Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter...Only this plot...

Author's Note: Thanks to my reviewers! at least I know that someone is reading my story...It's only my second fic..so any criticism(constructive plz!) is much appreciated. Anyway enjoy!

In Pain, Love and Desire

Your Presence fills me up

It fills me to the very core

If only I could handle it

If only I was strong enough

But I am not

I collapse, unable to return your gaze

But, as always you hold me up

Bring me up towards you

And believe that I am strong enough

Your belief is so strong

That soon I will believe in it too.

Chapter 3: Friends for Always

Hermione woke up with the sun's rays shining through her window. 'I don't want to get up' she thought. The warmth of her bed was too welcoming for her to walk away from it. But she really did need to get up. She had to go to work and...suddenly, she bolted upright.

She just remembered that Harry and Ron would be visiting her today. She looked at her clock and cursed. It was already 9:30 and they would probably be here by 11:00. She got up and took a quick shower, which left her refreshed for the new day. She used a spell to dry and straighten her hair. She wanted to be ready for them and to show them that she really was fine. She couldn't help but notice the puffiness in her eyes, and the black bags on her face. All remains of her long crying sessions. She quickly charmed it all away. Then applied some make up and dressed. She looked in the mirror, slightly amazed at her transformation. She could actually nice, when she set her mind to it.

She went to her kitchen and put in a kettle with water. Later that week she had a date with Dean. He had invited her yesterday, after keeping her company for the night. She didn't think she was ready for it, but she felt so alone and really needed someone to comfort her. Plus, he had been so concerned and caring towards her. She couldn't refuse. She heard a popping noise from the living room. Harry and Ron had arrived. She rushed to the living room and pasted a huge smile on her face.

"'Mione!" , said Ron loudly, he walked towards her and hugged her close. She hung to his neck, she could feel the tears in her eyes again.

"Oh, hermione, don't cry!", said Harry, who in turn hugged her next and wiped away her tears.

"Oh, guys. I'm sorry...it's just been..too long," she said as she stepped away from Harry.

"I know, Hermione we're so sorry." said Ron. New tears formed in her eyes and she couldn't contain the sob that escaped her throat. "I'm so glad you guys are here." with that she broke down on the floor, unable to contain her despair.

Ron gave Harry a look and rushed to Hermione's side. He pulled her to the couch and wrapped his arms around her. Then. Harry sat on her other side and caressed her hair. They truly felt for her and felt guilty at having abandoned her for so long. The truth was that the Hermione Granger they had known had been strong, stubborn, and solid in character. But now, the young woman in front of them was vulnerable, weak, and lonely.

The threesome stayed close like that for a long time. It felt like hours to Hermione. But she felt safe. She hadn't felt so safe and protected in a long time. She was really happy to see them again and was probably enjoying being in Ron's arms a little too much. She finally broke free of his embrace and looked at her two friends. "Thank you guys" she whispered.

She got up and looked them over. "Wow, you both look great! Ron have you gotten taller? And you, Harry, you look so different."

"Ha Ha, yes Hermione, It's because he has been hit on the head too many times. His head has gotten flatter." said Ron trying to lighten the mood and laughing at Harry.

"Shut up Ron. While yours has gotten bigger, and don't even let me get started on your ego."countered Harry.

"What?! I can't help it if the ladies love me..." he answered, a huge grin plastered on his face. Hermione just laughed at them. It really was great to see them.

"Well, I'm gonna get you boys some tea and we can catch up." she went into the kitchen, living Ron and Harry on the couch.

"So, what do you think mate? It's really hard on her.." said Harry.

"Yes, well we couldn't expect anything less...I'm just..mad at myself for not being here for her..earlier." said Ron.

"I know. We are gonna need to do something about that."

"But, you know Harry, she looks really good. You know she's really grown up." added Ron, a mischevious smile creeping itself onto his face.

"Oh no, Ron! please she's just been through a really rough time. She doesn't need you hitting on her, not right now! Besides you guys tried in seventh year and it didn't work." said Harry.

"True, but now we're both more mature and..different. Besides like you said, she's going through a difficult time and I could help her get through it." He really did want to help her. He still felt strongly for her.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Hermione was preparing the tea. Wow, she was surprised at how quickly the two had helped her mood. Of course she was still sad, but she was almost happy too. They both had changed so much. Harry had really grown up into an attractive man. She felt very proud of him, for what he did. And Ron..Ron was ..well he was just so grown up. He was about a head taller than her. He had grown into a man with a large chest and she could tell that under his shirt there was a plate of hard muscles. She could not deny her attraction to him. He looked so handsome and the freckles he had had, seemed to have disappeared. She shook her head and put the tea and bicuits onto a tray. Then she took it into the living room.

Ron and Harry smiled at her as she walked into the room.

"Wow, 'Mione you look really beautiful," said Ron making her blush at his complement.

"Err...thanks Ron." she said timidly. She set down the tray and gave each of them a cup. Soon they were submerged into conversation. Finding out about the other's lives and events. Hermione learned that Harry was very confident in his search for the horcruxes. He needed to find the last one before being able to confront Voldemort. He seemed to have gotten wiser and had grown into a very powerful wizard.

