I Promise

Chapter Seventeen: "Skeptics and True Believers"

A/N: Chapter seventeen. Wow, one more chapter left to go. You're going to think that there's no way the story will end with one chapter, but it will.

So enjoy this chapter & savor the last weekish of this story.

Don't forget to leave me a review.

Hermione emerged from the bathroom, fourteen minutes later, glad that she had decided to freshen up. She hadn't been out of the house for weeks, so naturally, she never bothered doing her hair. This was the first time she had felt alive in such a long time. Actually, she felt more than just alive. She felt like Hermione Granger.

"Harry, I'm done! And I finished faster than I thought. I saved a minute!" Hermione exclaimed proudly. She listened for a moment, but heard no response. Hermione frowned slightly. That was odd. Harry wasn't the type of person not to respond to her when she said something.

She walked into the main room to find it empty. Hermione looked inside the Kitchen to find no Harry. Hermione spotted the bedroom, and realized that Harry might have lounged on the bed while Hermione had gotten ready. Trying ton convince herself of this, Hermione entered the bedroom to find it empty. Where had Harry gone? How could he just leave her life this?

Hermione spotted a bouquet of red roses on her bed. She hurried towards them, putting the roses to her heart. She realized there was a note attached to the flowers. Fingers trembling, Hermione opened it.

Dear Hermione,

If you have received this note, I'm probably gone. I'm sorry I left you like this, but it hurt to see you. It hurts to see you every day, because I know that I can't be with you.

Cho is pregnant with my child. I'm going to ask her to marry me.

Hermione paused at that point in the note, and realized that the note was soaked from her tears. Her lip quivering, Hermione forced herself to read on.

I'm sorry that I've hurt you. Every day I hate myself for not being with you. I love you so much, but I can't be with you knowing that my baby is somewhere in the world without me.

I have to tell you something. Don't think I left you those ten years because I didn't want to be with you. Believe me, the only person I ever wanted to be with was you, Mione. Ron told me to stay away from you. I don't know why I listened to him, but I felt so guilty for not saying goodbye to him that day I left. I felt like I had to make it up to him somehow, so I abided by his wish.

I'm sorry I stayed away, and I'm sorry I listened to what Ron asked me to do. Things might be different now if we had just gotten together then, but we didn't. And not even a time turner can change the past, Hermione.

The worst part is… losing you isn't only losing my soulmate- it's losing my best friend. You are more than just that girl who's friends with the Boy Who Lived, you're the girl that hugged me when she recovered from being paralyzed by the basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets, the girl that rode with me on Buckbeak to save Sirius, the girl who was worried about me throughout the Triwizard Tournament, and the girl that kissed me goodbye on Graduation day. You're the girl who changed my life, Hermione.

Losing the love of my life is hard enough, but losing my best friend… that hurts the most. I'm losing the person that stuck by my side for 17 years. I'm losing the girl who I am in love with- the girl that has never been afraid to tell me that I can do anything.

You once promised to dream of me every night. Will you still do the same? Will you think of me, even after you meet that guy who will change your life? And although it'll hurt to know that you have given your life to a guy who isn't me, at least you'll be happy. But please, don't forget me. Don't forget that little boy who copied off of your History notes. He'll always be with you.

I'll always be with you, Hermione. I'm there right now. And when you go to sleep, I'll be with you every night. I promise.

I know once I promised to be with you forever, and although I can't be there in person, I'll be there in your sleep. Every night… forever.

I love you, Hermione.
-Harry

Hermione clutched the note as if it was her life support. She let the tears flow, and laid down in her bed. She didn't want to get up. She didn't want life to go on without Harry. Looking into the air around her, Hermione whispered softly, "I love you, Harry. I promise."

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Harry ignored the tears trickling down his cheek. The ring in his right pocket felt so heavy, and it seemed like it was dragging him along. Harry knew he didn't want to do this. This was the last thing Harry wanted to do.

Proposing to Cho was Harry's only option at the moment. It wasn't as if he'd be unhappy with Cho. Harry appreciated Cho, and knew she'd raise their kid into a beautiful woman. It was just…Hermione.

Harry loved Hermione. He loved her with his entire heart, because not only was she the love of his life, but she was also his best friend. Harry had known Hermione since his first year at Hogwarts. It had been about seventeen years since he had first met Hermione. And now, there friendship was stronger than ever. Their love had not destroyed their friendship, but had preserved it.

Harry stopped walking, staring at the apartment in front of him. It was Cho Chang's. Harry slipped his hand inside his pocket and fingered the velvet of the ring's cover. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to do this.

Harry knocked softly on the door, his mind whirling. Maybe she wouldn't be home… maybe she wasn't pregnant…maybe this was a dream.

The door swung open and there stood Cho. Her stomach had grown a bit larger, and now it was obvious that she was pregnant. Her black hair was messy, and although she looked stressed, she was still pretty. She wasn't beautiful like Hermione, though. She was just… pretty.

Why couldn't it be Hermione that was pregnant? Why had Harry been so stupid? If only things were different. Cho could never live up to Hermione. Harry knew no matter how hard he tried; he would never love Cho as much as he loved Hermione.

Harry swallowed, and pulled his hand out of his pocket. "Cho," he croaked, looking up at her. He could hardly breathe.

Cho gave him an inquisitive look. "Yeah, Harry?"

Slowly, Harry got down on one knee. Cho gasped as Harry pulled out a velvet box, finally realizing why Harry looked so nervous. For a moment, neither one of them spoke. Harry had to fight back the tears as he faked a smile for Cho.

"Cho Chang, you are the prettiest girl I know, and I love you to death. Will you marry me?"

Harry bit his lip, the ring glittering in the sunlight. All was quiet, and Harry didn't dare look up at Cho. He continued to stare at his feet as if they were interesting. Another minute passed, and Cho still hadn't said anything. Harry took a deep breath and looked up to realize that Cho was crying.

A/N: Cho is crying, and Harry has proposed to Cho. What's going to happen next? Please review for the LAST CHAPTER. Info about the sequel will be released next chapter. PLEASE REVIEW !!

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