This Bitter Earth

SEVEN

A/N: An early update! All of your lovely comments are so inspiring that I sat down and worked this one out and got it out a few days early for you dear readers! I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed ALL of the beautiful comments y'all left!

A large thank you to AdAsttra (Tina) for betaing this chapter and doing a remarkable job of it! Thank you!

.

Soundtrack- "Hit the Ground Running" by Frank Zummo feat. Landon Tewers and "Circles (based on Ludovico Einaudi "Experience") by Ludovico Einaudi and Greta Svabo Bech

SEVEN

.

"Harry, please- just listen!"

Hermione spun around, tears already pooling in her eyes. Harry was staring at her, eyes wide behind his glasses and unblinking. Draco was gone. Ron was gone. She couldn't lose Harry too. No no no no no no!

She held up a shaking hand, hoping that he wouldn't start yelling or curse her or shove her outside the tent and into the dark, cold night. Hermione took a few tentative steps towards him, barely daring to breathe.

Harry blinked once. Twice. And didn't say anything. Her heart clenched in her chest, beating painfully. Would she ever go one day without it splintering?

"It's not-" Hermione started, trying to find a way to explain to Harry now that Ron hadn't left her any choice or even the opportunity to start the conversation in a manageable way. "It wasn't-"

Her lungs failed her, forcing the air out with every word and tightening so she couldn't breathe in.

"Hermione, it's okay," Harry said. Said. Not yelled, not shouted. Said. "I know. I already know."

His face swam for a moment as Hermione lost her balance.

"Woah! Hermione!"

She caught herself on one of the poles and leaned heavily against it for a moment before Harry's hands steadied her. He walked her over to one of the chairs, sitting her down carefully.

Hermione's ears were ringing. He... he knew? Harry knew?

He knelt down in front of her, keeping his hands on the arms of the chair, probably to make sure she wasn't going to fall out of it. Based on the loose feeling in her arms, the cold rush still running over her, and the high pitched noise that was very slowly fading, Hermione thought he might be right about that.

"Hermine, are you alright?" Harry asked, thick brows pulled tight. He was worried about her. Harry knew about Draco and he was worried about her.

"H-how?" Hermione gasped. "How long have you..."

Harry looked down sheepishly and shifted his weight a little. "Well," he cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up. "Since the night on the tower."

Oh my goodness. Harry had known for months! All this time and... The ringing started to come back.

"Do you want some water?" he asked nervously and Hermione nodded, unable to form words.

Harry walked into the kitchen and pulled a mug out of the small cabinet. Hermione watched him. He was walking around, doing normal things, just like he always did... but he knew. He knew and he wasn't freaking out or asking her how or blaming her or wanting to know everything all at once.

Harry knew and he was fetching her water.

He handed her the mug and Hermione took it carefully. Her fingers brushed over his and for a moment she thought she should pull back, like she would with Ron, but Harry just gave her one of those small little smiles he had over the past few months and she gently took the mug from him.