Disclaimer: These characters are the creation of J.K. Rowling. The characters from my own brain and the plots I weave for them will be evident for HP fans as they will have little to do with the original story. This narrative was created purely as a way to continue to live in the magical world.


The post brought Harry a summon to the Ministry to discuss the nature of his captures as they wanted to prosecute the attackers quickly and publicly. Seeing as how it would also give him an excuse to confront

Hermione again, Harry dressed and made his way to the Ministry under his favorite disguise as a blond bearded man.

No one paid the slightest attention to him, so he was able to slip in to Tawny's office without rousing attention. Tawny was already present, and he instructed Harry to rid himself of his disguise as they were about to be joined by several other people. He did as he was told, and before he could sit down, the doors opened to allow for the company to join them.

In walked several Aurors who Harry knew to be leading the investigation including Archer who lost her composure as she saw him.

"Potter! You really are back!" Harry nodded to her and saw Burr close behind. She smiled encouragingly at him, but someone else caught his attention. Hermione had entered the room following her superior and had no doubt witnessed the comfortable exchange between Harry and Miranda. Her burning gaze told him she had just discovered who had helped Harry stay away. Although Harry made to move towards Hermione, she shifted away to find a seat.

"Let us skip welcoming Potter back and get down to it," called Tawny. With this, everyone took a seat around an enlarged oval table. Those in company seemed to have difficulty giving Tawny their full attention as their eyes shifted between the head of the department and The Boy who Lived. Everyone that is, except for Hermione.

"Of the seven attackers now in custody, only six have been made to give up information. The seventh, who we have no name for at the moment, is Potter's most recent capture. I have called this meeting to disclose a conversation between this attacker and the Auror who cross examined him. Archer?"

Tawny opened the floor for Archer who seemed to have been given greater responsibility since the last time Harry was at the Ministry.

"We've heard all of the other attackers deny the plot to take down the Ministry. They made it seem like they are simply wreaking havoc for the sake of chaos. The latest capture, however, has changed everything. He is not only resistant of the strongest truth serum but seems perfectly calm to be in the Ministry's custody. He states he has information to divulge but will not do so to anyone other than, in his words, "Potter's mudblood."

Those present visibly stiffened at the foulness of this language, and Archer shot an apologetic look Hermione's way.

"Before anyone speaks," began Tawny clearly looking at Harry's determined face, "I have already met with Grint, the head of Magical Law, and he has a proposal to share."

"I simply will not allow one of my own prosecutors be summoned by a known lunatic. Therefore, I propose we send in another who will be disguised as Miss Granger to meet with this lowly excuse of a man." Grint nodded his head at the end of his speech and patted Hermione's shoulder to demonstrate his support. Harry immediately liked him.

"So, all that is left is for a volunteer Auror to step up and take on this endeavor. The more seasoned the better."

Several hands rose in the air and Tawny swelled at the sight of his department's bravery. Finally, an Auror Harry did not know was chosen for her experience and was to meet with Hermione to discuss personal details that may come up during the encounter.

Tawny concluded the meeting by saying he could not say for certain why Harry was still being targeted. "This group may be out to avenge Voldemort or may want the Ministry to be in the chaos it was in during the war. As Potter is a beacon of hope for the Wizarding World, it seems likely they would attack him for this reason too. Either way, we hope to gain more understanding from this next interview, but the same precautions stand here at the Ministry as well as around Potter's loved ones. Good day to you all."

Tawny made it clear that he wanted Harry to linger after all the others had left, so Harry, unfortunately, caught an exchange between Hermione and Burr as they were exiting.

"Hermione, I'm on your duty tonight, so I will relieve the guard at around nine."

"Get your assignment changed. I'd prefer to never see your face again," said Hermione with such harshness that several still present turned towards the two women. She left without looking at Harry and leaving Burr in a state of shock.

"Potter?" Tawny had interrupted Harry's pained thoughts. It was just the two of them left in the room.

"Do you think you can tell me for certain how long you will stay?"

"I'm not leaving again," said Harry simply. Tawny nodded at him and continued to say Harry's original position as an Auror was still his. Harry did not hesitate to accept.

"Good man. Go home for now Potter and rest. I'll have an assignment for you soon enough."

Resting would have to wait, however, because Harry desparately needed to right the situation with Hermione as best he could. Waiting outside the room was Mel Archer who looked determined to talk.

