Chapter 7 - Christmas Break

Harry's plan, to Ron's surprise, went on and on successfully for the next few weeks. It was mostly because it was getting easier for Harry to avoid Hermione. Hermione, still determined to find Harry kept asking questions and got answers to no avail. At one point, Hermione had given up completely. She didn't seem sad that Harry had mysteriously sort of vanished, but she didn't seem completely happy either. Ron took notice in Hermione's behavior and one day in the boys' dormitories, explained it to Harry.

"Harry you should see Hermione," said Ron. "She doesn't look at all happy."

"Of course she is," said Harry.

"Harry I know you miss her and I know she misses you," said Ron. Harry looked as if he was finally going to give in.

"Yeah I miss her a lot Ron," replied Harry. "But she doesn't miss me."

"Of course she does," said Ron. "Why else would she ask -?"

"How many times have I told you Ron! It's because she wants me to break my promise." Harry sighed. "Just make sure you keep an eye on her for me all right. Just make sure she stays ok." Ron nodded.

"Harry, you know Hermione's leaving right?"

"Christmas holidays, I know. Why?"

"You know I'm going with her right? I mean she would've invited you too but under the circumstances you're in -

"Yeah Ron I know," said Harry sadly. "Just have a good time and tell me all about it when you get back."

"Lavender's staying. Maybe she'll keep you company."

"I think she will," said Harry.

"And Harry," said Ron, his face suddenly so close to Harry's. "you keep your hands off, and I'll keep mine off."

"What are you talking about Ron?" said Harry, looking a bit frustrated. "Hermione is NOT my girl!"

"But you wish she was right?"

"Of course! I like her just as much as you love Lavender, probably more," said Harry standing up and looking like he wanted to defend himself.

"Ok ok," said Ron putting his hands up to his face.

***

Harry avoiding Hermione was still into effect in December. Ron did his job of leading Hermione out of the way whenever Harry would show up and Lavender would lead Harry out of sight. To Hermione, Harry hadn't shown up to one class since the last time she saw him. But when she checked the attendance record, Harry had been present to all the classes. This really puzzled Hermione. The teachers were doing an excellent job as well, of keeping Harry out of her life. The story of Harry being out of Hermione's life had spread well over the school. People would show resentful looks toward her and treat her in a somewhat un-polite way. She hadn't felt that way since people thought that she was treating Harry badly in 4th year. Soon, she wouldn't even talk about it, finally telling Ron that she had given up. Ron noticed that she seemed to have gotten used to Harry not being around and she returned to her usual Hermione attitude. The concern and sadness that he once saw disappeared from Hermione and he realized that Harry was right. Hermione was better off without him.

The time had come when all the students to be leaving would have to board the train. Harry said goodbye to Ron in the boys' dormitories and Ron left dragging his trunk behind, it hitting every step as he went down.

Harry fell on his back on his bed and closed his eyes, relieved that he could finally go through the Christmas holidays without the stress of Hermione seeing him. A moment later, Lavender came up.

"Hi Harry," she said waving. Harry sat up quickly from his bed.

"Lavender! You're not supposed to be here! This is the boys' dormitories!"

"I know," she replied, sitting down next to Harry. "Ron just told me you need someone to talk to."

"I don't," said Harry so that she could leave him alone. "I really don't."

"Yes you do Harry," states Lavender. "You miss her don't you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. He felt like he was going to have the same conversation again but this time with Lavender.

"Harry, you act like this is doing you a favor when really its not." said Lavender in a motherly tone of voice.

"It is doing me a favor," said Harry.

"Stop lying to yourself Harry. I know that you hate being alone. You don't even have the company of Ron anymore when you go to classes and you know it hurts you having to avoid Hermione like that.

"It's not, really." Harry said. "I'm actually happy."

"How can you be happy?" asked Lavender. "Not hanging out with Ron in class and not seeing Hermione face to face everyday. I used to watch you two before. Besides Ron, you two were inseparable. Remember what Colin Creevey said? You were hardly out of the company of Hermione. It was sort of a daily thing here at Hogwarts and everyone noticed it. Now that you two are separated, the school hardly functions properly and no one is used to seeing you and Hermione not together."

"Look Lavender, have you seen Hermione recently?" Harry asked.

"Yes I have," she replied.

"Does she look at all upset?"

"Well before she was very-

"I'm not talking about before, Lavender. Of course she'll be concerned when I'm not around. Wouldn't you be too if some one was missing? I'm talking about now. Right now. Does she look at all upset that I'm gone?"

Lavender's mouth moved wordlessly. Harry was right. She shook her head.

"See?" said Harry. "She is happy." Lavender stood up and shook her head.

"I'm very disappointed in you Harry. At first this was a good idea and I have to give you credit that its gone this long. Now, it's just immature, silly, and I know I'm not the only one to say this, getting out of hand."

"What's immature, silly, and getting out of hand about keeping a promise?"

Lavender shook her head again. Harry was being stubborn and not getting the point. She had given up.

"Never mind Harry," she said standing up, getting ready to leave. "It's just that, I'm worried about you. And I know Hermione is too."

Harry shook his head and fell back on his bed as Lavender walked down the stairs.

***

Harry had a particularly good time on his Christmas holidays despite the fact that he was alone. In fact, he was so used to being alone with him out of Hermione's life and Ron having different classes that he didn't really seem to notice. He could walk down corridors without keeping an eye out for Hermione, in case he had to duck for cover and he could eat in the Great Hall now. People greeted Harry as they walked into the Great Hall. Some of whom Harry had never seen before. They seemed to know all about Harry's plan and they too were helping out.

"Hey Harry, long time no see," said a 4th year Hufflepuff shaking his hand.

"I think it's really sweet of you keeping your promise to Hermione," said a Ravenclaw girl.

"I think you should get back together," said another Ravenclaw girl. "Her-me-oh-knee doesn't seem happy with out you."

Harry smiled. She had mispronounced Hermione's name. It reminded him of the time she tried to teach Viktor Krum how to pronounce her name, but he kept saying "Hermy-own". He was watching her teach him when she noticed that Harry was watching and she grinned back at him. That smile was the best ever. In Harry's opinion, Hermione had the best smile out of all the girls. It felt so special every time he saw it. His smile faded when he realized that he was probably no longer going to see it again. It was getting harder and harder for him to even see Hermione in school. He remembered how she had told him that she had found solace in another wizard and how his heart seemed to shatter a little. He kept replaying the time when he asked her to the Valentine's Ball and how she had shattered his heart completely. She simply told him that she "had her reasons". Harry still didn't have a reason why…

A/N: Another chapter up people!!! I've been looking at all of the post (although I think that I shouldn't have because I might want to change this around a bit) and you all have very good questions. All of your thoughts and worries will be answered soon. I promise!!! ;) Nonetheless, I really appreciate all of your R/R!!! Thank guys, it's to you all that makes me want to write even more.