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I'm overwhelmed by the intensity of response to Hermione's runaway act.
I'm glad this story has still kept you all entertained. I hope you continue reading like you have been.

Thank you !

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CHAPTER 41.

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"What do you mean by she's gone?" Harry's voice harboured dangerously as he felt his wife's fingers go limp in his hand.

Ginny looked shocked and distraught not unlike Draco himself.

"Two words Potter. She's. Gone. Get a bloody dictionary if it stumps you." Draco said acerbically before he abruptly apparated away with a loud and angry pop.

"Harry... The parchment..." Ginny said, pointing at the piece that was on the floor.

Harry started out of his reverie and accioed the parchment into his hands.

Draco,
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. It's not fair.
This time I'm leaving for good.

Ginny and Harry stared at each other unbelievingly.

"What in the world is happening? Malfoy sent a patronus saying he's taking Hermione home. And now he comes looking for her. Clearly something upset her and she's taken off again. I swear to Merlin if he's done something to offend her I will..."

"Harry! Harry!" Ginny protested. "Calm down. I'm sure Draco didn't have anything to do with it. Didn't you see him? He looked very upset himself."

"Then why is this note addressed to Draco? I bet something has happened that caused her to flee." Harry fretted. "We need to find Malfoy."

"Harry, darling. Listen to me. You need to calm down. I know it's upsetting that Hermione's fled again especially just after we found her, but you need to remember that Draco is more worried about it all. He's probably going to blame himself about it. We can't judge unless we know the whole story." Ginny reasoned.

Harry sighed. "I suppose you're right. But what can be done now? Hermione's gone and Malfoy just left. There's no one to give us any answers."

"Get ready." Ginny said. "We'll pop by Malfoy's flat and if he's there which is unlikely, we demand some explanation. If not we go over to her hospital and take it from there."

Harry nodded, glad that they had some plan, however bleak it sounded. In truth, he knew it was just futile. Hermione was good at hiding. If she really wanted to, she could stay hidden for life. It had taken her over a year and a half to talk to them; that too on Draco's insistence. Godric knew how long it would take for her to reach out to them now.

They got dressed quickly and apparated together to Draco's. The flat looked empty. Ginny cast a homenum revelio to hasten the process of finding someone here. It came out negative.

"They're not here." She said dejected, even though she was prepared for it.

"Hey, we never did expect to find them here now did we?" Harry consoled her. "Let's just look around."

They tiptoed their way into the living room, which was a slight mess. Draco and Hermione's formal robes lay over the floor heaped up. The sofa was tilted at an unnatural angle, and Draco's beloved lampshade was lying on the floor.

"What in the world happened here?" Harry asked out loud.

"Do you think he got angry and pushed things around?" Ginny asked tentatively.

Harry shrugged. "Why are Hermione's robes on the floor?"

"She came here last night. She must have removed them." Ginny said.

"None of this makes sense. Come on; let's go check the rest of the house." Harry urged as he kicked one of Hermione's heels out of his way.

"Strange that her stuff happens to be lying around here but she's missing." Ginny noted.

They reached Draco's bedroom and like the living room, it too was slightly messy. The bed looked thoroughly slept in and a pillow was on the floor and half of the duvet was touching the ground.

Hermione's other shoe was lying at the corner of the bed.

"Harry?" Ginny said urgently. "We need to go to Hermione's room immediately."

"But Ginny..." Harry barely managed to say when he felt the familiar but not pleasant pull of apparition. He was panting by the time they reached their destination.

"Some... warning would... have been nice..." He said, trying to catch his breath.

"I told you we had to go Harry." Ginny snapped and quickly started moving around.

"I thought it would be up for discussion. Didn't expect you to kidnap me then and there." Harry argued.

Ginny didn't comment but continued to open her cupboards and drawers. She quickly went over to the bathroom and Harry could hear the opening and shutting of cabinets.

"Ginny ... Mind telling me.." He started but stopped as Ginny came out of the bathroom looking slightly lost.

"Gin? What's going on love?" He asked gently.