"Tell me everything Potter, and please start with why you never contacted me."

Harry sighed deeply, "Archer, I was lost, ok? I never planned on staying away for this long. But when I came to my senses after a week, I thought about how much of a prat I would be if I returned home with nothing to show for my time away."

"So, you just decided to single-handedly bring in all of the attackers? I couldn't believe it when I first heard."

"It got out of hand, and now I've messed everything up. Please, just forgive me for being…for being…" Harry struggled to find the words, but Archer suggested several options for him to choose from.

"And Hermione? Why did you never contact her?"

Harry could say nothing to answer this satisfactory because there really was no one reason for why he stayed away from her. Was he scared he would say too much and disclose his location? Was he worried just hearing from her would make him want to return home?

By this time, Archer had accompanied Harry down several halls and lifts to the destination neither one had to mention. Harry knew where his feet were taking him the entire time he was apologizing to Archer. She seemed to debate internally before told him of the last conversation she had with Hermione.

"She had found out where I was stationed for my mission and went to find me. She told me she was desperate. If I was the one helping you, Hermione said she wouldn't even be cross. She just wanted you back. Harry, if I knew it was Burr who was helping you, I would have told Hermione right then and there. She's always kind of intense, but this was different."

"How long ago was this?" asked Harry quietly.

Archer look at him was pity when she said, "About six months ago."

Harry became more anxious than ever to set things right or at least to try to make all this wasted time up to her. He entered the Department of Magical Law to find a dozen small offices had been added which meant locating Hermione would require help. Luckily, the receptionist seemed beside herself to be facing Harry Potter.

"M-Mr. Potter! Lovely to see you. Here to see Miss Granger, I assume? She's in a meeting with Mr. Grint, but I'm positive you can squeeze right in. Ta!" Though she never waited for his response, she eagerly led Harry into a large office near the back. They caught the end of a conversation as the door was opened.

"…too long to train an Auror to know my every secret. I can fully handle the beast myself."

"Hermione, I would never…" began Grint, but his eyes caught Harry's as the receptionist announced his presence. The office seemed to cool a considerable amount as Hermione's icy glare bore into the girl who had brought Harry in.

"Mr. Potter," said Mr. Grint, "this is a pleasure indeed." They shook hands, and Harry noticed the superior's blue eyes twinkled similarly to Dumbledore's. Grint was a short, round man who was balding but was dressed smartly. He had an air of total professionalism as he invited Harry to take a seat next to Hermione. When Hermione made a move to leave, her superior warned her of looking rude.

"I really didn't mean to intrude," started Harry, "I was just looking for a moment to talk with Hermione. I'm sorry to have come in at a bad time."

"No need to apologize as I'm sure being the owner of Miss Granger's heart takes precedence over everything." He smiled warmly as the two sitting across from him blushed violently. "Your timing is impeccable, Mr. Potter, as I was just about to explain to Hermione why it is unwise for her to come face to face with a brutal man."

"If we want this all to be over, we need to make him think we are playing his game. Then, he'll divulge his group's secrets. There's no use wasting time coaching someone to pass as me when I am most certainly willing to take the risk."

"What say you to that, Mr. Potter?" chimed Grint.

Harry hesitated, "Well… Since Hermione has been present at all three of the England attacks, and that can't just be a coincidence, requesting her specifically feels like a trap. I've seen them perform extraordinary magic without much warning, so it's best to let someone trained for attacks to enter the room."

"Very well-reasoned."

Hermione said nothing, so Grint bade them both a good day and told her to prepare to receive the Auror who was taking her place. Harry followed her to what he assumed to be her new office which was a couple of rooms down from her superior's.

"I'm accepting your intrusion only for this moment so that I don't make a scene in the job I have worked so hard at," said Hermione bluntly as she closed the door behind him. "I've thought about what you said last night, and while I can forgive you for needed to get away, I still want nothing to do with you."

"Hermione, please!"

"No! You knew. You knew you meant everything to me, and you still left. You thought only of your pain…"

"Stop, stop, Hermione, stop." Harry breathed heavily, "I-I'm sorry I barged into your workplace. It was wrong of me especially after you asked for time to think. I'll leave. I'll leave just please…please think about it some more."

He had noticed that she could not bring herself to look at him. Hermione's hands were resting on her desk as she stood behind it blocking herself from him. Harry took a step towards her, and she, mercifully, did not hex him into oblivion.

