That evening as Hermione walked with Ron from the Common room to see Harry hundreds of thoughts where running through her mind. She could feel the love radiating from Harry this morning when they met. It was undeniable how he felt now, and it was wonderful to feel, the idea that someone desired her so much. No one had ever regarded her in such a fashion before. It was exciting and scary at that same time. She wanted to just give in to it and be swept away by all these new feeling and damn the consequences, but there was one thought that keep coming to the surface that Ginny said, "He's scared because your leaving in one week." It was true she had already enrolled in Stonehenge University. Four more years of school and training, school without Harry or Ron. Maybe this isn't such a good idea to become so attached now her mind kept telling her, but heart ached at the thought of being so far away from them. . . from him.

"Are you listening to me?" Ron said waving a hand in front of her face.

They had arrived and Ron was ready to push the door open, but was waiting for an answer to a question she didn't hear, "What!? . . .sorry I missed your last question. What was it again?"

"I said, is everything ok? You looked so zoned all through dinner."

"Yes, I'm fine I'm just thinking is all."

Ron stepped up faced her looking in to her eyes, "No your not. Your eyes are all dilated and you're blushing. What's going on?"

"Nothing Ron, why would anything be going on? Now let's just get this over with I have work to do tonight." She said trying to move past him to the door. Put Ron threw his hand against the handle to stop her, "Hey, hey, hey one minute here. Listen I won't get in the middle of what's happening between the two of you, but let me say one thing."

He lowered his arm from the door and took her hands in his, "I want what's best for you two. Your both my best friends and I only want you to be happy, but don't break his heart." Hermione was shocked to be hearing this from Ron of all people. "He's hanging on by a thread as it is now. I don't think he could take much more. If you can't accept this with open eyes, then let him go. Release him so that he can be free."

She didn't know what to say, but just nodded slightly looking at that floor. In her heart she knew it was true. Being Harry Potter's girlfriend wasn't like any other relationship, it was a full time position. Any woman with him would have to embrace that change or be swept way by the currents to the side. There was no doubts that she could in all likelihood be the only woman to fill that roll, but was she ready to surrender herself just yet.

Ron gave her a quick hug and they entered the hospital wing. Harry was standing in his bed robes, looking out over the grounds through the window. He didn't turn as they approached but said, "Come here and look at this. You're not going to believe it."

Ron and Hermione exchanged a confused glance and came to the large double windows. Outside the main gates hundreds of small tents had been set up. To the south by the lake many of the tents flew the House flag of Gryffindor. The other half to the east flew the House flag of Slytherin.

"Where did they all come from?"

"I'm not sure, but they've been setting up camp all day. They are here for the match tomorrow. The heir of Gryffindor is once again expected to repel the forces of Slytherin and everyone wants to watch." Harry stated flatly without looking at them.

That feeling was rising again in Hermione's stomach. She would have to except all of this forever if she chose to be with him. She quickly pushed it aside, "Don't worry about it Harry. You don't have to play if you don't want to. Forget about it."

"I can't just walk away now Hermione. These people!" he made a board sweeping motion towards the grounds. "They've all come to watch another stunning event that's the sideshow of Harry Potter. How can I be expected to forget it and move on if no one else will let me. This damn rivalry between the houses goes back hundreds of years. I hate it."

Ron looked a little worried, "Listen mate it's no big deal. So there'll be some more people in the stands. Who cares! You better get used to it now. How do you think you'll feel when we start playing professionally?"

"I'm not going to be Ron. This is my last game at Hogwarts and I'm not joining the pro circuit afterwards." He said in a flat unemotional tone. Inside Hermione was jumping for joy she was so happy. She hated the idea that he was going to play Quidditch professionally, she always thought he could do so much more with his talents besides play a silly game. Ron on the other hand wasn't so happy about this news.

"What are you talking about? How can you do this to me Harry? We're a team, the two of us are un-stoppable! Come on mate!"

"I'm sorry Ron, but this is how it's going to have to be for a while. I need to be away from all of this. I need to find who I am, not what everyone else thinks I should be." Harry walked over and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder, "Besides Ron you're the Captain. You're the one who's gotten us this far. You're the one with the brilliant plays that people want to recruit, I'm just the guy who catches the snitch."

"Yeah you say that now, but wait until after the game tomorrow. All those people cheering your name. Wanting your autograph. All the little kids waving Gryffindor flags at us, tell me then that you don't want to play pro."

"This is going to be your time Ron, not mine. Where in it deep now, and your going to have to pull a miracle out of your hat to win this one." Harry just shook Ron's shoulder a little and reached over and took Hermione's hand. "Come on I have your graduation gifts ready and I want you to have them."

They both perked up at the sound of gifts. Harry pulled open the draw of the nightstand by his bed and with drew two presents.

"Now I know this may be a little much, but I have a good reason and I'm ready to prove my point if you don't except them."

Hermione was a little worried about what kind of gift he would have to prove they needed as she ripped off the shiny paper wrapping. Inside was a small leather bond journal with the words '105 ZEPHYR COURT' embossed on the front. She flipped the cover open and a gold key slid into her hand. Also inside was a deed of ownership to cottage not far from Stonehenge University with her name as owner. She was speechless as she looked into his eyes and he silently mouthed, 'Please don't be mad . . . please.'

Ron's reaction was simply, "No!"

"Come on Ron, I want you to have this."

"No way, How can you give me a flat in London? Do I look like a little kid that needs to hold your hand? I can make it on my own!"

"Ron, be reasonable for one minute and let me explain. . .to the both of you ok?"

"Fine one minute." Ron stood still with arms crossed. Hermione still couldn't find the right words so just waited.

"I knew you two would be upset by this, but I'm just trying to help. Think about it this way Ron, what if you do go pro Quidditch after Hogwarts? What then Starting salary is low and you'll have to still live at the Borrow right? So what if you meet some bird at a game and you want to be alone? Are you going back to the Borrow? I'm sure Molly would love that. Not to mention all the odd hours you'll be keeping with all the travelling. You'll need your own place right away." Ron's stern expression softened slightly. "Besides when your ready I'll even buy it back from you if you want. OK?"

"Well maybe I can just use it for a while till I can get my own place."

"Sure, what ever you want to do with it's fine with me mate. I just wanted to give you that freedom to choose is all."

"Thanks Harry."

Hermione smiled, as much as Ron hated it Harry was right. He would need a little help in the beginning. She couldn't help but feel that Harry was giving her a way to back out of the developing relationship that was growing between them though.

"Now Hermione, I know you want to go to S.U. and your parents where concerned because it's so far away. . . So I thought that this would make you and them feel a little bit better. Besides the library that's in the cottage is fully stocked, it's huge. You'll love it, really."

"Ron can I have a few minutes to talk to Harry alone please?"