Chapter Six:

Promise

"YOU WHAT?" Neville and Ron shouted.

It was the morning. Hermione had gone to St. Mungo's to work and Harry had to return to the Auror's office. Neville was just oddly amazed, but Ron looked livid. Harry sat at his desk, getting random phone calls, and talking to Ron and Neville. He had told them what happened the morning before, he had purposed to Hermione.

"I er- purposed to Hermione." He said, looking rather hurt.

"Have you gone metal Potter?" Ron asked. Ron often called Harry by his last name when he was mad, annoyed, or amazed. Harry was beginning to think it was a little bit of both, but figured he was mostly mad. He was judging by the color of his face.

"What's wrong with it?" Harry asked.

Harry knew that Ron and Hermione had once had a relationship, but that was before Ron had married Lavender. Ron's face had begun to change into a purplish complexion and anyone that noticed could describe him as a pinched blueberry. Harry gulped, because Ron looked like he would attack him.

"You've know her for four days!" Ron said with a low and mad voice projecting. "That's what's wrong!" Ron shouted.

"Ron, keep your voice down!" Neville piped up.

Harry gulped slightly, how was he going to back out of this one? Ron had caught hold that they have only been together for four days. Harry knew it seemed like more then that, and technically it was much longer then that. Four days seemed more like an entire lifetime to Harry.

"No." Harry said simply.

Ron and Neville looked at him with confusion. Harry didn't have an explanation, because most of his memory was gone. Just when he thought everything was over and he couldn't get out of this hole, he figured it out. She had been with him longer then four days, she had gone to…

"Hogwarts." Harry said awkwardly. "Hermione went to Hogwarts, several years and then now. I've known her basically my entire life." Harry said proudly.

"Yeah but – but-" Ron stuttered.

Harry knew what happened. He was guessing that Ron thought he had forgotten Hogwarts completely. He had out beat Ron, and he could rub it willingly into his face for eternity. He thought himself as stupid for how long it took his memory to show Hogwarts. He nearly slapped himself, but refrained from doing so.

"Ron, Harry is right." Neville said shyly. "And I think if they want to do this, then they should." Neville said more powerfully. "Congrats Harry."

"Thank you Neville." Harry said lightly with a smile and handed him a piece of chocolate.

Neville gave a light and easy nod. Ron looked even more livid then Harry believed to actually be possible. Harry rolled his chair back a little, afraid of Ron exploding, and sat down with a proud expression on his face. How was Ron going to get out of this one, Harry had proved that this wasn't too fast, so how was Ron going to stick up for his opinion when he couldn't?

"But – But-" he stuttered more.

"Come on." Harry said impatiently while he and Neville rolled their eyes.

"You haven't seen each other in over seven years, and now you decide to marry her… isn't this a little, you know, fast?" Ron asked.

"No, but something is telling me that you are jealous because she once had a relationship with you." Harry said in a low tone.

"I am happily married to Lav, thank you, and I take that as an insult. Who ever would marry Hermione is beyond me, a real bitch if you ask me." Ron said proudly and Harry stood.

His feet planted on the ground scarcely and evenly. His face became reddened and he felt himself steam. He was mad. He looked Ron in the eyes with hard and deeply loathing glare. Ron gulped precipitously and Harry just stood there, fuming and looking at him vehemently.

"What?" Ron asked. His lip trembled a little.

Ron felt a little scared. Harry could kill him right then and there, and he felt like he was going to. His lip quivered with a timorous beat. He could sense Harry's veins bubble in pure anger and felt the color in his face wash away almost instantly.

"Scared are you?" Harry asked in a threaten tone.

"No." Ron sad flatly and his face grew a little hot.

Harry walked stiffly and sharply around his desk to find himself face to face with Ron and steaming. Harry grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and yanked him up out of his seat. Ron was squirming to be released.

"NEVER INSULT HERMIONE AGAIN!" He said through gritted teeth and pushed Ron down.

Ron's face fell flat to the floor and his arm slammed against the side of the desk. Ron figured a bruise the size of a cantaloupe was probably forming on his arm, but he couldn't care less. He stood, eyeing Harry rigidly, and pushed at his shoulder.

"I can insult anyone if I want to." He said proudly. "And don't ever touch me again, EVER!" Ron said, fuming.

"I told you to not insult Hermione!" Harry said, speaking the truth strongly.

"Well she is a bitch. She's nothing, but a snot-nosed, lying, sluttish bitch she's always been…." He was going to finish his saying, but something stopped him.

