A/N: Here I am! Sorry I have taken so long to get to this. My boyfriend, well as of this weekend, my fiancée(dances around with glee) was down from New Jersey and I was a bit distracted.

To reference one of my reviewers, I was not inspired by Full House to write that part. I was a HUGE fan of the show though. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

Anyways, I am going to try my hardest to make this chapter longer. I apologize for how short they have been.

Chapter 14: Too Late

Harry,

I can't believe it! I am so happy for you two. And the way you did it is so romantic! Give Ginny a big hug and kiss for me and I promise I will be there for the wedding!

I have received several letters from Ron since I have left. Tons, actually. I think he is a bit pissed I don't write as much, but I am so busy here. Please remind him of that next time you see him. Draco wrote me once, that's it. Guess he is too busy for me.

Harry, please, I am going to tell you this in complete confidentiality, so please do not tell anyone. I can't seem to tell Ginny. But, Harry, I miss Draco so much. Yes I miss Ron, terribly, but I feel that I miss his friendship above anything else. He talks to me in his letters as if we are lovers torn apart by the evils of society. It's funny the way he words things. Some would take the words as romantic, but, it's Ron.

I have thought long and hard on this Harry. I don't want to loose Ron's friendship. What do you think I should do? Would you tell him, or is it best coming from me? I don't want to do it in a letter. That is just so cowardly.

Please, help me. Give me some advice! I would really appreciate it.

Your Friend,

Hermione

"What are you reading Harry?"

Harry quickly shoved the parchment under the paperwork spread on the table. He looked up as Ginny reached him, "Just looking over some paperwork for Moody.

Ginny looked at him curiously, "Are you? I don't believe you," she said with one hand on her hip.

Harry smiled up at her and winked, "Do you ever believe me," he reached around her middle and brought her to his lap. He kissed at her neck as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"That's not fair Potter, you can't just wiggle your way out of something by snogging me."

Harry continued and spoke in between kisses, "I....beg....to...differ..."

Ginny giggled and allowed Harry to kiss along her neckline. Their mouths met each other and they kissed playfully.

"eeh..hem.." Harry and Ginny jumped and turned to see the new arrival to the room, "Sorry to interrupt."

Ginny flushed and stood from Harry's lap, "No Draco, not to worry," she adjusted her wrinkled up clothes, "Harry, I am going to go take a nap," she best down and kissed Harry on the forehead.

She smiled at Draco and turned and went for the stairs. Harry called after her, "I will be up shortly love,"

She turned around and winked at him. She turned back and made up the stairs.

Harry turned to Draco and smiled, "What' s up? How are things?"

Draco took in a deep breath, "I am leaving, mate."

Harry looked curiously at him, "What do you mean, you're leaving? Where are you going?"

"Austria, seems my mother is causing more trouble these days. They want me there to keep her in line. They seem to be having a hard time doing it," he shook his head, "And they call themselves professionals."

"Well, when are you getting back?" asked Harry. Draco looked down nervously, "You are coming back, Draco?"

"Don't think so mate, don't see much sense in it. I can't deal with this anymore, having to be around here."

Harry walked over to Draco, "She comes back in a month, you've waited this long."

Draco looked up at Harry and squinted, "She seems to have made up her mind already."

Harry thought to the letter that he had just read and was confused. Did he know she chose him? No, then he wouldn't be leaving, "How do you know she has. Have you heard from her?"

Draco took in another deep breath, "No mate. I haven't."

Harry thought what to say without revealing what Hermione had told him, "Have you written her?"

"I wrote her every week she was gone. I got one response back from my first, and in the past five months, nothing."

"But she-"Harry was cut off by Draco lifting his hand.

"Don't worry about it Potter. If she wants to see me, she can come see me in Austria. I don't expect her to, but she is welcome to do so."

"Draco, I don't think-"Harry was cut off again.

"I've made up my mind. I promise I will try my best to be here for the wedding."

Harry gave up, "You better be, you're a groomsmen," he said with no humor seen on his face.

Draco noticed his frustration, "I will see to it I am here," he stuck out his hand, "I will be in touch mate."

Harry took his hand, "Sure thing, mate."

"Please tell everyone goodbye for me," he noticed the frown on Harry's face, "I will be alright mate," he patted Harry's shoulder, "Who knows, maybe she will kick the bucket tomorrow and I will be back sooner."

