A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
I know a lot of you have left reviews talking about the pairings, and how Hermione has lots of options for help. Thank you for all your advice, well, except for the flames. I hope you continue to read and review!
Hermione stretched, her left elbow popping as she moved. She glanced around. No, last night had not been a dream. She really was back in Grimmauld Place, Harry really had saved her, and Ron really was a fucking bastard. She felt the anger swell in her chest.
"Morning! You want some breakfast? I've got bacon and eggs," Harry offered. Hermione felt her stomach turn over.
"Thanks, but no thank you. I should make that list for you, so I can get my things back. Um, is there any chance you might be able to do me another favor?" Hermione asked, picking up the parchment and quill that had been sitting next to the bed. She tried to think about all the things she would need, or at least the things she couldn't live without. There really wasn't much. She had never realized just how little she had, or how little many of her possessions mattered.
"Depends on what it is? Something else I've learned. I don't agree to everything any more," Harry replied. Hermione smiled. She remembered how Harry would do anything Dumbledore had said, usually without question. She was glad he'd obviously grown something that resembled a spine. She wondered for a brief moment if he would even agree to do this for her, since it would bring him possibly face to face with Severus. It couldn't hurt to ask, at least.
"Professor Snape has a shop in Diagon Alley," she was careful not to call him by his first name. She knew it was stupid, but part of her didn't want Harry to know just how familiar her and him had become. "He sells a potion that I've been taking. Ron threw all of mine out, it's to help me... Well, since we're being completely honest with each other here. I've been struggling these last few years with depression." Hermione watched Harry's face. He was still standing close to the doorway. He stared at her for a moment. Then Harry crossed the room and pulled Hermione into a tight hug. She stiffened slightly but returned it.
"I had no idea," he admitted. "There were a lot things I never noticed. I should have been a better friend."
"No one did, well, Professor Snape obviously suspected, I don't know how, but if you could pop to his shop and pick up a new supply for me?" she asked. She watched him think about it, think about seeing Severus again.
"I can do that. He's not still a complete git, is he?" Harry asked. Hermione smiled thinking about how Severus had kicked her out of his shop, how he'd insulted her, how he'd said she didn't love him.
"A bit," she admitted. "But I'm sure he'll be professional. He was with me in the shop," she answered. That was true at least. She felt her heart pound as she thought about how completely unprofessional he'd been in his office, in his flat above the shop. She felt her face flush but quickly forced the thoughts from her head. She couldn't be thinking about him, not now. He didn't want anything to with her, she needed to remember that.
"Why don't you have something to eat and I'll go out after breakfast?" Harry offered. Hermione nodded sliding from the bed and following him to the kitchen.
"The place is still a mess. Like I said, I only just got back into town. I wasn't even sure the wards would even recognize me, but apparently this is still my property," Harry said. He grabbed two plates and set them on the table. Hermione slid into the chair, thinking about the last time she'd been here.
"Was it hard, coming back here?"
"Yes, and no. I mean, I always knew I was going to come back. It was strange because there's so many memories here. I'll probably end up selling the place, if I can. I'm looking to just start over, Hermione. Maybe by a flat somewhere, get a job, I don't know."
"Ginny's still single," Hermione commented, stabbing a piece of bacon with her fork. "Are you planning on seeing her?"
"Maybe, I did kind of break her heart."
"She'll want to see you. Imagine how annoyed she'd be if she finds out from someone else that you're in town?"
"Good point. I'll stop by the Burrow at some point. Did you finish that list?"
"Yes, here it is," Hermione said. She handed him the sheet of parchment. Harry scanned it quickly.
"Will you be alright here by yourself?" he asked. Hermione heard the unasked part of the question. She knew Harry was worried about her.
"Is the library still full of books?" she asked. Harry laughed.
"Yes, it is. You're welcome to read anything you want, explore the house. I mean, I know we did years ago, but if you want to pick a room for your self."
"Thanks, I probably will," she answered. "Just put the dishes in the sink, I'll wash them while you're gone."
"I'll be back soon," Harry promised. Hermione nodded. "And I won't forget to get your potion from the apothecary," he added before slipping out the door. Hermione stared at where he had just been. She wondered if Severus would have anything to say about Harry getting her potions for her. He'd told her he never wanted to see her again, well, Harry was most certainly not her.