Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: Thank you for all the support dear readers! Enjoy. :)

Chapter 6: Alleviation

Bloody Hell.

I thought she would come here sooner or later but I never expected that 'later' would be now. I tried to open my mouth to speak, to explain to her. I knew I had a lot to tell her, give an explanation why I haven't been seen her after she came home.

But then, I noticed her seemingly pale appearance and her bloodshot eyes. My instinct got the best of me and I looked at the elves. "Kreacher, please get Teddy and tuck him in my bed. And Winky, please make dinner so that all of us can eat." I gave the sleeping Teddy to Kreacher, who was more adept in handling him, and in just a matter of seconds, they scooted out of the hall.

Before I could even ask, I was crushed into a bone-breaking hug.

I could feel the weight of her sobs as she cried. I let her cry in my shoulders for a while, rubbing her back, as I thought of reasons why she was crying. . .again. I didn't know how to comfort her, so I just stayed there with her and closed my eyes as I whispered, "Sssshhhhh. It's alright Hermione, I'm here."

It could've been like this, under different circumstances. It could've been the two of us. If I had only noticed sooner how I loved her. I knew, I already knew I loved her from the start. She was always the one.

With her, I felt safe. I knew that with her around, everything would be fine, everything would work out. If I had only known sooner, maybe, just maybe. . .she would've been my chosen one, not Ron's.

But then again, I was too late, always too late.

The hug lasted for a few more minutes more before she broke it. I looked into her eyes, those eyes that promised safety, care, compassion, loyalty and never-ending friendship, those eyes that always saw the very depth of my soul. It took me awhile before I finally tore my gaze away and remembered to address the matters that I needed to know.

"What happened?"

She sniffed and produced a small smile. I let her take her time to gather her thoughts and quietly wiped away the remaining tears on her face. I gave her a small smile and quietly waited until she was finally calm enough to speak.

"I h-had a fight with Ron b-because h-he doesn't w-want me to return to Hogwarts. H-he said I can a-always join the t-two of you and t-train as an Auror but I couldn't just give up o-on s-school."

I pulled her back into another hug as I tried to hush her, but she kept talking. "I h-have b-been thinking about what I wanted to do w-when I left to find my p-parents and I thought t-that finishing school will b-be the f-first step to achieve my goal."

I rubbed circles around her back as she took a huge gulp of air and exhaled. I know she was struggling with this and it pained me. Why did Ron do this again? He promised me! "H-he t-told me that I was always thinking of myself, that I didn't care about what he felt and that I should also try to understand I tried, I really tried to but it's just –"

I pulled her closer and murmured comforting words softly in her ears as she cried again. When I finally had enough, I wiped away her tears and cupped her face with my hands, willing her to look at me. "It will be okay, he'll come around. Knowing him, he just wanted to make sure that you will be safe by keeping you close. He would need time to understand it. Stop crying, I'll be with you until he can finally find it in him to apologize."

I sighed as I enveloped her closer in my hug. "Both of us know Ron, he's just as frustrated as I am because of how the things turned out but everything will be ok." I kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes in my touch. I was never good with crying women, especially if that woman was your best friend. I have never been that open with my feelings either. Hermione was always fierce and strong, so when I saw her face filled with tears, I felt. . .useless.

We stood there for a while as I tried to sooth her. I didn't know how much time has passed, nor did I care. All I wanted was to make her feel better and see her smile again. "Don't cry, just hex him or something. I'm sure some birds will be more than willing to do it for you."

She chuckled at what I said and punched me in the chest. Relief washed over me when I felt the old Hermione coming back and I couldn't help but smile."Thank you for being here. W-we were always having rounds these past few weeks and I just couldn't take it anymore."

I smiled at her and wiped her tears. "Anytime, that's what I'm here for."

Truthfully, I didn't want to discuss this topic further so I cleared my throat and gestured for her to come with me and sit down on the living room. "So. . .errr. ..how are you? I heard from Mrs. Weasley that you finally found your parents."

"I'm fine. My parents didn't take it well, but it was for their own good after all. I know things will never be the same but I will try my best." It didn't feel good when she spoke those words. When I looked at her eyes, a glint of sadness still lingered in them before I looked down, unable to face her. I didn't want to push the topic further because I knew she would open it up when she's ready. Still, it didn't do anything to relieve me of my guilt. My fault.

