Lost Love

Prologue

Harry and Ron walked into the Weasley's kitchen. It'd been two weeks since Dumbledore's funeral and things were still a little gloomy. Hermione and Ginny where at the kitchen table, flipping through a Madam Malkins catalogue, trying to get an idea of what to wear to the up coming wedding.

“Hermione,” said Harry softly, from across the room. Hermione looked up.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Hermione got up from the table and followed Harry out into the garden. Harry stopped when he got to the trunk of a large sycamore tree.

“Listen,” he said, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration.

“You have to know that,” Harry stopped, thinking of something to say. Hermione stared at him hopefully.

“What?” Hermione said trying to edge him along.

“Well… I, err… I, care for you. I care for you a lot. Hermione smiled and moved closer to him Their relationship hadn't exactly blossomed the way they hoped, with Voldemort, the remaining horcruxes, and Dumbledore`s death. Sure, they had the late night snog, but never really spoke their true feelings to each other. Hermione grabbed his hand and held it tightly in hers. She had gotten close enough to where they were about an inch apart. Hermione looked deep into Harry's entrancing emerald eyes.

“I know you do” And with that, Hermione closed her eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Harry met her mouth and deepened it before quickly moving away. Hermione's eyes flew open. Harry look so sad and pained, it hurt her to see him like this, however he was feeling.

“No, don't you see? Since I really, really care for you , I mean, you, err. You make me happy.”

And with that final word, Hermione knew exactly what this conversation was about. She let go of his hand and took a step back.

“Oh no,” she said disbelievingly. She'd been dreading the day that the talk of their relationship and Lord Voldemort would come up. She knew what Harry was thinking.

“Hermione, please understand. He'll know if your with me. He'd know what my weakness would be. And if I lost you, I-”

“STOP! Stop thinking about yourself in this matter! You think I would just happily go on with life if something had happened to you?”

“Hermione,” Harry reasoned making an attempt to hold her hand.

Hermione yanked it away.

“NO! We're in this together! This isn't about you having feelings for me is it? You think I'm weak! Would you have done this if I weren't your girlfriend?”

“Of course, but not because your weak. I've already told Ron the same thing.”

Tears started streaming down her face.

“Hermione, please don't cry.” Hermione had never seen Harry this way. He had a mix of expressions on his face. He looked so sad and confused at the same time.

Harry put a hand on her face but she pushed it away. His next attempt he flung himself at her, trying to place both hands on her tear stricken face. He managed it for a few seconds before Hermione yelled.

“No, Harry!”

“Hermione, please, just let me-” Harry begged. He wished that in some way she would understand his meaning of trying to protect her.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” yelled Hermione. Harry stood still in shock. She'd never told him to leave her alone before. Se sounded very serious. He walked forward for her, his arms extended, not long before he was pushed back by Hermione's powerful force.

“NO! DON'T TOUCH ME, JUST GO!” she wailed at him. He didn't know what else to do but follow her orders. He quickly paced back through the garden but stopped a couple feet from the door. The apparation point. He looked back at Hermione and gave her an apologetic look, then with a loud `POP', was gone.