Hi everyone back with the next chapter, hope you like it.

Sirius xoxo

As usual not J. K. Rowling she is too wonderful for little ol' me....

Previously...

"How dare you, you bastard. You owe Ron an apology." Harry looked around and saw Charlie, Bill and Ron staring at him and he apparated out. Hermione didn't realise she was holding her breathe until he left and she let out a deep sigh.

"I am so sorry guys.."

Chapter 4

"Mione it's not your fault, don't worry about him. He will figure it out sooner or later." Charlie had walked over to give her a hug and Bill followed. Ron sat down heavily on the lounge and Hermione walked over and sat next to him.

"Great way to end the night hey?" Hermione laid her head on Ron's shoulder.

"Mione please don't worry about him, he will come to his senses and realise what a git he is being." Ron leant on her head and the two of them sat there for a few minutes. All of a sudden Bill started laughing and then Charlie joined in and finally the laughs became too contagious and Ron and Hermione were laughing too. This continued on for a few minutes and then Caroline arrived home.

"Hey, what's so funny you guys?" Caroline looked exhausted and Ron got up to greet his girlfriend. He gave her a kiss and she could smell the fire whiskey. She pushed him away and laughed at his reaction. Ron asked her to stay down stairs with them and have a drink.

"Sorry buddy, I am going to bed, it's too late for me, you know some of us do have to work."

Hermione agreed and stood up to get her cloak but Ron stopped her.

"Mione, you're not going anywhere tonight, especially with Harry pissed at you. Mum made up Ginny's bed for you, so you can go straight up there if you want to?" Hermione nodded and kissed everyone good night. Caroline walked her upstairs and gave her a pair of pyjamas and waited while she had a shower. They walked into her room together and Caroline tucked her in bed. She sat down on the edge and Hermione thanked her for being so nice.

"Hermione, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah sure Caroline." Caroline stalled for a moment and then looked as if she didn't have the courage to say what she wanted and was going to pull out.

"Caroline?" Hermione sat up in her bed and pulled the covers up to her neck. Caroline took a deep breathe and forged on.

"Hermione, please don't get upset, and I will honestly believe you whatever you tell me and I promise...."

"Caroline what is it?"

"Are you still in love with Ron?" Hermione thought of many things she may have asked but this was certainly not one of them. She almost laughed out loud but seeing the serious, almost scared look on Caroline's face, she controlled her outburst.

"Caroline, I can honestly tell you without a doubt, that I do Not love Ronald Weasley."

"I heard that Mione, you're gonna pay for that.." Ron yelled out from the hallway. He was walking back from the bathroom and caught the tail end of the conversation and had no idea how serious his girlfriends face was.

"Yeah have your best shot Weasley." Hermione yelled out to him but then refocused on her friend in front of her.

"Caroline, I am serious, I do not have any romantic feelings for Ron, why would you ask?"

The girls talked for about an hour, with Caroline telling her of her insecurities and her doubts about how Ron felt. Hermione gave in and told Caroline about her feelings for Harry and then told her what happened that afternoon. Hermione thought it was best to tell Caroline everything since she already had some feelings of insecurity where Hermione was concerned, and if Harry said something in front of her, it would make matters worse.

Caroline's eyes were getting heavier as were Hermione's so the two girls gave each other a hug, both feeling better that they would sleep with a few less things weighing them down. Caroline was convinced that Hermione had no feelings for Ron and was quite happy that she had been correct where Harry was concerned. It was funny that Hermione nor Harry could see what everyone else could see so clearly.

Hermione snuggled down into Ginny's bed and the smells of the room came flooding back to her. The memories were from a time when life was so uncomplicated and carefree. Yes, they had a psychotic killer after them but feelings and emotions did not come into play.

Hermione dozed off and the last thought she had was of Harry screaming at her. Her sleep was restless and she tossed and turned. She woke with a start and looked at the end of her bed, she was sure she could see Harry standing by the window, watching her. She sat up and reached for her wand but when she turned back he was gone. She rubbed her eyes and laid back down in bed, she was obviously shaken from the nightmare she had just had. She tried to go back to sleep and this time she had a much better sleep. As she dozed off she was sure she felt a pair of lips lightly kiss her forehead.

****************

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Hermione was really busy at work as the merge with Brian's company had gone ahead and her workload seemed to triple. She was still living with Harry, but she was so busy, most days she just came home to sleep and then went back to work. Harry and Deanna were getting on really well and it got to the stage where you wouldn't see one without the other. It seemed it was only a matter of time when they would announce their engagement. Harry and Hermione's breakfasts together had slowly dwindled away to nothing and the dinner at friends homes was becoming quite rare for her to attend. Harry always took Deanna anyway and Hermione felt like the third wheel, so the excuse of work was a good one. Caroline always knew but she also didn't say anything.

Hermione arrived at work to find Brian Nettle waiting for her in her office.

"Oh good morning Brian, sorry I didn't realise we had an appointment, I would have been here earlier." Hermione took off her cloak and hung it up and walked around to her desk.

"No need to apologise Hermione, I actually don't have an appointment. I wanted to come by and talk to you about my offer." Hermione sat down and knew that she couldn't put off this chat any longer.

"OK, yes, we do need to talk about that don't we?" Hermione laughed nervously.

"Hermione, please don't feel pressured, it's just that this is a great company to work for and we want the best person for the job and that person is you Miss Granger."

