The Best of Me

This is not the end. :)

Everything belongs to JKR. :)
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Harry stood dumbly as Hermione passed by him and followed Liviana out of the office. Oh no, he wasn't going to leave it at that. Harry whipped around and caught Hermione by the arm. At that moment, he apparated with her to his home, Potter Manor.

Harry and Hermione appeared at Harry's home. Hermione, obviously surprised, took a few steps backwardvand fell onto the couch. She looked up at Harry, anger filling her eyes. Harry took a short breathe, and began to speak.

"Hermione, I'm sorry, but we have to talk, wether you want to or not", Harry said with determination. Hermione was livid.

"Harry James Potter, who do you think you are? How dare you treat me like this, like I don't have a life to live unless you're involved!" Hermione screamed. Harry was thankful that the house was empty.

"Hermione, this is exactly what I mean! What are you talking about? Do you even hear yourself speak?" Harry yelled back. Hermione gaped. She couldn't believe that he could be so daft.

"I. Know. Exactly. What. I'm. Saying.", Hermione whispered harshly, emphasizing each word.

"You're the one that's got a problem, Harry! The way you treat me!", Hermione spat out, tears pricking at her eyes. Harry was surprised. What was she talking about?

"Hermione, what do you mean? I don't treat you badly," Harry practically whispered. Hermione glared at him for a moment, then sighed. She wasn't going to get anywhere with the yelling. But, she didn't want to talk to Harry, especially about this. Her tears found their way out of her eyes and rolled down her face.

"You really have no idea, do you, Harry? You honestly have no clue", Hermione said flatly. Harry looked bewildered. Tears rolled down Hermione's face.

"You've hurt me so badly, Harry. You've hurt me so b-badly. And yet, you have no idea. Gosh, Harry, where do I even start?", Hermione asked. Harry was confused, to say the least. He sighed.

"Start at the beginning, Hermione.", Harry said softly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear this. Hermione took a deep breath as two more tears dropped down her face.

"I met you on a train ride, Harry. A train ride that would change my life forever. I met you and Ron, my future best friends. If someone had told me that I would live the kind of life that I have, I probably wouldn't have believed them. But I would have been wrong. However, if someone would have told me that you would end up treating me the way that you have, after I'd done so much for you, been there for you literally whenever you needed me, no matter if it compromised my health or even my life....If someone would have told me that you would treat me the way you have, I would have punched them in the face. But, again, I would be terribley wrong", Hermione said sternly. Harry looked bewildered.

"Hermione, when have I ever treated you poorly?", He asked stupidly. Hermione looked up at him with hurt in her eyes.

"Like you asked, I said I would start from the beginning, so just be quite and listen," Hermione said sternly. Harry complied. Hermione suddenly found a strength within herself that she previously didn't know was there. The tears stopped.

"I love you, Harry. I always have. I thought that I was showing it through the proper ways - risking my life for you, keeping you healthy, sane, alive. Helping you with all your schoolwork, believing you under any circumstances, no questions asked. And how did you repay me? Through friendship. Fair enough - you're my best friend, and for the longest time, that's all that I needed. Even when you wouldn't talk to me because of some stupid reason, even when I annoyed you and you ignored me, I kept telling myself that no matter what, you were still my friend, and that would be enough for me. But it wasn't. I didn't have to be the love of your life, Harry Potter. I didn't even have to be a person you liked. But I damn well was a person you needed to respect. After fifth year at Hogwarts, all that went down the drain."

Harry blinked multiple times, not quite sure what he was hearing, or rather, who was speaking. This wasn't the normal Hermione.

"It took you at least five years before you even recognised that I was, indeed, a girl. But, somehow, you never seemed to put two and two together to figure out that I was more than that. I was your friend. When sixth year rolled around, you distanced yourself from me. I don't know why, and I probably never will. It was like something that was bigger than the both of us seperated you and me. You automatically assumed that I was in love with Ron - where you ever based that information on, I'll never know. So, you discarded me. You probably would have dropped me altogether if you didn't need my help. At least, that the way I feel." Hermione paused. Harry was staring at her with a saddened expression on his face. It was all sinking in.

"You left me, Harry. You left me for Ginny, of all people. The girl who you barely knew, who barely knew you. Who was I? Just the girl who knew the real you. Who was with you through your dark spells and your nightmares, your doubts and concerns. But, apparently, that meant nothing. Just another expectation you had of me. At first, I welcomed the idea of you and Ginny. I was glad to see you happy, even if you weren't with me. But, I couldn't have imagined that you would have dropped me as your friend. You replaced me, Harry. You fucking replaced me! It was no longer my duty to give you warm hugs, to help you through your hard times. You resigned me as a back up, a used tissue. Do you remember when Ron left us during the Horcrux hunt? I cried and cried - what did you do? Nothing. You didn't comfort me, you didn't even utter a single word. Why? It was because you didn't bloody care. As long as I was there when you needed me, I wasn't important when I needed you. Who did you care about? Ginny. When did Ginny ever show any pure interest in your well being? Never. She just loved the hero in you. She still does. Who was the only one who believed you through your trials when so many others didn't? Me. All I wanted from you was friendship, Harry. REAL friendship. Not the kind of friendship that you seem to have had in mind. What is a friend, Harry?" Hermione asked calmly. Harry was stunned.

"A friend is someone who you can always count on, who you can always trust....care for.....love. Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry", Harry said while he hung his head. It was his turn to tear up. Hermione's expression softened.

"When you chose Ginny ove me, Harry, it almost killed me. But, as always, I stayed back, and let you live your life, hoping that you would be happy. I still love you, Harry Potter. I always will", Hermione finished. There was a long silence, only broken by Harry's final sigh.

"Hermione....I don't know what to say. I....I often felt that....perhaps, I haven't treated you in the best....Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry. Please, please forgive me, Hermione", Harry pleaded. Hermione stayed silent.

. "I can't do this anymore. I will forgive you, Harry. But I will also let you go. I've realised, I'm finally able to let you go, and I will. I will always love you", Hermione whispered. And with that, Hermione apparated out of the room.