Summery: Ron dies and Harry is giving Hermione the cold shoulder, Why? They don't speak again for 3yrs until Harry accidentally bumps into Hermione at work and some old feelings resurface. H/Hr

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Reasons for re-posting: see chapter 1

18th Sept '05

Time Heals Everything

Harry v Hermione: Round II

Hermione had been pouring over her work for a couple of hours until a familiar voice roused her from her work.

"…She has rose amazingly quickly through the Ministry, have you got time to meet her…"

Great thought Hermione sighing audibly. Her boss, Frank, had been bringing people to meet her ever since she made it to his department. He was very proud of her in a fatherly way, which he constantly liked to remind her. It was flattering, however, it was rather disrupting while she was trying to work.

"This way Mr Potter."

Hermione froze her quill mid sentence. Potter? Don't be ridiculous it could be anyone. Her door opened and she attempted to continue to write.

"Hermione?"

Now she had to look up although not wanting to see the sight which may or may not present itself toher. Luck however was not on her side as her eyes met those emerald green ones she once knew so well. Harry Potter stood in her office trademark grin in place. His raven hair still as unruly as ever, his boyish feature had matured slightly and his upper body was enough muscularly developed it made every women drool.

Hermione froze completely at a loss of what to do or say.

"Hermione?" Frank's voice alerted her to her present surroundings and the fact that she had just been staring at Harry. "Starstruck are we Hermione?" Grinned Frank.

Hermione looked away disgusted. Starstruck? Yeah right. Horror struck more like!

"Of course Mr Potter in my office, I can't believe it," said Hermione sweetly. Frank didn't note the venomous sarcasm however Harry clearly did as his grin faltered and he shifted uncomfortably. (Roll out the red carpet the boy wonders back)

Frank smiled and began, "I'm afraid Miss Granger doesn't follow Quidditch do you."

"No," replied Hermione definitely into Harry's eyes.

"But even as a Muggle born she knows about You-Know-Who don't you Hermione," he asked in rhetoric, "but it's a shame about the sport, quite excellent... as is Miss Granger here…"

On no! Here comes the "proud speech" and to Harry as well!

"…The cleverest witch to graduate from Hogwarts in a long while…"

Hermione began to flick through some files as a distraction but stopped when she heard Harry cut in, "…I know we were at school together, same year, same house in fact."

"Really?" Inquired Frank intrigued.

"We were best friends- very useful when I was stuck with my homework after Quidditch practise." Harry's eyes had been on Hermione all the time during his little speech, she could feel them rather than see.He glanced at Frank at the latter end ofhis sentenceto receive a grin.

Homework how conceited! What about everything else?

"You didn't tell me you knew Harry, Hermione," all eyes were on her. She looked up and glared at Harry and merely said, "I thought I once did." Silence followed this statement and Hermione was pleased to see Harry was extremely uncomfortable as he understood her underlying meaning of the phrase, 'I thought I once did.'

Frank looked thoughtful, "no you never mentioned it, ah well no harm done…I'm sure you two would like to reacquaint but Harry we must continue…so…" Harry followed Frank's lead towards the door, " good day Hermione, don't work too hard." Frank chuckled at his own joke and Hermione merely nodded. Harry however took a step towards her as though fighting an internal battle to say something, which he ultimately lost and whispered, "bye" before exiting the office.

Hermione gasped and began to breathe rapidly completely unaware of the breath she had been holding and collapsed into her chair as her feet gave way. She brought her hands up to her head and massaged her temples. Her breathing finallyevened out and she began to take deep breaths.

Hermione sat there for half an hour with the question "what just happened" replaying continually in her mind along with the fact that Harry had just spoken to her civilly for the first time in three years and all she did was snap at him. She felt worse than ever. He's probably gone forever again now.

She wasn't sure whether she had wanted to hug Harry or thump him. Hermione had always told herself that if she ever spoke to Harry again she would run to him instantly with open arms and revel in his embrace but she couldn't, when push can to shove when he was actually here she couldn't do it. How did he have the nerve to stand there bold as brass in front of her, after all these years. He had hurt her so badly.

Deciding she needed a drink she headed to the canteen for the largest cup of tea the Ministry supplied to steady her nerves and a chocolate muffin for good measure. Any diet she was lately considering was forthwith terminated.

She returned to her office and found somebody already in it. Harry was stood admiring a picture she had half covered behind an overgrowing potted plant.

"I remember this being taken, it was after the 6th year Quidditch final, right?"

Hermione nodded. The pictured showed Harry, Ron and Hermione. Hermione in the middle with her arms around the waist her favourite boys and giving each one a kiss on the cheek as the boys had just beaten Ravenclaw in the final.