"I only wanted to see you."

He excused himself from her office and tried hard to steel his face as he passed her coworkers. Harry's feet felt heavy as they carried him out and towards the lift. As he was preparing to Floo to the Grimmauld place, Ron caught up to him.

"Mum said that if I saw you, I was to take you over to the Burrow for lunch."

Harry nodded as Ron escorted him towards the door.

"Have you seen Hermione?"

"Yeah, she was singled out by the man I captured. She also figured out Burr was the one who was helping me," answered Harry sullenly.

"So not a good morning?" asked Ron, and Harry shook his head. "Ah well, mum's cooking should help, and I'll take you to Hermione's flat after work. You didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?"

"I can't believe how badly I messed up, Ron."

An overjoyed Mrs. Weasley planted a kiss on Ron's cheek for a job well done, and Harry was left to eat a several plates full of food on his own. He thought she would give him another lecture, but she seemed perfectly content to just be with Harry. Mrs. Weasley caught him up on the family news like how her new grandson reminded her of Fred, Percy getting ready to propose, and Ginny's Quidditch fame.

"I'm happy everyone is doing so well," said Harry genuinely. But, this brought tears to her eyes and a bit of color to her cheeks.

"We were not well, Harry, because you were not here. I can't bring myself to be cross with you, but please don't say we were well."

"I'm sorry."

Mrs. Weasley sighed before saying, "You are home now, and I think you see how wrong you were to leave us. I'm happy, Harry, and everyone will be too. You watch."

After a brief pause, he asked, "Can you show me what happened after I left?"

"Harry? Didn't you hear me? Just give it time. There's no point in making yourself suffer more."

"I don't plan on ever leaving again. I just want to make sure I learn my lesson."

"Stop punishing yourself!" cried Mrs. Weasley. "You had just lost Hagrid! Please dear, put this all to rest!"

Harry held her hand to calm her before he continued, "This will be the only time I will punish myself like this…"

"If you need this, then you haven't learned your lesson!"

Harry said no more and tried his best to apologize again for his actions. By the time he left the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley was just content to have Harry home. He walked around the Grimmauld place deep in thought and noticed how empty it was. There were no books, no belongings, no sign that Hermione ever lived there. Harry sat in the library and decided to write to her. It was the only way he knew he could reach her right now.

The note said simply, "Please let me see you tonight."

As he waited for a response, he unpacked his very own pensieve which he had purchased while on his travels. Harry would often relive moments that he knew could calm him down. Now, his thoughts were only on Hermione.

Harry could not remember when he fell asleep, but the next thing he knew, he felt a hand on his shoulder trying to wake him.

"You came," was all Harry could say as his eyes fell upon the person he needed to be with the most.
He could sense Hermione had seen what memory he had been watching in the pensieve before he fell asleep.

"You've already apologized, so what else do you have to say?" Although she was direct, Harry did not feel her anger as pronounced as it had been this morning. He rose to his feet and stared intently into her face.

"Do you remember that I love you?"

His words caused her to stop breathing as they were what he had asked after their first night together. Hermione looked down as she shook her head, and Harry saw her fists clench.

"Everyone forgave you. You got your job back. Everything is the same for you even though you left for eleven months. BUT, I'M NOT THE SAME!" Hermione voice cracked noticeably as she roared the last phrase, but she kept herself from crying. Harry was shaking with grief as he pleaded with her. Hermione turned away from him as she seemed to try to calm herself down.

"I'm not going through this again. I won't! Stop looking at old memories, stop thinking about me, and stop loving me. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Hermione allowed herself to look at him as she said, "I'll be civil. I won't bring this up anymore. Just tell yourself to let it go, too." She had finished what she had come to say, and so she left Harry rooted to the same spot with the memory of their first kiss floating in the pensieve.

Ron found his best friend sitting out on the hill in the middle of the night, and the sight immediately brought a heavy sigh out of him. Harry relayed Hermione's words without hesitation and without hope.

"Mate, things aren't as bad as the two of you are making it. Go slowly. Be friends again, and you'll see how easily things will fall into place."

Harry was beyond shocked to hear such a mature answer from his freckled friend. Ron gave him a slight smirk and said, "You've missed a lot of my growing up this past year."

