Disclaimer: I, by no means, claim to own anything remotely related to the Harry Potter Universe. Title inspired by Emeli Sande's album name. No copyright infringement intended.

Introduction: This story is very AU. Most changes are revealed in the first few chapters, I think. Any queries are welcomed.

There are no Horcruxes in this story. Voldemort and his ever-so-lovely Death Eaters were defeated in the graveyard at the end of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, by the Boy-Who-Lived and his brother. For the purpose of this story, students from fifth, sixth and seventh year could enter their names into the Goblet.

I do hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

I've always thought our version of events would be different. I'm trying to understand. I am. I don't want you to go. Don't. Please. This isn't the way it's supposed to be.

As he sat there, Harry Potter kept replaying the memory of her saying those words to him as he watched her enter the boardroom with Remus Lupin. Thankfully, for everyone, he had been forewarned. If he hadn't, he hated to think of how he would have reacted to the sight of her. He'd spent quite a while trying to prepare, but even he had to know that no amount of preparation would have been enough.

In the six years since he had seen her, she had changed. If anything, Harry would say that she became more beautiful, if that were even possible. She held herself so confidently, walking with purpose, as Remus showed her to a chair at the conference table. Harry remained in his seat, watching the entire thing play out with bated breath. When would she notice him? What would she do?

For Harry, her presence brought back too many memories, not all of them pleasant. He had tried desperately to forget it all, deciding that it was the only way he could possibly go on. He had to know it was improbable. It would have to take an Obliviation to make him forget Hermione Jean Granger.

The conference table itself was large enough that she was several metres away from him, her eyes focused on the agenda Remus had placed in front of her. Harry almost smiled. Trust her to get right down to business.

You and I both know this isn't the way things are supposed to be. We are supposed to be together. It's shouldn't be like this.

Harry conceded that Hermione was the type of girl who deserved the amazing love story. And, to some extent, he had given it to her. To get to their real story, one would have to go back to their fourth year of schooling at Hogwarts School for Wizardry and Witchcraft. At that point, the two were very good friends, along with Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas. Some would even say they were near inseparable. At the time, Harry guessed that they were destined for one of those fated loves that Remus spoke so fondly about. All he had to do was ask her to accompany him to Hogsmeade and the rest would play out. He was convinced of it. It was just one way their love story could have gone.

Only, it went in an entirely different direction.

Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts was a strange one. As the younger brother to whom the world believed was the Boy-Who-Lived, he should have expected a bumpy year. As much as people claimed, it wasn't a surprise when Bennet Potter's name emerged from the Goblet of Fire. If anything, it would have been more of a surprise if it didn't. What was surprising, was the emergence of a fourth Champion. Harry remembered holding his breath as he watched their Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, read the small piece of parchment.

When the old Professor read the name out loud, the entire Hall erupted into vehement murmuring. In all honesty, Harry almost passed out. The shock at the sound of his name paralysed him, and Hermione had to pinch him to get him moving. What followed was a whirlwind of all things terrible. Of course, Bennet said nothing to his little brother about the entire ordeal, and the famous James and Lily Potter were unsure how to handle their sons' predicaments.

Of course, the younger Potter was ostrocised, much like he had been in his second year when Bennet had started the nasty rumour that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin. The only people who believed that he didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire from the very beginning were Hermione and Neville. Harry remembered that Dean needed some convincing, but he came around well before the Tri-Wizard Tournament's First 'Death' Task even began.

And then Harry went and threw it all right back in their faces.

As was expected of those attending the Yule Ball, Harry required a date. It was at that time that one of the prettiest girls in the school seemed to take an interest in him. Cho Chang. She was a year older, Quidditch Seeker, deftly smart, mature, cunning, gorgeous and keen on the young Gryffindor, that Harry turned into a mumbling idiot whenever she was around. What she first saw in him, he would never know. As it were, she molded him into exactly the type of boy she wanted to date.

Looking back, Harry quite hated himself for becoming who he became. At the first chance he got, he dropped his friends and threw himself into the life of the popular. He became the one thing he was determined never to become: his brother. He all but stepped into an entirely different world, leaving his trusted friends for the sometimes sadistic Ronald Weasley and ill-tempered Seamus Finnegan. That was the world Cho brought him into. Suddenly, it didn't even matter that he was the annoying kid brother of the most famous boy wizard in the world.

