Continental Holiday by CA Crawford

Rating: PG13
Genres: Angst
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 7
Published: 19/02/2015
Last Updated: 26/02/2015
Status: Completed

After the final battle, the trio take a holiday through Europe to sort through all that has
happened to them over the past year. Some bonds are broken, while others are deepened. Will the
trio survive the changes the aftermath brings to their relationships? Post DH (skipping the
Epilogue). The first in a trilogy of post-DH stories.




1. Chapter One 
---------------

A/N: Hey guys, new to Portkey here, but have been posting on another site so you may be familiar
with me. Excited to share this story with you! It’s the first of three parts, so Harry/Hermione
won’t be together until the end. It will be worth the wait I promise! Besides, it wouldn’t happen
overnight.

Anyways, this first fic deals with all the baggage that was surely left by everything that
happened in Deathly Hallows and how it effects our favorite trio. Please Read and Review! Feedback
is most appreciated!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or anything from JK Rowling’s works. She does. Though it’d
be nice to have that cash flow….

~

“…and the first to reach him were Ron and Hermione, and it was their arms that were wrapped
around him, their incomprehensible shouts that deafened him. Then Ginny, Neville, and Luna were
there, and then all the Weasleys and Hagrid, and Kingsley and McGonagall and Flitwick and Sprout,
and Harry could not hear a word that anyone was shouting, nor tell whose hands were seizing him,
pulling him, trying to hug some part of him, hundreds of them pressing in, all of them determined
to touch the Boy Who Lived, the reason it was over at last-“ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,
page 744

~

Harry was sitting underneath a tree in Rome, Italy with his eyes closed just feeling the breeze
blow against his face. In the August heat, it felt delightfully cool. Ron and Hermione had stopped
at a small ice cream shop for a moment and Harry had gone ahead to the top of a hill for a quiet
moment alone.

They had spent the last year on the run fighting a war. Now it was time to catch up on all the
life they missed out on. Not to mention that an extra week would be spent in Australia afterwards,
putting some lost pieces back in the puzzle.

Ron caught up with him and took a seat next to him in the grass.

“Hey mate, you’re a million miles away. What’s on your mind?”

“Have you gotten over being bone tired yet?” Harry still hadn’t shaken the feeling of being
weary down to his core. If he could, he would curl up and sleep for the next two weeks, months, or
years..

“Can’t say that I have, but then again, it’s been like being in another world this week. You’d
think a war never happened down here.”

They had already been through Paris, had visited the same southern village that Hermione had
vacationed at on the Mediterranean coast, and had spent a weekend in Lisbon before passing through
Madrid on their way here to Rome. It had been a memorable week and a half with his friends and
though they were enjoying the time away, they had yet to get much real rest. They all had trouble
sleeping.

Harry had to agree with Ron. The Continent had clearly not suffered as Britain had during
Voldemort’s reign of terror. In fact, Harry found he was even relatively anonymous. Not that he was
complaining. “I envy them. This is what normal life is supposed to be like.” He hadn’t meant to
sound so defeated.

“Cheer up mate. We’re still here. It’s over now. We won.” Ron was trying hard to sound
optimistic, but the dark bags underneath his eyes told another tale. Fred’s death was still
weighing hard on the Weasley clan. Harry certainly could relate. He couldn’t go a day without
seeing Remus and Tonks being lowered into their graves, holding his godson next to a stone faced
Andromeda Tonks.

“Where’s Hermione?” Harry changed the subject.

“You know her; she caught a glimpse of some monument or other and had to get the full
experience. She’ll be up eventually.” Ron sounded amused at the very predictable behavior of the
third member of their Trio.

“So where are you two exactly? With each other?” Harry hoped he hadn’t crossed a line. Ron had
never really been one to talk about relationships with him before.

“I’m not sure to be honest. I think we’re just enjoying being alive and whole right now. I think
she wants to sort it out when we’re home. What’s on your mind?”

Harry weighed his options in his mind. He had been worried about something for a while, but
wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk about it. A thought that had crept into his mind once he had been
able to think clearly for a day or two. Now that they were here, he figured now was as good a time
as any.

“Ron, you and Hermione have a chance for a real life now.” Harry took a deep breath, gathering
the courage to ask a question he was afraid to know the answer to. “You could have had that ages
ago without knowing me. Without Death Eaters wanting to kill you for being my friends. Won’t having
me around simply be a constant reminder of the hell we’ve been through?” Harry felt the blood leave
his face. He had rarely been this open with anyone about how he felt. Now that he voiced it, it
seemed all too real to him that he felt like a walking monument. Reminding everyone why their loved
ones wouldn’t be joining them any longer.

“Harry…” Ron gave him a concerned look. “You remind*me*of the very reason I am alive to
enjoy this life I have. Why Hermione is still here. A reminder to me and everyone else of why we
can sleep at night without wondering if tomorrow is our last day on Earth.”

Harry was taken aback. Ron was not prone to emotional speeches. Again, that was Hermione’s
department. She must have rubbed off on him after all. Regardless, Harry was still unsure of
himself.

Sensing his unease, Ron continued. “And Hermione and I both are more grateful than you can
believe to have been able to stand by you all this time. Well, most of it for me….” Ron took a
moment to examine his shoe laces. “But we wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else than by your
side.”

“He’s right you know.” Hermione came strolling up to join them. “How many times do we have to
give you this speech? We’ve had seven years. Seven years Harry. We could have had our own life ages
ago.” Both Ron and Hermione were looking at him now with determined looks. Harry felt a wave of
relief wash over him.

“Thanks.”

He couldn’t muster up anything else to say. Hermione and Ron took a seat on either side of him.
It was like they were sitting underneath their tree at Hogwarts again, just with different scenery.
The sun sank lower in the sky, setting off a terrific sunset over the city.

Harry wanted to ask them if anything would ever be*normal*. If the nightmares and constant
reminders of what had been lost would ever go away. Ultimately, he decided it didn’t matter. He
wouldn’t be alone for one minute of it.

~

Harry woke up the next day with a start. He hadn’t realized he had been asleep. Sleep usually
fled from him.

“Wh-wha’sgoinon?” he very groggily groaned. He was answered by Ron’s snoring on the couch next
to him. They had both fallen asleep sprawled over the two couches in their hotel suite.

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” Hermione came walking into the room from the connecting door to her
adjoining suite. “I spiked yours and Ron’s drinks with some Dreamless Sleep potion last night. I
took some myself in my room. We were all exhausted yesterday; I figured we needed some real sleep.”
She had a concerned look on her face. Harry knew she was worried they would be mad at her for not
telling them.

“No, thank you. I hadn’t slept like that in weeks.” Harry stretched before moving into the
kitchen to put on some coffee. He did feel a lot better he had to admit. Ron continued to snore in
the living room. Harry thought it best to leave him be.

“Care for a walk? I’ve been meaning to go to the market.” Hermione asked as she accepted a cup
of the freshly brewed coffee.

“Sure, let me get ready.”

Twenty minutes later they were walking down a narrow street towards the sounds of a bustling
market square. There were stands with all sorts of freshly grown vegetables and fruits, along with
handmade household items and touristy souvenirs. They walked in amicable silence among the stands
as Hermione bought a couple of days’ worth of fresh food.

When they returned, Ron had woken and was eating some leftovers from the night before.

“I could get used to this Italian stuff.” Ron amusingly said through a mouthful of chicken
marsala.

They spent the afternoon in a park on the city’s periphery. Hermione sat in the shade of a tree
reading a book while Harry taught Ron how to throw a muggle Frisbee.

“You’ve just about got it. You just have to keep your wrist level.” Harry consoled Ron as they
took seats with Hermione. Registering their presence, she looked up from her book to give them both
a look that said she had something on her mind.

“Well, come out with it then.” Ron made a point to dramatically sigh with resignation. Ignoring
her friend’s teasing, Hermione looked at Harry.

“What are you going to do about Teddy?” Harry frowned. He had been avoiding the thought of his
now orphaned godson, as it was a constant reminder of his failure to protect said godson’s
parents.

“I would guess he will live with Andromeda. He’s my godson though, so I intend to do everything
I can to be there for him.” Harry looked away from Hermione. This conversation was leading him to
remember his own godfather. He thought for a brief moment of the life they could have had now with
the war over, but he pushed it from his mind.

As if reading his thoughts, Hermione grabbed Harry’s hand. “Like Sirius did for you.” Unsure
what to say, the trio sat in silence for a few moments.

“I’m going for a walk.” Harry got up to leave. When he saw his friend’s motion to follow him,
Harry raised up a hand. “If you guys don’t mind, I would rather be by myself for a minute.” Looking
a bit put out, they both settled back into their seats as Harry walked off. He could hear them
start a muted conversation just as he passed out of earshot.

Part of why he wanted to be alone was to give his friends some time without him. The tension
between them wasn’t suffocating or anything, but he knew they had some things to discuss. If Ron’s
answer the day before had been any indication, he and Hermione hadn’t spoken much since their kiss
during the final battle. Harry wanted to give them some privacy. He sometimes felt like he was
intruding on them, or that they held back from each other in his presence, probably to make him
feel less awkward.

The truth was, Harry was ready for whatever was happening between his friends to be settled. As
uncertain as his own future loomed ahead of him, he felt like he owed them the chance to figure out
their own. Harry was truly unsure of what he would do upon returning home. Where was “home”
anyways? Grimmauld Place? The Burrow? Hogwarts? He could make a case for any of them, but they all
had their baggage. Harry felt like what he wanted was a fresh start. A clean slate.

An idea had been forming in his mind. He had never thought he would live to see his twenties. Or
that he would ever have a life outside of battling Voldemort. Now that he had the chance, he felt
very strongly that he wanted to finally live the life that had been taken from him. An excellent
start would be making a home where his chance for a normal life had been stolen from him: Godric’s
Hollow.

Harry thought that it would be the ultimate victory. The final trophy of the hard fought peace.
Building a life where his parent’s lives had ended. Not to mention it would be quiet and out of the
way. The perfect way to escape the new found pressures of being the savior of the wizarding world
for a second time.

He would have to rebuild it, which raised plenty questions of its own. He wasn’t sure if he
would even be allowed to and he certainly didn’t have the handyman skills to do the actual work. He
would learn though. This was*his*life to build. So he would build it, along with his friends
of course.

Ginny was another matter altogether. She had wanted to come with him on this trip and Ron had
lobbied hard for her, but Harry had only wanted his two closest friends. It wasn’t that he didn’t
want to be around her, at least he didn’t think so; he just wanted to be with the only two people
who understood everything he’d been through the past year. He felt relatively sure that when he
returned to England that he wanted to be with her, but he no longer really knew why and that
bothered him.

His mind wandering and missing his friend’s company already, Harry made his way back to the
tree. He had made a full circle around them, so he would be approaching from behind them this time.
As he drew closer, their conversation was carried to him on the wind.

“..then what*did*it mean Hermione?” Ron sounded rather angry.*Great,*Harry
thought,*at least the tension won’t be so bad when they refuse to be in the same room
later.*

“It meant that I loved you Ron. I*do*love you.” Hermione sounded like she was fighting back
tears. “It’s just…now…it’s not a good time.”

“I just thought, when you kissed me that we could finally be together. Be*us*.”

“Ron, I do want that. Please listen to me. It’s just not the right time yet. I don’t even have
parents to introduce you to and you’re family is still reeling from Fred….” Her voice cracked on
the last syllable. “We’ve waited this long, is it really that terrible to wait a little
longer?”

Harry stopped a little ways off; he didn’t want to end up in the middle of another argument
between his two best friends.

“I….I get that Hermione I do. But maybe*I*need this. Did you think about that?”

“Ron….I want so badly to make you happy. I wish I could give that to you, but*I*need just
the opposite. I need you to be my friend until I can get my life back together. Until we
can*all*get our lives back together.”

Ron stood up from his seat. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Ron, please don’t go. Don’t do this again…”Hermione was pleading with him.

“So we’re bringing this up again eh? Why can’t we move past it Hermione?” Ron was getting
angrier. “Every time you have to bring that back up and throw it in my face again! Do you forgive
me or not?”

“Ron, I’m trying to forgive you. It doesn’t help that here you are about to do it again!”
Hermione was clearly in tears now. “I need you to stay here with me and you’re just going to walk
away and sulk! You know what? Go! Just go Ronald!”

Hermione was on her feet now. Without another word Ron stormed off in the direction Harry was
standing. When he passed by Harry, Ron gave him a withering look and muttered something like
“Mental. Makes no sense.” before walking off in the direction Harry had come. Hermione had fallen
to her knees and was crying by the tree.



2. Chapter Two
--------------

~

“Hermione?” Harry was careful to approach her slowly, ready to back off in case she didn’t want
company.

“Hey Harry.” Hermione took a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, we just…” and she plunged her face
into his shoulder and started crying. She stayed this way for a few minutes before she seemed to
gather herself.

“I’m sorry Harry. I know we shouldn’t be fighting. I thought we had agreed to not talk about any
of this until we got back to England.” Hermione sat up and brushed the tears off her cheeks with
her sleeve. She stood up and started pacing back and forth in front of Harry.

“Don’t apologize Hermione. You can’t just put your life on pause.”

“Don’t tell me you actually agree with him?” She rounded on Harry, giving him a look that would
probably melt a man on the spot if it had been anyone else.

“No Hermione, that’s not what I meant.” Harry sighed. He was trying to keep his cool. Shouting
wasn’t going to help things. “I meant that if you and Ron have stuff to work through then you can’t
just press pause and deal with it later.”

“Isn’t that what you did when you told Ginny she couldn’t come?” Hermione shot him a filthy
look. It hit Harry a little closer to home than he’d ever care to admit.

“That was different.”

“How Harry? How is it any different?”

“For one, she didn’t spend the year living on the run like we did. Not that Hogwarts was a
cakewalk mind you, but I thought we were the ones who needed to get away. You told me that
yourself.”

Hermione seemed to deflate a little at Harry’s logic.

“Not to mention that ultimately it came down the fact that I wanted you two with me. Not her.
You’re the ones I can barely stand to have out of my sight, not her.”

Hermione’s eyes went tender at this statement. “Harry…”

“It’s true and you know it.” Harry was stating a fact. Even the moments he thought he wanted to
himself usually turned into fitfully finding his way back to them.

“Well it’s pretty hard to stay mad at you when you say things like that.” Hermione took a seat
next to Harry again. “Thank you. Though, you probably shouldn’t tell her that you feel that way
about me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Let’s just say Ron is not the only Weasley to have a little green monster.”

Harry sighed. The jealousy the Weasleys was really tiresome. “Don’t they think that if there was
anything between us that we would have acted on it by now?”

“Well, maybe we wouldn’t have.” Hermione answered simply. Harry wasn’t sure he followed her and
it must have showed on his face. “Sometimes is takes people awhile to figure these things out
Harry. I’m not saying that’s what is happening with us, but it does happen. I’m just trying to say
that they’re not exactly being *that* unreasonable.”

Harry frowned; he had not been expecting Hermione to defend Ginny and Ron like that. Hermione
again picked up on his train of thought.

“I’m not exactly defending them Harry. They still are too overbearing and jealous when it comes
to you and me, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be more aware of how we act around each other
sometimes.”

The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Harry was unsure about what Hermione had said. He
didn’t think it was fair that he and Hermione had to change anything when they both had done
nothing to prove that they were disloyal to their respective partners. Deciding to put the thought
aside for the moment, Harry stood up. It was time to find Ron.

“Do let him know how much I care about him.” Hermione looked up from a book she had started
reading with a concerned air about her.

“I will. I’ll be back once he’s cooled off. Just promise me you two will try and work this
out.”

Hermione gave Harry a look he didn’t quite understand. “Okay Harry.”

Unsure exactly what was going through Hermione’s mind, Harry set off in the direction Ron had
left. After walking for about ten minutes, he eventually found him sitting on a bridge. Dropping
rocks into the stream below him.

“Keep it up and you’ll damn the whole creek up.” Harry tried to lighten the mood. It didn’t seem
to work.

“She would have died with you.” Ron’s voice cracked, like he had been crying.

Harry already was alarmed at where this conversation was going.

“Ron, we’ve all risked our neck for each other more than we can count. She would die for you in
an instant and she still would. So would I, for the record.”

“You don’t get it Harry. She said it herself. She would have gone into the Forest with you. She
would have died *with* you Harry. She’d rather die with you than live with me.”