"Sorry. It was my fault that you got involved in this war. I am sorry for what you had to suffer because of me." I tried to look at the floor but warm hands made their way into my cheeks, making me look at those chocolate brown eyes that I adored. Even with all of this, I only saw worry, acceptance and care. . .typical.

"Don't, I was the one who chose to stay with you in that battle. But it's over now. My parents are fine, really. And they are. . .grateful for what you have done. I know it took me a while to come back. When I finally found them, I practiced a perfect speech before I removed the spell. I had loads of time to practice and in the end, I was finally able to tell them bits and pieces of the truth." I silently nodded. I became lost in my own whirlwind of thoughts while she looked at me and I just offered her a warm smile.

My stomach suddenly grumbled and both of us looked at it. I put one hand in front of it before looking at Hermione, who was trying to stifle a silent laughter. Embarrassed, I turned my gaze away as warmth spread on my cheeks.

"Errr. . .sorry about that. I think dinner will be ready soon. We can talk while eating, you know, catch up." I stood up and held my hand to help her and she took it. I led her to the kitchen as an upward quirk formed in the corners of my mouth.

While we were on our way, she looked around, her mouth agape as she saw the changes in the once very grim house. "Wow, this place is really, really different from the place I knew before. I can't believe it, you guys did a brilliant job." She looked around like an excited child, marveling at the sudden, welcoming coziness that the house provided and pausing when she saw something interesting.

I smiled while I was looking at her childish reaction. Being the mature one in the trio, it was never really a feature of Hermione to giggle like a schoolgirl or a child who was about to open her Christmas presents. I guess this was one of the rare moments that would make your heart skip a beat, especially since you knew that she had that air of happiness surrounding her. Mesmerized, it took me a while before I realized that she was looking at me in confusion.

"Sorry, I got lost inside my own little world. Well, yeah, I guess we did. Ron and Luna did a good job. Your room is on the third floor, I think it was the former room of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. You can stay there every time you visit. Put your books there or something."

She flashed me a brilliant smile and all the worries from the previous conversation were forgotten as I showed her the changes we've made at the different parts of the house. "I have been planning to talk to Kingsley about putting muggle devices here but still, we really don't know how to commence the plan yet because this is not a errrr. . . muggle home."

When we arrived at the kitchen, I gestured her to sit down while we waited for Winky to bring the food. My heart was beating very fast and my body felt like it was burning because of the recent. . .changes that suddenly occurred towards my perception of her. I never even thought that I would have problems talking to Hermione like this. Was this a part of falling in love with someone close to you?

She seemed to notice my discomfort because she cleared her throat and tried to usher me into another conversation. I quirked my brow when I saw her hesitant face, the tides have turned. She sat uncomfortably in her chair and tried to find words while I finally regained my composure.

"There's something that I wanted to ask you."

I nodded at her, urging her to continue. "It's a bit serious actually . . . and well. . .I was wondering if you were trying to. . .avoid us." I stared at her and tried to fabricate an excuse for my absence; I began to stare at my plate and played with the fork, I knew that she would not believe me, especially now that I already made a complete fool out of myself.

"I errr. . . was just busy this month. You see, I have been forcing Andromeda to let me take care of Teddy, keep me company. And er – I am still trying to, you know. . .figure things out." I looked at her eyes which were full of concern; I could tell that she wasn't going to believe me but I couldn't really tell her of the real reason. She sighed and looked intently at me. And unpleasant feeling settled at the pit of my stomach while I waited for her to speak.

"Honestly Harry, if that was the only case then you could've told us so that we could've convinced her together. I know you are hiding something but I won't press the issue further. Speaking of which, do you even know how you will take care of Teddy by your own? Can you handle it by yourself?"

"Er– I knew you would say that. I was still trying to figure things out. The elves are helping me too."

"Harry, Teddy is only three months old. You could've at least asked Andromeda for advices!"

Well this was embarrassing. I looked like a school boy who did something naughty. I looked down the floor, trying my best not to look at her.

"You didn't, did you? Honestly Harry, sometimes, you should make things easier for yourself." She slumped back in her chair and crossed her arms. Silence followed suit as we tried to decipher what to say.

When she realized that I wasn't going to talk, another sigh suddenly escaped her lips. "All right, I will help you with Teddy for a while." She suddenly felt embarrassed as she turned her look away, a tinge of pink stained her cheeks. "That is. . . if it will be okay with you."

