So yeah...uhh...I had a really hard time these last two weeks. I had a paper to finish, and finals to study for...but now I am on Spring Break for a week...ok so I have been on it for like four days now, but who cares. Also, I have been a little underwhelmed by the numbers that this story is getting...I didn't get any reviews for chapter 11. So what I am wondering is if people are still reading this. opefully there was just a lull in the fanfiction empire and you guys still like this story. Let me know...

Chapter 12

So much anger fell on him as he watched her sprint out of the Great Hall. His eyes shot across the room and landed on the source of his anger. Certain thoughts of rocky cliffs and falling bodies flitted through his mind. There were so many ways he could off the sod without getting caught. Which to choose, which to choose?

Just as his mind wandered onto how he could smuggle in some rat poison, he was pulled back when he heard Ron ask aloud about why Luna had run after her. "Should we go find them? I mean, Hermione clearly isn't doing well," he continued.

"I have a better idea, why don't we smash Malfoy's face into the wall," Seamus said, his eyes shooting daggers at Malfoy's back.

"Or how about pushing him under the lake for an undetermined amount of time…and by undetermined, I mean until he stops fighting back and gently floats to the surface," Dean supplied getting up out of his chair. Just as he was fully out of his seat, Ginny pushed him back down.

"Now is not the time Dean! He does deserve it but right now we need to see to Hermione. Harry Ron, you two go check on her, the rest of you lot, thanks for everything today but I think the party has officially died."

"Sorry about the dramatic finish Ginny," Susan said getting up and heading towards her house table.

"Ginny I can't help but feel that all this is my fault. I'm really sorry," Lavender said wearing a defeated look.

Raising her eyebrows in a patronizing manner, Ginny replied, "Well it is your fault. Had you looked before you exploded, this wouldn't have happened." But when she saw Lavender's face crumple a bit more, her tone softened. "It's ok Lav, Hermione was bound to find out sooner or later," she finished giving her distraught friend a small hug. "What are you still doing here?" She exclaimed when her eyes landed on Ron who was still seated at the table. "I told you to go check on her…now go catch up to Harry." he rose to his feet then and started down the aisle. "Not you two! Sit," she said commandingly when she saw them, with malevolence in their eyes, try to make a break for Malfoy's table. "You two are going to help me cart all this stuff up to my room. Maybe that will cool you off."

"Ginny, this guy deserves to get pummeled repeatedly until he can't walk," Seamus argued as she began piling her stuff in his arms.

"Yes he deserves everything you can think of, but if anyone is going to beat the ever loving crap out of him, it's going to be Harry; he's the one who cares about her the most, he's her best friend. We'll let him deal with it and by tomorrow, if you still have this bloodlust, then by all means, chop him to pieces. Now let's go upstairs," she finished with a finality that the boys followed.

He tossed in his sleep that night. Disturbing images flitted through his unconscious mind as he desperately clung to those last seconds of almost slumber. He was worried about Hermione. She had dashed off with tears in her eyes and he hadn't seen her since. Ginny didn't need to tell him twice to check on her. She was the only sane thought mixed in with the insane thoughts of murder in his head. Upon reaching the entrance hall, Harry ran up the stairs, just missing the vanishing step. He was out of breath when he reached the common room, only to find out that his exertion was for nothing. Hermione and Luna were not there. Where they could have gone was anyone's guess. He fell onto the couch determined to sit and wait for her return. She would have to pass through the room eventually and when she did, he would be there to give her the comfort that she needed.

Ron showed up five minutes after he took up post on the couch and his friend sat down to wait with him. And there they sat for three hours. By 9 o'clock, Ron's snores were interrupted with the opening of the portrait hole. Immediately, he saw Luna's bright blonde hair poke through the door. She appeared to be struggling with the task because she was supporting Hermione's weight on her shoulders. Harry got to his feet ready to help her but Luna stopped him with a raise of her hand. So he watched as Luna hauled his best friend up the stairs and disappeared into her room.

It took Luna a long time to descend the stairs and Harry waited patiently for her to do so. And when he finally saw her start down towards him, he jumped to attention. But before he could say anything, Luna cut him off. "Harry, she is asleep. If you go up there I will kill you. And if you even try to go up there once I'm gone, I'll know that you tried because I've spelled her door…and I'll kill you in the morning," She said heading for the door.

