began to explain exactly what she meant with her little comment about
her “so called feelings” for her best friend. She used terms such as “I meant love as in the friendly way, you know, as
in best friends” and “I know that meant the same, because that's what we are, best friends”. Hermione couldn't help but
groan as nervous laughter escaped in between her words. It was only when Harry told her she was babbling, did she stop
and notice that he had her pinned against her front door.

“Harry, I'm sorry about what happen between you and Madeline. I know that you really liked her so you're probably really
confused right now and you're just trying to forget and move on from it, but I can't be that someone you do that with
because I…well…what I said earlier…”

“Hermione.” His voice was so quiet but it made her eyes move to meet his and what she saw made her rethink her all her
doubts. “Shut up,” was all she heard before losing herself in his kiss.

She's so pretty.
She's so damn right.
But I'm so tired of thinking about her, again, tonight.

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