Great! Now what? I'm already having a hard time keeping my composure while talking to her, what more would it be when she decided to stay?

She twiddled with her fingers as she waited for my response. I gulped, she seemed really nervous. And I knew that I couldn't say no. I just couldn't imagine her reaction if I refused. It would also be a good thing, I hope, to have someone close to you around for once.

I gave an inward sigh. This battle was already a losing one. "Fine, but don't you want to spend time with your parents? You know, help them and such?"

"My parents are already settled in London, Harry. That is the reason it took me almost two months to come back. I've been helping them. It was hard, really." Her eyes looked thoughtful and the sadness that seemed to envelop them came back. Nevertheless, she looked back at me and gave a small smile. "So?"

"Errr. . . All right."

I felt her relax at my response and she gave me another smile. "I am more than happy to decorate the room that you have set up for me. I would've asked Ginny and Ron to come but seeing how things are, I don't want you to see me have another set of rows with Ron. And it would be awkward for me to have Ginny here when I know that the atmosphere will be a bit different. So. . .it will be just you and me again."

Her eyes were solemn and for the first time since she arrived, she was relaxed. There was no sign that she has been crying a while ago, except for the puffy eyes.

Yeah, it would be perfect, you and me living in the same house with just the two of us. And you didn't know how much it meant to me. So. . . "Yeah."

I thought it was the end of the conversation. That both of us would happily eat afterwards and make up for the time lost. What I didn't know was that another shocking question that followed.

"Speaking of Ginny, what happened between the two of you?"

I couldn't speak to her about my break up with Ron's sister. I tried to find words to describe the talk Ginny and I had but after a while of awkward silence, food magically appeared and Winky came towards my side, a potion in hand.

"Harry Potter sir, the food is prepared. Harry Potter can now start eating with his Missy. Kreacher and Winky will eat later when you have finished so that little Teddy can have some company. And here is your potion sir. Winky already took the liberty to take it to you." I muttered a small thank you and with a small bow and smile, the elf disappeared. I gulped, dreading the next time Hermione would speak. I could almost hear her scream.

Hermione eyed me suspiciously, knowing that something was wrong. "Harry James Potter! You have so much to tell me. Why in the name of Merlin, are you taking potions?" Her voice was stern and her face was crumpled into a frown.

Trust Hermione to find out every bloody secret you were keeping! What should I tell her? Surely it would be unwise to say that I am screaming my head off every night because of some stupid nightmares?

I sighed, I was like a kid being scolded by my mum; and it was worse than any Howler. So I tried to do something I do best, divert.

"I er –– after you left, you know that. . . things in the Burrow were not the same as they used to be. About Ginny, I approached her and asked how she was. And then, she asked me about our relationship and if I was still willing to return things to the way they were before. I told her that I haven't thought about it and that things were not the same."

I sighed again, remembering all of this made me feel bad. "After that, we both agreed that we needed some space and a relationship will not work with the way things were. We errr. . . kind of officially broke up, but we're still friends, great friends. We were both mature enough." Another sigh escaped my parted lips as I looked at worried face. "I don't know, Hermione. This war has changed my life in many ways than you could ever imagine."

She looked at me with such concern in her eyes that it shook me, I was grateful she was here. No one would ever understand like she did and I never had let others know this part of me. . .not even Andromeda.

She gave me a small hug and placed her hand on my shoulder. "Harry, I know the war had a huge effect on your life. I also know that what you have been through was tough for a seventeen year-old boy. Believe me, we were all grateful for what you have done, for all your help and sacrifices. And now that you're suffering because of this, I can't help but feel worried and sad. I feel for you. And I. . .honestly think that your decision was the best that you can think of at the moment."

I slowly nodded at what she said. She was always the one that was with me when everything was not going the way they were supposed to . . .not Ron, not Ginny, nor was it anyone else. It only increased the feelings I already held for her, made them strongerwith every action, every word. . .every touch.

She produced a crooked smile and looked at her watch. "I have to go now Harry. I will come back tomorrow with my things and maybe, we can go shopping. Thank you for listening to me."

I nodded and both of us stood up. When I finally said my goodbye, I heard a loud crack and she was gone. I went back into the kitchen, noticed that she left her meal totally untouched and left me utterly astonished with the things that happened tonight.

I was little relieved that she forgot to about the potion, for now. Because I didn't think I could handle telling her that she died, every bloody time I dream.

A/N: R&R! I hope you enjoyed. :)