Note: So, hello!

Guys, it was supposed to be an one month break - I really needed it - but then this website went downhill - no views/stats, notifications, alerts, chapters missing, reviews disappearing and such - that I thought it would be best to wait a bit to see if things would go back to normal. But it's been months and apparently whoever runs this place does not care. I realized waiting won't do, so I'll just come back to updating because I know it's awful when you like a story and the author just abandons it. That's not the case here. We'll finish this.

I also have to say that I'm taking all my stuff to AO3, because who knows what's going to happen with FFnet, right? However, new chapters or stories are going to be uploaded at FF first since I know I have more readers here.

Not just that, but recently I've published an Oneshot that's just a parody - The Halloween's Propechy. And there's also a new story - Just a kiss. Check it out if you feel like it!

I'll try to go back to weekly updates.

Now, the chapter. Things are… changing. And I do hope you enjoy this.

(And so my heart became a void - Ursine Vulpine, Annaca)

5:30am - April 30th, 2006

Harry's flat

He falls on the couch, rubbing a hand on his face and grunting. He can smell Hermione as if she were still in his arms. Her natural scent and perfume are on his skin, on his shirt and deep in his soul.

The way she cried broke his heart.

It was a hard decision going there, but he doesn't regret it. She needed him. And if he's honest with himself, he needed her.

It felt right. Even if they didn't say a word, he saw in her eyes how thankful she was.

And again, he wanted to kiss her. Be with her. Go home with her. Wake up next to her.

He wanted to talk about everything and nothing. He wanted to spend endless minutes staring into her eyes, marveling at their perfect connection-

Harry sighs.

What Chiara told him is hammering his head. She and Hermione made a Vow. He has no more doubts that they have a friendly relationship now and it explains why Chiara never said a thing about Hermione's actions or attacked her on the last month.

He can't deny the reality. Hermione saved him. She bonded with Bellaverde. And if she made a Vow with Chi, then…

She had good reasons to send him to that cell. To give him the Veritaserum.

However, Harry can't quite see why she didn't tell him everything, why not open up to him? Why not give him a heads up on what she was about to do?

From what he gathered, Hermione didn't say a thing to Ron or Ginny or Draco. They were just as surprised as Harry that she threw his ass in jail.

And… Pettigrew.

She's still with him.

Kissing him, showing others that they're a couple.

Should he reach out to her? Ask her what the fuck really happened? He makes a face. He's not sure it would be fair to demand honesty from her when he hides so much.

But of one thing he's certain.

It wasn't a real betrayal.

The way she looked at him a few hours ago should be enough to erase this doubt. With love.

What they shared wasn't a complete lie. But she hides truths from him. She masks her actions and conceals what she means and wants. And it's a bit maddening to guess all the time. To try to see under this powerful wall she built around herself which stops anyone from truly helping or reaching her.

Harry knows he broke into her walls a few times. He knows she shared with him things she never shared with anyone else. But it wasn't enough.

He moves on the couch, putting both elbows on his thighs and leaning forward, thinking. He has to be at the Ministry in a few hours and he couldn't care less about Moritz and the other Aurors.

As it has always been, Hermione consumes him completely. Being this close to her makes everything a thousand times harder. The last month he spent in Italy with his family and friends was easy. He avoided thinking of her. When he did, he used Matteo's training to stop himself. He rarely questioned her actions, even if deep down he knew there was something more to what she did.

But the distance allowed him to be this cold towards her. Or the thought of her.

It's been one day since he came back and he already feels taken again.

By her.

Taken by her voice. By her eyes. Her smile. Her touch.

Even taken by her pain. By her courage and power.

Utterly taken by the way he feels with her. By how right it is.

Harry snorts, opening a small smile.

"Cazzo, Hermione." He whispers to himself, still smiling… taken by what they just shared outside St. Mungo's.

They were alone. The night a witness to touches they thought were lost forever. A silent witness to the way they held each other with deadly grips, afraid of letting go again.

There's no way of denying the obvious.

Love.

Care.

Warmth.

Protection.

It's all still there, evident.

Harry moves his wrist and his wall reveals itself for him. Her name still has a circle around it. One he did after he got back from the same night club he was tonight, months ago.

Even then he was already… hers.

Maybe he's been hers even before he met her.

He stands from the couch and walks to the wall, stopping in front of it and brushing his fingers over her name.

And it's undeniable the place where it stands. On the same line with Tom Riddle's name.

He lowers his hand and eyes, crossing his arms.

Being almost sure that she did what she did because she had no other choice… doesn't change the fact that she's Tom Riddle's daughter. Doesn't change the fact that when they're too close Harry can barely think. It deviates him from his goals. Stops him from focusing on the true reason why he's in London again.

He's there to take Riddle down.

If he wants to do so, he can't let his feelings take over, not again, not anymore.

The IWO expects him to gather proofs against the Minister.