After everything that Bennet laid claim to, Harry was pleased that those accomplishments were his own. He was no longer a nobody; he didn't go unnoticed. Not until Cho Chang noticed him. He didn't even care what reason she had for speaking to him in the first place. He just cared that she did. He'd become somebody because of it.

And he went right back to being a nobody when she broke up with him near the end of his sixth year. No, she dumped him flat. So hard. In fact, it was a truly public humiliation, occurring right in the middle of the Great Hall during one of the busier dinners. It was the type of humiliation that people don't just forget. It doesn't just go away. It's the kind that you carry with you throughout the halls, doing your best to ignore all the snide remarks and snickers about your heartbreak.

What did help Harry, though, was the fact that he was still Reserve Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team behind his brother. When Bennet graduated, Harry was a shoe-in for taking the spot. He was definitely looking forward to the one year that he didn't have to be the 'Other Potter.'

The year itself didn't start out terribly. He quickly made the Quidditch Team as he was Deputy Captain to their Keeper, Ronald Weasley. Between the two of them, they had the entire House riled up about potentially winning the House Cup that year. Which, really, was where his and Hermione's very brief love story really began.

We haven't had a lot of time. I wish we did. It would have been nice to see how far this could go. Something tells me we could have had forever.

"We still could," Harry whispered to himself, and a few heads closest to him turned to look his way. He paid them no attention as he made to rise to his feet and call for attention. Before he could stand, though, Neville stopped him.

"The minutes," Neville said, as if it irked him to have to repeatedly remind Harry.

"Of course." Harry managed a smile. "Go ahead."

Carefully, Neville rose to his feet. At the sight, Remus called the meeting to order and everyone settled in to listen to the youngest Longbottom. Harry tried to listen as best he could but he just couldn't see the merit in reading aloud the minutes. He understood their being taken but this part was just unnecessary. If something was important enough, Harry was sure he would remember.

As it were, the last thing Harry wanted to do was mess with tradition. Not when he was now the boss in a place where he was sure he was purposefully unwanted.

Once Neville was done, he sat down and passed the piece of paper to Harry. Before he signed the sheet, he questioned the table of the accuracy of the minutes. At their nods, Harry scribbled his name and stood to formally begin the meeting.

"Good morning," he said strongly. "I trust we've all had a productive fortnight." His voice was even, steady; grossly unlike his heartbeat. She was looking at him! "From what I have seen of the progress reports, that does indeed appear to be the case. Most notably, I must commend Fredericks and Hammond on their acquisition of Hanley. That is a very large account. As is the Boot account. Both the landing of these accounts will go a long way to rebuilding the company's name again."

"It should never have dropped in the first place."

Harry turned to look at the person who had spoken. Trust Severus Snape to insert his nasty opinion. Really, Harry wondered what possessed his father to hire this insufferable man. After Dumbledore had finally wised up and sacked the pitiful Potions Master, nobody should have gone anywhere near the man. Sigh. Harry just managed to ignore the man's permanent scowl and continued with his opening address. "We have had to do considerable damage control with regards to investments in Galaxia. It is my understanding that Izib was able to compensate the losses."

"Whose idea was Galaxia in the first place?"

Harry shot Snape a dirty look, almost daring him to say another word. Wisely, the greasy man remained silent. "Asking questions you already know the answers to is unproductive," Harry said generally, though everyone knew at whom the remark was directed. "We all have jobs to do."

"Bennet would never have let it happen."

That made Harry's breath catch. He'd expected resistance, and he'd received it on every front. But this... this felt different. It was... personal. It wasn't that Harry didn't know what he was doing. He may not have been the saviour - at least in the eyes of the rest of the world - but he knew he was loved. His father had spent years teaching him and his brother the secrets of the Potter trade. Harry was extremely capable of running this company and he was determined to do his father proud. How dare they undermine him?

Harry cleared his throat. He did not want to fight. "On a more positive note, Anthony Goldstein and his wife have just welcomed their first child. We received an invitation to the baby's Christening, as his wife is a Muggle, and I expect a few of us to attend. Also, that same evening, Daphne Greengrass' fundraising dinner is being held in Downtown London. For those who have worked on the account, I strongly suggest you stop by. I know that Daphne will really appreciate all the support."

