A/N: Ok, so here's the next chap of my series… I'm hoping that you'll enjoy, but the question continues to linger in the air… when it comes to Harry and Hermione, will true love really conquer all? Dundundun. Anyways, here's the next chap. Just so you know, I think this is the second to last chapter of the series so… I hope you enjoyed! XD.

Disclaimer: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!

Clip from past chapter: Hermione sat in the squashy armchair, shaking with silent sobs. How could something so perfect have gone so wrong?

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The next few days were terrible for Hermione. On account of staff changes (again), school was cancelled for another week, and Hermione and Harry were practically shut in the head girl/boy common rooms. The Gryffindor's common room was to be occupied only by the Gryffindor's and since they lived in a room similar to the room of requirement, the Headmaster thought that they needn't leave it.

For the past hour, Hermione had been sitting on the couch, trying to catch Harry's eye as he was doing his homework assignment by the fire. She had taken the potion to rid the contents from her body, but as it said on the instructions, she had to take it every three hours for it to work for 2 days. On the third day, she would be supposedly potion three.

Hermione took a deep breath as she reached into her robe's pocket, pulling out the small flask the potion was kept in. In 3 minutes, she would have to merely sip the remainders of the flask, and she wouldn't be able to read anybody's thoughts for the remainder of her days.

2 minutes… Harry still wouldn't look her way. 1 minute and 30 seconds… Harry scratched out something he had written. 1 minute… 30 seconds… Come on Harry, look at me! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Hermione took a deep breath and tipped the contents into her open mouth, swallowing swiftly, in order for her not to change her mind. The potion had been fun, but Hermione would do anything for the love that Harry had given her once more.

The two old lovebirds sat through an awkward silence. It was terrible, for both of them had known the deep plunge Hermione had just taken for their friendship, their relationship, but none of them could find any words to say, they couldn't break the distressed silence. But then, finally;

"Harry! I can't take this anymore! I've never been able to give you an actual true explanation on why this has happened to us. You KNOW that in reality, I would never do anything to hurt us. I didn't actually ask for the potion… it's just that the substitute nurse switched up the potion! What I did to you wasn't honest… but it was all true. I meant every word I said to you, Harry, everything. And I-I… I still love you, and I always will. I just wanted you to understand that." With one final look at Harry, Hermione burst into tears, running upstairs to her private dormitory.

Harry sighed, looking at the table where the empty flask stood. The contents were completely drained, and Harry saw nothing but truth in Hermione's eyes as she had made that painful confession to her. Harry knew he still loved Hermione. Her soft curls falling into her face, and the soft curls that grew down below her belly… Harry shook his head of that thought though.

When he thought back to last Saturday, Harry realized that Hermione couldn't have read his mind during their one and only bang. He was only thinking of how much he loved Hermione, and from what he just encountered, he was forced to believe that she really wouldn't ever do anything to hurt him.

"Oh my god… I've made a terrible mistake." Harry whispered to himself, looking down at his parchment as a single tear rolled down his cheek, dripping a solitary drop on his work… it was a drawing. A drawing of Hermione, who he realized, was the only girl he could ever truly care about. And Harry wasn't about to give her up. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Around an hour later, Hermione woke up from her slumber. She had cried her eyes out, which proved to be very exhausted, and had literally knocked out. It seemed so long ago that Harry had lain with her in her bed, comforting her as she took her first giant step towards womanhood… aside from her getting her period, but that was a whole other story.

Using her hands to push her up, Hermione pushed her disheveled head forward, so that she was sitting straight up in her king sized bed.

Crinkle, crinkle.

Hermione looked toward the foot of the bed, where a single piece of parchment lay. The sunset shone through her window, reflecting off of the paper, as if inviting Hermione to take it up and marvel its beauty. Slowly, Hermione's delicate (yet slightly numb, from having lain on it while sleeping) hand crept out from under the covers, and picked up the parchment.

Gasping, Hermione realized it was a hand drawn picture of her, with a shy smile, peeking up at her. But, looking down at her eyes, she realized there was not a hand drawn tear, but an actual one, marking the page, a trace of wetness on her otherwise flawless face. Three words were written down at the bottom of the masterpiece, in Harry's not-so-neat scrawl.

My room, 8:30

Glancing at the clock, she realized in was already 8:20, leaving her no time to get ready. Deciding at the last moment that she should make herself look at the least presentable, Hermione grabbed her most sensible nightgown, (white and a little below her knees) used a small spell to slightly tame her hair, and put on a tint of lip gloss, and made her way to Harry's dormitory.

She stood in front of his door, breathing slowly, while her heart beat rapidly in her chest. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't bring herself to knock on his door. She felt more vulnerable than she ever had, but the thought of lying in Harry's arms, her personal sanctuary, brought her knuckles to the door. She knocked three times quietly, and waited for Harry's answer.

"Come in, 'Mione," Harry spoke quietly, as if he felt even more so awkward than Hermione.

"He called me 'Mione," she thought, wondering if that meant he was ready for things to go back to the way they were.

Hermione walked into his dormitory silently, closing the door behind her with ease. When she finally turned her head, she realized Harry was sitting on his bed, looking out at her with longing, as if wanting nothing more then to touch her, be with her, sleep with her that night.

"Hermione, I just wanted you to know, I made a terrible mistake…" Harry started.

Looking up at Harry with gleaming eyes, Hermione felt she didn't need to hear an apology. She would have acted the same way if she had found out that Harry had been able to hear the thoughts in her mind. She would have assumed that he used it to manipulate her into bed as well. The two young students stared at each other for a while longer before Hermione cracked.

"Oh, Harry!" she cried, bounding into his open, waiting arms, and crying silently on his shoulder. He kissed her softly, gently, yet with uncertainty on her smooth cheek, sparks flying down throughout his body. Hermione quickly turned and buried her lips unto his; seemingly trying to make up for all the lost time they had while they were in their row.

"No matter what Hermione, I want you to know that-"

"I'll still love you too, Harry." Hermione answered for him

Harry stared at Hermione in awe. It really wasn't the potion after all. Hermione had always known him, known his every thought… it didn't matter if she could literally read his mind or not. They were perfect… and Harry would never ruin it. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A/N: Ok, so, how did you all like this chapter? Like I mentioned in my last author's note, I have a feeling that there will only be one or two chapters left in this fic… I know, it's already almost over, even though I practically just started! I think I'll write more… But, as I said in my profile, I've been able to update 24/7 because of the whole hospital deal, so the next chapter is probably going to be out today or tomorrow. Anyways remember to review on what you think of this chapter, the whole story… whatever. I love you all lots XD. –Kayleigh. BTW, to all of the reviewers who have been Xtra nice, u guys rock!