Harry chews the inside of his cheeks. His grandfather expects him to do so too. He fears Riddle might become too powerful and that's something Harry agrees on. It could be catastrophic to the Wizarding World. And he's not ready to sit idly.

Riddle already destroyed his life one time, he won't let it happen again.

Running a hand through his hair, he looks at the ceiling. What he feels for Hermione will never go away, it will never die inside him, but right now it's not the time for this. It's not the time to play games with her or be too close. Their lives are on the line and Harry has no doubt things could take a nasty turn. What happened at the club is an example. What happened to Bellatrix also.

He closes his eyes.

"I love you." Harry says to the empty living room.

It's true, he does. And exactly because of that, he'll… stand down. Keep his distance. It's his best chance at succeeding.

Maybe her best chance too.

Harry has no idea what she went through, but for her to have done what she did… it surely wasn't easy. And going back to what they had may not be the best.

I'm not ready. Not yet.

Because when they do this... if they do this... it's going to be the real deal. No more secrets or lies.

So, finding some kind of peace with his decision, he moves his wrist again, the wall going back to normal.

He does his best not to think of her when he lies down to get some sleep.

But it's her face he sees when he falls asleep.

April 30th, 2006

Ministry of Magic

Hermione needs to sleep but that seems secondary right now.

Her mother is still in a coma and she couldn't stand staying one more minute inside that Hospital room. She lost count on how many times she imagined that Bellatrix was opening her eyes and talking to her, using the same sweet tone she always did and telling Hermione to don't give up on her happiness.

She sighs, exiting the elevator, entering the Auror's floor. They surely must be inside the meeting room, talking about what happened last night and examining the wand. It's her job to be inside with them, but she only wants to take a moment first, so, she walks to her office, slowly.

It's exactly as she left it. Hermione knows Ron used it for the past month, but he made sure not to disturb her things, which she's extremely grateful. She crumbles down on the couch, looking at the ceiling.

Her mind is taken by what she shared with Harry.

He was there. To comfort her.

Hermione gulps. He brushed her tears away and kissed her forehead, silently telling her not to worry, assuring her mother would be okay. His hands went up and down her back and arms, calming her. It was… exactly what she needed. And she has no words to thank him enough.

His clear affection baffles her.

She was sure that after the betrayal Harry wouldn't look at her the same again, wouldn't trust her again, wouldn't even touch her again-

But no.

He still looks at her with some love. Not all the time like before, but even so…

And there's no way of erasing from her heart how tightly he squeezed her in his arms and breathed her in, as if he'd missed her profoundly.

Fuck.

The only thing she wants now is to tell him everything.

Maybe he won't believe her, but she needs to try. She needs to tell him the truth of what happened, needs to explain herself and hope for the best. She owes it to herself. And to her mother.

Maybe they can go back to what-

She stops her train of thought.

There's no way of explaining why she's still with Pettigrew. She can't talk about the samples, because… Harry never told her who he truly is. How in the world would she explain this bit? That she knows the truth? And that she's protecting him this way? She still thinks that he might do the unthinkable to release her from this obligation with Asmo.

And this notion gives her pause.

Harry is stubborn. And if he still loves her the same-

If she tells him, he'll consider turning himself to her father. And she can't stand the thought. She can't deal with this. Especially after the whole thing she went through to set him free.

Hermione sighs. What should I do?

Maybe she could tell him but not specify the blackmail Asmo is doing. Just tell Harry that she can't stop her wedding to Pettigrew until she finds a few incriminating proofs he has on her. She tilts her head. Harry will want details, but she's not obliged to give them. She knows it's a long shot, but-

It might work. She snorts, knowing the chance is slim.

But a new wave of energy goes through her. It's exhilarating and breathtaking to imagine herself telling Harry everything, explaining to him why she gave him the Veritaserum and said all those awful things. He might believe her or not, but from the hours they spent together yesterday, Hermione can hope that he'll be at least willing to listen to her.

She sits on the couch, deciding.

I'll tell him.

Hermione opens a smile at her own decision. It wasn't on her mind doing this, but after what happened to her mother… It would be silly not to give love and her happiness a second chance.

She never considered this option, but… she might have Harry back. And it gives her such a warm and good sensation that for a few seconds she forgets the ugly reality of her mother fighting for her life.

Shaking her head, she stands from the couch and leaves the office, walking to the meeting room.

They're indeed inside.

She stops by the entrance, listening.

Harry's voice is firm while he explains a few things and gives them an idea about the questions they'll be making to the Alchemists. She leans on the door, crossing her arms, smiling. He's such a good leader.

Ginny is the first who notices Hermione.

"Hermione!" She says, surprised.

Harry turns sharply to look at her. And they lock their eyes. Goddamn, I love you so much. Hermione gulps. His eyes are telling her the same thing. She dares smiling. He opens one small smile back at her.

Then he clears his throat, aware of where they are.