All the blood left Harry’s face. He had no idea how to respond to what Ron had said. Filing it
away for further thought later, he knew that for the sake of his friend, he had to think of
something.

“Ron…” Harry started, trying to feel his way out of this. “Ron you know she didn’t mean it like
that. She’s my best friend, just like you. She knew that I wouldn’t have ever asked you guys to go
with me, but that all the same I had no desire to be apart from you forever. That was simply her
way of saying that she didn’t want our trio broken up either. I know you felt the same way, even if
you didn’t say it. Because I would feel the same way if our roles had been reversed and so would
she.”

Ron lifted his face to look at Harry. There was a deep well of hurt inside of them. Ron seemed
to be scrutinizing Harry’s face.

“A part of me believes you. I really do, but another part of me thinks that you just don’t see
what I do.” Ron turned his face down to look at the water again, a fresh tear leaving his eyes.

“Ron, she loves you. You know that right?”

“I don’t question whether or not she loves me mate, I question whether or not she loves you
more.”

“Ron how could you…” but Ron didn’t let him finish.

“She fancied you before. Did you know that?”

“Well Rita has always been known for pin point accuracy..”

Ron looked at Harry and then laughed. “Boy you really can be thick Harry. It’s not that.
Everyone could see it. I knew it even before she told me so herself.”

Harry could feel his face heating up. “When was this?”

“She told me during fifth year, but it started before that. Don’t you remember how she was
during fourth year?”

“Fifth year?” Harry was flabbergasted. He had spent most of that year in a dysfunctional
relationship with Cho or being a borderline nutter. Fourth year was a daze of simply making it from
one task to the next. Sure Hermione had helped him immensely, giving up loads of time, but she had
been mad at Ron for not asking her to the Ball. He had always assumed she was just being the
amazing friend to him that she always was. Where in all of that did he miss that Hermione was
interested in him? Ron almost seemed genuinely amused at Harry’s lack of knowledge on the subject.
Harry straightened his thoughts out, determined to bring the conversation back to Ron.

“Well, I never knew she felt that way and it doesn’t matter. We’re not in fourth or fifth year
Ron. We’re in the here and now. And here and now *you* are the one she wants. I’ve never lied
to you about how I felt about her. I never wanted her in that way.”

The silence hung on the air too long for Harry’s liking. Ron seemed lost in thought.

“I know Harry. I’m grateful to have a best mate like you.” His expression softened.

“Ron, you’re my best mate, you’ve given me the family I never had. You’ve been with me through
thick and thin.” Harry raised his hand to stop Ron’s retort, “No Ron I mean it. I told you to leave
that night didn’t I? It was as much my fault as yours what happened that night.”

Ron opened his mouth but said nothing. “I have more to be reason to be grateful for you than you
for me.” Harry quietly finished.

Harry didn’t wait for him and turned to make his way back to Hermione. Ron’s footsteps behind
him told him that he was following a short distance behind. While it wasn’t exactly what he had in
mind when they planned this holiday, Harry supposed that it made sense for all three of them to
work through some things while they could. The more he thought about it, the more Harry realized
had happened in the short year since they had left on the Horcrux hunt and the more sense it made
that they wouldn’t be able to simply ignore it all until they returned. Maybe it was good that they
got away from the pressures of home to sort through everything.

They found Hermione once again wrapped up in her book. Before anything else could be said, Harry
quickly suggested that they return to the hotel to loaf around for the rest of the day. Not hearing
any arguments he led them down the road to return.

When they got back to the room, Hermione retired to her veranda to continue reading her book
while Ron stretched out to watch television. He had a new found fascination with muggle sitcoms.
Harry retreated to his own room.

He stretched out on the bed lost on thought. He was disturbed by Ron’s attitude about
Hermione.

*I’ll go with you.*

He had barely been able to comprehend her words at the time. Barely able to accept what she
meant. In hindsight, he felt terribly guilty that he had never said anything back to her. To show
her how grateful he was to have a friend like her.

Surely she didn’t mean it like Ron had said. Harry couldn’t bring himself to think that Hermione
was choosing him over Ron.

*Again.*

The thought occurred before he could stop it. But he wouldn’t let his mind go there. She wasn’t
choosing him over Ron. It had never been that way.

But then what had Hermione been trying to get at? The more he thought about what she had said
about “people taking awhile to figure these things out” the more mystified he became. What was that
supposed to mean? Why was she defending the Weasley children for thinking there was something
between them?

And what about what Ron had said about Hermione fancying him? Why had she never said anything?
Had he really been so daft as to never recognize that his best friend had feelings for him?

Harry didn’t like where this line of thinking was taking him. He forced himself to think about
Ginny. About how he could finally be with her without having any fear for her safety. They could
finally be a normal teenaged couple.

Oddly, that prospect didn’t affect Harry the way he thought it would. It was a pleasant thought
for sure, but it wasn’t the wonderful end game he had thought it would be. In fact, Hermione had
been a lot closer to home than she thought when she accused Harry of avoiding Ginny.

It wasn’t that he actively didn’t want to be around her. What few moments they had had together
before the Trio had left were nice enough. Even with the Weasley family in mourning over Fred. He
had comforted her as best he knew how and even found comfort in being with her. But something was
missing. She no longer made his stomach do somersaults or awakened that creature in his chest. It
wasn’t that he no longer found her attractive either. She was as pretty to him as ever. There just
wasn’t anything beyond that.

He didn’t understand it. He had spent the months on the run thinking about her, missing her,
wanting nothing more than to be with her. She had been the last thing he thought of when he gave
himself up to Voldemort. It should have been his dream come true to finally be with her, but
something just wasn’t there anymore. Instead of their grief bringing them together, it seemed to be
pushing them apart. Harry felt guilty that Fred had died fighting a battle for him. He wondered if
perhaps, deep down, Ginny blamed him as much as he blamed himself.

Harry pushed all these thoughts aside. Ginny would never think that. He could here Hermione’s
voice in his head telling him that Fred didn’t die for him, that he had made his own choice and
that Ginny surely saw it that way.

With that thought in mind, Harry drifted off to sleep.



3. Chapter Three
----------------

A/N: I should say that Harry/Hermione is going to be a *very* slow burn. They’ve spent
seven years not crossing that line. It is going to take time for our pumpkins to get there. We all
know who will realize their feelings first! They won’t be together until the end of this trilogy. I
hope the journey will be worth it! Cheers!

~

Ron may have been looking at the television, but his mind was a million miles away. His latest
fight with Hermione wasn’t the worst they had ever had, but it was perhaps the most frustrating to
him.

Everything had seemed to finally come into place. She had kissed him. It seemed like he would
finally get the girl he had longed for. He knew he hadn’t always deserved her, but she was finally
his.

Or so he thought. He had barely had time to cherish his victory when his whole world seemingly
crashed around his ears. His best friend in the whole world was going to walk to his death and the
woman he cared about more than any other wanted to go with him.

He couldn’t even blame Harry. He hadn’t asked. Ron knew he never would have. Harry was far too
noble for that. Ron could even see in the look Harry gave him over Hermione’s shoulder. *Take
care of her.* He meant all along to go alone. On top of it, Ron truly cared for Harry. Loved him
like any of his other brothers. Ron didn’t want him to go either.

*I’ll go with you.*

Four words that rocked Ron to the core. Just when he thought she had chosen him once and for
all, she proved him that Harry would always come first. In fact, the more he thought about it, the
more he could see that Harry had always come first to her.

She chose to help Harry over him (and Krum) during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, she wanted Harry
(not Ron) to be Prefect with her, she chose Harry when Ron had left during the Horcrux hunt, and
she had chosen to die with him over continuing to live with Ron.

*But she kissed you. Not him.*

The thought comforted him. Maybe it was his own fault. Ron would be the first to admit that he
wasn’t always the best friend to her or Harry. There had been plenty of times when he put his own
selfish considerations over theirs, coming to a head whenever he walked out on them that night
right when they needed him most.

He had tried to tell himself that it was just the Horcrux that led him to do it. Tried to
convince himself that he was at least somewhat justified in his actions. But he knew deep down that
he was perfectly in his right mind when he walked out. It was his choice and he had been wrong. He
wasn’t sure that he would ever live it down to either of his friends.

But they had welcomed him back with open arms. Harry had said today that he was as much to blame
as Ron. Though the exact words had never been said, he knew Harry had completely forgiven him. It
did much to quell the fears that had been gnawing at him.

Ron stood in the entrance way looking at Harry. He had spent so long harboring jealousy for his
best friend. Secretly, he had always eyed Harry’s wealth, fame, and talent with envy. He was
everything Ron had always dreamed of being. He hadn’t realized when he walked into that compartment
on the Hogwarts Express first year that he was adding yet another person in his life he wouldn’t
live up to. Another shadow to live in. As if his brothers hadn’t been bad enough.

Thinking of his brothers brought a twinge of pain. It still hurt Ron deeply that he would never
see Fred again. But the pain brought forth a new determination in him. Losing Fred and thinking he
had lost Harry had broken him of the illusion that people would always be there. He decided right
then and there that he was done looking at people he loved and wishing he had their life. He would
be grateful for the family and friends he had and he would live his life. *His life*. Not
settling for sulking enviously in someone else’s shadow.

Harry was far from perfect. Hell, nobody was perfect. But he was the best friend Ron had. He had
always been able to count on Harry.

Hermione, well she was Hermione. The girl drove him mad, in more ways than one. She was
stubborn, emotional, and bossy. She was also loyal to a fault, compassionate, kind, and bloody
brilliant. Maybe she was having a harder time with what had happened than Harry, but that made
sense with what was at stake for her personally.

A warm feeling spread through Ron’s chest. No, his friends weren’t perfect, but he wouldn’t
trade them for anything in the world.

~

Hermione was purposely engrossing herself in the book in front of her. Any other time, her
trusty *Hogwarts: A History* would have given her a welcome escape from her troubles. Now
however, she couldn’t get her mind off her last fight with Ron.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be with him. Well, it wasn’t *entirely* because she
didn’t be with him. Truth be told, Hermione was as confused as she had ever been about her feelings
regarding her two closest male companions.

On the one hand, she truly did love Ron. There was a reason she had kissed him in the Chamber of
Secrets. She hadn’t been trying to move towards a relationship with him since second year for
nothing. She genuinely felt like he did lover her, even if he couldn’t always express it like she
hoped. She was willing to overlook his flaws and see that he really was a good man. While a life
spent with him would surely have its moments, it was nothing to sneeze at.

On the other hand, recent events had made her question her feelings for Harry. There had been
times when the thought had entered her mind. While it had clearly been under strenuous
circumstances, she had to admit that their ride on Buckbeak to rescue Sirius was perhaps the most
romantic thing she had experienced in her life to this point. The Skeeter article, while
inaccurate, had also made her wonder what it would be like. She had even dared herself to kiss him
at King’s Cross to see what would happen.

Since then, he had made it obvious by his inaction that he only thought of her as his best
friend. Considering just how far Harry’s friendship went, this too was nothing she took for
granted. So she settled into her role with Harry while working to cultivate her relationship with
Ron.

Then, just when she thought things were going to turn out alright, she found herself confused
all over again. At Bill and Fleur’s wedding, she was completely caught off guard when she found
herself looking at Harry, not Ron, with a huge smile on her face and tears in her eyes as they were
bonded. It happened so fast she hadn’t even realized she was doing it until the emerald in Harry’s
eyes alerted her to it. It had been so long since she had thought about Harry that way. Why look at
him now? Feelings she didn’t even know she had rushed to her in a whirlwind that was only
compounded by Ron’s unexpectedly dancing with her. She had almost been glad for the distraction
that the Death Eaters had provided for her whirling mind.

Then there was that night in the forest when Ron left them. Left *her*. She remembered
vividly walking among the trees, getting soaked to the bone while she desperately called him to
come back. She remembered crying herself to sleep at night, crying into her pillow to keep Harry
from hearing her. She remembered literally feeling pain in her chest as she relived him storming
out the tent.

When she hit her lowest point: frustrated with their lack of progress, saddened by Ron’s
departure, and depressed by the overall feeling of losing the war; Harry brought her a ray of hope.
When he danced with her that night, it had done much more than he realized. It reminded her of what
was important. They were alive, they were fighting, and Harry was still there. It brought her hope
when she needed it most.

There was the night in Godric’s Hollow, sharing that intimate moment with Harry before the
graves of his parents. She had known that placing the wreath for them had been the right thing and
that it was exactly what Harry needed. She always could tell what he needed, even when he didn’t
say anything.

There was the nightmare of Nagini and Voldemort. Saving Harry’s life by the slimmest of margins
and praying over his thrashing form that he wouldn’t leave her. It was then, while she desperately
tried to nurse him back to health, that she began to realize that her feelings for him were
stronger than she cared to admit.

Then, out of the clear blue sky, Ron was back. Though deep down she had been over the moon about
him returning, she had rightly let him know just how much he had hurt her. How ridiculously
irresponsible he had been to leave his friends when they needed him. In spite of it, she determined
herself to rekindle what had been lost with Ron. She knew that Harry had spent plenty of nights
staring at Ginny’s dot on the Marauders Map, so despite what the past few weeks had revealed to
her, she refused to allow herself to reach for what she couldn’t have.

There was that one shining moment, in the Chamber of Secrets, when it all seemed clear to her
that Ron could be the man she hoped him to be. When he had brought up the house elves, it was like
the final piece moving into the puzzle of her mind that what she was seeking with Ron was right. It
took her a fraction of a second to rationalize trying to snog his brains out right then and
there.

It was wonderful, everything she had hoped it would be. It didn’t even faze her that the
displeasure in Harry’s voice was more serious than the excuse he gave. It didn’t have to do with
the battle currently raging and Hermione knew it. In fact, she had a brief moment of smug
satisfaction in knowing that perhaps he was finally wising up to what he had missed.

Then her whole world was turned upside down yet again. There was that awful moment when she
realized that Harry meant to die, that moment when she knew without a shadow of doubt that she had
no desire to live her life without Harry James Potter.

*I’ll go with you.*

There was nothing else for her to say. If Harry meant to die, she meant to die with him. She
briefly lost the ability to breathe as she grasped him in pure desperation. She never wanted to let
him go. But Harry was far too noble and cared far too much for her to let it happen.

So she watched him walk away. She was vaguely aware of Ron’s presence, of his attempts to
comfort her. Her world was over. She stood in the entrance hall and prayed beyond hope that
somehow, someway, Harry would come back.

Then she spotted him in Hagrid’s arms. It was right then and there that she decided that she had
no desire to survive. She would die fighting and she would take as many Death Eaters with her as
she could. A world without Harry was not worth living in, even if they had somehow won.

Harry of course, true to form, had evaded death yet again and when Voldemort finally crumpled to
the ground dead; a joy filled her heart that she knew might never be matched. Harry was alive and
the long dark night was finally over. They could finally live a life without wondering if each day
would be their last.

That brought her to now. She hadn’t really been lying to Ron. She really was worried about
getting her parents back. She really did want to simply enjoy being alive and being with her two
best friends. She really did think that now of all times was not the time to enter into a
relationship when her heart was so conflicted.

She didn’t doubt that she loved Ron. She had pursued him almost since she first arrived at
Hogwarts. What she doubted was whether or not there was someone she loved *more*. She even
doubted now if she was wrong to feel that way about Harry. She knew he was hiding something about
him and Ginny. She knew him too well for him to fool her. Maybe he wasn’t as in love with her as
Hermione thought he had been. Maybe there was a chance….

“No.” she caught herself say out loud. As long as there was a chance for their current
relationships to work, she wouldn’t give up just yet. Harry was her best friend. You were supposed
to feel that way about your best friend. Harry for sure felt the same way about her and he had
chosen to go out with first Cho then Ginny. There wasn’t anything to confuse.

She had been chasing Ron for years and had been driven crazy by him in every way possible. There
was nothing like the adrenaline that rushed through her when they got into heated arguments (or
kissed for that matter) and despite how much of a prat he could be he was loyal, brave, and cared
deeply for her.

As impossible as it seemed to her, she was wrong. It didn’t make any sense to push him away now
that he was finally hers to have.

Well, at least she could make his day tomorrow. She knew she was never going to hear the end of
it when she admitted to him that he was right.



4. Chapter Four
---------------

~

Ron was on cloud nine.

