AN: Thank you all for the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

The fight was as bad as Severus claimed it was.

Hermione stared at the parchment upon her desk. Not once had her finger moved from the third line. Her tangled hair and puffy eyes betrayed her lack of sleep. It was as if she had spent all night replaying the most unpleasant memories of her life.

How was Sirius going to fix this?

A knock on her door interrupted his thoughts. Sirius backed away as she trudged over to answer it.

"Harry?"

"Hey." He stepped inside the office. "Is this a bad time?"

"No." She closed the door behind her. "I was just going over some paperwork."

"I didn't mean to interrupt you if you're busy."

"No, I'm fine." She swallowed. "Everything's fine."

Harry's eyes softened. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Hermione stood up straighter and forced herself to smile. "Nothing at all."

Harry kept his gaze on her.

"I'm fine," she sat at her desk. "It's just been a busy day, that's all."

"The store seems fairly calm."

"Looks are deceptive. There's a lot of paperwork to catch up on."

"Is there so much to do that you haven't even bothered to brew yourself a cup of coffee?"

Sirius glanced at her desk. Indeed, there was no coffee cup, nor was the light on the coffee machine flashing. Perhaps Harry should be the one to spy on Hermione…

"I haven't gotten around to it," she shrugged. "Although I probably should make some soon."

"It's almost noon."

"It is?"

He nodded.

She crumpled into her chair.

"What's wrong?" Harry leaned against her desk. "And don't even think about saying, 'nothing.'"

"Fine," she took a deep breath. "Do you remember that person who was visiting my house to brew potions with me?"

"Oh Mr. Black Dress?"

She raised her eyebrow.

"That's what Luna and I call him. You haven't worn that dress for anyone other than him, hence the name."

"Well he's gone," She shook her head "And it's going to take more than a dress to get him to return."

"I thought you were only going to see him a few times."

"I thought so, but something between us changed. He's been coming over to my house every night for a couple of weeks now, including last night."

"What happened?"

"He asked about Ron." She swallowed

"Oh."

She hung her head.

"What did he say about Ron?" His voice was softer, as if he was consoling a child.

"He just said he knew we were one part of the Golden Trio and wanted to know what had become of us."

"What did you tell him?"

"I yelled at him and told him to mind his own bloody business." She glanced up.

"I doubt he was expecting that."

"That wasn't even the worst part." A tear came to her eyes. "After I told him where to stick it, he accused me of taking advantage of him…."

"Wait, why would he accuse you of that?"

"It's a long story, but he's been helping me with a few things."

"I'm sure you showed him how much you appreciated it."

"I tried, but during the fight I was getting so angry and just started shouting things. I made it sound like I was only using him for his knowledge of potions and for his ability to teach me how to cook." Her throat constricted.

"You're learning how to cook?"

"I was, until he left."

"You can still learn how to cook. Luna could show you how to make a few things before James is born," he offered.

"No, I'll get by." She sighed.

"Perhaps, but if you're cooking you may be eating healthier, which is great."

"I know, but this isn't about the cooking lessons. It's about the fact that I made him feel as if he was my servant. It was never my intention, but looking back, I may not have appreciated him as much as I could have."

"I'm sure you've done a better job than you thought. He may be too upset to realize that."

"True, but I did yell some hurtful things." Her lower lip quivered. "I would give anything to take them back, or at least apologize to him."

"Is there any way you could contact him?" He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Do you want me to find him so you can make up with him?"

"No!"

He startled and released her.

"I mean, that really won't be necessary. If he's gone, it means he returned to where he came from. You wouldn't be able to track him."

"I'm an auror," he argued. "I can track anyone."

"Not this person," she replied. "Even if you could, I doubt he'd want to see you."

"He wouldn't want to see me if he's hurting you."

"I appreciate your protectiveness, I truly do, but this isn't the time for it."

"Perhaps, but I can still find him and put in a good word for you."

"If my friends start harassing him he'll be even less likely to return."