"Head Riddle." He says with a gentle tone. "There's no need for you to be here today, we all know-"

"Nonsense, Head D'Angelo." She says and raises a hand, walking inside the meeting room. "I need to be here." She says flatly and he narrows his eyes, nodding.

"Do you want to take over the explanation? I was telling them about the interrogations and-"

"You go on." She says, sitting on a chair by Chiara's side. "You're doing an amazing job at it." She crosses one leg over the other, tired, but… happy to see him. She winks at him.

And his small smile widens a bit.

"Sure." He resumes his explanations.

Hermione is half listening. Her mind is divided by thoughts of her mother, of what happened yesterday and the fact that she just decided she'll tell him everything.

She bites her lower lip, turning her chair in place and sharing a brief look with Chiara. The woman has a smile on her face and Hermione is sure is the definition of the cat who ate the canary. Then her eyes go over the others… where's Asmo?

Raising an eyebrow she wonders… favors for Peter. She remembers what he told her. Asmo took the whole month away, lying to the others that he would be with her and disappearing. Hermione has no idea what he did, to whom, where.

It unsettles her. The whole thing with Asmo.

He found me.

How the hell did he do that? Hermione is pretty sure she hid herself with the strongest incantations she could think of- not to mention the way he's still acting coldly with her. Hermione knows she needs to try harder to be on his good graces… maybe he was inclined to trust her again when Harry was inside a cell, but after Hermione practically set him free-

She looks at Harry.

So handsome. My soulmate.

She opens a tiny smile, but it soon disappears when she looks over the table and sees Cho Chang fucking Harry with her eyes. Hermione sets her jaw, playing with her necklace. And the image of Harry kissing this woman crosses her mind. She does her best not to make a face, her eyes going back to him.

Harry ends his explanation and tells the Aurors to go talk with the Alchemists. He pockets his hands and waits for them to leave. Hermione doesn't move from her chair and Chiara gives her a look before crossing the threshold.

It's just her and Harry then.

She gulps and he looks at her. There's a gentleness to his features that Hermione missed a lot when he was inside the cell.

"How are you?" He breaks the silence, moving a wrist and magically closing the door, taking steps closer to her.

Hermione sighs, "I'm okay, I mean, given the circumstances."

"Your mother?"

"Still no change." She whispers.

Harry takes a chair and moves it to sit in front of her. And he takes her hands in his, leaning forward, his thumb going over her skin. Hermione wets her lips.

"She'll wake. I'm sure."

"Thanks, Harry." She looks into his eyes, "For yesterday and this-"

"It's okay." He says in a whisper, his eyes falling to their hands.

"I-" Hermione begins and stops, nervous. He raises an eyebrow.

"What?" Harry asks, his thumbs on her inner wrists. Hermione loves the sensation.

"I wanna talk to you." She murmurs. "But not here." She looks at the door, anyone could walk inside at any minute.

"About?" He swallows hard, his eyes piercing her soul again.

"About what happened. About the Veritaserum and all that." Her voice wavers.

Harry moves a bit back, his hands releasing hers. She immediately misses the contact. Her heart beats faster at the face he's making. Then, very slowly, he says:

"Hermione." His voice is soft, but she knows his words won't be. "I- don't get me wrong." He raises one hand in front of him in an apologetic way, "Look, I know that yesterday I was talking about playing games and such, but things changed. Our lives are on the line here, and to be honest I think we should keep our relationship as professional as possible." She inhales deeply. "It's time to leave things behind us. Whatever happened. Whatever we shared." They lock their eyes. "Is in the past." He says in a final tone.

"Harry, I-" She has no idea what she wants to say. But it burns inside her. It hurts. He's looking at her with gentle eyes, very differently from the way he looked at her yesterday. She knows something changed but-

"I don't think you did what you did because you wanted to." He whispers, looking down now.

She makes a face, failing to stop some silent tears from running down her face.

"Are you sure you don't wanna talk about it?" She whispers, feeling… hollow, her hand squeezing her necklace.

Her intention was to tell him everything, but if Harry doesn't want to hear, if he's sure about keeping things professional between them, it's… expected.

"I-" He chews the inside of his cheek. She feels soft at the familiar and endearing gesture. "Maybe it will be easier for us if we just… move on from it."

She sighs. "I just-" Hermione brushes some tears away, pressing her lips together. This is much worse than having him hating her. It feels like a true goodbye. "Harry." She moves, taking his hands in hers again. It's his turn to sigh, moving closer to her. "You have to know that-" Fuck. It's so hard. "I- what I did-" He squeezes her hands. "I did out of love." She whispers.

Harry sets his jaw. For a long while he doesn't say a word, but their eyes never leave each other's and then, slowly, very slowly, he moves her hand to his lips, kissing gently. She takes a deep breath.

"I believe you." He says, gulping. "I know."

And his left hand takes hers.

The sensation soothes Hermione's soul. The tingle is intense, as strong as ever or maybe even more now. Harry opens a side smile.

