AN: Thank you everyone for the kind reviews!

Chapter 5

Harry awoke as the sun began to creep in through the blinds. The Sleeping Draught had allowed him 10 full hours of slumber, devoid of dreams. But as Harry slowly regained his surroundings, everything came back full force. The accident with Neville, Ginny crying in the hospital room, Hermione blaming herself for the scar on his leg…

Harry didn't blame Hermione. On the contrary, he was thankful she had saved his life again. Hermione was the only one who had constantly been there for Harry. Year 2, when everyone thought he was the Heir of Slytherin, Year 4 when everyone thought he had put his own name into the Goblet of Fire, Year 7 when Ron left them in the woods and only Hermione stayed behind to help him hunt Horcruxes.

Even as an adult, he enjoyed spending time with Hermione sometimes more than he enjoyed time with Ginny. His relationship with Ginny had become so strained recently. Harry worked odd hours as an Auror and Ginny was constantly pestering him about coming home for dinner.

"Harry, I need you to spend more time with me!" Ginny had said one day after a particularly long night hunting a stray Death Eater. "Isn't it time we got married and started a family? You could stop with such a dangerous job and go work at the Ministry with Dad!"

But at twenty four, Harry didn't want to work at the Ministry. He wanted to protect his world and make a difference. Just because Voldemort was dead didn't mean that everything was roses and butterflies. She didn't understand how important his job was to him and to his family and friends.

But Hermione understood. Harry would often stop at the Leaping Lizard next to the hospital on his way home to grab a Butterbeer with Hermione. She never talked about her loneliness after her split with Ron and he never talked about the breakup that him and Ginny were heading towards; but that didn't matter. They were both there to support each other and forget about the wrong turn their personal lives had taken.

Harry finally sat up in bed and took a sip of water. As he was setting the cup down, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Harry said, thinking it was either Ginny or Hermione. Instead, a giddy Ron pushed through the door and grinned widely at him.

"Harry guess what?" Ron said. Harry looked at him, annoyed. No, "How you feeling?" or anything? thought Harry. Typical of Ron, to think of himself first. Ron was still Harry's best mate but things had definitely changed between them. Harry was sure that Ron knew about the problems he had with Ginny and his late night Butterbeer and talks with Hermione. Even through Ron wasn't with Hermione anymore, he still kept tabs on her.

"Hermione and I snogged in her office last night! She got off shift and I told her I still loved her and she came back to me and we SNOGGED! Isn't that great?" Ron asked as he nearly jumped with excitement.

Harry's jaw dropped. What was Hermione thinking? Harry was there the day that they broke up. He had held Hermione in his arms after she graduated and Ron never showed. Harry had been there and watched for six months as she walked around with puffy eyes and trembling lips. He knew that she had been sad and lonely lately but this was very out of character for her. Ron looked at him, clearly expecting an answer.

"Yea, great." Harry mustered as much enthusiasm as possible. Ron had treated her poorly for years, and she had been doing so well without him.

"I mean, we didn't do… it," Ron looked embarrassed, "because she got up suddenly and left. Said something about a patient or something…" Ron trailed off and looked at the far wall. Hermione, clearly realizing her mistake, had made an excuse to get away and Harry waited for Ron to make that connection. Instead Ron just shook his head and looked back at Harry.

"So, I think we are gonna get back together," Ron said. Harry couldn't believe it. As much as he liked Ron, Hermione deserved to be with someone better than Ron. She was smart and funny and beautiful…

Now it was Harry's turn to shake his head free from thoughts. "Where is Hermione?" he asked Ron.

"Dunno," he said, looking around as if she could possibly be in the room with them. "But she wasn't in her office so she is probably at home. I am gonna go wait for her in her office!" Ron whipped around and bounded out of the room without a backward glance at Harry. As the door slammed shut, Harry threw off the sheets on his hospital bed. His bed gown hitched up and he remembered the angry scar running down his leg.

"Damn," he muttered to himself. He had to talk to Hermione before she got to work but he hadn't even walked on his leg since the accident. Apparating was blocked within the hospital. He would have to somehow make it down to the lobby on a bum leg. Harry grabbed his wand from the bedside table.

"Accio wheelchair," he said and hobbled over to the door. As he opened the door, a black and silver wheelchair rolled its way into the room. Harry slowly lowered himself in and grabbed the blanket from off of the bed. Unfortunately, Hermione had torn his jeans so they were unwearable but his blood and mud caked shirt was still on the back of the guest chair. Harry pulled that over his gown and tried to flatten down his hair. The nurses couldn't stop him as he didn't have the strength to sneak past them. Harry set his wand on his lap and wheeled himself out the door.

No one paid attention to Harry as he nonchalantly cruised down the hallway. Harry tried to look as innocent as possible as he came upon the nurses' station. Unfortunately, Beatrice was working the desk, the same nurse who saw him come in a few days ago with Neville.

"Mr. Potter, where are you going?" she asked as he cruised towards the elevator. Harry pretended to be startled as he looked towards her.

"Oh hello, Beatrice. How's little Tommy?" Harry asked sweetly. At the name of her oldest son, Beatrice lit up and gave Harry a large grin.

"He's just great, Harry," she said. "His second year at Hogwarts started out rough but Hufflepuff has been really good for him."

"Fantastic!" Harry said but he was starting to sweat. His leg was starting to throb from all of the activity and Harry knew he didn't have much time before Hermione left for work. "Well, listen," he said conspiratorially so Beatrice had to lean forward, "Hermione isn't feeling good today so she asked me to meet her in the lobby so she could check on me before going back home," Harry looked around. "And I really don't want her infecting everyone else in the ward."

Beatrice looked scandalized. "Oh, she would never do something so foolish. Do you need help getting there?" she asked.

Harry mustered up his most convincing grin. "Oh no, you stay here. I need the exercise anyway. Have to pass my fitness test in a few weeks, you know," he said with a wink.

"OK, dear," Beatrice said, blushing slightly. "Let me know if you need anything." With that, she turned away and Harry was free to press the elevator button. He slid in as soon as the doors opened and found himself in the lobby a few moments later.

Harry wheeled over to the Apparation Area and carefully stood up, the blanket falling from his lap. He had to talk to Hermione and see where her head was at. He couldn't let all of her hard work the past few years go to waste. She must be in a bad place and he had to be there for her. He thought of the small cottage in the words and the face of the woman who would always be there for him as he gently turned on the spot and disappeared with a small pop.