He had gone to Hermione to talk to her, but she had shushed him the moment he opened his mouth.
Instead of talking about their fight, they ended up making out on the couch in Hermione’s
suite.

Reluctantly pulling apart after twenty minutes or so, Ron finally asked the question. “Um, what
in the blazes just happened?”

“This is me admitting to you that I was wrong. We should be….we *are* together Ron.”

“Whoa…..do mine ears deceive me?” he couldn’t help grinning ear to ear.

“Don’t let it go to your head.” She teased.

“I tell you what, I’ll keep it our little secret. But you owe me.” Ron gave her a wicked
grin.

“Boys.” Hermione shook her head, but couldn’t hide her own grin.

There wasn’t a whole lot of talking after that.

~

Harry noted that Ron and Hermione looked quite disheveled when they emerged from her suite later
that evening.

“I see you two have patched things up.” He grinned at the pair of them. Hermione blushed and Ron
sheepishly grinned back.

“What’s for dinner?” Ron changed the subject.

“I thought we could order in. Just relax.” Harry answered.

“Sounds great. There’s a room service menu in the kitchen.” Hermione seemed glad for the change
of topic.

After a huge meal that left them all fit to bursting, the trio moved to the balcony to watch the
sunset. Harry and Ron sat on either side of Hermione. They sipped on wine and swapped childhood
stories.

Harry mainly listened, not really having much from his childhood to share. This was what he
cherished most: the three of them together. Just *being*. They weren’t doing anything special
or out of the ordinary, but Harry wouldn’t have it any other way. If this was what life was going
to be like from here on out, then he was in for a pleasant ride.

“What’s got you smiling?” Hermione chuckled.

“Nothing at all.” Harry answered, matching her smile with one of his own.

“What do you think life is going to be like, you know, when we go back?” Ron asked.

“Well, we all know Harry here is going to be quite famous.” Hermione playfully swatted his arm.
“But then again, I think all three of us will have a little more attention than we’re used to.”

Ron shook his head. “Maybe I’ll publish a memoir. Detailing what it’s *really* like to live
alongside The Boy Who Lived. I’m sure the world would love to know about the time you ate a snot
flavored Every Flavored Bean and vomited spectacularly all over poor Neville’s charms book.”

All three of the laughed.

“Or perhaps they want to hear about having the most awkward mistletoe kiss ever.” Ron could
barely finish through his own laughs. Hermione in particular thought that one hilarious. She was in
tears.

“Haha.” Harry intoned sarcastically, “I be the world would love a picture of Ron dancing on the
table at the Three Broomsticks.”

Harry grinned wickedly at Ron who looked like he had been struck by lightning. Hermione had
stopped breathing she was laughing so hard.

“Y-you said there was no film in that camera.” Ron looked horrified.

They had all gotten pretty sloshed at the official Gryffindor victory party. It had went on for
two days and spanned the common room and both Hogsmeade pubs. Ron in particular had been quite the
entertainment.

“H-he had the d-dumbest grin!” Hermione gasped between fits of laughter. Ron had turned as red
as his hair.

“Yeah, he was blissfully unaware that Ginny had used a sticking charm on his chair. Quite
gracefully leaving his pants behind when he mounted the table.”

Harry now was laughing as hard as Hermione, who was overcome by a coughing fit. Thumping her on
the back, Ron suddenly grinned at Harry.

“Of course, I could tell about a certain Mr. Potter who may or may not have….”

“You swore!” Harry countered, horrified that Ron would bring up his own shenanigans from the
party.

“Oh you’re not getting off that easily. If I get nailed for dancing half naked on a table, you
get hammered for kissing Neville….ARRGGHH!”

Harry had jumped across Hermione and tackled Ron. They wrestled for twenty minutes with Hermione
egging them on, all three laughing the entire time.

They eventually settled back into their places and sat in companionable quiet for hours on end.
Simply enjoying each other’s company. The sun had long sank beneath the city skyline when they each
retired to their warm beds.

~

Harry had returned to the balcony at about five in the morning. After peacefully falling asleep
following the events of the previous evening, he was awoken by another nightmare. This time, the
one he kept having about Fred’s vacant eyes had found him waking up in a sweat. Knowing sleep
wouldn’t be coming back any time soon he had moved to the balcony to gaze over the slowly stirring
city.

“Couldn’t sleep?” a soft voice asked behind him.

Harry had a brief struggle in his mind over how to respond, but eventually convinced himself
that if anybody understood it was Hermione. “’Nother nightmare.” He replied as Hermione took a seat
next to him.

“Who was it this time?”

“Fred.”

Hermione squeezed his arm. “Harry.” The compassion in her voice left no other words necessary.
They sat that way for a few moments before she spoke again.

“You know these won’t last forever right?” She was looking at him now. Sadness filling her soft
brown eyes.

“I know. It’s just..” Harry choked back a sob, “They’re gone Hermione. Fred, Colin, Tonks,
Remus..” and with that he couldn’t fight it any longer. The dead pressed in on every side of his
heart. He sobbed uncontrollably. He had never lost control before. There had always been a reason
to soldier on, to put on the brave face and keep going.

Now? There wasn’t anything to stop him. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and he sobbed onto
her shoulder. She didn’t say anything and she didn’t have to. Her being there was enough.

“H-Harry?” Hermione’s voice choked after Harry had spent himself.

“Yes?”

“Do you remember what you told me? About seeing your parents, Sirius, and Remus in the Forest?”
Harry nodded his head. “You know that they’re still here right? They told you they would be.
Remember how they were happy? How much younger Remus and Sirius looked?”

Harry lifted his head to look at Hermione. Her eyes too were red and watery with tears.

“Yeah, I do.”

Hermione smiled. “Don’t you know that Fred is with them too? And Tonks, Colin and all the
others? They’re there too Harry. They would say the same thing Remus said: they hoped to make the
world a better place.”

Hermione looked for a split second like she would lose her composure, but gathered herself and
continued: “And they *did* Harry. Together, they did it. The world *is* a better place
because of what they gave.”

Hermione took his hands in hers. “You know that don’t you?”

Harry looked away over the city, the streets slowly coming to life under the pink early morning
sky. He thought of the Hogwart’s Express full of students, of Bill and Fleur at Shell Cottage, and
of Diagon Alley full of patrons; all of them going about their business, no longer a pallor of fear
hanging over them. Smiles and cheery greetings replacing the heavy silence and weary looks of the
past two years.

When he looked back he saw that Hermione was still looking at him. She was still smiling and
there was a softness in her eyes that Harry had never seen before. He had never felt so cared for
his whole life as he did now, seeing Hermione look at him that way. He couldn’t help but smile back
and chuckle to himself.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, and yes I know.” Harry gave her hands a squeeze. “What ever would I have done without
you Hermione Granger?”

It was Hermione’s turn to laugh. “Well we both know you would have died at least once a
year.”

Harry wasn’t sure if it was the hour or how emotionally fragile they were, but they both laughed
and laughed. They laughed until their sides hurt tears of a different kind poured from their
eyes.

When they had sufficiently recovered, he helped her to her feet and they both stood together
just enjoying the view and the company.

“You know I’ve never thanked you.”

“And you never needed to.”

“Well I am now. Thank you, Hermione. Thank you for looking out for me. For saving me more times
than I can count. There have been so many times I’ve been so ungrateful for you.”

They both looked at each other for a long time. Hermione seemed to be thinking hard and looked
on the verge of saying something. Harry held her gaze, willing her to tell him what it was. After
what could have been minutes, days, or years she simply lifted her hand and gently pushed a wild
strand of his hair behind his ear.

“Harry.”

There was something in her voice, something he could see in her eyes that he had never seen
there before. He felt warmth spread from his head to his toes. He felt so many things at once:
contentment, belonging, wholeness, and just a feeling of *right*. He wasn’t sure why he felt
all these things, but he knew he never wanted it to end.

After what seemed like an eternity to Harry, Hermione gave his hand one last squeeze before she
turned and walked back inside. Harry watched her close the door to her room behind her and felt a
strange uneasiness wash over him. He didn’t know what had just happened, but he couldn’t shake the
feeling that something inside of him had shifted.



5. Chapter Five
---------------

A/N: It’s nice already being done with a fic when you go to post it! I’ll post them as quickly
as I can. I do have to reformat them and do last minute editing before posting. Hope you are
enjoying it! Cheers!

~

The trio awoke the next day and after a light breakfast, boarded the first in a small series of
trains that would take them from Rome to Vienna. When the appropriate privacy charms had been cast,
they settled into friendly games of exploding snap or wizard chess. If Harry didn’t think too hard
it was almost like when they were riding the Hogwart’s Express in their school days.

It was while he was on this train of thought that Hermione looked up from the chess game she was
losing badly to Ron.

“Do either of you think you’re going to return to Hogwarts? You know…finish our education?”

Ron and Harry exchanged looks. “I’m not sure Hermione. It just won’t quite be the same now will
it?” Ron offered. They all knew he was talking about Fred. “Besides, do you really think we need
it?”

“Well, depending on what you want to do, a lot of careers are going to want N.E.W.T’s. They’re
not exactly going to just hand us whatever career we want.”

Harry had to admit she had a point. “I might go back. After all, I don’t really have anywhere
else to go.” It was the truth. Harry had no desire to return to Grimmauld Place or Privet Drive and
any plans he had for his parent’s home would have to wait.

“We could get a flat.” Ron offered.

“What about the Burrow?” Hermione asked him as her last pawn was getting throttled by Ron’s
queen.

“As much as I love my family, it’s time for me to move out. It’s just been…suffocating there
lately.” Harry hated how almost any conversation turned into a conversation about the war’s
aftermath.

Hermione gave Ron a concerned look before continuing. “Well, if we went back to Hogwarts, we
could at least be together until we figured out what we’re doing.”

That comforting thought seemed to end the discussion. It was quiet except for the sounds of the
chess pieces moving as Ron tried to corner Hermione’s king. Harry couldn’t decide if he wanted to
talk to his friends yet about Godric’s Hollow just yet. Maybe they should figure out exactly what
they’re all going to be doing first.

Ron seemed to sense Harry’s disquiet and had other ideas. “Something on your mind mate?
Checkmate Hermione.”

Hermione pushed her king over before looking at Harry expectedly. Harry had to give it to his
friends, it was increasingly hard to get anything by them.

“Well, we were talking about places to live, and I have just been thinking…”

“About Godric’s Hollow.” Hermione finished for him.

“Er….yeah.” Harry added lamely.

Ron had a puzzled expression on his face. “What? Your mum and dad’s place? Or somewhere else in
the village?”

“I want to rebuild my mum and dad’s.”

Ron and Hermione both gave him a knowing look. “Well, we’re more than happy to help. Though, I
don’t know that either of us will be much help at first.”

Hermione’s expression brightened. “Well we’ll just have to learn won’t we?”

“Thanks guys. It means a lot.” Harry didn’t feel the need to go into all his reasons why. They
probably knew anyways.

~

When they had reached Vienna, they settled into their hotel. It was a similar setup to their
last one. Side by side suites: one for the boys and one for Hermione. Harry had burned through
quite a bit of gold to afford their accommodations (not to mention the exchange rate to muggle
money), but in his mind it was worth it. Gold had never meant too much to him anyways. He had also
spent a pretty penny on a surprise he had for his friends.

“Ron, Hermione, can I see you real quick?” They both joined him in the kitchen from their
respective unpacking. “I have something for you.”

Harry handed Hermione a white envelope. Her eyes brightened as she opened it, Ron took up
position behind her to see. Hermione’s jaw dropped and she clapped a hand over her mouth when she
pulled out two tickets. Ron looked puzzled.

“What are these mate? They don’t look like Quidditch tickets.”

“Oh….Harry! You didn’t!?” Harry had to laugh. His gift was having the effect that he had hoped.
Hermione simply gaped at him. When she turned attention back to the tickets, she too briefly looked
confused. “But..Harry….there’s only two tickets here.”

“Can someone fill me in what’s going on here?” Ron flustered.

“It’s two tickets to the opera house Ron. They’re terribly expensive, but it’s really fun and
*very* fancy. We went to see one when my family vacationed in France. But Harry, you still
haven’t told me why there’s only two tickets.”

Harry grinned at his friends. “I want you two to go out tonight. Just the two of you.” At the
worried expression from Hermione he raised his hand. “No Hermione. Really. Go out and have some
fun. You two deserve this. Consider it my thanks, for everything.”

Hermione’s eyes watered and she grabbed Harry in a bone crushing hug. Ron grinned, “Thanks mate”
and Harry gave him a wink over Hermione’s shoulder.

“Oh *thank you* Harry! I’ve got to go get spruced up! Ron you had better look your best!”
She gave Harry one last squeeze before traipsing off to her room and shutting the door.

“You had better get going Ron. Better look spiffy.” Harry grinned. Ron answered with a grin of
his own before taking a more serious expression.

“Thank you Harry. You’re the best mate a guy could ask for.” Ron clapped him on the back.

“Don’t mention it. Now go get dressed!”

~

About forty-five minutes later Harry was standing with Ron in the kitchen again. Ron was wearing
a magnificent dark blue tuxedo that brilliantly set off his fiery red hair.

“Come on Hermione! We’re going to be late!” Ron looked at his watch for the fifth time. “Women
Harry, honestly. What in the world could be taking so…”

But Ron never finished his thought, for right then Hermione’s door opened and both Harry and Ron
audibly gasped.

Hermione was wearing a beautiful ballroom gown that matched Ron’s in color with a pearl necklace
and matching pearl studded earrings. Her hair was in an elegant bun with a strand left on either
side to frame her face. She looked simply stunning.

Ron’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water while Harry simply gaped. Harry had seen
some beautiful women in his life, including a very lovely Hermione at the Yule Ball, but he never
thought he’d ever see a woman as beautiful as Hermione was at that moment.

“Well, considering you both have lost the ability to speak I’m guessing I look alright?”
Hermione positively glowed from the muted reactions of her two male companions. Harry had never
seen her look so confident.

“Alright? Hermione you look…” Ron couldn’t finish his sentence, so Harry came to his friends’
aid. “Positively smashing.” Harry smiled and gave Hermione a short embrace. “You had better help
him along or he’ll just stand there all night.”

Hermione beamed at him before turning to Ron. “Let’s go Ronald.” The use of his whole name shook
Ron from his reverie. He proffered his arm to Hermione and lead her to the door before opening it
to follow her out. They both looked back at Harry.

“Thanks again mate.”

“Thank you Harry. Are you sure you’ll be here by yourself?”

At that they both looked apologetically at Harry.

“I’ll be fine lovebirds, now go before I kick you out myself.” They both chuckled at Harry
before Ron closed the door behind him, Hermione giving Harry a last small wave.

They were gone. Harry let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. As happy as he was for
his friends and for how they had taken his surprise, he couldn’t help but miss their presence. But
he knew that they wouldn’t be able to be around twenty-four hours a day forever, so he might as
well get accustomed now.

He honestly hoped they would have a good time and stray away from arguing. While it had been
endearing at times and well within both of their characters, Harry thought that at some point
they’d have to move a little closer in thought patterns for them to give a relationship a real go.
Constant bickering was cute when you’re eleven, but was no way to be married. No other couple Harry
knew of behaved that way.

In any case he now had the room to himself. Tired from all the travel that day, he turned on the
television and began watching a football match. He was moving in and out of consciousness for
several hours before falling asleep, not waking up until the sound of the door opening woke him
with a small start past midnight. A strange curiosity peaked in Harry and instead of greeting his
friends, he feigned sleep and listened to their hushed conversation.

“He’s asleep Ron.”

“I’ll wake him and have him move to the bed when you’ve run off. Tonight was fun.”

“Really? I was worried at first you would think opera to be boring.”

“I can’t say it’s my favorite activity, but the company was good.”

“Well tonight has shown you *can* be sweet. It’s nice to know.”

A couple of footsteps and the rustle of fabric told Harry that they had embraced.

“I had a wonderful evening Ron.”

“I did too. It’s the first time in a very long time I didn’t once think about what could be
around the corner or about….well…you know.”

“Me too Ron, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why….why can’t we be like this more? We didn’t argue or fight one time tonight and it was the
best time I’ve had with you that I can recall.”

There was a moment of silence before Ron answered. “To be honest Hermione, I don’t know. I
just…I guess a lot of my arguments with you stem from feeling….you could say…inadequate?”

Another moment of silence. “Ron, how could you..”

