A/N: I have just been so busy and SO tired. I will update more likely biweekly now especially with the added schoolwork. Thank you as always to RedGardenGnome.

Sundays were always lazy days for most of the students at Hogwarts, meaning the library was empty for Hermione to read without disruption. It was early in the morning when Hermione left the common room with her book bag slung around her shoulder as she made her way down the hushed corridors of the castle. She sat at a table by the window as she bathed in the morning light. Her first order of business was her letter to the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. She pulled out a piece of parchment and her quill and began:

To Minister Shacklebolt,

I hope you are well. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and I wanted to know if you would be willing to contact the Australian Prime Minister and ask about locating two Muggle by the names of Wendell and Monica Wilkins. They are actually my parents but I made the decision to modify their memories to protect them from the war, and provided them with a burning passion to move to Australia. I just want to know they are alive and well.

Thank You,

Hermione Granger

Hermione rolled the parchment up and moved to her next task, penning another letter, this time to Charlie. She sighed and quickly put up her hair in a messy bun. She didn't want to have to talk about Harry, but she needed advice from someone who she didn't see every day. She dug the heels of her hand into her eyes; she prided herself on her logic and this was anything but.

Charlie,

How are you and how is Norberta? I understand how chaotic life has gotten; it has been crazy here too. It's been a while since Harry and Ginny broke up, and now I'm positive Ginny hates me. I understand how she could be mad, and I feel so guilty, but all I have ever wanted is for Harry to be happy, and truthfully, he's happy away from her. I don't think I will be able to face your family anytime soon. First it was Ron, now it's Ginny. I love him, and I don't know how to stop, but I don't want to lose him because of this.

Hope you are well,

Hermione

She rolled the second piece of parchment up to and slid both into her bag. She then pulled out the book on memory charms she had been reading as she made herself comfortable. The only chapter that provided any insight to her predicament resembled a Muggle psychology section, detailing the memory center of the brain, but further explained that the incantation Obliviate did not just erase memories, but they entirely rewired structures in the brain that killed certain aspects of the hippocampus, thought to be responsible for past knowledge and experiences.

Frustrated, she nearly slammed closed the book. Her stomach growled as she checked the time and saw that it was too early for lunch and a bit too late for breakfast. Most people would be up and about by now. A look out the window confirmed her theory, as many students were enjoying the last of the fall weather, sitting in small groups outside, talking away as if they had not a care in the world.

Hermione let out another sigh, unable to pull her gaze from the window, lost in memories of the times she, Harry, and Ron would walk around the grounds on weekend mornings. Now Hermione was very ahead on her homework and was not sure if she would ever talk to Ron again. Harry, on the other hand…he was always Harry. She leaned her head against the glass when she heard a stirring behind her.

X

Harry had walked up behind her in time to see her lean her head against the window. Her eyes fluttered closed and she sucked in a deep breath. He found that she was so breathtaking in that moment that he couldn't take his eyes off of her. His heart stirred, and he took a deep breath and shuffled his feet.

She turned to look at him and said slowly, "Good morning," as a small smile graced her features.

"Morning. How long have you been up?" Harry noticed her book bag on the table already; from the looks of it, it had been a while.

Hermione shrugged and replied, "Just a few hours. I was reading. You know the library is always quiet on Sunday mornings."

He nodded; this is where he had found her so many Sunday mornings, always up before everyone else, researching one thing or another. He moved to stand next to her and looked in the direction she had previously been gazing about.

"It's funny isn't it? Feels like forever ago when we were down there like they are now. They seem so free."

Hermione nodded and Harry was suddenly very aware of her proximity as her hair brushed against his arm. They stood together, staring out the window.

"We should head down. Lunch will probably be starting soon." Hermione moved away from him and Harry found himself missing her presence already.

He nodded in agreement though while his stomach approved of her statement whole-heartedly, which didn't escape her notice. She smiled and slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Come on, let's go."

X

After lunch, the pair went to the owlery. Once Hermione had secured her letters onto a school owl, she realized Harry was staring out of one of the gaping holes of the tower.

"Harry?" Her voice roused him from his thoughts, "Are you okay?"

He shrugged, forcing his eyes from the horizon and responded, "Normally we would have used Hedwig, but now we can't."

Hermione sighed. It never ended, the reminder of what was, was always a step away. They couldn't seem to avoid some kind of remembrance; it was in the very air they breathed. She went over hugged him tight, while he clung on to her.

