Hey!... I'm really sorry I gave up on this story but thanks sooo much to Hafthand( Newcastle are my 2nd favourite team!!!!!! gladu like ourbeautiful song!)and lilyqueen777 for your lovely reviews that inspired me to write more on it! Thanks u guys! I gave up cos not many people were reviewing...I know that's a silly excuse sorry!....anyways I hope you enjoy cos this chapter is dedicated to u two and of course Helen(mountaineer47)...what would I do without you! Xxx

Happy reading...

She was searching for him. She had no idea why exactly but over the past few days there had been so much more on her mind that she just needed to tell someone. He had listened to everything she had said the other day, would he listen again?

He was searching for her. He had no idea why but ever since the other day he had

felt the urge to just talk to her again.

She sat at her desk exhausted and bleary-eyed, she hadn't gotten much sleep again last night. The bags under her eyes were more pronounced today and her hair was getting even more untidy. She didn't mean for everything to keep getting on top of her like it did, but she was always so busy with one thing or another at work and then there was all her problems with Ron. Things seemed to creep up on her.

There was a gently knock on the wall of her cubical.

"Come in."

She sat up looking more like she had been working all day instead of daydreaming out of tiredness in her chair. Nothing prepared her for who she saw.

Draco Malfoy poked his head around the corner.

"Draco!...erm come in come in!" She flustered.

"I'm sorry to disturb you. I hope you don't mind...I asked someone where your cubical was." He sat down on the chair and faced her gingerly.

"Not at all. It's...it's good to see you again!"

The pair sat in silence for a long time, both not knowing what to say.

"I don't really know why I'm here Hermione. I'm sorry...I'm just stopping you from getting on with your work. I'll go." Draco made to leave stopping only when Hermione shouted for him to wait.

"Please. Stay. I've... I've actually been looking for you today. I thought you know...we could chat...like we did the other day." She felt a hot rush of warmth rise in her cheeks. Why was she saying this?

"Me too!" He blurted out but once the word had escaped his lips he looked uncomfortable.

They sat down again and began to chat about little things... things that didn't matter much, they both felt at total ease with one another which made them feel both excited but scared at the same time.

"So...how are things at home?" Draco asked looking directly into Hermione's tired eyes.

"Oh...not so great. Ron's still not working and it's becoming a bit hard to pay the bills. But it's alright we'll manage." She said, her voice filled with sadness. She knew that very soon they'd be getting the final reminder letters to pay all the bills, but what could she do... her wages were not nearly enough to pay everything. She couldn't go to her mum and dad again they'd bailed her out too many times before. And Ron's mum had to look after herself now Mr Weasely was gone.

She knew the situation was becoming desperate.

"You know....if you ever need any help, you can always come to me." He said quietly not wanting Hermione to think he was taking pity on her....he was but he didn't want her to think that. She'd surely take offence and he didn't want that.

"You're very kind...but we'll manage!" she said straining a smile. "What about you? Seen anymore of your dad?"

"No... I've stopped going, didn't see the point anymore he didn't want to see me so why should I put myself out to accommodate him!" He said a little more aggressively than he planned.

"Do... do you ever get scared...that your life will be the same forever?" Hermione said staring out of her window a vacant expression on her face like she was more thinking out loud than actually having a conversation with someone.

"How do you mean?" Draco asked puzzled.

"That you'll spend every day doing the same thing... having the same routine day in day out.... nothing ever changing."

"Well, not really. I know things will change... everything changes in time. We just have to be patient!"

She regained herself and looked at him. "I'm sorry I'm going to have to leave now. It's been really good talking to you again." With that she rushed out tears filling her eyes.

Draco sat puzzled for a few minutes... shocked by what had just happened. They had just been talking normally. There was no need for her to get all upset. He scratched his head feeling a strange sensation in his stomach and it took a moment to realise he was worried about her.

He quickly decided to run after her.

Hermione had just reached the fire places preparing herself to go home. Draco breathlessly grabbed her arm.

"Hermione!? What's....." He stopped shocked by the tears cascading down her face.

"I'm sorry I really have to go home...please!" She hiccupped through tears.

"Please Hermione lets go somewhere and talk about this". He led her to a fireplace.

"Malfoy Manor" he shouted throwing the floo powder down .

Moments later they arrived at Draco's house. Draco lightly sat Hermione down on the couch and waited for her to begin to talk.

"Please Hermione... talk to me."

"You don't understand!... you say I have to be patient but I can't anymore!"

"What are you talking about" He asked puzzled.

"I can't wait for my life to change.... I need it to change now!!" She cried tears streaming from her face.

"I thought my life was going to be perfect. Me and Ron you know we were going to go travelling... proper travelling no magic! It was going to be great. We had so many plans but of course that all had to be put on hold you know because of Harry and everything! I didn't mind though...there were more important things happening. But now it's like...it feels like the end of the war was only weeks ago...when it's been two whole years since Harry died!" She wiped her sore eyes.

"I wish ... I wish I could have my boyfriend back. The boyfriend who I was so in love with I would have done anything for him. Instead I am the one who has to sit up with him every night as he lives it all over and over again in his dreams. I'm the one who has to comfort him and be strong for him because he can't cope... is it selfish for me to want him to let me grieve and for him to comfort me for a change?!"

She wiped her eyes, "Harry was my best friend too," she admitted quietly. Hermione sighed loudly like she'd just let everything that had made her feel so tired inside out and it felt good.

She sat back and dried her eyes on her sleeve.

"You're not selfish." Draco said simply placing his hand on hers.

She smiled at him. "Thanks Draco... thanks for listening. I'm sorry to have to be lumbering you with all my problems."

"Anytime." He said looking deep in her eyes so she would know he meant it.

The two sat on Draco's couch for a while quite content with each others company.

Thanks for reading hope you liked...I'd love to know what u think so please review

Lots of love

R

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you'll never walk alone

l.f.c