Disclaimer: Sadly... I don't own the characters only the plot.

Chapter 7

Hermione did her best to avoid Ron and Harry at all costs. She didn't want to talk to them yet. She still had to find the words to say to them. Words that she didn't know how to express.

She was walking down the hall when she heard someone calling her. She turned around and saw Ron, with Harry, walking down the hall towards her. She immediately turned around and hurriedly walked away from them.

"Hermione, wait!" Ron called.

"Hermione!" Harry yelled.

Hermione didn't look back. She turned around a corner and hid in the prefects' office. She closed her eyes and panted. That was too close.

**

Harry and Ron had been trying to talk to Hermione for days now. It's been almost two weeks. They just couldn't seem to get a hold of her. Hermione, meanwhile, had been steering clear of their way. She was just afraid that they'd yell at her again and tell her that she betrayed them.

She was walking towards the library, when she heard familiar voices. She gasped. It was Harry and Ron. She immediately walked fast, hoping that they wouldn't see her. But it was too late.

"There she is," Harry said. "Hermione!"

"Hey Hermione!" Ron said. "Wait!"

Hermione turned around a corner and hid inside an empty classroom. She stayed there, trying to breathe calmly.

"Where did she go?" Hermione heard Ron ask.

"I don't know," Harry answered.

"This is making it harder that I thought it would be," Ron said.

"Yeah. And to think what we're going to tell her is..." Harry trailed away.

"Yeah and after what happened..." Ron said.

"I know. I'm not even sure if she's stil our friend," Harry said.

"Let's just go," Ron said. "We'll catch her some other time."

Hermione stayed in the room until she heard Ron's and Harry's footsteps die away. Then she hurriedly went in her dorm.

**

"Hermione!" Parvati called.

"Parvati," Hermione said. "What is it?"

"How are you?" Parvati asked.

"I'm fine. Why?" Hermione asked. "I've just been busy."

"Listen--," Parvati began.

But Hermione saw Draco walk by and excused herself from Parvati. "Draco! Draco!"

Draco stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn around. Hermione walked up to him.

"Hey," Hermione said.

Draco merely nodded.

"How have you been?" Hermione asked.

"Alright," Draco said. "Listen, I'd better go. I'll be late."

"But--." Hermione wasn't able to finish her sentence. Draco had already begun walking away.

Hermione walked back to where Parvati was. "Sorry. What was it that you were saying?"

"Harry and Ron want to talk to you," Parvati said. "They said it's really important."

Hermione looked at Parvati, terrified. "Wh-why do they want to talk to me?"

"I don't know. I think it was something about ending things once and for all," Parvati said.

Hermione's eyes opened wide from terror.

"Is something wrong, Hermione?" Parvati asked.

"No. No," Hermione answered quickly, backing away. "It's just... I have to go. I'll see you later." She turned around and left.

**

Hermione slipped out of Transfiguration, hoping that Harry and Ron wouldn't notice. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her wrist. She turned around and gasped.

"Harry! Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, trying to get her wrist out of Ron's grasp.

"We need to talk to you, Hermione," Ron said.

"I--I have to go," Hermione said, almost hysterical. "I'll be late for class."

"Wait. You need to hear what we have to say," Harry said.

"I can't do this..." Hermione started.

"Do what?" Ron asked.

"... take all of this... I'm sorry... I know I messed up... it's all my fault... Draco... he... I... I'll make it up to you... I promise... just don't leave me... please don't leave me..." Hermione sobbed.

Harry stepped forward and wrapped her in a deep embrace. Hermione was trying to break free but Harry just stood there, keeping her in his arms. "We know what happened Hermione. You don't have to explain."

Hermione looked up as tears slid down her cheeks. "You know? How?"

"Malfoy told us everything," Ron explained.

"Draco? He... did?" Hermione couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Yes he did, Hermione. Now we know what happened, why you suddenly changed, the reason for all of this. You don't have to worry," Harry said, comforting her.

Hermione smiled. "I thought for a moment I was going to lose you guys."

Ron hugged Hermione and kissed her head. "That will never happen. We'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Really?" Hermione said, her sadness fading away.

"Forever," Harry added.