Memories That Remain 4
By Gypsy Esmerelda
Rating PG
Harry was awoken the next morning by a knock on the door and a call of 'Room Service'. Seeing Hermione was still sleeping, he got out of bed and opened the door. One of the porters wheeled a trolley into the room and Harry thanked him and took the trolley over to the bed. Climbing back under the sheets, he gently shook Hermione awake.
"Hermione?"
She moaned softly and opened her eyes, smiling when she saw him.
"Good morning Harry."
"Hermione, what's this?"
She looked at the trolley, piled high with croissants, bread and toast and jams. She grinned at him.
"Breakfast in bed, of course."
She reached over and took a croissant off the tray. Harry watched her nibbling it and then a grin spread across his face.
"You had last night planned all along, didn't you?"
Hermione looked up at him and giggled playfully.
"Maybe." She squealed in delight as Harry pounced on her, kissing her all over. She entwined her arms around him and pulled him closer to her. Breakfast was forgotten.
Later that day, as they sat dining in a small restaurant, Hermione watched Harry. He seemed to be preoccupied. This was their last night in Paris and she wanted it to be perfect. But she could tell that something was bothering him.
"Harry? What's wrong?"
Harry looked up at her.
"What makes you think anything is wrong?
Hermione smiled softly.
"Because you've hardly spoken all night. Something is bothering you and I want to help."
"How long will you be away at college for?"
She smiled to herself. So that was it.
"Only a year or two, Harry. But I'll have all the holidays to come home for."
Harry nodded and pushed his food around his plate silently. Hermione sighed.
"Harry, talk to me, tell me what you're thinking."
Harry looked up.
"I need you with me, Hermione. I don't want just a couple of weeks over Christmas and a few weeks in summer. I want you with me all the time."
"But I thought you were training to be an Auror? I can't be with you then, can I?"
Harry shook his head.
"I'm not becoming an Auror. I completely flunked Transfiguration. I'm going to work at Gringotts, Bill managed to get me a job there."
Hermione looked at him, stunned. Harry had been working towards being an Auror for ages.
"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry. I know how much becoming an Auror meant to you."
Harry shrugged.
"It's okay, Mione. Plus Gringotts isn't so bad. I know it won't be as exciting as being an Auror but it's still pretty cool."
Hermione squeezed his hand softly. He smiled at her but she could tell he wasn't happy. He looked back up at her.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to stay. You deserve to go on that teacher training. You deserve to be happy and fulfill your dreams. I'm not going to ask you to give that up for me. I'm just being selfish."
Hermione looked at him for a moment and then she knew. She knew it was over. Harry would never be truly happy if she went away to college and she would never forgive him if she stayed at home. He caught her eye and he knew it too. He stood up and walked round to her side of the table and held out his hand. She took it, not a word passing between them and he led her over to the dance floor where the restaurant band was playing a slow, sad melody. He pulled her into his arms for what he knew would be their first and last dance.