Hermione looked at them both 'im sorry' she quietly said looking back down at her hands it was all she could think to say 'i let my guard down and im sorry' Harry rushed over to her, Ron behind 'dont you dare be sorry, none of this is your fault' she looked back into the green eyes of one of her best friends and nodded 'it is, how could i be so bloody stupid after everything?' Harry wanted to cry, how could she think this was her fault he took her hand she tried to pull away at first but relaxed when he started brushing his fingers over her hand 'hey you listen to me you are not to blame for any of this none of it at all' looking down at their hands she asked 'wheres the others?' Ron stepped forward 'we havent told them, we said that you was away with your parents the ministry have sent an auror over but Harry told him he wasnt to dicuss you or this with anyone' Hermione nodded 'thank you, i dont want anyone else to know, not just yet' both Harry and Ron nodded, they knew that was how Hermione would want it, after all they had known her years.
Not alot was said between the 3 friends for the next hour or so partly because Hermione was so exhaused and partly because neither Harry or Ron knew what to say to make things better Hermione wasnt reacting in any sort of way she was just very quiet she wasnt crying or upset and she wasnt telling them to leave her so all 3 sat quietly Hermione nodding off when every tiredness took over her, Ron reading a quidditch magazine and Harry sitting and holding onto Hermiones hand, just thinking.
Around 5.30 that afternoon the curtain drew back and a short stumpy man walked in, drawing the curtain behind him he turned to harry 'hello Mr Potter' he turned and nodded at Ron 'Mr Weasley' Hermione woke hearing a strange voice 'ah Miss Granger i was told you had woken up im Auror McBurnly' slowly sitting up Hermione gave the man a small forced smile, she really wasnt up for this right now 'i was wondering if i could have a word with you? theres bein a development in your case' 'yes thats fine' she was once again looking down at her hands, realising that Harry still had hold of one and was squeezing it 'if i could just ask for Mr Potter and Mr Weasely to step outside i wont keep you a moment' with a tighter grip on Harrys hand Hermiones eyes shot up to McBurnly 'id rather they stayed' she didnt know this man, she had never laid eyes on him before, she gathered that Harry must know him from the ministry, after all both Harry and Ron said that there had been an auror sent to see her and Harry knew alot of people at the ministy.
'Very well' Auror McBurnly sat on a chair at the end of the bed 'we have had a young man in today claiming that he attacked a young woman a week ago in the place that you were found, Miss Granger do you remember who attacked you?' Hermione nodded ' could you tell me his name?' they saw Hermiones lips move but know one heard the name that she wispered 'im sorry could you repeat that a little louder?' 'Ian...it was Ian he attacked me' 'and why do you think he did that?' not looking up Hermione answered 'he had been drinking, asked if he could walk me home, it was such a lovely night just a cool breeze, id been chatting to many people in the bar i didnt fancy walking home alone and going straight to sleep' 'Miss Granger do you think you may have encouraged him in thinking there was going to be more to it then just walking you home?' Harry shot daggers at McBurnly 'no, he just asked if he could walk me home and i agreed' 'what happened next?' 'he said that he wanted to show me something and like a fool i believed him i walked down an ally way and thats when it happened' taking a deep breath Hermione closed her eyes how silly had she been? after everything they had been through why did she let her guard down so easily 'Thank you' McBurnly said he could tell that remembering that had taken its toll on the young witch getting up to leave he shook Harry and Rons hand Hermione had turned on her side and closed her eyes, for the first time that day telling them she wanted to be alone.
Harry and Ron both noticed this and walked outside with Mcburnly 'what happens now?' Ron asked taking a deep breath of fresh air 'it all adds up' McBurnly answered Ron 'there shouldnt be any problems from now on, Ian Smith told us everything Miss Granger has said he will be punished accodingly' 'he wont be punished enough' Harry ran his hands through his hair 'Mr Potter i can imagine how you are feeling but believe me he will get whats coming to him, the ministy do not take cases like this lightly, however upset you are feeling right now, your main consern should be your friend up there' Harry saw red 'do you think she is not my main consern?! i have been sat by her bed the last week waiting for her to wake up, willing for her not to remember what happened, not wanting her to suffer anymore and you stand here right now telling me that she is not my main consern! all i can say is you are bloody lucky you got hold of him before i did because i can asure you if i had there would not hav been alot of him left!' with that Harry turned and walked off how dare he come in there telling him how his was meant to feel, if truth be known Harry didnt know how to feel, yes he knew he had to be strong for Hermione but thinking of what she went though, how she must have felt he just wanted to take hold of her and make it better.
'oi! Harry! wait!' Ron ran and caught up with Harry, grabbing his arm he turned him around 'what the hell got into you back there?' he angerly asked his friend 'him, him and hes questions and Herms answers ok? i know i just reacted badly but hearing it, hearing and watching her relive it' Harry sighed 'i just wanna be able to help more' patting his friends back Ron nodded ' i know exacly what you mean, but us falling apart isnt gonna help Hermione is it? and remember mate however horrible it is for us to hear she was there she went though it' 'im sorry i lost it Ron it wont happen again' they started walking back to Hermione 'it will though and when it does come to me shout and scream at me like i will you, we cant let Herms see either of us breaking down' giving his friend a hug Harry smiled 'cheers mate, when did you start being the sensible one?' stepping back Ron smiled 'im not taking that responisbility off you, believe me, im just borrowing it for a while'
Walking back though to Hermione both lads stopped when they got there she was out of bed and pulling a sock on her right foot 'Herms love what are you doing?' Ron walked up and picked her pyjamas off the floor 'im going home, right now' she stood looking at them both.