Disclaimer: None of the character belongs to me! -sobs-

A/N: Thanks, hugs, kisses, and watever you want me to give you to all those who reviewed for my fic! I really appreciate your reviews!

Steps

She smiled slightly, a dangerous glint in her eyes. She wasn't the girl from Hogwarts that moment, but the cynical warrior that suddenly appeared.

Harry looked at her. Shocked by the outburst. It wasn't like Hermione, who often was compassionate and forgiving, to make such a declaration, such a threat. It was uncomfortable, to know that this war had hardened and made a severe woman out of the girl he considered family.

"So..." Harry began uncertainly. "How long was I out for?"

In moments, the girl in Hermione returned. The sisterly figure of the 'Boy' who lived came and the warrior retreated into her psyche as abruptly as she came.

"You've been sleeping for the last three days." She smiled ruefully. "I'm really sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to get you into that mess..."

xxXxx

No matter how Harry told her that it wasn't that bad, she would heed none of his words. Her guilt would not leave her. She had jeopardized the war because of the wound she never allowed to heal...because she had not prepare herself for that day. Deep in her heart, it wasn't a fact to her. That day was a dream to her. She never thought of that day as a reality.

Yes. He left her. They broke up.

She never expected to meet him again. Not under the wand point. Not on different paths.

Although sympathetic to some extent, Severus had been blunt, when he visited her the night before, telling her the consequences she might have caused and reprimanding her for not being readied.

She knew Severus was right. She knew damn well. And she was not going to repeat such a mistake again.

A growl interrupted her thoughts. She looked questioningly at Harry who smiled boyishly.

"Well, I did save your butt, so if you please, I'd like some food." He said.

She smiled once again at him. She will always have Harry, and the others. So it would be fine. She should be able to do what was needed of her. She hugged Harry again before standing up from his bedside and left the room. She walked down the stairs, staggering near the end, only to be caught by Ron who was ascending the stairs.

"'Mione! Are you okay? I was just going to check on you." he asked, concerned for Hermione who had sat next to her other best friend's bed since two nights ago. "You shouldn't be out of bed, you know, let alone to sit next to Harry."

Hermione smiled faintly at Ron as he helped her to a seat in the kitchen. "Thanks Ron," she said and then turned to Molly who was handing her some food. "Molly, can you please prepare some food for Harry? He's awake."

Ginny jumped up from her spot on the table, learning that Harry was awake; she took the tray of food that her mother had quickly prepared and rushed up the stairs.

The occupants of the room smiled softly at the retreating back of the young redhead. Some smiled for such happiness in such dark times. Some for the prospect of young budding love. Some for the familiarity of the scene in another place.

Hermione smiled for the happiness of her friends, her comrades, and out of envy. An envy for something she couldn't have.

The room returned to its uncomfortable silence as the steady footsteps of Ginny faded. No one tried to break it. She understood why they were uncomfortable. They wanted to know. Yet they dared not to voice their queries.

Time ticked and dribbled away like a steady flow of water.

"I-" She felt that she owed it to them to break this silence. Even though she could not explain her actions.

"Hermione, I know you have your reasons...you always have your reasons," Ron started his rant curtly, "but, I don't know why you ran away. We put you in Hogwarts because Harry and I knew you would pull a stunt like this in St. Mungo...We thought that if you were in Hogwarts, you'd be more willing to-"

Mrs. Weasley interrupted as Hermione started to chew her lip nervously.

"Ronald Weasley! I do believe that is enough! You said it yourself, Hermione has her reasons!" Mrs. Weasley chided before turning to the girl she considered as a second daughter. She was so young...yet her eyes and body were so troubled. More troubled than her sons' or daughter's. "Hermione dear, I understand that you have your own pain and reasons to do what you did. But please, don't do that again. Consult us, if you have troubles. Don't run from them."

"Yes, Hermione," reassured Remus, who had yet made a comment since Hermione entered the room. "We are here for you. It doesn't help, running away."

Hermione's eyes welled up and soon tears cascaded down her face. Why hadn't she see sooner? She had always had them, her family, her support...What would a lost love be?

Nothing.

It should be nothing at all.

She was pulled awkwardly into a hug with Ron. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I was just worried." He apologized softly, blushing furiously.

"It's okay. I have my family." Hermione whispered back, as if reassuring herself.

"Hey, what is this? Starting a party without me?" Harry's voice interrupted.

Hermione broke from the embrace and saw Harry descending the stairs with Ginny supporting him. Her friend was grinning widely. Ron went straight to his best friend and assisted him to a chair in the kitchen area.

"Harry. You should still be in bed!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley.

"Well-" Harry started with a brief smile.

Sharp and acute banging of the front door interrupted Harry's sentence. The residents of the house looked alertly at the door, coming to a silent agreement that they were to receive the possible intruder outside.

With all wands drawn from their cases, Remus moved towards the door.

He opened the door cautiously, revealing another redhead –Charlie Weasley.

"Charlie!" Molly cried. "What are you doing here? You said you weren't going to arrive until this evening!"

"Sorry, mom, change of plans." Charlie said breathlessly, when he entered the house. "Call Dumbledore here. Moody too. Is Harry here?"

"Yes." Harry said moving from his place on the chair with the help of Ron.

"Know where they're gonna hit next."

Within seconds, 12 Grimmauld Place was alive with rapid movements.

A counter-attack was needed.

A/N: I'm sorry if you find this chapter boring. But it is necessary to set up for the next chapter. I promise that it will be more interesting next time! So please! Review!