STORY

The battle was over and Harry was positively shocked at being the winner and survivor. He was very tired of the path he had to walk, every danger, every wound, every death… Not only his body, also his mind and soul were restless. And now that it was over he was alone. Everybody was partying with their surviving families and friends; everybody except him. Nobody went to thank him, to talk to him, or to invite him to party with them. Not even the Weasleys, who were happy that everything was over and sad for Fred's death. Quite the opposite, they had dropped a hint so he left them alone.

Even Hermione left him alone only to stay with Ron. And that was something that he couldn't understand. After the redhead had left them at the tent, she and Harry had got closer than ever. Damn it! They even confessed their feelings for each other! He had explained the reason why he dated Ginny when he never really liked her that much, or why he hadn't invited her to the ball in the fourth year.

And now… he didn't understand why she kissed Ron when he made the elves remark. Or why she was so… affectionate towards the red head while he was being ignored.

He sighed. He decided going to sleep, so tired as he was. Perhaps he'd have a long and deep night of rest at last. Even his soul was tired. Try going on the verge of death and return and you'll see how a consuming activity it is.

He stood up and left without anyone being the wiser, except from a pair of blue eyes.

He went to the Gryffindor tower, where he looked for his old bedroom. With a wand move he turned his dirty clothes into something clean and got into one of the beds. Next he put some protection spells so he wasn't disturbed. There in the bed he began to think for the first time about the future. What to do now?

…

Next morning a more rested Harry got up and after a slow and relaxing bath, he thought about going to Dumbledore's old office to talk to his portrait. But when he arrived he heard Mrs. Weasley. He stopped and listened to the angry woman discussing with Dumbledore's portrait. Why she was so angry? When he heard the rest of the conversation he was speechless: the Weasley were counting on his death and they weren't happy that he had survived.

That was a hard blow, but he listened without making any noise so he could get every bit of information possible. When it was almost over he left. He went to the kitchen for breakfast while thinking about what he had just heard. But to his mind, which was too awake because of the last days, it didn't take too long to come with a plan…

…

Hermione was sad and happy at the same time. Happy at the fact that Harry's death had only been a lie when Voldemort showed his corpse. That picture had broken her heart.

On the other hand this just motivated her further to continue what she started in the six year. The fight between her mind and emotions had begun then. Her mind won that year, but her emotions came back when Ron left them and she feared for their lives. But now that everything was over… she had to think again in the future…

That's why she ignored Harry last night, and although she had planned to continue today, she didn't need it. When she went down to the Great Hall to have breakfast, she couldn't stop herself from looking for him or keeping an eye on the entrance in case he showed up. That never happened.

She had not seen him all day, what worried her; so she asked others for him. But when she was told he was talking to Kingsley about his future as auror, she let it be. She carried on keeping the Weasleys company the rest of the day.

However what she feared arrived in the afternoon. Harry showed up at last and he approached her.

It was time to face him.

…

Now that he had prepared everything about his future in the morning, it was time to face Hermione. He wanted answers.

- Can we talk privately? –he asked her seriously.

She nodded and they both went to an empty classroom.

They were quiet for a moment, having one of those silent conversations they were so famous for. Harry was who finally broke the ice.

- You have chosen him.

She only could nod downcast.

- Despite everything we went through, despite how close we were until he came back. Despite how badly he treated you, of how he insulted you and how he fought with you for anything.

- He changed…

- You know perfectly that's not true. I had already explained you about the book he was using…

- At least he studied to get me! –Hermione exclaimed going on the defensive-. He was interested enough in me to make the effort!

- Wasn't I too? I tried to show you my love the only way I knew, which was the way you taught me; as you were the only one to show me affection. I was there when you needed me, like you were for me! And when he had to choose between being with you and his own self comfort, he chose to think in himself!

- I'm sorry Harry –she answered with tears in her eyes-, but I have to think now in my future. When we were alone we hadn't a good chance of surviving the war, so if I was going to die I wanted you to know my true feelings for you. Now that everything is over you are becoming an auror and your life will still be in danger. I cannot live with that fear of losing you. Ron is the safe option.

The blackhead looked at her very sad, while suffering an internal debate over how to respond to that.

A part of him wanted to ensure her that he didn't want problems anymore; that he just wanted to stay with her (CHOICE 1).

Another part was telling him that he just left without saying another word, as she didn't love him enough (CHOICE 2).

And finally there was also another part of him that was imploring him to tell her of his plans, as he usual did, and try to persuade her to go with him (CHOICE 3).

Which option would he choose?

This is my first attemp at writting a story in English, although it's only a translation of another of my fics. Please, write me reviews to tell me the mistakes I made, so I can improve.