"This." He says. "I believe in this." He kisses her hand again, this time leaning his cheek on the back of her hand. She moves forward and touches his forehead with hers. They're insanely close. "But I think that… we should keep some distance. We have to find Moritz and deal with everything. After yesterday it's obvious that we still care and protect each other just as before, and maybe that's enough."

She closes her eyes. Harry cups her cheek with his other hand and they share a meaningful look. Hermione can understand what he's saying. Keep a distance for their own safety. She agrees in a way.

"Okay." She whispers. It hurts, but… maybe it's for the best. Maybe this way she can focus on Moritz. Focus on finding the samples while knowing that her relationship with Harry won't be an issue. She opens a tiny smile, feeling… lighter. "I missed you, Harry." Her voice is barely there, her heart squeezing inside her chest.

Harry moves back, his eyes on hers. He doesn't say the words to her. And she tries not minding. Fair. He just moves his fingers to her engagement ring, playing with it, making a point, raising an eyebrow. Right.

Blinking, she bites her lower lip and recoils her hand from his, clearing her throat. Professional. So be it.

"What about the wand?" She asks, totally changing the subject, going back to her status of Head Auror.

Harry takes a moment, still observing her, reading her.

Then, he looks down and runs a hand through his hair. "Nothing." He says, "I tried examining it but it's like the thing is just a piece of wood and I can't understand how it casted all those spells."

"He's on to us. Moritz." She says, leaning back on her chair, watching Harry do exactly the same. "The whole thing being public didn't help."

Harry shakes his head. "He has followers. For sure. From what I read about him, from what you told me and what Chi briefed me on him, Moritz is not that powerful, he's just a very resourceful Alchemist."

"Indeed. His powders enable him." She looks down. "The gas on the night of the Ball was his. The one who drugged everyone. And the spells casted on the french windows were reinforced with one of his powders."

He frowns. "How do you know that?"

"I… investigated it a bit, however I have no concrete proof. And there's a pattern on what happened to the statue here, traces of his powder. I'm sure the bullets from the Fair also had some kind of powder mixed to them. But the bullets I can't check since the Alchemists-"

She blinks, stopping.

"What?" Harry asks.

"The Alchemists got nowhere with the bullets, Harry." She states. "They all knew Moritz. Could they be his friends? Followers?"

"Maybe." Harry squints. "I'm waiting for a list on the people inside the club yesterday. Who knows? We might see one of them there."

Hermione makes a face. "I doubt it. If that's the case, they were disguised."

Harry crosses his arms and says, "We need to interrogate your father."

She grunts. "Why? Do you really think he'll be honest? Give us the answers we want? I'm curious to know why you just want to piss him off." She says bluntly.

He squints. "If you think he's not going to be honest, then you're also sure that he's involved in this."

Hermione closes her eyes. "It was extremely suspicious the way he pulled the brakes on my whole operation on Moritz. I've been thinking about this for a long time. And I've asked him more than once… he'll never tell us his reasons-"

"We need an authorization to give him Veristaserum then-"

"He knows how to lie under it."

Harry blinks. "Then we need to read his mind-"

Hermione snorts. "It's impossible to do so." She looks down and up at him again. "Please, let this go." She pleads.

He sighs, making a face. "Fine."

She opens a smile to him. "It's for the best."

Harry shakes his head. "I'm not giving up on this yet. Let's wait and see what these interrogations will bring us."

Hermione inhales deeply and stands from the chair. "I'll be at my office if you need anything, okay? I need to read the report on what Ginny and Draco found at the Manor."

"Do you think it was Moritz?" He asks, standing too, close to her.

"I… still haven't thought about it." She says in a low voice.

Harry nods. "Okay. I'll also be at my office if you need anything."

"Okay." She nods back at him, lingering…

He cocks his head.

She clears her throat.

And she finally moves to the door, opening it and heading out, but he calls her, she moves her head back inside.

"Yes?"

"I missed you too."

She opens the widest smile ever, feeling the hotness on her neck, feeling warm inside, good.

And with that, she leaves.

It's been an hour since he left the meeting room but he's still feeling warm inside while reading the report he's sure Hermione is also reading. About what happened at the Manor. Technically Harry has nothing to do with this, he's no longer an Auror who works for the Minister, his only job here now is finding and capturing Moritz.

But he was curious… and a bit angry with the situation. Feeling a bit guilty. He was the one who suggested they went out yesterday and if he hadn't, they wouldn't have been caught in that mess, maybe the attack at the Manor wouldn't have happened-

Well, there's no way of knowing.

Regardless, from what Draco and Ginny reported, there was no sign of a magical invasion, no sign of physical invasion, nothing. Riddle stated that he wasn't there, but he soon received a warning that an explosion had occurred and rushed to the mansion to meet Bellatrix bleeding on the floor.

Harry scrunches his nose at the statement.