“Think about it Hermione. You’ve always done better than me at spellwork and schoolwork. You’ve
always seemed to know more than I do. I guess most of the time I would argue so that I could try
and prove something to you. Prove that I could be good enough for you.”

“Ron, I….I don’t know what to say. So tonight you…you don’t feel that way anymore?”

“I can’t say I’ve kicked it entirely. But I’m trying. I guess I’m becoming more secure in who I
am, determined to just be me instead of trying to measure up to someone else.”

“Well, I’m happy for you Ron. Thanks again for such a wonderful time.”

Harry heard her give Ron a kiss. “Goodnight Ron.”

“Goodnight Hermione.”

Hermione walked into her room and closed the door. Ron stood still for a moment before walking
over to where Harry was on the couch. Ron shook his shoulder gently. “Hey mate, why don’t you head
to bed.”

Pretending to be just waking up, Harry stretched and sat up. “Sounds good mate. How was
tonight?”

“It was…we’ll talk about it later.”

Puzzled at his friends’ answer, Harry followed Ron into the bedroom and changed into his
pajamas. Without further conversation, both boys climbed into bed and Ron’s snores soon told Harry
he was fast asleep.



6. Chapter Six
--------------

~

In the room next door, Hermione was wide awake. Now that she had written down the evening’s
events in her journal, she walked to her window and stared at nothing in particular as she
processed the night’s events.

*Ron and Hermione walked hand in hand towards the opera house at the end of the street. They
were idly chatting about nothing in particular. Hermione was struck by how comfortable she felt.
For it being their first real date of any significance, she felt no nerves gnawing at her. While on
the one hand, it shouldn’t have surprised her that much considering how long they had known each
other; Hermione had to wonder, on the other hand, why this change in the relationship didn’t make
her the least bit anxious.*

*When they reached the opera house and found their seats, Hermione had a field day explaining
all the intricacies of the opera to Ron. Ron, for his part, was genuinely curious. Though he
typically struggled to understand the muggle world, the way that they amplified the voice with the
building’s design particularly intrigued him. Hermione was enjoying explaining it to him without
his usual impatience towards her gushing.*

*They sat in companionable silence during the performance, Hermione leaning her head onto
Ron’s shoulder. Again she was surprised by how little reaction she experienced with her physical
contact with Ron. She had fretted all afternoon while dressing how she was going to react when
these things would happen, but she was consternated by the lack of any reaction in her. Maybe she
and Ron would bypass all of those early relationship worries and feelings.*

*She spent the intermission talking to Ron about the plot of the performance and about their
future career choices. Hermione was considering a wide variety of choices while Ron was hedged
between helping George with the shop and being an Auror. It was so nice to be talking to Ron in
civilized tones. She had always enjoyed his company when they weren’t bickering.*

*After watching the final acts and heading back to the street, Ron suggested a walk in a
neighboring park. Hermione gladly accepted and they walked for the better part of an hour and a
half, talking about everything that came to mind: the opera, Hogwarts, past adventures, and
everything in between.*

*It was while walking around the park that it finally hit Hermione. The reason why she felt so
comfortable with Ron, the reason why it didn’t bother her in the slightest that she was on her
first real date and holding hands with the man she had pursued off and on for six years. Despite
how happy she had been, despite how great it was to kiss him and spend tonight with him……she wsnt
in love with him.*

*Oh she loved him. She loved him so much she would die for him. But she wasn’t in love with
him and that made all the difference. The previous day had been throwing a band-aid on what was
already a foregone conclusion. He drove her crazy when they were fighting and yes he was a great
kisser, but when it was just the two of them like tonight……there was nothing beyond her and one of
her best friends.*

*In her heart she knew that she wasn’t in love with him anymore and probably never would be
again. She had given him so many chances over the years. All second year, the Yule Ball fourth
year, both before and after Lavender (a pain shot through her chest at the thought of her dead dorm
mate), after Dumbledore’s funeral, and finally even after he walked out during the Horcrux hunt.
Every time up until now he had dropped the ball.*

*She suddenly felt the overwhelming feeling of being tired. Tired of being let down. She was
just now realizing it, but when he left the tent that night, he had given up his last real chance
with her heart. She couldn’t give him her heart anymore because she no longer trusted him with it.
Not like that.*

*That was the real reason she had fought against the label. She could dress it however she
wanted in her other cares and fears, but at the end of the day it was because she flat out didn’t
want it. It made her feel awful.*

*He was still her friend. One of her two very best friends. She loved him and would do
anything for him. He had come back and if recent events told her anything it’s that he would never
leave again. But he could never get back the trust she once placed with him to hold her completely.
That was a barrier he couldn’t cross again because she couldn’t let him.*

*“Ron, what do you say we head back?”*

*“Sure. Let’s go get a cab.”*

*All the way back to the hotel she thought about how tonight had been a perfectly wonderful
evening, and how Ron really had changed. She thought about how badly she had once wanted to be with
him. She felt a real sense of loss in knowing she wouldn’t feel like that towards him again.
Completely unsure of what to do, she resolved herself to let the night play itself out and
straighten her own head out before doing or saying anything rash.*

*Ron helped her out of the cab at the hotel and they walked silently back to their rooms. Out
of habit, they walked together into the boys’ room to find Harry asleep in front of the
television.*

*“He’s asleep Ron.”*

*“I’ll wake him and have him move to the bed when you’ve run off. Tonight was fun.”*

*“Really?* *I was worried at first you would think opera to be boring.”*

*“I can’t say it’s my favorite activity, but the company was good.”Hermione was disappointed
that she didn’t blush harder than she did.*

*“Well tonight has shown you* can *be sweet. It’s nice to know.”*

*Hermione pulled Ron into a firm embrace. She felt a small flutter in her stomach. He smelled
good, like he had a very light fragrance on. She felt very safe in his arms. Maybe she had been
overreacting. This felt very nice.*

*“I had a wonderful evening Ron.”*

*“I did too. It’s the first time in a very long time I didn’t once think about what could be
around the corner or about….well…you know.”*

*“Me too Ron, can I ask you something?”*

*“Of course.”*

*Hermione had a brief and violent struggle in her mind. What she really wanted to ask was how
he felt about their first date and her, but thinking that she wasn’t quite ready to have that
conversation, she went with plan b.*

*“Why….why can’t we be like this more? We didn’t argue or fight one time tonight and it was
the best time I’ve had with you that I can recall.”*

*There was a moment of silence before Ron answered. “To be honest Hermione, I don’t know. I
just…I guess a lot of my arguments with you stem from feeling….you could say…inadequate?”*

*While Hermione had often thought it, to hear Ron express it was something else entirely.
“Ron, how could you..”*

*“Think about it Hermione. You’ve always done better than me at spellwork and schoolwork.
You’ve always seemed to know more than I do. I guess most of the time I would argue so that I could
try and prove something to you. Prove that I could be good enough for you.”*

*Now Hermione felt herself really blushing. “Ron, I….I don’t know what to say. So tonight
you…you don’t feel that way anymore?”*

*“I can’t say I’ve kicked it entirely. But I’m trying. I guess I’m becoming more secure in who
I am, determined to just be me instead of trying to measure up to someone else.”*

*Hermione very well knew who that someone else was. He was asleep on the couch. However, she
felt like Ron was growing up in front of her. A warm feeling spread from her heart.*

*“Well, I’m happy for you Ron. Thanks again for such a wonderful time.”*

*She leaned in to give him a goodnight kiss. She saw him close his eyes as she drew to his
face, but before her lips brushed his, she felt a panic rise up in her chest and she changed
direction to give him a peck on the cheek instead.*

*“Goodnight Ron.”*

*Hermione saw the disappointment in Ron’s eyes.*

*“Goodnight Hermione.”*

The entire night replayed in her head. Why didn’t she kiss him? It’s not like it would be the
first time. Why did she panic at the last moment?

She, of course, knew the answer to these questions. Maybe it was finally time to admit to
herself that things just weren’t going to work out with Ron. He was funny, brave, and endearing. He
was a wonderful man and if the past few days had been any indicator, he was becoming more of one
every day. She loved him, but her heart no longer belonged to him. He had broken it one too many
times.

She walked back to her bedside table and picked up a tome about Vienna’s history with the
magical world. There would be plenty of time to talk to Ron about this. Later.



7. Chapter Seven 
-----------------

A/N: Sorry for deleting then reposting! Can’t edit on Portkey and I made some BIG changes to
almost every chapter (except chapter One). Had a reviewer on another site give me good food for
thought. Couldn’t let it slide! I hate to lose your awesome reviews! Thanks so much for all the
feedback! Hope you guys enjoy the changes and the new update! Cheers!

~

Ron surprised himself by being the first one awake the next morning. Harry was dead asleep on
the bed next to him, and when he walked into the kitchen he saw Hermione’s door still closed.
Opening it was usually the first thing she did every morning after getting dressed.

He was eating breakfast on the couch when he first heard a muffled groan from Hermione’s room.
At first he waved it off as Hermione waking up, but it grew louder and more insistent. He then
heard muffled words, followed by a piercing scream.

All the blood leaving his face, Ron pelted to Hermione’s room and flew open the door. She was
lying on top of her sheets where she had apparently fallen asleep reading a book. She was thrashing
about with her eyes firmly shut. She unleashed another scream as her whole body seemed to
convulse.

Ron dashed to her side and put a hand on each of her cheeks. “Hermione! Wake up!”

Hermione continued to thrash about and screamed yet again.

“Wake up! It’s me Ron! Everything is okay, please wake up! Damn it!”

“Ron, what’s wrong?” Harry had appeared in the doorway.

“She’s having a nightmare, she won’t wake up. Wake up Hermione, please!”

Harry joined Ron and grabbed one of her hands, rubbing it gently in between his own hands.
“Hermione, we’re here. It’s alright.” His voice was much calmer than Ron’s.

“Please Hermione.” Ron choked, “We’re here and you’re safe. Wake up.”

Hermione’s eyes finally flew open and she bolted upright. “I was….she was….Harry! Ron!” She was
wildly looking around the room before her eyes settled on first Harry, then Ron. Realizing now
where she was, she collapsed into Ron’s arms sobbing uncontrollably.

“There, there Hermione. You’re safe. She can’t hurt you anymore. We won’t let *anyone* hurt
you anymore.” Ron spoke soothingly. Harry placed a hand on her leg. “That’s right. You’re here with
me and Ron. You’re okay.”

Hermione slowly gained her composure. When she sat up in the bed, Harry cast a Cheering Charm on
her. “All better now?”

“Yes Harry, thank you.” Turning to Ron she spoke softly, “Thank you both.”

Ron felt his stomach loosen. She was alright. Harry got up to make some hot chocolate and
breakfast for her. Hermione stayed in Ron’s arms, sniffling and hiccupping. After placing a tray
with her breakfast on her bedside table, Harry excused himself for a shower. Ron sat cross legged
on the end of her bed while she slowly ate.

“I’m glad you were both here.” Hermione spoke softly.

“This is exactly why we’re here. We need each other.” They both shared a meaningful look with
one another. Ron lost himself in his own thoughts. He knew he needed to talk to her about last
night, he just wasn’t sure if he was ready or if now was the time. Hermione gave him a knowing
look.

“Wanna talk about what’s on your mind?” Ron tried to act surprised but he knew that she saw
right through him.

“We don’t have to do this now.”

Ron really didn’t think she would be up for talking about much considering how she woke up, but
she dismissed his concern with a shaking head. “I’m fine Ron, and honestly I wanted to talk about
last night too.”

Resigned that he wasn’t getting out of it, Ron tried to gather his thoughts together. He had
never really mastered the art of talking about how he felt about things. That he had done so twice
so far on this trip had to be some kind of miracle, or maybe he was finally doing some growing
after all.

“Hermione, while I know last night was technically our first real date, it never really felt
like I was on a date. It felt like a night out with my best friend. I think you wanted it to feel
that way. I genuinely do love you, I’ve wanted to be with you for years now, but something about
last night told me that maybe you don’t feel the same way I do about this relationship. I want to
know if that’s true.”

Ron looked hard at Hermione. He may not have had the telepathy thing going for him that Harry
and her sometimes displayed, but he still knew how to read her expressions. She had never been very
good at hiding her feelings about anything. The look of guilt in her eyes told him all he really
needed to know.

“Ron, I..” Hermione began with her eyes watery, “I do love you. I’ve spent *years* trying
to get you to notice me. Trying to have something special with you, and for awhile we did. But Ron,
I have to be honest with you because you deserve it. I can’t think of you as my boyfriend
anymore.”

The silence was deafening. Ron could feel the prickling behind his eyes. Hermione looked at him
and he had never seen her eyes look so sad.

“Ron, I am so very *sorry*. You truly are a wonderful man. You made me happier than I have
ever been. But..” and her voice broke, “you broke my heart so many times. Every time I told myself
that you would change. That next time would be different. That we would get past the point where we
would blow up at each other and not speak for weeks. After Dumbledore died, when we were at Bill’s
wedding, I thought we had finally gotten there.”

Knowing full well where this was going and dreading every second, Ron could feel himself turning
green. He felt sicker than he had ever had in his life.

“Don’t ever doubt that I loved you with all my heart. But you shattered me when you left. I know
we’ve been over this a dozen times, but it’s true. I’ve been trying ever since then to let you back
into my heart, but Ron, I…I can’t.”

Her voice broke. Tears were flowing thick and fast from both their eyes.

“You will always, *always*, be my friend. In a way, even calling you my friend seems to
cheapen how I feel about you. But I can’t trust you with that part of me anymore.”

Hermione was crying softly across the bed from him. Ron could feel his own tears moving down his
cheeks. His worst fear about that night had been realized. He had gone too far, had let her down
too many times. He knew he hadn’t always treated her fairly, but had always hoped she could find it
in her to forgive him. He knew now that it had been unreasonable to think she could do it forever.
It seemed a cruel fate that just when he was getting his head out of his arse, it was already too
late. Yet he had no one to blame but himself.

She moved closer to him and brushed some of his tears away with her thumbs. She looked him deep
in his eyes and Ron felt a knot form in his chest as he gazed into those deep brown wells.

“Ron, you have become a wonderful, wonderful man. You deserve someone who can trust you with
every fiber of their being. You deserve to be happy, to have someone love you with their whole
heart. I wish *so* badly that I could give that to you, but I just…..I just can’t.”

She gave him a very chaste kiss on his lips. He stored away the memory in his mind, to always
remember the way her soft lips felt on his.

“I…I’m going to go for a walk. Stay here and talk to Harry. He will want to help.” And so
Hermione got up to walk away. Ron watched her go out of her door, heard a brief conversation
between her and Harry, then heard the outer door open and close.

Ron’s eyes were shut tight, trying to hold it back. Trying not to completely lose control. He
heard Harry walk into the room and could feel his presence. Unfortunately, controlling his emotions
had never been his strength and so he started to cry. He vaguely felt the bed move next to him and
Harry’s hand on his shoulder, but Harry remained silent. There was nothing that he could say
anyways.

~

Harry was standing in the kitchen washing some dishes when Hermione found him.

“Harry, I just broke up with Ron. I’m going for a walk, he’s going to need you.” She was
grateful when one look at her face told him to not ask any questions.

His eyes were full of concern. “Are you sure it’ll be safe with you out there alone?”

Leave it to Harry to think about that. Hermione silently prayed for a day when he could get over
worrying about his friends getting cursed in the street.

“I’ll be fine Harry; I’ll come straight back here if there’s a problem.” When Harry didn’t look
convinced she added, “I promise.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a while.” He looked resigned to the facts, though his tone communicated
that he expected to talk about this later. Grateful for his understanding, Hermione walked to the
elevators and out the front doors.

She had been walking for half an hour before she found a stopping place at a bench in a small
square a few blocks from the hotel. She had barely sat down when the tears she had been fighting
back finally broke free. She knew it wasn’t a flattering sight, to be crying her eyes out on a
public bench, but she didn’t particularly care in that moment.

When she finally collected herself enough to look around, she saw that the square was a small
park surrounded by shops. She could smell the bread baking at a bakery to her left while the sound
of laughter and chit-chat came regularly from the restaurant in front of her.

She wondered if Ron had really stayed and what he and Harry were doing right now. Though she
knew it was the right thing to do, breaking up with Ron still gutted her. The hurt in his eyes had
been almost unbearable. She hoped to never see his sky blue eyes that way again.

