A/N: Hey guys! Be sure to go out and get Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince tonight! Mine should be here soon (I pre-ordered) ! Here is Chapter 14! Enjoy!

Chapter 14

Before Hermione could reply to Harry's declaration of love for her, they were interrupted again. Someone was tugging on Harry pant leg. They both looked down and saw a certain little House Elf standing there looking very upset.

"Mr. Harry Potter, sir! Dobby needs your help!" Dobby jumped up and down. "Dobby is sorry to bother you and Ms. Hermione, but Winky is in trouble!"

"Winky's in trouble?" Hermione became worried. "What's wrong?"

"Come with me Mr. Harry Potter and Ms. Hermione and Dobby will show you." He started to run off through the crowd, Hermione and Harry on her tail. He led them all of the way down to the kitchen and through the portrait. At first, the Kitchen seemed deserted, but 5 seconds after they went inside, about 20 or so house elf's came running up, carrying loads of food and drinks.

"No thanks guys. We are trying to find Winky!" Harry smiled at them and they all scattered.

"Come this way Harry Potter sir!" Dobby grabbed both Harry and Hermiones' hands and led them to the fireplace, Winky's old hiding spot. Sure enough, there she was again, looking worse than ever.

"Winky! Winky, what's wrong?" Hermione bent down to ask her. She looked very worried about Winky.

"Winky won't talk to you Ms. Hermione. She will only talk to me¼" Dobby looked very upset. "She thinks it is her fault that both of her masters' are now dead."

"She WHAT? She really thinks that?" Harry and Hermione looked at each other with shocked looks on their faces.

Dobby nodded. "Dobby wonders if Harry Potter, sir, could tell Winky it's not her fault."

"Yes, of course, but I think Hermione would do a better job. They could talk female to female." Harry winked at Hermione. "Come on Dobby, lets go sit at the table and talk." Dobby, once again, looked shocked that he had been asked to sit with a Wizard at a table, but nonetheless, he followed Harry over, casting a quick glance at Winky.

"Winky, is it true that you think it's your fault your masters died?" Hermione asked softly. Winky nodded. "Winky, honey, that's simply not true. Mr. Crouch died because his son, your other master, killed him. And Mr. Crouch JR was killed because of the Dementors. You had absolutely nothing to do with it!"

Winky broke down in fresh tears. "It IS my fault though. I should neva had lef our tent that hiccup nigh'." Winky was pronouncing her words by leaving out letters.

"Any witch, wizard, elf, or animal would leave a spot if they were in danger. Mr. Crouch doesn't blame you! He knows you didn't want to leave, but you had to protect his son. Right now, Mr. Crouch is probably looking down at you, wishing you would be happy and have fun with your house elf friends!" Hermione smiled sweetly. "Now, why don't you go help Dobby and the other elves get some more snacks ready for the dance?" Winky smiled softly and stood up, walking over to Harry and Dobby, Hermione on her tail.

Harry looked up when he heard them approaching. His eyes landed on Hermione and he smiled and stood up. "Hermione, are you ready to go?"

She leaned over and linked her hand in his. "Yeah, I think I am. I need to talk to you on the way back up to the dance. There is something you need to know." They smiled softly at each other, told the House Elves goodbye, and walked through the portrait hole.

Once outside the Portrait, they walked towards the Great Hall. At the doors, Harry turned to Hermione. "Let's try this again. I love you Hermione!"

She smiled up at him, positively glowing. "And I, Hermione Granger, love you Harry Potter!" She wrapped her arms around him and they kissed, both in paradise.

A/N: Hey guys! Well, I hate to have to tell you this, but after this chapter, there will probably only be one or two more chapters, both are going to be epilogues. Sorry! I just want this to end on a good note. Please read and review. Oh! And if you liked this story, please read my other story Life After Harry. I also will be coming out with another Harry/Hermione story soon, so please look out for it too!