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Hermione crept slowly up the steps to the girl's dormitory.  She tucked a strand of her warm brown hair behind her ear and tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

*What to do? What to do?  Think Granger, you're not the smartest girl in Hogwarts for nothing… Okay, well we finish up here in two weeks, I definitely won't be showing that soon.  But what about working at the ministry?  Word will definitely get back to Ron and Harry if I am working there…hmmm…*

Hermione suddenly realized that she had already managed to make her way up to her dormitory.  She walked over to the portrait at the end of the stairs and gave the password, "bookworm".  It was nice having a private room, just one of the perks of being head girl.  Hermione sighed and sat in her desk chair, her favorite place to think, apart from the library, of course.  She absentmindedly pulled out a parchment and ink and began writing.

Dear Ms. Kendrick,

I am writing to put in a minor request.  I understand that I have not yet began my employment with the Maintenance of Muggle Secrecy Department, but I am venturing to request that I begin working overseas, perhaps at the American ministry?  I would really like to try life in another country, and I feel I can be much more useful to the ministry there.

Hermione signed the letter, and sent it off with her school assigned head girl owl, Callista.  With a finger to her lips she made a quiet shushing noise to the large black owl, picked up an owl treat from her top drawer, and sent off the great bird.

Down in the Great Hall, Harry was wondering where his other best friend was, as he stared at Ron shoving his fifth helping of mashed potatoes into his mouth.  Even after seven years, he still was amazed at Ron's eating habits. 

"Ron, where's Hermione? I haven't seen her all day."

Ron took a swig of pumpkin juice, swallowed and replied "Well gee Harry, I don't keep track of her, you know, she is very busy, she probably has some head girl stuff or something like that to do."  Harry's eyes widened at his friend's indifference.  Ron and Hermione were quite the couple, pretty much attached at the hip, so Harry couldn't understand Ron's sudden change of heart.

"Ok, well I'm going to go look for- Hey! Hermione, where have you been? I was just going to come find you." Harry sat back down as Hermione approached Ron, gave him their traditional peck on the cheek, and sat next to her boyfriend. 
"Oh, well I just had a few things to pack up in my room, and a bit of last minute studying to do."  Hermione glanced at Ron, who seemed a bit put-offish around her, but considering the conversation she had overheard, maybe he was in a different state of mind than he had been even yesterday.  "Ron, are you feeling ok?"

"Sure, I feel fine Hermione, why?"  Ron's cheeks began to redden at the extra attention.

"Well you just seem really quiet today."  Hermione pressed him some more.  Ron's face took on another shade of crimson.
"Actually Hermione, if you're not busy after this, I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk out by the lake, so we could just, you know, talk"

"That sounds great, I'm actually not that hungry, so if you're ready…"  Ron  nearly jumped out of his seat, anxious to get the impending conversation over with.  Harry shot him a questioning glance, which he was careful to avoid.  Hermione took Ron's hand and they walked out of the Hall towards the main entrance, and then out towards the lake. 

They had silently made their way to the sandy banks of the water, when both attempted to begin speaking at once.
"Ron I-"

"Hermio-" ok, you start.  Hermione took a deep breath and just started letting it out, with words of course.
"Ron I was just thinking of how I want to try something different, and with you going off with the Cannons, maybe we should take a break and I know this is coming out of nowhere but I've already made arrangements and I won't be working in England after we graduate and I'm sorry and I still love you but it's just going to be difficu-"

"Shhh…Hermione, I understand, I was actually going to talk to you about the same thing.  I love you more than anything Hermione, but I just want to take some time to be young and it will be difficult when I'm off touring with the team, and I don't want you to feel neglected.  But wait, why won't you be working in England?"  At this point Ron was holding Hermione in his arms.  He gently brushed a piece of her hair back from her face, and calmly gazed into her eyes, though inside he was feeling anything but calm

*What is she doing???  Not working in England???  Is she breaking up with me?  This can't be happening. I mean, I just wanted to talk to her about how we would make this work with me traveling, but if she doesn't want to be with me.  What am I going to do?  I could never love anyone else.  Oh Hermione, please come to your senses… * Ron continued to plead inwardly with his true love, hoping she was maybe possibly joking, but knowing all too well the determined look set upon her beautiful face.  Hermione gazed into the ocean blue eyes of her lover, broke the embrace, turned, and walked swiftly away.  She wiped the tears from her face as she made her way back up to the castle, never looking  back.