Sorry this took awhile, but I'm just trying to give you the best story I can.
Oh and here is the standard disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling. So there you have it, I don't own anything.
Chapter-6
"Ron can I have a few minutes to talk to Harry alone please?"
"Umm . . . sure I'll catch you back at the common room." Ron gave them a wave and started the head out.
"Ron, wait up a second ok." Harry called out as he hobbled over to Ron and out of earshot of Hermione. They talked in low whispers for a few minutes then shook hands. Harry slowly made his way back towards his bed and Hermione.
"OK go ahead and let me have it."
"I'm not going to yell at you Harry."
"You're not?"
"No. . . I just have one question. Why, why would you give this to me?"
Harry couldn't bring himself to look at her and slowly walked to the window again.
"Do you want me to leave, to go away, is that what this is? I thought that you would want me to stay here with you. Was I wrong?"
There was still no answer from him. She started to feel very cold and alone by the bed. It was as if all the warmth and comfort that surrounded Harry was retreating back inside of him, away from her. She moved close to him and slid her arm under his, "What do you want Harry? What do you want me to do?"
His shoulders jerked for a second and he raised his head to the starry sky through the window. She thought he was laughing at first, until she could see his tears glistening in the moonlight.
"What I want doesn't matter. It's wrong of me to ask for it. Besides you're going to S.U."
"Why is it wrong? Harry I don't understand, please just say it . . . tell me."
Harry turned and sat on the window ledge, and took her hands in his. He looked up into her eyes adoringly, and slowly the warmth around them started to increase again.
"I . . . I want what the Weasleys have Hermione. I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to be the last Potter. I don't want to be the last of the Gryffindor line. I want a home and a family of my own. I want to look down at our children with pride like Arthur and Molly do."
Did he just say 'Our children'?
"I love the way their house smells like fresh bread in fall and cinnamon in the winter. I want to wake up in the morning and see you, not my face in the Daily Prophet about some Quidditch match. I just want to be normal Hermione, not some walking history lesson . . ."
'He wants this . . . with me . . .'
"Me?"
"Yes Hermione I want to spend my life with you. I've thought about this for two years now, and you're the only woman for me. I think I realized that in the Department of Mysteries. I didn't put it all together until late, but I knew from that moment that I can't live without you." Hermione's eyes started to swell with tears and she stepped closer to him, spreading his knees apart in order to get as close as possible.
"Now can you see why this is wrong of me to tell you this? It would only change your decision to go to University."
Hermione stamped her foot in frustration, "It's not wrong Harry! Can't you see I want this too, I . . . I just want to be with you. No matter what we do. I don't care."
Harry stood up abruptly, "No! . . .That's the reason I shouldn't have said this. You can be so much more Hermione." Again he turned from her towards the sky outside. "You can be more than just a wife, you can be a doctor, a politician, or a teacher. Hell you could be running this school one day for all I know. How can I ask you to give that up?"
"Who says I can't do both? You're talking to the witch with the highest OWLs in a century here, all right? If anyone can figure out how to raise a family and have a career it's me."
Harry slowly turned and cupped her hand that still held the golden key, "Hermione, I know you're capable of handling anything, but this isn't a homework assignment. This is your future, our future. I just want you to think about this, that's all."
She was starting to get annoyed at his stubborn nature. Why won't he just believe me already, "And I told you! I'm ready for this, I want this too!"
"No your not! You're not thinking this through. Think about what could happen to you just because you're with me."
"No, you listen, Harry! I don't think I'm the one who needs to do the thinking around here, you are!"
"Hermione. . ."
"Oh this is ridiculous! I'm going to bed, when you decide what you think is best for MY life you know where to find me!" With that she threw the key to the floor. The impact made a very clear ringing sound that echoed throughout the hospital wing. Hermione didn't look back once as she stormed out of the hospital wing and slammed the doors open.
Harry was frozen watching her leave. This is all wrong, it wasn't supposed to happen this way, and it's was his fault. The hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach was coming back again. His old friend, he knew it well. It was his lonely companion all through her relationship with Viktor Krum. Every time she would write him long letters or just stared into the fireplace after reading one of his letters. It would eat away at him every time she'd hug him or wave goodnight. He thought it was gone for good after New Years when she told him that she and Viktor where through, but here it came again. He screwed up his face in intense concentration, "Not again . . . I won't let it end like this . . ."
CRACK
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CRACK
Hermione jumped back as Harry apperated in front of her in the middle of the hallway.
"Damn it Harry! You scared me!"
He didn't speak his face was drained of color and his eyes sparkled in the torch light, "Please don't. . .don't leave me. . ." He slowly stepped forward, and when she didn't flinch from his advance he wrapped his arms around her. Burying his face in her hair he said, "I'm so sorry Hermione. I didn't mean to make you mad I just wanted to help. I only wanted to give you a choice."
Hermione let out a frustrated breath and said, "I know Harry, but when I told you I can handle it I meant it. I've managed to get good grades and I've been by your side all these years too."
"I know Hermione you're always there, you're my rock. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She laughed lightly and caressed his chest, "You probably would have flunked out of here and starved to death by now."
He laughed a little and looked up at her, "So are we ok then?"
"Yes we are, but I have one demand."
"Name it."
"Show me how you can Apperate within school grounds. How are you able to do what no one else can do?"
"Ah so you want to know my secrets, eh?" he said playfully, adjusting his glasses.
"Yes, oh grand wizard of the infirmary. I wish to know all of your little tricks."
"All of them? Well I can't give away my entire hand, but I think I can trust you with a few of my more spectacular achievements."
"Really, well we will see about that." She ended with a sigh and rested her head on his chest. She always felt very content here. Harry's grip tightened for a brief second before she heard a low Snap and the familiar feeling of being apparated, followed by another low Snap.
She looked up at him and he simply smiled wide at her.
"Wait no fair you didn't show me how you did it!"
"Didn't I, . . .oh it must have slipped my mind."
"Prat! Do it again."
"Or. . ." he held up a finger gently to her lips. "Did I actually just show you and you didn't realize it?"
"No. . .you didn't. I didn't even know you where going to do it. So there, now one more time."
"Not tonight ok. It takes a lot of concentration and I really need to rest for the game tomorrow. Come back in the morning and I swear I'll show you. Deal?"
Harry looked at her with those pleading puppy eyes he used on her when he needed to look at her notes for class. She never could say no, "Oh ok, but you better show me."
"I swear I will." He said as he swooped down and kissed her good night.