Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. It was busy as hell and I couldn't find someone who could help me make it better. There are still typos/grammatical errors/etc. so if you want to read the BETA-ed chapter, I suggest you come back after around three days. Well, I did my best with this and I hope you'll enjoy the chapter! Please tell me what you think and leave a review. This chapter will be the turning point for both Hermione and Than. :)

Italicized words mean that the scene being portrayed is a flashback and random flashbacks will be shown as the story goes.

Chapter 2: Mysteries

Hermione tried to stifle a yawn. The day had been busier than usual and people were going in and out of the office. It wasn't unknown to her that there were instances like these, given her line of work, but today had been dismal!

She never expected that these many cases of magical accidents could happen in a day, even her co-workers groaned at the situation. But she couldn't rest yet, there was loads of work piled up, not to mention that she had to visit a special patient, someone she had grown fairly close to during the last few days.

Hermione roamed around, checking patient after patient, offering comfort with such gentleness and love that one could offer. She asked how they were doing and murmured words of encouragement to help them find relief. When everything else was done, she walked briskly around the corridors. Then, she entered the room where the child who had been blinded by a curse, rest quietly.

She asked about her day and told her different magical stories that always make her laugh. She did this every day until the child felt comfortable with her. And when she has gathered enough courage to continue the treatment, Hermione held the child's hand and helped her stand up.

Jane laughed at her newly accomplished feat and Hermione guided her weak limbs so that she'd be able to make a step. She was hesitant, yet, she took the move.

She remembered the day when she was asked to supervise the child who has been in bed for so long. She was just three years old and Hermione was very sad that such could happen to one who hasn't even had the chance to see the world. So she took the opportunity to help the child learn.

Slowly, she lifted her left foot and took a step forward then she did the same with the right. One step at a time, the child remembered the baby steps, something Hermione had been waiting for. Each step that Jane did made Hermione's heart leap with joy with tears in her eyes. She smiled at the child's joyous laughter and encouraged her to continue.

She loved her work, especially when she was able to bring back a patient's smile.

Then, after a while, she let go.

She clapped her hands and encouraged the child to continue. Ever so slowly, Jane was able to make a few more steps, with each step more slow and careful.

But she twisted her ankle and fell.

The happiness that surrounded the room was short lived as Jane started to cry, but even before Hermione could comfort her, a man swiftly moved towards the child and lifted her up, murmuring a few gentle words.

"Sshhhh, It's okay, you're okay now, love. Don't cry, shhhhh, don't cry, Uncle's here."

His voice was soft and tender as he murmured those words repeatedly into the child's ear. He was like a father to the little child. His smile was crooked and his laugh, although mischievous, made Jane stop crying as she snuggled into his chest .Hermione then realized that she knew him. He wiped her tears with his thumb and kissed her forehead and Hermione didn't know whether to laugh. . .or cry.

For here. . .was Harry, rocking the child back and forth, producing soothing noises as he looked at her with a lopsided grin on his face. Hermione smiled slowly, holding back the tears she felt because after all this time, he was finally here.

As Jane finally closed her eyes, Harry gently put her back in the cot as the three year-old began to sleep peacefully. Hermione followed his every movement, afraid that if she dared close her eyes, he would vanish, that her eyes had been deceiving her all along. When he was done, he put his hands in his pockets and looked at her with a smile.

It wasn't her imagination, then.

She couldn't speak as she put her hand on her mouth, couldn't find words to tell him how she felt at the moment. For years, he had been gone, gone to a place where she couldn't follow and to see him now, standing in front of her. . .was something that made her tiresome day, magical.

Finally, the loneliness she felt when he told her he was leaving, vanished, as it left a sense of peace in its wake. For a moment, the two stayed silent, Harry, unable to say anything and Hermione, shocked and dazed. The two friends drowned in each other's presence after years of absence and gazed at each other as both of them tried to gather their thoughts.

She observed him as she tried to find the Harry she knew. His raven hair was as messy as ever and it was cropped short. He had grown lean and strong, probably because of work and there was slight stubble under his chin. But even with all the changes, as Hermione looked into his eyes, the familiar warmth and glow still lingered and she couldn't help but wonder what she wanted to feel at that moment.