Harry worked through the agenda, making suggestions and hearing explanations. He liked to be interactive and he barely sat down as the meeting went on. He also did not once look at Hermione. As it was nearing its end, Harry handed over to Remus, who stood and smiled the genuine smile for which he was well known.

"Following the untimely departure of Blaise Zabini, we have struggled to find a replacement who upholds the same principles and ideologies promoted by Potter & Sons. However, I am pleased to announce our newest acquisition. Please, everyone, join me in welcoming our new Director of Finances, Miss Hermione Granger."

The reaction was timid, if anything. Neville led the clapping, but Harry couldn't bring himself to move a muscle.

Remus continued. "For those of you who are unaware, Miss Granger here graduated top of her class from Hogwarts. While gaining a Mastery in Arithmancy, she attended Muggle University and attained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Science. We are extremely lucky to have her. Welcome, Miss Granger."

"Thank you," she said softly, acknowledging Remus' kind words.

Remus Lupin was known for being kind. Harry thought that it was his way of overcorrecting that fact that his Lycanthropy was a well-known secret. He was always thoughtful, and he chose his words very carefully before he opened his mouth. They were all skills that Harry desperately tried to mimic. Even well into his twenties, Harry was still unsuccessful.

Remus ended the meeting a moment later, dismissing the workers and sending them to their respective offices and work stations. Harry quickly packed up his few pages, eager to get out of there as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he wasn't quick enough. Remus caught him on his way out.

"I have to rush to the Ministry," he said hurriedly. "I've already briefed Teddy. I just can't seem to find him. Can you make sure he shows Hermione to her office?"

Harry couldn't help glaring at him.

Remus patted his shoulder, even laughing. "Good man." And then he was off, not even waiting for a reply.

Harry risked a look back into the boardroom. She was still seated, reading through some file or the other. If she were any other new employee, Harry would have shown her to her office himself, but she wasn't some ordinary employee. She was Hermione Granger. She was... the one who got away. So, without another thought, Harry shuffled out of the boardroom and started on his way to his own office. His secretary, Mia Lupin, was sitting with her feet up on her desk, a group of conjured canaries flying in a circle above her head.

"Mia," Harry said, trying not to be amused by her antics. "Find Teddy for me."

The groan that sounded from the young witch's mouth had nothing to do with Harry's request, but more to do with the fact that the request involved the little rascal. As much of a bother she found the little boy, she couldn't stop herself from imagining that he would have been the perfect brother, had everything worked out better for her parents, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Her father very rarely spoke about her mother's death, not that Mia blamed him, but she would have liked to know more than the age-old: your mother died protecting us; she was very proud to be an Auror.

"Now," Harry reiterated.

While Mia searched the offices for Teddy, Harry sat down at his desk and shuffled through papers. As much filing that he did, the pages just never seemed to end. He had to wait only two minutes before Teddy's little head popped through the open door.

"Harry, you wanted to see me?"

Harry gestured him into the office. "Hiya champ," he said fondly. "Remus says he was looking for you."

Teddy shrugged. "You always tell me that I work for you," Teddy said, grinning widely. "No, I arrived late. Gran had a bit of a rough morning."

Harry's grin turned to a look of pure worry. "Is everything okay?"

"Fine. What can I do for you?"

"Miss Granger is here," he said, finding that saying her name was like swallowing acid. "Remus already filled you in?"

Teddy nodded his head excitedly. "I've been wanting to meet her even since Remus said that you knew her when you were younger."

Harry just shook his head. "That was a very long time ago, Teddy."

"Will you ever tell me the story?" he asked innocently.

"Only if you're a good boy," he said, smiling at his favourite human being. "Now run along. She's waiting in the boardroom, last time I checked."

With one final smile, Teddy raced off, leaving Harry to his own thoughts.

For the most part, the day tumbled on without incident. Harry was quite proud of the fact that he could actually pay attention to his work, with the knowledge that she was in an office somewhere down the corridor. He wondered how long they could go on pretending that there wasn't any history. They would have to work together at some point. Then what would happen?

Harry liked to remember the first day they met on their very first trip on the Hogwarts Express. Harry located an empty compartment, grateful that nobody seemed to recognise him as the little brother to the famous Bennet Potter. Harry had to admit that he had been frightened. As many stories as he'd heard from his brother, nothing quite prepared him for the wonder that was the entire Hogwarts experience.

