AN: So this chapter will be through Hermione's eyes but it will feature a bit of Harry.

Chapter Four – Hermione

Having Harry living with me full time was going to take some getting used to. But I was enjoying it. The morning after he moved in, he made me breakfast in bed and stayed by my side; waiting on me hand and foot until it was time for me to head into the office. But three days into Harry's vacation, the guilt of my indiscretion began to eat away even more than before. With every 'I love you', 'you mean the world to me', and 'I'm so happy', I sunk lower and lower.

So when he told me how much he loved me and how happy he was for the fifth time that day, I knew that I couldn't just pretend like it didn't happen, like I'd been doing. And even though I told Viktor that we could continue our relationship strictly on a 'friends with benefits' basis, I couldn't hide it from Harry any longer. I couldn't continue carrying on like I was an honest person and the perfect girlfriend when I knew my soul was dirty. In that moment, I finally broke down and told him. I told him the entire sordid tale, down to the last dirty detail.

"The night you left, I did hang out with Ginny. We went to this bar where all the Quidditch teams hang out and she was there chatting it up with her teammates so I wandered off and ran into Viktor."

I told how I spent the entire night chatting with him and the promises we made to hang out. Then I explained the time I met him at his practice and the dinner that followed that lead to the sex, the first time.

The rest of my story was filled with all the occasions that we spent together. The nights I spent in his bed and at his flat, carrying on like we were a real couple despite the fact that I was not spending it with my actual boyfriend.

"I tried to keep my place free but there was one time. It was the morning subsequently following the night of the dinner. He came over to find out why I left so soon and we got into an argument that led to us having sex on the couch."

Harry jumped to his feet and ran his fingers through his hair, uncertain of what to say and how to react.

"Has this been happening every time that I've gone? Do he and you meet up every time that I have to leave for a raid?" he croaked out, fighting back tears.

I shook my head and told him the truth, the same thing I'd been telling myself since the first night.

"This time was different. I don't know if it was the distance or just the fact that he was there and I felt like he could fill the emptiness. But I swear it hasn't been an ongoing thing. I haven't seen him since you've been back and I don't plan on seeing him again. At least not in that capacity and if I can help it."

Harry nodded but said nothing. I could tell he was mulling everything over and processing what to do next but there was no rules or books that would offer advice in this sort of situation. Things had to be made up as you went along.

Minute after antagonizing minute of painful silence lead into what felt like an hour before he finally spoke again.

"I need some air." Was all he said before he apparated on the spot.

Despite being on vacation, Harry still went into the office and went out of his way to ignore me. He stayed at the office later than me, returning home when he believed I had given up hope and gone to bed. On the weekends when he couldn't avoid me, he kept to himself but he gave me sideways glances and mumbling to himself.

Eventually I had enough of holding my tongue and apologized for everything. It started off like any other apology but by the end of it I was shouting at him like a mother arguing with their teenage child for repeatedly making the same mistake.

"I am sorry for how I acted and for allowing the relationship to form with Viktor but you have to understand what I was going through. You left for what was supposed to be a three week raid and then come back and celebrate our two year anniversary. But instead you were gone for four months. I cannot be expected to just sit alone night after night, while the rest of the world is out having fulfilling experiences with exciting people. I have spent a major part of my life on the run, not knowing if I will live to see the morning. And now that that part of not just my life but our life is over, I want there to be more than what there has been."

Harry kept his composure and thoughts to himself while I rambled on to include my disappointment in our sex life and the lack of excitement in our relationship. When I was finished, my face was flushed and wispy strands of my hair were hanging around my eyes. I let out a huff and plopped down on the couch, my apology taking a lot out of me.

After some time, Harry finally spoke.

"I want to blame this on you but part of it is my own fault. I should have been…more than what I was. I will be more than what I am." He promised.

