Crossroads

Chapter 2

Hermione awoke with a start against Ron's chest. She thought back to last night and smiled to herself. While they hadn't gone THAT far, Hermione was grateful for the comfort that Ron had offered to her tortured body. She blinked to regain familiarity of her surroundings before noticing that Ron's curtains were drawn and Harry's bed was empty. Immediately she was filled with contentious emotions at the thought that Harry had seen her and Ron. She didn't know why, but the thought of him assuming that she had slept with Ron created discord within her heart. It was all so confusing to her.

Ron had not yet awoken when Hermione raced down to the common room to be greeted by the sight of a very somber Harry.

"Good, you're awake. I need to talk to you, Hermione," Harry called.

The seriousness of his tone was not lost on Hermione as he came to stand in front of her. Immediately, the girl was on alert as Harry's face belied a seriousness that she had only seen during the war against Voldemort.

"I'm leaving, Hermione."

Whatever the witch was expecting was certainly not that. She tried to see if Harry was merely having a laugh but his tone and countenance told her all she needed to know. Still, she didn't know why he felt the need to leave now, especially when the war had just ended and they were free to move on with their lives.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Hermione worriedly asked her best friend who was currently stone faced.

"I need to leave, Hermione. I can't be here anymore. I did what I had to do," Harry calmly responded despite feeling anything but.

"It's just for a couple of years," he added hastily.

He figured that the news wouldn't go over well with Hermione, but he resolved to hold steadfast as he told her. He needed this more than anything, and he hoped that she'd be able to see that.

"But we're here. Everyone you love is here, Harry. Whatever it is that's happening with you, we can help with," Hermione said as her voice began to waver a bit.

Harry smiled despite himself but didn't let his resolve get broken. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but the timing wasn't right. He feared the timing would never be right.

"Look, it's not like I'm leaving for good. It's just a trip, think of it that way, mmm?" Harry once again explained.

"A trip doesn't last years, Harry."

She was right, he knew. He tried to lie to her because, inwardly, he didn't know if he'd ever come back to England.

"What's really happening?" Hermione continued to press.

Harry sighed exhaustedly before taking Hermione's hands in his. "There are so many things that I want to tell you, but I can't right now. I need this, Hermione. I don't know who I am without Voldemort constantly chasing after me, and I fear I'll never be able to find out if I just stay here and settle. Please let me do this, please," he begged her.

Once Harry finished, the tears came quickly for Hermione. Her best friend wanted to leave them behind, and she couldn't even say no. He had done so much for them, and she knew it would be downright terrible for her to deny him something that he clearly thought he needed. But, as her mind tried to imagine a life without Harry Potter, she found herself with a miserable pain that seemed to burn her insides. She tried to reason with him.

"Then stay here, and we can help. I'll help you find it out. I don't want to lose you, Harry."

Immediately after her proclamation, Harry wrapped her up in his strong arms and let her weep against his chest. His heart was tightening up as if it were being constricted by a serpent, and he wanted nothing more than to give in to her request. He knew, however, that he couldn't afford to be this weak. She was still with Ron, after all, and staying here would subject him to the misery of seeing them together. No, Harry had to convince her to let him go.

"I wish, beyond anything," Harry swallowed thickly before continuing, "that I could stay. But I can't 'Mione, I need to do this. I promise that I'll find a way to come back to you, but you have to let me go. Please."

Harry knew that he won when Hermione sobbed even louder against his chest, but it didn't feel like a victory. She was going to let him leave, he knew, but a small part of him wanted her to confess that she loved him enough to make him stay. It was wishful thinking, though.

"W—when will you leave?" Hermione shuddered out, still trapped against his chest.

"A month, maybe two. I'm probably going to need to plan, pack, and tie up some loose ends."

"I can help," the bushy haired girl whimpered quietly.

Harry managed, much to Hermione's disapproval, to pull back from the embrace to look at the woman he loved. He looked at her for a while longer before asking, "Are you sure?"

His love nodded quietly, and wiped away the tears in her eyes. "I'll always be here for you, Harry."