A/N: Hey guys! I am so sorry for not updating in…oh six months! I hope you all have it in your hearts to forgive me. But now, I have more free time on my hands and should be updating quicker. Anything has to be better than what is has been, right? Well…as I promised, the third chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated to Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form. All belongs to J.K. Rowling as we all know.

Chapter 3

Since You Been Gone

"But since you been gone

I can breathe for the first time

I'm so movin' on, yeah, yeah

Thanks to you, now I get what I want."

("Since You Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson)

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Harry…really."

It had been going on for a month now. Harry would constantly ask me the same question over and over again. It was almost as if he was waiting for me to say no, or blow up at him. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated his concern, but I honestly wished he would stop nagging me!

I can't blame the bloke, though. Ever since that night at the club, when I vowed to let him go, I had avoided him at all costs. The atmosphere in the flat was no longer calm and peaceful. The tension was so thick it could smother you. Regardless, I had kept true to my word and was beginning, albeit slowly, to let him go. I felt a pang of guilt every time Harry tried to start up a conversation and I would blow him off like it was nothing. But for now, I knew that I needed to distance myself from him if I was ever going to recover.

For the last month, I had thrown everything I had into my relationship with Brian. We went out as much as possible, and every break from work was spent with him. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy just being who I was. I no longer felt the need to impress someone constantly, because I knew Brian would love me no matter what I looked like or did. I no longer felt guilty when we kissed, and I rarely envisioned emerald green instead of piercing blue when we locked eyes. I love Brian with all my heart…

"Hermione?"

"For Merlin's sake, Harry!" I snapped angrily, quite peeved for being shaken from my silent reverie. "I'm fine, okay? Honestly! There's absolutely nothing wrong with me!"

I could see the hurt look in his eyes, but right now I was having a hard time caring.

"Oh, um… I was just going to tell you Brian wants to speak with you." He gestured to the cordless phone in his hand.

I stood up from my position on the couch and angrily took the phone from him. "Hello?" I said in the sweetest voice I could muster. I shot Harry a dirty look, so he quickly left the room, but not without shooting me one last, hurt look. One that pierced my soul… and I felt my heart go out to him.

I gulped and answered Brian who had been trying to get my attention for the last minute and a half. "Sorry," I mumbled, while taking my seat back on the couch.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" I could the concern in his voice.

"I'm fine," I said absent-mindedly. What is it with men and that bloody question?

"Well, I was calling to ask if you, Harry, and Ron wanted to go somewhere this Friday night." His voice was laced with excitement.

"What are you so happy about?" I asked with amusement.

Brian coughed and then said, "Oh…nothing, really. I had a great day at work and now I'm talking to my favorite person in the world. I can't help but be happy."

"You really know how to make a girl swoon," I replied sarcastically.

"But you love me anyway," he said in his most irresistibly cute voice.

"Yeah… I do," I said somewhat dreamily, while twirling a lock of hair around my finger.

"Well, you yet have an answer to give me."

I snapped back to reality and pondered about the decision at hand. Maybe I could convince him to a dinner with just him and me? "Brian…" I pouted. "Why can't it just be me and you?"

"Because I haven't seen the guys lately and it would be nice if we could all have fun together. They can bring their dates of course."

Dates? That means Cho. God knows that will only lead to trouble. But he seems really excited about it.

"Okay," I agree, though reluctantly. In the background I hear Brian breathe a sigh of relief.

"Good, good," he replies. "I guess I'll talk to you later then. I love you."

"I love you too."

I hear the click on the other line and I let out a sigh. I put down the phone and was about to lay my head down for a rest when I heard a door creak open and I see Harry's frame emerge. He walks slowly into the living room and takes a seat on the armchair furthest from the couch.

"I don't blame him," I think miserably.

"Has hurricane Hermione subsided?" he asks timidly, with no trace of humor in his voice or amusement dancing across his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to sound so harsh… I just-

"Just what, Hermione? For the past month, you've been avoiding me like the plague! Don't think I haven't noticed. For Merlin's sake, Hermione! You never talk to me anymore, you won't go in a fifty foot radius of me, you don't even look me in the eye anymore!"

I jerk my head up from staring intently at the floor and I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. "I'm sorry, honestly I am. I've just been really preoccupied lately." I was lying…and he knew it.

"Bullshit, Hermione! That's bullshit and you know it! Was it something I did, did I say something to make you avoid me? Why can't you tell me the truth?" At this point he was on his feet, while I sat with my head in my hands like an ashamed little child who was getting punished for trying to steal cookies before dinner without his mother knowing.

"I, I… I just can't, Harry," I said softly, a lone tear running down my cheek.

"What happened, Hermione? Not even a month ago we were laughing and talking and having a good time like we always have. I'm not mad at you, Hermione. I'm just really confused and I want my best friend back." He said the last part so quietly I had to strain my ears to hear him.

"You never lost her…" I whispered. I looked up into his eyes for the first time that night and saw the same emotion dancing across them that was present that evening in my room. I found I couldn't tear my gaze away no matter how hard I tried, and I noticed he was walking toward me.

"Ha- Harry?" I tried desperately to get his attention, but he just kept coming closer. I was getting scared, and I had no idea how to get away. I stood up from the couch and was about to walk away when he grabbed my arm and titled my chin up to look him in the face.

"Hermione…"

My breath was coming in pants now and I had no idea what to do or what the hell was happening. I knew I needed to get out of this situation, but my feet were rooted to the spot.

A pop came from the kitchen and Ron's voice seemed to bring Harry back to reality. I quickly moved around him and made my way to my bedroom. I took one last look back at Harry and saw his eyes were on me as well. With a finalizing slam, I closed my door.

What the hell just happened?