AN: Was listening to The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan.

Part 9-Everything but the heart of the matter.

"Hermione," Harry croaked.

"Yes?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"What? What is Harry?" She replied puzzled.

"I'm the reason your parents were murdered."

"No, Harry. You're not."

"Yes, I am!" He defiantly shot back. "If it wasn't for your friendship with me, your parents would have been safe!"

"Harry, are you saying you wish we were never friends?"

"NO! I.. I.. I would never, could never.. dream of a life without you."

They sat in momentary silence before Harry started again.

"I should have listened to you."

"What? When? Why?"

"Fifth year, you wouldn't have been hurt then.. none of you.. Do you think Ron still thinks of her?"

"Yes, it probably contributes to his insomnia."

"Ah.. Do you think it would be different if she had survived?"

"Yes. Ron would still be in England or traveling with her. She was resilient, she would have bounced back."

Hermione laughed, "She probably would have somehow figured a way to bring us out of our misery as well."

"I miss her."

"So do I, even if we were polar opposites and conflicting personalities."

"Two sharp minds with different perspectives, Hermione, different views and beliefs on life and the world."

"That is true, Harry!" She smiled brilliantly, "But you forgot different perspectives on reality and what is ' make believe.'"

"Oops," he grinned, "I missed a couple."

"Harry, your stalling and steering away from yourself."

"What are you, my psychologist, now?"

She shook her head, "Do you have one and didn't tell me?"

"No, I don't. My luck I'd get Draco Malfoy." (There's a pun from one of my previous fics where D. Malfoy really was Harry's psychologist... the fic is "Will It Ever Happen?")

"He's not a therapist is he?"

"No, no, he was in Azkaban last I heard."

"Oh, good, that fucking bastard better never get out or I'll kill him myself."

"Hermione!"

"Yes?" she replied uneasily.

"Please don't. I couldn't handle losing you as well," He took a deep breath, "It would push me over the edge. Promise me, you'll never..."

"I promise, Harry."

"What time is it?"

"Ten, why?" she replied looking at her watch, then back at him.

"Want to go to bed?"

"Yeah."

"This is draining even when it's not the heart of your problems, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"I know," and she went to put on her pajamas in her 'room' as he went to their bedroom to put on his own.