"This place is the only place I ever felt at home, and now it's so hard to be back; it just feels so different," he murmured.

Hermione nodded against his chest. "I know…it's my home too Harry, it's my only home."

They stood together, hoping for the moment that if they didn't let go they could hold together the broken pieces of the other. It was only when they heard footsteps coming up the stairs that they parted.

They passed by who Hermione supposed was a fifth-year Ravenclaw on their way down, as they were both lost in their own thoughts. They reached the common room and walked in. Harry nodded toward the table they had taken up the past week to complete their homework.

"I think I am going to stay here during the holiday," Hermione blurted out.

Harry looked over at her for a full moment before nodding, "I will too. Right now, I don't think I'd be exactly welcomed at the Burrow anyway." He winced and shook his head slightly.

"You and me both."

They sat together quietly for a moment, both embracing the stillness pressing in on them. However, Harry's next words pierced the air between the duo.

"I'm glad I still have you Hermione."

She looked up to find him staring at her and her heart fluttered. He doesn't mean it like that, stop it! "You'll always have me Harry," she shrugged. "And for the record, I'm glad I have you too," she added with a smirk.

Harry grinned over, as her statement pulled at his heartstrings. He was glad he still had Hermione; she was his best friend after all, and the moments they shared were so special to him, making him aware of just how important she was in his life. She kept him sane and if he was truthful to himself, he would never have made it this far without her.

X

Halloween passed in a blur no matter how hard they tried neither Harry nor Hermione could bring themselves to enjoy the spirit. Callum, Neville, Ginny, and Luna walked around in a merry group, but Ginny never failed to give them a dirty look when she passed. The term was starting to gain on the students on the castle as the holiday break drew closer.

Hermione, more studious than anyone, was busy studying as Christmas came nearer; if Harry hadn't been adamant she probably would have spent every meal studying as well.

The joy of Halloween had been short lived; the professors for the seventh and eighth years began to pile on loads of homework in preparation for N.E.W.T.s Hermione being determined as always had drafted together a strict study schedule, and she made it very clear to Harry that it was her top priority to get 'Outstanding' in all her subjects.

Harry, much to his own surprise, not to mention Hermione's, joined in most nights, and when he didn't, he tried to keep her company. It soon became known that the two had been practically inseparable. Draco joined in a few nights a week, initially it had seemed almost as if he was mocking them, but now they found his snide remarks about living in the library endearing.

Hermione, Harry, and Draco had formed a very unconventional friendship centered on finishing up the school year with the best grades possible. It was a friendship centered around moving past the heartache and scars that the war had left on them. They didn't talk of the war; they talked about what would do after, where they would travel, what they could do. In those moments they were normal students, planning for a future.

Before the students knew it they had gotten their assignments for the break and classes were finished. Normally Harry and Hermione would be packed for the Burrow, but this year was different. For the first time in many years the duo was spending the holiday in its entirety at Hogwarts.

X

The night before winter break started was their first scheduled night off in a long while and while most students were finishing up their packing before they left, Harry and Hermione sat on a couch in the common room sipping hot chocolate.

They chatted about the break and what they wanted to do for Christmas. As per usual, most students would be going home, so they knew it would be quiet at the castle.

Neville walked in and Hermione waved him over. "Going home for Christmas this year," she asked.

He nodded. "You guys are going to stay here, is that right?" He looked guiltily towards the pair.

"Yeah, but we'll be together so...," Harry paused and then finished, "We really won't be alone."

Hermione gave a small smile and tacked on, "We spent Christmas alone together last year anyway." Her shrug suggested there was more she wanted to say but she bit her tongue.

Neville smiled knowingly and returned, "Well as long as you two have each other, that's all that matters, right?"

At this, Harry blushed a deep red while Hermione's mouth popped open in shock. Neville grinned at their reactions before he waved, "Goodnight guys, and Merry Christmas."

He turned and walked away without waiting for a response, though his shoulders were shaking with laughter. He knew that was kind of a low blow but, he reasoned, 'Those two really need to pull themselves together. People already assume they're dating.'

Hermione and Harry looked at each other, making only brief eye contact before she hugged Harry quickly. "Breakfast tomorrow?"

"Yeah, definitely." Harry swallowed and watched as she walked away. He then shook his head, trying to avoid thinking of Hermione in the same veins as he did of Ginny months prior. The very last thing he wanted to do was to scare her away. But then, what was he supposed to do?