Chapter 5

Hermione arrived at the Ministry the next morning effectively avoiding everybody. She really just wanted to be left alone but because Harry didn't come over last night she knew that she wouldn't be able to get out of lunch. She wasn't ready to talk about it yet and she really hoped that Ron wouldn't decide to grace them with their presence today. She gave a stressful sigh and then went off to work.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Harry was sitting at his desk completely too distracted to do any type of work at all. He wanted to go see Hermione but he really didn't want to push her away. That was what he would normally do but he knew that one day she wouldn't appreciate it and he might ruin things for good.

Draco interrupted his thoughts by coming over, "Everything will be fine you know."

"What?" asked Harry.

"With Hermione," said Draco.

"I hope so," said Harry.

"I went to see her last night. I know things will be fine," said Draco.

"You did what?" asked Harry now frowning at Draco. Harry felt Draco was getting entirely too involved in their business. He wasn't sure how he felt about it.

"Relax! I didn't do anything. I just went to check on her because you said you weren't going to," said Draco.

"Well anyways, what happened?" asked Harry.

"She told me she was just upset because Ron was her 'everything' and she wanted him back," said Draco.

Harry noticed the look of disgust that crossed Draco's face. That was definitely interesting.

"So what did you tell her?" asked Harry.

"I told her she didn't deserve to be treated like that. She deserves a whole lot better; she just doesn't realize it. I also said I was going to stick around to make sure she didn't get back with him and to help her find someone else," said Draco.

Harry just nodded his head in agreement. He had been carefully watching Draco and was seeing something he'd never seen in him before. He cared. Maybe he would be good for Hermione and vice versa.

"Anyways, it's lunch time. I know she won't come on her own. I think I'll go get her myself," said Draco.

Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco. Ok so maybe Draco more than cared. He liked Hermione. Harry decided maybe he would see where this would go.

"Ok. I'll go get a table downstairs before it fills up," he said.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

As usual she completely last track of time – ok well today she did it on purpose. Normally she would just forget but she was actively avoiding everything and trying to forget what time it was and that lunch was looming closer and … she was concentrating so hard on the clock she jumped at the knock on the door even though she was expecting it.

"Harry! I can come down to lunch by myself just fine!" yelled Hermione angrily though the door. She got up to open it and yell some more but stopped.

"I should have known it would be you," said Hermione.

"Good afternoon to you too. You have a funny way of greeting people," said Draco.

"No just you," said Hermione, "What do you want?"

"I figured you weren't going to come down for lunch unless someone came and got you. So here I am. Harry is downstairs getting a table," said Draco.

"And when did we ever invite you to join us?" asked Hermione.

"I'm Draco Malfoy. I don't need an invitation," said Draco.

"Well I'm not hungry," said Hermione. Of course at that moment her stomach decided to betray her and growled loudly.

"You were saying?" asked Draco.

"Uh! Fine! Just because I'm sick of you and I'm start to realize the faster I go the faster I can get rid of you," said Hermione as she walked out the door locking her office behind her.

"Now you're catching on!" said Draco.

They arrived downstairs and Hermione sat down without saying anything to Harry. Draco had gone to pick up their food at the counter.

"Look, Hermione, you can ignore me all you want but I know you're listening to me. I just want to say I'm sorry for last night. I hope we can get over this quickly. You know I can't stand it when we're not talking," said Harry.

Hermione actually turned to look at him and said, "I know. I'm sorry too. I said a lot of …"

"No. Don't apologize for that. You were completely right," said Harry.

"Thanks," said Hermione giving him a small smile.

"So are you ok?" asked Harry.

Hermione had held it in all day. She felt so strong and so proud of herself. This was why she didn't want to come down here. She knew she couldn't lie to Harry and everything she was feeling would come out as soon as he talked to her. The tears welled up in her eyes.

"I really am so sorry. I know how much he meant to you," said Harry moving to sit next to her and hold her while she cried into his shoulder, "I don't know what's gotten into him."

Draco had quietly returned and sat across from them. He didn't know why but he felt kind of weird watching Harry hold Hermione – a part of him wanted to be the one holding her.

"He told you. It's all because of me," she said through her tears.

"Hermione, you are a gorgeous and strong, independent and amazing witch. Ron's just being stupid. You can't blame yourself. In fact you're not allowed to say that around us. If you do I'll have to let Draco curse you," said Harry.

"And you know I will," said Draco.

Hermione them both a small smile again.

"Thanks," she said, "Harry you're the best friend I've ever had. I don't know what I'd do without you. And Draco… well you're… a good friend too."

Draco felt his heart skip a beat. He was glad she didn't hate him. He just smiled back at her. He didn't know what to say.

"Of course. I'll always be here for you," said Harry giving her a hug again, "And please come back to our house soon. Especially for Ginny."

"I will. In fact maybe even today," said Hermione.

"Good," said Harry.

"Ok enough of this mushy friend stuff. Let's eat. Our food is getting cold," said Draco.

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