"Harry... I don't want to sound absurd or out of line here, but I think.." She gulped and made a face. "I'm not really sure.. But it all points out to it. It's only an assumption." Ginny said.

"What is it Ginny?" Harry asked impatiently.

His feisty wife usually never stammered or thought twice about speaking her mind. Even when she was wrong. He was starting to get worried when she was fighting for words.

Ginny swallowed. "I think Hermione and Draco slept together." She said softly and all in one breath, hoping silently, that Harry hadn't heard it, which was silly really; because if he hadn't then she would just have to repeat it again. She knew how protective her husband was of Hermione, and she really didn't want the rare, slowly budding friendship between Draco and Harry to plummet six feet under over this.

Harry stiffened, his eyes narrowed and his body language changed considerably. Ginny groaned in her mind and was torn between being mad at Draco for leaving her alone to confront an enraged Harry, and being relieved that he wasn't actually here, so she could calm Harry down by the time he actually came.

"No." He said finally. "It can't be. How in the world did you even come to that conclusion? You're right. It's absurd."

"Is it really Harry?" Ginny countered. "Think about it. She's always loved him, you told me so yourself. They are both adults. I know she's a sister to you but you need to understand that she can do what she wants as an adult. And I know for a fact Draco would die for her. He has always loved her and still does. Maybe they finally saw that. Why would it be impossible for something like that to happen?"

"But ..." Harry said.

"Her things are all over Draco's flat. The bed was a mess. Draco was a mess when he came over earlier... It all points out to that Harry." Ginny deduced.

"But.. But then why would she leave? If they finally worked things out and declared their love to each other then why would she just up and leave again Ginny?" Harry asked. "I'm not averse to their friendship to evolve into something... Physical... But she left. She left Gin. That can't be good. Something bad must have happened. She wouldn't have left otherwise."

Ginny was thinking. "I checked her cupboards and drawers. All empty. Even the bathroom. She's really gone."

Harry ran his hand through his unruly black hair and plonked on the bed, sighing defeatedly. "What could he have done? I swear to Merlin if he has a hand in this I will... "

"Harry." Ginny said gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "He loves her unconditionally. I've seen it in his eyes. He would never do anything to hurt her. Whatever happened yesterday, I'm not sure. But I'm certain that Draco intentionally would never do anything to make her uncomfortable. You saw him today. He looked as distraught as us. Maybe more."

Harry let his wife's words sink into him. It was true that he had found out from Ginny that Draco indeed loved Hermione. And from his chat with Hermione earlier, it was clear that she had loved him back. And she still did. Harry wanted Hermione to be happy and Draco wanted the same. It was obvious what was supposed to happen. Hermione would have to realise Draco's feelings for her and vice versa.

Harry and Ginny had hoped that with finding Hermione, Draco could also help her find herself. Harry would never have admitted this long ago, but it was true. Draco Malfoy was good for Hermione. They really cared for each other. After all, Draco had found her. Granted, it was by accident, but nevertheless he did find her. And it was because of him that Hermione had taken the step to slowly let people into her life again.

Whatever had happened last night that had caused her to run away again was between the two of them. Draco surely wouldn't want her to go away and he was probably all over the city trying to find her. Ginny was right. They were both responsible adults and had a right to do as they wished. It was stupid of him to jump to the old conclusion of not trusting Malfoy. He was trying. He really was, and he hated to admit it but Malfoy was starting to grow on him. He could imagine now why Hermione would have befriended him in the first place. She always believed in giving people a chance. She hung on to hope even when things looked difficult.

Well, whatever occurred between Malfoy and Hermione was actually none of his business. What mattered now was finding Hermione. Harry hoped that Malfoy would return soon so that they could go about planning.

"You're right. I'm just being the old Hogwarts Harry. I can't help it Gin. It's Hermione. We just got her back. I can't lose her again." Harry choked.

"Sshh honey." Ginny said as she slid next to him on the bed. She held his face gently in her palms and looked him in the eye. "We'll find her. We will." She raised her lips to his and kissed him passionately, trying to console him.