It was Harry who broke the silence and interrupted Hermione's train of thoughts.

"I errmm. . .was the one who brought her here," he said.

Surprised by the revelation, Hermione nodded as she looked at the sleeping child. She bit her lip and let out a nervous laugh. "I – I. . .didn't know you're back."

Harry gave a small laugh. He never thought that, after all these years, he would still be able to read the emotions etched on Hermione's face. He knew he had some explaining to do and he ran a hand through his hair. "I errm. . .was supposed to come back last month but I found her crying in an abandoned house."

She looked at him solemnly, as if urging him to continue his story. Despite the disappointment that she felt when he didn't tell her he was back, she knew him too much to doubt his decision. "I brought her here and when I was sure that she would be taken care of, I set out to find her family."

He gave a nervous laugh and shifted his gaze below as he ran a hand through his hair. He looked so guilty that Hermione knew she had to let go of the hurt she felt, she knew that the child was more important, it was Harry after all. Her gaze shifted to another direction so he wouldn't see the tears that threatened to escape and though her voice quivered, she asked, "D – did you find them?"

Harry ran his hand through his hair again. With a sigh, he lowered his head and nodded. "Her dad. . .didn't make it, but I found her mum. She's talking to the Head Healer right now."

She nodded at his words and hugged herself. She didn't want to think about it anymore. A small, unknowing smile crept on the corner of her lips. . .he was still the same old Harry she remembered. He still cared so much for people that he would go to great lengths to save someone. And though there were times that she hated him for it, she still couldn't help but be proud of him.

Silence enveloped both of them again, leaving many questions in its wake. Hermione wanted to hug him, show him how much she missed his crooked smile and his mischievous grin, his care and laughter, even his pranks. . .

. . .but all she was able to utter was a tearful sob and before she knew it, she was already in his arms.

His touch was still as warm as she remembered and his scent made her nostalgic. It was still the same smell that brought her back to the days of their adventures. When she closed her eyes, a completely foreign feeling filled her heart. . .this time, she allowed her tears to fall.

Why did it feel so right to be in his arms?

When she was able to calm down, she hesitated, but felt the urge to ask, to know if he would leave again. . .for even after all this time, she still had wanted him to stay.

She closed her eyes, feeling his scent, trying to gather her courage and ask. With a sigh, she looked at his warm eyes, "A – re you leaving after this?"

Harry seemed to stiffen at her question. For a moment, she thought it was a yes; that the only reason he was here was because of Jane. He opened his mouth many times, like a gaping fish. With a sigh, he lowered his gaze to look at her eyes.

His eyes still bore the same tender expression every time he looked at her, Hermione thought. Then, rather unexpectedly, he tilted her chin and smiled. "No."

Hermione gave a small relieved chuckle when she saw how his eyes softened at his words. It promised her everything.

Another set of tears fell down from her face. She couldn't believe it, she couldn't believe that he was here, holding her, arms wrapped around her slender waist. Harry laughed as he wiped the tears from her eyes and whispered softly, "I'm not going anywhere."

And for a while, both of them reminisced with a laugh, as if the world existed just for them. It was as if Hermione let herself to be free, free from everything that bound her. Then, Harry took her hand and for once, Hermione allowed herself to give in to the adventures he had in mind.

Hermione woke up with a groan. She opened her eyes as her head throbbed horribly. She shifted as the white ceiling above caught her gaze.

It was as if a ton of bricks fell on her. She realized that she didn't remember where she was. She jolted from the bed and the very first thing she saw was a pair of raven eyes.

Than sat on a chair near the bed and looked at her with such curiosity. Up until now, she noticed that Than still had that air of indifference that Hermione felt, as if he didn't care the slightest about the world. She examined him closely as his blank eyes continued to stare at her.

With a sigh, she kept her curiosity at hand and mumbled softly, "What happened?"

