Chapter 8
*You give me something to sleep to*
So the days and weeks and months went on until an inevitable day shortly before graduation. Ron and Hermione hadn't spent as much time together, but heir love for each other had continued to grow, fostered by a deep desire to be in each other's arms again.
Two days before graduation, Hermione approached Ron.
"We need to talk," she said.
*And all I know is*
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"I've received an offer," Hermione began slowly, "For an apprenticeship. Studying under Lattantio, Meister von Transfiguration."
"And?" asked Ron. He'd heard of Meister Lattantio. He was the most proficient Transfiguration Master in Europe. This was an incredible opportunity.
"It's in Berlin," said Hermione, looking at her feet. Ron sighed. He'd wondered if this day would come. If she left, he might not see her again. But if she stayed, she'd never have a chance to follow her dreams. Or at least not as good a chance. He took a deep breath.
"I think you should go," said Ron.
"What?" Hermione breathed in disbelief.
"Listen," said Ron, "I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my entire life. But I want you to follow your dreams. I don't know to hold you back."
"You never hold me back," said Hermione, tears brimming in her eyes. Was he saying goodbye?
"Isn't this what you want? Isn't this what you've dreamed of?"
"Yes," Hermione sniffed. "But my dreams are much sweeter when you're in them."
"Look," said Ron, running his hand through his red hair, "I'm not saying this is the end. I still want to be a part of your life, and I want you to be a part of mine. But, Hermione, let's face it. Our ambitions are taking us differing places. I want to be an Auror, you wasn't to be a Transfiguration Mistress. It's time to let go."
Hermione lost the battle with her tears and threw her arms around Ron's neck. "I love you, Ron Weasley," she said into his neck.
Ron embraced her in return and whispered into her ear, "I love you, Hermione Granger."
Hermione pulled away and kissed him. "I'll come back for you."
"I'll be waiting."
And with that, they each walked away, leaving part of their souls behind them.
* * *
"You all right, mate?" Harry asked. It was just after graduation and Ron was looked despondent.
"Hermione's going to Berlin today," said Ron. He knew Harry would understand; he was leaving Ginny at Hogwarts while he went to Auror training.
"I know," said Harry sitting down next to his friends. "But she'll be back."
"No, she won't," said Ron. "She's smart and beautiful. I know she'll meet someone over there and he'll be handsome and rich and smart. He'll be able to offer her more than I have."
Harry sighed. "You underestimate her, Ron," he said. "She loves you. Nothing will change that. Anyone could see it. Everyone can."
Ron still shook his head.
"Look," said Harry, reaching into his pocket. "I'll bet you 12 Sickles and some pocket lint that she comes back for you."
Ron looked at Harry and gave him a half smile. "You're on," he said. "Now let's see if we can get some graduation cake, I'm starved."
*You give me something to dream to when*
Ron didn't go to see Hermione off. He knew he'd told her to go, but he didn't think he could handle actually seeing her leave. He'd told her good- bye in the castle, before going back to the Burrow. Now he would have to learn to survive without her.
*I'm all alone and blue*
A/N: Well, what do you think? Like the twist? Please review; it's what I live for! I promise to have the next chapter up soon. Only a couple more!
*You give me something to sleep to*
So the days and weeks and months went on until an inevitable day shortly before graduation. Ron and Hermione hadn't spent as much time together, but heir love for each other had continued to grow, fostered by a deep desire to be in each other's arms again.
Two days before graduation, Hermione approached Ron.
"We need to talk," she said.
*And all I know is*
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"I've received an offer," Hermione began slowly, "For an apprenticeship. Studying under Lattantio, Meister von Transfiguration."
"And?" asked Ron. He'd heard of Meister Lattantio. He was the most proficient Transfiguration Master in Europe. This was an incredible opportunity.
"It's in Berlin," said Hermione, looking at her feet. Ron sighed. He'd wondered if this day would come. If she left, he might not see her again. But if she stayed, she'd never have a chance to follow her dreams. Or at least not as good a chance. He took a deep breath.
"I think you should go," said Ron.
"What?" Hermione breathed in disbelief.
"Listen," said Ron, "I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my entire life. But I want you to follow your dreams. I don't know to hold you back."
"You never hold me back," said Hermione, tears brimming in her eyes. Was he saying goodbye?
"Isn't this what you want? Isn't this what you've dreamed of?"
"Yes," Hermione sniffed. "But my dreams are much sweeter when you're in them."
"Look," said Ron, running his hand through his red hair, "I'm not saying this is the end. I still want to be a part of your life, and I want you to be a part of mine. But, Hermione, let's face it. Our ambitions are taking us differing places. I want to be an Auror, you wasn't to be a Transfiguration Mistress. It's time to let go."
Hermione lost the battle with her tears and threw her arms around Ron's neck. "I love you, Ron Weasley," she said into his neck.
Ron embraced her in return and whispered into her ear, "I love you, Hermione Granger."
Hermione pulled away and kissed him. "I'll come back for you."
"I'll be waiting."
And with that, they each walked away, leaving part of their souls behind them.
* * *
"You all right, mate?" Harry asked. It was just after graduation and Ron was looked despondent.
"Hermione's going to Berlin today," said Ron. He knew Harry would understand; he was leaving Ginny at Hogwarts while he went to Auror training.
"I know," said Harry sitting down next to his friends. "But she'll be back."
"No, she won't," said Ron. "She's smart and beautiful. I know she'll meet someone over there and he'll be handsome and rich and smart. He'll be able to offer her more than I have."
Harry sighed. "You underestimate her, Ron," he said. "She loves you. Nothing will change that. Anyone could see it. Everyone can."
Ron still shook his head.
"Look," said Harry, reaching into his pocket. "I'll bet you 12 Sickles and some pocket lint that she comes back for you."
Ron looked at Harry and gave him a half smile. "You're on," he said. "Now let's see if we can get some graduation cake, I'm starved."
*You give me something to dream to when*
Ron didn't go to see Hermione off. He knew he'd told her to go, but he didn't think he could handle actually seeing her leave. He'd told her good- bye in the castle, before going back to the Burrow. Now he would have to learn to survive without her.
*I'm all alone and blue*
A/N: Well, what do you think? Like the twist? Please review; it's what I live for! I promise to have the next chapter up soon. Only a couple more!