"Can you at least tell me what happened?" He asked urgently, his eyes casting fleeting glances up the stairs.

"You were there…Hermione witnessed her boyfriend cheating on her."

Rolling his eyes, Harry replied, "That's not what I meant!"

"I know that genius…I'm not telling you what happened," She finished as she stepped through the door.

"What…why," He protested. But when she didn't answer he asked, "Well, how is she doing?"

It halted Luna in her place. She calmly turned to look at him over her shoulder. Her voice was sad when she said, "She was just betrayed by someone important to her…how would you be." And the portrait closed behind her.

He finally gave up trying to find a comfortable position to stay asleep in, so he tossed the covers to the end of his bed and sat up. Rubbing the light sleep from his eyes, Harry padded out of his dorm and headed down to the common room to think. And if thinking didn't work, he had left his unfinished astronomy chart on the table. He could do that to stave off the unpleasantness he felt.

He sank into the couch in front of the dying fire and tried to think rationally. He kept coming back to horrible situations that involved Hermione. Too horrible to even put into words. Just as he was about to let out a strangled groan of frustration and pull up his homework, a soft padding of feet on the stairs drew his attention. Harry didn't say anything as she came and sat down next to him. He didn't say anything when she blew out a huge sigh. And he didn't say anything when she fell into his lap as she broke down crying.

He didn't say anything once Hermione was done crying…he just let her tell her story. And when she was done, she let him comfort her. His words of concern and compassion hit her in ways that Luna's words hadn't. She didn't know why but for some reason, Harry was more of a help. They spent the rest of the night on that couch…Hermione healing, and Harry helping in anyway he could. And when the sun began its first ascent over the mountains, they fell asleep together on that very same couch that she and Luna had fallen asleep on such a short time ago.

It was amazing that Hermione was able to live through the last week. Every time she entered any room that was occupied, the conversations died and she endured the stares, only then to be treated to the new conversations about her.

This was why she was so thankful that the first of November graced the hills of rural Scotland. It would only be one more day before she would be home for the weekend and would get to bust out some songs on stage. Her upcoming shows were probably the reason why she had survived the week. Soon she would get to bask in the technical terms of her mother's work, and savor the ethnic aromas of Paul's cooking. And speaking of her mother, Hermione had to promise Luna that she would tell her mother everything upon her return for the weekend. It was the only way to assuage Luna's fears and let Hermione go home without her.

When she graced the top of the stairs in the common room, Hermione braced herself for another day filled with obnoxious staring and whispered conversations. But ease filled her when her eyes landed on Harry lounging on a couch waiting for her. He moved to the portrait hole and pulled the painting back for her as she came up to him. "So, think you can brave it today?" He asked as she stepped through and into the corridor.

"I think so…and you being with me makes it all the more easy," Hermione replied sweetly.

"Aw, that's almost adorable," He said cheekily, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. They then proceeded towards the Great Hall for breakfast.

It turned out to be better then she had expected. Hermione only received a few fleeting glances and there were no whisperings about her, from what she could tell. Plus, Malfoy hadn't appeared, so she wouldn't have to deal with him just yet.

She eyed his arm draped over the brunette's shoulder as they talked languorously with their friends. Why was he still holding her? She understood it for the first few days…she was his best friend and all…but it had been a week and he still clung to her almost every minute of the day. She was starting to get peeved off about the whole situation.

But as she made her way down the aisle towards them, her frown turned upright, because she held in her hands something that would make the coming weekend fantastic. Her father had sent her two tickets to a much anticipated event at the Garden, and he gave the "ok" for her concert mate. She didn't know who the artist would be, but supposedly the show had been really hyped in the Muggle world for the last two months. It was going to be awesome.

As Harry sat with his arm around Hermione, he listened to her laugh at one of Seamus' jokes. It was good to hear her laugh again. He also noticed what he could only explain as a warm glow radiating out of her when she smiled at the fun around their table.

