A/N: I just realized I haven't done any shout outs, which was always my custom for "Cry." So here's to all the people who have reviewed this story so far.
Smile88: I'm glad you love it, and I hope you keep reading. Don't worry, you won't be disappointed. :)
DebatingQueen: LOL I couldn't think of a good title. I figured it might as well relate to the title of the first story. So thanks. Yeah, I just had to add a conflict. Why write a story that was more of a second epilogue than a whole nother story? Keep reading!
DanRadcliffe5666: Don't worry, I love Draco and Hermione together, too. Keep reading; you won't be disappointed with the outcome.
spicy-eab: Thanks so much! I'm glad you've read both, and I hope you continue to read this one.
Queenofhell: I'm glad you like it. Keep reading; patience is all I ask for! Every story has its twists, but the outcome won't be disappointing to fans of "Cry".
outthere101: I'm glad you like it. Harry and Hermione have no interest in each other besides being really good friends. I'm sorry if I've portrayed them any differently than that. But I don't like Harry and Hermione romantically involved, either.
Estel-Elf-Lover: I'm so glad you liked both! Please keep reading!
To all: I'm sorry for taking so long to update. This chapter is a bit longer and it's kind of a transition chapter. All I ask is that you all just read the story through to the end before giving it up! Thanks and I hope you like!
It was a rainy day at the Malfoy Manor, yet the sun was shining brilliantly, not a cloud in the sky. It was inside the house that was storming. Draco and Alyssa had left Hogsmeade shortly after Hermione. He'd dropped Alyssa off at her house and gone straight home. It was just him and his mother there, and a handful of servants. After the death of Lucius, Narcissa had dismissed three quarters of their servants, for there hadn't been a need for them. Sadly, the servants didn't seem all too depressed for being laid off. Usually, Draco would lounge on the patio or in the den. However, this particular day, he went straight up to his bedroom, or shall we say, suite.
He had only been home two days and already he was wishing to leave. It would have been alot easier if his fiance hadn't dragged him over to Hermione in the Three Broomsticks. She didn't look much different, just a little older. He'd pretended he just imagined the flash of pain in her eyes. She had no interest in him anymore, and the feeling was neutral. Besides, Alyssa loved moving around. Whenever he was with her, he felt as though he'd known her for years and years. That must mean it was real love, right? After all, that's why they were getting married.
He wondered if Harry had spoken with Hermione yet. He knew Harry didn't like Alyssa. But that would change, right? Harry had turned out to be his only true friend. Hermione was, too, but after their breakup it was too awkward. Things would settle eventually, he told himself.
"Mum! Anybody home?" Ron called, opening the door to the Burrow. "What a mess," he mumbled aloud, making his way through the cluttered, dirty kitchen. "Hello? Mum! Dad!" he shouted. "...Ginny?" he asked, wondering where everyone was. In the living room, there was a mess even bigger than in the kitchen. The house had always been a bit cluttered, but his mum never let it get this dirty.
There were unclean dishes lying on tables and the counters; dirty clothes were strewn about, over the backs of chairs, sofas, and cushions. A lamp was knocked over. Seeing all this, his heart began to pound wildly. Something had happened here: something bad. He looked up at the clock; the one with a hand for each family memeber and each location they could be at. His face pointed to Home. The others were all facing Lost. His eyes widened and he began to panic. Harry, he thought. I've got to talk to Harry.
Harry approached the Burrow, carefully searching for anything out of the ordinary. Of course, there were many things out of the ordinary at the Weasley home. But he was looking for something wrongly out of the ordinary.
"Harry, look at the house. What do you think happened? Mum never lets the house get this messy," Ron said to him, his eyes wide. Harry looked around, and his eyes rested on the kitchen counter.
"Oh, I imagine something horrible," he said, grinning. "Very real danger." Ron's jaw dropped.
"What could possibly be funny?" he demanded, the tips of his ears getting red. This time Harry laughed out loud.
