Chapter 9

Harry watched her flit around her kitchen getting lunch prepared for the two of them. He noticed that she seemed happier than the last time he saw her yet somehow emptier as well. It was an odd way to describe her, but he felt that it fit. A sandwich appeared in front of him as Hermione placed it on the table.

"Here you go, Harry. Roast beef, lettuce, and mayo on white, just the way you like it." She said as she sat across from him with her own sandwich. "It has been a while since I last saw you."

Harry smiled back at her. "Yea, between our two schedules, it has been about a month." He said as he took a bite of his sandwich. "As it is, I'm surprised they gave me Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off this year.

Hermione nodded. "I used to think that this break was great as a student but as a professor I realize that it's a necessity. This past month has been so hectic; I've barely had any time to do anything other than grade papers."

"So, you like it then?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh, Harry, I love being a professor. I love teaching." She gushed. Teaching was the first job she had tried that really fit with her. She couldn't imagine being anything else anymore.

Harry smiled. "You found your calling, then. I'm so happy for you." He said genuinely. "So, how's Malfoy?" He asked tentatively.

Hermione's back straightened and she looked away. "I don't want to talk about him." She answered bitterly.

Harry was a little taken back by her response. Something had obviously happened between the two of them and it hadn't ended well. Perhaps this meant that she would finally move on. He changed the topic quickly. "The Weasleys invited us over for Christmas tomorrow."

Hermione scrunched up her nose. The thought of being around a ton of children and Ron and Lavender wasn't all that appealing. She had nothing against the couple, but they took the idea of public displays of affection to a whole new level. She couldn't help feeling uncomfortable being around two people who practically looked like they were shagging or wanted to be shagging all the time.

Harry chuckled. "Yea, me too. I love Ron, but even I can't stand being around him and Lavender. And of course, Ginny will be there." He said the second part a little quieter than the first part.

"I saw Ginny a few weeks ago. She came by." Hermione added knowing that it wasn't so much Ginny Harry didn't want to see, but whatever boyfriend she brought with her. This time it was another quidditch player. Hermione imagined it was hard to keep a relationship while on the road which is why it seemed like Ginny had so many, but she knew it was still a bit tough for Harry.

"How is she doing?" Harry asked sincerely.

"She's doing well. I guess her team actually has a chance at the Cup this year." She answered, trying to remember that part of their conversation. "Say, Harry, why don't you spend Christmas with me and my family. It's nothing special and we do a lot of muggle traditions, but it's fun."

Harry's face lit up. "That would be great, Hermione. That sounds really nice, actually." He was excited about muggle Christmas traditions as it had been such a long time since he celebrated Christmas with muggles.

Hermione smiled. "Great, it'll be a lot of fun." She answered, happy that he said he'd go. This Christmas would be a good Christmas, she thought to herself.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Hermione noticed the change immediately. They were back at school for a week and Draco had neither talked to her nor acknowledged her existence. It hurt, but she knew that she had done it to herself. She saw him look at her at meal times when he thought she wasn't paying attention but other than that, there was no sign that the two of them even knew each other.

She sighed as she walked down the hallway after dinner. She wondered if he had moved on during the holidays, if being with his family and fiancée helped him get over her. She hadn't even noticed him until he bumped into her, her books falling to the ground.

"Oh, sorry." Draco said as he leaned over to pick up the books.

"Thanks." Hermione murmured as she took them back in her arms. She watched as Draco's eyes lingered over her face for a moment before nodding his head and continuing down the hall.

She reached her quarters and threw her books on her desk angrily. I should've been paying better attention. She chastised herself. As the books hit the desk hard, she noticed a piece of parchment that had been sitting between two of the books. A piece of parchment she was sure she didn't bring with her. Gently, she pulled the parchment out of the pile and opened it up to see his elegant scrawl.

Hermione,

I sit here staring at the rememberall that is currently emitting a bright purple hue. I know that I have been distant and I want you to know that it's killing me as well. However, it has come to my attention that my mother is in ill health and her last wish before she passes is to see me married to Astoria, so I'm afraid I will be continuing to live for other people for now. But, I want you to know that, no matter what happens in my life, it was always you and will always be you.

-Draco

Hermione read the letter and almost threw it into the fire. How dare he tell me that he *has* to marry Astoria yet in the next breath tell me that it's always been me. Quickly, she put down the paper as a tear escaped. She wiped it away quickly.

She put the letter away in her drawer and picked up a fresh piece of parchment. Dear Draco… As soon as she put those two words down, tears started to flow and she knew she couldn't stop them.

"Hermione?" A voice called from her fireplace. "Are you there?"

Hermione quickly wiped at the tears before responding. "I'm here, Harry." She called, her voice cracking.

Harry heard the tears and came through quickly. "Hermione? What's wrong?" He said as he located her at her desk. He ran over to her and gathered her up in his arms. "What's wrong?"

Hermione sobbed into his robes, shaking as she hugged him tighter. He led her to her couch and sat her down, keeping her face tucked against his shoulder. "It's alright, Hermione. I'm here." He soothed as he rubbed her back.

After what seemed like hours of crying but was more like 10 minutes, she started to sniffle and get herself under control. She snuggled in his arms, comforted by his arms around her and the warmth of his body. "Will you always be here, Harry?" She hiccupped through her tears.

Harry kissed the top of her head and gave her a squeeze. "Always, 'Mione. Always."

"You'll never leave?" She asked, her eyes starting to droop from all the crying.

"Never." He answered quickly. "I'll never leave you."

A small smile graced Hermione's lips as she rested her head against his shoulder. Her eyes closed, her body exhausted from the outburst of emotion. She felt safe and assured. Perhaps that was more important than the roller coaster of romantic love?

A/N: Ok, ok, I'm sorry...I've been missing forever and all my stories have been on hiatus. Lets just say between life and writer's block...its been tough to get things down on paper. I hope I can continue them...I still have the endings to my stories in my head. If I could just figure out how to get there. It's been a while, so please review, let me know if I've picked it back up alright. Thanks! ~Chrissy