Harry Potter was a very lucky young man. He knew he was, barely defeating Voldemort and living to the age of 20 was a miracle for him. Everything else had paled in comparison to Auror training though. But he had done it and now, two days after passing his test and becoming an official Auror, he sat in the living room of his flat celebrating with his two best friends in the world, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

"So what's next for 'The Savior of The Wizarding World'?" Ron asked with a grin.

"Sleep, once I get you out of my flat," Harry quipped.

Ron chuckled.

"It's time I was getting along anyway. Luna's probably missing me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm quite sure she misses you snoring down her ear and thrashing about in your sleep."

Ron snorted. "I'm positive." He pushed himself off of the floor and turned to face Harry. "When are you going to get yourself a girl, mate? There are some literally drooling at the mouth to get you."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I dunno. It's just that-"

"He doesn't need someone like that," Hermione interrupted quickly.

Ron gaped at her and a blush crept on her face.

Harry smiled. No wonder I'm in love with her. Always looking out for me. He focused back on the conversation, which was slowly becoming an argument.

"But someone should watch out for him other than us—"

"And it should be a person who respects him and doesn't see him as a trophy!"

Ron opened his mouth to retort but Harry got up from his spot on the couch and guided him over to the fireplace.

"As fun as this sounds, I'd like a peaceful night. Tell Luna hi for me."

Ron sighed. "I will." He looked at Hermione. "Try to be nice to the boy before you leave."

"It's done. 'Night, Ron." She gave him a cheery wave.

Ron grinned. "G'night you two." He Apparated to his home.

Harry walked to the loveseat that Hermione was seated on and let out a huge yawn.

"I think I'll go, Harry, you do need you rest and…"

"No, don't!" He grabbed her hand.

Hermione looked into his eyes. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Other than my hand feeling numb, nothing really, he thought.

"Nothing. Well, there is, but it shouldn't bother me and it is and…"

"Harry, I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything. Go ahead."

He looked down at their still joined hands and found strength for what he was about to say.

"Hermione, we've been through a lot haven't we?"

"More than others," she replied.

A small smile flitted across his face before being replaced by a thoughtful look. "We have and it's made me think. Throughout it all, you've stood there right beside me and helped me, told me when I was being an absolute prat, everything. When we started looking for the Horcruxes, I was scared you would leave me but you didn't." He looked into Hermione's eyes to find them filling with tears.

"Harry-"

"No, there's more. I realized in that final battle with Voldemort that love does save people. It saved me. You saved me."

Hermione let out a small gasp but he continued. "Something's there. Every time you touch me, the place where you touched me goes numb. You look at me and I start smiling then when you look away, I stare. 'Mione, I love you and I'm willing to do something I never thought I'd be doing."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it with his thumb and inside was a small ring.

"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"

The silence between them seemed to last a lifetime to Harry. Finally, Hermione spoke.

"Harry, I—I can't," she said quietly.

Harry's world stopped. A buzzing filled his ears and although he could see her lips moving, he didn't register what she was saying. The only thing he could think was, Why?

"I have to go," he heard faintly.

She slipped her hand slowly out of his and rose to leave but Harry stayed silent.

"Goodnight, Harry," she whispered and suddenly she was gone.

He didn't move for several minutes, willing his legs to move. When he got them to work, he shuffled to his room and lay on his back on his bed for the rest of the night repeating the same thing in his head.

Why?