A/N: First of all, i would like to thank everybody for their wonderful reviews and for adding this story as favorite. It really means a lot to me. Thank you SHELBY for saying what you said about this being the best you've read. That was the first time anybody has said that to me and that really made me happy :)

So here's the next chapter...kind of boring in my opinion. Wasn't that inspired when i wrote this, but it could either be cause i just have a lot on my mind right now. Anyway, i hope you enjoy.

I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING FROM THE POTTERVERSE.

Harry Potter woke up with a really uncomfortable crick on his neck. He looked around, trying to orient himself to the unfamiliar surroundings. He caught a glimpse of the grandfather clock in the living room that said it was a little after six in the morning. He had fallen asleep on the couch that was obviously too small for him and he probably deserved it for breaking into her home. He came by last night and waited for her, but she never came home. He didn't worry. He was already in trouble for coming after her; he didn't want to add insult to injury by intruding on her place of employment. So instead, he opted to break into her simple wards and wait for her like the good friend that he was. However, he did not expect her to not come home.

He walked toward the fireplace where he eyed pictures of the three of them all throughout the years they have been together, but his favorite by far was the picture Hagrid took before they boarded the Hogwarts Express at the end of their first year. That was the year he found out where he really belonged and he found family.

Harry continued to look at the pictures and recall a fond memory with his best friends when he heard the front door slam along with hysterical sobbing. He ran to her and what he saw broke his heart. Crying on the floor was his best friend, one of the strongest and bravest people he knew. He had never seen Hermione like this before and she'd been through a lot. He suddenly wondered what could've reduced her to this, what could've broken her seemingly relentless spirit, but now was not the time to ask questions.

"Hermione?" She didn't look up so he dropped down to his knees and enveloped her in a comforting embrace. He let her cry for a while, waiting for her to calm down. He shifted on the floor so they could both be comfortable and pulled her closer to his chest. She was still crying uncontrollably although a little muffled because she was crying on his chest; he could already feel his shirt getting soaked. He tried everything to comfort her, hugging her tightly, running his hands up and down her back, whispering words of comfort and kissing her head, but nothing seemed to work.

After what seemed like forever to Harry, Hermione finally calmed down to a sniffle. He let go of her as she looked to him. Harry stood up and offered his hand to her and guiding her to the couch.

"Harry?" She finally asked when it dawned in that her best friend was really there.

"How did you find me?" They were on the couch beside each other, but were turned so they were face-to-face.

"You don't give me enough credit, 'Mione. I'm an auror and a damn good one too." He gave her a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood and she responded with a small smile.

The day he received Hermione's letter, he went to St. Mungo's to inquire her whereabouts. Being the Harry Potter (even if he didn't flash his auror badge), it wasn't hard for him to obtain information. It seemed like they were just willing to give it to him. He wanted to go to her right away, but he respected her decision and decided to wait for her to come to her own. Looking at her now, he wondered if waiting a month was the right choice. He should have come to see her sooner if he knew she was in this state.

"Then I must not be the brightest witch of our age if I thought that leaving a letter telling you not to go looking for me would actually stop you from doing so," was her reply with another small smile as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"So have you eaten breakfast? I can whip up something fast…coffee?" She abruptly changed the subject and started for the kitchen. Harry grabbed her wrist preventing her from leaving.

"Not so fast, 'Mione. Talk to me. Tell me everything. And don't give me that crap about everything being alright because obviously it isn't. You come home crying—looking like that! What am I supposed to think?"

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and decided to sit down. She started from the beginning, telling him why she left in the first place. She told him about Ron's infidelity and how she wasn't mad at him for that reason. She told him she was confused that time; how could she not be mad after catching her boyfriend with another girl in their bed? She was mad at herslef because she should care, but she didn't. She was mad at Ron because he broke her trust even though they didn't love each, but they were still friends. She told Harry that she didn't realize that she wasn't in love with him anymore yet she was mad at both of them for stringing each other along. She told him why she kept forcing herself to keep this relationship when it was obvious that it was over for the both of them for a long time. They found safety in each other, Hermione and Ron. They knew each other, they were constant and that was something both of them could count on. But without the feelings for each other, it just started crumbling. Loyalties, expectations and obligations alone could not hold a relationship. But after everything, she still wanted to be friends with him and she hoped he does too.

Harry listened thoughtfully, understanding whatever reason Hermione had to leave. He didn't know he had been clueless for a long time. Why had he never noticed Ron and Hermione having problems before? Then it struck him. He was never really paying attention. He had been so happy with Ginny and James that he thought his best friends were too. Clearly he was mistaken.

"Hermione…I'm so sorry. I never noticed before…"

"Don't worry about it, Harry. Bad things happen all the time and relationships do end." She said nonchalantly. "So, are you ready for breakfast?" Hermione gave him a big smile hoping that he would just forget the crying part. But obviously that was too much to hope for because Harry Potter could exactly see right through her forced smile.

"Not quite yet. Is there anything else?" He could see hesitation in her eyes.

"Whatever it is you've done, I won't judge you. You know me 'Mione. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll be there with you. Kinda like when we were in Hogwarts and you broke the rules with us even though you were so against it. No matter what, we have each other's backs. So please…trust me when I say that it's going to be alright."

"There is one other thing…"

Draco was in a daze, he had been since waking up. He was trying to work, but he couldn't keep his mind straight to finish the task at hand. He couldn't help but drift back to the memory of last night and waking up next to her. He closed his eyes, trying hard to recall every detail when he opened his eyes that morning.

Even before Draco had opened his eyes, he felt her beside him. One arm was draped over his chest as she snuggled closely to him. He could also feel her hair going all over his face as he inhaled the smell of orchids and coconuts that he assumed to be her shampoo. He opened his eyes and gently pushed her hair away from his face. He looked down at her peaceful face. She seemed content to be sleeping in his arms in that way, a small trace of a smile visible in her very kissable lips, as Draco noted. He pulled her closer (if that was still possible) and protectively wrapped his arms around her. He didn't want to leave her yet. He was afraid that he'd wake up and realize that it was only a dream, one of the many dreams about her that haunted him for all these years.

He kissed her lips tenderly and slowly removed himself from under her. He scribbled a note for her and placed it on the pillow beside her while giving her one last look before putting his shirt on and do some chores. How he wanted to just stay in bed and wait for her to wake up, but he had responsibilities now and he wasn't about to slack off. He laughed at himself after the thought. Who would ever have thought that Draco Malfoy and being responsible would come in the same sentence? That was so farfetched if you thought about it years ago. But look at him now, doing manual labor. If only his father knew.

Draco shook his head, waking himself up from his little daydream. He was almost done with the chores. Just a little bit more and he can finally be with Hermione again. With that little encouragement, he willed himself to go faster and he did finish in no time.

He rushed back to the house and took a shower first before going down to his room. He had to make sure that he was clean before he could cuddle up next to her. He couldn't wait to see her, to touch her, to kiss her. But when he got to his room, it was empty. He called out to her. There was no answer. He looked around.

"Shit!" On the floor were his wand and the letters from his mother. He'd been caught.

A/N: any comments? violent reactions? if then , you know what to do: REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

so what do you think happens next? is hermione running away again or will draco ever man up and fight for her? tell me cause i don't know yet. hehe...whatever i come up with is up to my mood. :)