DISCLAIMER: I have just been informed that I do not in fact own Harry Potter. Some woman named J.K. Rowling does. I now can only dream that I will one day own him.

And here's the other part of Chapter 11 that I'm sure you all just waited so patiently for. : )

Chapter 12:

Harry stared blindly at the papers piled up on his desk, not taking in one word. Usually he never let his work get this built up but lately he had a lot on his mind. The number one thought that kept popping up was what was he going to do about Hermione?

He felt terrible for yelling and throwing accusations at her like that without even getting the full story. He should have trusted her and listened to her like a true friend would. Not jump down her throat and assume the worst like he had done.

Until he sorted out this mess, he knew he would never get any work done. With a determined ease, he rose from his desk and strode out the door. He walked down the corridor until he found the one office he was looking for and opened to the door just enough to stick his head in.

"Ron?"

His red haired friend looked up from the file he was looking through at the moment. "Yeah Harry? Did you need something?"

"I'm going to head over to Diagon Alley for a bit," Harry told him simply.

"Oh? Did you forget to pick up something the other day when you were there?"

"No, I actually need to go see someone."

Ron's face clouded over as he gazed suspiciously at Harry. "I'm sorry mate, but I have to ask….are you cheating on my sister?"

"NO!" Harry protested at once. He could not believe that Ron had just suggested that. It was totally outrageous.

"Sorry….," Ron blushed and looked down at his desk, "I…uh….just assumed…."

"Well don't assume," Harry said heatedly.

"I'm sorry," Ron muffled.

Harry sighed. "I know, it's just that I would never do that to Ginny and I thought you knew that."

"I did…I mean I do," Ron stuttered. He paused for a moment before asking, "So who are you going to see?"

Harry paused. Should he lie? Was there any point when Ron was going to find out soon enough. Simple answer: no. "Hermione."

Ron's face instantly brightened. "Hermione! She's in Diagon Alley?" Ron's smile fell and he narrowed his eyes to glare at Harry. "Wait a minute…how long have you known that she's been in Diagon Alley? Have you been hiding her from me?"

Harry rolled his eyes. He should have lied. "I didn't know that she worked there till just the other day when I went to pick up those books. And then we got into a fight so I really wasn't talking to her and it never crossed my mind to mention it to you. I was angry with her at the time. Now I have to go apologize."

"Why were you mad at her?"

"Because I walked in on something and just started assuming things," Harry admitted.

Ron smiled. "Weren't you the one that just told me not to assume?"

"Yeah, and this is how I learnt my lesson so learn from me: Don't assume."

"So what did you see?"

"Something I'd rather not mention. I'm probably wrong and I would rather not be going and relaying false tales to people."

"Well then, I guess you'd better go," Ron told him with a small smile. "You know how Hermione is when she's angry."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, I remember." Harry started down the hallway.

"Make sure to tell her that I want to see her sometime soon," Ron called after him.

"I will!"

Harry apparated to the door step of Flourish & Blotts. There was no use avoiding this conversation, he might as well get it over with as soon as possible. He pushed the door open and a silver bell clanged over his head.

"Welcome to Flourish & Blotts. If you need any help don't hesitate to…." Hermione's voice died as she saw who had entered. A scowl immediately formed on her face and she turned back to her work.

"Hermione…," Harry pleaded as he walked towards her.

Hermione looked up and her expression softened just a bit, a little mind you because she was still furious with him. "Did you need something?"

"I came to apologize," Harry mumbled softly, his face flushed with embarrassment and sorrow.

"Did you now? Well, for what exactly?"

Harry sighed. "For being an insensitive jerk that just to outrageous assumptions and did not allow you to explain what had truly happened and for telling your secret."

Hermione studied him for a moment before answering. "You're forgiven."

Harry smiled. "Really?"

Hermione chuckled. "Yes, really. I can never stay mad at you Harry. You should know that by now."

"Yeah, but I know one person that can hold a grudge for a pretty long time and if you don't go see him soon, I'd wager he'll have one against you."