Harry tutted at this, "I doubt it, but stranger things have happened," said Harry.

"Yeah, like Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy becoming best mates? Who saw that coming," laughed Draco.

Harry laughed as well, "Take care mate."

Draco nodded, turned and disappeared before Harry's eyes.

Once he was gone Harry sighed hard, "Hermione is not going to be too happy about this."

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"I can't believe he's gone. Just up and left."

Harry watched as Ron shoveled a fork full of potatoes in his mouth. They were sitting at a table in the middle of The Leaky Cauldron, "He said they needed him with his mother. Guess she is getting to be too much to handle."

Ron furrowed his brow, "It's been over five months. You would think that would've happened much sooner with that hag."

Harry sat back, took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "He seems to think it's for the best, I suppose."

"Sucks mate, really does."

Harry watched Ron devour the rest of the food on his plate. He frowned at Ron's reaction to Draco's leaving. He didn't seem to upset by it, "Ron, how much do you hear from Hermione?" he asked.

Ron stopped quickly and looked up at Harry, "Not a lot."

"She's pretty busy over there. So she can't write too much."

Ron shrugged his shoulders, "I suppose. You gonna eat your biscuit?"

Harry slid his plate towards Ron who grabbed the biscuit, "So, she comes back in a month. Seems like she just left yesterday."

Ron nodded as he munched into the biscuit, "MMhmmm."

Harry didn't like the attitude Ron was giving him, "What's up Ron? You are acting very strange."

Ron smiled, "Just been a good day is all."

Harry was about to inquire further but decided he was too tired to even care, "I better get back to the office," he stood from his chair "Moody and I are meeting in about ten minutes. You coming?"

"I've gotta get something from Diagon Alley. I will see you later," Ron wiped his mouth and stood from his seat. The men threw money on the table and said their goodbyes.

Harry watched Ron as he emerged out to Diagon Alley. He was a bit curious to what he was going for but quickly remembered his appointment with Moody.

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"So, we are going to cut the assignment short due to the immense success we have had during our visit."

Hermione sat as her supervisor announced her and the rest of the special team from St. Mungo's would be returning to London a month early. She tried her best to hide her excitement, but it was too hard.

"Miss Granger, I can see from the smile on your face that you are glad to be leaving our new friends here in Venice?"

Hermione blushed at being pointed out, "No-no sir, I just," she looked around nervously, "I am just glad I will be back with my friends. I miss them terribly."

The man nodded and smirked, "I thought so, well, at this moment, you are all free to go. I expect to see you all Monday morning at St. Mungo's. Have a nice trip everyone."

Hermione stood from her chair and ran out of the room. She was almost out the door when a familiar voice called out to her, "Senora Granger, why in such a hurry?"

She smiled and turned, "Paulo, I get to go home! Isn't that great?"

The young man approached her with a smirk, "Back to your prince?"

Hermione tilted her head, "Back to my loved one's I miss terribly, Paulo," she brushed her hand over the man's forehead moving a strand of hair from in front of his eyes.

"And Senora Wright, she is leaving too?" Paulo lowered his head.

Hermione looked at his sympathetically, "I am afraid so, I can't loose her. She is my assistant after all."

"I suppose I should go find her," he leaned over and kissed Hermione on her cheek, "Go to your Prince. He will be most happy to see you."

Hermione smiled, "I hope so Paulo, I hope so," Hermione smiled and turned out the door.

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She apparated into Malfoy Manor and looked around. She frowned to see there was no sign of Draco. She turned as she heard a squeak from behind her.

"Miss Granger is looking for Master Malfoy?"

Hermione smiled, "Yes Miffy. He is not here is he? Has he gone out," she asked with a smile.

The frown on the elves face made her stomach turn, "He-he is not here. He has left. He is tending to Mistress Malfoy," said the elf nervously.

"Okay, when is he coming back, tomorrow?" the elf shook her head, "next week? Next month?"

The elf had tears forming in her eyes, "He tells us elves he is not coming back."

Hermione suddenly felt her heart wrench and tears form in her eyes.

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A/N: Man, poor Hermione! What happened to those letters? Hmmmmm.....Guess we will find out! Please read and R&R OH and again, sorry for the short chapter, I am about to leave work and wanted to get this out to you all.