Harry and Hermione met in passing that day, when she came looking for a toad named Trevor. Harry remembered her so clearly, all bushy hair and bucked teeth. She was just so Hermione even then, that Harry could barely suppress his smile at the memory. What he remembered with such fondness was that she never ever saw him as the 'Other Potter.' Ever. To her, Harry had always been just Harry.

The memories carried him through his morning, right over lunch and into his afternoon of endless paperwork. He was sitting at his desk, buried under pages, when he was visited by the one person he definitely wasn't expecting to see walked right through his open door.

His mother: Lily Potter.

Oh wait. Lily Black now.

Harry immediately stood up, taking in her presence. To him, she looked younger, almost rejuvenated. She was smiling widely at him, though Harry was sure it had nothing to do with him at all. It was probably to do with Sirius Black, but Harry would never talk about it.

"Harry, honey, why is your door open?" Lily asked, moving towards him and burying him in a motherly hug.

Harry squeezed her back, as he was accustomed to doing whenever his mother showed him this kind of affection. As he released her, he asked the burning question. "Mother, it's great to see you and all, but what are you doing here?"

Lily gave him a look of disdain. "Can't a mother come and check on her son without being questioned?" she asked, her glare turning into laughter. "Honestly, Harry."

Harry watched her move back around the desk and sit down in one of the chairs opposite his large desk. Carefully, he also returned to his seat, giving her a look that told her he did not believe her for a second.

"Okay, okay," Lily said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "You caught me. I do have ulterior motives." She gave him a cunning smile. "But I do want to know how you have been? I feel like you haven't come by in a while."

"I've been busy," he mumbled, dropping his head slightly. "But I'm fine, really. Well... I mean, I'm healthy, if that's what you're asking."

"Not exactly," she said, smiling kindly. "But it's good to know, nonetheless."

"How are you?" Harry pushed on. "How is, umm, Sirius?"

Lily appreciated the question and she told him so with her eyes. "I'm good, Harry. So is Sirius, thank you for asking. You should visit more, get to know him."

"I do know him," Harry said through gritted teeth.

Lily didn't push it. She wasn't going to win any awards by forcing her younger son to accept the role Sirius now played in all their lives. "You will have to visit more though," she let him know. "You're going to have to be more involved in the family."

Harry frowned. "And why is that?"

"It's your brother," she explained, gearing herself up for the big news. "He's getting married."

Harry would have to admit that his reaction was not what either of them expected. To his own horror, he laughed. "You're kidding, right?"

Lily quickly shook her head. "Why would I make a joke about something so important?"

Harry stilled. "Bennet is getting married?" At his mother's nod, all he could do was blink. He was shocked. Bennet just never struck him as the type to settle down. He was too much of a bachelor to even consider life with only one person. He was always a player, drifting from girl to girl, riding the wave of his fame. She must be some girl, if she managed to get him of all people to stand up and get counted. "Wow," Harry breathed. "That's amazing."

"We're all very excited," Lily said, agreeing.

"I can imagine," he admitted quietly.

Lily took a moment to regard her younger son, trying to gauge his true reaction. He wasn't giving anything away. "The invitations should go out next week. There is still quite a bit of planning to be done, as you would expect. It's going to be rather big, what with all the interest in the couple."

Harry nodded his understanding. He was surprised he hadn't heard about it beforehand. Surely people around the office had to know that Bennet was getting married. There must have been a wedding announcement in the paper. Why hadn't anyone told him when he started working here?

"I do like what you've done with the place," Lily said, switching topics as she looked around the office that once belonged to James Potter, her late husband. No, her late ex-husband.

Harry might have laughed if he wasn't so disturbed by the fact that nobody thought to tell him about Bennet's impending nuptials beforehand. The truth was that Harry's office was rather bare. There were no picture frames, nor any ornaments of any kind. There was nothing to suggest that it was occupied by Harry, bar the endless piles of files he had to go through on a daily business as he caught up with all the accounts.

Lily didn't mention James, even if she wanted to. She was sure to push some sensitive buttons if she did. As it were, she already had a difficult enough job to do. "So," she sounded. "How is Cho?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Hah, well, Cho is fine," he said rather dismissively. "We met for drinks once, just to catch up. It really wasn't anything special. I doubt we could ever work out again."