Despite the hollowness of his chest, Harry found himself laughing and glad to be in good terms with at least one of his best friends. With renewed purpose, Harry climbed into bed, drank his dreamless sleep potion, and floated away feeling as though he was finally home.

There were many things to discover at the Ministry from new personnel to completely new corridors. Since Harry's sudden departure had made news headlines for several weeks, it was only fitting that his return create an equal amount of waves. He lost count of how many handshakes he endured as Tawny showed Harry around like a prized pig. Thankfully, Mr. Weasley came to his aid with the hopes of taking Harry to lunch which was accepted promptly.

Harry sat across from the aging man and caught himself studying his guardian. Mr. Weasley had lost a considerable amount of hair, but what most surprised Harry about his appearance was the apparent decrease in stature. When he playfully pointed this out to him, Mr. Weasley was quipped that Harry was the one who had taken a growth potion.

"You look stronger, my boy, and more confident. My secretary keeps inviting herself over for dinner just for a chance to be near you. I'm afraid, you'll be fighting them off until you are just as ancient as I am."
The conversation had caused Hermione to come to mind again. He looked down at the plate before him without answering which Mr. Weasley took as a hint to change the subject. They spoke of Harry's travels and his strides in his magical ability. Mr. Weasley was more than curious at how Harry had endured being on his own for so long.
"I honestly don't know how I coped with the silence, but it seemed to be what I needed to…to move forward, I guess. I'm sorry. I keep talking about myself…"

Mr. Weasley shook his head and said, "None of that Harry, please. Molly has already told you all the family news, so you know everything really. My family is my life, my boy." His genuine tone of voice made Harry's eyes burn. The elder sensed Harry's discomposure, but he thought it best to get through the hardest topic before he lost his never.

"Bernard Grint has taken a real liking to her." When Harry said nothing to stop the direction of conversation, he continued. "Early on, she was a nonstop force for his department. Still is, really, but she was going at an unhealthy rate. When he noticed she was using work to keep herself from thinking of…you, he called me in to see her.

"She mainly talked to Molly, but I did my best to talk some sense into her which is so odd to say considering this is Hermione we are talking about." Harry smiled stiffly, yet Mr. Weasley persisted. "Harry, if you had stayed, Hermione might never have grown as close to our family as she has this past year. I'd like to think we played a part in how successful she is."

"I'm glad," said Harry after he cleared his throat roughly, "I'm glad she is doing so well. I spoke to her again last night, b-but it doesn't look good…for us, I mean."

"It's your second day back, Harry, so give it time."

Two weeks after Ron had come home to find a distraught Harry sitting on hill at the Burrow, the time came for the prosecution of the seventh attacker. He had yet to divulge any information as it was quickly realized that the Hermione who came in to see him was not the real Hermione. Still, today was the day he would be put away in Azakaban permanently. Harry was on duty for the trial to ensure the prosecution was hex free and to ensure the safety of the Wizarding Representative who was, of course, Hermione Granger.

True to her word, Hermione had kept things civil between them with words like, "hello" and "good bye." But today would be even more painful than the dinners at the Burrow they both had to endure to please Mr. and Mrs. Weasley because of how long the trial could last.

Harry found himself just outside Hermione's office door where he was waiting to escort her to the assigned dungeon.

"He'll try to engage you to get a reaction, but don't let him," warned Grint. Harry had come to notice how fond Grint was of his star representative.

"I know what to do, sir," said Hermione determinedly.

"Finley and Potter are the Aurors on your service today, so don't let him distract you either."

She said nothing, and Harry heard her move towards the door. She nodded at him before she led the way to the lift with a stack full of scrolls and books in her arms.

"Let me help," said Harry simply and shrunk her items to fit easily in her hand.

"Thank you."

Harry could tell she was going over facts in her head, so he tried hard to blend into the background. He was surprised, therefore, when she spoke up.

"If he calls me a mudblood, don't lose your head. I can handle myself."

"Just give me a signal if you need me to interfere. I'll let Finley know, too."

"Thank you."

The lift opened, and they said no more. Their presence in the dungeon was felt by all as eyes followed Harry to his post and Hermione to her designated table. Long day, thought Harry, and it truly was.
The attacker called Hermione a mudblood fifteen times before he was even allowed his final words. He was a greasy, pale man no older than thirty, and he never showed signs of remorse. Harry came to hate him more with every passing second. The man's pale eyes laughed as he said, "Voldemort showed that magic has no limits! I am proud to kill in his honor! Come show me your scar, Potter! No, better yet…show me your scar mudblood, and I'll tell you the name of my master!" he sneered.

