A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter.
First of all, a thank you goes out to dtsnoopythedogg for helping me fix a few things.
And then another big thank you to all those have reviewed my story so far.
While I have a good idea where the story is headed, if you have story ideas send them in a message or a review. Until then, a new chapter begins.
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"A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance." -Benjamin Disraeli
The next few days had seemed a lot darker to Harry. The cheerfulness he had felt consuming the school days before had simply vanished for him. Every smiling student he saw filled Harry with guilt. While yes the Death Eaters were out for him, whatever they were planning may also involve these students. If they did risk another attack on Hogwarts there would be more bodies to account for. More blood on Harry's hands. Harry could not stand the thought of it.
Despite Hermione and Ron's best efforts they could not cheer up Harry. It seemed like after a while the two of them thought he just needed space since Harry rarely saw Hermione unless they were doing their rounds together at night. Even then sometimes she would prefer to go off on her own. Hermione and Ron also seemed to be slipping off together quite a bit more than usual. No doubt they were snogging somewhere in the school.
Harry sat alone in his common room attempting to study. However, no matter how hard Harry tried to focus on the words he was supposed to be reading other thoughts continued to flood his head. After a few more meetings with McGonagall they were still no closer to figuring out what Lucius and the rest of the Death Eaters were up to. All they knew is that they intended on killing Harry once and for all. McGonagall had also been talking with Ministry officials who wanted to assure Harry that they were doing everything they could to find the remaining deatheaters. For some reason that did not make Harry feel any better.
Finally, Harry just gave up tossing his book on to the table before throwing himself down on the couch. Harry just stared up at the ceiling trying to think of anything besides Death Eaters. Anything besides the new threats on his life. The frustration continued to build more and more inside Harry until he suddenly just bolted up on the couch and yelled at the top of his lungs. At that precise moment Hermione came barging in to the common room and Harry quickly covered his mouth feeling like a fool.
However, Hermione did not seem affected by Harry's yell. It seemed as if something larger was bothering her at this moment. In her arms were three books that she had tucked close to her chest. Although Hermione was trying to hide her face Harry could see tears were running down her cheeks. Her eyes were puffy meaning that she had been crying for some time now. Before Harry had the chance to ask what had happened Hermione ran up to the her bedroom and he heard the door slam behind her. For a moment Harry hesitated worrying that if he went upstairs to ask what would happen she would just lash out at him. Despite his concerns Harry began up to her bedroom and timidly knocked on her door. "Hermione…" Harry whispered on the other side of her large wooden bedroom door. Sounds of Hermione's muffled sobs were all Harry could hear on the other side.
After another moments hesitation Harry slowly pushed the door open. Hermione was curled up on her bed with her knees tucked up to her chest. A pillow now replaced the books she had been holding. Just the sight of Hermione like this made Harry want to cry too. For the first time in the past few days Harry was no longer thinking about the Death Eaters. Now all he was concerned about was Hermione.
Harry's feet guided him slowly across her bedroom floor. Harry awkwardly sat down on the bed not entirely sure what to do. Hermione had still not acknowledged his presence. Her eyes were fixed on her bedroom wall across from her. "Hermione…" Harry whispered again placing his hand softly on her arm. As if his touch was a signal for her, she broke from her tucked up position and flung her arms around Harry. Quickly Harry wrapped his arms around her as she began to cry more in to his shirt. This is what they did for what seemed like the next hour. Hermione continued to cry and Harry just held her running his hand up and down her back slowly trying to sooth her. Harry wanted to say something so he could hear something else than just her choked out sobs but he could not think of any words.
Slowly the sounds of Hermione's whimpering died down but her grip on Harry stayed as tight as ever. Finally Harry felt brave enough to speak. "What happened?" Harry muttered out breaking the thick silence that hung in the room. Hermione did not say anything for a moment. Slowly she pulled away wiping away some tears still keeping one hand holding on to Harry.
"Ron…" That was all Hermione could choke out. It almost seemed like she was going to break down again before she took in a deep breath being able to calm herself enough to speak again. "We broke up…"
"I am so sorry to hear that Hermione." Harry said trying to comfort her. Hermione shook her head still clearing away a few more tears.
"It was my choice. Ron just…Didn't take it well. At all." Hermione shifted again pulling away from Harry more. She moved the hand that was gripping the back of his shirt down to his hand. She squeezed his hand tight like she needed to hold on to something to keep her composure. Harry really did not mind. "It was just…Like I told you before, I didn't really feel the emotions there. I do care for Ron an awful lot. Just not in that way…I think once we started dating I realized he was just not what I was looking for.."
Harry listened intently to Hermione nodding as she continued to tell her story. His thumb brushed softly along the back of her hand. It was all he could think of to do that would comfort her as she told him what happened. "The past few days I wanted to…Spend more time with him. Give the relationship a real chance…We got…Intimate I guess. Nothing bad! Just…Snogging I guess. When he kissed me he felt so passionate. I just didn't feel the same passion in me. Then today…I just finally told him that we weren't going to work out."
Hermione's bottom lip began to tremble. Harry could see that she was on the verge of breaking down again. Tears began to well in her eyes ready to escape at any moment. "Take your time Hermione…" Harry took his other hand and placed it on her hand that he was already holding squeezing it softly. Hermione's eyes turned to him and she gave him a watery smile before placing her other hand on his. With another few deep breaths she had regained her composure.
"He just…Came unhinged I guess. Started barking at me about why I didn't bring this up earlier. He felt like…He felt like I was toying with his emotions. Dragging him along and getting his hopes up only to crush them. And maybe I was. I just feel awful Harry…" Hermione leaned in again resting her head on his shoulder. A few more tears escaped but she was able to keep herself from completely falling apart.