"I've never understood that. You two were so good together at Hogwarts."

"Until she dumped me," he muttered. "And we're different now. People change. There's also quite a bit of painful history thrown into the mix. It's not exactly something that can just be forgotten."

"Understandable."

Harry waited. He could tell that there were things that she wanted to say, and he would allow her to say them in her own time. Well, he would try... because he could already feel himself losing patience.

"At the moment, your brother and his fiancee are living in Godric's Hollow," she explained. "As you know, your father left Bennet the House there."

Harry did not mention that she full well knew that he did not know the contents of his father's will. "Is that so?"

"They aren't too happy there. Bennet misses London, which is why they will be moving into Grimmauld Place once they are married."

"Grimmauld Place?"

"It's Sirius' ancestral home," she explained.

"Oh."

"Which is rather near where you live," she pointed out.

Harry, to his family's utter dismay, lived within a Muggle apartment building in London. He had electricity and rarely used magic within the confines of his home. It was a decision he didn't regret for even a second. Harry wouldn't want the couple anywhere near him anyway. Being the second son of James and Lily Potter wasn't easy, and neither was being the younger brother of the very lovable Bennet Potter. Harry didn't need the added pressure. He was already well aware of the fact that Bennet was perceived to be bigger than him, better than him, and definitely more loved by almost everyone they came across. It was just the way things were.

At least until Cho came around and realised Harry was worth it. Harry hadn't known it at the time but he later learned that his brother had wanted to ask Cho to the Yule Ball. Harry was too proud to query if that was the reason she went after him. He wasn't sure he wanted to know that answer. He'd also never asked her why she felt he deserved such a humiliating break-up, mainly because he wasn't courageous enough to know the truth. Some Gryffindor he was.

Harry was almost convinced that Cho probably wised up and remembered that he was, in fact, second best. He wouldn't have even been running his father's company if it other people had their way. Most of the vocal protests came from Snape and his duty-bound followers.

Thankfully, none from his mother.

"There are a few more things that we have to talk about," Lily said, somewhat somberly. "Bennet should probably be the one to talk to you about this but you're rather frightening now."

"What?"

"You can't tell me that you wouldn't wipe the floor with your brother in a duel now, would you?"

"I've always been able to wipe the floor with him," he said, smirking ever so slightly.

"He's afraid of how you might react."

Harry paled. What was happening? "What are you talking about?"

"You're not the little boy you used to be. You went away and you've come back a grown man. He knows he can't just push you around anymore."

"He's never been able to push me around."

Lily ignored his comment. "Harry?"

"Look, this is starting to freak me out a little bit," he said, his eyes widening. "What's happened? What on earth can't he tell me? He's always loved to torture me, you know that."

Lily took a deep breath. "This time it's a little different."

"What is this about?"

"The girl that Ben is going to marry, Harry... She's, umm, well, she's," she paused, trying to find the words.

Heat rose up Harry's neck. He wasn't going to like this. "You're acting like I know her," he pointed out. "Do I know her? Don't tell me he's marrying Su? We both know how bad she is for him."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "He's not marrying Su. Before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you're not going to hate him."

That made him frown. "Hate him? Why would I hate him?"

She was saved from a response when Teddy popped his head through Harry's open door. "Sorry to interrupt," he said sweetly. "Just wanted to let you know that Miss Granger is all settled in and Mr Lupin is back from the Ministry. Can I get you anything?"

Harry was caught in his own thoughts, trying to figure out how to respond and to whom. "Umm," he sounded. "We're all right for now, thank you."

"Sure thing." And then he sprinted away, leaving mother and son to the heat of their seemingly unavoidable conversation.

Harry looked at his mother. "What is going on?"

Lily looked torn. "Merlin, she's already here," she mumbled to herself.

"Excuse me?"

"Hermione... She's already here," she whispered.

Harry nodded once. "She arrived this morning."

"Have you spoken to her yet? Do you know?"

Harry frowned once more. His breath came out in a huff. "Just tell me whatever it is you want to tell me. This is frustrating! Can you please just tell me whatever it is that Bennet has sent you hear to tell me?"

Lily avoided meeting his gaze. "I should probably go and say hello to her," she said, starting to rise to her feet.