She tried to clear her mind, but if the uncertainty of their relationship was gone it was
replaced with the uncertainty of their friendship. Would the trio ever be the same again? She
desperately hoped that Ron could find it in him to forgive her and to remain her friend. The last
thing she needed was to lose one of the two closest friends she had. She knew she would need him as
much in the days ahead as she always had. They all would. Ron had said that himself.

Turning her gaze to the stores around her, a small bookstore on the upper level of a café caught
her attention. Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to have a look around, she first dipped into a public loo
to freshen herself up with a bit of magic before strolling resolutely up the side staircase and
through the front door.

A small bell jingled above her and a kind looking woman turned and smiled. She was a wiry older
woman who could pass for the grandmothers that Hermione remembered from her fairy tales growing up.
She even had the kind eyes and smile to boot.

“Good morning.” Hermione offered, momentarily forgetting that she was not in England. Mortified
by her mistake, Hermione wasn’t sure what to say. Her face must have given her away because the
woman simply smiled and answered “Good morning my dear.” Relieved that the woman spoke English,
Hermione assured her that she was just browsing and began to pace up and down the aisles.

She scanned the titles on the shelves, picking up and flipping through those that she found
interesting. Books had always had a way of distracting her from her troubles. She had become so
intent on the first chapter of a volume about Prince Eugene of Savoy that she hadn’t noticed the
older woman approach her.

“A great patron of the arts as well as an inspiring commander. His life is quite the read.”
While Hermione was at first taken aback by the woman’s interest in her, the kind smile and relaxed
demeanor put her at ease. “It does make for good reading. I never caught your name, my name is
Hermione.”

“My name is Catherine, pleased to meet you.” Catherine gave Hermione a gentle handshake. “What
brings an English girl like you to Vienna?”

“I’m on a holiday with my two best friends.” Hermione explained, avoiding the reason behind the
holiday. In the back of her mind, Hermione wondered if Ron really was still her best friend.

Catherine seemed to notice her misgivings. “If you don’t mind me saying so, you look
troubled.”

Hermione wasn’t sure how to answer. The woman was a complete stranger and so her first instinct
was to not be terribly trusting. She hadn’t just survived a war for nothing, but something about
Catherine made her think that perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to have a fellow woman to talk to. It’s
not like she was likely to ever come across this woman again and an outside opinion could give her
perspective.

“Well, you see, one of the boys I’m here with….we were together, but I broke up with him this
morning.” Hermione felt the tears prickling at the back of her eyes. Catherine gave her a knowing
smile. “My, my. Well, if you’re comfortable talking about it, we can grab some tea from downstairs
and you can tell me all about it. How does that sound?”

Comforted by the thought, Hermione consented and after ordering some tea they returned to the
bookstore to sit at a small table in the back. Catherine had asked a young boy, her only employee
she explained, to watch the store while they chatted.

Hermione explained to her everything. Starting from when she first met Ron and Harry on the
Hogwarts express. Of course, she changed the story quite a bit, removing all the magical parts and
sugar coating the events of the war. Catherine nodded, asked questions, and gave her opinion when
relevant. By the time Hermione had finished, Catherine had her feeling much better about the
situation.

“Well, if you really feel that way about Ronald, then I believe that you made the right
decision. If you two really have been through so much, I have to believe that he will remain your
friend. He is hurt I’m sure, but a friendship such as yours is not something to be thrown away
lightly.”

Hermione smiled at Catherine. Perhaps she was right and the trio could remain together after
all. Hope now buoyed her flagging spirits.

“What about this other young man, Harry was it? He seems rather important to you.” Hermione
opened her mouth and closed it again. She wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about Harry. Not to
mention that she was unsure herself how she felt about him. “He…we’re just friends.”

Catherine gave her a knowing look. “The very best I assume. You have spoken very highly of him.
He seems a very fine young man.” Hermione nodded. It wasn’t as if it wasn’t true. “You seem very
fond of him. After all, most of the adventures you and Ronald went on together seemed to involve
Harry in some way.”

Hermione was perturbed by Catherine’s perceptiveness. “Yeah, he’s….” but Hermione couldn’t bring
herself to say what Harry really was. Not only was she unsure, she didn’t want Catherine to think
that Harry had been in any way involved with her breakup with Ron, or that she was already on the
rebound.

“I understand Hermione, matters of the heart are rarely as simple as we would like them to be.”
Catherine had a faraway look her in eyes, like she was lost in her own memories. Hermione was again
taken aback by how applicable Catherine’s wisdom was.

“How….how do you know all of this?” Hermione finally asked. She was aware of how childish the
question seemed, but her curiosity got the best of her.

“I daresay I’ve lived quite a bit of life myself dear.” Catherine chuckled, “It’s a simple
reality of life. Relationships are never as clear cut as the fairy tales and movies make them out
to be.” Hermione bit her lip as she turned these things over in her mind. Catherine had been so
helpful with Ron, would it really hurt to see what she thought about Harry?

“Well….” Hermione had one more disagreement with herself in her mind before beginning again,
“Harry does mean a lot to me. He truly is my best friend. I love him; I just don’t think that I’m
*in love* with him.”

Catherine sat in silence for a moment before speaking. “Well, only *you* can know the
answer to that. I would certainly let things settle with Ron before thinking about any kind of
other relationship, but…” Catherine’s eyes looked strangely sad, “don’t make the mistake of never
giving someone like Harry a second thought.” At that moment the boy from the front of the store
appeared and questioned Catherine regarding a customer at the desk.

“Well it looks like I have to be getting back to work. Perhaps you should return to your
friends. I’m pleasured to have made your acquaintance Hermione. Good luck with Ronald and Harry.”
She gave Hermione a hug as Hermione profusely thanked her for her help. “Don’t mention it my dear,
you’re always welcome to come back anytime.” And Catherine turned and walked to the front desk.

Hermione walked out the door and back into the street. It was past three now, so she thought it
best to return to the hotel and meet back up with the boys. Though she had a queasy feeling in her
stomach at the thought of seeing Ron, she couldn’t put it off forever. Besides, Catherine’s counsel
had made her think that it wasn’t as hopeless as she had feared.

She had always liked to believe the best in people. Ron had truly grown over the past year. She
chose to believe that he wouldn’t let this change anything about their friendship anymore than she
was going to.

She hoped she was right.



8. Chapter Eight
----------------

~

Neither one of them had moved since Hermione had walked out. Harry was unsure what to say. He
was never very good in these situations. It was Ron who finally broke the silence.

“Harry?”

“Yes, Ron?”

“I’m sorry.”

Harry was taken aback. “Sorry for what exactly?”

“I’m sorry that I was the one who broke the trio up. Just when I thought we were inseparable…”
Ron sniffed.

“What makes you think we’re done now?” Harry was looking at Ron, who was refusing to meet his
gaze.

“Because of me and Hermione. I used to think about what would happen….you know…if we got
involved and something went wrong. I mean stuff has happened before, but not like this. I was
afraid it would be the end of the three of us. Now it’s going to happen.”

“Why? Did she say she didn’t want to be friends anymore?” Harry asked gently.

“Well….no….” Ron mumbled.

“What *did* she say?”

“She said she….would always be my friend.” He finally turned to meet Harry’s look, “But she
can’t mean that can she? How am I even supposed to look at her now? And surely she hates me for
treating her so badly.”

He sounded on the verge of breaking. Harry knew he had to choose his next words carefully.

“Ron, you have been her friend for years. You have watched after her, made her laugh…..if she
said she will always be your friend, then she means it. You and I both know her well enough to know
how stubborn and loyal she can be. Whether or not she loves you in *that* way, she will always
love you. Surely you know that by now.”

Ron didn’t answer at first. The silence was thick. He could see the wheels turning in his
friend’s mind.

“That still doesn’t cover how in the world I’m supposed to be around her. Maybe I should just go
home.”

He actually stood up as if to go, but Harry stood up in front of him.

“You’re not going anywhere. You know you don’t really want to and that she doesn’t want you to
either.”

Another silence.

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Harry winced at the obvious pain in his best mate’s voice.

“I think…” He wracked his brain for something useful to say. Hogwarts really needed to add
classes about how to handle girls and people who were upset. “I think you need to decide what is
important to you and stick with it. If you truly want Hermione as your friend, then make that your
focus. I think that’s what you both want.”

Harry hoped he had said the right thing. He hoped that his own fears of the three becoming two
weren’t about to be realized. He knew now that nothing was as important to him as having Ron and
Hermione by his side, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing that now.

After what seemed like ages, Ron finally nodded his head.

“You’re right Harry. I want….more than anything….for us three to be together.”

Harry was glad to see the determination lurking behind the pain in Ron’s eyes. He knew it
wouldn’t be easy for Ron, but luckily Ron didn’t have to do it alone.

“I’m here for you mate.” Harry closed the gap and gave Ron a hearty embrace. “Whatever I can do,
let me know.”

“Thanks mate. You’re the best.” Ron sniffed again. “As for what you can do, let’s go find
somewhere to do some blasting curses until a decent hour to drink comes around.”

Harry smiled. If Ron was keeping it as tame as blasting curses and drinking, then he was going
to alright after all.

~

While the next few days seemed normal on the surface, Harry knew it was because Ron and Hermione
were doing their best to keep it that way. They had visited a number of different tourist
attractions around the city, both magical and muggle, and while they were genuinely having a good
time Harry couldn’t help but wonder when everything could be back to normal.

At least they were keeping it subtle. Ron and Hermione both were rather courteous to one
another, perhaps more so than usual, but there was a slight tension in the air whenever they were
around one another. Harry could see it in how they positioned themselves with Harry in between them
at all times, or in how they never seemed to want to make eye contact with one another. Whenever
Harry would try to go somewhere on his own, Ron or Hermione would typically volunteer themselves to
go with him, leaving the other one alone.

Despite all of this it seemed like they were all headed to a new sort of equilibrium. The first
hint Harry had that things were slowly getting back to normal was when they attended a local
quidditch match (at Ron’s insistence) and Ron got into an argument with Hermione over who got the
aisle seat. The sight of them bickering over something trivial without it boiling over told Harry
that they both were moving past their hurt.

There was just one more stop on their tour of Europe before heading to Australia: Greece. There
had been a large disagreement over it when they had planned the trip. Ron had wanted to stop in
Romania to see his brother Charlie while Hermione had wanted the extra time to visit the two
wizarding schools in Europe: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Harry had been the one to offer the
compromise: they would visit Greece, whose historic venues interested Hermione, and would be close
enough to Romania that if Ron wanted to take a day to visit Charlie he could.

At the time, Harry didn’t want or foresee any need to split up, but had to admit it was probably
for the best when Ron told them the next morning that he would be going to Romania the next
day.

“I just want to see him, I miss my family you know, and we haven’t had much time together in a
while.” Ron had explained to Harry years before how Charlie had always been the brother he related
to most. Harry could see why. Bill was too much to look up to, Percy was too haughty, and the
twins….Harry felt a stabbing pain in his gut…..had always been too busy pushing his buttons.
Charlie was more laid back and shared Ron’s obsession with quidditch.

“That’s fine mate, take as much time as you want. We’ll meet back up with you before we leave.”
Ron clapped Harry on the back before awkwardly embracing Hermione. “Take care you two, I won’t be
too long. I’ll see you in Greece.” And so Ron left for the local owl post to let Charlie know he
was coming. He would catch a flight to Bucharest later that afternoon.

Harry and Hermione passed through security without any problems and were sitting at the terminal
awaiting their flight before either of them said anything.

“Do you think he’ll be okay Harry?” Hermione had her patented worry face on.

“Dying in a plane crash would be pretty embarrassing for someone who can do magic.”

Hermione gave him a sour look. “That’s not funny Harry and you know what I mean.”

“He’ll be fine Hermione.” Harry gave her reassuring smile. “You two were bickering just like old
times yesterday. Everything will be alright. Just give him some time.”

She seemed to relax and Harry had to marvel at himself for a moment. “Since when am *I* the
one giving *you* advice?”

Hermione chuckled. “I have to admit it’s not our usual roles, especially when it comes to
dealing with people who are upset.” Harry thought back to Cho and the Room of Requirement and how
hopelessly lost he had felt.

“I’ve never have been too good with that.”

Hermione gave him a warm smile. “Well I guess Ron isn’t alone in maturing. There might be some
hope for you after all.”

They sat in amicable silence until they boarded. Hermione brought out a book and promptly began
reading while Harry looked out the window. While it was nothing like flying a broomstick, he still
liked watching the countryside pass him by.

Upon their arrival in Athens, they discussed their plans for the next couple of days on their
way to their hotel. They made alternate plans in the event that Ron joined them and once they had
reached their room, decided to find a nice place for dinner. Hermione liked the sound of a small
family owned spot a few blocks away. Dressed casually, they walked to their destination while
Hermione gushed about the book she had been reading on the flight. Harry had long thought her
diatribes were annoying, but recent events made him more than grateful to nod along and smile at
her enthusiasm. He wondered why it took such tragedy and loss for him to be thankful for what he
had instead of nitpicking what he didn’t like in his friends.

Harry had to rely on Hermione’s research when it came time to order and though the dish wasn’t
anything like traditional English ware, he found that it was quite pleasant. They speculated for a
while how the restoration work at Hogwarts was progressing before the topic of their upcoming year
came up.

“Do you think we should owl them and tell them we plan on coming back?” Hermione was back in her
element: talking about academics. “Will they even take us back? We did miss our entire year after
all.”

Harry hadn’t even thought about it. Fred and George had left before their N.E.W.T.’s, but they
had never planned on finishing anyways. He wondered if there had been other students who took a
year off and if Hogwarts had some kind of policy about students who wished to return. He had never
seen any students older than their supposed year, so there was no real evidence that Hogwarts
allowed it.

“Maybe with all that happened, they’ll be a little more understanding. Everyone who was there
last year got a real quality education after all.” Harry’s comment set off a round of bashing on
the part of the Death Eater “professors”. It was when they got to Snape that Hermione paused.

“How do you feel about Snape Harry?”

He wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Finding out Snape’s true loyalties had been a shock. That
he had loved Lily Evans for his entire life and devoted it to protecting her son, Harry, put all of
Harry’s years at Hogwarts into a new perspective. It also explained Snape’s feelings toward him. He
may have had Lily’s eyes, but they were looking out of a boy who looked just like James Potter, the
man Lily ultimately chose over Snape. While Harry admired Snape for his courage to live a double
life in the face of mortal danger and was grateful for all that he had done to help him complete
his quest; it was hard to forget seven years’ worth of taunts, jabs, and unfair treatment.

“He was a brave man, but a man who could never move past who I looked like.” Harry put simply.
“He has my gratitude, but I can’t exactly *like* the man.” Harry instantly was reminded of
Snape’s last breaths and felt guilty for speaking ill of the dead. Hermione’s searching look seemed
to pick it up.

“Harry, don’t feel guilty for being honest. There was never any love lost between you. Someone
being gone doesn’t mean we suddenly have to view them with rose colored glasses.”

Grateful for her understanding, Harry turned the conversation to more trivial matters and they
talked long into the evening until they picked up the staff’s signals that it was time for them to
leave.

They walked back together underneath a full moon that bathed the city in a soft glow. The marble
of the old city in particular benefited from the reflected moonlight. It was a gorgeous evening and
so the pair took a long detour through side streets before returning to their hotel, occasionally
making small talk about their surroundings but in general just enjoying each other’s company.

Free from the pressures that usually led to Hermione nagging or lecturing him, Harry found her
company quite enjoyable. Her inquisitiveness and tendency to ramble was a lot more endearing when
it had nothing to do with schoolwork and even her attempts at humor (which Harry politely chuckled
at) while far from his own brand of humor, he found charming in a cheesy sort of way. For his part,
Harry was content to simply let her ramble and to listen.

After a particularly long rant about some famous wizard named Demosthenes, Hermione stopped
talking and gave Harry an inquiring look.

“What are you grinning about?”

Harry, who hadn’t even realized he was doing it, simply shrugged. “I don’t know. You I
guess.”

“Me? What about me?” She sounded uncharacteristically shy and her cheeks were tinged with
pink.

“I guess we’ve just never really been together, just the two of us, without either school or
some deadly adventure in the mix. I’m just learning a bit more about what it’s really like, you
know, being with you.”

Hermione’s cheeks turned a darker shade of pink. “I guess you’re right, I’ve never really
thought about it before. I bet I’ve been insufferable.” She looked down to gaze at her shoes as
they kept walking.

