Love Found

Love Found

Hermione Granger sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. There was nowhere to go now, nowhere at all, except to Harry's house. She apparated, her heart aching and her pride hurting because Ron was the one who broke up with her. She didn't even know if he was having an affair behind her back the whole time.

Hermione staggered as she arrived at Harry's house. She knocked on the door and someone opened it, but it wasn't Harry. "Sirius?" she asked, sniffling.

His eyes softened at her puffy red eyes and invited her in. "What happened, Hermione? Harry's not in at the moment. He'll be back in a few minutes." Hermione tried to beat back another wave of tears, failing miserably.

Sirius gulped, he did not know what to do with crying women. He simply comforted her, telling her everything would be fine. After a while, she stopped crying and looked up at him.

"Oh, Sirius, it was so horrible." He embraced her, as she recounted the fight she had with Ron. When she finished, she was weeping again. He made a cup of tea for her, as she sat on the velvet sofa.

"Why are you in Harry's house anyway, Sirius?" she asked.

He smiled gently at her, and said, "I came for dinner with Harry to discuss some things from work." They sat and chatted for a moment, Sirius doing most of the talking while Hermione nodded and sobbed a little. At that moment, the fire in the fireplace turned green and in a moment, Harry entered.

"Hermione!" he said, and went forward to embrace her. "What happened, Mione?"
She felt tears rising dangerously again and turned to Sirius for help. He recounted the whole story to Harry, who frowned. "How could he? He's my best friend and everything, but how could he ever do this to you, Hermione? Stay in my house for a while, Hermione. I'll take care of the rest."

Hermione thanked him; and he apparated off to the house she had shared with Ron.

Harry packed her belongings and tried waiting for Ron, who had apparated off as soon as the quarrel ended. After half an hour, he apparated back to his house. Hermione was sitting on the sofa, reading a book. Sirius was in the kitchen.

Harry handed the things to her and smiled at her. "Hermione, you can take the room opposite mine, the one you like. Go on, rest for a while. We'll prepare dinner." She nodded in appreciation.

Before he turned, she reached out and brushed her lips lightly against his cheek and said, "Thanks, Harry."

He smiled, and went back to find Sirius. Hermione changed into a blue robe that she had just bought the day before. She took out her diary and as she fingered the gold lettering that said "Hermione Anne Granger" on the red book, she muttered a charm for the diary to open. She dipped her quill into the inkpot and wrote on a fresh page.

Dear Diary,
Guess what? Ron and I broke up. I thought I loved him. He's taken everything from me. I just apparated over to Harry's house, and he and Sirius cheered me up. I know I should be sad, but after talking, and crying to them, I've ceased to feel miserable. In fact I think I have a little crush on Sirius. I know it's just like the one I had on Professor Remus Lupin back in third year. It's nothing to worry about anyway. Well, I've got to go for dinner.

Hermione Granger

She shut the book, muttered a spell as she thought about when this crush had started. It was in sixth year, after he had saved her from a troll she, Ron and Harry were fighting together with the staff against the dark forces. Thinking of that was painful- Viktor had died, trying to save them. True, they had never been really dating but he was a good friend.

She went back downstairs and sat beside Harry and opposite of Sirius.

Hermione turned to Harry, "I need to get a new location to work. I don't want to see his face anymore. I wouldn't even get back with him even if he begged me on his knees."

Harry turned to her, and said, "Hermione, are you really sure about this?" She nodded. "Alright, as your supervisor and head of department, I hereby grant you permission to work in the Collation and Research Department with Sirius and the other staff." She nodded, and then laughed. "You sound like Percy." Harry scowled.

After dinner, Harry excused himself to do work while Hermione and Sirius cleaned up. After it was done, she bid him goodnight and turned into her room. He touched her lightly on the shoulder, and said, "Hermione, we - Harry and I - will help you though this."

Hermione turned around, threw her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. They stood there for an eternity before breaking away. In the opposite room, Harry gave a happy sigh and closed the door silently. He hoped Hermione would forget the past and forgive Ron someday.

Hermione gently shut her door as Sirius went to find Harry. Emotions ran through her. She knew it was more than a crush. It was love.