Sorry that I have been gone for a while. I hope all my favorite fan are still that…fans. I am working on all my stories again, so let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Harry stared out the window, sipping on his cup of tea thinking. It had been 11 months since Ron had left. He couldn't believe it was almost a year ago that one of his best friends had separated himself from his family and friends. Harry understood why Ron had left, he had even contemplated it himself for a while, but who knew Ron would have been the one with enough balls to do it.

He heard a crash from the direction of the kitchen.

"Bullocks!"

Harry laughed. "Everything all right Hermione?"

"It's fine."

"You sure you don't want any help in there?" He asked as he poked his head in the doorway.

"I said its fine Harry." He could hear the frustration in her voice. "You can't always be the one who cooks. It shouldn't be this difficult."

"It wouldn't be if you just used a little magic. You are a witch you know."

"Smart ass." She grinned, "You don't use magic to cook. How come it comes so easy for you and not for me?"

"Well lets just say you didn't have an aunt, uncle, and idiot cousin to cook for since you were practically able to walk."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. It's actually the only good thing I can say I learned in that house. You sure you don't want the help/"

"NO! " She refilled his tea cup and turned him back toward the parlor. "Go and relax."

Harry saluted "Yes mame."

Hermione laughed again.

Harry never got tired of hearing that laugh. There was a time when Ron first left where Harry honestly thought he would never hear it again. Hermione cried mostly for the first few months. No one had heard from Ron, knew where he had gone to. Mrs. Weasley had insisted on trying to find him, but Author had talked her out of it, telling everyone that when Ron was ready to he would contact us. Sure enough, 6 months ago, Ron sent an owl saying he was doing ok and that he ended up somewhere in America (he wouldn't say where exactly). He still didn't know when he was coming home, but that he hoped all was ok here.

We were all relieved that he was still in one piece and had not gone and splinched himself in two, but Hermione was hurt that he had not send something for her personally. She felt that same sting all over again. This time however she didn't cry, she got mad. Throwing things became her new hobby. It became a game between the two of them for Harry to try to guess what was missing or in pieces on the floor everything time he came to Hermione's flat. This all happened for a good month before she finally snapped out of it and decided to get on with her life.

The night Ron had left, he had visited Harry first. Harry tried to talk him out of it, get him to stay and try to work things out more here, but Ron had insisted that he needed to leave. Harry took a good long look at him and could finally see that Ron was right.

"Harry, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything Ron, you know that. What is it?"

"Look after Hermione for me."

"Ron…"

"Please Harry. I know this is going to hurt her, and I need to know that someone will be there to help her."

"Of course I will Ron. She's one of my best friends. I'll always be there for her. And I'll always be here for you too."

"I know Harry. I appreciate that, I really do."

And Harry had kept his word. That first night he had held her in his arms till she had cried herself to sleep. Since that day, that had not gone one day without seeing each other. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the best of friends. Harry was hurting too by Ron's leaving, but he also knew that for Hermione it was much deeper.

After the war was over, Ron and Hermione had become the couple everyone knew they would be. It was always expected to be Ron and Hermione and himself and Ginny. He had tried things with Ginny, but both of them learned quickly that too much had happened and that they were much better off as friends and nothing more. Ron and Hermione on the other hand seemed destined to make it work. The relationship was good for a while, but then even Harry could see the cracks start to show. When Ron decided to try therapy to help him coupe with the effects of the war, their relationship looked like it was heading back on track, but then Ron left and now, Harry was there.

Most of the time they spent together was a result of Harry not wanting Hermione to be alone. Harry knew she was grateful that he was there. Hermione has told Harry that she had only made it as far as she has because of Harry's presence and friendship. She then told him that he didn't have to "baby-sit her" (as she put it) anymore since she was sure that Harry had better things to do with his time than to spend it with her so much.

"I'm not "babysitting" you Hermione. I enjoy the time we spend together." Harry assured her.

"If you're sure?"

"Yes, I am"

"Ok then, but you better be careful" she warned.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because if you're not, then people might start talking and assume you're taken. You might just end up a bachelor your entire life" She joked.

After that night, Harry did some hard thinking and came a few conclusions. One - He didn't care if people talked. Let them think he was taken. It was better than having to deal with all the boring witches out there who only wanted him for his fame or money and two – he didn't care if people talked. Let them think he was taken, because in his heart, he already was. Harry Potter was in love with Hermione Granger.