“You had your moments, but…er…” Harry hesitated at the dejected look on her face. “I have too.
Remember fifth year? When I kept blowing up at everyone?”

“Believe me, that year is pretty hard to forget.”

Harry still didn’t quite like the look on her face.

“Listen Hermione, I meant what I said in a good way. I’m not always…well…good at saying the
right thing. I enjoy being with you. That’s all I meant.”

Hermione gave him a skeptical look. “So you *don’t* think I’m an insufferable
know-it-all?”

“No Hermione I don’t.” Harry gave her a genuine smile. “In fact, if you didn’t know so much, I
wouldn’t be around to complain about it would I?”

“But Harry don’t you get it? I don’t want to be just the girl who keeps you alive.” He could see
that her temper was quickly mounting.

“Hermione it’s more than that. Its….”

“What is it then? Huh? What is it Harry? I’m dying to know!” Hermione’s voice got shriller with
every syllable.

Harry could see in her eyes just how hurt she was. It hit him all at once that this was how she
really felt: like a tool he had used all these years. He realized that never once had he taken a
moment to ask her what *she* needed from *him*. It had been all giving and no receiving
for her. He knew that he had hurt her and had been hurting her for a very long time. His heart went
cold and he felt ill knowing just how neglectful he had been. He more than anything to let her know
those days were over.

“You are the brightest, bravest, most steadfast, compassionate, and loyal person I know.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide and she stopped walking. Harry stopped in front of her and took her
hand in his. “And I know that I have been so, so ungrateful for your friendship. You have given me
so much and I have given so little; but if you’re willing to give me the chance, I want to spend
whatever time I have left to give back to you.”

Holding her gaze, he saw that her eyes went from stunned to tender as his words sunk in. “Harry
I…I don’t know what to say.”

“I meant every word.”

“I know.” the words dripped with meaning beyond what they said. He knew that she trusted him
completely to be true to his word.

“I’m just so sorry it took me so long to want to pay you back.” Harry felt his stomach tie in
knots of guilt. He really had taken her for granted for so long. He was surprised she was even
still here. Hermione gave his hands a squeeze.

“I forgive you Harry. I know that you have lived a life full of burdens that should have never
been yours to carry. I just did my best to help you see them through.”

They stood there for a moment just drinking in the moment. Hermione’s eyes began to swim with
tears. She took a tentative step forward and Harry knew she was about to launch into one of her
patented hugs. He opened up his arms in invitation.

“Come here.” And before he had even finished she did indeed nearly knock the wind out of him, so
hard did she fling herself at him. “I know I wasn’t there for you like you needed me before, but
I’ll always be there starting today. You deserve the best.”

Hermione hiccupped into his chest. “Oh Harry.”

They stood that way for what seemed ages before she released him. Harry took her hand in his and
with interlaced fingers they walked side by side into the night.



9. Chapter Nine
---------------

A/N: The first of a couple of short updates. Couldn’t resist to get into Hermione’s head and
next update is where we’ll check in on Ron. Hope you guys are enjoying it!

~

Hermione was writing furiously in her journal. She had started the instant she had finished
unpacking and as the clock read three in the morning she still hadn’t stopped. Her brow was
furrowed as deep as any exam had ever sent it as she poured her thoughts onto paper. Things that
she had long repressed in her conscious and things that she had never allowed herself to think.

She had been upset with Harry for a very, very long time. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand
that he often had the entire wizarding world on his shoulders. She genuinely empathized with him.
Hell, she had done everything short of giving her life to help him remove that burden.

But that didn’t change the fact that she was human. She had her own burdens too and as long as
she had known him, Harry had rarely given her troubles much thought. All too often, her problems
only seemed to matter to Harry when they overlapped with his.

That’s not to say that he didn’t have his moments. Certainly when the cards were on the table
and her life was at stake, he was as protective of her as anyone. Even more so in fact. No one took
care of her in some of the ways Harry had. On every adventure together he had been an arm she could
grab or a hand to hold. He had shielded her and looked after her when she had been hurt.

He even had his few moments outside of their more perilous adventures. She was especially
grateful for how helpful he had been during Ron’s Lavender phase or when he danced with her during
the horcrux hunt. But those stuck out precisely because of how rare it was for Harry to show any
genuine concern for her more mundane and non-life threatening problems.

She often *did* feel like she was simply there to keep him alive. Just another tool for him
to complete the tasks set before him.

Never mind the fact that she went out of her way to take care of him or that she cared enough
for him to trade her life for his.

Never mind that she had helped him with schoolwork, relationships, his friendship with Ron, and
myriad other lesser problems for seven and a half years.

Never mind that she had sent her parents off without their memories just to be with him.

Never mind the fact that she gave up her only meaningful relationship to stay with him.

At times it had made her deeply resentful of him. There were times she wanted to scream and hex
him into a pile of jelly. But she always kept her composure and soldiered on. Convinced that
helping him was the right thing to do, regardless of any neglect she felt on her part.

Ron, bless him, had always tried to help her in his own way. At times his humor was all that had
helped her keep it together. Maybe that’s why she had loved him so much. But what she really needed
was for Harry to acknowledge that she needed his help as much as he needed hers. That their
relationship was one of give and take instead of Hermione giving and giving.

The dam had almost burst tonight. When he made another one of his stupid remarks about how she
was the reason he was alive she almost lost it. She was at her wits end with his emotional neglect
and without Ron around she didn’t have anything standing in her way.

But then, he had said what he said tonight. It wasn’t so much that he said the words that she
had waited to hear from him for seven years, but it was how much she saw he *meant* them. She
had seen Harry make promises he wasn’t keen on keeping and this wasn’t one of those. He had
genuinely meant every word.

She could read all the signs when he was feeling guilty about something, that being one of his
trademarks, but she had never seen him more regretful and sorry about anything for as long as she
had known him. He had known in that moment how much he had hurt her, without her even saying it and
it spoke volumes to Hermione about her relationship with Harry. When she finally allowed herself to
open that part of her up, he had seen it without any prodding.

It was this more than anything else that troubled her. Why was it she was so willing to trust
him and communicate so well with him when they were fighting for their lives, but she hadn’t been
willing to let herself trust him any other time?

She went through her usual arguments: that it was a product of adrenaline, that Harry had had
enough on his plate already, or that she was better off talking to Ginny. But the truth was that
despite how helpful Ginny could be, what Hermione had needed most was her best friend and that was
Harry.

The other truth was that while it was true that Harry could have been much more attentive to
her, Hermione never asked him for help either. Never once had she tried to tell him, verbally or
otherwise, that she needed him. Never allowed him to see.

Why was that?

Why did she even care that he wasn’t more involved in her more mundane worries?

If she did care so much, why had she never approached him about it?

While the truth was perhaps more complicated than she’d like to admit, the simple answer was
that she had never felt worthy of him attending to her problems. Despite how upset she was that he
didn’t seem to care, if she was honest with herself, she never really expected him to. His problems
had always looked so much larger and his need so much greater that she always convinced herself
that his needs came first.

Not to mention that she had always had a low opinion of herself. It was easier to simply accept
his neglect without approaching him than to approach him and be crushed by rejection. Deep down,
she had been grateful that a guy like Harry had noticed her at all, let alone be friends with her,
and so she was willing to put up with the emotional neglect if it meant she could keep her
place.

That was, after all, the primary reason she developed a loyalty to him so fast. Her first year
had not exactly been easy. Ron’s comments on Halloween had spoken to her every fear: that no one
liked her and that she would never fit in. But when Harry and Ron had come to rescue her from the
troll, it wasn’t some romantic notion of being saved by the shining knights in armor that made her
lie to McGonagall, it had been the simple realization that they had remembered her. That *he*
had remembered her. When they followed it up by becoming friends with her, her loyalty was
sealed.

That was what made what Harry said so special. It wasn’t just that he was trying to correct a
wrong he had done. It was that, in his eyes, she was something special. She was someone that he
cared about, not just because of what she had done for him, but because of *who* *she
was*. He had said she was the most loyal and compassionate *person* he knew. To think that
he would compare her to Ron or anyone else and not find her lacking was the sweetest thing anyone
had ever told her (her parents excluded of course).

And he *meant* it. Merlin those green eyes of his were so intense. She could feel it in her
bones that he cared, that he was sorry. She knew in her heart that she never had to worry about
dealing with her problems without him again. It was ridiculous of course, to base all of that off
one conversation, but she knew Harry. When he set his mind to something, there was nothing in the
world that would stop him. She had seen that first hand.

Well, if he was planning on starting tonight, it was as good a time as any. She had been holding
it together regarding Ron, but now that he wasn’t physically present it was truly sinking in that
it was over. She knew it to be the right thing, so why did it have to hurt so bloody much? It was
time to put Harry’s promise to use.



10. Chapter Ten
---------------

A/N: First of two updates I’m posting tonight. Was really fun to play around with the character
of Charlie. We never knew a whole lot about him, but it said a lot to me that Ron’s first wand and
pet were once Charlie’s. Hope you enjoy!

~

Ron had no trouble spotting Charlie at the terminal. The flaming red hair of his older brother
couldn’t be missed. “Oi! Charlie!”

Charlie gave him a warm smile and a thump on the back. “It’s good to see you Ron, how has your
trip been?”

“It’s been great. Mostly.” Ron hesitated, he didn’t want to jump right in about Hermione.

“You can tell me all about it when we get to my place. My roommates are all working so we’ll
have it to ourselves while you’re here.”

“Brilliant. Have you heard from mum and dad?” he couldn’t help the worried tone his voice
took.

“They’re…managing. Bill and Fleur left a week ago. George and Percy are still at home for now.
Mum says George is still….lost.”

Charlie’s voice was tinged with the grief that still hung over their family. Ron wondered how
long it would be before things ever went back to normal, *if* they would ever go back to
whatever “normal” would be in this new world.

Charlie’s place was a small, three bedroom cottage perched high in the mountains. It had never
surprised Ron that Charlie chose to work out here with dragons. He had always been the most
adventurous of his brothers, though Ron had probably taken that title in the past few years. Ron
chuckled to himself at the thought.

As they settled in for some tea they chatted idly about Charlie’s work, Norbert, and the places
Ron had been on holiday. He tried to mask the hurt in his voice when he mentioned Hermione, but
Charlie had always been good at cottoning on when something was upsetting him.

“What’s the part I’m missing here little bro? There’s something bothering you.” His brother gave
him a sympathetic look. Ron hesitated, unsure of where to begin.

So he told his brother everything that happened while they had stayed in Vienna, his night out
with Hermione and her breaking up with him. Charlie took in his story quietly and let the silence
hang on the air when he finished, ensuring that Ron had fully spoken his piece.

“Well Ron, what do *you* think about it?”

Ron was unsure how to answer. He knew that it was his own responsibility and he had simply blew
his chance one too many times, but admitting it felt like he was letting his family down all over
again. It was the night he showed up at Bill and Fleur’s all over again.

Charlie caught his eyes. “Ron, we all have to own up to what happens in our lives. It’s part of
being a man. You should know by now that nothing you could do changes the way your family feels
about you, or Hermione for that matter. We love you no matter what.”

“That’s what Bill said.” Ron mumbled.

“He was right then and he’s right now. It shows strength of character to admit when you’ve made
a mistake. Bill and I both were very proud of you for going to him and being honest about what
happened.”

Ron felt his face turning red. It wasn’t often that he felt like his family was proud of him. He
heaved a great sigh.

“I blew it Charlie. I could have had the girl of my dreams and I blew it.” It felt so final now
that he said it out loud. Ron felt his stomach turn to lead. Charlie looked sympathetically at his
little brother.

“I thought she forgave you for that?”

“It wasn’t just that.” Every major fight Ron and Hermione had ever had went flashing through his
mind, all the ugly things he had said and times he had walked away.

“I let her down so many times; it was just one time too many.”

Ron sat and stared at his shoe laces. He felt completely numb. It was too surreal that he was
sitting here with Charlie talking about himself and Hermione in the past tense.

He could feel Charlie’s gaze still on him. There was no sound other than his deep and shaking
breaths.

“I know it hurts Ron and unfortunately there’s not a thing in the world I can say to make you
feel better.”

Charlie moved next to him and put his arm around his shoulders. Ron could feel the prickling
behind his eyes and his chest start to shake.

“What am I supposed to do now?” He forced his head up to look his older brother in the face.
Charlie had a pained expression, clearly empathizing with his younger brother.

“Well first of all, I don’t think your friendship with Hermione is something to throw aside. So
I think you’re going to have to find a way to live within those boundaries in your
relationship.”

Charlie gave Ron a brotherly pat on the shoulder, “but ultimately this is your life. You have to
decide for yourself how to deal with this new reality. Personally? I think the bond you have with
Hermione is far too deep for you to even entertain the thought of losing her friendship. Even when
she starts seeing other people.”

That Charlie had said “when” and not “if” sent a shot of pain through Ron’s heart. As to
*who* that person might be, Ron couldn’t stop himself from asking “Charlie, what if she starts
going out with Harry?”

Charlie frowned, “Where is Harry at with Ginny?”

“I don’t know.” Ron answered truthfully, “All I know is that I can’t think of anyone I know
that’s closer than Harry and Hermione.”

He could see the cogs turning in Charlie’s mind. “I think then that that’s a possibility that
you need to consider. Do you think Harry would do that? Knowing how much it might hurt your
feelings?”

“I think…” Ron thought hard about his two best friends. He thought about how they had always
maintained that they were nothing but platonic. He believed them, he truly did, but would they stay
that way now? “I think that he might, but that he would talk to me about it before anything
happened.”

“And how would you feel about that? What would you tell him?”

Ron pictured himself and Harry at the Burrow, Harry telling him that he was in love with
Hermione and wanted to know if Ron would be okay with them going out. It made his stomach
churn.

His greatest fear had always been that Hermione preferred Harry to him. It was why he had always
been so jealous of how close they were. The horrible image from the horcrux came to his mind.

But Ron had had his chance hadn’t he? It wasn’t Harry’s fault that Ron didn’t ask Hermione to
the Yulee Ball or that Ron had dated Lavender out of spite. Pushing down again the sadness of
Lavenders death that crept up at the thought of her, Ron had to admit to himself that Harry had
never once done anything to interfere with his relationship to Hermione. Their relationship had
failed strictly on their own terms.

He still loved Hermione and he loved Harry. Didn’t they deserve to be happy? Did anyone in the
world deserve that more than Harry? Even if being with Hermione was what made him happy?

“I would tell him that he’s my best mate and…” Ron took a deep breath and shut his eyes,
picturing looking into Harry’s face. “...and if being with her is what makes him happy, then how
could I possibly take that away from him?” He felt a solitary tear escape his eye and slide down
his cheek. When he opened his eyes it was joined by two more.

Charlie’s face held a grimace of pain, but he nodded his head approvingly. “You truly are a
great man and a great friend. I couldn’t be prouder of you. Mom and Dad would be very proud of
you.”

He took Ron into a tight hug. Ron finally stopped trying to hold it in and sobbed into Charlie’s
shoulder. Charlie had always been the one that he could go to and not worry about being ribbed or
made fun of for crying. They stayed that way until Ron had no more tears to shed and his breathing
had stopped coming in short gasps.

“You’re going to be alright Ron, I promise. One day this will all be just a memory. As for Harry
and Hermione, there’s no sense in bothering yourself over something that you can’t control and that
frankly, doesn’t exist right now.” Ron could do more than nod his head in response.

“I tell you what little brother, let’s get your mind of Hermione for a couple of days. Why don’t
we go on a hiking trip, just the two of us? I’ll take you by our hunting camp and you can see the
specimen we caught yesterday. Sound like a plan?”

Charlie was back to his usual cheerful and carefree self. Ron couldn’t help but feel elated at
the prospect of spending time with his brother. Personally, he had had his fill of dragons, but the
company more than made up for it.

“Brilliant Charlie, positively brilliant.”



11. Chapter Eleven
------------------

A/N: Posted this one tonight just for Skyraider. Second of two updates I posted tonight and
third today. I’m really spoiling you guys. This was so much fun to write. Cheers!

~

Hermione felt better than she had in days.

She had gone to Harry last night just to talk about Ron. It had been her way to test the waters
on Harry’s new commitment to being there and had been pleasantly surprised at how in tune they
could be.

