Chapter Ten
That night after dinner, the trio was having their last sit in front of the fire.
"I can't believe this is last time I'm going to see this place." Harry said, looking around sadly, a small frown etching his face.
Hermione sighed and squeezed Harry's hand, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to leave." She said quietly.
Harry kissed the top of he head. "I don't want to either."
Ron sat quietly in his chair, watching the fire. Hermione knew he was sad too, but he apparently didn't want to voice it.
She choked back tears that tried to come, and tried to enjoy the last moments in the common room with her two best friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione had just stepped off the train after claiming a compartment. Standing on the platform, she took a good look around.
Students milling everywhere, saying their good-bye's for the summer holiday. Most were to return next year, and she had a sudden blow of envy for those students. As she was looking around, she spotted Hagrid, standing alone, watching Harry and Ron talking with Dean and Seamus.
She walked over to Hagrid, and noticed the wetness in his beard.
She gave him comforting words right before he pulled her into a bone crushing and tearful hug. As much as it hurt to be hugged by the massive man, she loved it, and realized she'd miss Hagrid too. She called Harry and Ron over to say their good-bye's. It was tearful for everybody. Hermione couldn't hold back those tears, and she just let them flow. She even saw Harry with a tear sliding down his cheek, and Ron was rather pale.
They boarded the train when the whistle gave its warning toot.
And from the compartment, Hermione watched with her two best friends on either side as the rain began to fall, and Hogwarts faded into the distance, along with Hagrid, and all her most cherished memories.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hermione cheer up." Harry said, putting an arm around her slumping shoulders.
"We'll never see it again." She murmured, staring at her knees.
"We might." Ron said, trying to help.
"When?" She looked up at him.
"I dunno. I'm sure we'll be able to visit."
Not impressed with any confidence, she looked back down at her knees.
"I'm going to go find Seamus and Dean." Ron said after a few beats of silence. And he left.
Harry kissed Hermione's temple.
"Hermione, I have something for you."
She looked up at him in surprise. "Oh?"
He rose, and reached above the seat to ruffle in his trunk. He came back down to sit next to her, something behind his back.
She stared at him curiously.
"Hermione, I know we've been together for almost nine months."
Wow, had it really been that long? She wondered.
"Yeah." Her stomach was in jitters.
"Well, I wanted to give you this."
And from behind his back he pulled out a small black velvet box. Hermione gasped, and looked up into his smiling green eyes.
"Oh my God, Harry," She breathed, unable to take her eyes off the small box.
"It's not what you think it is." He said, opening the box for her.
Inside the box sat a beautiful silver band in a cushion of velvet. There were markings along the outside that were etched in black. It was gorgeous.
Her breathing became faster, along with her heart. She couldn't believe it.
"This is a promise ring." He said, slipping it out of the cushion, and reaching for one of her trembling hands, "And I promise you that I'll always be here for you," he slipped it on her right ring finger, watching her eyes following his movements, "whenever you need me."
After it had been completely slipped onto her finger, she felt a sudden rush of warmth throughout her body, and a true smile crossed her lips as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the wonderful feeling.
Harry raised her hand, and kissed the ring, making a second wave of warmth flow over her. She realized what this feeling was. Happiness. Happiness and Love.
She opened her eyes, tears brimming them, and smiled at Harry. She threw her arms around his neck, sobbing happily on his shoulder.
"Thank you!" She cried.
"Why the tears Hermione?" He asked after she'd released him.
"Oh," She wiped her tears away, "you just made me so happy."
She gazed at the ring, loving the way it winked and twinkled back at her. She sighed heavily, smiling at the silver band.
"Thank you so much Harry." She said again.
"You're so special to me Hermione. I had to tell you somehow," he paused,
"I promise I'm all yours." He said it with a grin, resting his forehead against hers, looking into her happy brown eyes.
She grinned and leaned in for a kiss, which he gladly gave.
-->