SMACK! Harry's right fist had slammed hard and fiercely into Ron's left cheek bone. He shook his hand a little from the pain as Ron fell to the floor unconscious. Ron happened to fall into a plant and was now sitting against the wall with his lip bleeding. His arms were across the plant and Harry still looked livid.

"Harry," Neville said breathlessly. "What have you done?" He asked amazed.

"Nev, if he gives you any, ANY trouble, you come straight to me!" Harry said forcefully and breathed deeply. "UNDERSTAND?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Neville said in a scared tone.

Harry shook his hand harder. His fist was burning with pain from the move he just made on Ron. He needed to get out of here; people were beginning to stare at them. A nurse had come in to help Ron out, and didn't even bother to question Harry. Harry just walked out, rather quickly, and determined to not talk to anyone.

"Harry," A voice said from behind him, but he ignored it.

He walked on further, not bothering to wait for the elevator. He took the stairs, which always seemed quicker. He was getting frustrated as this voice followed him every where he went. He breathed deeper. It seemed like this voice was inside him, but it couldn't be. It was following him.

"HARRY!" The voice demanded.

"WHAT?" Harry turned sharply and gasped. He was standing in front of none other than Remus Lupin. Remus crossed his arms and Harry sighed. "What Remus?" He wondered annoyingly.

"Harry, what the hell went through your mind back there?" He wondered.

"Sorry Remus." Harry said untruthfully, but it sounded like the truth. "He just got me so mad." Harry said as anger started to fill him again.

"Harry, you need to control your temper!" Remus said in a warning tone. "You could loose your placement of Head of Aurors!" He spoke rapidly.

"I know Remus, I'm sorry." He said sadly. "I just got so angry, because he insulted my fiancé and I wanted to hit him so badly." Harry said desperately.

"Well you did a pretty good job." Remus said knowingly. "I think you might have put him in a coma." He said truthfully.

"Yeah." Harry said regretfully.

"What did he say about your fiancé?" Remus asked.

Harry told him everything. Every little detail and showed him his hand that now had a bruise across his knuckles. Remus looked at him in utter amazement. They both couldn't believe it, especially considering who Harry's fiancé was. Remus didn't know, and had to ask. The tense was high.

"I had no idea you were even getting married." Remus said. "To whom are you marrying?" He wondered.

"She's an old friend, actually." Harry said with a slight laugh. "Her name is-" he was cut off by Remus.

"Hermione." Remus said flatly. "Isn't it?" He asked.

Harry felt himself blush. Remus stood there smiling widely. Harry looked up, his face getting redder by the minute, and sighed. He looked up high, sighed and then slowly and gently nodded.

"Congratulations Harry!" Remus beamed.

"Thanks Remus." He smiled.

"Wait a second…" Remus said after thinking closely for a minute. "Wasn't Ron friends with Hermione, why would he say something so harsh to her?" Remus asked in disbelief.

"I guess there is something Hermione knows that I don't." Harry said with a sigh. "But I have been wondering the same thing. It's very, very strange Remus." Harry said lightly.

"Very strange indeed." Remus responded.

"I must get home Remus; it's going on one o'clock in the afternoon. I promised Hermione I would take her out for lunch." He said regretfully.

"It's alright Harry, just stay clear of Ron for a few days, alright?" Remus pleaded.

"But, he's in my section of the office because he's my partner." Harry said. "How can I get away from him if he is my partner?" He asked as if there was no solution.

"He'll be moved to Jackie's section for now." He said.

"Jackie… The mail girl?" He wondered. (AN: Jackie is not a real character, you can proceed your reading now. Thank you)

"Yes, she is in our office now. She is a back up." Remus said with a slight laugh in his voice.

"Alright, but who's my partner?" Harry asked in a rather interested tone.

"Longbottom." Remus said shortly.

Harry gulped. He liked Neville and all, but Neville was a sort of, well, a joke. He was always scared, and Harry had to face Voldemort. It was true that Neville helped defeat him once, but he didn't come in too handy. Harry sighed.

"But – But Remus… He's an underdog!" Harry protested.

"Harry, Harry, he's been in training. He's had personal training sessions, actually." Remus said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Person… Personal training?" Harry asked, fascinated.

"Yes. Moody and I have been training him. He's quite good, he might even be better then Ron." Remus said with a slight laugh.

"I doubt it, Ron is an excellent Auror." Harry said silently. "He's saved my life a couple of times, and I've saved his. We work together, and that's that." Harry said stubbornly.

"But Harry, many things are going to go-" Remus was cut off.

"POTTER!" A short and balding man stumped down the hall. He was angry and he was slightly scared.