He kissed her back ferociously, channelling his anger and frustration and helplessness all into it.

A sound of apparition was heard in the living room and Ginny abruptly broke the kiss. "Did you hear that?" She asked.

Harry nodded, getting up. "It could be Malfoy." He said as he made his way toward the other room.

Ginny followed him when they heard a voice.

"Hello? Draco? You in here?"

"That's Katherine!" Ginny said as she rushed to get to the living room.

"Katherine?" Ginny asked.

"Oh Ginny. Hi. Is Draco here?" Katherine asked.

"No. Why? Did he come to see you? Do you have any idea where he could be if not here?" Harry asked.

Katherine took a deep breath. "Draco came by earlier at the hospital. He was a mess. I mean, I've usually seen him all cool and calm. Knowing what to do. He wasn't so scattered even when he was in the hospital. So he came by and demanded to see Hermione. Delinda didn't know how to handle this and so she sent him to me." Katherine paused. "He came and asked for Hermione. I told him she was still on leave and wouldn't join until the day after. He asked if she had visited the hospital at all since morning. I said no. Then he told me that he couldn't find Hermione and that if she did stop by I must bring her immediately to him. I went by his flat and it was empty so I thought he would be here."

Ginny and Harry listened to Katherine carefully. It looked like Draco had had the same idea of going to the hospital to check for Hermione. But clearly she hadn't been there.

"Did you check properly for her in the hospital? Maybe she was there and didn't meet you." Ginny asked.

Katherine shook her head. "No. She hasn't been to the hospital at all. We have a magical signature register. Everyone on the staff has to sign in and out. There is no other way."

Ginny sighed. "You came to look for Draco?"

"Oh yeah." Katherine piped up. "I got this by owl just a few minutes ago and I thought I'd come show it to Draco." She said handing a parchment to Ginny.

"It's from Hermione!" Ginny said excitedly.
Katherine nodded. Harry inched closer to read what was written in it. As Ginny and Harry read on, their faces that had been lit up by hope seemed to fall.

"This... These are instructions for you Katherine. It doesn't say anything about where she is or when she'll be back." Ginny said with a hitch in her breath.

Katherine nodded sadly. "I know. All she wrote was to inform the hospital that she was on an indefinite leave. And if they have a problem with that then she would consider herself resigning. Her pay is supposed to be directed to the rent account for her flat. Looks like she was serious about leaving."

"This creates more questions than we had." Harry said.

"Is everything okay? I mean I don't know what's happening but I really want to help." Katherine said earnestly.

"Thanks Katherine." Ginny smiled. "We would really appreciate the help. We don't know what to do ourselves, but it would help if you kept your eyes open for her, in case you see her anywhere."

"I will. But please do let me know if I can do anything more." Katherine said.

Harry and Ginny nodded as she apparated away. They looked at each other worriedly.

"I hate these notes she's left." Harry grumbled. "Gives such a feeling of finality."

"Remember when she used to send blank parchments?" Ginny smirked. "They seem better now, don't they?"

Harry laughed mirthlessly. "I don't know what to do now Gin."

"Me neither love. Me neither." Ginny said as she mirrored his disappointment.

Just then Draco apparated into the living room, looking worse than he did when he had left in the morning. He looked so lost and dejected that even if Harry had been livid with him, one look at him would have shown that he was devastated by it all.

He went straight to the dining table and pulled up a chair. Sitting down, he placed his head in his hands. "I drove her away. We had her and I drove her away." He said without looking up. "She was doing so much better. I was sure she would get better if she reconnected with herself and the people she loved. I should have left. I should have just left before things got out of hand. I should have known I would slip up sometime..."

Ginny went over to the table and put a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder. "Draco, don't blame yourself please. She made such great progress and it was all your doing. She actually consented to see us because of you. That counts for something. You said so yourself that she was making progress."