*Hermione knocked purposefully on the door adjoining their two rooms. After about a minute she
heard his footsteps before a very groggy looking Harry appeared in the doorway.*

*“Hermione? Is everything okay?” Even as groggy as he was, his concern shone through.*

*“Yeah, it’s just…”*

*“Sinking in that it’s over?”*

*Hermione could feel her eyes begin to water and simply nodded. Harry pulled her in and hugged
her as she fought a losing battle against her sobs. It struck her that this was twice that she
found herself crying into his shoulder in a matter of weeks. Not only that, but tonight he had
initiated it. This was something different in their relationship: it was usually Hermione that
initiated any physical contact.*

*“Thanks Harry.” She managed to hiccup. She broke off their embrace and wiped her eyes. Harry
ran his hand through his hair and Hermione could see the wheels turning.*

*“Er…sorry that I’m not sure what to say. Never been any bloody good with this stuff.” His
honesty had a way of making his cluelessness endearing.*

*“I’ll give you a hint Harry: Ice cream.”*

*Harry chuckled. “Alright then, go settle on the couch and I’ll see what I can do.”*

*He went into his bedroom and Hermione only heard footsteps before the hall door seemingly
opened and closed of its own volition. She chuckled to herself, he had donned the invisibility
cloak. It would have been easy enough to simply disapparate to an all-night supermarket and buy the
ice cream, but Harry still had his taste for adventure, even if he kept it to simple endeavors like
nicking ice cream from a hotel café’ nowadays.*

They had spent the next hour or so on the couch watching the lame re-runs that television
stations play at four am and eating ice cream. Hermione didn’t remember falling asleep, but the
next thing she knew she was waking up in her own bed and the sun was out.

After a shower and some breakfast with Harry, he had taken her on a grand tour of the city. They
toured the Acropolis as well as many temples and other ancient structures. He also took her to a
magical museum that chronicled how witches and wizards had influenced Greek culture.

She of course, had the time of her life examining the many exhibits and pointing out to Harry
the names she had run across in her many readings. Harry, for his part, had seemed genuinely
interested in many of the sights (or at least had been polite enough to feign it).

They finished off the day by finding a cozy spot for an evening picnic to watch the sun set over
the Aegean. They long sat in silence sipping on some local wine selections before a thought came to
her mind.

“Harry? When did I fall asleep last night?” Of course she wasn’t really interested in what time
it had been, she wanted to hear from him how he got her to her own bed.

“Right about five in the morning. You fell sleep with your mouth open and your hand still going
for the ice cream, it was actually quite funny. Oi!”

Hermione had smacked him on the arm. “What was that for?” He faked being indignant, but was
doing terrible. He still had his lopsided grin and couldn’t stop laughing.

“I was tired!” the heat rising in her cheeks.

“Yeah you were. Didn’t even wake up when I carried you back to your room.”

Hermione blushed. “That was very sweet of you Harry.”

Now it was Harry’s turn to blush.

“Don’t mention it.”

Another amicable silence fell as the sky turned a brilliant mix of oranges and pinks. It had
become a ritual almost every day for them to watch the sunset. They all had a favorite so far. Ron
had liked the way the sun had set off Notre Dame while Harry had liked Rome’s the best. Hermione
thought her new favorite was the one in front of her.

She briefly wondered what Ron was doing. He was probably doing something fun with Charlie, maybe
involving some dragons. She personally had had enough dealings with dragons for a lifetime, but
hoped that Ron was enjoying himself.

When they had vanished the picnic, Harry and Hermione walked a little further across the field
until they found a low stone wall. Harry took a seat leaning against it while Hermione situated
herself leaning against Harry’s chest, sitting between his long legs.

By the look on Harry’s face she had taken him off guard with their seating arrangement, but
Hermione really wanted the feeling of being held. It made her feel better about Ron’s absence,
which had slowly been creeping back into her conscience.

So they sat that way until the sun disappeared and the first stars came out. They then slid a
little further down in order to look up at the clear night sky. They pointed out constellations to
one another and made up new ones. When he wasn’t pointing, Harry’s arms wrapped around Hermione,
making her feel safe. She had always felt safe in his arms.

She wasn’t sure why, but the air seemed warmer laying there with Harry. The smell of the grass
blended with his scent which had a calming effect like she had rarely felt before. Soon all
thoughts of her broken heart were far from her mind. She was having the best day in months with her
best friend. Right then that was all that mattered.

~

Harry was taken aback by Hermione’s choice of seating arrangements. He had planned on their
usual side by side, but she had situated herself in between his legs and leaned back into his
chest. He could smell her hair which had a very pleasant scent that Harry couldn’t place.

They sat that way for a while, Harry comfortably draping his arms around her, when suddenly
something clicked in his mind. He had the sudden image of a furious Ginny and realized that this
was perhaps not the best idea he had had. What if Ron came back and found them like this?

~

Hermione could feel her eyelids getting heavy when Harry’s next words woke her from her
reverie.

“Hermione, I think we should head back. I don’t think Ron or Ginny would appreciate the way
we’ve been sitting here.” His voice was thick with guilt.

Hermione’s mind whirred. Had she really been so thick as to not think about how this would look
to an observer? Anybody who spotted them lying there probably saw star crossed lovers instead of
best friends.

*Ginny.*

Hermione had completely forgotten about her best female friend. She could picture the look of
fury the redhead would have if she saw them together right then. Hermione felt herself flush at the
thought and leaped to her feet before helping Harry up with a trembling hand.

“I..I’m sorry Harry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just, I just wanted to feel safe
and…..oh Harry I’m so stupid. I..”

“Shhh.”

~

Harry placed his finger on her lips.

“Shhh.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide and she instantly stopped her stammering. Harry couldn’t help but
notice she was blushing furiously. He wondered what made her have that reaction, but couldn’t help
but notice how cute she looked right now. And what was that part about feeling safe?

“It’s okay Hermione. It’s not like we were out here making out or anything. It’s like you said
before, we just have to be careful how we act. And if Ron or Ginny had walked up they wouldn’t have
liked the way we were sitting here. You did nothing wrong, we both were simply enjoying the
company.”

Her face was the same shade of red as Weasley hair. What on earth had gotten into her?

He hated that the Weasley jealousy kept them from just being themselves with each other, but
none the less he felt like it had been the right thing to do. It *had* been her idea to be
careful how they acted after all and Hermione was usually right, especially when it came to
people’s feelings. He just wished he knew what in blazes was going through her mind that had made
her blush so hard. Girls could be so weird sometimes.

~

Bullocks.

As if she wasn’t already embarrassed enough at thinking about being seen with Harry by Ginny, he
had to put his finger on her lips like that. Why was she blushing like a schoolgirl? Harry had
touched her loads of times without so much as a trace of pink in her cheeks and here she is turning
scarlet at the lightest of touches.

Maybe she was just in a sensitive mood with the whole Ron thing so fresh. He lowered his hand
and she looked him in the eyes. God his eyes were beautiful. She had always known that but why had
she never really *noticed* it before. This of course made no sense even in her mind. She was
vaguely aware that Harry was talking.

“…It’s not like we were out here making out or anything.”

A sudden image of herself furiously kissing Harry flashed through her mind and a fresh rush of
blood swept up to her face. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t thought about kissing Harry since
that time in first year before Harry went to face Quirrell.

It registered in her mind that Harry had finished talking. She hadn’t really been listening at
all but knew she was now expected to give some sort of response.

“I…yeah you’re right. Wanna go for a walk?”

“Uh..sure. We’ll take the scenic route back.”

Glad to be escaping the embarrassing mess she found herself in, Hermione settled into stride
next to Harry. She had to take a few more steps to keep up with his lengthy strides, but years of
practice held her squarely next to him.

Nothing disturbed the quiet for a while before Harry broke the silence.

“Can I ask you something?”

Harry stopped walking and Hermione turned to face him. The moonlight reflected off his skin
making it look paler than usual, though the effect was flattering. It really set off his jet black
hair.

“Of course. What is it?”

“Remember when we were in the Forest of Dean? And you suggested that we just stay there and grow
old?”

How could she have forgotten it? It was right after their harrowing run in with Voldemort in
Godric’s Hollow and she had labored for what seemed like years without rest to treat Harry’s
wounds. She had been so deathly afraid of losing him then, of being left utterly alone.

“Yes I do Harry, why?”

“You knew then, didn’t you?”

She knew without asking he was referring to himself being a horcrux. She had indeed just figured
it out when Harry had woken up. She had had a hunch before, but the previous events had all but
assured her she was right. She had never wanted more to be proven wrong. It had been her worst
nightmares come true.

“Yes.”

Harry gave her a searching look. He knew there was more to her answer, but Hermione wasn’t about
to volunteer anything.

~

Hermione’s answer set off a chain reaction in Harry’s mind. He had been going over all the
details of the past year ever since they had left England, working his way through trying to
process it all. He thought it would help him gain some closure. By and large it was true, but it
also brought with it questions.

At the time, her statement had struck him as Hermione losing hope. He remembered the icy feeling
in his chest knowing that even Hermione, who trusted him more than anyone else, was beginning to
think their battle hopeless. But now he understood. In her mind, it would have been the only way to
keep him alive.

He felt a knot twisting in his gut at remembering that the very next thing that had happened was
he had blown up at her about his wand. She had just saved his life for the umpteenth time, was
trying to save it again, and his response was to be a selfish git and bemoan his wand. Everyday
seemed to provide a new reason to be grateful for Hermione.

“I’m sorry I was such a stupid git about my wand.”

~

There he went, being guilty again. She swore one day she would break him of feeling like he had
to be guilty about something at least once or twice a day.

“It’s understandable you would be upset about your wand Harry.”

Truthfully there *was* a part of her that was grateful to hear him apologize about it. She
had been in such a horrible place in her own heart; his attitude about his wand had nearly broken
her at the time. But there was no sense in rehashing it all now. It was all ancient history.

Yet, she wanted to tell him. Something inside of her had been gnawing away at her to tell him
exactly how she had felt ever since he had told her that he wanted to be there for her. Somehow,
his new found attitude about caring for her left her feeling like she owed him the truth about how
she had really felt about him all this time.

He was looking at her with curiosity; he knew she was lost in thought. She really couldn’t hide
from him.

“Harry, there’s something I want to say.” She took a deep breath, it was now or never. “You
can’t possibly know how desperate a place I was in at the time. You said you’re sorry, and I
believe you, but I think you should know this. I’ve never been more upset or bitter about you than
I was that night. When I was sitting over you, desperately trying to heal your wounds and get you
to wake up from whatever nightmare you were having, I was in a complete panic. Ron was gone and I
thought for sure I was going to lose you too. Then, even after you woke up, I put the pieces
together and knew I was going to lose you anyways. That the only way the whole nightmare would end
was if you died. I wasn’t joking when I suggested we stay there Harry. I had no idea what I would
do without you. Then you snapped at me and I nearly lost it. I nearly lost my will to fight on that
night. Only by talking myself into believing that you were in just as fragile a state of mind as
me, and that you needed me, was I able to keep going.”

Hermione hadn’t realized a lone tear had escaped her eyes. Harry looked deeply hurt, not because
she had offended him, but because of how badly he knew he had hurt her. Hermione almost smiled. She
may not be able to hide from him anymore, but he did no better at hiding from her.

~

Even in her darkest moment, it had been her care for him that brought her back from the brink.
How in the world did Harry deserve someone like Hermione Granger in his life? He would probably
never know.

He couldn’t even bring himself to say thank you, but a knowing look entered her eyes and he knew
he didn’t have to. She already knew.

As long as they were laying cards on the table, there was one more thing he had to know. He had
to deal with this doubt in his mind that Ron had put there a week or so before.

“You said you would go with me.”

~

So they were going to lay it all out there tonight huh? Hermione guessed that this was as good a
time as any. She never expected they would go their whole lives without those words coming into
conversation at some point.

“Yes, Harry and I would have. I just said it once, I’ll say it again: I didn’t, I *don’t*
know what I would do without you. You’ve been my best friend since I was eleven years old Harry.
I’ve lived the past seven years of my life with you constantly by my side. I love you Harry. I was,
I *am* with you to the end.”

She hadn’t meant to say that she loved him. It wasn’t that she didn’t love him, she loved him
more than life itself, but she wasn’t so sure in the moment how exactly she had meant it. She felt
like she covered herself well, calling him her best friend. After all, that’s exactly what he was.
She had never felt as close to Ron as she did to Harry.

She felt a twinge of pain thinking about Ron. Ron was the one that she had pursued a
relationship with. Ron was the one who always wanted her that way. Harry never had. Harry was much
more like an older brother. He was protective and affectionate, but never once had it stopped them
from pursuing romantic interests with others. Surely that meant something right?

Harry surely understood what she meant when she said she loved him. He had never once showed any
romantic interest in her, so there simply wasn’t anything to misunderstand. Their relationship was
set in stone: the very best of friends and nothing more.

The only thing Hermione wasn’t sure of was who it was she was trying to convince.



12. Chapter Twelve
------------------

A/N: Dumbledore’s quote during Hermione’s bit is directly from Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire page 724. Just trying to keep myself out of trouble. This is the saddest chapter I’ve written
so far. Was a real heart breaker in spots to write. Cheers!

~

Harry was doing the same thing he had always done for the past few weeks when he had a problem
he couldn’t figure out: he was sitting on his bed and looking through the photo album that
contained the only pictures he owned of his family.

He counted himself lucky that he had heard their voices speak to him on two different occasions,
because it allowed him let the ideas in his mind take on their voices. It was the closest he would
get to getting life advice from his parents.

Almost every parental figure he had ever had was dead: His actual parents, Sirius, Dumbledore,
and Remus. He still had Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and he was supremely grateful, but he had a hunch that
for this particular issue that they had a stake in the outcome.

That was because the issue that was rolling through his mind involved both their only daughter
and the ex-girlfriend of their youngest son.

Hermione had been acting very strangely tonight. Well, maybe not *acting* strangely so much
as *reacting* strangely. There was nothing new to Harry and Hermione walking and talking.
There wasn’t anything new to them holding hands or sitting together. What was new was the subtle
changes in Hermione’s reactions. Her blushing, the way she jumped to her feet when he mentioned Ron
and Ginny, and her mentioning feeling “safe”.

The one strange action was her choice to sit between his legs. It had caught Harry off guard,
but he had chosen at first to simply go with it rather than spoil the moment. Only once he had
pictured Ginny walking up did he decide it was time to move. After all, it had been quite pleasant
to be in such close company. It reminded him very much of the way he and Ginny would sit by the
lake on warm afternoons at Hogwarts.

That was just it wasn’t it? He was missing Ginny and Hermione probably missed Ron. That was what
had brought it about, right? It wasn’t as if either of them seriously considered the other as a
romantic possibility. At least, he had thought that until Ron had told him that Hermione at least
had thought otherwise.

With her relationship with Ron over, was Hermione starting to look at *him* that way?

It would explain some of the subtle differences in her actions the past couple of days, but so
would their heart to heart the previous night. Maybe they were just basking in the glow of a
friendship that had reached an all-time high?

Besides, he still had never considered her as a romantic possibility before. Even now something
about it didn’t seem quite right. His relationship with Hermione had never been any different, even
if it was deeper, than the one he had with Ron, it just so happened that Hermione was a girl
instead of a boy.

Granted, he knew she was a girl. A beautiful one in fact. The Yule Ball had been enough to show
him that his best friend was a very pretty girl indeed. He hadn’t been lying to her fifth year when
he told her she wasn’t ugly.

Still, he had never thought about her like that. He had always known Ron fancied her, probably
before Ron knew himself, and he would never think of betraying his friend’s trust. So he
unconsciously had put up a wall in his mind to keep it from going there.

But she had broken it off with Ron. Where did that leave them? Even if Ginny wasn’t in the
picture, did this mean he could bring that wall down? Ron surely wouldn’t like it and anything that
could possibly injure both of his closest friendships was still a no go.

She had said she loved him. She had never said that to him before. She had called him his best
friend and that he knew. Maybe she just meant that she loved him as her best friend.

But there had been something different in her voice, something he had never heard before. Come
to think of it, it was the same thing he had heard in her voice that night in Rome when she had
comforted him on the balcony.

There were just so many “but’s” to go along with that.

She had been with Ron still back in Rome.

She had never seemed to care for him as anything more than a friend before.

She *just* broke up with his best friend.

Repeat: she had *never* seemed to care about him that way before.

