Picking up the Pieces

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. The fabulous J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and company.

Chapter 4

Harry's Brilliant Idea

It had been a week since the first confrontation between Ron and Hermione. Hermione had decided it would be best to get her stuff while Ron was at work.

I can't help it you're a foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach. I don't even want to be here. I'm just going to get my stuff and leave.

Hermione heard the flat door slam. She was a little startled. She was in the kitchen collecting some of her things when she heard Ron say:

"Hermoine, what are you doing here?" Ron asked concerningly.

"I'm just getting a few of my things. I'll be back next week to collect the rest of my stuff. Please don't talk to me. I just want to get my stuff." She said matter of factly.

"I was just wondering where you have been staying. Look, I want you back. Please." He said practically begging her.

"I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron. If you need me I will be there. And, No I don't want you back. I'll be over at Harry's for the rest of the day. That's where I will be for a little while." She said sternly.

"Oh. I figured that you would be staying with Harry. I didn't think he would let you stay at the Leaky Cauldron." He said caringly.

"No, I don't want to put that burden on Harry. I chose to stay at the Leaky Cauldron. Now please, if you would more than kindly let me go." She said angrily.

She had a few more things to get so she went into the bathroom. While she was getting her stuff, she thought to herself:

I was so hoping that bloody bastard wouldn't have showed his face while I was here. Maybe we can work through this. Maybe we can take some counseling or something. I won't be able to trust him for a long time. Hermione what are you thinking. No, you won't take him back. Just get your stuff and get the hell out of here.

"Ron, like I said before I will be at Harry's for the rest of the day. Then at the Leaky Cauldron. Please only get me if you absolutely need me." She said looking straight into the fireplace

"'Mione can I ask you something? Is there something going on between you and Harry? I was just wondering. I mean if there is, trust me there's no hard feelings." Ron asked

"No, there's never been anything going on between Harry and I." She said. Then she yelled "Harry's flat", and then she was engulfed in bright green flames. Seconds later she was in Harry's fireplace covered in soot.

"Harry. Harry! Where are you? Hermione bellowed.

You knew it was Harry's flat because there was all the Puddlemere United posters and all of his Quidditch things all over the place. There was so much Defense Against the Dark Arts stuff too. Harry wasn't the most clean person in the world.

Must be nice not to have to worry about cleaning. If it were me, I would be cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning.

Harry walked out of the kitchen with a sandwich and a glass of milk in his hands.

"Want some?" He offered.

"No thanks." She replied.

"What?" He questioned.

"Harry, do you ever clean your fireplace?" She said with a little more wonder while scanning his flat for one clean place.

"Since when do I have time? I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts September thru June. Then I have practice as a reserve seeker from July until two days before I start term again. Why? You want to clean it for me?" He said with a cheesy grin that Hermione thought only Ron could give.

"Look, Harry I really need to talk to you. So just take your smart ass comments and shove it." Hermione replied angrily.

"Bloody Hell 'Mione! I haven't done anything to you." Harry said all the while putting great emphasis on the word you.

"I'm Sorry. It's just Ron is at it again. He just doesn't give up on the idea of you and I just being friends." Hermione said rubbing her hand on the mantle of the fireplace.

"How many times is he going to bring that up?" He said shoving the last bit of his sandwich in his mouth.

"I don't know. For some reason when the fighting is done and sobering up has finally kicked in. Ron always asks these types of questions. Then of course he goes on about how you were 'the boy who lived' and how he can't live up to my expectations. Maybe if you wouldn't have caught him with someone else and the alochol. Maybe he could." She said as she rolled her eyes.

" I know what we have talked about this before, but did you ever mention those AA meetings that Muggles have? You do know that they have a very good success rate. Or so they say." Harry said.

"Yeah, it just seems like it goes in one ear and out the other. I just don't know what I can say to him anymore because with him….Well, I don't really know." She said as her lip started to quiver.

"Well, I have an idea. But it's totally your choice." Harry said.

"Spit it out then." Hermione said hoping he would ask her to stay.

"You could stay with me here ya know, just until you can get on your feet. That way you have the time to save some money. That way your not spending everything on your room at the Leaky Cauldron." Harry said with excitement in his voice.

"I don't know Harry. That cockroach back at the flat would probably have a cow. Although he did ask me already if I was staying here. I just don't really want to have to deal with Ron and his anger, especially if he has some alochol in his system. He gets pretty violent. Not really towards me. Just the stuff that is around him." Hermione said quietly.

"Look, I've got to go and meet Albus in Diagon Alley. We are going to discuss a few things about next term. I don't mean to leave you in such a rush. But right before you came in, he owled me. Just think about what I said. Let me know okay?." Harry said trying not to rush her decision.

"Just in the last few minutes, you've kinda made up my mind for me. I'll go back and get the rest of my things later on tonight. Please don't let anyone know that I've made my decision. Just don't put up any wards so I can apperate with all of my stuff. I don't want to use the floo network because I don't want to take the chance of anyone by the name of Ron trying to stop me before I leave." She said with a smile on her face.

They stood up. Feeling the slightest bit of aquardness Harry leaned into hug her. Harry had sensed that there was something wrong. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was.

"Harry is there something bothering you?" She asked concerningly.

"No, nothing. You'd better get going. I'll see you when I get back. Please be careful." He said with some worry in his voice.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later then." She said leaning into get a hug.

Harry hugged her a litle tighter that usual and kissed her forehead.

Letting go, Hermione made her way over to the fireplace, grabbed some floo powder stepped in and she was gone.

Harry thought to himself...

If you only knew Hermione, if you only knew.

With a pop Harry had apperated to Diagon Alley to meet Dumbledore.

A/N: The story will progress soon. Don't worry. It just needs to go a little slow right now.