"You will do no such thing, Miss Granger!" cried a lady of the Wizengamot.

"Vile man!"

"Send him away!"

The crowd gathered had heard enough and called for the attacker's fate to be sealed. Hermione, alone, met Harry's eyes as though telling him what she was going to do. Before Harry could lunge forward to stop her, she raised her sleeve to reveal Lestrange's handiwork.

The man spit in her face and cried, "My master is magic! MAGIC!"

Hours later, dinner had been eaten, and the conversation was on the trial once again. Harry, Hermione, and the most of the Weasleys were sitting in front of the fire sipping tea. They reviewed all that the obviously deranged man had said.

"I'm frightened to think of what else these people are capable of if they have already discovered how to make another's magic stronger," said Bill with a sleeping toddler in his arms.

Ron countered with, "I don't like that they can create spells with no reasonable counter curse like those fires and blocks on exits to buildings."

They were silent for a time as they were all lost in thought until Hermione made a chilling point. "That's why they have been targeting Harry. Voldemort only pushed his magic to the brink of destruction because Harry was such a threat. Now, they are trying to push Harry to stretch his magic. The more threatened he feels, the more his magic gets stronger like when he disarmed that man with no wand or found supposedly untraceable people. That's why they are targeting his loved ones. They want Harry to lose control of himself and try anything to save us."

Harry stared at Hermione who was staring right back at him. Mrs. Weasley had covered her mouth in horror as Ron gaped at his father. Bill looked at Mr. Weasley as well and asked if he thought Hermione was right.

Mr. Weasley replied, "I've never known her to be wrong."

The company broke apart after several more terrified moments, but it was decided to depart to give Harry some space. He had the same feeling of dread as he had experienced when Dumbledore told him about the prophecy those several years ago. Who would help him understand this time?

"Will you walk with me?" Harry asked Hermione timidly. She obliged by leading him out the door and into the garden.

There was already a chill in the air that added to the feeling of ice sliding down Harry's throat. He needed Hermione more than ever, but Harry knew she would not want to hear it. Instead, Harry asked her how she was after the trial and the most recent revelation.

"I'm frightened," she replied honestly. "This isn't like before where we had to find a couple of items. I don't know where to begin."

Harry swallowed before he answered her as bravely as he could. "There is already security in place, and we know who they will be targeting. For now, we just need to keep each other safe…I'm sorry life isn't normal for us…"

She could have said, 'there is no us,' but she stayed quiet. When she finally spoke, they had already walked around the property twice. "We can all handle this together. You can't leave again. It wouldn't help the situation if you..."

"I promise I won't ever leave you again," Harry said quickly cutting off the end of her sentence.
She nodded without looking at him, and they kept walking. Somewhere along the way, Harry got his friend back. It had been a very long day.

Word had traveled fast of what Hermione had come up with that night, and the Ministry never seemed to rest as it was always on high alert. Still, the winter came without fail and brought the holidays with it. There was tension at the Burrow, but it mingled with gratitude as the days passed with no event.

Ron began to date a fellow Auror named Jess Radcliffe who was tiny and outgoing. George never hid his laugh whenever he saw her tiptoe to try to kiss Ron's cheek. Harry had successfully babysat Teddy for any entire weekend all on his own as well as had lunch with Hermione almost every day. They were, at

first, accompanied by Ron, but had slowly needed him less and less to keep the conversation going. They were friends, and Harry was careful never to push her any further than that.

Mrs. Weasley let it be known that the only thing she wanted for Christmas was for every one of her children which included Harry and Hermione to stay at the Burrow no matter how cramped it would be.

So, Ginny and Charlie made sure to come down as did Bill and his family who would all be squeezed into a single room. Mistletoe was always appearing rather conveniently, and spirits remained high. If the family wished hard enough for a normal Christmas, maybe they would get it.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the Weasleys' had a secret agenda. Whenever a chores were distributed or games were played, Harry was always paired with Hermione which he greatly appreciated. Hermione was too clever to overlook the family's agenda but never complained. Harry saw this as a positive sign.

"Mum's determined to see you both together by the New Year," chuckled Ron one evening before lying down on his bed. He and Harry were sharing a room like old times.

