Chapter 9

Misunderstandings.

With their eyes closed they both pretended that nothing had changed since school. That they were together, that there was no pain as they continued to hold each other. They'd been sat together, crying, for nearly an hour. It was getting late Hermione dimly reflected.

She jumped up and took Harry with her- OHMYGODJAMIE-SCHOOL! She started collecting her things – shoes on – how could she be late for picking him – that's so unfair on him – he's only seven – he's a baby. She was panicking so much she hardly heard Harry till he yelled-

"HERMIONE!"

"-What?" She said puzzled.

"What are you doing? W-What-"

"I'm gonna be late I have to go.."

"Hell No You Don't!" He shouted, and closed the gap between them. She frowned. "You don't get to tell me that I have a child, a son, and then run away again – I'm not letting you this time – I shouldn't have last time-"

Hermione took a deep breath and could see how it would look from Harry's point of view. With this in mind the tone she used was compassionate and kind, reminding herself dimly of Mrs Weasley many years ago-

"Harry- I- if I don't hurry I'm going to be late for picking Jamie up-"

"Oh...Can I come with you to get him?" Harry blurted.

She thought about it for a minute. "I don't think that would be a good idea-"

"I wanna meet him Hermione!" He yelled.

"I realise that Harry" She took another calming breath. "But you have to realise that the best way for Jamie to meet you is not going to be the second you find out about him as I pick him up from school. You have to understand it has always been just us-"

"But I know now – I want to be involved in his life. I wanna know him. I want him to know me-" Harry said loudly, interrupting again.

"I know Harry. But it has just been me and Jamie always. For you to just suddenly be there is going to confuse him – I need to explain it all to him before he meets you. It'll be easier on him."

He knew she was right, so he nodded in agreement. It didn't make him feel any better- he had this sick churning feeling inside of him and tears flowed down his face again.

"I'm sorry Harry- I have to go-"

"But when can I come back – when can I meet him?" He was pleading with her, she knew and it made her feel disgusted with herself.

"I'll tell him tonight. I'll keep him off school tomorrow and you can come round if you want...?"

"...Ok... tomorrow then." Harry almost mumbled.

They walked out together, Harry half-thinking, half-wishing he could follow her, but he wouldn't jeopardise meeting Jamie so he tried to put it out of his mind. YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT POTTER! AND TOMORROW YOU CAN MEET YOUR SON. My son, he thought. My own little boy.

As Hermione was locking the door, he turned to her. "What will you tell him?"

"Everything. It'll be ok Harry- I'll make sure it is."

He nodded. She turned from him and before he could stop himself he'd turned her to face him and was kissing her. He'd wanted to for so long now, it felt so right but he didn't expect her to return it. But she did. A lot. She couldn't help it – it was just natural. As soon as she realised what she was doing she pulled away, it hurt too much to go there she told herself – your priority is making it up to him and Jamie by letting them get to know each other – this does not mean you get him back Hermione Granger! You do not deserve his love and him kissing you is just because he is upset.

"...Sorry..." he mumbled, not feeling sorry at all and hoping that her briefly enthusiastic response to his kiss might mean she still had feelings for him.

"-I –er- I'll see you tomorrow Harry..." she mumbled in return.

"Yeah..." he said "And every day for the rest of your life Hermione Granger" Harry added silently as he watched her walk away.