Chapter One: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"

Disclaimer: I am not acossiated with J.K. Rowling in any way, although I wish I was. I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters either, although I wish I did. I own nothing but the plot/storyline.

Author's Note: This is a H/Hr story. Just thought I'd let all of you know. Please review if you want me to continue adding more chapters! Hope to get feedback, and many reviews.

Hermione Granger sat alone in her room, her nose stuffed inside of her charms book. She had to prepare her lesson for her teaching the next day. After writing another line or two, she sighed, putting down her quill. Looking around, she felt a sense of alone. Looking down, she realized that she was alone. She was never going to stop feeling alone.

There was a knock on the door. Hermione turned, running her fingers through her brown hair. She slowly made her way towards the door and opened it. Ron Weasley, her best friend and boyfriend, stood there holding pink roses. His red longish hair had been combed and his cheeks were flushed. In fact, they were pretty much the same color as the flowers. Hermione sighed silently, realizing that Ron had forgotten yet again. How many times had Ron told her that she disliked pink roses and preferred red roses or daises? Obviously, Ron was a very forgetful person.

Hermione forced a smile. It was the thought that counted, and Ron's thought was in the right direction. There was no need to be angry with Ron for no reason. Although, he was a bit tactless. "Thanks, Ron. I totally forgot you were coming over today." Hermione looked down at herself, wincing. She hadn't even showered yet. All day she had been reading. "I'm a complete mess."

Ron leaned in for a quick kiss. Hermione felt his cold lips on hers. For some reason, she just didn't love him anymore. Not like before. That was then, and this was now.

Hermione wondered why she had gone out with Ron in the first place. At first, they had gotten together to comfort each other. They both were worried about Harry, and only had each other to lean on. After that, it was all a blur. Hermione remembered being very happy at some point with Ron, but now… now things were different. It wasn't as if Hermione was unhappy, she was just tired.

"You've been so distracted lately, " complained Ron, "you never remember anything. What happened to the super smart girl I used to date?"

Hermione felt insulted. First, Ron didn't even ask why she was so distracted. And now he was insulting her by telling her she wasn't smart anymore? Hermione realized that her sense of disgust was noticeable.

"Hey, Hermione…" He gave her another small kiss on her cheek. Hermione tried not to flinch. "I didn't mean it that way, alright? Calm down. You're always on the edge. You're not nervous for the school reunion, are you?"

Hermione shrugged. She had thought a lot about the reunion in fact. There was no way she could face Harry after the last time they had been together…

"Harry, we've done it." Hermione smiled, still not believing that they had graduated. It was the last day of Hogwarts. "And I've been offered a Charms position in America. The school is called Massachusetts Witchcraft and Wizardry."

The two of them were standing in the corridor, near the Gryffindor Common Room. Nobody was in sight. Hermione had a feeling everyone had gone to the common room to pack and celebrate their graduation. Hermione, however, had forgotten her ancient runes book and had gone back to get it. Instead, she had run into Harry.

Harry grinned, looking at her admiringly. "You know I'm proud of you, right?"


Hermione's smile faded. Harry looked so worried about something. He rarely spoke about anything anymore. He was so distant towards everything. He was constantly fidgeting and wouldn't look her in the eye for more than second. Something was very wrong. Hermione could sense it.


"Harry," Hermione whispered softly, "What's wrong?"


"Nothing." Harry's answer came a little too quickly. Hermione knew there was something wrong.


"Tell me," Hermione coaxed, putting her arm on his shoulder. "You can tell me anything. You should know that."

Harry took a deep breath, looking around to make sure nobody was in sight. He swallowed, and then looked away from Hermione, as if he couldn't bear to seeing her reaction. "I… I have to leave. I have to fight."

Hermione looked shocked. She was dreading what he was going to say next. "What do you mean, Harry?" She felt numb all over, and didn't even know why she asked the question. It was obvious what Harry had meant.

"I mean, it's time. I have to leave tonight. I don't want to make a big deal out of this. I'm just going to… go. And deal with how everything turns out."


"But…" Hermione gaped. He was planning on just leaving without saying goodbye? "When will you be back?"


Harry shrugged, looking down. He shook his head. "I don't know."

"Well then…" Hermione's eyes welled up with tears She blinked, trying to hold back the tears, but it was no use. "Goodbye?"


"I'll see you soon," Harry promised, forcing a small smile. Hermione shook her head.


"You can't promise that, Harry."

He looked her in the eye, tears starting to flow down his cheeks. "If you believe in me, Hermione… I will come back alive. I promise you."

She hugged him close, her tears mixing with his tears. "I love you, Harry."

Without realizing what he was doing, Harry lifted his face up to hers and kissed her slowly and passionately. Hermione deepened the kiss, and for a few minutes, Harry lost himself in her. Finally, they broke apart reluctantly.


"Never forget me, okay?"


She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "How could I forget someone that kisses like that?" Her voice was bitter and pained.

Harry tried to laugh, but it came out as a choke. He hugged her close. "I love you, too, Hermione."


She looked away. "When will I see you again?"


Harry smiled slightly. "I'll see you every night. In your dreams."


"Promise?" she asked, clinging to his arm. She didn't want to let go of his arm. She didn't want to let him go fight Voldemort, but she knew she had to.


"I promise."


She released his arm and watched him walk away, crying. From that day on, Hermione promised to never forget Harry Potter, the guy that changed her life.

Ron shook Hermione out of her flashback. "You feeling alright, Mione? You're not nervous about the reunion, are you?"

Hermione shrugged. "I guess I just realized that we're going to see Harry for the first time ever since he disappeared."

What was it that Hermione loved about Harry? Hermione smiled slightly to herself. She knew exactly what it was. Harry knew Hermione. Harry understood Hermione in a way Ron never could. Harry knew the right things to say, and admired Hermione's goals. He could always make her feel better.

Ron, on the other hand, was always clueless. He could never tell when Hermione was upset like Harry could. When there was something wrong, Ron would just kiss Hermione, thinking that would solve the situation, instead of listening to her problems. Half the time, when Hermione told Ron she was in a bad mood, he would just drop her at home and tell her that she needed some time to herself.

Ron looked slightly disgusted. "I can't believe he bailed on us like that. No goodbye or anything. I'm his best mate! He could have told me where he was going and when he was coming back. I haven't heard from him since our graduation ten years ago."

Hermione closed her eyes, trying to remember how Harry's lips felt on hers. Ron cleared his throat loudly, and Hermione's eyes shot open.

"I know you forgot we were going out to eat, but well I'm here, and you're here, so are you still up for it?" Ron asked hopefully.

Hermione smiled faintly. There was no point in disappointing Ron. "Sorry I've been so out of it lately, Ron. I'd love to go." She leaned in and gave Ron a peck on his lips.

Hermione had no idea what she was doing with her life anymore. In fact, she had no idea why she was with Ron. Hermione knew she just didn't want to break up with Ron. She couldn't hurt him. It wasn't as if she didn't love him, because she did. At some point in the relationship, she was convinced that she loved him more than any other guy. It was just… Harry.

Harry was supposed to have contacted her, yet Hermione hadn't heard from him in ten years. The kiss between the two of them probably meant nothing to Harry. Not contacting Hermione was Harry's way of saying that he didn't want anything between them.

Hermione sighed heavily. She wasn't going to sit around waiting for Harry to show up. That way, if Harry ever showed up, she could show him that she had moved on in life.

"Okay let's get going. " Ron rushed towards the door and held it open for Hermione. Hermione turned around and took one last look at the picture of herself and Harry smiling in their seventh year. She blinked and then turned around to walk out the door, trying not to give the picture a second glance.