As Seamus launched into a rather racy story about his next door neighbor back home, he heard someone call his name. He turned to see Kendra trotting up the aisle towards them with a huge grin on her face. "Harry, you won't believe it. Daddy sent me two tickets to a huge concert at the Garden on the fourth and he said it was okay if you came with me! Isn't it great?"

"Sounds fun…who is the artist?"

Did she just say the fourth? At the Garden? Hermione instantly froze and had to force herself to breathe. Was this really happening? Her whole world was about to fall to pieces and there was nothing she could do about it.

"The name he wrote got smudged so all I know is that she is a very famous muggle singer," Kendra replied. Hermione felt herself relax then. Note to self; make sure introduction is changed for the fourth.

"So do you want to come Harry?"

"That sounds like fun Kendra. But is your father okay with me staying at your house. Isn't he super strict with stuff like that?"

"That is the only hitch in the plan. You can't stay at the house. But don't worry," she added to ease his shock, "He said that he would be more then happy to set you up in the best hotel in London."

He replied a little reluctantly, "Well, I guess that would be okay…"

But she cut him off before he could finish, "Oh Harry this is so great, we are going to have the best time. I can't wait!" She concluded her explosion of happiness by giving him a quick kiss before trotting away towards her friends at her house table.

They sat in a flabbergasted silence until Ron decided to break it. "Okay…"

"I guess I get to spend the weekend in a hotel and go to some concert where I have no idea who the artist is," Harry finished with a confused grin on his face. "That sounds like it will be a fun weekend," he finished sarcastically.

By the time breakfast had ended, Hermione found herself walking up to Transfiguration with Luna in tow. The whole way up they tried to dissect the unexpected situation at breakfast. The only conclusion they could draw was that Hermione was in a sticky situation. "Well, at least they don't have close seats right? Didn't you say that you personally handed out the tickets for the first ten rows to that show?"

"Yeah, but I am still worried," Hermione replied, her eyebrows raised. "This is going to be super tricky. And you know that Harry is going to ask to stay with me. He knows that I am going home this weekend."

They took their seats in the classroom and when McGonagall came down the stairs from her office to start class, Luna finished their conversation with a hurried whisper. "Well, then you had better hope that he warms up to the idea of living in a hotel for three days before the next time he sees you."

They had talked more about the weekend during their Potions hour and Harry had come to one conclusion. He was going to be miserable if he went to this concert with her. Kendra had informed him that she would be spending the day before and the day after the show touring a few colleges, so he would be alone for most of the weekend. Where was the fun in that? But he had been neglecting her these past few days and Harry felt bad for it. She seemed so excited about this show and he didn't want to disappoint her. He supposed he could spend one weekend by himself…however reluctant he was to do so.

But something struck him while he was on his way to Charms at the end of the school day. Wasn't Hermione going to her home in London this weekend as well? He didn't have to be by himself after all. It was a big favor to be asking but if she agreed, Harry would be the happiest bloke ever. Even though he liked to be alone to think sometimes…and who doesn't…Harry had faith that Hermione knew he hated being really alone. If she agreed to this, he would love her forever.

Upon entering the Charms room, Harry found Hermione slouched far down in her chair, almost as if she were hiding from something. Harry made his way back and when he sat down next to her he asked, quirking his eyebrow, "Hiding from something?"

She looked up at him and replied wanly, "More like someone."

"Has he tried apologizing yet?"

"Nope…coward. As much as I don't ever want to talk to him again, I care more about this project then I do about my pride."

It was amazing that even though she was broken from his betrayal, Hermione still found it in herself to be able to forgive Malfoy enough to keep up a working relationship. She was so professional it was almost scary…and that was one of the many things Harry found so attractive about her. Attractive…well yes she is attractive, but why am I thinking about that now? More importantly…why am I only just now thinking about it?

She smiled up at him and it almost knocked him sideways. "I'm being a geek aren't I? Hiding like this…so childish," She said pulling herself to sit up straight as Professor Flittwick entered the room.

Much to his horror for his best friend, the professor informed the class that they had the hour to practice their projects. Harry saw Hermione roll her eyes as she muttered figures, before getting up to cross the room. As he watched her pull up a seat next to Malfoy, Harry was overcome with the need to sit with her, to be near to protect her from getting even more hurt. Harry finally had to pull his eyes away when Ernie plopped down beside him and started jabbering on about how much practice they were going to need.