Where was he, then? It seems like this question wasn't made. Whoever took this deposition from the Minister was too afraid to doubt his words. But Harry would go even further… it wouldn't be too surprising if Riddle himself was the responsible for these explosions. He tilts his head at the thought, pondering.

Would there be any advantage for Riddle if Bellatrix died? Does he have a motive to kill her?

Harry has no idea. Maybe he just wants Riddle to be guilty. It would be a nice proof of his true self. I doubt there's a way of proving this. If he thinks about it, Riddle himself wouldn't be so reckless. If he's the one behind this, he ordered someone else to do it. Who?

What about that guard?

His eyes search for a deposition from John, but he sees none. Bellatrix was all alone.

Inhaling deeply he remembers the bomb that exploded inside Hermione's office on the one day she was home feeling sick. Could this be the same thing?

Draco and Ginny couldn't find traces of the bombs, apparently the explosions weren't caused by Muggle devices…

This was very well planned.

He closes the small file on it and sighs.

His mind is working fast and he's a bit distracted.

What Hermione just told him keeps echoing inside his head:

'I did out of love.'

Harry did his best not to kiss her right there. She was so nervous and unsure. And it was very difficult for him to deny her this conversation. Hermione seemed ready to tell him everything. He wants nothing more than to know what happened, but…

If she does tell him everything, how is he going to keep lying to her? Keep hiding his true identity? He never felt truly ready to tell her that he's a Potter. The way she might take this revelation frightens him to a point of inertia.

And even if he hears her explanations, it's- It's too early. It's still very fresh in his mind the way she talked with him while he was inside that cell, the way she looked at him when she asked about Lucius knowing that she had given him Veritaserum-

It hurt too damn much. And this pain lingers inside him. More faintly now, he has to admit.

Even if yesterday changed a lot of things for him...

She- Hermione saved his life again. The Avada Kedrava was sure to hit him and she acted fast. And what happened to her mother- it… brings a new perspective to things. What Chiara told him was very true about wanting to kill the Riddles.

He doesn't want to kill Bellatrix. Much less Hermione.

Just you, Tom.

He sighs, leaning back on his chair and observing the room.

His office is nice. Not too big, but not small either. A fair size with a nice couch and two armchairs. He loves the mahogany table and his comfortable chair. Yeah, it might be a bit isolated from the rest of the floor, but he's actually glad about it.

Harry closes his eyes and chews the insides of his cheeks.

That fucking engagement ring.

He can't stand it. Just to imagine her with that jerk makes him feels murderous and very much like a crazy man.

Doesn't she feel wrong when she kisses Pettigrew? This is- Harry felt dirty when he kissed Chang. Every kiss he shared that wasn't with Hermione since the day they met felt wrong and awkward. Even the few with Chiara.

So, how in the fucking world did Hermione just spend a whole month with Pettigrew? On vacations? Surely fucking?

He hears the ink bottle breaking and widens his eyes, putting it back together fast. His magic might be a bit out of control when it comes to this specific topic of Hermione and Pettigrew.

Harry snorts-

A letter comes flying inside his office from under the door. He catches it and makes a face.

It's from his grandfather.

Oh, cazzo. He was waiting for this.

He moves the closed envelope between his fingers, aware that protecting, healing and taking care of Hermione are way out of his nonnino's expectations.

Sighing, he opens it:

Harry,

Don't forget that I want full reports on what you're doing there. On the investigation and on the whole thing with the Riddles.

I do hope our training is paying off.

Keep in mind the reasons why you're back. I expect you to make me proud.

And I do have a few things to tell you. This letter is enchanted, you're the only one capable of reading, so, don't worry.

One of my spies sent me informations about Hermione and Pettigrew. If you look inside the envelope now, you'll see them together in numerous places. All these countries where they were spotted this last month were affected by Moritz's powders and drugs, and there might be a connection between these two facts.

Remember, do not trust Hermione Riddle, Harry. She's cunning and her father's daughter. Don't make the same mistake twice.

Harry opens his mouth. The letter is over. He blinks, looking inside the envelope and indeed seeing many pictures of Hermione and Pettigrew together, holding hands and walking near pubs and clubs where Moritz's powders are probably being sold. They're kissing in some pictures and Harry grits his teeth.

He can't believe she has any relation with Moritz. But why is she so resistant in interrogating her father, then? Is there something more to this story that he doesn't know? It might.

His eyes are glued on a particular photo of them kissing. It's-

He throws the letter on his couch. Angry. Hurt.

Pressing his lips together and standing from his chair, he decides he needs to talk with her.

Right now.

Hermione thought that fetching a cup of tea at the cafeteria would clear her mind a bit, but it didn't work.