Than stood up from the chair and turned towards the windows with his back to her. With a sigh, he said, "Home. You fell asleep on the chair when we arrived. . .so I brought you inside the room."

Hermione felt her cheeks flush when she suddenly remembered what happened. Both of them walked a very long distance just to get to Than's house and after they got inside, she sat on the chair and immediately fell asleep. She felt herself nod and looked around the place.

The first thing she noticed is that the spacious room was only composed of the things that one would need. Beside the bed was a lone chair where Than sat before and there was also a bedside table with his wand on top. Everything was also neat and in order.

Hermione swallowed. Than was not the usual bloke you come across every day. When they were walking, he just stared at the road quietly with a blank expression on his face. She was annoyed with this. . .yet, she felt a strange pull towards the guy, even though she wanted so much to go home.

Than put his hands in his pockets again and gave out another sigh as he looked at her, "Are you hungry?"

Hermione shook her head and tried to smile. She realized that this person was not as bad as she thought. Than only nodded at her and went out of the room.

She followed him as she tried to take in everything about the house. Like the room, she noted that the other parts of the house were also a bit bare, with only a few pieces of furniture. She noticed an unusual calendar above the table, but she thought that it wasn't for her to ask, especially since they were not that close. After a while, Than urged her to take a seat at the table, while he rummaged inside the kitchen.

When he reappeared, Hermione smiled at him. "You have a very nice house, simple, but nice."

Than nodded at her comment and gave her a cup of noodles while placing a glass of water on the table. She took the cup and gave her thanks. He cleared his throat and she was surprised when she realized that he find it difficult to speak, but he did. "I am sorry for not being a good host, Ms. Granger. It so happened that I am used to living alone. Eat this and then we could take a walk outside, it's still early."

Hermione smiled at him and for the first time, she found herself delighted by his words and started to dig in.

He observed how she ate. Even with her food, she was still neat and. . .ridiculously proper. . .even for a guest. When she finished, Than took the cup and the glass back to the kitchen and when he got back, he noticed that she still sat there with her head down.

Curious, he asked her, "What's wrong?"

Hermione looked up. She hesitated, but with a sigh, she looked at him. "Sorry, I was just thinking about something."

"Care to tell me about it?"

She frowned. "Well, I am just a little disappointed that I don't know much about you."

Than raised a brow at her and smiled a little. "Go ahead, ask away."

Hermione looked away and twiddled with her hands. "Why do you live alone?"

He gave her a smirk, something he rarely did in the few hours that she knew him. "Because I am alone."

She stopped and frowned at him, her curiosity was overwhelming her. "Don't you have any family members? Friends? Anyone?"

"None."

Her frowned deepened. It was one thing to be an indifferent prat, but to really live alone without anyone to be there for him? She didn't think she could live if that happened. And worse of all, he didn't seem to mind and answered her questions without a second thought, without feeling.

When he looked away, it upset her to no end that this man didn't even care that she was trying her best to know him, to be friends with him. After all, he had to care, especially because he had to endure a few weeks with someone like her. . . but what she hated the most was the air of mystery that surrounded him and she couldn't do anything to know more about this person.

Hermione made up her mind. Whether he liked it or not, she would know, discover what she can with the time she was given.

As silence filled the room, she tried to formulate some kind of plan that would help her befriend this man. Even if he looked so much like Harry, he was a totally different bloke with a totally different attitude.

And before she knew it, a smile formed at the corner of her lips as she remembered the dream. One more time, she started to usher him into a conversation. "Would it be all right if we went out somewhere?"

Than looked at her again and gave a curt nod. Her smile widened when she saw a flash of curiosity in his eyes, even though it disappeared quickly. "Where do you want to go?"

But Hermione already took his hand and led him out the door. A sense of accomplishment surrounded her as she thought of her plan. It was so unlike her, but with a laugh, she remembered how much Harry changed her and loudly, she told him, "to teach you the meaning of the word fun."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the update! Please leave a review and tell me what you thought about the story. Thank you!

For the readers of Life Goes On, the next chapter will be due before the week ends. :)

fia's rapier

December 12, 2011