"Ron, how many Dark wizards have you tracked down since you've become an Auror?" he asked seriously. If possible, Ron's eyes got even wider.
"What has that got to do with anything?" he asked incredulously.
"Well, I reckon you're very smart in figuring things out...spotting things different..." Harry trailed off. Ron was utterly confused.
"Ron, there's a note on the counter," he stated simply. The poor redhead...(poor as in I feel sorry for his confusion)...quickly walked across the kitchen and grabbed the small note, reading it quickly. He smiled, embarrassed.
"Sorry for, uh, bothering you," he apologized, feeling quite stupid.
"No problem. It was nice hearing from you, finally," Harry said, not hiding his resentment.
"I know, Harry. I'm really sorry about how everything turned out. Between all of us," Ron added.
"Yeah, well, maybe the three of us can hang out and try and fix things. I'll be here awhile," Harry suggested.
"Yeah, hope so," Ron added thoughtfully.
"So, what's the note say?" Harry asked casually.
" 'Ron, blah blah blah, your dad's on another muggle fix, blah blah, we went to America, be back in a week. Love you, see you soon. Mum.' " He shrugged. "They left pretty suddenly," he commented.
"Yeah, well, you know how your dad is," Harry offered, smiling. "Well, I'm off. I'm staying at Hogwarts if you want to visit or send post."
"Sounds good. See you later," said Ron, a bit sadly. Harry turned on his way out the door.
"Maybe you should see about staying at Hogwarts while you're here. At least until your family comes back," he suggested. Ron thought about it.
"Yeah, that'll be cool. Like old times, huh?" Ron said, smiling. "I'll pack some stuff and get over there later."
" 'kay, later, then," waved Harry, leaving. Ron looked around the messy, empty house. Just like home, he thought.
"Hermione, what're you doing?" Harry asked curiously, peeking in her half-opened door. There was a suitcase opened on her bed and it was halfway full of her clothes, books, and a few personal items that he had to look away from before she noticed him staring. She was currently in her bathroom, pulling soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste off of shelves and then quickly walking back to her suitcase and stuffing them inside.
"I'm leaving," she answered shortly, not stopping for a second.
"Leaving? But, why? Where are you going? For how long?" he asked her, walking into her room.
"Because. I need to get away. I work too much, and with...recent events, I just need to get away, and live. Meet new people. Anything but be back here being dragged down to where I was when I was nineteen," she said angrily, still packing more clothes.
"But where are you going?" he repeated frantically. Nineteen? he wondered. "...Does this have anything to do with Draco?" he chanced, guessing with much confidence.
"I'm going to America. I have a friend there who's willing to let me stay awhile," she explained, then hesitated. "It may or may not have to do with Draco. Either way, I just need some time to think with a clear head. And I can't do it here, where there's so many memories of our childhood." She softened and smiled. "Don't worry, Harry. I'm not going for good, and it's not because of you. I'll write you, I promise." At this, she hugged him and closed her suitcase, locking it.
"But, Hermione," pleaded Harry weakly, "Ron and I were hoping to rekindle our friendships." That didn't sound gay, he thought sarcastically. He shook his head hastily. "What I'm trying to say is please, don't leave now. We're all here and I want the three of us to hang out, have fun, fix whatever went wrong between the three of us." She sighed heavily.
"I know. But I just need to go now. I can't fix anything with my best friends until I fix my problems with myself. You understand, don't you?" she asked. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. After all, he was her best friend.
"Yeah, I get it," he admitted reluctantly. "But why America?" She shrugged.
"I like it there." She laughed. "I remember once, Mr. Weasley told me that American muggles are the most exciting."
Harry groaned. "I guess nothing I say will convince you to stay here?"
"Nope. But don't worry. It won't be for long. I could use the vacation," she said. He nodded.
"Come say bye before you leave," he told her.
"Will do," she said smiling.
A/N: Well there it is. I hope you guys will still read this! Love, Amber.