Draco nodded. His eyes were bloodshot and his hair was disarray. He still had his shirt inside out and he looked like he had fought a war. Ginny's heart went out to him. He was upset all the time when they had been unable to find Hermione in the past. But that was a calm and under control kind of upset. Totally contrary to what he seemed to be right now. To have found her and brought her back on track only to lose her again was killing him. And he blamed himself for it.

Ginny hugged him tightly and patted his back. It felt odd, comforting Draco Malfoy but it also felt right.

"I shouldn't have. So stupid. So bloody stupid." He kept saying.

Harry came and took the 3rd seat on the table. Ginny let go of Draco and started making some tea. "Want to talk about it?" She ventured.

Draco looked up for a moment, weighing his answer. Giving up, he started. "I... I said something yesterday.. At the ball.. We were in the balcony, having a good time. Laughing even. I said something and she just started crying. She was hysterical for a bit. I panicked and wondered if I should call for you or a Healer or someone. But then she was fine. I thought I'd take her home, make her some tea and talk to her about what had happened. We came to my flat and she was still crying. But at least she wasn't frozen or anything like she was earlier. I was really scared." Draco gulped.

Ginny put some hot tea in front of him and urged him to have some. She could see Harry mentally fighting his urge to console Draco and tell him off at the same time. Ginny spoke up before he could say anything. "I'm sure you handled her just fine. What happened then?" She gently urged him.

Draco swallowed some of the piping hot liquid that burned his throat but he didn't even flinch at the pain. "Uh.. I apologised to her. Tried to make her feel better and then she... She... Uh.. She kissed me." He said, staring into the cup of tea.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other giving knowing looks that confirmed Ginny's suspicions. Ginny started to run various scenarios in her mind, knowing well by now why Hermione must have run away.

"I tried to pull away. I really did." Draco continued as he looked at Harry, trying to defend himself. "It's not that I didn't want it. I've loved her for years. But not like this. I couldn't take advantage of her vulnerability."

"No one's blaming you Draco. Harry understands. We don't judge you at all, we don't, do we Harry?" Ginny prompted, looking at Harry.

Harry cleared his throat. He really didn't like this heart to heart but it was important to let Draco know that he didn't hold any hard feelings. "Malfoy. It's okay. I'm not going to go big brother on you. Both you and Hermione are adults. It's alright. Go on."

There was a slight flicker of relief in Draco's eyes as he looked at Ginny and Harry and then back into his cup of tea. "I'm not apologising for what I did. I don't regret it. I only feel guilty about how it happened."

"We understand Draco. There's nothing wrong in that." Ginny convinced him.

"I pulled away." Draco continued."And she looked at me with the strangest expression. I mean, I just wanted to slow it down, she was upset and weak. She didn't know what she was doing. I wanted to step up and do the responsible thing for the first time in my life." He laughed. "But I couldn't. I looked into her eyes and I saw hurt and rejection swirling in those eyes. She looked so confused."

Draco drained the rest of his and stood up and started pacing around. "I really, truly wanted to walk away but just looking at her... She was so lonely and it was like she was silently beckoning me. I just couldn't ... I couldn't leave. And then before I knew it... We ... Were on my bed and things just accelerated from there. I went to bed wishing I could wake up with her next to me like this every day and I woke up this morning to nothing." He finished.

"I knew something would go wrong in the morning. I mean its Hermione. Have you ever known her not to feel responsible for anything?" Draco asked.

"She feels guilty." Ginny realised. "That's why she said sorry to you in the note."

"Hermione feels like she took advantage of you. But running away is bit too extreme don't you think?" Harry asked.

"Harry, love you need to remember that she was extremely vulnerable last night. She did it once remember. She probably can't face Draco right now." Ginny reasoned.

"Malfoy, if you don't mind me asking.. What.. Um.. What was it that you said that upset her so much?" Harry asked cautiously.

Draco sighed. It wasn't easy baring it all in front of the Potter's. Well, Ginny he could have spoken to easily, but Potter; well, let's say this wasn't the kind of conversation he wanted to have anytime soon with Potter. But they were here and he had no one else who was close to Hermione and understood her as well as they did. They deserved to know why Hermione had left in midst of their visit here.

