Hermione told me in our first year just before I faced Voldemort for the Sorcerer's Stone, "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things- Friendship and bravery." I should have known then that she meant so much to me. I only wish these days that I had acted on it while we were in school. Unfortunately, at that time I felt my life was too dangerous to be with her. Had I known that the decision would drive her to Ron, I would have made her mine instead.

It was because I knew that they were getting close that I chose to be with Ginny. Out of spite. After I married Ginny, I realized that she was with him out of spite. When I found out things were serious enough to consider marriage, I went and married Ginny. That caused Hermione to marry Ron. Spite. The funny thing I have learned about life, is that second chances can, and do, happen. Sometimes you have to make them happen yourself, as long as you don't mind that some people will get hurt and friendships lost along the way. That's what I've decided I must make my attempt now.

Chapter 1

4 Months Earlier (April)

Harry sat at his desk in the Aurors Department at the start of the work week. He saw Ron strut into the office and over to his desk with a wide grin on his face. Ron had been gone for two weeks on his honeymoon in Romania with Hermione, which made Harry remember his honeymoon in Egypt with Ginny. He remembered that he did not enjoy himself on the trip. The longer he watched Ron appear to be happy and gloat about marrying Hermione, the more Harry's blood boiled even though he didn't understand why. He was married to Ginny, Ron and Hermione were his best friends, and he should be happy for them.

As far as Harry could tell, he was happy. He and Ginny had decided they were going to start trying for their first child. Unable to understand why Ron's marriage to their best friend upset him, Harry attempted to stay focused on his work and ignore Ron. That plan worked until he noticed that Ron was approaching him with the grin and strut still at play.

"Hey Harry! How was this place without me?" Ron asked.

"Hello Ron. Welcome back. The Auror Department is always the same no matter who is here or gone," Harry answered with some annoyance.

"Me and Hermione just got back from Romania. Take a look at some of our pictures," Ron said without noticing Harry's annoyance as he set the pictures down in front of Harry.

Harry moved the pictures aside with little interest in them. "I'll look them over and return them to your desk in a bit," Harry said, not looking away from his paperwork.

"That's great. Bring them back and tell me what you think," Ron said happily and strolled off to his desk.

After an hour, Harry caved in and picked up the pictures. As he looked through them, he continuously noticed that where Ron was smiling wide, Hermione was shyly smiling, smirking, or was not smiling at all. He watched them move in the pictures and saw in all of them that she was standing still and seemed like she didn't really want to be there or have the picture taken. He noticed it in all twenty-five pictures. She kept herself at a distance from Ron that was only noticeable if you paid close attention. Despite Ron's arm being draped around her shoulders in most of the pictures, he saw the inches separating them like the miles in her gaze. At least, he hoped that that was what he was seeing.

When it was time for him to go home, he returned all but one of the pictures to Ron's desk and Apparated to his flat. When he arrived, he saw that Ginny was using the Floo, talking to her mom about how she could not wait to see Ron and Hermione later that night, much to Harry's chagrin. He quickly went through their bedroom and went to the loo. While he was in the shower he tried to gather his thoughts hoping that the running water would help him to calm down.

It didn't. He still felt the jealousy overwhelm him. He didn't understand it. He couldn't remember being attracted to Hermione in that way ever. Before he had another moment to think about it, Ginny pounded on the bathroom door.

"Are you almost done in there Harry?" she shouted.

"Almost. I just need to shave and I'll be right down," he answered, annoyed.

"Ok, Sweetheart. Hurry down. Ron and Hermione will be here soon. I love you," she called through the door.

Harry got out of the shower and shaved. He dressed in a pair of slacks, a red button up shirt and a black tie with a black sweater vest. He looked at the picture of Ron and Hermione that he kept. It was of the newlyweds rushing to Arthur's car under a shower of rice. They were smiling and waving at their family over their shoulder. He had wanted to be there for the wedding. He was supposed to be Ron's best man, but a new case had come in and he had no way of getting out of it. Hermione's face looked like it was searching for him. She looked sad, despite her smile. She looked reluctant, as if she couldn't bear the thought of leaving without seeing him before their departure.

Harry shook his head and sighed, chastising himself because she couldn't have been thinking those things on her wedding day. He put the picture back in his briefcase. He still couldn't help but notice that she didn't look happy and couldn't figure out why he cared so much. He sighed before he came out of the bedroom to set the table. There was a knock at the door and his heart began to race.