Once Harry officially returned to work, he truly was a different person. Our lives were filled with us loving and being in love, the way it should have been before the war and after. He was passionate and endearing, more loving than he's ever been. Harry surprised me with flowers and cooked dinner for me, all things a loving boyfriend should do, he did in that week and a half.

Despite our schedules being hectic and the time we spent together being limited, he was still making the effort none the less. And I had yet to crave or even think about Viktor.

That is until Harry and I ran into him one day while out for dinner. We were preparing to head into the restaurant when he called out to him.

"Viktor Krum, how are you?"

"I'm fine Harry, Hermione. How are you?" he asked of Harry but he kept his eyes more focused on me.

Harry spoke for us and I did all I could to avoid returning Krum's pointed looks. "We're fine. I was sorry to learn that things had not worked out with you and Natalia. I guess we all can't be so lucky as to have someone as amazing as Hermione in our lives." Harry sneered politely, kissing me on my lips.

I could see Viktor shifting uncomfortably at our display of public affection but I was too swept up in Harry's boldness that I didn't want to stop, we only did when Viktor cleared his throat.

"You know Viktor, Hermione told me that you kept her company while I was away. I would love to take you out some time for dinner, to express my gratitude. It's because of you that our relationship is better than ever."

Viktor tried to get out of it but Harry insisted. "Please, and you can bring this lovely lady with you if you like." He smiled, gesturing to the vapid blonde standing listlessly off to the side. He shot me one last glance as if to plead with me to get him out of this uncomfortable situation.

"You know I think it's a good idea. It'll be a nice change of pace to catch up with an old friend." Viktor said defiantly.

"Great. Shall we go in?" Harry offered.

As Viktor walked in with his date, I pulled harry to the side, unsure of what he was up to. I asked him such to which he responded, "I have forgiven you but Viktor has yet to receive the brunt of my anger. He crossed a line."

Seeing that Harry wouldn't allow this to rest so easily, I clammed up and allowed him his moment of "Manly Bravado".

Dinner was a unique affair. Harry kept up the charade he continued outside with Viktor while his date was oblivious to everything around her. She was very much like Natalia, a model but this one, whose name was too hard to pronounce wasn't the brightest witch of any age. But I was more bothered by the fact that Viktor felt the need to lavish her with ostentatious displays of affection while cutting his eyes at me.

Harry despite being polite was keeping his attention focused on Viktor as well, making me feel party to some weird animal ritual between two superior males over me. Choosing not to watch the show any longer, I excused myself to the bathroom. I had just finished getting my bearing when Viktor came in, tapping the lock behind him.

I drew myself up and crossed my arms as I leaned against the counter. "It's funny. I always thought you preferred brains over beauty."

"So now you're talking to me. Here I thought you were letting Harry do all your talking for you."

I scoffed and turned to wash my hands despite not having done anything to warrant it. I just couldn't face him anymore.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you. I just don't understand you or know how to act around you anymore." He said, reaching for my hands on the counter. As his grazed mine, I pulled away and whispered for him to go back to his date. To which he took offence.

"I don't understand why you're the one who gets to be mad and ignore me. I asked for more that last night and you are the one who decided to push me away, wanting to keep this as a "friends with benefits" thing. You have no reason or right to be angry with Me." he snapped.

"Because I'm with Harry. I was with Harry when we …you know."

"I did. But so did you and you still came over. Don't forget that Hermione. I didn't seek you out until you came to me. Every time after that, you came to me. So you can pretend to be the victim here but the truth is you felt guilty and don't want to accept the blame." Viktor spat at me, unlocking the door and storming out.

Appalled that Viktor had the gall to speak to me in such a harsh manner, I walked out and informed Harry I needed to leave, citing a headache as the reason behind my sudden need to depart. Viktor casted his gaze on his date while Harry summoned the waiter to get the check.

While we sat there awkwardly, Harry received a patronus from the office about his next assignment that Kingsley wanted them to start on the following day. As he excused himself, I could see the look of empathy Viktor was shooting my way.