A/N: I am so sad! I have hardly gotten any reviews for 14...tear...oh well. I guess I just need to make the next chapter even juicier, huh? I will just my best! Enjoy!

Chapter 15: Poor Hermione

"HARRY POTTER! GET YOU SKINNY ARSE OUT HERE NOW!"

Hermione apparated into her flat and headed straight for Ginny's room. She was about to knock when a disheveled Harry opened the door, "What the hell, Herm, what are you doing back already," he said as he let out a yawn.

"THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW! WHY-"

"Shhh," Harry pushed her out of the doorway, "Don't wake Ginny," he shut the door behind him, "Let's go talk in your room."

"FUCK THAT!"

Harry quickly placed a hand over her mouth, "Calm down Herm, in your room,"

She loosened her muscles and nodded. He slowly moved his hand and followed her into her room. She entered and turned as Harry shut the door. She was about to open her mouth to shout again, but he raised his hand. With the other, he took out his wand and put a silencing charm around the room. "Harry, why the bloody hell did he leave?"

"To take care of his mother, Herm," he took in a deep breath, "I was going to owl you in the morning, but I can see you have found out your own way. Why are you back so soon anyways?"

Hermione collapsed onto her bed, "The superiors didn't feel we were needed anymore, looks like that is how Malfoy feels about me."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Your in love with him Mione, you can at least call him by his first name."

She stood quickly, "I am not! You don't know that!"

"Oh shove it Mione," her eyes widened, "I'm sorry, it's just, it's late and I am awfully tired. Can this wait for morning?"

"Harry, I should have known. I didn't receive any letters after his first. I should have realized it."

Harry folded his arms, "Yeah, that was funny to me. Right before he came here, I was reading your last letter, about, well you know. Then he comes in, says he feels you have already chosen on account you hadn't written back. Hermione, he said he wrote you every week since you left."

"WHAT! That liar! I saw only one bloody letter! That is it!"

Harry crunched up his nose in thought, "Something isn't right Hermione."

"What? He is lying, it's that simple!" she shouted.

He shook his head, "No, he is not. He wrote you Hermione, if he says he did, he did. I believe that. He truly feels that you have chosen Ron."

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Ron,

I would like to congratulate you on winning the heart of such a wonderful woman. I am not sure how I thought I deserved her affections, but that is in the past. I wish you both the best of luck in your lives together. Please forgive me if I have offended our friendship in any way. I would truly like to think that we can put this behind us and remain friends. It looks as though I will be in Austria for quite sometime. I am currently making plans to make a permanent residence here. I will try my best to be at the wedding in December, but it doesn't look promising. I will be sure to notify Harry of the final result.

Also, please tell Hermione to take care of herself and I hope to continue a friendship with her as well. Be good to her Ron.

Your Friend,

Draco


Ron read the letter with a satisfied smile on his face. But he soon felt guilt. He looked around the Weasley living room and stopped at the fireplace. He rose from his chair and moved to the flames. He whispered to himself, "I'm sorry, mate," and he threw the parchment into the fire. He watched as the paper slowly burned.

"Ron, what are you doing up so late?" Ron turned to see his father at the foot of the stairs, "I see someone forgot to put the fire out."

"I was just reading over some papers for work. I will take care of the fire," said Ron.

Mr. Weasley nodded, "Everything alright, son?" "Fine dad, just tired. I will see you in the morning."

Mr. Weasley smiled at his son and made up the stairs. He knew Ron was lying to him, but he wasn't about to pry.

Ron returned to his chair and pulled out a blank parchment.

Hermione

Before he could finish writing he was startled by a voice coming from the fireplace, he looked up to see Hermione's head floating in the flames, "Ron, we need to talk. Can you get over to the flat?"

Ron was a bit taken back, "Herm? Where are you?"

"I'm at my flat, I will explain later. Get here now, please," and at that she disappeared.

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Draco Malfoy lay awake in the rather uncomfortable bed he was using at the hospital. He would be looking for a flat the next morning and was offered the bed by one of the medi's. His thoughts were spinning around in his mind. He had given up on her. He was pissed at himself for this.

"Sir," said a quiet voice, "Sir, are you awake?"

Draco turned to his other side to see a small medi-nurse standing at the door, "Yes, what's the matter," he asked.

"Your mother is asking for you sir. She insisted upon it."

Draco sat up slowly from his bed. The nurse gasped slightly, and turned away. "I am wearing boxers miss, I am not naked," he grabbed his shirt and pants from the chair beside him and slipped on his shoes.

He followed the nurse quickly through the corridors. She stopped at a large white door and with a swipe of her wand, the door unlocked. Draco slipped in to see his mother sitting up in bed, "You wanted to see me, Narcissa?"

She frowned, "That hurts dear," she mumbled.

Draco rolled his eyes and folded his arms, "You said yourself you have no son. Now what is the problem?"

"Draco, I don't want you here."

"Mother, the nurse just-"

She raised her voice, "I don't want you hear, in Austria, you stupid arse."