She's confused and anxious. The whole report on what happened at the Manor doesn't make sense and she finds herself wandering a bit through the corridors. Draco and Ginny stated that there was nothing strange with the wards. The many points around the Manor where the explosions happened had nothing left for them to examine, only a black spot on the floor that truly proves something happened. John was off duty, not at the house when it happened and Hermione is not sure he's saying this to deviate from the relationship he has with her mother or if that was the case. And the fact that her father wasn't there is…

She frowns. Her feet were taking her to Harry's office. Around the corner at the end of this long hallway.

But Hermione stops, taking a deep breath. Maybe she shouldn't go to his office. People will see. People will talk. And Asmo will hear about it-

"Hermione."

She turns on her heels.

Asmo is standing right there. She gulps, blinking.

"What are you doing here?" He asks.

They're alone in the corridor.

"I… was looking for you."

"Here?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Where were you earlier? D'Angelo was conducting a meeting about Moritz and the club-"

Asmo scoffs. "If you think I'll just sit there and listen to that murderer, you're very wrong." He says in a firm tone.

Hermione perks up. "Oh? He's here as Head, Asmo."

"So? He can't fire me. I don't care. I can hear from you what I need to know about this investigation."

She narrows her eyes. Asmodeus is hiding something. "Is that so? Regardless, you should be here in your working hours."

He rolls his eyes, setting up a silencing bubble around them and taking a step to her. Hermione doesn't move, doing her best to relax in his presence.

Asmo leans to her, his eyes sharp.

"I wanted to talk to you, my love." He says in a low voice, very menacing. Hermione raises an eyebrow. "About D'Angelo." Asmo seizes her by the waist, pressing their bodies together. She closes her eyes. "You think I'm a total idiot, don't you?" He says into her ear. "You keep underestimating me and that's one of the reasons why our relationship would have never worked even if D'Angelo wasn't your ridiculous soulmate." Hermione gulps, her arms moving and hugging Asmo around his neck, her nails digging into his flesh. She wants to hurt him.

"What are you talking about?" She asks in an equally low voice.

"I'm talking about the way you look at each other. And how you almost kissed yesterday inside the club." He fists her hair, tugging with force and she bites her lower lip. "Don't deny it. Spare your breath and listen. I'll be very clear on how this is going to go. From what I assume you still are willing to sacrifice everything for this asshole, and I still stand by our Vow of not giving away what I know and the proofs I have."

"And? Nothing changed. I'm still marrying you."

He squeezes her in his arms. "Of course you are. But I want to change a little detail in our Vow."

She moves her head to look into his eyes. They're very close and she's insanely angry. "What detail?" She asks through her teeth.

"You can't tell anyone," He narrows his eyes, "anymore" He adds, "what proofs I have against D'Angelo. Is that clear? You can't talk about our agreement. If someone asks you about us, about our engagement and future wedding, your answer can only be how much you love and can't live without me."

She opens a sarcastic smile. "I don't think that's necessary. It changes nothing in reality."

He opens a smile and brings her closer, one of his legs between hers, taking a tiny step and pressing her against the wall. Hermione exhales, completely furious, one of her hands going to his hair and also tugging with force. Asmo makes a face.

"It changes because I don't want you to tell him." He says in a whisper, his mouth practically on hers. "I want you to be mine." He says, giving her a peck. "Only mine."

She's nauseous.

"He hates me, Asmo. There's no chance of me saying anything-"

"Then just make the Vow."

He kisses her jaw. Hermione closes her eyes.

Fuck. This can't be happening.

He keeps kissing her. She wants to punch him.

"I won't." She says and he moves back, angry. "There's nothing more you can blackmail me with." She shoves him hard and he sets his jaw. "And you know what?" She narrows her eyes. "Don't touch me again unless I touch you first, is that clear? Not just that but I'm still your boss inside this place and I'm giving you a warning, Auror Pettigrew." She points a finger at him, "You will attend all the meetings about Moritz because you're being paid to do so. If you behave so insubordinately again I won't think twice before firing you. And I'm dead serious about it." She hisses. Then Hermione takes a step to the very surprised Asmodeus in front of her. "And don't you forget that I'm a thousand times more powerful than you, so," She lowers her voice even more, "I would think twice if I were you before wanting to take advantage of me."

She ironically winks at him and his only response is a nod.

Hermione walks away, totally pissed, but also feeling very good with herself.

When Chiara enters his office, he's still petrified on the same position he was a hour ago when he came back from the corridor.

Harry was going to see Hermione but he saw something else that he wished he could erase from his mind forever.

Hermione and Pettigrew making out in the corridor. It was-

He came back to his office and sat down, both elbows on the desk, his hands holding his head and a sensation of hopelessness mixed with fury and jealousy.

What the fuck was that?

Chiara frowns, crossing her arms. "What's wrong?" She asks, sitting on the chair across his desk.

Harry shakes his head. The pictures of them together this last month, his grandfather's words, the way they were hugging each other and talking in hushed tones, Hermione pressed against the wall and-

The ink bottle explodes again. It's the fifth time.

He sighs and puts it back together, finally looking at Chiara.

