Unbroken

Sunday, Week 1 (4)

Draco POV

Ginny and I were left shocked by Granger's outburst and I nearly jumped in if it weren't for my girlfriend's hand on my arm. For a girl who claimed to be the best friend of Harry Potter, she certainly wasn't treating him like one. Harry never really talks about his past but from what I was able to deduce, something had happened between him and Granger.

The two were joined at the hip in school and everyone, including me, thought they were together. We were all surprised when she went after the human food vacuum instead. At the time I couldn't have cared less, but now, I know she chose wrong. It's not my business, though. My concern is her treatment of my squad leader.

I can admit that I was an arsehole to Harry for pretty much all of our school years but that changed quickly when he saved my life and my mother's life during the final battle. Then, not only that, he recommended me to join the aurors and be a part of his team. If that wasn't enough, he personally vouched for me to court Ginny, his ex-girlfriend. I don't want to say I owe the man my life but I kind of do.

Ginny's softly snoring against my bare chest and I can't help the fond smile I get when I look down at her sleeping frame. The nature of my job, of Harry's job, of Neville's job, is inherently risky but he does everything to mitigate the risk for us. He knows that Ginny and I, and Neville and Luna are bound to be married one day. And so, he risks his life to make sure we can live that future. We never asked him to but he did it anyway. That's who he is. Granger was too much of a bloody fool.

I had half a mind to berate her in front of everyone but Gin held me back. In retrospect, Granger never really had control of that smart mouth whenever she was flustered and it definitely showed today. I gather that her outburst was out of a mixture of concern and anger for Harry. Didn't make it any less hurtful, though. I resolved to have a talk with the girl when I next got the chance. Knowing Boss, he was definitely going to avoid her.

My attention is now turned to the call from Roberts that made Harry leave. Whatever it was, it must have been pretty serious for him. I most likely am going to hear about it tomorrow and I hope it isn't nearly as bad as I think it is. Harry has this tendency to retreat into this dark place whenever a case gets to him and it is damn near—actually it is—impossible to get him out of it. Tomorrow, he'll need his team more than ever.

Ron POV

Of course I don't get a bloody chance to have sex because my wife is too busy crying over Harry Fucking Potter. I mean, yeah, she had herself to blame but for Merlin's sake. In truth, I was surprised when she told him he had no one to go home to, but a traitorous part of me enjoyed the quick look of hurt that crashed on his face momentarily. A part of me can't help but resent him for nearly stealing Hermione away from me but even I know my wife went too far.

Now, I have to deal with the consequences of that. I was no bloody good with any type of crying woman so that is why I'm lying on the couch waiting for her to cry herself to sleep. Really, what the hell was I supposed to do? Tell her she was right? She definitely wasn't. Ask her to make love? Yeah, right. I am at a loss as to what to do and it doesn't help that she's crying over Harry, a touchy topic for both of us.

I'm content to fall asleep right on this couch in order to avoid any confrontation about Harry Bloody Potter. Even when the prat was actively avoiding us, he seemed to have an impact on our lives.

Hermione POV

There was no doubt in my mind that I ruined my friendship with Harry after the dinner. He was already pulling away from us but now I was certain that the bond between us was severed for good. He was the one known for having a short temper but I, on more than one occasion, let my mouth run wild when I was angry. Safe to say, I hate myself.

I keep telling myself that it was only natural for people to grow apart, that it was natural for friendships to devolve, but nothing is stopping the stabbing pain in my chest that only comes when I'm faced with the very real possibility that I wouldn't be part of Harry's life anymore. I never imagined that, after everything we've been through, this would happen. We were supposed to be best friends forever. Did it all mean nothing in the grand scheme of the universe?

Ron was avoiding me, I knew. He was never good with emotional women and I secretly appreciated him giving me my space. I needed some time alone to mourn my dead friendship with Harry. Wait, mourn my dead friendship?

The friendship wasn't dead yet, was it? It couldn't have been. I won't let it. I'll just find a way to talk to Harry, I still have my key to Grimmauld after all. I don't care if I go there to find him shagging that Lyla bit—woman, he's my best friend. I'll just wait til he gets done, I don't care how awkward it gets. I didn't come all this way with him to just lose him over a few stupid words.

With my plan in mind, I make the intention to visit him right after he gets off of work. A large part of me hopes he doesn't bring that Lyla woman home with him but, even if he does, I still won't leave. She's not of any importance anyway. My tears have stopped flowing and I'm thankful for it as I settle into bed with newfound determination to speak to my best friend.