Hermione jumped up to get the tea and had just disappeared into the kitchen when Lionel entered. Harry quickly stood and turned to great him. After Lionel's initial shock at seeing this international wizard celebrity, he stiffly shook Harry's hand.

"Where's 'Mione?" he asked coldly.

Harry was a little taken aback at Lionel's usage of what he thought was Ron and his exclusive nickname for Hermione. "Er, she's in the kitchen, making tea."

Lionel hung up his coat and scarf and stalked into the next room to talk to his girlfriend. Harry wasn't sure whether he should follow or not, so he tiptoed across the living room slowly, hovering around the door.

"Hullo, honey. You met Harry already, I expect?" she said. He could hear a hint of something in her voice. Fear? His heart started to race.

"Yes, I did. You brought him back here?"

"Well, of course. I wasn't going to leave him at the dock. What did you expect me to do?"

"Stay in public. So if there was any funny stuff going on I could at least read it in the paper."

"Are you suggesting Harry and I are having an affair? He just got here! I haven't seen him for years!"

"Shut up. I don't care if you are cheating on me. You might as well be, the way you treat me."

Harry knew Hermione so well, he could almost hear her open her mouth to retaliate, yet she said nothing. Lionel stormed out of the kitchen as Harry jumped away from the door.

"Well, Lionel. Heading out?" he asked with an obvious air of hostility. Lionel ignored him, threw on his coat, and slammed the door.

Harry turned back to the kitchen and peeked in. A shaken Hermione was standing over the sink, obviously trying to compose herself. Harry was scared. And getting angry. He could feel the fury bubbling up inside him. 'Who could do this to 'Mione? I'll kill him.' But then Hermione straightened up and began placing cups, saucers, and the kettle on a tray. He hurried back to the couch and tried to look nonchalant as she brought in the tea.

"There we are," she said, placing the tray on the coffee table and beginning to pour Harry's tea. She looked like she had been crying.

"Hermione…" he said cautiously. Her head snapped up, but she quickly looked away. She had been crying. "Hermione," he repeated, more strongly. "How often does this happen?"

"Does what happen?"

"Hermione! Tell me! Does he treat you like this all the time?!"

"He treats me just fine, thank you. We're not going to do this the first night you're back."

"Well, we're going to have to do it… Fine. You're right. Not tonight."

Several beats paused as Hermione continued fixing her tea just the way she liked it and Harry stared stormily into his cup. He didn't want to get into this again, without even properly making up first. But this was Hermione, his best friend, the girl he'd grown up with. He could talk to her about anything. And he would do anything to protect her. He couldn't just sit idly by while she ruined her life.

But Harry also knew Hermione was stubborn and wasn't easily persuaded. Something he usually admired in her. The other characteristic that made a tactful approach difficult was her cleverness. She couldn't be tricked into giving anything away. It looked like the only way to go about this was a swift, direct attack. A hard-hitting one that took her breath away and made her want to talk about it. And he knew exactly what to say. If it backfired, the consequences would be devastating. But if it worked…

"Hermione," he said slowly. "I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" she asked quickly. Harry smirked. He also knew she was a curious witch. But then he remembered what he was going to say and his stomach turned. He took a gulp of tea. It was still too hot. "Yes? Harry, you can tell me anything."

He began to sweat. Why was he so nervous? She was his best friend. If anyone would understand, it would be her. But still…he began to think of lies to get out of this. Something to make up so he wouldn't have to say what he had planned.

Hermione scooted closer and took his hand. "Come now, Harry. It's me." She lifted his chin and looked into his eyes. "We've known each other too long to keep secrets." Harry nodded and set down his tea. He took a deep breath, turned to face her, and looked at her hard for a few moments.

"Hermione," he began again. "I want you to come to England with me. I love you. And I'll love you for the rest of my life. You can't deny you feel the same way. I know you inside and out, and I know you love me back. I know deep down, you know Lionel isn't right. The only reason you're with him is to make me realize how much I love you." She moved to dispute the last comment, but Harry shushed her. "OK, you may not have meant to, but it sure did. Not having you there to talk to, to bounce ideas off of, to have real conversations with, just to be with made me recognize just how much I needed you. Every time I realized you were thousands of miles away, with another man, made my stomach clench. So, what do you say, Hermione. Will you marry me?" He couldn't believe what he had just done. And neither could Hermione. She sat there opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish with frizzy hair for several minutes. Harry's smile disappeared and his heart sunk.

"I have to go…get the…" she stammered and walked to the kitchen. Harry gulped and chased after her.