A/N: The second half of this chapter is set around 2002/2003. Please R&R…

/ x-x-x /

Ron took my hand as we walked back to The Great Hall in search of Harry. Lost in my thoughts, I walked beside Ron as he guided us back to the Great Hall. 'Be realistic Hermione,' I growled at myself as I saw images of Minerva creep into my mind. 'It would never work; she is twice my age, someone who has guided me through my education. So why Merlin did I have to fall in love with her?' I sighed, and hoped Ron didn't hear me. Looking across and from his blank expression, I assumed he hadn't. 'I need someone who can provide a future for me. A home, a family…' I paused, feeling my heart been torn in two. I realised I had to do this for her own sake. I had to break her heart before she could believe any false hope of us ever being together.

Ron tugged me back and I blinked several times, taking in my surroundings. I then realised we had reached The Great Hall, 'well, what was left of it,' I thought, scanning the room. Harry stood in front of us, grinning away like a kid on Christmas morn. I stared past him, seeing Minerva at the other end of the room. Her face lit up and began walking towards me. She suddenly stopped, 'obviously she noticed Ron holding my hand,' I thought, biting my lip as I looked down at our entwined hands. Minerva's face fell and she stumbled on her feet. Harry slowly walked to us and out of the castle. Ron soon followed and I let my hand slip out of his. I wanted to run up to Minerva, tell her it was all a lie and my heart truly belonged to her. Tears stung the back of my eyes, taking a breath I forbid them to roll down my cheek. I knew this was for the best and the only way she could move on with her life. Taking another deep breath, I tried to calm my pounding heart; I turned slowly and followed Harry and Ron.

x - x - x

I flew down the motorway, driving faster and faster to nowhere in particular. Anger rose inside me, like lava erupting from a volcano. Never before had I been this angry at Ronald.

We had been going out since the end of the battle at Hogwarts. We bought a little townhouse on the outskirts of London. Suddenly I heard my ringtone, 'Perfect Day by Lady Antebellum', buzz. I glanced down and saw Ronald flash up on the screen.

"No way," I grumbled, letting it ring out and eventually go to voicemail. I was quite surprised how he was adapting to Muggle technology. Last year I bought him his very own laptop. He loves that laptop, especially given he can email Harry as often as he likes. I sometimes wondered if he loves that piece of technology more than me. I took my eyes off the road for a split second as I pushed the radio on. I let the music wash over me as I aimlessly drove along the road.

Suddenly I felt as if an invisible string had pulled on my heart. 'Maybe I should call ahead?' I thought. Then realised she would either ignore me or be angry and then I wondered if she even had a phone at all.

"Well… it's going to be one exciting afternoon after all," I mumbled, taking the next exit off the motorway. I t had been years since I last saw Minerva, but Ron's words kept playing back in my mind and I needed to escape. I knew it would be unfair on Harry as he would feel torn between his two best friends. I don't know why I thought of Minerva, maybe, no, I knew my heart still felt something for her and I needed to explain why I never came back.

Driving along suburbia roads, I began to wonder if she would be at her home at all. After all it wasn't school holidays yet, dismissing the thought I needed to see her. It felt like the road seemed to go on forever with no end in sight. I figured I must've been driving into the countryside as houses only could be seen every ten miles or so. The quality of road seemed to change from tar to dirt. I slowed down, as the wheels bounced a little on the loose road. I pulled the car over to the side of the road. Staring out the window, I gazed at the breath-taking views: rolling green hills and everlasting paddocks. Gathering myself, I looked over my shoulder and merged back onto the road.

Three quarters of an hour later, I vaguely had an idea of where I was going. Turning down the narrow lane, it ended seeing a quiet little cottage. My heart began to pound loudly against my chest; I feared if anyone else was around, I was certain they would've heard it beating. 'I could have called this home,' I sighed as I turned off the engine. 'No,' a soft voice called in my mind. 'You had to give Ron a chance,' the voice continued. "Except now I have known what I should've done…" I paused, thinking back to the argument between Ronald and I. Never in all the years we been together had we had such a fight like that.

From the things Ronald shouted at me, I never wanted to see him again. I wanted to collapse into the arms of the one person I knew would still love me and forever will. Taking a breath, I pushed open the car door and got out. I stood on the front porch and knocked on the door. Taking a step back, I looked around the property while waiting for an answer. Several minutes later, the door swung open and I smiled faintly. Minerva leaned heavily on the walking stick, more strands of grey filled her hair and her face was defined with wrinkles. 'Though she still looks beautiful to me,' I thought once again smiling faintly.

"Hermione?" a whispered escaped her lips. I saw hurt in her eyes which immediately turned to anger. For several minutes neither one of us said a word. "What do you want?" Minerva asked coldly. Tears stung my eyes, 'How could she hold onto a grudge for so long?' I questioned, staring at her. 'Because you kissed her, told her you loved her and promised to be with her after the battle at Hogwarts. Yet you choose someone else over her,' that annoying voice said. But I knew it spoke the truth. A sigh left my lips and I spun around back to the car. Secretly I hoped Minerva would follow me so I walked extra slow. Reaching the drivers' side and not hearing Minerva behind me, the tears streamed down my cheeks. Just as I opened the door to drive away, I felt someone breathing on the back of my neck. Slowly turning around I saw Minerva standing there.

"Oh, Minerva…" I cried, burying my face in her chest. "I'm so sorry," I sobbed into her blouse.