Hermione walked over to her desk and placed her purchases on it. She turned to Harry her anger returning too and folded her arms across her chest defensively. Harry glanced around her office and said, "you're doing well here Frank told me…"

"Quit the small talk Harry what do you want?"

"To talk."

Hermione laughed sarcastically, "what! Like you wanted to talk 3 years ago?"

Harry glanced down at the floor momentarily, "Hermione…"

"No Harry I don't want to hear it."

"Well I want you to hear my side of the story."

"All I need to know Harry was that I needed you…I needed you more than anything else I've ever needed in the world. I wanted my best friend. I wanted to cry on his shoulder and him to cry on mine but he locked me out, threw away the key and kept on walking away. What was it you said "get out of my life" and I did. You have no idea how that feels."

"I'm beginning to."

Hermione flared with anger, "no, don't you even dare try to compare me being angry with you to our argument after Ron's death, don't you dare. How can I ever forgive you?"

"I'm here now."

"Yes but it's a bit late now, I've had to deal with it."

"So there is no better late than never with you?"

"Better late than never? You have got to be kidding me. Like you were even considering coming to see me. Like you were even considering to get in touch with me. I bet when you walked through those doors today you had no idea that I would be sat here." Her glare burnt straight through him, tears glistening on her lashes.

He coughed to clear his throat, "I knew you would be here. I saw Malfoy this morning and he said-"

"You saw Draco? I'm gonna kill him... traitor won't even have time to plead for his life," she mumbled to herself.

"Hermione you weren't the only one hurting over what happened."

Hermione's eyes glinted dangerously, "don't insult my intelligence Potter!" She snapped.

"If you'd hear me out you would understand! You always understood me best."

"Hear you out? I saw you, do you know what that did to me? I saw you…what…erm…a year out of Hogwarts at the Phoenix's last game of the season where you won the cup. I was up in the top box next to the Minister when he presented your Captain the trophy and you just walked straight past me without a second glance. It extinguished whatever hope I thought I might ever had of... of a reconciliation between the two of us. " At the thought Hermione's anger seemed to deflate and several tears slipped down her cheek. She hastily wiped them away but Harry saw them.

An uncomfortable suffocatingsilence blanketed the office.

When Hermione next spoke her voice quivered, "why don't you just go?"

"Do you really want that?"

Hermione said nothing and Harry took a step towards her, "Hermione, I'm deeply, deeply sorry and I want you to accept my apology but you just don't understand what I-…"

"Well why don't you explain?"

"I'm trying too!" Harry shouted frustrated, "but we just seem to be going round in circles. I'm trying to tell you it was because I loved you."

The silence that followed this statement was deafening.

"What?" Hermione whispered. She looked deep into his eyes, as far as he would let her, to see if her was pulling a really bad joke.

Harry sighed and sat down in the chair opposite Hermione's desk and looked up at her before looking out the window and repeating the feelings he once had for her, "I loved you."

Hermione opened and closed her mouth wanting to say something but nothing came out until, "but if…erm…you did why…"

"Because of Ron's death I couldn't see you again, because of what happened I couldn't love you anymore."

Hermione broke eye contact and looked away confused, "I don't understand."

"I want totell youeverything."

He reached out and took her hand in both of his. She felt something she hadn't felt for a long time, something she once though she couldn't live without- Harry's touch. A spark seemed to jump from his hand to hers and instantly ran up her arm. She glanced at Harry but he didn't seem to notice what she had just felt. Her heart softened to him and the wall she had specially placed around it concerning Harry began to crumble.

"Please just listen to me," pleaded Harry.

Hermione nodded as Harry began his tale.

"When we were there, you, me and Ron, with Voldemort, I had to make a choice. Harry's gaze shifted to the floor, a who lived who died kind of choice." Hermione feared she didn't want to know the next bit. "…and I chose you."

The darkness

The smells

Harry's voice began to tremble. "It was taking allthree of us to fight Voldemort and hold him off until Dumbledore and The Order arrived but he finally hit you."

The pain

The sounds

"I know all this Harry." Harry shook his head.

The curse

The bitterness

"Just listen. Fear spread through me like wildfire. Not Voldemort fear but…losing you fear. I'd never felt anything like it before. If I'd have stayed and helped Ron he would have killed you or I could help you, which I ultimately did, and sacrifice Ron. What was I supposed to do?"

The terror

The choice

Tears were now forming in Harry's eyes, "I couldn't believe what I did and it seemed to take no deliberation time at all. It killed me to think I could make a decision like that so quickly- not that I would ever not think about saving you it's just... after that I was riddled with guilt. If I saw you again it would just emphasis what I had done, something I thought I would never be able to do and choose one of you over the other."