Harry wished he knew exactly how she felt, but he didn’t want to do anything that might make the
rest of the trip awkward. Their friendship was the best thing he had going for him at the moment,
so doing anything to jeopardize that seemed selfish.

Besides, Ginny *was* still in the picture, even if he wasn’t sure what exactly how he felt
about her anymore. Ginny deserved her fair shot didn’t she?

He really did want to be with her. At least….he was pretty sure he did. It would all make sense
when he got back and saw her again.

Maybe he was just blowing this all out of proportion.

~

Hermione was transfiguring every object in her room that wasn’t nailed down, to the effect that
her room was now filled with seemingly random objects like beach balls or umbrellas instead of
pillows or drawers. Spellwork had always been a way for her to vent whenever she had things pent up
inside of her and now was no different.

“What’s wrong with me?” She huffed to herself as the transfigured her television into a
watch.

She had broken up with the love of her life just a few days ago and here she was coming onto the
boyfriend of her best girlfriend. At least, they would be boyfriend and girlfriend when they
returned. Or something. She wasn’t really sure where they “officially” were, just that they wanted
to be together.

Why had she made such a fool of herself tonight? Blushing like they had just been caught in a
broom closet together. She was surprised that Harry hadn’t told her off. She certainly felt like
she deserved it.

She tried to explain it away. She was just missing Ron. She was in a vulnerable state because of
their breakup and so this was just her way of rebounding.

But she knew that Harry meant more to her than some “rebound guy”. She couldn’t lie to herself
about the depth of feelings she had for the boy anymore. She had already told him about it anyways.
Her messy haired neighbor meant more to her than anyone else in the world.

But was it really like *that*? Maybe she had just been swept up in the emotion of this new
level of friendship that her and Harry seemed to reach.

Maybe she was already panicking about retrieving her parents in a few days’ time (okay that for
sure was true).

Maybe she was just overreacting to everything that had happened tonight.

She analyzed every movement she had made tonight. Went through it in her mind to see if she had
given him any sort of signal that she felt for him as anything more than a friend. Other than the
blushing, she thought that by and large she hadn’t.

Even sitting between his legs like that was something that she imagined a brother and sister
would do. She could certainly picture Ginny sitting like that with any one of her brothers (well,
maybe not Percy). At least she did a good job of convincing *herself* of this.

Logically, it made sense that she was simply emotionally vulnerable right now and had sought
some comfort with her best friend. There wasn’t anything else to be gleaned from it. Her blushing
simply came down to her picturing Ron’s face if he saw them that way, but he had always been
jealous of practically everything her and Harry did together so that wasn’t news. She was just
overreacting.

Convinced at least for the moment, that she wasn’t experiencing new feelings of any sort with
Harry, her mind turned to her other dilemma.

Ron. She felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She really did miss him. He had always been very
adept at either making her feel better with laughter or else distracting her from her troubles with
something to argue about. Heaven knows that boy liked to argue. He would argue over the color of
the sky with a fencepost. Still, she missed it.

Wishing for some kind of comfort and reminder of him, she did the only thing that came to
mind.

“*Expecto* *Patronum!”*

Out of her wand came bounding the playful otter that had been her patronus since she learned to
cast it in fifth year. She would never tell a soul, but she had struggled so mightily to cast it
properly because her happiest memories involved Ron. Given that her feelings for him at the moment
were always in flux, it had interfered with her ability to cast the spell. Once she had gone
through different memories, she had finally found one that had worked for her.

It was at the Burrow during one of her visits there. She and Ron had gone on an adventure
through the woods behind the house together. They had found the little river that wound through the
trees and had chased each other up and down the banks as the otters played in the water. It was the
first time she had realized that she loved Ron. That was why her patronus had taken the shape of an
otter. It symbolized her love for him.

Hermione wondered if her patronus would stay an otter now that she and Ron were over. Tonks’
patronus had changed when she fell in love with Remus, so maybe when she found someone else hers
would change too. How long would that take? How long would she have to live with this broken heart
that he had left her with?

Not that she blamed him. Not anymore. She had spent too much time going over everything that had
happened between them to think herself entirely without responsibility in how their relationship
had turned out.

She often wondered what she could have done differently. How she could have changed things to
keep them together. She poured over every scenario, dissecting them to find where she could have
said or done something differently.

Not that it would do any good. There was no changing the past, at least, not since the
Ministry’s stock of Time Turners was destroyed. Besides, she doubted that they would let her go
back just to change her love life. They had been supremely reluctant to let her use it to take
extra classes.

There were tiny moments when she regretted her decision to break up with him. Moments when she
strongly considering going after him one more time to beg him to come back.

*Again.*

That was usually the one word that kept her from doing it. The knowledge that it wouldn’t be the
first time and probably wouldn’t be the last time she would go hunting after him. She remembered
something Dumbledore had said at the end of fourth year.

“*….Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and
what is easy,…*”

Of course, at the time it had nothing to do with making decisions in her love life, but it still
rang true to her now. Breaking up with him had not been the easy choice, but it had been the right
one.

Hermione’s patronus bounded around the room playfully for a few moments while she followed it
with her eyes. A small and sad smile crept onto her face. She would allow herself to feel, just one
more time, the bittersweet feeling of all those moments she had cherished with him: all their
adventures with Harry, the trips to Diagon Alley, and the rides on the Hogwarts Express, their
prefect patrols together, their holidays together, and their kiss in the Chamber of Secrets.

She blinked away the tears. One day, she would regard them with nothing but joy and nostalgia.
But she would have to put them away for a while after tonight. They were just too painful right
now.

Her patronus kept its playful circles going for about ten minutes before it bounded its way out
the window and out of sight. It would be the last time she would ever see the playful otter
patronus again.



13. Chapter Thirteen 
---------------------

A/N: The next chapter is the last one, so I’m going to post them both today! Cheers!

~

Ron and Charlie were sprawled on either side of a campfire laughing themselves into stitches.
Ron couldn’t even remember the last time he had laughed this much. Charlie was in the midst of
retelling one of his favorite Hogwarts stories.

“So….so then he runs right into Tonks, who by this point has made herself look like Sprout, and
he just starts babbling at the top of his lungs about how he’s been under the *Imperious*
curse this whole time!”

Charlie could barely get the story out between his hoots of laughter. Ron was grateful for the
distraction, Charlie had promised to get his mind off Hermione and so far he was delivering. He had
always loved hearing Charlie’s stories from Hogwarts, particularly when they involved his legendary
quidditch career, but most of tonight’s stories involved Charlie’s adventures with his friends.
None of them involved dark wizards or saving the world of course. Ron briefly wondered how
different his life could have been without Voldemort.

“Where are you Ron?” Charlie had noticed Ron go quiet.

“It’s nothing, just wondering what a normal Hogwarts experience must be like.”

Charlie gave him a sympathetic look. “You lot never did get a chance at that, unless you decide
to go back this year.” Ron could see the hidden question.

Truth was he had given it a lot of thought and no matter how he stacked it, it just made sense
to finish out his N.E.W.T.s.

“Yeah you’re right. It will be nice to finally get that experience, even if it’s in my final
year.”

They sat in amiable silence for a while, taking in the scenery. They had hiked among the
mountains for two days now. Charlie had offered to take Ron to a camp where his buddies were
currently holding some fresh caught dragons, but Ron had declined. He just wanted his brother’s
company and he really had had his fill of dragons for one lifetime.

They were currently camped on a small plateau on the outer skirts of the Carpathian Mountains.
The land seemed to stretch forever in front of them and the lights from the towns and villages
seemed like tiny fireflies from their height. It was also a clear night and the stars seemed close
enough to touch. It was all quiet and beautiful.

It was just what he needed. Tomorrow was when he would be meeting his friends again to head to
Australia. After spending a few days away from them, he had very mixed feelings about returning. He
missed his friends and genuinely wished for their presence even now, but the hurt was still very
fresh from Hermione. It would be a bittersweet reunion.

“Wanna talk about it?” Charlie had moved to sit next to him.

“I don’t know that there’s much else to say.”

This was not strictly true. Ron could think of a million things he wanted to say to Hermione: A
million different apologies, arguments why they should be together, or ways to beg her to come
back. He thought very briefly of leaving to go after her, but knew it would only make things worse.
He knew that Hermione had made her decision and it was final.

“You know, you are a great guy to not give up her friendship over this. I’ll say it again, I’m
very proud of you.” Charlie patted Ron on the back. “It proves just how much you’ve grown. I know
it’s clichéd to tell you this, but this too shall pass. I know it hurts, but it won’t hurt forever
and you will be very grateful to have a friend like her.”

Ron gave Charlie a grateful look. He knew what his brother said was true, even if it didn’t
change the fact that it hurt like hell at the moment.

He sat by the small campfire just watching the flickering lights below and the stars above for
ages not saying a word. Charlie bid him goodnight and gave him a warm hug around midnight. Ron knew
that he understood.

Ron took out a small stone that he kept in his pocket at all times. He had picked it up that day
that he and Hermione had went running along the river through the woods watching the otters play.
It was the happiest he had ever been in his life. He had picked the stone from the riverbank in
order to always remember that day.

He ran his fingers over its smooth surface. Anger welled within him and his first and
overwhelming instinct was to throw it as far as he could; but he knew that he would regret it the
second that he did it.

Instead, he simply stared at it, remembering every small detail about that day: the sunshine
dappling through the trees, the soft gurgling of the river, the way her brown hair had flown wild
behind her, and those soft brown eyes that had simply melted his heart.

He didn’t realize he had picked up his wand or cast a spell until the silver light of his
patronus alerted him of its presence. The small terrier jumped around the rocks in front of him
like it was having the time of its life. Ron felt hot tears running down his cheeks. As the memory
faded from his mind the patronus leapt into the brush and out of sight.

He didn’t know how long he had sat there, but it seemed like an eternity until his breath evened
out and the tears stopped pricking at his eyes. He honestly did feel better, like a huge weight had
been taken from his chest cavity. He knew that Hermione would need his support on their trip to
Australia, and he was determined to be the best help he could.

He sensed that now that he had reached some sort of equilibrium on his feelings for her. It hurt
still, but he knew now that he thought of her still as his best friend besides Harry. He was more
worried about her and getting her parents back than he was about how he was going to feel seeing
her again.

He smiled. Everything was back to the way it should be.



14. Chapter Fourteen 
---------------------

A/N: This is the final chapter of this story! Remember that this is only part one of three.
Thank you so much for reading and all your wonderful reviews.

~

Harry and Hermione were standing at terminal fifty-seven, waiting on flight 341 from Bucharest.
Once Ron joined them they would be catching their first of three connecting flights to get so
Sydney, Australia. From there they would start their search for Hermione’s parents.

Hermione had been quiet all morning. The only thing she had said since breakfast was to remind
Harry which terminal they needed to await Ron. He knew her well enough to know that between her
pacing and the way she kept biting her bottom lip that she was very anxious.

“What’s bothering you?”

She looked at him as if she had just realized he was there. “Oh, it’s nothing Harry.”

“Hermione, at the rate you’re pacing you are going to wear a groove into the floor. Tell me
what’s on your mind. Are you worried about finding your parents?”

“I’m not so much worried about finding them as I am what will happen then. What if I mess up the
reversal spell for the memory charm? What if they’re mad at me? What if they want to stay and
forget all about me anyways? What if something happened to them? I just have no idea what is going
to happen.”

Hermione came to a stop in front of him, her hair frizzled from her constantly running her hands
through it and her eyes were glassy from anxiety. Harry took her hands in his and gave them a firm
squeeze while giving her his most reassuring smile.

“It’s going to be alright Hermione.”

She returned his smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“How can you be so sure?” her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Because I’m here.” He gave her the biggest and stupidest grin he could. It had the desired
effect; Hermione laughed and gave him a genuine smile.

“You can’t know how grateful I am for that.” She replied with that same quiet voice.

They stood for a minute just gazing at one another when an announcement came over the
intercom.

“Oh Harry, his flight is here!”

Sure enough, Ron’s flight was disgorging its passengers and it wasn’t long before they caught
sight of the lanky frame and red hair of the third member of their trio. Catching sight of them,
Ron bounded over and wrapped them both in a hug.

“So good to see you two! Enjoy your time in Greece?” Ron looked happier than Harry had seen him
in awhile.

Hermione stole a quick glance at Harry before responding, “Yes it was wonderful! I’ll have to
tell you all about Aristotle and…”

“Alright alright, maybe some other time Hermione. Let’s go get some real food I’m starved.”
Hermione gave him a reproachful look.

“Well I did get you a very fascinating book on the origins of quidditch, but I suppose since you
don’t want to hear me out...”

“Didn’t mean to cut you short ‘Mione, I haven’t eaten since sunrise.”

“It’s always food with you Ronald!”

“Glad to see you too ‘Mione.”

Even though they were bickering, Ron and Hermione were both smiling at each other. Harry
couldn’t help but grin, his two friends were back to normal. Their trio would survive the end of
their relationship after all.

“Hey Harry, can Ron and I have a word in private?” she nervously bit her lip.

“Sure, I’ll wait for you guys at the food court.”

~

She simply looked at Ron for a moment, trying to remember what she had rehearsed in her mind to
say at this moment. For once in her life her mind went completely blank.

“Have I managed to stump the brilliant Hermione?” Ron chuckled and smiled at her.

“Nearly.” Her voice sounded like it was coming from far away.

“Come on, what’s wrong?”

“I…” she began, her throat constricting, “I’m sorry Ron. I hate that I pulled you in so many
directions these past few weeks. It was awful of me to do what I did. I never…”

“Hermione, don’t.” Ron interrupted.

“But Ron…”

“No, don’t do this to yourself. You did what you had to do. I respect that.”

She let out a massive sigh and her shoulders slumped. “I just…I want you to know I’m sorry and
that if you don’t want to come you don’t have to. You could go and be with your family.”

Of course, she didn’t want that at all. She wanted him to come nearly as badly as she wanted
Harry. She needed both of her boys. *Her boys.* That was what the other Gryffindor girls had
always called them.

“I’m going with you. You’re my best friend. Besides, I know you don’t actually want me to
leave.” Ron gave her a crooked grin.

Letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, Hermione laughed. “Good, because
you’re right. Thank you, Ron. You’re a good friend. You know I love you right?”

His smile faded a little and she knew that it hurt him to think that she didn’t mean it “that
way” anymore, but she could see the genuine affection reflected in his glassy sky blue eyes.

~

A feeling akin to a large stone being dropped in his stomach had briefly overwhelmed him, but he
knew exactly what she meant and he had no desire to lose it.

“I know. I love you too.”

Ron saw in her brown eyes a look of immense relief and she hugged him. It wasn’t the bone
crunching variety that she reserved for Harry, but it was just fine by Ron.

“You know, I would love for you to regale me on the origins of quidditch.” He gave her a
grin.

“Well, you see it all started in the fifth century BCE…”

She talked rapid fire as they walked towards the food court. Maybe it was a little dull and
maybe there was a small ache in his chest, but Ron couldn’t be any happier if he tried.

~

Harry saw his two friends walking towards him: her chatting non-stop about something and him
looking genuinely interested. He chuckled to himself imagining what Hermione was subjecting him
to.

“We better hurry if we don’t want to miss our flight.” He interjected into Hermione’s diatribe
about the origins of Olympic quidditch.

Mentioning the flight seemed to bring awareness to all three of what they were embarking upon.
They both look worried and Harry felt his own face furrow into a concerned look, but he could also
see in Ron and Hermione both the same steely determination they had always had when following
him.

One more trip, one more adventure and maybe it would finally feel over. He certainly hoped so.
Either way, come hell or high water, the three of them would face it together.

~

A/N: That’s it for this story! I hope you guys have enjoyed the journey as much as I did writing
it. Hope I stuck the landing, ending stories is always my weakness.

Planning on two sequels: one of their trip to Australia and one of their seventh year at
Hogwarts. This series serves as my love letter to the Potter universe that I love so much. Not to
mention my OTP, Harry/Hermione.

I hope you guys aren’t too disappointed that they’re not together yet. All I can say is it will
take time for them to get there. I’ve been trying my best to stay away from Weasley bashing, I do
love Ron and I’m trying very hard to paint a picture of a maturing Ron. I even have plans to have
him be a major catalyst for Harry and Hermione.

Thanks again for reading and reviewing! I have the second part already written, so will
hopefully update as fast as I did this one. Cheers!