The next morning, Harry sat at his desk reading over the profile of a group of Dark Wizards that had been spotted in France with connections to the Death Eaters. Or at least, he should have been. Instead, his mind was on the night before; going over what he had said, his body language, everything. What had he done wrong?
He sighed, put down the report, and rubbed his aching eyes. He needed advice, but that was Hermione's job. She probably never wanted to speak to him again anyway.
I've ruined our friendship to the point of no return, he thought dismally.
"Potter, you've been sitting here for an hour and a half after lunch. Go out, already," said a rumbling voice in front of him.
He looked up to see Moody's one normal eye peering at him curiously, while the other watched the many paper airplane memos pass Harry's desk.
"I lost track of time, sir. I was just looking over the report."
"Bad lot aren't they? Nothing that constant vigilance won't stop."
Harry bit back the grin threatening to show on his face. "I think you're right, sir."
"Stop calling me sir, it makes me feel old. It's Moody to you."
Harry got up from his desk and made his way towards the exit. "I'll remember it, Moody," he called over his shoulder.
Once he finally reached the street, Harry walked towards a Muggle deli that he frequented during his Auror training. He walked in to find the place occupied with only a few people and the cashier at the counter gave him a bright smile.
"Hello, Harry. The usual in the usual spot?" she asked.
"Yes, please. And can I get two pieces of cheesecake today?"
"Certainly. I'm guessing it's been a rough day?"
"More than you'd know," he answered as walked to his small table by the window.
He sat down and stared out of the window. What do I do now? Do I go over and apologize or just step out of her life?
He let out a grunt of frustration. "This really sucks," he grumbled.
He continued to look out the window in thought when he heard the door open.
"Why hello, Hermione, it's nice to see you," he heard the cashier say.
Harry froze. Oh no! I've got to get out of here; maybe she won't see me-
"Would you like to sit by Harry? He's at his table."
She'll leave and then I won't see her. She'll just go and-
"I would, thank you."
I won't look at her, I won't…
"Hi," she said.
He kept his eyes averted from her face. "Hey, I've really got to go so…." He pushed back his chair.
"No, you don't. You're trying to avoid me. Please don't, Harry."
The sound of her voice made him look at her and he knew instantly that he couldn't leave her. The pain in her eyes was enough to make him stay.
"Hermione, I know that is really uncomfortable so it's best-"
"If we sit here and talk this over. If we don't, this will just be a block between us and I don't want that. We've done too much to just let our friendship die."
Friendship, thought Harry. This is all it can ever be.
"You're right, as always. Can we," he paused to take a deep breathe, "go back to the way things were?"
"I don't think we can, Harry," she said thoughtfully. "But we can try," she finished.
Harry let out the breath he had been holding. "Yeah, we can," he echoed.
Both of them sat in silence for a few minutes.
"Hermione, your lunch is ready!" shouted the cashier.
"Are you eating here or are you taking it back to the Ministry?" Hermione asked.
"Here. Are you-"
"No, I have to go back to St. Mungo's. I'd like to catch up on some paperwork and check on a few patients."
"Oh," he said quietly. "I guess being a new Healer is no walk in the park, huh?"
Hermione smiled. "It's no easier than being an Auror." She got up from the table and walked to the counter. She was about to walk out the door when Harry stopped her.
"Wait!" He hurriedly got up from the table and stood in front of her awkwardly.
"So, I'll talk to you later, then?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course."
Harry slowly opened his arms for a hug. "One for the road?" he asked.
Hermione stepped into the hug. If this is all I can have, I'll live with it, as long as she's with me, he thought.
They stayed that way for a moment and he finally let her go.
"'Bye, Hermione," he said as she walked out the door.
She gave him a wave over her shoulder and walked out. He watched her until she was out of his sight. When she was gone, he heaved a sigh, and turned to go back to his table.