"True." Harry took a deep breath. "If I'd only known someone for two weeks at most I would be a little weirded out if their friends started knocking on my door."

She bit her lower lip.

"Still, I could find him so you can write him a letter."

"I don't think an owl could fly to where he is."

"Owls can fly almost anywhere with the right type of magic."

"Not where he is they can't." She whispered.

"Merlin Hermione, you make it sound like he lives on some unscalable mountain."

"That isn't too far from the truth," she muttered.

"If that's the case and he's already returned, then perhaps it's time to consider moving on."

"What?"

"Look," Harry began. "It's clear you are interested in him…"

"I am not romantically interested him!"

Harry stepped back.

"He was just a friend. We never could've been lovers!" She argued.

"Why?"

"We have our reasons."

"Something tells me they are not be very good ones."

"There are many logically sound reasons we cannot be together. the first and most important of which is I don't care for him like that."

"Then why do you look ready to have yourself a good cry?" He asked.

"Because I enjoyed having someone around who didn't ask questions about my past and who seemed to want to help me. That's why I got so upset when he brought up Ron, because I was enjoying my break from the past," she replied. "Like a dunderhead, I lost it, and didn't give him any chance to explain himself."

"Did he say he knew anything about Ron?"

"He only knows we were two members of the Golden Trio. Instead of telling him more, I just yelled at him and kicked him out."

Harry hummed.

"I was a dunderhead, but I panicked. Looking back, I can see why he thought I was taking advantage of him. Still, I didn't mean to. All I wanted was to be his friend." She choked. "Looking back, that was foolish to hope for."

"No, it wasn't."

She sniffed.

"Anyone who really gets to know you knows how amazing of a friend you are."

"Too bad I always find ways to ruin it."

"You made a mistake, but perhaps it isn't as horrible as you believe."

"How could my actions be anything but horrible?"

"I mean that I'm the best auror in Britain." Harry stood up straighter.

"I thought I made it clear you shouldn't try to find him." Hermione's frown deepened.

"I don't think I need to find him."

She cocked her head.

"I have a hunch about this man." Harry grinned. "I think he's going to come back."

"Why would you think that?" Another tear trickled down her face.

"Because he's an idiot if he doesn't know how fortunate he is to have you in his life."

"I don't think he's that fortunate to have me."

"How could you say that?"

"He deserves a better friend than me. I'm sure he's already wishing he could be with someone who has her act together."

"You do have your act together."

She bowed her head.

He rubbed her back. "If this man is half as wonderful as you seem to think, then he'll find a way to return so you can at least discuss this issue."

"I don't know if he can."

"If he wants to see you, he will find a way."

She raised her head. "Do you truly believe that?"

"I do."

She stood and hugged him. "Where would I be without you?"

"Probably in your sitting room eating a tub of strawberry ice cream and reading a trashy romance novel." He returned the embrace.

She laughed. "Probably."

"Now." He released her. "If I were you, I would wear my little black dress this evening, get all made up, and wait for him to come. When he comes, he won't know what hit him."

"I look like an absolute train wreck right now. No dress or make over is going to make me look even remotely presentable," she argued.

"You'd be surprised. I mean when Luna wears her low cut burgundy dress," he winked.

"Alright!"

Harry chuckled.

"Thank you," she exhaled. "For everything."

"No problem, but if you really want to thank me for everything." Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a brown paper bag. "Eat this. I got it from La Hacienda."

She opened it and grinned. "Thank you. I could use a chicken burrito right about now."

"See, I told you I'm a good auror."

"Perhaps you are better than I give you credit for."

His eyes softened. "Take care of yourself and remember that if he doesn't come back, you're better off without him."

"I'll try."

"Floo me if you need anything." He squeezed her hand.

"I will."

He strolled out the door. Once he shut it, she raised her head to heaven.

"Oh God, if there's any chance you can make Mr. Snape come back, please do it."

Sirius disappeared, more than happy to answer her prayer.