Ron had moved onto playing for his favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. His position was keeper. With all the training he had gotten strong and had a rough muscled look to him. Oh yes, Hermione was very attracted to him. They were both proud of her, for having made it through Healer training. They applauded her for her success, although she still felt that she had not accomplished as much as they had. Why did she do that? She always tried to put herself down.

"Hermione?" asked Ron, pulling her out of her thoughts. She turned to him inquiringly. He nodded to the chimney. She saw Dean's face in the green flames.

"Oh, Dean!"

"Hey Hermione, sorry to interrupt. Hey Harry, Ron." he said cheerily to them.

"Hey Dean! How ya been man?" asked Harry

"Pretty good, how about you guys?"

"We've been good," answered Ron.

"Ron will you give me an autograph.?" he asked

Ron eyes instantly brightened and he grinned,"Sure thing mate!"

"Alright but I have to go now, so just give it to Hermione. I jst wanted to check up on her, you know. By the way, you're still meeting friday night, right?" asked Dean.

"Yes, of course," said Hermione, she felt kind of awkward with Ron and Harry in the room with her.

"Alrighty then, I'll see you then. And guys, it was great seeing you again. Take care" Dean waved at them and disappeared.

"Wow, I didn't know you and Dean were dating," exclaimed Ron, kinda bummed out.

"We are not, actually this will be our first date."

"That's great Hermy..its great that you haven't put your life on hold because of the war." commented Harry.

'Yeah right, that's all I've been doing lately' she thought. She smiled at them. They went on to talking about the Quidditch World Cup and then to Harry and Ron's girlfriends. Harry was dating a muggle witch, he seemed really happy. She was happy to know that Ron was single at the moment. It seemed like time flew by. Without them realizing it, the morning had turned to noon and then to evening. The sun was starting to set in the background.

Hermione did not want to say goodbye. Today had been a great day for her. It almost felt like old times, when her worries had centered on doing her Potions homework and passing her NEWT's. But she knew that they all had lives to go back to. Soon after, Harry got up and said that he had to be on his way. His girlfriend, Macy would probably start worrying about him. So he kissed Hermione on the forehead, hugged her and disapparated home.

Hermione was sad to see him go, but he had promised to keep in constant touch with her. It suddenly dawned on her that she was alone with Ron. She started feeling nervous and a clammy feeling overcame her. 'Oh control yourself. He is only your best friend of like 7 years..Of course he is much hotter now..' She turned to look at him, only to find his face really close to hers. He gazed at her with an intensity that she had never seen in him before. She felt like she could swim in his pools of light, calming blue. A sudden feeling of safety overcame her, and she noticed that he was getting closer to her. His face was now only inches from hers...

She cursed at herself in her mind and closed in the gap. 'Hermione...,' Ron whispered her name as he tucked a her hair behind his ear. She saw sparks at his touch, it just felt so..right. Unable to contain himself, he crushed his lips to hers. He kissed her ever so gently at first, then he increased the pressure as he wrapped his arms around her narrow waist. She felt the kiss all over her. She felt it all the way down to her toes. She sighed into his mouth, giving him entrance to her moist mouth. As he slipped his tongue and probed her depths, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Pushing her hands deep into his fiery hair. They finally released to gasp for breath. She looked into his eyes and saw longing reflected in his. He wanted her. She could see it, and she wanted him too. She needed him so badly.

He leaned in to kiss her again, and she opened her arms to welcome him in. He backed her into a wall. He placed his hands on either side of her head and gently pressed his lips to hers. She deepened the kiss and he followed her eagerly. Her arms once again wrapped around him, exploring his broad shoulders and back. She gasped as he started kissing her neck, moving up to her ear. Her mind was battling inside her. She wanted to give in to her longing but her brain told her to be logical and to be careful with her treasure. Because Hermione Granger was a virgin and she had tresured her innocence in hopes of giving it to her prince charming. But she didn't know if Ron could really be him. She needed to be sure, that he..he was the one. Yes she was attracted to him and she hadn't felt like this for a long time but she was not sure. Ron stopped kissing her, he sensed that she suddenly was not into it anymore. "Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Ron, I'm sorry. I..I can't do this."she said

He stepped back from her, his head filled with her scent. He understood though," It's okay, I'm sorry. It was my fault."

"No, no it's just that I can't...right now." she said. He leaned in and kissed her cheek then hugged her. "It's okay really, 'Mione. I think I should be going anyway. I'll check in on you tomorrow."with that he disapparated from her house.

"Bye...",she whispered. Her mind was waging a war with her heart. She really needed him, but she knew that she might not be able to stop herself from...from..what? Falling in love with him. Why was she so afraid, so afraid of letting herself be loved. maybe she was just afraid of getting hurt. She sighed and realized that she was late. She had the night shift at St. Mungo's tonight. She had a lot of work ahead of her.

ok..this is a long chapter...but the friends needed a good reunion. Don't worry this is not about to turn into a Ron/Hermione fic..i hate those..it'll just be that way for a bit, because she needs to learn to open up and Ron will help her with that..and then..dun dun dun...Oops i've said too much...I want some reviews, so I wont update until a get a good number of them! lolz, PLEASE R&R

Vero