"I can tell," said Harry simply.

Ron turned off the lights, but he seemed to want to talk. "I spoke with her, you know? I asked her when enough was going to be enough."

"You didn't!" groaned Harry.

"What? You love her, and she loves you. Why is it so complicated?"

Harry sighed but stayed quiet. He truly wished it was not as complex as he had made it. If he had never left, he could have had her in his arms every night. They would have shopped for presents or babysat Teddy together. He hated himself more and more for letting it slip away.

"She couldn't give me a straight answer."

"Hmm?" asked Harry who had momentarily forgotten Ron was in the room.

"She could have told me that it was really over between you two or that she was happy just being friends. But, all she said was that she didn't know. I reckon she's waiting for a gesture or something from you."

"I don't even know who you are anymore," bemused Harry, and all Ron said was to thank him later.

The following morning, something caught his eye as he passed the window on his way down for breakfast on Christmas morning. Hermione was outside near the gate talking to Finley, and they seemed to be exchanging gifts. The bottom of his stomach dropped. He could hardly tare his eyes away from watching them converse happily in the snow. When he saw Hermione head back towards the house, Harry slowly made his way down to the table.

She came in looking windswept, and although Ginny asked her why she was out in the snow so early, Hermione avoided the subject. Harry tried hard not to dwell on what he had seen as it could just be a gift exchange between friends, but his mood took a turn for the worst by the late afternoon.

Many in their company bundled up to take advantage of the snow, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione opted to stay indoors.

"Jess should be coming over any minute," chimed Ron happily causing Harry to wince sharply. "What's wrong, Harry?"

But when Harry did not reply, Ron continued to shove his love life in their faces. Harry's brain buzzed endlessly which drowned out the details of Ron's relationship. He had dated when he clearly had fancied Hermione. Ron was dating. So, why should Hermione be kept from dating? He told himself it was good she was moving on. She deserved to be happy. But with Finley? thought Harry to himself.

Jess must have come for Ron because the next time Harry looked up, he was sitting alone with Hermione. They were in front of the fireplace, and Harry would have been pleasantly cozy had he not witnessed Hermione with her new boyfriend. She was unaware of his inner turmoil as she was trying to stay up to date with her research.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

Harry gathered his courage. "He's a good man. I'm happy for you. He even has an otter patronus, so I guess that means you are meant to be. I'll be ok with it even though I see him pretty often at work. I'm happy for you because he is a good man."

Hermione had the decency to look confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw you with him this morning. He gave you a gift."

"Harry, are you talking about Sam?"

Sam, thought Harry bitterly as he nodded. She put her quill down as she stared seriously at him.

"It was just a Christmas gift, Harry, because we are friends. He got me a scarf, and I bought him a book. See?" She showed him a yellow scarf tied to her work bag. "Just friends."

"Oh," said Harry sheepishly. "Sorry."

She kept looking at him curiously, and Harry found it impossible to guess what was on her mind.

"Would you mind if I date?"

"Yes," replied Harry too suddenly. "I mean, uh…you deserve to be happy. So, if you wanted to date, and the bloke was nice, I could learn to be ok."

"I see."

The very air that surrounded them seemed to be embedded with awkwardness. Harry was mentally kicking himself for opening his mouth.

"Harry? Can I give you your Christmas present? Or do you want to ask me about anyone else?"
He sensed her sarcasm which made the thinnest of smiles form across his lips. He asked her to wait while he went to his room to get hers. Harry placed the small package in Hermione's hands and waited as she opened it. It was a thin bracelet that just so happen to compliment the necklace he had gotten her two Christmas seasons ago.

At the sound of her gasp, Harry slyly told her, "This is a friend gift. A gift from a friend."

Hermione shook her head at this joke. "Well, it's truly beautiful. Thank you, my friend. Here is your friend gift."

Harry opened the box to find she had all of Sirius's letters in an album to preserve them. He could not bring himself to look up at her as he said his many thanks. He did not know how the day had gone from thinking Hermione was moving on to sitting rather closely to her after exchanging such meaningful gifts. Should he tell her his feelings remained the same?

She could always read his mind and proved it by showing him that her patronus was still in the shape of a stag. His heart nearly burst.

