The Best of Me

Hermione apparated in front of Ronald Weasley's flat building. She knew that the home was currently occupied by Ron and Luna. She desperately need to speak with them. Hermione walked up to the stairs to Ron's flat and knocked on the door. Luna answered.

"Oh, hello Hermione! Do come in," Luna said cheerily, but once she saw the look on Hermione's face, her smile faded. Luna sighed sadly.

"Oh dear. Ronald, you better come here," Luna said so quietly, Hermione was surprised that Ron heard her at all. Ron came out of the kitchen wearing a pink apron with frilly, yellow lace. He immediately turned red and mumbled something about it belonging to Luna. Once Ron gathered himself, he came to Hermione's side.

"What is it, 'Mione?", Ron asked. Hermione stiffened as Ron used the nickname that Harry had coined. Ron suddenly understood. His face turned stern.

"Hermione, what happened between you two? Please, come and sit and-"

"No, Ron, I....I'm fine. Really", Hermione stated when Ron and Luna began to protest, "I just need to ask the two of you for a favor."

Luna and Ron shared unknowing looks, but then agreed. Hermione continued.

"Christmas is coming up soon, and, as you know, Rose and Hugo will be coming home. I just need you to keep them for most of Christmas break, but I promise I'll be back for Christmas day and New Year's. Will you two do this for me?", Hermione asked, stiffling any sneaky tears that tried to free themselves.

"Of course we'll look after them," Luna said. Ron nodded his head.

"What should we tell them when they ask for you?", Ron questioned. Hermione was silent for a moment. She needed to collect all of the thoughts that were racing through her head. She finally came to the conclusion that she knew was waiting.

"Tell them that their Mummy is in Australia, and that she'll be back soon", Hermione said, not attepmting to hide the teary tone in her voice. Both Ron and Luna looked stunned.

"But Hermione....Australia?," Luna asked, "Why so far away?"

"That's just where I need to be right now. I....I can't go into details, but I just....I just need to go," Hermione said. Luna nodded while Ron bit his lip. He knew he couldn't change a decided Hermioone for his life, but his worries for his friend did not cease.

"Hermione - are you sure? I mean....really. Are you sure?" Ron asked, genuinely worried. Hermione simply nodded. Ron sighed.

"Thank you, you two. You both know I love you," Hermione said. Luna smiled and nodded her head along with Ron. With a returned smile, Hermione apparated out of the building.

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Harry still sat stunned in Potter Manor. He had never gotten it through his head how much Hermione had meant to him. There was a deep-seeded feeling that he was suddenly aware of. Depp in his heart, he knew what that emotion was, but Harry refused to face it. At least, not now.

Harry changed his thoughts to Hermione's wherabouts. He had to find her. He stood up and began to dust himself off. But, before he could apparate to Hermione's home, He heard the front door open and close. Suddenly, his young daughter, Lily, crash against his waist. Harry smiled sadly. It would only be one more year before she went off to Hogwarts.

"Hello, little love of mine. How are you?", Harry cooed. He knew Lily got irked when he treated her like a smaller child. He could never get over how fast she was growing.

"Dad, Mum and I went shopping. She let me have sweets!", Lily practically shouted. Harry sighed. He knew Ginny liked to spoil Lily, but he also knew that she knew that Lily wasn't supposed to have sweets. She would become way too hyper.

"Lily! Sweetheart, what did we say at the shops? The sweets would be our little secret!", Ginny whispered sharply. Lily's smile faded slightly, but it wasn't entirely gone. She ran upstairs to her room. Harry turned to see Ginny carrying the l;ast of the shopping bags into the home. He sighed again.

"Having her lie to me, are we Ginny?", Harry said flatly. Ginny looked taken aback.

"Harry, it's hardly a lie, and besides, it was only a small bag-"

"Ginny, you elt her have a whole bag?", Harry asked increduously. Good grief, Lily was going to doing backflips.

"Honestly Harry, it's nothing. Now, come here and give your wife a kiss," Ginny said in an attempted seductive tone. Harry wasn't pleased. He was losing precious time to find Hermione. However, he would have to get out of this without mentioning too much about Hermione. Ginny could be incredibley jealous. Harry gave her a peck on the lips and then began to speak.

"Look, Gin, I don't really have the time to go into details, but there's something up with Hermione, and I really want to-"

"Harry, why don't you let me deal with this? You know, girl-to-girl," Ginny said, failing at her attempt to hide her automatic jealousy. Harry just shook his head.

"Ginny, please, just work with me, please? It's something....personal between me and Hermione ad I just-"

"Personal? Harry, I'm your wife! If anyone should have anything personal involving you, it should be me!", Ginny said rather loudly. Harry wasn't amused. He had noticed that the fights between him and Ginny were increasing, not only in number, but in volume.

"Look, Ginny, you're my wife, but Hermione's my best friend, nd right now she needs me. If she needs me, she needs me, and that's all you need to know!", Harry said. With that, he apparated to Hermione's home.