HARRY

DAY 1

The plane ride back is rough. Harry feels like he's been on the plane for days. All he can do is think about Mac and what just happened. Did he really do that? Was this the biggest mistake in his entire life? But then his mind went back to reason, the reason he did this all. He knew this is the best thing for him. He needs to finish school. He needs to come out. He needs to find who he wants to be, what he wants to do, and most importantly if he really wants to leave all of this behind for Mac. Is it worth it?

His plane lands late at night and the second he makes it past security he sees his best friends, Hermione and Ron, standing there smiling.

"Harry!" Hermione runs at him and hugs him, squeezing him way too tight.

"Hey." Ron is quiet as they hug, but still smiling. "It's good to see you."

"Ron. Grab his bag." Ron does what she says. "Let's go. I have the car waiting outside."

Harry can't stop smiling, happy to see his friends again, but something in him keeps pushing Mac back into his mind. They get into Ron's family car, Ron driving and Hermione in the passenger seat. Harry looks at the two of them, laughing as Hermione yells at Ron for going into the wrong lane.

"What's up?" Hermione looks back at Harry.

"Nothing… it's just good to be back."

"Okay… so I talked to McGonagall and she said that as long as you catch up, with my help of course, then you're welcome back."

"Great." Harry doesn't know whether he's happy about that or not, kind of hoping he wouldn't be allowed back so he would have to go back to California.

DAY 10

The last week has been one of the hardest Harry has ever been through, but it was also great. He was so busy catching up on everything he missed that he had not time to think about Mac. Hermione has him on a strict schedule every day that plans to catch him up within just a month.

"Harry. Harry!" Harry snaps out of his daze by Hermione.

"Yeah?"

"Are you done reading that chapter? We need to move on to the paper."

'Oh… yeah, just a page left."

"God Harry, keep it together." Hermione looks frantic but happy to be doing all of this.

"Hermione." Ron walks in with a plate of food. "Breathe. Both of you need a break. Eat something." Ron and Hermione kiss, making Harry smile, happy to see them happy.

"Fine… but only five minutes." Hermione takes a large bite out of a sandwich.

DAY 34

Finally caught up, everything has gone back to a more normal pace. Harry goes to classes, hangs with his friends, and goes to bed thinking about Mac. At the moment he's hanging out with Ron and Hermione in their room, playing some card game. Hermione looks over to Harry, seeing him fade out and look out the window.

"Hey Ron. do you think you could get me something to drink?" Ron just smiles, stands up and leaves. "Harry…"

"Yeah…" Harry turns to her.

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?" Harry scoots to face her.

"Well… months ago you left out of nowhere to go to the states. You never told us why and we never questioned you, you seemed happy. But then you came back different, sad. We all promised not to nudge or ask any questions, but I want you to know that you can tell me if you want. Whenever you want."

"Thanks." Ron then walks back in with drinks for everyone.

"What's going on?" Ron looks around at the serious mood change in the room.

DAY 50

Today has been a bad day for Harry. It's the day of the dance and everyone is happy and ready to go out with their dates, except Harry. Harry doesn't have anyone and doesn't want anyone. As everyone leaves for the dance, Harry stays in his bed, pretending to not feel well.

"You sure man?" Ron asks him for the tenth time.

"Yeah." He fakes a cough.

"Well, we won't be too late. Get some sleep."

They leave and Harry just takes out his wand. He waves it in the air.

"Episkey," Harry says as he points the wand at himself, but nothing happens. "Had to try again."

"Harry?" The door opens and Hermione walks in.

"I thought you guys left?"

"I told Ron I would meet him there. Something told me I needed to be here for you." They hug. "You don't have to say anything." They continue hugging for a minute.

"His name is Mac." They stop hugging, Hermione looking confused. "I met him while at home during break. We fell in love."

"Oh…" Hermione definitely didn't see this coming.

"We had a whirlwind romance." Harry begins telling Hermione everything.

"Harry." Hermione is tearful as Harry finishes his story.

She just grabs him and begins hugging him hard, Harry beginning to cry. They hear the doorknob of the room beginning to move.

"Colloportus!" Hermione shouts as she aims her wand at the door. "Come back later!" She shouts as tears come from her eyes.

"Hermione…" Harry smiles, knowing how much she cares.

"Wait till Ron finds out. He's going to freak." They both laugh.

"Let me tell him."

"Of course." They hug once more before wiping the tears from their faces.

"Now go have fun," Harry tells her.

"Fine. But I'll check back on you later."

"Good."

DAY 92

Ron took it easily. He didn't really seem to care. He told Harry that he knows things will end up the way they are meant to be and gave him a hug before blowing a huge burp.

"Graduation is just a week away man!" Ron is almost shouting at 7 am.

"Shut up!" Someone else in the room shouts at him.

"One week," Ron whispers into Harry's ear.

"I know." Harry smiles as he sits up and Ron sits down on his bed.

"What are you going to do?" Ron whispers. "Are you leaving? Going back to him?"

"I don't know. I was offered an good job at the ministry."

"Really! That's great!" Ron shouts before begin shushed by someone in the room. "It is… isn't it? That's what you've always wanted, right?"

"I guess…"

DAY 189

"Potter, can you come here for a moment?" Harry's boss called him in.

"Sure." He walks into his office.

"Sit." She pulls out a file. "You're doing an amazing job here. Since day one you seem to know what you're doing and work harder than any newly graduated student ever has. You spend almost your entire week working." He puts the file down. "But that's also the problem. You seem to only be working. As your boss, I love that, but as a person, I have to say that I am worried. You haven't bonded with anyone in the office. I even hear that you've gone out of your way to not talk to anyone in the office."

"I just…" Harry doesn't even know what to say.

DAY 256

Harry quit his job a few weeks after that day. Today he is visiting Hermione and Ron, he needs to talk to them. He is still amazed that they have their own place that they live together in. Their lives are moving forward, and he knows his isn't.

"What's going on Harry?" Ron sits down.

"It's time isn't it?" Hermione says before hugging Harry. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too. I don't know what my life will be like without you pushing to be better."

"What's going on?" Ron chimes in, confused.

"He's leaving." Hermione wraps her arm around Ron.

"What? But why?" Ron walks up to him, giving him a hug.

"Because I'm ready. I know what I want. I know who I am." They all hug once more before Harry walks out.