Disclaimer: I Don't Own Anything to Do With Harry Potter.

Chapter 9: Guilt

Monday, February 14th, 1994

Hospital Wing

The next morning, Harry woke up to a hand being run softly through his hair.

"Mmmm, that feels good." mumbled Harry.

"Well I'll have to remember to do it more often." laughed Hermione.

Hearing Hermione's voice woke Harry up all the way and he jerked back from her.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean for you to get burned." cried Harry.

"It's ok, Harry. Well it's not ok, it really hurts, but I know that you didn't intend to hurt me. What were you thinking about when it happened?" asked Hermione

"It started with everything that had happened in Dumbledore's office, but then I started thinking about my life with the Dursley's and my anger grew and grew." said Harry.

"I wish you would tell me about your life with them. I know there's more than what you're saying" said Hermione.

"I can't, Hermione. At least not now." said Harry.

Hermione's arguments got interrupted by Madam Pomfrey coming out of her office and over to Hermione's bed.

"How is your arm feeling, Miss Granger?" asked Madam Pomfrey.

"It really hurts." said Hermione.

"Well with Dragon fire that's to be expected. It'll be a few days before you are completely healed." said Madam Pomfrey.

"Will I still be able to go to classes?" asked Hermione causing Harry to laugh. Hermione glared at him and he became quiet immediately.

"With the potions I'll have to give you for the pain and nerve damage you'll need to stay in the Hospital Wing, but I'm pretty sure Mr. Potter can be persuaded to bring you your notes and study materials on the condition that you take things easy while you are here." said Madam Pomfrey.

Hermione sighed and gave her promise that she would take things easy. Harry knew that she really wouldn't, but didn't say anything.

"Now let's take a look at your arm." said Madam Pomfrey using her wand to remove the bandages.

Harry gasped at what he saw. Hermione's skin, what was left of it was a melted mess. He could see where the salve that had been put on had started to heal some, but there was a long way to go.

"Hermione, I'm…" started Harry.

"Don't. Don't apologize anymore, Harry. It was an accident." said Hermione with tears in her eyes.

Madam Pomfrey got to work reapplying the salve to Hermione's arm before giving her some potions.

"The potions will cause you some drowsiness. I think it best that you sleep for now and Mister Potter can come see you after classes." said Madam Pomfrey before heading back to her office.

"I'll be back as soon as classes are over with." said Harry.

"Make sure you take good notes." said Hermione.

"I promise." said Harry laughing.

Harry started to walk away, but was stopped when Hermione grabbed him with her good arm.

"I love you, Harry." said Hermione.

"I love you too, Hermione." said Harry before leaning over and kissing her.

DL

Harry made it to the Great Hall in time for a quick breakfast. Ron asked a couple questions about Hermione, but didn't really seem like he cared about what happened.

Paying attention in class was difficult for Harry. His mind kept going to what happened with Hermione. He knew deep down that she was right and that what happened was an accident, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he caused Hermione to be hurt. It really made him feel bad that their first Valentine's day as a couple that she couldn't leave the Hospital Wing.

Harry's thoughts stopped there for a minute. With everything that happened he'd forgotten about his plans for today.

Harry decided to skip lunch and grabbed the card he made from his dorm before heading to the Owlery. On his way there he ran into Angelina and she was nice enough to conjure some flowers for him. She also suggested that he get a House-Elf to deliver the items for him instead of sending Hedwig so he headed to the kitchens instead. As soon as he was through the portrait his leg was attacked in a hug.

"The great Harry Potter has come to see Dobby!?"

"Dobby, what are you doing here?" asked Harry.

"Headmaster Whiskers offered Dobby a job when nobody else would hire Dobby." said Dobby.

"Well I'm glad you're doing well." said Harry.

"Is the great Harry Potter needing anything?" asked Dobby.

"Yes, I have to get to class, but I could use a snack. Also could you deliver these to Hermione Granger in the Hospital Wing without being seen?" asked Harry.

"Of course, sir." said Dobby quickly getting Harry something to eat.

"Thank you, Dobby. I'll come back and see you some other time." said Harry.

Harry left the kitchens and hurried to the DADA classroom.

The Hospital Wing

Hermione was lying in bed bored. She had hoped that Harry would bring her some notes at lunch, but he hadn't. She was also feeling a little hurt. Her and Harry hadn't been together long, but it was Valentine's Day and she'd thought that Harry would do something. The only reason she wasn't really upset was because she hadn't gotten anything for him either.

Suddenly, as if she'd made them appear, a bouquet of flowers and a card appeared on her lap. She opened the card.

Hermione,

I'm not good at putting my feelings to words, but I want you to know that you are the most important person in my life and I'll do everything I can to deserve you.

