"Hello Harry," Hermione said smiling sincerely with tears coming close.

"Hello Hermione," Harry responded, returning the smile.

"It's been some time," Hermione said, "you're looking good."

"Indeed it has, you're not looking bad yourself," Harry replied.

Hermione felt her tears pooling at the corners of her eyes just thinking that her best friend, her confident was finally found. "Oh Harry," she said as she ran and hugged him. She felt his arms wrap around her as he returned the hug. She let her tears pour from her eyes.

Harry felt her quick breaths and her tears spilling into his neck. It was enough to remind him of the fierce loyalty she had felt for him. This brought a few tears to his own eyes as he continued to hold the person he always thought of as a sister.

When they finally let go of each other, they saw the tears in each other's eyes. "I saw you and Ron in the Prophet this morning," Harry said after a moment of silence, "congratulations."

"Thanks," Hermione replied, "I've missed you so much Harry."

This brought Harry back to the old days when all he had to worry about was how much homework he had. "So have I Hermione," he replied quietly, "so have I."

"So this is where you've been all this time?" Hermione asked, her reporter skills from the past few days resurfacing.

"Yeah," he answered turning to look at the manor behind him, "This is where I usually hung my coat."

"It's beautiful," Hermione said smiling. This generated a smile from Harry as well. She pondered whether or not telling him about Ron and Arthur. She decided it was best to tell him when he grew a little more comfortable. If he was anything like the old Harry, he would eventually reach his tipping point and let everything pour over the dam. So she asked him, "Lunch in the village?"

Harry smiled. "Sure. Don't take out your wand though," he answered when he saw her take her wand out from her pocket.

She must have made a face because Harry smiled again and said, "Grab onto my arm, and hold on tight."

This confused her, but did as Harry instructed, trusting him.

"Are you going to apparate us?" she asked.

Harry chuckled, "No, something much easier. And cooler. Hold on."

Harry kicked off the ground and shot upwards. Hermione screamed. She could barely handle a broom, let alone this! "HARRY! OH GOD! HARRY!" she screamed.

"It's alright Hermione!" Harry yelled back, "I've got you! Just hold on! We'll be there in a few minutes!"

"OH GOD! DON'T LET GO! OH GOD!"

When they finally touched down, Hermione was pale and panting. Harry laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked horrified.

"Oh Hermione, thank God you haven't changed," he answered through his laughter.

Hermione punched him in the arm. This man has not changed. Thank God, this brought a smile to her face.

"Relax Hermione," Harry said chuckling still, "Welcome to Crovie, Abeenshire, a fine little town that stays out of politics, corporations, and mainstream media. Probably why I like it here so much."

"It certainly looks nice," Hermione replied.

"Follow me," Harry said, "I know the owners of a nice little cafe, serves the finest club sandwiches."

Arthur and Ron were starting to grow impatient. It was already 3:00. 'She should've been back by now,' Ron was thinking to himself. He did not come all this way just to lose his fiance.

"Dad, I'm going to look for her," Ron said to his father who was reading in the chair next to the coffee table.

"Alright," Arthur said looking up, "be careful, I don't want you lost too."

"Don't worry dad," Ron replied. "I'll see around 6:30."

"Goodbye Ron," Arthur said as Ron closed the door.

Ron continued down the almost vacant street with only a few parked cars and about four bicycles. He had checked a coffee shop, a seafood restaurant, a bar, and a public library. He was just about ready to give it up, but then he saw one more place she would be, a small cafe across the street.

"...And so I stayed here once the Goblins ensured me that the owner of the Manor had no problem with me being there," Harry finished his fib of how he had ended up in a Manor, "He was pretty desperate to keep me here actually. In a way, you could say that I'm damned."

Hermione nodded. Harry felt relieved that his fib had worked. He couldn't let her know why he's really here, and where his powers came from.

"Harry," Hermione asked, "Would you be willing to come to the Inn I'm staying at?"

"Hermione, my own bed is only a few seconds away," Harry replied.

"Alright Harry, I'll cut the crap, I want you to come back home with me. Ron misses you, Molly and Arthur they miss you, Ginny. Especially Ginny, she's miserable without you," Hermione responded hoping Ginny would strike a chord with Harry.

Harry turned away and looked down, the thought of Ginny gave him a lump in his throat. But he held his ground, "What if I don't want to go back to England?" he said managing to barely suppress his sorrow.

"I know you don't," Hermione tried again, "I just wanted to be sure that you wouldn't run away again. Now that I've finally found you, I don't want to lose you again."

Harry looked at her for a second, then looked down, in thought. His leaving must have really scared her. He knew what pain would have been caused, but he had to protect those he cared for the most. "You know why I left Hermione," Harry responded sincerely, "Let's be real, I'm a trouble magnet. If I had waken you or Ron or even Ginny to come with me to Dumbledore's grave, any one of you could be dead. I can't put any of you through that."

Hermione caught Harry's message. He was being his noble self-pitying self, sure, but this time, it meant something different. He wasn't using it as an excuse to get some time to himself, he was being serious. He wasn't running away as a means to cope with what happened, he ran away to keep them out of harm's way.

Hermione didn't know what to say, luckily (or unluckily) the only other person here that could connect with Harry had just walked through the door, and Harry couldn't see him.

Ron walked into the diner and asked the hostess, "Excuse me, I'm looking for a Hermione Granger, has she come in?"

"No sir," the blonde hostess responded, "sorry."

"What about a Lois Lane? Has she come in?" Ron asked again.

"Yes, she was just seated, would you like me to take you to her?"

"Yes, please, thank you," Ron replied.

Ron followed the hostess to a table near the back corner, to find not only Hermione but also...

"Harry?" a familiar voice said from behind Harry.

Harry turned to see... "Ron?"

Harry was flabbergasted. His best friend in the world was here. The one friend that spoke a kind word to him.

Hermione smiled, Ron could convince him. He has to.

"Is that really you?" Ron asked barely audible.

"It's me Ron," Harry replied with a somber grin starting to form.

Three hours since Ron had left, Arthur began to worry, it was already 6:oo. He should've been back by now. He was pacing in front of the Sony Television set that Hermione showed him how to use. He was growing impatient with the clock ticking next to the couch. He was just about to leave to the streets himself when an Owl tapped on the window.

He opened the window and untied the letter from the bird's leg.

Dear Arthur,

Ron and I are safe, don't worry. We found something that you'll be interested in. We need to meet with you immediately. Head to No. 13 Overlook. We'll meet you there.

Love from Hermione.

A/N:

Hello readers! Another chapter is here! Let me know what you guys think of it! Yes, it is a little shorter than I would've liked, but I felt I should save Arthur's reaction for another chapter as this one started to feel more like filler and overstuffed. Please Review! Good luck and God bless!

-TheTrueHufflepuff