a/n: omfg! i am so mad! okay this chapter consist of harry and hermione's first person POV and it switches back and forth. however, i can't seem to use the (if you cant see it, it's the star symbol; you know what i mean right?) and everything just mixes together and it looks really retarded! (cries) anyway, i'm upset and i just decided to put xxx instead of the stupid star symbol (pouts) i am very angry right now... dammit... nwy it works (thanks edz hehe)

02. Moved On

"Oi! Potter! Are you going to move that butt of yours, or am I going to have to drag you out of the room!" Uncle Vernon's usual morning greeting woke up me with a start. "I'm not going to be responsible for your tardiness if I don't drop you off in time at King's Cross!"

"I know that!" I muffled loudly through my pillow as Uncle Vernon began pounding on my bedroom door. "Stop it! I'm up already!"

The pounding stopped and I heard my uncle's heavy footsteps move away. I turned on my back and stared at the ceiling above. It's been a while since I dreamt about Hermione. It was just two months ago when we broke up. As sensitive as she was, I was sure she wouldn't be speaking me with for a while, but she still sent the usual birthday package she usual gives me every year: a birthday card and a present.

I sat up from my bed, moved over to my desk and picked up the card Hermione had sent over a month ago. Its contents (which by the way, are a lot shorter than her usual long ones) still make my stomach burn with guilt and every night before I go to bed, I regret having to end our relationship.

Dear Harry,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you're doing well and that your aunt and uncle aren't mistreating you very much. To tell you the truth, I wasn't really sure what to give you this year, but nevertheless, I bought you something that I'm sure you'll cherish forever.

By the way Harry, I just want you to know that I'm not angry with you about… you know. I knew it was going to happen anyway… I was just wasn't sure how to react when it does. Anyway, I hope to see you soon (you are coming to Bill and Fleur's wedding, right?) and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Thinking about you,

Hermione

It was hard not to read this letter and feel sick with my self. To make matters worst was Fleur and Bill's wedding. Thinking that Hermione and I were still together, Fleur kept on dragging the two of us over in the corner and asking us if we were planning on getting married yet. Responding to that question while trying to be polite and honest at the same time was difficult. But Hermione managed to save us (but honestly, I think she was only trying to save herself) by telling her we've split up. For a better reason.

"Potter!" Uncle Vernon was back. I stuffed Hermione's card back inside my drawer and opened my door, looking irritated.

"I already told you, I'm up," I muttered, trying to sound sleepy though I was wide awake. I crossed the hall, entered the bathroom and washed my face. There was no point in worrying now. It's over between me and Hermione.

"I've made up my mind," I said out loud, looking at my reflection in the mirror, "I'm not going to take my word back."

Not going to take my word back, huh? That's what I told Hermione when I said I loved her. I turned away from the mirror and sighed. Loved. Thing of the past. I tilted my head back. I am never going to be able to live this down.

xxx

Thinking about the past won't change anything, Hermione. I told myself. You understand Harry's motive for breaking up with you and you said you understand.

I sighed. I thought I understand.

"Hermione?" Mum called from the front seat of the car. "You feeling alright?"

"Just fine," I replied in an undertone. I looked out the window and saw King's Cross right ahead of the traffic.

I'm attending my seventh and final year at Hogwarts now. I have to forget about everything else and focus on my studies this year. I'm taking my NEWTs and if I don't take this seriously, I'm going to fail everything!

That's right. Forgetting everything means forgetting Harry too. He's just a friend now. A friend. Sometimes, repeating that to myself doesn't exactly make me feel any better.

"We're here," Dad said and pulled the car over. I opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight. It was already 10:45 and I only had fifteen minutes to catch the train. As my dad heaved my trunk and Crookshank's basket into a trolley, I looked around the parking lot to see if Harry had arrived yet, but no sign of him.

"Let's go, dear," Mum said, steering me towards the station. I had just walked through the double glass doors when I heard someone calling my name.

"Hermione! Hey, wait up!"

I turned around, but then my heart dropped in disappointment. Ron, along with Ginny and Mrs Weasley were approaching us. I had expected Harry, but what kind of guy would break up with his girlfriend and then be excited to see her the next school year any way?

"Hi, Ron," I smiled and gave him and Ginny both a hug. "I had an awesome time at the wedding last month." I turned around let myself fall into Mrs Weasley's tight embrace.

"That's good." Ron asked and whispered, "Stop lying, Hermione. You may say you enjoyed it, but your tone says so otherwise."

I glared at him, but he was right. I didn't have time to say something back, because our parents were ushering us towards platform nine and three quarters hastily.

"You haven't seen Harry, have you?" Ron asked as we casually walked through the enchanted barrier.

"No," I answered, looking behind me. "He's probably gone ahead already."

With five minutes to spare, my parents bid me goodbye and I clambered into the train after Ron and Ginny.

"Shall we go find Harry then?" Ginny asked as the Hogwarts Express began to move and we could see our parents waving at us from the platform.

"You two go on ahead," I said and when Ron gave me a suspicious glance, I added, "I gotta go to the washroom."

Ron continued to narrow his eyes at me. "Aw, come on, Ron." I said impatiently. "Don't be so distrusting. I'll catch up with you two later." I turned around and headed for the other direction. I had barely took two steps when I crashed into someone I didn't see and was thrown onto the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" an unfamiliar voice said. I looked up and gasped.

xxx

"There you are, Harry!"

I looked up to see Ginny and Ron at the compartment doorway. I grinned as they went in and sat down.

"What's up?" Ron asked, taking the seat beside him. I shrugged.

"Fi—" I began, but Ginny cut me off.

"Of course you're not," she said. "Listen, Harry. About Hermione—"

"Honestly," I interrupted, "you guys can stop worrying about me. I'm fine. Really. So stop acting like someone had died or something…"

"That's exactly it, Harry," Ron said, looking concerned. "Someone did die: you. Without Hermione, you're nothing, aren't you? You're dying inside, Harry. You've got to—"

"I don't have to do anything!" I protested. "I'm fine! And what's this crap about dying? You've no clue what the hell you're talking about!"

"You're one to talk!" Ginny snapped. "Here you are, sitting there saying you're fine. But you don't know what you're talking about either, don't you!"

I opened my mouth to retort, but stopped abruptly. She's right. "What about Hermione?" I asked. "Why don't you start worrying about her?"

"Oh, Hermione's fine," Ginny said, leaning back. "So she says. At least she's a better liar than you, Harry."

I looked out the window. I can't keep this up any longer. Hermione's just my friend now. And unless I can make them (especially her) believe it, Ron and Ginny were never going to leave me alone and showing me utmost sympathy.

It was time to move on. Something I should've done ages ago.