Harry felt scared for basically the first time in his life. This man, who he loved so dearly, was going to attack him. Harry took a step back as Remus laid a hand gently on his shoulder. This man was coming right for him. His balding red hair seemed to be shedding piece by piece.

"Arthur, what's wrong?" Remus asked as he pulled Harry back, defending.

"HIM!" Arthur Weasley pointed shaking. "He practically killed my son!"

"I assure you that I did nothing of the sort!" Harry protested as he stepped in front of Remus.

"I thought you were his friend, and you betray him. You betray our entire family and you're probably sending Voldemort after us too!" Arthur said lividly.

"Arthur!" Remus said warningly. Arthur had indeed backed down.

"Sorry Remus, but it's true. He's probably deceiving you!" Arthur said as he bit his puffing lip.

Harry wanted to attack Arthur right there. How dare he say that about him, he was trying to kill Voldemort not help him. Harry just shook his head tightly and stepped right in front of Arthur.

"If you think your son is so perfect, then why would he insult my fiancé?" Harry said fervidly.

"Insult who?" Arthur asked as he began to back down.

"That's right. He insulted Hermione." Harry said strongly. Arthur looked like he was going to faint.

"No, that can't be… they're best friends." Arthur said in disbelief.

"I thought so too, but that was before he called her a bitch." Harry said rudely and pushed he way out of the hall way. "Wait." He turned around and eyed Remus. "Remember what I said about being partners." Harry said willfully and resumed walking right out of the room.

He needed to get out of there, if anything; he needed to be with Hermione. He would meet her at the park, but unfortunately that wouldn't be till another hour. He walked fast down the stairs and still fuming with anger and confusion.

He walked down the stairs, turning sharply around each corner that led to a new flight of stairs. He almost ran into four different people before jumping over four single stairs and ran forcefully out the door. He pushed the door too hard, falling over by tripping on the door frame. The smell of fresh concrete filled his nose.

His face had hit the pavement directly as he stood and wiped the dirt and dusty substance off his baggy black jeans and his dark blue tee shirt. He walked down the street a little, after he shoved his badge forcefully into the phone booth receiver, and sat on a bench outside of St. Mungo's. It was over forty minutes that he would be meeting Hermione, but he wanted to wait that long anyway.

He sat there, sitting sideways on the bench, as he pulled his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around his knees. His back was gently curved as he buried his face in his knees. He could feel the hotness of the sun hit his back, and it felt like it was burning to a crisp.

He just sat there, soaking in the power of the rays and sighed. He didn't know rather to cry, to be even angrier, to congratulate himself, or to worry. What would be Hermione's response to this? Would she say a simple thank you for sticking up for her, or give him a lecture on how to control his anger?

He wasn't exactly sure why he had harmed Ron. Ron was his best friend, but he had no right to say that stuff about Hermione. Hermione was the best person he'd ever met, and he practically said she was scum. Nothing right now could make him feel so sure about what he had done.

He felt like an iron set on level entitled 'high' was placed on his bare skin. The hotness was inevitable. He, though, didn't want to move. He wanted to sit and wait for something. He wanted to wait for Hermione, but something inside him told that he was waiting for his own death to occur.

Harry wanted to die that night, the night it rained, but miraculously he made it out alive with nothing, not even a scratch. He wanted to leave the world so badly, but then... who would Hermione turn to? He couldn't possibly leave her in this world a widow and alone for the rest of her life.

He wouldn't leave her here alone. He would be behind her every step of the way, every moment he would be beside her, and every night he would lie in bed with her in his arms and sleep a most relieving sleep. That would be to good life, the relaxing life, and the future.

"Harry?" A gently voice said silently as like a coo from a dove. Harry looked up.

"Sorry Hermione," he said sleepily. "I was just thinking." He said as he gave her a smooth and pleasurable kiss on the lips, after he stood.

"What about?" She asked sweetly, and he smiled back sweetly.

"Just something that happened today." Harry said with a guilty sigh.

"Harry, I heard what happened to Ron." She said breathlessly. He looked up quickly and stared lovingly at her.

"Hermione I'm sorry, I'll learn to control my temper... I swear." He said. "I didn't mean to hit Ron, what he said just made me so crazy." Harry said.

"Harry, please Love, can we talk during lunch?" She pleaded.

"Of course." He said sweetly.

They walked hand in hand, silently, down random ally ways till they eventually came to the road of Hogsmeade. They entered the town, and not many people were there today then there usually was. Harry shuffled his feet a little as he came to the entrance of The Three Broomsticks. Hermione sighed heavily.

"So many memories trace back to this place." Hermione said breathlessly.

"Yeah," Harry lied. He couldn't remember almost anything since that dreaded car accident he had, but he could remember some.