"Hermione…"

"The problem isn't that I don't feel the same way, Harry. It's that…we've changed. At the start of our relationship, we depended on each other immensely, and now, we know we can survive going almost a year without seeing each other. We don't know how to be with each other anymore."

"I thought you didn't want a relationship because we were still angry about me leaving," asked a frustrated Harry.

"I'm saying I know how independent you are now. So…I don't trust that you'll stay when things get out of hand because you don't need me or anyone."

Harry felt his anger rise. "You think I don't need you? I was scared, Hermione! The more people died the more I fell in love with those I had left! I couldn't take knowing you were next! I went after those bastards so that I could get a chance to have a lifetime to love you! The only way I've changed is that if I was given the opportunity to leave again, I WOULDN'T TAKE IT!"

"What's going on?" asked Mr. Weasley as he reentered the home.

The arrival of another person snapped Harry and Hermione out of their argument. They pretended not to be flustered so as not to dampen their holiday spirits, but Harry hoped his words had reached Hermione. He needed her to trust him again.

He went to bed completely at a loss of how to make things right between them, and the morning proved that his outburst had erased several strides he had made in their friendship. Hermione would not look at him and excused herself claiming her need to get back to work.

"But dear, the holidays aren't over yet," reasoned Mrs. Weasley. In the end, Hermione still evaded staying the amount of time she had originally said she would.

Harry was cross all afternoon and into the evening. The entire family was pleasantly nestled in front of the fireplace with the babies playing with their toys and the couples whispering to each other merrily. All the while, Harry sat with his head resting in one hand staring into the fire.

"Harry, my boy?" called out Mr. Weasley.

"Yes?"

"Would you do us all a favor and go to Hermione?"

"W-what?" bemused Harry as he noted all the snickering filling the room.

"Enough is enough."

"I agree. Anything to get the both of you out of your gloom," declared Mrs. Weasley.

"Go!"

"Leave!"

Harry stood and nervously laughed as he exited the home. What was that?! He could not stop his mind from racing as he thought of how silly he must have appeared to them. They had probably been conversing about his and Hermione's relationship right in front of him. Harry had been so consumed with dread at her immediate departure that he scarcely noticed his surroundings.

Without fully understanding how his body had carried him to this spot without his knowledge, Harry noticed he stood in front of a quaint building which housed the person he was beyond ready to see. He felt as though he had nothing left to lose as he knocked on Hermione's door as boldly as he could.

"Harry?"

"There's something I need to say," replied Harry urgently.

She opened the door further to let him in with a look of apprehension. Harry waited until she reset the wards and faced him before he began apologizing for their argument the previous night.

"It came out all wrong, Hermione. What I meant to say last night is…and in the simplest way possible…I know you, and I need you. I love you more than I can ever say."

Harry crossed over to where she stood frozen as he continued. "I've made the biggest mess of things, and I will never make the same mistakes again. I promise that I have been in agony over losing you since the first moment I left. You deserve the world, and I failed you." He bowed his head as he let his words sink in. Then, Harry nearly stopped breathing all together when he heard her reply.

"Do you remember that I love you?" whispered Hermione.

His eyes reached hers, and they needed no other words exchanged. Harry lips crashed clumsily into hers which caused the widest of smiles to appear on their faces. He framed her face with his hands and gave her a look that said, 'Let me try that again.'

It had been so long since they had properly kissed that the sensation nearly brought Harry to his knees. Instead, he pressed on and joyfully wrapped his arms around her pulling Hermione closer to him. Several of her books thumped the floor as though an unforeseen hand was pushing them off the shelves. But, nothing distracted the couple from the heat rising within them.

The fire died out immediately as did the light coming from the kitchen, and in the near darkness, it was hard to make out who was guiding whom to the adjacent room.

"I trust you," was all Hermione said. Her words could not measure up to the look she was giving Harry as she lay below him. Harry placed his hand on her heart as though telling her he would not let her fall. He would not let them fall.

Hermione's skin felt like silk under his palms, and Harry longed to make certain she knew the depths of his love for her. He could not stop himself from exploring every inch of her body. They had never known such intimacy, and Harry briefly thought that perhaps something had awakened within them during their months apart. He never laid eyes on anyone else during that time as though he was reserving all his admiration for the one who enveloped him now. Looking at her in the faintest moonlight, Harry knew he adored her. He knew his heart was reaching out for hers. They moved together, and the world blurred all around them.