Really guys? No reviews? Not one? I know at least a handful of people have looked at this. Please leave a comment. Even if it's just to say you don't like it. I am only vaguely aware of where this story will go and I am totally open to ideas, and requests. I love getting input and I am hoping to continue to post fairly frequently. Please let me know what you are thinking! Please!

Hermione gently petted the owl who had just delivered a letter from Harry. The big black owl, named after Harry's Godfather was a calm and mellow creature. It was sleek and unruffled, unlike his name sake. The owl stayed as Hermione read. It was clearly waiting for a reply.

Hermione,

I talked to Ron about coming this week to our lunch. He said he would probably come. I think he's a bit nervous but I told him it would be just like old times. I hope this letter finds you well. I was a bit concerned about you the last time we met. Let me know where you'd like to meet. Get some rest and let me know if you need anything.

Look forward to seeing you! -Harry

Hermione smiled at Harry's concern for her. She quickly grabbed a paper and quill and scribbled a hasty reply. She reassured him that her health was much improved and informed him of the sandwich place in Diagon Alley that she wanted to have lunch in a few days. As Hermione tied the note to Sirius' leg and watched the owl fly away, she set to thinking. It was not the first time that her thoughts had gone back to their last picnic and the odd circumstances of her illness. It was almost too much of a coincidence that she would suddenly feel better when in Harry's presence. It didn't make sense. She had gone over and over the last two meetings in her head. At first she thought it had something to do with Harry's proximity. The first meeting she had felt relief after Harry had grabbed her hand. The second meeting Harry had hugged her but it had not produced any relief. It had not been until his hands had touched her head that she had felt the sudden departure of pain. Was there something about touching skin to skin that somehow took away the hurt? How could that be? And what was this pain that seemed to come on so suddenly? Was it going to come back? It was three days until her lunch with the boys. She supposed she would just have to wait and see what happened. In the mean time she would do some research. That was always what she did when she was not sure the answer to difficult questions. Hermione considered telling Harry the truth about her illness, or what little she could understand of it. But she knew he had enough going on and since she was still not sure what it was that was ailing her or the cause of it, she didn't want to worry him. Not to mention that the fact that his touch seemed to be a kind of remedy for her. That fact alone seemed a bit farfetched and ridiculous. No, she needed some answers before she told anyone.

Harry sat under a tree at the Burrow with Ginny beside him. He had just tried to bring up the status of their relationship. As expected he was met with avoidance and resistance. "Harry, why do you keep grilling me about this? We are fine. I don't understand why you continually want to dissect our relationship. Honestly, if you were unhappy I'd notice."

Harry sighed, "Ginny, I don't want to fight. Please, just listen."

Ginny quickly jumped in, "I have been listening Harry, and nothing you have said has made any sense. Of course I care about you! Don't I always stand by your side at every event, and every interview? I'm being as supportive as I can."

"Yes, you have been there for me this whole time. You are right. You always come to everything with me and hang beautifully on my arm and know all the right things to say. I thank you for that. It has been some comfort to me to have you on my side." Harry conceded.

Ginny looked at him. She could tell there was more he wanted to say, she was just afraid to hear it. She swallowed and said, "I sense a 'but' coming."

Harry grabbed her hand and taking a deep breath said, "I care about you Ginny. I always will. But this isn't working the way it should. You've been there for me at all these events, but half of them I would never have gone to if not for you pressuring me into them. Even, when I tried to tell you I didn't want to go. When I tried to explain I just needed to get away, you were always quick to make reasons for me to go." He saw Ginny shake her head and blanch at his honestly. Before she could interrupt he held up his hand and said, "No, it's alright. I'm not upset with you. I know you just wanted what you thought was best for me. I know that. I am not unhappy with you Ginny…. I'm just not happy either. We know how to be together and how to make things look right but the reality is we are both sort of putting on a show. We fight too much Gin. You know it. We don't see the world the same way. You have marvelous ambitions and huge opportunities to go after. You want a full and colorful life. I love that about you. But after all I've been through, I just want a quiet life. I don't really want too much more adventure or spot lights or social standing. I just want normal. I've only every wanted normal. Ginny, normal is not you. Am I right?" He looked into her face and saw her eyes moist with unshed tears. He hated seeing her upset but felt a weight leave him as he had shared his thoughts with her.