His weakness

"What I felt was indescribable and locking myself away just seemed to ease the pain. I was losing everyone who was close to me and I didn't want you to be next. I guess you could say I was being cruel to be kind. If I shut everyone out I couldn't get hurt again but I didn't realise then that cutting all ties with you was the worst thing I could do. I didn't realise that if I'd have let you help me I would have managed better than I did and I could have been there for you, I know that now but then…" He trailed off, "I am really, really sorry. I never meant to hurt you…although I guess I did back then so it would be easier for me to let go if you hated me. But now I know it was a big mistake and I was hoping you'd forgive me and we could start a fresh friendship. Although if you want me to leave I will do."

Hermione had been silent for the whole of his monologue and now he had finished she didn't know what to say.

Harry stood up to meet her eyes, "please say something," he said quietly.

The emotion she was feeling at the moment was overwhelming, her brain was sagging from what Harry had just told her and she felt numb.

"Why would I want a fresh friendship? When I could have the old one back? I don't want to loose you again," she said quietly slipping herarms around Harry. Harry wrapped his arms around her back and gently rubbed it as Hermione sank into his chest. He rested his cheek on the top of Hermione's head and silently allowed the tears that formed in his eyes to fall. He heard a soft sniff from his chest. "I've missed you…so much," cried Hermione tears flowing freely down her face as she held Harry tighter.

"You have no idea," replied Harry.

They stood content with just holding one another.

Suddenly the door opened and Mark walked in followed by Draco Malfoy.

Mark glared at what he witnessed. Hermione embraced witha guy he seemed to recognise. Draco however seemed unsurprised by the two. Mark coughed and Hermione released Harry and spun round.

"Sorry but I hope we're not…" he glared at Hermione "… interrupting anything." His eyes turned to Harry, "hello I don't believe we've met Mr Potter," said Mark coldly extending his hand. Harry took his hand and shook it firmly. Draco stole a glance at Hermione who met his eyes, both uneasy with the situation.

"Hello," replied Harry just as coldly instantly disliking the guy.

"I'm Mark Riley."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Excuse me... Hermione did you get my note this morning?"

"Yes," was all she replied.

"Good just checking… be back for 6." Mark commanded while leaning over and claiming Hermione's lips with his own for several seconds. "Valentines Day is going to be special this year," he whispered when they parted so only Hermione could hear. Mark looked over Hermione's shoulder and glared maliciously at Harry. Smirking he left the office.

Harry was once again uncomfortable. However Draco had a big grin on his face.

"What?" Inquired Hermione not able to see what was so amusing herself. Draco merely shook his head and muttered "finally you two have made up."

"You knew he was here didn't you, that's who you meant this morning."

"Guilty," he smiled

"You do know you're dead don't you?"

"Oh inexcusably. Doorknob dead," he said before exiting the office.

"He knew what happened between us?" Asked Harry.

"Yeah he's been a great friend these past three years," but stopped when she saw Harry's face fell, "oh Harry I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay I know I should have been here for you... I'll be back in a minute."

Harry left the office.

"Malfoy," he called. Draco stopped and turned round. "I just want to say… thanks for what you did for me with Voldemort and everything, even though you hate me… I just never got the chance to tell you at the end of Hogwarts. I kindda had other things on my mind."

"That's fine Potter, but call me Draco, please," Draco extended his hand. Harry took it.

"As long as its Harry."

"Deal."

"I also want to thank you for looking after Hermione."

"My pleasure," Harry looked at him suspiciously, "oh no nothing like that…we never…erm…crossed that line. Friends that's it! I have a girlfriend Potter and I'm in love with her."

"Thought never crossed my mind Draco," grinned Harry.

Harry returned to Hermione, "what did you want with Draco?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing, just said thanks for a few things."

"Oh?"

"Yeah erm…look its 12 can I take you for lunch?"

Hermione looked at her in-tray. She had barely done any work this morning. But hey, it wasn't everyday your long lost best friend you once loved came back into your life so I'll let it slip this once. She thought.

Half an hour later Harry and Hermione were sat in a Muggle restaurant, somewhat uncomfortable at the numerous couples surrounding them obviously meeting their partners for lunch as it was the most romantic day of the year.

They sat and chatted like old times, what they had been doing and just topics in general. Hermione found out why Harry had come to the Ministry that morning. He was to visit Africa in a few weeks for six months, to coach Quidditch over there for under-privilege witches and wizards. "That's really sweet," Hermione said until she realised he would be leaving her again and she'd only just found him, however hopefully she masked her disappointment well.

Harry wanted to approach the subject of "this Mark guy" as he had put it, after seeing the exchange that took place in Hermione's office but Hermione didn't seem to be interested in talking about him. Harry just thought she felt uncomfortable talking about him because of his revelation in her office. Not that that was exactly what she wanted…not to talk about him especially in her time with Harry.