During the rest of the hour, Harry shot fleeting and worried glances over in her direction…ever vigilant to intervene if her situation got out of hand. But what he saw with every glance was a professional looking pair working diligently on their project. This was more unsettling. Harry would have thought the class would be treated to an all out lover's quarrel…but this was worse. How was she so calm right now? Harry figured it was just one more thing about her that he appreciated.

By the time class had ended, Harry was worn out…and slightly crispy. Ernie had so graciously allowed him to be the guinea pig for the day. Needless to say, the charm they had been working on didn't work and after every attempt to walk through the magical flames, Harry had to hurriedly cast some healing charms all over his body to stave off the burns. He was so glad that Hermione caught up to him when he reached the hall.

"Hello friend," she said when she reached him. But her eyes grew in horror when she took in his slightly charred appearance. "Oh my God Harry, get over here!" She pulled him to the side of the corridor and began reciting some more advanced healing incantations over his worn out body. Harry was amazed at her precision and tenderness with the task. As she healed his wounds she explained that her class hour had been horribly awkward, and that she felt like a moron for being so childish. But Harry really couldn't concentrate on her words. He was too busy watching her lips move and the feel of her skin on his was intoxicating. No, no and no! Stop it Potter!

Upon concluding her charms they fell into step, making for the Great Hall for dinner. She chattered on nonsensically for awhile but Harry had other things to attend to. How was he going to ask her to let him stay in her home? "So are you going to go to that show with Kendra this weekend?"

Well that solved that problem! "Yeah I'm going to. I don't want to disappoint her…I seem to be doing that a lot lately and she just seemed so excited about this. As much as I hate being by myself, I'll brave it," Harry replied honestly. Ok so there was some dejection in his voice…just enough to make her feel guilty. Why couldn't he just bring himself to ask her? You make me sick!

Hermione heard the desperation in his words and as much as she tried to ignore it, that wave of always needing to please him came flooding back. She cast him a sidelong glance and she caved. Slowly she pulled her phone out of her pocket and hit her number three speed dial…the number read her mother's mobile. Her voice mail was defaulted at number one and Kennedy occupied slot number two. Her mother was still high up the list.

She pushed the button for speaker phone so Harry could hear as well, and heard her mother's voice come onto the line. "Hello darling, I'm so excited that you are coming home tomorrow."

"I'm excited to."

"Not to be rude sweetie but could you make this quick, I have a patient waiting tolerantly for me to open up his brain and poke around. What do you need dear?"

"Ma, do you think it would be ok if Harry stayed with us this weekend. He has tickets to a concert on the fourth and he has no place to stay. His girlfriend wasn't too accommodating either; she has him in a hotel by himself for the whole weekend. And she won't be spending any time with him either because of some reason that I didn't catch. It would mean a lot to Harry if he could stay with us."

Her mother gave no pause before answering, "Of course Harry can stay with us this weekend. Paul will just have to live with it…besides I want to finally meet this boy that you can't shut up about."

Hermione's face turned a deep shade of red from the embarrassment. She could see Harry smirk from the corner of her eye and she shot him a glare. "Thank you mom and we'll see you tomorrow. Don't keep that man's brain waiting."

"Alright, bye darling," and the line went dead.

Hermione fumed as she stuffed her phone in her pocket all the while listening to Harry chuckle right beside her. "So you can't shut up about me huh?"

Raising her eyebrow in defiance, Hermione replied, "I can't shut up about Luna either, so don't feel so special."

Throwing his arm around her shoulder, Harry laughed heartily. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about how enamored of me you are."

She playfully punched him in the stomach, but smiled up at him as she did. They continued down the hall toward their dinner and Hermione didn't push his arm away.

She always caved for him. This time was no exception. Even though it would complicate everything and she would have to be horribly careful, Hermione couldn't let Harry stay all alone in some hotel room. He could get her to do anything. It was just one more thing to hate him for. It was just one more thing to love him for.

Have a good one kiddos...leave a review...please and thank you...