Ginny looked at Harry and saw as if for the first time how tired he was. His words had stung and yet for the first time in months they seemed to penetrate her brain. She knew deep down he was right. Right about her hiding behind the social events and benefits to bring purpose to their relationship. Right about her not truly listening to his needs. Right about them. Right about her. She did want a lot from life. She had big dreams. As if for the first time she realized that Harry may not be joining her in those dreams. She took a deep breath and tore her gaze from his eyes. She looked at his hand holding hers. With a shaky voice she said, "You're right. I don't want normal. I see my mom with all these kids and tied down to a house full of chores and cooking and cleaning. I don't want that. Not yet at least. I want to travel and play Quidditch and break free a bit. I just….I thought this was going to work. I was so sure. Everyone kept telling me it was right. I could easily be the beauty on your arm, the graceful witch that supported the hero."

Harry smiled at her, "You do it quite wonderfully too."

Ginny gave him a sad smile, "It's not what you want though is it? It's not what you need." There was silence between them for a moment. Harry's silence confirmed her statement. She continued, "I'm sorry Harry. I'm so sorry. I think I've known for a while that this wasn't what we both had envisioned it being. I was just scared. Scared of disappointing everyone. Scared of admitting feat. Scared of losing you."

Harry put his arm around her and squeezed her tightly. "You'll never lose me Ginny. I care about you. I always will. But I think your true prince charming is still out there somewhere for you to find."

Ginny couldn't hold back the silent tears that ran down her cheeks, "I'm not sure I'm ready for this to end Harry, but I know it should. I should have been braver. I should have listened to you more. I'm sorry."

It pricked Harry apart to see her cry. He gave her another squeeze and said quietly, "It's alright Ginny. We both made mistakes. You're listening now and you're one of the bravest and most fiery witches I know."

Ginny pulled away from him so she could see his face and said through her tears, "Thank you Harry."

Harry stood up and reached for her hand to help pull her up. "I know we need time apart. But I hope this won't be the last time we talk. I am best friends with your brother, assuming he still likes me after this." Harry said with a little smile. Growing serious again he said, "I'll give you space. When and if you are ready to be friends again just send an owl Ginny. I wish you all the best. Please keep in touch." He kissed her hand and stepped back. Ginny couldn't get her voice to work. She simply nodded and gave him a sad smile. Then Harry apparated away. Ginny sunk back to the ground and let the sobs wrack her body. She knew it was going to be alright. She knew she would go on and have a wonderful life. She knew that Harry wasn't meant to be hers. She couldn't even muster any anger toward him. He had been a gentleman about everything. But in that moment, by herself, alone under a tree, she let the pain of losing him wash over her.

Harry was relieved that the discussion with Ginny had gone relatively smoothly. He had slept uncommonly well that night. This morning he felt a bit sad, knowing Ginny was probably still hurt and upset. Yet, he also felt a certain sense of freedom. Harry got out of the large bed in Sirius' old room and made his way to the bathroom. Despite all the work that he and the Order had done to the house, it still was too dark, dusty, and oppressive. He was looking forward to moving out of it. He would keep it just in case it was needed for some reason. But Harry had no desire to continue living in it. He had recently found out that the Potter line was quite well endowed, financially. When he came of age all the remaining family fortune and estates fell to him. Due to the war, he had not found out about any of this until a couple of months ago when things settled down. Harry had spent almost a week meeting with various goblins in Gringotts to set his vaults, investments, and property in order. It had all been a bit overwhelming. Harry wasn't even used to having new clothes, let alone an entire manor, a small beach house, and vaults full of family treasures. One of his goals was to move into his family's manor. He had visited it a couple months back and had found it to have been well kept by two house elves that were apparently his now. It was located on a beautiful bit of country side. It was removed from town and provided all the sunshine and views that Gimmauld Place sorely lacked. He had not told anyone about his inheritance. Harry was afraid it might change how they viewed him. He wasn't setting out to live a grand life. Just a comfortable one, that had privacy.