Hermione knew of course about Harry's life at the moment due to it being splashed across every Wizarding paper, each week, although she was sure all of it wasn't true. Even though they hadn't spoken for 3yrs Hermione was sure Harry wasn't a Vampire Slayer during the night or had ever secretly set a Banshee on an avid Tornado's fan to steal his girlfriend. That's why they decided to go to a Muggle restaurant…avoid fans and reporters.

"You have to go?" Asked Harry crestfallen. As Hermione looked at her watch and announced the time, 2:05pm. Hermione gave wry smile and said, "I'm sure Frank wouldn't mind me having the rest of the day off if a certain Mr Potter requested my assistance for the rest of the day. Those Visa forms can be quite taxing on ones lonesome."

"Miss Granger are you requesting to break the rules and skive of work?" Smiled Harry.

"Hey don't say that "s" word around me," shehissed playfully at Harry, "and anyway how many rules did we break at school and it didn't seem to bother you then," she grinned.

The couple spent the rest of the day perusing and shopping much to the pleasure of both parties. They roamed up and down Diagon Alley for a few things (Harry signed a few autographs) before they entered Muggle London. Hermione knew Harry full well hated shopping and laughed ever time she motioned to go in a shop at the face Harry would pull. Sure he could tolerate it for a while but 3 hours! That was way beyond any mans tolerance level.

"You know you and Ron were the worst people in the world to go shopping with…" Harry opened his mouth to protest. She entered a dressing room cubicle, "…I mean real shopping," came her voice, "I know what you were about to say Harry." He was about to protest that him and Ron did in fact go shopping with her, "…clothes and shoe shopping not Quality Quidditch Supplies and Flourish and Blotts."

Harry grinned and sat down on a chair outside the 100th dressing room laded with Hermione's bags and several of his own. There were only two but it was still two more than he wanted to carry. He didn't really mind this little shopping spree or carrying Hermione's bags for that matter. He hadn't had this much fun shopping in a long while. Jess just ordered him around to fetch her things and made him pay for everything with neither a please nor thank you and wouldn't let Harry buy anything for himself unless she was there. It wasn't like they were married or anything.

Hermione emerged from the cubical.

"What do you think?" She gave him a twirl and spread her arms so he could admire the full view.

"Wow, it's…well its gorgeous," Harry wasn't quite sure what was gorgeous whether it was the girl or the dress but something was.

Hermione smiled, "so you approve?" Harry nodded. The black dress draped at an angle starting from her thigh to the floor. It had thin straps with a square neckline just above her bust, "I love it."

"So are you gonna buy that now? Seen as you've bought the bag and shoes that I presume are to match."

"Very observant this afternoon aren't you Harry," Hermione grinned and continued, "well yes and no. I can't afford it at the moment but I will buy it. I just came to check it. Anyway it doesn't matter if I don't because those items will go with almost any thing because they're black."

Hermione smiled at Harry's face, "Now do you see why I took Ginny with me?"

Harry nodded and Hermione laughed.

Five minutes later Hermione emerged fully clothed and was about to hand the dress to the women in charge of the dressing rooms but Harry stopped her. "Can I have another look at it before you give it back?"

"Sure."

Harry memorised the dress's style and colour before making a mental note of the size. It just might come in useful he thought mischievously, "it's a really nice dress you know."

"I know, oh well, right then where to next?"

Harry looked at his watch, "well it's gone 5 fancy a coffee or something because I'm parched."

Hermione laughed at him.

"What?"

"You've hardly done anything."

"I have," Harry insisted, "I've followed you round for 3 hours and I'm carrying you bags."

"You don't have to," and she held out her hands for them.

"But I am a gentleman Miss Granger." Hermione snorted.

"Of course you are sweetie," she said as thought talking to an obedient dog, "now where do you fancy going for coffee?"

"Hey, don't try and avoid the statement," said Harry playfully glaring at Hermione.

They ended up having a fruitless argument all the way to the coffee shop, "The Crossed Wands," about whether Harry was a gentleman or not.

Once again they were surrounded by couples and talking just like they would have done in Hogwarts. Time flies when you're having fun.

"Erm…Hermione its quarter to 7, shouldn't you have gone by now? Not that I wanted to get rid of you."

"Oh, yeah I've got to go."

"Well I'm gonna see you again aren't I?"

"Of course we'll see a lot more of each other from now on, I guarantee it, I'm not letting you go again now I've got you back." She smiled.

"And really, Hermione, you're not such a bad shopper I've had fun today," grinned Harry. Hermione smiled, hugged Harry again and disapperated into her apartment. "He's gonna kill me," she muttered to herself.

Hey guys, sorry if has been a while, it's just the beginning of college has been rather hectic and i've only had one full week there sigh

I'd also like to offer my support for any of you that may have been affected directly or indirctly by Hurricane Katrina, my thoughts are with you

I'll post again soon,

Granger-gurl-rox