Hey guys! I was just informed that in the last chapter I didn't say what Professor Delacour taught, the answer is potions. Here's the next chapter! Hope ya like! Enjoy!

Hermione had left after telling me the bad news. I guess she couldn't bear seeing the look on my face. I had no choice but to walk home alone in the freezing cold, allowing the cold winter breeze to brush against my tear-stained face. I was in no hurry, and at this point, had absolutely no care in the world.

I had no idea I had made it back into Hogwarts until I had the misfortune of running into Professor Taylor, and knocking all her books to the floor.

"Sorry" I mumbled, handing her a book entitled Transfiguration for dummies.

"Something wrong, Professor Potter? You seem kind of down" Professor Taylor asked me.

"You think?" I replied, sarcastically. Seeing the confused look on her face, I assured her "I'm fine"

"Does this have anything to do with Ms. Granger?" Professor Taylor said, causing me to stop in my tracks. "Not that it's any of my business, but seeing as she just ran through here rather quickly--"

"I'm fine" I repeated, then continued up to my room.

A couple of days had gone by and I still hadn't spoken to Hermione. My classes hadn't been going very well, either. All I had them doing was bookwork. I couldn't concentrate on anything else but Hermione. My Hermione, my sweet, dear Hermione, was dying. I couldn't take it. But I knew eventually one day, some day soon, I would have to confront her. And that day came a few days later, when I was in my office, prepping for my next lesson.

"Harry"

I turned, and there she was, casually leaning against the doorway as if nothing had happened. She smiled weakly, and for the first time I noticed how thin she was becoming.

"Hi" She said, softly.

"Hi. H-how are you?" I managed to spit out.

"I'm fine" She said, slowly walking up to me.

I immediately took her in my arms and whispered "I missed you" in her ear, while stroking her hair.

"I missed you, too" She said, softly brushing her lips against mine. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that"

"It's alright. And I'm sorry for...everything"

I didn't need to elaborate. She knew exactly what I was talking about.

"It's not your fault"

"Are you scared?" I asked.

"...to death"

Honestly, I wasn't really expecting that kind of answer from Hermione. I was sort of expecting her to quote some dead person, or to try and hide her fear at least. Hermione has always been the smart, wise one of the bunch. But just like everyone else, she's human.

"How come you didn't tell me?" I asked, choking up.

"Harry, I didn't want you to act weird around me, like--"

"Like now!"

"Exactly!"

"I can't believe you thought you couldn't trust me!"

"I never said that! Harry..." Hermione sighed, then went back to a calmer voice. "Please don't do this to me" She said, lowering her head trying to hide her tears.

"I'm sorry" I said, lifting her head. "I just...it's not fair"

Hermione laughed softly. "Tell me about it"

"What are you going to do?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Dunno. Guess we'll just have to wait and see"

"I'm gonna go for a walk, just to clear my head"

Hermione nodded. "I understand"

"I love you" I said, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you, too" She said, close to a whisper.

I slowly strolled the Hogwarts corridors noticing the cheery students passing by. Although my world was ending, life still goes on, and I knew what I had to do.

I approached Professor McGonagal's office with full confidence. I knocked and the door swung open.

"Mr. Potter, what a surprise! Please, sit down!"

I took the seat in front of Professor McGonagal's desk, as usual, and what seemed now like routine.

"Now, what is it that you want?" She asked, folding her arms across her desk.

"...I can't do this anymore"

Professor McGonagal looked confused. "Excuse me?"

"I can't teach anymore. I'm resigning"

Professor McGonagal laughed softly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Potter"

"I'm serious"

"But...why on earth--"

"Don't ask me why. I just can't teach anymore, so I'm resigning"

"Mr. Potter, once you agreed to fufill your duties as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, you agreed for at least one full term. You can't break that agreement"

"But Professor--"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. But whatever problems you're having that is keeping you from keeping this teaching position is going to have to wait. It's barely the beginning of the year and we don't have time to find another teacher willing to take the job. That's my final word, Potter. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work of my own to be done. Good day"

Professor McGonagal then rose from her chair, and left her office without another word.

I nearly jumped out of my chair, causing it to fall backwords, and kicked the trunk nearest to Professor McGonagal's desk so hard that a dent had been made.

'How was I supposed to just come right out and tell Professor McGonagal that Hermione was dying?'

"Harry"

I turned to see a frail old man, with half-moon spectacles, sitting up right in a framed portrait.

Dun, dun, dun! Lol, hope you liked this chapter. Sorry it was so short! PLEASE R/R!