"Ron?" Hermione asked attentively.

"Yeah Ron. He been badgering me since the moment I mentioned that you were back to get you to either come visit him or get your address so he could darken your doorstep."

"I'll try to go visit him tomorrow after work. I'll have to tell Mrs. Weasley that I might be a little late in picking Sirina up."

"How is the little tyke?"

Hermione smiled warmly. "Perfect, as always. She's a little darling really."

Harry hesitated briefly, seemingly considering his next words. "Hermione?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Have you ever thought about Sirina not having a father figure in her life?"

"Of course I have," Hermione heatedly said.

"Then why don't you give her one?"

Hermione glared at him. "It isn't that simple."

"Of course it is!"

"You don't know one thing about it!" Hermione shouted at him.

A/N: Oooh, ooh, get ready, this is where Harry talks some sense into Hermione… I'm so excited for her.

"I know that he loves you more than you could ever dream. I know that whenever he came back, the one person he searched for was you. I know that each night he would walk into his room, defeated because he did not find you that day. I know he never gave up hope that you would come back. I know that he would give up everything just to be with you and his daughter," Harry charged, his voice rising with each acknowledgement. "But more importantly, I know that despite your protests, you still love him."

Hermione sobbed. "I…I do. I love him more than anything. But…but what if I lose him again? What then?"

Harry smiled sadly at her and took her into his arms. "You figure that out when the time comes. The important thing is to enjoy every moment you have with him while it lasts. Allow yourself to love, Hermione, allow yourself to feel. But also allow yourself to give yourself the one thing that makes you happy."

Harry pulled back a little and stared deeply into her eyes. "You have given up so much lately, I think it's far past time for you to take something for yourself."

Hermione smiled. "I'll try, Harry, I'll try."

"That's all anyone could ever ask for. Talk to him, love him."

Hermione nodded and hugged Harry tightly once more. "Thank you so much Harry," she mumbled into his chest. "You're the best friend anyone could ever ask for."

"You're welcome," he told her, ruffling her hair a bit.

A crash from somewhere in the store broke them apart. A string of curses followed.

Hermione chuckled. "I better go clean that mess up. It will probably take me hours."

"Uh…Hermione?"

Hermione glanced back at him. "Yeah Harry?"

"You're a witch," he pointed out.

"I know that. Are you just now figuring that out?"

"No….uh…I meant that you can just magic it all right."

Hermione blushed and giggled. "You're right. I can't believe I didn't think of that."

"We all go a bit mental at times," Harry laughed.

Hermione playfully glared at him. "Watch your mouth Mr. Potter."

"I will as long as you refrain from telling me where yours has been," he teased, making her blush profusely.

"See you around Hermione, and don't forget to talk to him!" Harry called as he walked out the door, leaving Hermione to clean up a very large mess which, thanks to Harry's helpful observation, only took her a grand total of three minutes to fix.

A/N: There it is! I know you guys had to wait long and hard for that one to come and I apologize. My friend Blaze stayed with me all weekend and we were constantly on the go. So I do have a good reason…

Next Chappie: Some good ol' daddy daughter play time….

Anyways…I owe imaginary fortune cookies to people… To all of you who reviewed the last chapter, here is your fortune:

Avoid the squirrel who holds the nut for he is the most dangerous.

And for those of you who want to be different, here's another one:

Don't drink from a drunk man's beer can, it can only bring death.

Just some good ol' West Virginian insights there. He he, ignore me, I'm on medication.

Okay so…Here's the thing for today. It's TRIVIA TIME! Anyone who can answer this question receives a free imaginary pin that says "I am the all powerful" Ready? Here it is… NO LOOKING THIS UP EITHER!

Q: Who came up with the idea of the Volkswagen?

Do you know the answer? You have to answer in the review. Wager a guess. Review! Have fun. Drink some margaritas and get drunk on the beach. Grab the bull by the horns. Live life…..Just review and I'll shut up.

THANK YOU!

!Amaya!