A/N: Ok... so, one month and two tonsils later I finally have an update for y'all! Before we carry on, I have a few things I'd like to say. First, thank you everyone who reviewed and has been loyal to this story. I very much appreciate it. Like really, it's awesome! You guys rock! Second, this chapter is a bit short and I do apologize for that. I move back to school this weekend and start school Monday, but I promise that won't take away from this! Now, on to the story! Enjoy. :)

When Hermione woke, she was more warm and comfortable than she remembered being in some time. She registered that she was not in the guest room of her parents' home in Australia. Instead, the musky, outdoorsy sent of her best friend filled her nose, and she realized that her pillow was moving up and down slowly. When she gathered the strength to open one eye, she was met with the expanse of Harry's shirt-clad chest. She could faintly hear his heartbeat and smiled when she remembered what had happened the night prior. It had been a complete accident, but it was wonderful nonetheless. She'd spent years fantasizing about what it would be like to kiss Harry. And though it wasn't the fireworks she always imagined, his lips were warm and soft and felt so absolutely perfect against hers. And she blamed the lack of fireworks on their state of half-slumber.

After watching him sleep for a few minutes, she realized she very badly needed to relieve herself. When was the last time she'd gone to the bathroom? Not wanting to disturb him, she slowly sat up and eased herself off of the bed. She padded nearly silently into the adjoining bathroom. After using the restroom and brushing her teeth with her finger, she opened the door to see Harry sitting up. He smiled warmly at her, not moving from his spot on the bed. She returned his smile and climbed back onto the bed. She sat next to him, her torso turned to see him.

"Good morning," he said, his smile still in place, "How did you sleep?"

"Rather well, and yourself?"

"Better than I have in ages. Are you hungry?"

She nodded but didn't move to get up. Instead, she scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. In return, he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer still. They breathed in each other's scents happily.

"I missed you very much," Hermione said, the first to break the comfortable silence that had settled over them.

"You've no idea. Several times I had to stop myself from going straight to Australia and hunting you down. It's been so long since I haven't seen you every day. I thought I was going to go crazy," Harry replied, his stomach rumbling.

"Then it's best I'm back, and we'd better get you something to eat," she replied, chuckling slightly.

He nodded, and they both slowly moved to get up. Noticing they were both wearing yesterday's clothes Hermione said, "I suppose we should change, too." But as she moved to walk out of the door, Harry took hold of her forearm and pulled her back to him. He saw her confused expression for only a second before gently pressing his lips to hers once again. When he'd woken that morning, he hadn't been able to think about anything other than the kiss they'd shared the previous night.

Hesitating only a moment, Hermione returned his kiss. Her hands snaked to the back of his neck as his arms wound themselves about her waist. He pulled away a moment later, thinking it would always be too soon. He smiled at her dazed expression, her lips slightly parted and her eyes half-lidded. When she realized he was looking at her, a blush crept up her neck to her cheeks.

"What…"

"Come on," Harry smiled, "let's get dressed and get something to eat." And much to Hermione's ever increasing confusion and curiosity, Harry leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently before releasing her and turning back to his dresser. She walked out of his room almost mechanically, her mind not at all focused on her motor skills. Last night may have been an accident, but this morning certainly was not. What did all of this mean? Did he like her, or was this just misplaced feelings? Had he finally opened his eyes to see that she was perfect for him, had always been there for him, or was he just so happy to have his best friend back that he thought he was feeling something he wasn't? Oh, she had been so happy! Why did she always have to do this, over-think everything? With a sigh, she made a promise to herself to stop overanalyzing whatever was happening with Harry and just go with it. This is what she'd always wanted, after all. With that done, she looked down to see she had managed to pull on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top during all of her musings.

Shrugging, she made her way down to the kitchen to see Harry poking at a pan on the stove.

"That smells wonderful," she said, stopping just behind his shoulder and peeking around him to catch a glimpse at what he was making. There were several slices of bacon and two eggs frying in the pan.

"Thank you. Do you want to get the plates and things?" he asked, looking up at her briefly before returning his attention to their food. She nodded and grabbed two plates and glasses from the cabinet to the left of the sink and two forks and butter knifes from the drawer under the cabinet containing plates. She set the items out on the table and grabbed the container of orange juice from the fridge. Hermione was always glad Harry kept it around because even though they both agreed that pumpkin juice was good, they had grown up on orange juice and it remained their preference.

She took a seat at the table and waited for Harry to finish, knowing he wouldn't let her assist him further. In a few minutes, Harry turned and slid an egg and some bacon from the skillet to Hermione's plate. She smiled her thanks and waited for him to fill his own plate, put the skillet in the sink, and take his seat before beginning to eat. She sighed appreciatively as she chewed; her parents were good cooks, but there was something about Harry's cooking that made it extra-delicious.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" Hermione asked between bites.

"Not much, thankfully. Things were a bit busy while you were gone but have slowed down the past few days. I was thinking about going down to see how George and Ron are getting on with the shop." At Hermione's confused and questioning glance, he continued. "George decided the idle life wasn't for him and that he needed to get the shop running again. He said it was his and Fred's dream and that he needed to continue it in Fred's honor. Ron decided to help out. You know, since we didn't finish Hogwarts and the entire wizarding world is a bit mussed right now he figured there wasn't anything better for him to do. George appreciated it, too."

"That's good of Ron. I'm glad they're trying to get back to life. I know… I know it's not been long, but it's not good to… dwell. Oh, I'm still so upset I missed the funerals! I should have been there for everyone who lost their lives, for you! I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you, Harry," she said, tears swimming in her eyes. She'd tried to not think about it; it hadn't been her fault. She told herself there was nothing she could have done, but then the truth that she could have been more careful and not been hit in the first place always made its way into her thoughts.

"Hermione," Harry said, both gently and sternly, "don't be ridiculous. You were hurt, very badly. No one is upset with you."

"But," she started, a traitorous tear making its way our of her eye, "I should have… I should've been more careful! I shouldn't have been hit at all Constant vigilance! I should have done better."

As she finished her lamentation, Harry walked around the table and knelt at her side. She sniffed as she looked down at him, tears now following one another down her face. He reached up and wiped the tears from her face before taking her hands in his.

"Hermione. How many times have you told me that it wasn't my fault? That there was nothing better I could have done? Well, it's my turn to share your wisdom with you. It wasn't your fault. I know you wish you could have been there, but you shouldn't worry about it. They all know you loved them, that you couldn't have been there. Ok?"

She nodded and gave a watery smile. Harry returned her smile and stood. She too stood and was immediately enveloped in his arms. She immediately felt better, like she was home.

"We don't have to go to the shop, if you don't want," Harry said when they released one another.

"No. No, I want to. I need to properly rejoin wizarding society. Let me just go… freshen up a bit before we go."

Harry nodded understandingly and began to clean up what they'd dirtied with breakfast. Thirty minutes later, they were holding hands in the hall before disappearing with a pop.

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