"I am so sorry Hermione. Break ups…Are never easy. Rarely do they go smoothly or mutually." Now Harry felt blessed by the way his break up with Ginny went. Both of them had agreed that it was not going to work and that they did better as friends than anything more. There were no harsh feelings between either of them. Sure things were a bit awkward for a while but now they were back to just being great friends.
"Well, I guess you will be seeing more of me around now. No more late nights out for me." Hermione said with a half hearted laugh.
"Yeah I meant to talk to you about that. You two were out past curfew a few times. I believe I may have to take some points…" Harry began in a stern tone before Hermione slapped his shoulder. A genuine smile finally found its way across her face. The one thing Harry was hoping for.
The two of them sat there for a while. The conversation became lighter and Harry continued to try to cheer Hermione up. They talked about anything except for Ron.
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Harry and Hermione went to the Great Hall together for dinner. Hermione was walking very close to Harry as if he was her security through the halls. While Harry knew that Hermione was nervous about seeing Ron at dinner, Harry was sure that she would not need Harry to protect her from him. If Harry knew Ron like he thought he did, Ron would still be upset but would not yell at Hermione again. Especially not at dinner surrounded by people.
When they arrived in the Great Hall they started for the Gryffindor table slowly. Harry had spotted Ron who was hanging his head only playing with his food and not actually eating. He was sitting next to Ginny who was looking concerned about him. Soon her eyes met Harry's and they gave each other a weak smile knowing that each of them had been comforting the other person in this situation.
Although Harry was trying to get another spot away from Ron, there were not many spots open. Hermione did not protest when Harry pointed over at the few open seats by Ginny and they made their way for them. Harry made sure Hermione sat in the further seat from Ron.
"Hello Harry. Hermione." Ginny choked out. Ron had not seemed to notice Hermione's presence until Ginny said her name. Ron's eyes shot up to Hermione and he sunk his head down more. He looked like a dog that had recently been scolded for doing something wrong. Hermione just gave Ginny a weak smile and then kept her eyes fixed on her plate as well.
The meal was awkward to say the least. There was no conversation for the good majority of it and neither Ron or Hermione touched their food. Eventually Ron just shot up from his seat and bolted out of the Great Hall. Harry was surprised when Hermione did the same chasing after him. While there were many reasons Hermione was hurting right now, Harry knew the biggest one was that feeling like she had jeopardized her and Ron's friendship. Harry guessed that Hermione was chasing after Ron to try to patch things up before they got any worse.
"I hope that does not last much longer." Ginny whispered turning back to Harry. "It has only been one night and I do not know if I can see Ron mope around much more." In all his years Harry had not seen Ron this depressed. His heart went out to him knowing that break ups could be difficult.
"Give it time. They will be alright." Harry said finally feeling comfortable enough to eat.
"I am glad we were not like that." Ginny added in with a small laugh before she began eating too. Students had already finished their entire meals and were getting up to leave and they were just starting theirs.
"I am too." Harry said with a small smile as he savored his meal.
"So I heard what McGonagall told you…About the Death Eaters." There went his appetite again. Since Hermione came in to their common room Harry had not once thought about them but now the realization that they were still out there hit him again. "Sorry…I just wanted to say, if you need any help, at all. Just let me know okay?"
Harry nodded softly giving Ginny a forced smile. A few more forkfuls of food made it down Harry's throat before he left the Great Hall.
/
When Harry arrived in the common room he saw that Hermione was not in the room and when he ventured up to her bedroom he saw that it was vacant. She must still be talking to Ron trying to work things out. Harry sat alone for a while trying to force his mind to not think about the Death Eaters but he had no such luck. Time continued to tick on and Hermione had still not shown up. The time for the evening rounds was coming up and Harry thought he better just get started on his own.
Harry bounded upstairs to his room and opened the small drawer of his nightstand that sat behind his bed. The Marauders Map was the only thing in the drawer. After pulling it out he hurried off to search the school. Having the map was a very helpful tool for finding snogging students or any trouble makers in the halls. While Hermione disapproved on it's use on the grounds that it made things 'less fun' Harry always brought it.
While most of the names were where they were supposed to be Harry caught a few boy and girl pairings in dark corners of the castle. Harry quickly caught them and sent them away. At times, if they were not apologetic or had been repeat offenders, Harry would take points away from their respective houses. As Harry's eyes journeyed across the map he saw Hermione and Ron's name. They were a few corridors away from Harry. Ron was pacing back and forth and Hermione seemed to be standing against a wall. Although they were breaking the rules Harry chose not to journey down that corridor.
The search was a bit longer tonight. Students were becoming more aquainted with one another now and even some mischievous first years were now comfortable enough to break the rules and run around the castle at night. Just as Harry thought he had caught the last pair of snogging students, Harry consulted the map to make sure. Hermione and Ron had left their corridor and they were both in their common rooms. Hermione was in their common room in front of the fireplace. All Harry hoped was that her conversation with Ron went well. She was no doubt staying up waiting for Harry to show up to apologize to him for missing their rounds.
Just as Harry was about to fold the Marauders Map closed he saw another name. The name jumped out immediately and sent Harry's skin cold. Harry squinted his eyes and flashed them back open to make sure what he was seeing was real. The name was walking through the school at a slow pace and then vanished from the map in front of a wall. The name that had sent chills through Harry was Draco Malfoy and he was now in the Room of Requirement.
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A/N: That is it for now!
Reviews are always appreciated and I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far.
I know the chapter was a bit shorter than the last one, but oh well. More things to come!