"Wait. Why would you do that? You haven't seen her in ages," he pointed out, also rising.

"I've seen her plenty, Harry. And even if I hadn't; this would be a perfect reason to see her. What's the matter with you?"

"What's the matter with me? You're the one who's come in here and started acting like I've done something of which you disapprove, when it really seems like Bennet is the one who's done something wrong and you're just protecting him." Like you always do.

"Ben has done nothing wrong," she dismissed his observation in a hiss. "Both of them have done absolutely nothing wrong."

In all honesty, Harry would look back and say that he should have guessed it in that moment. He should have realised exactly what was happening, but all he could think about was the latent rage he felt at his mother's obvious guarding of whatever Bennet had done. "Who hasn't done what wrong?" he pressed, short of demanding answers.

"I know that this is probably going to be difficult for you to hear but I'm afraid that it's just something you'll have to accept."

That did it. Harry didn't want to know. "Maybe this isn't the right time to tell me then," he said softly. "I've already had a difficult day, what with the arrival of Hermione and all."

Lily looked at him sadly, her eyes pitiful. "Oh honey," she cooed. "You're going to have to get used to it. Hermione is going to be around for a very long time."

There was another moment for him to figure it out, but the idea itself was just so preposterous to him that it never would have crossed his mind. "What does that even mean?"

"Hermione is the girl Bennet is going to marry, Harry."

It was a sentence that robbed his lungs of air and stopped his heart at the same time. Again, Harry reacted in a way neither quite expected. "What?" And then he was laughing. Rather uncontrollably. "Let me get this straight: you're telling me that my brother, my own brother, Bennet Potter, and my Hermione, my Hermione Granger are getting... married?"

"That is exactly what I'm telling you."

It had to be some big, elaborate joke. A sick one, but still a joke. "You're kidding, right? Someone put you up to this. Was it Remus?"

"Harry," she said sternly. "I'm being serious here."

He visibly paled, and his features hardened. "No," he said strongly. "No ways. No."

"It's definitely happening. We've been able to hide it from you while you've settled in but we can't wait any longer. It's time you got involved in the preparations."

No. This wasn't happening. It had to be a joke, or some horrible dream. Hermione would never do that to him. Even Bennet wouldn't go that far. There had to be some mistake.

"Harry?" she queried quietly.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "There is no way I am getting involved in any of this. I refuse. How on earth can you expect me to just hear about this and have me suddenly be all on board? You know that there is a lot wrong with this."

"There is nothing wrong with it."

"Of course you would say that," he barked. "You couldn't wait to get with Sirius after Dad. Nothing wrong with that either, is there?"

Lily pressed her lips together, determined not to get into an entirely different argument.

"Go!" he almost shouted. "I think it's best you just leave now, before either of us says things we'll surely regret."

"Harry?" She had that sad, pitying look in her eye again and he positively hated it.

"Don't look at me like that," he said coldly. "It doesn't even matter what I think, right? How I feel? You have already made decisions and, as you say, all I can do now is accept things as they are. You'll have to forgive me when I can't do that." He made a point of turning away from her, unable to see the pity in her eyes anymore.

Lily thought of saying something more but wisely decided against it. He would need time to process the news and they would all do well to give it to him. So, without a word more, she turned on her heel and exited the office, absently closing the door behind her.

At the sound of the click, Harry let out the breath he was unknowingly holding. He couldn't even begin to describe what he was feeling. Besides the initial shock and disbelief, he was angry. He was raging. He could actually feel his magic threatening to explode outwards. How dare they do this to him. How dare Bennet? And, Merlin, how dare she?

Harry eventually returned to his seat and tried to keep calm. His paperwork was easily forgotten, set aside for a day when merely touching the pages wouldn't set them on fire. The truth was that Harry felt betrayed. He just couldn't wrap his head around it. They'd explicitly gone out of their way to hide it from him. If there was nothing so wrong with it, why had they done that?

Harry hated to admit that he had always held a candle for Hermione. Even after their untimely end, he'd known she was someone special. And now she was marrying his brother. Harry bit back the urge to gag.