Happy Valentine's Day

Love,

Harry

With tears in her eyes she sniffed the flowers before putting them on the table beside her bed.

DL

With classes finally over, Harry hurried to the Hospital Wing. As soon as he entered he was hit by a brunette blur.

"Miss Granger!" yelled Madam Pomfrey to deaf ears.

Hermione pulled Harry into a hug then before she could stop herself she kissed him. Harry returned the kiss, but then remembered where they were and pulled back a little.

"Uhm, Hermione? I think we should get you back in bed before Madam Pomfrey makes me a permanent resident." said Harry.

Hermione laughed, but allowed Harry to escort her to her bed. As Harry sat down beside her, Madam Pomfrey came up and did a quick check up on Hermione.

"Well you didn't damage yourself any further, but I recommend you don't overexert yourself anymore. I'll be in my office. I trust that you can control yourself, Mr. Potter." said Madam Pomfrey.

"Hey, she was the one who…" started Harry, but Madam Pomfrey just ignored him and disappeared into her office.

Harry gave Hermione the notes he'd taken and surprisingly she just sat them to the side. She picked up the card that he'd made her.

"Thank you, Harry. I'm sorry I don't have anything for you." said Hermione.

"It's ok. It's our first Valentine's. I just wanted to make sure you had something." said Harry.

"Do you really think you don't deserve me?" asked Hermione.

Harry nodded quietly.

"Why?" asked Hermione.

"Hermione, you're in the Hospital Wing because of me for one. I don't even know if I know what love is. I've never had anyone tell me they love me before you. Well maybe my parents, but that was when I was a baby. I care about you so much, but I feel like I don't know how to be who you deserve." said Harry.

"Harry, you are deserving of love and I'm sorry that you haven't had that in your life. I love you, Harry. I'll remind you of that every day from now on." said Hermione.

"I love you too, Hermione." said Harry.

Friday, February 18th, 1994

Hermione was finally released from the Hospital Wing and Harry was glad she was back in classes. She was appreciative that he'd taken notes for her, but he knew that she would've taken better notes than he did.

'At least I did better than Ron would have.' thought Harry.

Harry's thoughts fell on Ron for a minute. He'd been distant recently and didn't visit Hermione in the Hospital Wing once. There hadn't been any arguments or anything, but it seemed like he was drifting away from them.

Deciding to worry about Ron later, Harry continued his practice in the chamber. Hermione suggested that he try to meditate and focus his mind on duplicating the transformation of his hands. So far he'd made no progress. He'd questioned Sally some more, but there was nothing more she could help with.

It was close to curfew so Harry headed back to the common room. Hermione was reading a book by the fireplace.

"Anything interesting?" asked Harry joining her.

"Madam Pomfrey gave me a book with some pretty good first-aid spells. They should come in handy in the chamber." said Hermione.

"Hermione, we talked about this. It's not safe for you to help me. Besides I don't think I'll ever figure out how to make the change happen without being angry." said Harry.

"We can take precautions, Harry. It'll take time, but I think we can figure this out. Maybe we should talk to Professor McGonagall." said Hermione.

"Why?" asked Harry.

"She's an Animagus. It's possible that she'll have some advice that will help." said Hermione.

"I don't want the Professors to know what we're doing." said Harry.

"I can tell Professor McGonagall that I'm interested in studying how to be an Animagus. She won't have to know that it's about you." said Hermione.

"What about checking the library?" asked Harry.

"There are only basic references to being an Animagus in the library. The detailed ones are probably in the restricted section." said Hermione.

"You're probably right. Go ahead and talk to Professor McGonagall. Hopefully she'll be helpful this time." said Harry.

Hermione decided to let the comment go and asked a question that had been on her mind.

"I know you stayed in the chamber after leaving the Dursley's, but where are you planning on staying for summer break?" asked Hermione.

"Sirius' house is cleaned up now. It has a lot of protective wards and I figured I might actually get to have a normal summer." said Harry.

"I sent a letter asking my parents about having you at our house. I didn't think about Sirius. They said they'd like to meet you again over the Easter holiday." said Hermione.

"Sounds like fun. I'll let Sirius know. Do your parents know that we're together?" asked Harry.

"Yes. My dad mentioned having some questions for you." said Hermione.

Harry gulped quietly.

"Maybe 'fun' wasn't the correct word." said Harry.

Author's Note: Another short chapter, but a chapter none the less. I'm not happy with this chapter really, but I wanted to get this story moving again. I'm working on the others as well, but I've had a lot of personal issues going on. I'll say again that this and the other stories will never be abandoned. Thank you for reading (if you still are) and your support.