"Crystal Tears"

* * * * *

You've been too far,

You've been away,

I need you close,

Need you today.

Though I try to,

Hold you here,

Time won't heal,

These crystal tears.

* * *

Chapter Four...

It wasn't long until Hermione was allowed to get up and about. Though she was allowed to move around the castle for a while she wasn't yet allowed to join back in her classes which drove her absolutely insance with frustration.

She had since told Ron of the flowers and they had decided there was nothing they could do besides wait. If Harry was going to make a surprise appearance anytime soon all they could do was hope and pray that he would be okay. Hermione tried telling Ron that that was what she had been doing for the last months of her life so far but he didn't listen. The advice he gave however did make sense to her and she realised that though Ron might appear to be insensitive, he was wise.

So they waited.

They waited days.

They waited weeks.

Hermione was allowed out of the infirmary.

They kept waiting.

But nothing happened.

No more shocking findings in their dormitories. No more books, glasses, flowers or notes. Nothing. The fact that they had nothing to ponder on made them even more frustrated and particularly made Hermione worry. What if something had happened? What if Harry had been caught again and hurt? What if... what if he was dead?

"Don't be silly," Ron told her one day as they were leaving a Potions class. "Nothing has happened to him. I don't think," he added.

"Ron!" scowled Hermione. "Something has. I bet something has. We haven't heard from him for days!"

A horrible thought hit Ron like a brick wall. "Hermione, what if it never was Harry? What if it was Malfoy or someone equally as evil? Just setting out to make us look like fools?"

"Like that hasn't crossed my mind before Ron," Hermione sighed.

"Sorry," said Ron not sounding the faintest bit sorry.

They continued walking in silence. At least she's not so closed off anymore, thought Ron as they entered their common room. At least that's one good thing to have of this.

Just as Hermione was about to open her mouth to comment on how untidy Ron looked that day, she paused. The entire common room was empty of all students. Except one.

"Harry!" cried Hermione, dropping her books on her feet. "Ouch," she added in a whisper.

"Harry!" screamed Ron, not knowing how to act.

Hermione had played over and over again in her head what she would do if she were ever to see Harry again. She had planned the way she'd look, what she'd say, what he'd say, what they'd do and everything but now that they were placed in the situation she forgot everything and just stood there dumbfounded.

Nobody moved.

"Hi guys," Harry said casually after a moment.

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione snapped out of their trance and ran towards him, forgetting all about past differences and embraced him in a huge, huge hug. Harry was crying with joy and Hermione could feel tears soaking through onto her shoulder in big wet patches.

It wasn't until they pulled away from each other that Hermione noticed just how tired and fragile Harry looked. She almost wished she hadn't hugged him so tight because now he looked like he might just break in half any second. Harry felt that way too. It had been a long time since he'd eaten a proper meal or washed or taken care of himself. But now, seeing his wonderful friend Ron and his beautiful friend Hermione, he was glad he had trekked his way through London to find them again.

There were so many questions racing through all of their heads but none of them seemed important enough to ask first. Ron opened his mouth to say something a number of times but then his voice box just seemed to fail and he closed it again. They all just looked at each other again, smiled and hugged.

"Harry, I thought you were dead," Hermione cried, taking his and Ron's hands and leading them in front of the fire place to warm up.

"I know," said Harry glumly. His hair was matted, his eyes tired with dark circles around them, his skin dirty and dry and his lips looked cracked and uncomfortable. It took all the will power Hermione had not to reach out and touch them. "I'm so sorry guys," he cried, not even bothering trying to hold back the many tears that fell from his face. "I'm so sorry..."

"Hey, hey," Ron said calmly, patting him stiffly on the shoulder. "No need to be sorry, old friend," he said cheerily. Hermione was envious of how calm he looked.

"Harry," she said, feeling stupid and not knowing what to do. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he replied.

"Where on earth have you been?" Hermione blurted out. "I mean, what happened? Tell us everything! I demand you inform us!" The old bossy Hermione was slowly creeping back in.

"Wait," said Ron, shushing her up. "Harry is there anything we can do to make you comfortable?" Surprisingly, it was he that was being motherly. "Does Dumbledore know you're here?"

"No," said Harry shaking his head.

"Does it matter?" snapped Hermione. "After all, he was the one who put Harry in this situation after all!"

"No, no Hermione," Harry said. "It wasn't. I had a feeling you were holding him responsible. Ever since I saw the argument you had with him a couple of months ago."

"You saw it?" she gasped. "But... but..." Words were again failing her.

He nodded. She was about to ask him more but he frowned. "Hey Herms," he said gently, placing a hand on her knee. "Would you mind if we didn't talk about it for now?"

She nodded doing her best to be understanding. If he wasn't ready to open up and have to go through everything he'd been through again with them then that was fine with her. She and Ron would just try and make things normal again for him and that would start with informing Dumbledore of what was going on. Ron offered to do that while Hermione ushered Harry up to the Girls' Dormitory. It wasn't the first time he'd been in there but Hermione wanted him to stay in there with her because nobody would annoy and pester him unlike the boys in their dormitory. She made him lie down on her bed and made herself one on the floor. He protested but she shut him up and insisted he was more comfortable.

Feeling exhausted but wanting to stay up talking Harry lay back on the soft cushions while Hermione left the room to bring him something delicious from the kitchens. She returned with a tray of delicacies and also, with Dumbledore and Ron by her side.

The headmaster did indeed look very anxious and surprised to see Harry and the first thing he said to him was, "It is an honour..." before he sat down and performed a quick spell on Harry which startled him at first but then he understood what it was.

Hermione and Ron held hands in the corner and watched from a distance. They couldn't make out everything that was being said between the two but they saw Harry and Dumbledore nod their heads, then shakes them, then nod again etc. Finally, Dumbledore stood up and smiled at Hermione and Ron.

"I think Mr. Potter is going to be just fine," he winked.

"Ohh," Hermione cried with relief and gave Ron a quick hug. Dumbledore left them then to talk to Harry and tell him everything that had happened since he had left. Every tiny, little, minute piece of gossip and every tiny, little, minute piece of information he needed (or most likely didn't need) to know.

By the end of the evening, the dormitory was silent. The other girls who shared it with Hermione had been told by Dumbledore what to expect when they went in and therefore sighed with happiness when they caught a glimpse of him before tip toe-ing around silently and going to bed themselves. Harry was sleeping soundly, too tired to even have nightmares, Hermione was sleeping with her head on the bed but her body on the floor and Ron was stretched out across the bed Hermione had meant to have on the floor.

In the corner of the room was an empty tray where the food had been.

Author's Note: Sorry it has taken so long to get this chapter out. Been busy, busy, busy but then again, what's new? In the next chapter you should all find out what happened to Harry and why he's back. Thank you for all the kind reviews and e-mails- they are very encouraging and motivate me to write these stories.

One last note: I am currently looking for global pen-pals! You see, I'm one of those people who love writing and recieving letters, especially if they're from places that I can only dream of going to (LoL Sarah- you know what I mean). So if you feel like writing to a 15-year-old chick from Melbourne, Australia, please e-mail me! ducky_doll@hotmail.com

Thanks again people! Love ya!