Ever since his return to England, he had thought hard about contacting Hermione. He didn't think he deserved to, considering the way they had ended. He'd wanted to be settled in his life before he made contact, but now... For a long time, Harry was sure he was unworthy of her. She was always so much more that anyone he'd ever met. Now... Of all the men in the world, she chose his brother. It just didn't make sense to him. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. And angry was the last thing he wanted to be.

He wanted to have buried his anger along with his father.

It took an indeterminable amount of time for Harry to calm down enough to start work again. It was a welcome distraction. He even ventured out of his office at some point, stopping in to pick up a few files from Remus.

It was a mistake walking by Hermione's office. It was an even bigger mistake, on her part, when she called out to him. Harry's anger flared as he stopped in her doorway, his gaze unable to meet hers. He hadn't actually been able to look at her and he was not about to start.

Hermione stood up, her expression slightly timid. "I had a question about the Stanley account," she said, wisely sticking to work-related topics. "Are you aware that their investment plan is severely outdated?"

"It's old money," Harry said, speaking to her directly for the first time since he had taken that Portkey and left her. "Stanley is a very stubborn man. He and my father had an agreement, I believe."

"Same with the Gregor account?"

Harry nodded. "I've found that the older the man gets, the more stubborn he becomes."

Hermione managed a smile. Then, completely changing topics, she asked, "Harry, who is Teddy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Teddy. The adorable little boy runs around here. Who is he?"

Harry didn't want her to talk about him, as if he was something sacred she couldn't tarnish. "Umm... Well, he's... Umm, I served alongside his mother," he eventually said. "Unfortunately, she didn't make it back. He lives with his grandmother now, but she's rather sickly. I try to help out however I can, even if that means keeping him occupied when he isn't in school. He seems to like it here."

Hermione nodded. "It seems he does."

Harry cleared his throat. "If that's all." He made to turn, but the sound of her voice stopped him.

"Your mother mentioned that you didn't take the news very well." She said the sentence with such ease that Harry almost thought she had said something else.

"What else did you expect?" he asked pointedly. What was it about this situation that made them assume that he would be okay with it? "Did you think I would congratulate you, or wish you well?"

"I thought you would be happy for us."

"Well that's just stupid," he dismissed. "You're smarter than that, Hermione."

She regarded him for a moment. "You're mad."

"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one," he muttered. "I fully understand that it's been years, but you should know that no amount of time makes up for this. It isn't like I just forgot about you."

She let out a long breath. "Harry... six years in a long time. You know that."

"I do know that. I know that so much has happened, so much has changed. But even you must know that this is too much. You wouldn't be the smartest witch of our generation if you couldn't see that. You can't expect me slip into this new life you've managed to think up for me. I'm not built like that."

"I would understand if you weren't okay with it..."

Harry cut her off. "You would understand? Wow!" He frowned and smiled at the same time. He looked rather incredulous really. "I don't think you do understand. You are marrying my brother, Hermione." He glared at her. "You are getting married to my brother. My brother."

"I know that."

"Do you really? I don't think you do. Because, if I recall correctly, you were never really a fan of him. In fact, if my memory is correct, you called him an insufferable git who knew nothing about how to be a decent human being. Am I remembering correctly, or is it just my imagination?"

"Harry," she breathed, realising that she must have pinched a nerve because, all of a sudden, Harry's magic felt a little out of control.

"Don't Harry me," he retorted, his voice hard and pained. "You told me that you didn't want me to be anything like my brother. You wanted to be with the sort of person I am. You made me great, Hermione. That's what you did for me. Our seventh year was painful, and wonderful and so humiliating but I didn't even care. We went through so much, and I would go through it all again and again if it meant I could experience that undeniable love for you.

"I mean, you're right. It's been six years. It's been a hell of a long time. But, in that time, not once have I thought about you and regretted it. I've never looked back and wished we'd never been together. Even after I left that day, I knew that you did what you did because you loved me. We were going to have a great love, you and me, and I know I ruined it, but I never had regrets. For six years, I never wished our love hadn't existed; I've never wanted all that happened not to be part of our history; I've never had a single regret... Until right now."

Harry gave her one last look before he left her office. He passed by curious eyes as he walked but he didn't even care. He just wanted to go - where, he didn't know - and forget this day had even happened. He needed it to be a terrible dream. He had to be able to wake up from this nightmare.

He'd spent years building himself up to be worthy and now, in one short day, everything seemed to be coming crumbling down.