Chapter 15

Hermione was walking back to her new flat in Muggle London with both arms laden with grocery bags. It had been 3 weeks since she and Ron and went their separate ways. Their divorce became official today, she just sent off the papers via owl before she left to do her shopping. It went without a hitch which was surprising even in the wizarding world. She had told him to keep their old home. He protested, but she insisted. It was only right…she destroyed his hopes, letting him have their house and calling it fair to him was a major understatement.

She unlocked her front door (with much difficulty) and stepped inside. She trudged into the kitchen and dropped the bags on the table with such gusto that the contents fell all across the table. Muttering to herself she flicked her wrist and the groceries magically picked themselves up and started to put themselves away.

She went into the living room and sat down and looked around the room. She was used to being by herself in a house, what with living with Ron and what not, but this was different. She was alone now, not because she was being neglected by someone. On the contrary, the one person that she really wanted to be with was all for being with her, but she screwed it up.

Maybe this is just punishment, she thought to herself. She deserved to be lonely after what she did to ron and for pushing Draco away. The thought made her shiver. She couldn't take it anymore. She lept from the couch and walked out of the door, muttering "I need to talk to harry".

Harry's POV

Harry was just relaxing in a chair in this living room reading a book and listening to WWN on the radio when he heard a knock at the front door.

He heaved himself to his feet and opened it to find a very out of breath Hermione.

"Woah 'Mione whatcha do? Run the whole way here to see me?" he grinned while ushering her into the house.

"No –gasp- just needed –gasp- a run and a talk with you –gasp- to get my mind straight" she wheezed.

"well come on in", he said bemused, "Gin's not here right now anyways, said something about hair and a spa, I tuned out after that."

Hermione managed a weak smile and followed him into the living room. She collapsed onto the sofa, while Harry regained his previous position in his beat up old chair.

"Spit it out Hermione, before you choke on it."

Hermione glared at him. "Nice choice of words Harry James."

Harry had the grace to look sheepish "err sorry then, but go on, I know something is troubling you so what is going on in that head of yours?"

"Everything," she groaned and put her head in her hands. "I have absolutely no clue what to do. Ron told me to go back to Draco, Harry, he pretty much gave me his blessing."

"well –err- I really don't see a problem here Hermione."

"That is exactly the problem! Not only do I not deserve his blessing, but I already screwed up anything Draco and I could have had together. I told him that what we had was nothing and meant nothing. Harry for the first time in my life I've come face to face with a problem I can't solve."

She started to weep. Harry stood up and went and sat gingerly beside her and rubbed her back.

"Listen 'Mione for being the brightest witch in Hogwarts, I woulda thought you woulda realized this already." Hermione looked up at him questioningly. "If you can't solve it, it isn't a problem, it's just reality."

"Harry I don't understand what you mean?"

"Now look, I'm going to go all sage-y on you for a minute. You don't understand because reality is sometimes the hardest thing to understand. Said reality is also the thing that takes the longest to realize."

"I think I would have gotten it by now harry," she said haughtily.

"No, because once it hits you in the face, you never forget it. It will always be there, even in your memories." He turned her head so she was looking him in the eyes. "And, sometimes, that is the best way to look at it."

He kissed her forehead and said with a smile, "Hermione don't worry about it. Draco loves you and always has. He thinks the sun shines out of your ass, so I know that he couldn't believe what you told him. Give it time…I know you two will work things out. You're meant to be together. You two are the couple poems are written about. Have faith. It'll never fail you."

She stood up and hugged him. She did not have to tell him thank you, her face conveyed it all. With a kiss blown before she turned the knob, she left.

The moment she walked out of that door, harry was up off the sofa and grabbing a piece of parchment and a quill.

Malfoy,

You wanted your chance and now it's here. The divorce is final and I know she misses you. Ron even gave her his blessing. If you truly want this the way I believe you do then grab your chance. Go to her. Tell her exactly how you feel. Leave nothing out and be honest. Don't screw it up a second time mate. I'm not going through all this again.

-Potter

He attached the letter to Hedwig's leg and sent her off.

"leave it to those two to turn me into a bloody match maker" he grumbled. He returned to his chair and book and hoped beyond hope that they worked it out for good this time.