Hermione had come up with the perfect excuse!
"…And, as you know, it's the last quarter of the year. Work is getting busy. I should stay there so I can study all the time. I think I should stay until next summer," Hermione concluded.
"But why so long?" Harry asked.
"Because it would be pointless for me to move in for three and a half months, then move out. I should at least get all my stuff over for at least a year so it's not, like, a waste of time.
"Plus," Hermione added, "I can get started on my master's degree. Maybe I'll stay longer for that—"
"Don't!" Harry interrupted. Hermione had to giggle there. He was so cute!
"Harry, I know this is hard on you. It's tough for me, too. But it's the right thing to do," she said, adding to herself, "It's really the only thing to do."
Hermione went off to college in a plane the next day, carrying most of her belongings with her. Ron met her at the airport in America and helped her carry her things (well, after a lot of heavy snogging and embracing).
"Welcome to life in America," said Ron, grinning. Hermione was a little dizzy from the plane ride, though, so she answered by throwing up in the nearest rubbish bin.
Though it was only April, the car ride was extremely hot. Hermione and Ron couldn't apparate for three reasons:
1) There were too many Muggles around.
2) They had all Hermione's luggage
3) Hermione didn't want to hurt her baby, and she was afraid Apparating might do damage to its growth or brains or something.
Now that Hermione was in America, she would need someone to stay with her. Ron, of course, volunteered for that. Hermione was to be staying in a "single" dorm. She would keep her stuff there and study there, but sleep in Ron's apartment. Ron would support her financially where Harry wasn't; he would pay for her meals and cook her dinner. Harry had provided 10 Galleons and also 50 American dollars, but Hermione soon found she couldn't live on that. She would buy bigger clothes with that money instead…and boy would she need that money!
Hermione was growing bigger each day. Witches and most other magical beings are only pregnant for 5 months.
Days passed, and soon a month was gone. It was June 1st, time for Hermione's graduation! Of course Harry couldn't come, and she made sure he wouldn't by casting a forgetfulness spell on him. Now he wouldn't remember she was even graduating!
Ron came, though. He clapped the hardest, hoping it would make up for Hermione's fiancée being gone.
Hermione got started on her master's degree. Each day her stomach got bigger.
All through June and July, Hermione took online classes, studying as hard as possible. She read up psychology, hoping to find out what was wrong with her. Why was she falling in love with the wrong guy?
One day in late July, it dawned upon her, finally. She had never loved Harry! She hadn't really known what love was…or at least, she had forgotten. She and Ron had had run-ins before his visit to Harry and Hermione's house. The night during the summer before 7th year…then that night Harry destroyed the remaining Horcrux (they had been drunk that night, from celebrating…but Mrs. Weasley was in the hospital, so she didn't know!). The visit Ron made was not the first time he and Hermione…well, you know. Hermione had loved him before. She just forgot that fateful day when she found him snogging Luna Lovegood behind the broom cupboard at school. She exclaimed that she never wanted to see him again. She ran away from love, and forgot what it was to be loved. That's why she went to Harry when he was available.
Of course, it would break Harry's heart to break up with him. But he was her best friend! Not her true love! What could she do?
Nothing, it turned out.
One day, Hermione picked up the telephone. Harry had insisted on installing a phone so that they could call each other. She dialed Harry's number. She heard someone pick up the phone.
"Hello?" said a gravelly voice. Oops, Harry must have just woken up! He often took afternoon naps.
Hermione gasped. She wasn't ready for this. She couldn't break his heart; not now!
Doing her best to imitate a raspy voice, she said, "Oh, sorry, wrong number."
"Hermione?" asked Harry grumpily, recognizing Hermione's voice regardless. "What time is it over there?"
"8:00 am. But don't worry; I woke up early to study."
"Well, then why did you call?"
"Oh, it's nothing…"
"Hermione, with you, it's always something," Harry joked, being serious all the same.
"Oh," said Hermione, ad-libbing. "I just wanted to say I love you, that's all!" She exchanged a few words with Harry then hung up. She spat. "I do not love him, I do not love him, I don't, I don't!" she exclaimed. Ron came in.
"You don't love who, now?" he asked playfully.
"Harry," said Hermione back. "Of course." She kissed him hard. "Now, if you don't mind, I got to get back to studying. Big test tomorrow…"
"Okay. I understand. Love you," said Ron, hopefully.
"Love you, too," replied Hermione, really meaning it this time.