"I just have a lot on my mind right now." He leans back on the chair. "Moritz, Hermione, nonnino, the revenge…"

"Oh?" She raises an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Yes. I need to go visit Dolohov."

She opens her mouth, then she makes a strange face. "I… that reminds me. There's something I need to tell you, about Greyback." She gulps, looking down, uncomfortable.

"Greyback?" Harry asks, not understanding. "What about him?"

Chiara is making a face and Harry knows she's thinking hard, pondering.

"Well, me and Hermione found him."

Harry widens his eyes and his heart beats faster. "What? When? Where is he?"

She waves a hand in front of her. "He's dead. Don't bother. We tracked him down and got lucky. Hermione interrogated him about the Persecution and he said that…" Chiara looks around the office, not sure if it's secure enough. Harry shrugs, he performed many spells to secure the room. "Riddle was after something the Potters had."

"What?"

"Power."

Harry frowns. "Odd." He whispers, thinking.

"Indeed." Chiara agrees. "We got nothing else from him." A silence falls. Chiara keeps observing him. "Okay, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

He looks at her, chewing the insides of his cheeks. She made a Vow with Hermione. They went after Greyback together. It-

"Chi, what can you tell me about this Vow? About Hermione?"

She opens a slow smile, sighing. "Ready to forgive her?"

Harry wets his lips. "I… I need to know. Are you friends? How this happened? Please," He gulps, her eyes are wide, "tell me. Whatever you can."

Crossing her arms, Chiara takes a moment to think. "I can't tell you much. You know how careful and smart she is. Hermione made sure my hands were pretty much tied."

"She… said she wanted to explain everything to me."

"Yeah? So why are you asking me anything? Go talk to her! Fuck! That's amazing-"

"No."

Chiara frowns. "No?"

"I-" He runs a hand through his hair, anxious. "I was thinking and… can you at least tell me if what she did was to protect me in some way?"

Pressing her lips together, she makes a face.

"What do you think?" She answers with a question.

"I think it was."

"So." It's the only thing she says and Harry exhales heavily.

"She put herself in danger, didn't she? To pull it all off."

Chiara only squints, not really giving him an answer.

"I can't go back to what we had. Not now. Being that close to her clouds my judgment and I need to think clearly. You get that, don't you?"

Chiara nods. "I do. But maybe you should ask yourself if it's a fair price to pay for your happiness, Harry."

"Is it also her happiness?" He asks in a low voice, looking down, unsure if Chiara has the answer-

She snorts. "Dio Mio. You're both idiots. It is, I assure you." His heart beats faster at her words.

"What about Pettigrew?" He asks through his teeth, controlling himself not to explode the ink bottle again.

"What about that stronzo?"

"She's wearing her engagement ring. She spent the last month-"

"She didn't."

He widens his eyes. "What?"

"Hermione was alone, Harry. She spent the last month on her own. She only reunited with Pettigrew yesterday when they came back."

"How do you know that?"

"She told me."

"They were making out in the hallway just now." He states and the ink bottle explodes, unfortunately. And the pictures-

Chiara sighs, looking at her nails. "That's… unexpected. But I'm sure it's not what it looked like." He gulps, putting the bottle back together. "Look, Harry, what I can tell you is that… yes, we're friends now. And yes, I know everything that happened and I can't tell you. I also know how much that crazy woman loves you and I think you're both wasting time with this insufferable game of chasing each other."

He feels warm at her words.

"I… might share your opinion." He opens a side smile and she smiles with him. "But I'm not ready to take this step. It still hurts, Chi."

"I know. Give it some time, then. But not that much, okay?" She winks at him and he nods, exhaling.

Then he decides it's time to change the subject.

"I'm thinking about going to Dolohov's tomorrow's night." He says.

"Good. Do you want me to go with you?"

"Sure. Thanks. What about the interrogations?"

"Well, I came to talk about that. There's only one deposition that might lead us to a location, but I can already say that we'll be far fetching. Apart from that, nothing, Harry. The Alchemists know nothing, and I think their brains are already compromised by the ridiculous amount of substances they inhale every day." She makes a face. "We'll need another plan of action."

"I want to interrogate Tom Riddle." He states.

She seems surprised. "Why? Wouldn't it be pointless? Do you want to give him another reason to hate you?"

"Maybe I just want to make him uncomfortable." He raises an eyebrow.

Chiara snorts, standing from the chair. "I doubt Head Riddle will allow this." She crosses her arms, observing him. "Well, my working hours are over and I'm spending the night with Oliver, so, see you tomorrow." She winks again, leaving the office.

He stays there with a lot on his mind. Summoning the pictures back to his hand, Harry wonders who could possibly be this woman with Pettigrew, then.

It's not Hermione. Not my Hermione.

And that brings a smile to his face.

May 1st, 2006

St. Mungo's

She slept on the chair beside her mother's bed. Nothing changed. Bellatrix is still in a coma and the healers said there's nothing else they can do. Is practically up to her mother to wake now.