"I said she'd make a great mum one day. And she just.. She was different after that." Draco sighed. "I had no idea it would escalate this way. She's never mentioned anything about it before. I feel so bloody angry with myself."

Harry let out a long breath. Everything seemed to fit in place now. Hermione would decidedly get upset over that, especially after their conversation earlier. She must have been hurting more than she had shown. He understood now how and why the events that followed had happened.

Ginny looked slightly confused. She looked at Harry enquiringly. "We just spoke about it in the afternoon." Harry told Ginny. "Hermione still feels guilty about not having children with Ron." He explained. "Ron always wanted kids and Hermione wanted to wait. She thinks it's the least she could have done and Ron died without having children."

Ginny and Draco both looked shocked by the revelation. Harry looked uncomfortable telling this to them. Usually he wouldn't have said anything. It wasn't his story to tell, but the circumstances were such that he had to say something.

"But they were barely married a year and a half." Ginny argued.

Harry nodded. "That was the premise of Hermione's reasoning too. But she won't stop feeling like it was her fault."

"But we didn't know that Ron was going to die did we? There's so much we could have done differently. Why would she blame herself?" Ginny asked.

"She would. It's just her. There's probably a long list of other things that she had absolutely no control over that she feels responsible for. She thrives on guilt." Draco answered.

Ginny shook her head sadly. "Draco! I just remembered. Katherine stopped by earlier. She received a letter from Hermione stating that she was taking an indefinite leave from the hospital. I'm worried this means that she's not coming back anytime soon."

Draco sighed. "I drove her away. She was doing so well. I drove her away."

"None of that Draco Malfoy." Ginny said sharply. "We have our hands full with one person who has a conscience that gets guilty faster than we can say Merlin. We don't need you to add to that. Whatever took place between the two of you has happened and it's done with. We need to focus on finding Hermione."

"She's right Malfoy." Harry quipped. "No point in crying over spilt milk."

Draco and Ginny both looked at him weirdly, figuring that he just used one of the strange muggle idioms he was fond of. They didn't even bother asking for its meaning.

"I went by her parents. She's not gone there either. I didn't expect her to." Draco said. "I went to all the places we went together over the past two months. She hadn't been there either." Draco said.

"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked.

"I cast a locating charm specific for her. She hadn't been there. And if she does go there now or later, I'll be notified. I left a specific ward for her in those places." Draco replied.

"That was good thinking Draco." Ginny said impressed. "That will really help us find her if she does decide to go to any of the places."

Harry stood up suddenly. "I think we should go to the ministry here. Let's request the people there to let us know if she applies for a portkey or apparition licence or anything. If she does, that would narrow down our search."

Draco nodded and got up immediately, glad that they finally had something to do.

Ginny went to her room to get their coats. "Harry?" She cried out from her room.

Draco and Harry looked at each other wondering if they should go in, when Ginny came out with a piece of parchment and without the coats. "Hermione left us this. I can't believe I didn't see it earlier." Ginny said.

Harry held the note and started reading it with Draco over his shoulder reading it too.

Harry and Ginny,
I can't say how sorry I am to leave you like this.
You both came for me and here I am running away again.
I know you are disappointed in me.
But not more than I am with myself.
I truly cherish every moment we spent together.
I wish I didn't have to leave you there worrying about me because I know you will.
But I'll be fine.
I just need some more time.
I know I said that last time and it was a long time before I met you.
I don't know what I'm going to do but I just need to go.
I'm not worth all the trouble.
Don't worry about me.
I'm really sorry.

Hermione.

"This doesn't sound good." Ginny whispered.

"It's like before all over again." Draco said defeated.

"Except we'll find her this time." Harry said, jaw set and determination in his eyes. "She's bloody more than worth it, why can't she see that?"

"You found her once Draco." Ginny said kindly. "You'll find her again."

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Okay..

Nothing exciting.. Filler of sorts.

Wanted to show Harry- Draco- Ginny interaction in this chapter!

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading!