Ethereal

"I'm sorry about him," Hermione said as she watched that mess of black hair disappear behind the door. "It wasn't anything personal, he's just a little agitated."

That wasn't true, but Hermione didn't know how to justify anything about that exchange between her friend and... whatever Alex is right now. 

"I don't know, seemed pretty targeted." 

"Yeah, but don't listen to him."

"He clearly cares about you a lot," Alex points out.

"Nah, he just worries too much, we've been through a lot," Hermione shrugs. The way she says it is so trivialising. 'A lot' doesn't begin to summarise all that has happened.

Hermione would give her life for Harry, and she knows Harry would do the same for her. So why can she not acknowledge how much Harry cares for her?

"He's not wrong though, I wish you would have told me. I should have known. I feel like it's my responsibility to take care of you."

Hermione smiled, the way Alex said it was gentle and not imposing at all. 

"Well I have promised Harry to take better care and I'm pretty sure Draco would give me hell next time I get myself hospitalised. But Alex, can you believe how much work I have to do? Draco told me not to go back but..." she kept talking, and after a few minutes she saw Alex looking at her fondly and felt her ears get warmer.

"I'm sorry. Merlin, I never stop talking," she said sheepishly. 

In a bold move, Alex moved nearer and sat at the edge of the hospital bed. He reached out and entangled his fingers with hers. 

"I don't mind listening."

"It's not a very attractive attribute. Why did you even ask me out?" 

Hermione wasn't in any means self-deprecative or insecure but she never really thought she had anything that attracted people towards her. She didn't dote on herself, or even spend a few minutes in front of the mirror. Her hair never tamed, and she was getting bonier by the day. 

"I like you," Alex states simply. "That's why I asked you out."

"I li-," Hermione blushes as she speaks and it's so very unlike her but just as she is about to finish  the sentence the door opening stops her short.

Harry enters the room sporting an unreadable expression.

"Nice of you to knock," Hermione glares in his direction, wanting to get a rise out of him. Yes, she was pissed. Pissed at the sudden change of demeanour and pissed at the way he treated Alex. 

"It's a hospital Mione, not your apartment," Harry said, completely dismissing Alex's presence. "Draco got another patient in though he says you're free to go. I'll take you home, don't want you passing out in an alley and making it to the cover of the Daily Prophet."

Harry smirks at Hermione, and she suddenly loosens up. 

"Oi dumbass, don't go acting all responsible. As I've said before, I have years of experience on you," she joked, while swinging her feet off the bed. The energy supplements Draco had given her seemed to have taken effect. 

"You think I like being the responsible one Mione? I'd much rather wait at home, eating the delicious food I made earlier."

Harry refers to Hermione's apartment as if it is his home as well, and the brunette feels guilty for letting such a small thing make her chest flutter. 

"Why don't I walk you home, Hermione?" Alex offers politely, standing from his seat.

Harry realizes his mistake too late.

Alex puts his hands up, as if pre-emptively surrendering to any of Hermione's incoming protest. "I know you don't need help, I just want to. And that way Harry doesn't have to."

Have to? Harry hates how that sounds. Get to, he corrects internally. Nothing he does for Hermione is ever because he has to. Harry wants to, he gets to. Knowing Hermione, being her friend, spending time with her... is Harry's greatest privilege.

Hermione deflates, but not visibly. 

She nods and when Alex offers his hand, she takes it with a gentle smile. 

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"Thanks for walking me home," she says, before briefly turning around and looking for the keys in her. 

"My pleasure, get some rest. Please," he adds the last part softly. 

Hermione looks at him, and there's worry in his eyes. Though aside from that, she can see many other emotions raging on his face. Then suddenly Alex leans forward and plants a kiss on Hermione's cheek. 

He doesn't pull back though and his intent stare makes Hermione think that he is asking for permission. She nods and their lips meet in a chaste kiss. 

At the contact, Hermione feels dispirited. She wanted it to feel like more. No. She needed it to be good, mind-blowing like all the books and all the muggle movies showed. She wants to prove it to herself that she can love someone, that she can move on with her life. 

Her gaze meets Alex's and he's frowning a little. 

"Too soon?" He asked, and Hermione realised that the man in front of her is terrified of screwing up. 

So she shakes her head and leaves another peck. 

Alex was beaming when she pulled away, and waved him goodnight. 

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Harry hates the blush on Hermione's cheeks as she enters the house. He had made it before her and then paced impatiently. As soon as he heard her footsteps approaching though, he sat down on the chair and put on his glasses. He pretended to read a book that he honestly doesn't even know the title of. 

The entire exchange outside was not missed by the raven. He'd unwillingly heard each word.

He points to the corner, "left some food for you. In case you want it."

She looks at the 2 corned beef sandwiches cut in half and it soothes her. For some reason she had felt that Harry would be mad at her too. He didn't seem all that happy leaving the hospital, but he still left some food out. 

She turned to thank him, but Harry was already picking up all his things. 

"Wh- wait where are you going?" 

Harry turned around, and for some reason Hermione felt shut off. His eyes were piercing and she couldn't see, couldn't understand a single emotion raging behind them. 

"Grimmauld Palace. I'll head over to the ministry tomorrow to pick up another mission."

Hermione scoffed. The audacity.

"No you won't. You came back yesterday, you bled all over my apartment."

"Well sorry for the inconvenience then," the snark in his voice made Hermione want to hex the boy in front of her. 

"Suit yourself," she spat and didn't turn around till she heard the door behind her close. As the lock clicked in, she felt a tear trickle down her cheek.