The words blurred in front of her eyes, it seemed as if they were dancing across the page, evading her sight, mocking her. She let out a frustrated sigh and pressed a clammy palm against her forehead. She was currently going through a bout of headaches, it was a regular occurrence for her, they lasted a few days and then they calmed. Ever since her torture in Malfoy Manor she had been getting them. At first they occurred every couple of days, eventually they became so painful and distracting for her that she had decided enough was enough and brewed a potion to try and alleviate the pain. It had worked, but was not without its faults, she found if she took it too regularly it made her nauseous. So she only took it when the pain became unbearable.

Right this moment, as she sat at her desk in her new office, the pain was not so bad that she needed her potion. However, it was enough that she couldn't read the lengthy text on the Wizarding Equality Act 1708 but not enough for the potion.

"Hermione?"

For the first time she heard her name, it was soft and hushed through the ringing in her ears. She looked up with wet eyes.

"Harry" She said as a way of greeting and then sat looking at him. His movements were sheepish, hands in pockets, avoiding her unrelenting stare. He was oblivious to the pain she in and her distraction.

"I felt bad...about our argument the other day..." he waited for a response from her but she just looked down at the enormous book on her mahogany desk. He sighed, assuming her silence meant she was still cross with him. He sat in one the shiny patent leather seats positioned at an angle in front of her desk. "I was wrong to have a go like that...I'm happy for you..."

She sniffed and looked up as if hearing him for the first time. "Thank you harry..."

He smiled, he could tell from her voice that she wasn't angry with him and that her forgiveness was sincere. "How about I take you to lunch to celebrate your first day?"

A troubled expression appeared on her face. "What is it?" he asked worriedly.

She shook her head and with immense effort plastered a smile onto her face. "Don't look so worried...I just have a lot of reading to do" she glanced down at the book and tried to appear apologetic.

"You're first day and you're already burying yourself in your work, just like we knew you would...come on Hermione, prove us wrong...take the time to come and have a sandwich with me...you know want to" His voice was a teasing lilt and his eyes twinkled.

His boyish charm was too much for her to resist, and despite her aching head she found it betraying her by nodding, seemingly of its own volition. She got up slowly, careful not to move her head too sharply as that normally sent a pang of pain through it.

Harry appeared pleased at this rare feat. He ushered her out of the office before she could change her mind.

They went to a nearby muggle cafe, they preferred it to the cafes populated by wizards and witches because they seldom got recognised and could eat and talk in peace. It also had the additional benefit of being away from Diagon Alley which meant Weasleys Wizard Weezes was far away and she would have no chance of bumping into Ron who inhabited his brother's shop in his lunch times.

She wondered briefly whether Ron had told Harry about their little disagreement the other day. She decided he probably had and that Harry was just waiting for the right moment to bring it up. She decided to spare him the agro.

"I suppose Ron told you how he turned up in my bedroom the other morning" She said casually as the waitress delivered their sandwiches and tea.

Harry deliberated about whether he should take a huge bite of sandwich in a frantic bide for time. He decided against this plan and thought it better to get it over with. "Yes he did, he's really pissed off Hermione...he only came to see how you were, he felt bad about...well everything...and wanted to spend some time with you before you started the new job"

She felt a pang of guilt pierce her heart like a bolt of lightning; suddenly it was hard to breath as she thought about how she had barked at him to leave. The ache in her head started to pulsate. "I didn't mean to..." her voice trailed off and she suddenly felt unable to continue.

Harry looked exasperated, he sighed deeply "Then why did you?"

Before she could answer the question, there was a loud crash from the kitchen where someone had accidentally dropped a plate or cup. The noise caused Hermione to jump and move her head before she could think. She winced and gasped as sharp pain she had been trying so hard to avoid shot through her head, she pressed her hand to it in a hope to repress it.

Harry's eyes were wide and he looked questioningly at her. "What's wrong?"

Her voice was barely a whisper and it took her a time to answer "No..nothing,,,its just a headache!"

"Just a headache?" He couldn't hide the doubt or concern from the question.

"Yeah honestly its fine...I get them all the time" He eyes were barely open as she spoke and she was cradling her head in her hands, clearly distressed. She was to distracted to realise the vital fact she had just blurted out.

"...All the time?" Harry asked quietly but more to himself. "Exactly how long has this been going on for?" She didn't reply, remaining in her position, struggling to hear him and think straight. "Come on" He said, getting up from him seat and moving to help her stand. "I'm taking you to St Mungos"

She regained her senses enough to extract herself from his arms. "I'm not going there Harry" she whispered.

Harry stopped trying to manoeuvre her and stood still. "Don't argue with me Hermione, for once, will you just listen? You need to get this checked out!"

She looked up then, her chocolate eyes, unusually dark, her skin pale. "I've had it checked out, I've had it all checked out! There's no point in going" She began to pull on her jacket that was set on the chair she had been sitting on and went to move past him to leave.

He was still contemplating her words when she turned around and pleaded. "Please Harry, I don't want anyone knowing about this, it's my business, I'd like to keep it private" She was begging him and he felt he had no choice but to comply, he felt his head nod at her and then lower into his tired hand as he watched her leave.