After a quick shower Harry apparted and arrived outside the Ministry building. He made his way down to the Auror training halls and went to the locker room. Today would start with a training session. Ron soon appeared around the corner and before Harry could greet him he was knocked in the face by a flying fist. Harry's head whipped around and the side of his face pulsed. He looked at Ron in surprise. Harry flexed his jaw to make sure it still worked. "Sorry mate. I did warn you. I had to punch you on principle." Ron shrugged and started to change.

Harry let out a breath and rubbed his face, "She told you."

"Not really, but she's been crying most of the night and this morning. So, I just figured you guys had broken it off." Ron replied.

"I'm sorry Ron. We tried. We both sort of came to the conclusion together. It wasn't easy for either one of us." Harry offered.

"I know. Ginny just needs time to process and adjust. She'll get over it soon enough. I'm sorry too. I had hoped to call you a brother in law one day." Ron confessed.

Harry smirked, "I guess I can understand your disappointment. Good punch by the way."

Ron laughed, "Had to do my brotherly duty, didn't I?"

"Of course. Does your mom know we broke up?" Harry had been incredibly nervous about how the Weasley matriarch was going to take the news that her daughter had been dumped by him. Even if it had been what was best for both of them, he was sure Mrs. Weasley wouldn't quite see it that way.

Ron let out a breath and gritted his teeth. "Sorry, mate. No way to keep it secret. She is not too happy about it. I tried to explain to her that it wasn't her choice and that it was probably for the best for everyone. I tried to reason with her about it. She sort of threw a hot rag at me and told me to stop defending you and start defending my sister. You know my mom. She's a hot head. She'll cool off and see reason. Until then, you might want to stay away." Ron finished with a slight chuckle.

Harry felt awful for causing so much turmoil in the Weasley home. They had only ever been nice to him and taken him in almost like a son. "I'm sorry Ron. I guess I screwed things up."

Ron slapped him on the back and teased, "Yeah, you're good at that. But seriously, you had to do what you had to do. I'd rather you break up with my sister now instead of ten years into marriage. Just because everyone expected it doesn't mean it was meant to be. I know first hand."

Harry shook his head, "Thanks Ron. It means a lot to know you don't hold it against me." They finished changing and headed for the training space for the day. "So, you're coming to lunch in two days right? I told Hermione you'd be there."

"Sure. I'll come. Hope she doesn't mind." Ron said.

"It will be great. I told her about Allison. She seemed happy for you." Harry said.

Ron turned a slight shade of pink, "You told her I was interest in another girl? Do you have a death wish? Geeze!"

Harry laughed, "Ron, it's fine. She is totally alright with it. She expects you to move on. It's not a bad thing. Trust me."

"If you say so, but if she ends up hexing me for some reason, I'm blaming you," Ron replied.

Their training had been about stealth. It had been a test of observation more than of fighting tactics. They had to report what information they had gathered and identify where the threat was and how to neutralize it without actually doing anything combative. Harry excelled at hiding in the shadows and moving without sound. After years of playing invisible in the Dursley home it came naturally. The timer on the wall showed they had ten minutes left to discover what they could before they had to report to their supervisor and get their performance reviews. Harry was crouched behind a small crate trying to decide where to move next. Just as he was preparing to roll into a different shadowed corner, the room was flooded with light. Over the loud speaker a voice called out to the room at large, "Harry Potter, you are needed immediately. Please exit the training session and go to the hallway." Harry stood up and found Ron across the room. He shrugged in response to Ron's questioning look. He had no idea what could be so important that he would be pulled from a training session. He felt nervous as he exited the room. In the hallway, one of the trainers came to him looking grave. "Mr. Potter, I'm afraid there is an urgent matter at Hogwarts that you are being requested to assist with."

Harry shook his head trying to see if he had heard right. "What matter? What is going on?"

The man said, "We aren't sure. We just received an emergency floo call from Headmistress McGonagall and she specifically requested that you come to Hogwarts as soon as possible. She didn't share details. She said it had something to do with a Ms. Granger."

"Hermione?" Harry suddenly felt his stomach drop. What had happened? A hundred different horrible scenarios flew through his mind. "Which floo should I use?" The man quickly directed him to the nearest office and Harry hastily climbed in. He wasn't sure what awaited him but he prayed his friend was alright.