She took his hand again, laced her fingers with his, and sat at a table that was so far away from the bar that no body sat down there. It was probably the cleanest table there, but it was nothing but a single table in the corner. Hermione sat down, she didn't want anyone to over hear their conversation, and motioned Harry to sit down across from her.

Harry was upset and the moment was tense. Hermione will finally speak her mind and Harry figured she would probably defend for Ron. Harry looked up at Hermione who was staring desperately back, and he bit his lip. He figured he might as well get this over now, before it could get any worse.

"Hermione, how did you find out about Ron?" Harry asked sadly while he stared at an empty glass.

"Remus Lupin had sent me a note." She said sadly.

"I'm sorry Hermione, I really am. Next time I promise I'll keep my attitude in line, just please don't be mad!" He begged.

"Harry," She said with a little laugh. "Why would I be mad?"

Harry looked at her with confusion. He stared at her for a moment, how was this happening? Hermione isn't mad on the fact that he could have killed Ron. He blinked and Hermione just giggled slightly harder. Something told him that he was insane, or mentally challenged, either one, because she was looking at him like that.

"Why… why wouldn't you be?" He asked shakily. "I could have killed him." Harry protested.

"True, but that didn't happen. You stuck up for me, for me Harry." She said like she was going to cry, but she wouldn't.

"Why wouldn't I?" He said quickly. Where was she getting at?

"No one has ever done that for me." She said silently and sadly.

"Hermione, I love you with all my heart. I would never let anyone do anything or say anything to you. I swear." He said shortly on the last two words.

"Harry, you can't possibly think that forever." She said as she stared at the ring on her finger. The blue was shining madly.

"Yes I can, and I will." He said sweetly as he slouched in his chair a little.

"Can I help you?" A young voice said and Harry and Hermione both jumped. They gave her a dazed expression. "Can I help you?" She repeated and turned to Harry.

"Firewhiskey," He said emphatically.

"I'll take a Butterbeer, please." Hermione said sweetly to set an example.

When the young waitress had escaped her view, she turned to Harry and stared at him fervently. He was still slouched in his chair and staring at the waistband of his black pants. He sighed and looked up, blinking, and gulping.

"What?" Harry asked stupidly.

"You were very rude, you should have said please or something!" Hermione complained.

"I'm sorry." Harry sighed and Hermione's glare had backed down. "I just have so many things on my mind. I'm sorry Hermione." He said truthfully.

"Harry, I know." She sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." She said as she looked to her feet.

"Hermione, never be sorry." Harry said inspiringly. "You have no right to be sorry, so don't be." He said as he sat up straight and reached across the table and held her hand in his. "Promise?" He asked.

"Harry, I -" She was cut off.

"Promise Hermione… promise me you will never be sorry again, because you have no right to be. Promise me to never think yourself to be any less then you are. Promise me you will never change and you'll stay yourself. Please." Harry begged. "Promise me that our entire lives we will be one and not think less of each other. Promise?" He asked and looked to Hermione.

What was she to say to this? She couldn't promise to never be sorry, but she could promise for everything else. There would be some point in time that she would do something she regretted, but she couldn't apologize? No, she couldn't promise this if she couldn't keep it. She bit her lip and made her decision. Never, she was never going to …

"I promise."

Author's Note:

I actually like this chapter. I hope you enjoy it, you guys are awesome and your reviews mean the world to me! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Airalynn

To My Reviewers:

E.G. Potter – I like this story, but I don't exactly rule :P

Ramen – I think you were the first reviewer to notice, lol.

spawn32818 – I'm glad you love this story, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Anonymous – I know you're Ally, and thanks Al for the review!

infallallthingsaremadesplended – Thanks for adding me to your favorites, I wasn't expecting that. Lol.

T.C4H.P – You're info on it says "HGLB" I got the Lavender Brown part, but isn't it supposed to be HP not HG for Harry?

bigronweasleyfan – I hope you don't hate me! Lol, it's all good. :P

lamya – don't worry, I didn't think you were slow –wink wink-

ggffi – I explained why Hermione hated Ginny.

Oceana-14 – I hope you like this story, but no Harry isn't dead. It's not far enough into the story! Lol.

PrincessLuckyCML – You cried? I didn't expect that! Lol.

Flair Verona – Yup, it's too early. But this isn't going to be plots by Voldy, lol, don't worry. –wink wink-

These were all the reviewers of my chapter three – five. I'm sorry to all of you, but I forgot to put you in my AN's. I hope you forgive me. –huggles everyone-

UPDATED – (SATURDAY) MAY 15, 2005