After they came in, his heart began to skip when he saw her. Hermione was quick to run up and hug Harry. He hugged her back tightly because it had been too long since he'd last seen her. It took him a moment to let her go as his heart skipped even more. As they all sat down for dinner, Ginny began asking Ron about their honeymoon all about where they went and what they saw in Romania. Harry, however, could not take his eyes off of Hermione.

He took in her brown curls, the sparkle of her brown eyes, the way the corners of her mouth curled when she smiled, grinned, or smirked, and then his eyes went to her chest and he took notice that her breasts were much larger than Ginny's and very inviting to him, even though her shirt had a modest neckline. He took in those features while he slowly ate the chicken that Ginny cooked. His memories went back to their days in Hogwarts and the things they went through. He remembered moments between just the two of them when Ron was not around. He thought to himself how surprising it was that Hermione had not caught on to what he was doing.

"Harry!" Ron snapped.

"I'm sorry; what?" he asked.

"Do you remember seeing the picture of that dreadful outfit Neville wore to our wedding?" Ron asked.

Harry thought back to the pictures before he shook his head,"No... Sorry..."

"But how could you have not noticed it, my love?" Ginny asked with a chuckle, "It looked as if Ron and Neville traded outfits."

"What I remember most was Hermione's gown and how breathtaking she looked," Harry replied.

Hermione looked up with a real smile and slight blush creeping up her cheeks, "You really think I looked breathtaking?" she asked.

"Of course, Hermione. Anyone who says differently is wrong," he said while looking into her eyes.

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione replied and as her hair fell over her face.

He just smiled at her and sipped his wine. He observed the others at the table some more. Hermione was focused on her plate and seemed to be going out of her way to avoid the conversation, Ron and Ginny kept exchanging stories about their honeymoons. He was not surprised at all that neither of them paid any mind to the comments he made to Hermione. He poured another glass of wine and remained silent. Giving short one word answers when asked questions.

They eventually moved to the living room for further conversation and dessert. As Ron and Ginny jabbered on, Hermione got up and went to the balcony with her half a glass of wine. Harry followed her out with his glass of wine in hand. He sat down in one of the chairs and set his wine next to it. He stayed quiet while he watched the spring wind billow through her hair while she closed her eyes and smiled. He smiled watching her enjoy herself.

"You look lovely tonight, Hermione. Really you do," Harry complimented again.

"Thank you, Harry. You have always been really good at making sure to point those things out," she said with a smile and another blush.

"That's what a best friend does, Hermione," Harry said with a smile.

She let out a slight sigh before looking at him as she shook her head. "You are my best friend Harry, without a doubt, but you're wrong. That's what a husband should do," she said.

"Does Ron not say those kind of things to you?" Harry curiously asked.

Hermione sat down next to him, grabbed her wine glass and took a sip. "You know Ron. Unless you mention it or spell it out for him, he's rather oblivious to such things and doesn't do it," she answered.

"True. That is one of his unfortunate drawbacks. I always knew that it would take a special person to love him enough to be with him the rest of their life."

"Harry stop," she replied with a chuckle.

"I'm sorry. I am happy for you. If you're happy so am I," he said. He quickly noticed how Hermione looked away and then around before looking back at him. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

It took her a moment to answer him, "Thank you Harry," she nearly whispered and looked down.

Harry looked at her for a moment in confusion, "You are happy, aren't you Hermione?" he asked in a serious tone.

Hermione remained silent for a moment. She took a drink of her wine and looked back at him. "When are you going to start trying for a child?" she asked, avoiding the question entirely.

Harry sighed and took a drink of his wine. "She wants to start in two weeks. I'm not sure that I want children yet. I mean I want them, just not right now. You know?" he asked.

"I understand. I get it," she replied.

"You didn't answer my question though; are you happy Hermione?" he repeated.

Hermione looked away again, stood up and went inside. Not long after, they left without a word to Harry. He finished his wine and looked over the balcony in shame. He kicked the chair he was sitting and went inside. He spent the remainder of the night not saying a word to Ginny. When she went to bed he stayed up and stared at the fire.

He reflected on Hermione's lack of an answer to his question and began to wonder if she was happy. He began to reflect on his own marriage. He wondered if he himself was happy. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. Before he knew it, it was morning and he had a headache. He was glad that it was his day off.