"Mother, I can't leave. They need me here to keep you calm."

"That won't be necessary anymore, dear."

"What are talking about," asked Draco with boredom.

"I will not need looking after for much longer."

"You aren't making any sense mother. Get to sleep."

"Oh that is where you are wrong dear. You see, I noticed something when you arrived this morning. You were, sad."

"And?"

"You weren't just a normal sad, you had a certain...certain...hurt about you. Your heart has been broken, hasn't it dear?"

Draco looked a bit astonished as his mother, "How..."

"I am a mother. I have been a mother for twenty two years now. I notice things. It's motherly instinct," Draco huffed but she continued, "I hate you for killing my Lucius. I will never forgive you for turning your back on this family."

"Mother, I don't-"

"DON'T interrupt me, Draco. As I was saying you turned your back on this family. But no matter what I say, you are my son, my flesh and blood. It does hurt me to see you in anguish."

"I will be fine mother," Draco was surprisingly beginning to feel himself tear up. He quickly pushed this away and stood up straight, "If that is all mother, I would like to try to get some sleep, as should you."

Narcissa smiled at her only son, "You have become a good man Draco. In this light, you remind me much of your father when he was your age. Very handsome, very distinguished."

"Goodnight mother," Draco turned to leave but was called back.

"Wait," she stood from the bed and went towards him, "please, can you give your batty mother a hug?" she opened her arms for him and he hesitated.

"Fine," he allowed his mother to embrace him.

Narcissa held her son for what seemed like forever. She did her best not to cry, but was unsuccessful. She quickly pulled away and Draco saw the tears in her eyes. She brushed a strand of hair from his eyes, "Goodnight, dear."

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Harry watched as Hermione paced back and forth in front of him, "Sit down, Herm. Calm down."

Hermione stopped and looked at him, "Harry, I am about to break someone's heart. Can you please let me collect my thoughts," she finished her sentence and returned to her pacing.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Hermione. I am just curious about one thing."

She continued to pace, "What?" she asked irritably.

"Well, maybe you should just, you know. Go out with him. Just on one date, see how it goes."

Hermione stopped and glared at him, "Don't do that Harry. Don't try to keep me from doing this. I have made up my mind."

"But Herm," Harry stood and walked over to her, "You say you have chosen, but..." he struggled with his words.

"But what Harry?" she asked. She lowered her eyes. She knew what he was going to say, but hoped otherwise.

Harry took her hand in his, "He's gone, he left. Who knows if he's coming back?"

She looked at him with sad eyes. She knew he was gone. But no one knew for how long. But should she wait for him? She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She suddenly had the feeling she had back at Malfoy Manor, the feeling that made her feel like she would never breathe again. She felt the tears forming in her eyes, "Harry, I just don't want to believe that he's not coming back, I just don't!" she cried.

Harry's heart ached at seeing Hermione like this, "Hermione," he took her into a hug. He held her for a few minutes. She seemed to be glued to him.

They heard a crack in the next room and Hermione pulled away from Harry, "That's Ron, damn," she wiped the tears away from her eyes, "Hey Ron," she choked.

Harry turned to see Ron walking into the room, "Hey mate!"

Ron looked from Harry to Hermione, "What's up? Are you alright, Mione? You look upset."

She shook her head, "I-I'm fine Ron. I am sorry to get you over here so late."

He smiled, "You are back early," he walked over and took her into a hug, "this is a nice surprise."

She backed away from him and looked up at his face. He seemed to be glowing, "We- we finished earlier than planned. It's good to be back."

"Well, you seemed kind of angry when you called me over. Are you sure nothing is wrong?"

She looked over his shoulder to Harry. He gave her a concerned smile, "No Ron, nothing is wrong. I just, I was so awake when I got back. I wanted to see you is all."

Ron formed a giant grin, "Really? I mean, great, I mean..."

"But, I am pretty tired now," Ron's face fell, "But, Ron, let's go to dinner tomorrow. Catch up on things since I have been gone," Ron's smile returned.

"Sounds great, 'Mione! I will be over about six, that alright?" he asked excitedly.

Hermione nodded, "That's fine. Well, I am gonna get to bed," she took Ron into a hug, "Goodnight," she walked to Harry and gave him a hug.

He whispered in her ear, "Everything will be alright, I promise."

She pulled away and smiled wearily at him. She then proceeded to her room.

Harry watched her as her door closed and turned back to Ron, "Dinner, that's good."

Ron laughed, "Yeah, it is."

"Looks like she made her choice mate, Congrats," Harry patted Ron on the back.

"Thanks Harry. Guess she got fed up with not getting any letters from Draco. Well, I am exhausted. I will see you tomorrow," and at that Ron disapparated leaving Harry in a state of confusion.

"How did he know about that?" he asked himself.

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A/N: Has Ron been a bad boy!! Hmmmm....guess we will have to find out. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please review. I got like NO reviews on my last chapter but a few. Please let me know how I am doing! TGIF!!