Hermione was alone the whole night and she told her mother about what she talked with Harry. She wanted to explain things but he, after all, wasn't ready to listen. However, now, things are more clear, partially resolved. Just knowing that they won't go for each other's throats is a big deal. And she's glad about it.

But it also felt like opening a fresh wound.

Hermione had kind of healed on the month she spent away, however, now, she's bleeding. Not that it wasn't a good thing… at least he knows she did things out of love for him. Which is soothing.

She understands his reaction. The whole thing since she gave him the Veristaserum was brutal to both. It won't be easy moving on from this.

She really wants to, though.

Her eyes fall on her engagement ring. How the fuck am I going to do that with this thing on my finger?

The only way of solving this is… Harry has to tell her the truth. He has to tell her he's a Potter. And even if it hurts, Hermione doubts he'll do so-

Taking her mother's hand, Hermione wished she could lend her magic the same way she can with Harry. She wished she could heal her mother. She wished she could do something, anything.

"Hey."

She looks up.

Chiara is inside the room.

Hermione blinks a few times.

"Hey." She answers, her voice faltering. "What are you doing here?" She looks around, worried that people will see them together-

"Relax. Everyone is at the Ministry and I told Harry I was not feeling well, so, the Hospital is like the best place I could be right now, isn't it?" She opens a small smile to Hermione, walking to sit on the chair by her side.

Hermione sighs, her eyes back on her mother. "Do you think she'll wake?" She asks Chiara in a low voice, dreading to hear the other woman's honest answer.

"She will." Chiara takes Hermione's hand, squeezing. "I had an interesting conversation with Harry…" Chiara trails. "I might have hinted him about our Vow." She whispers and Hermione widens her eyes.

"You did? Don't, Chi. Forget about it." Her voice is low. "I said I wanted to explain things to him, but he doesn't wanna hear and-" She wets her lips. "He's never going to trust me again. In a way, he never did because he never told me the whole truth."

"It's hard for him to open up about it, Hermione." Chiara makes a face. "And I think he was afraid of your reaction, of how this would affect what you shared." She leans forward. "He asked about you. Asked if we're friends."

Hermione widens her eyes at that.

"What did you say?"

"What I can. That yes, we're friends and that you love him madly."

Hermione snorts, blushing a bit, feeling… warm.

"Did he say something?" But she doesn't give Chiara the chance to answer, "He wants to keep things professional between us and I owe him this. So." She shrugs.

"Well... give him time." Chiara gives her a pointed look and Hermione nods, understanding, "Okay. Now, tell me. When are we going to look for the samples?"

Hermione makes a face. "I'm not sure. After what happened with my mother and the whole thing with Moritz, I don't think I have the time or energy to think about that right now."

"Understandable." They share a knowing look. "I'll be here whenever you're ready."

"Thanks, Chi."

"No problem, crazy woman. Now, I do have something to share with you." Hermione perks up at that. "Tonight Harry wants to visit… Dolohov." She whispers the name.

Hermione widens her eyes at that, turning on her chair to fully face Chiara. "Is he crazy? Without any kind of preparation or-"

"Exactly. That's Harry." Hermione rolls her eyes. "I'm going with him and I think you should be there in the shadows or not, who knows?" She moves her eyebrows, suggesting the obvious.

"I'll be there." She sighs. "What about Moritz?"

"Nothing new. The wand is just a piece of wood and we concluded he certainly used some powder to adulterate it. Finally, the names and faces from the club arrived and none match with the Alchemists working at the Ministry, which obviously doesn't mean they weren't there disguised."

"Do you suspect any of them? You led the interrogations, right?"

"Yes. And to be honest, they're just a bunch of scientists obsessed with their work. I doubt they even know where to find a night club."

Hermione snorts. "Yeah, I thought so. They're very serious and focused. When I interrogated them many months ago I got the same impression. To be fair I don't even think they talked with Moritz, they seemed to hate him because he tarnished their profession in a way."

"Exactly."

"I just don't understand how they never got a good analysis on the bullets from the Fair." Hermione makes a face, thinking.

Chiara inhales deeply. "Harry wants to interrogate your father."

"I know." Hermione grunts. "Just to piss him and me off, apparently."

"But it might be our only lead. Harry will send the others out today to revisit the places Moritz caused trouble in their countries. I doubt it will give us any new leads."

Hermione grunts. "Was Asmo there? At the meeting?"

"Yes, why?"

She opens a tiny smile. "Because I put him where he belongs yesterday." And she tells Chiara about the little encounter she had with Asmodeus.

"See? You're already making me so proud of you." Chiara jokes and they share another look.

"You should go back. I'll stay here, but count on me to be there tonight."

Chiara nods.

"Sure."

And with a half hug, she leaves Hermione with her mother.

She has no idea how Harry will react with her being there tonight, but there's no way she's letting him do this without her.

No way, love.