"Thank you Brian, you're very kind and I must admit I have given your offer a considerable amount of thought and I have made a decision." There was a knock on her door and Jenny came in with coffees and breakfast for Brian and Hermione.

"Thank you Jenny, so Hermione what is your decision?"

"I have decided to accept your offer but we need to talk about the finer details." Brian was ecstatic and stood up to hug Hermione.

They talked about the finer details of her job for the next two hours and once everything was settled, a starting date was set for one month's time. Hermione was excited but nervous at the same time.

She knew she had to break the news to everyone and that was difficult.

Hermione decided that since she still had a month she would put it off till it was her and Harry's turn to host dinner which was in three weeks. She would invite her parents over for moral support, even though she would tell them before the night. She decided that she would worry about that when the time came.

Which of course it did, before she knew it.

Hermione had told her parents the week earlier and even though there were tears, they were very happy and proud of her. This job was the once in a lifetime chance that doesn't always come by.

Hermione had started cooking her dinner and even though her and Harry were on talking terms and the events of that night at The Burrow were buried deep in their memories, things were still slightly strained.

Harry walked into the kitchen and walked up behind Hermione to look over her shoulder to see what she was cooking. She was so deeply engrossed in her thoughts about how she was going to break the news, she didn't hear him approach. He stood behind her but didn't touch her body. Harry leant over and whispered in her ear,

"What smells so good?" Hermione jumped out of her skin and flew back into Harry's body. His immediate response was to grab hold of her and steady her body. It was the first time he had held her in months and he realised how much he missed her touch. He breathed in her hair and her unique scent.

"Harry, you scared me half to death." Hermione leant away from him even though every fibre in her body begged that she would stay where she was. She hadn't realised how much she craved his touch until now and it probably made it harder to do what she was going to do tonight.

Harry wasn't going to let her get away from him so easily and he moved to the side to trap her between the bench corner and his body. He stepped in closer to her and this time he pressed into her. She could feel his body against hers and she closed her eyes to try and regain her composure. The heat was rising quickly between them and Hermione's cheeks were flushed but she didn't dare speak because she knew her voice would betray her. Harry put his hands on her waist and gently turned her around to face him. He didn't give her any more space, he kept her tightly wedged into his body.

He put his fingers under her chin to make her look into his eyes and she begged to everyone she could think of that she wouldn't start to cry.

"Mione, I feel like we can't talk anymore?" Hermione couldn't speak so she just shook her head. She hadn't been this close to him for so long and she was enjoying it and hating it all at the same time.

"Mione, talk to me please, tell me what you're feeling, I need to know how you feel, right now?" Hermione tried to look away from his intense stare but her eyes were glued to his.

"I can't Harry.." Harry edged forward getting even closer to her body and then spoke to her again,

"Why Mione, tell me please, I need to know... please?" Harry was slowly edging closer to her mouth and she was mesmerised. She wanted him to kiss her, she wanted it so badly that she ached for it.

Knock, Knock.

Harry pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. He saw the disappointment in her eyes that was clearly in his eyes too. He stepped back and let go of her body and turned around to walk away to answer the door.

Hermione let out the deep breath she was holding and closed her eyes while holding onto the bench to support her non functioning legs.

Next thing she knew, Harry's mouth was crashing onto hers. The kiss was quick and fierce and full of passion. He forced her mouth open and tasted her for the first time. She was stunned at first but quickly regained her composure and returned the kiss. She knew this wouldn't happen again so she wanted to savour it so she could replay it over and over in her mind. His hands came up and buried themselves in her hair and he held her tight. The kiss was fast and furious and before she knew it or even wanted it, he pulled away.

The person at the door continued to knock and Harry walked away from her. The moment was quite memorable as she realised that as Harry walked away from her at this moment, she would be walking away for a lot longer after tonight. She made a snap decision to leave earlier than next week. She didn't think she could stay in the house with Harry for another week, she would be constantly replaying that kiss every moment, and it would be better to do that alone rather than with the object of her deepest desires right in front of her.

Hermione heard Harry greet Caroline and Ron and she used her magic to finish off the dinner and then used a well placed spell to make her face look unaffected by the recent event.

"Hey Mione, how's it going?" Ron walked in and stole some potato off the plate and she smacked his hand. He leant over and gave her a kiss hello and then Caroline walked in and she knew instantly that something was wrong.

Caroline told Ron to take a drink out to Harry and that left her alone with Hermione.

"OK spill my friend, what's happened?" Hermione kept cooking, pretending that nothing had happened.

"Nothing, why?"

"You're hiding something, I know you are?" Hermione put down her food and turned to look her friend in the eye.

"You're right Caroline, but I need to tell everyone at once, just please support me with this ok?"

Caroline realised she was serious and nodded her head. Hermione gave her some nibbles and they all went out to talk to the others.

Neville and Ginny arrived as Mr and Mrs Granger were driving into the driveway. Harry was surprised that Hermione had invited her parents, they normally had dinner with them alone but he didn't think of it again.

Hermione and Ginny went to set the table and when there was a knock on the door, Hermione bolted for it which made Harry suspicious. He could hear whispers and he wondered who could be there. He walked out into the hall to see the tall man that Hermione had lunch with ages ago standing in his hallway.

"Hello, I'm Harry Potter." Harry walked over to shake hands with the intruder.

"Brian Nettle, how are you?" Harry nodded and then showed him into the lounge room. As soon as Ron saw him, he stood and shook hands. Ron then introduced everyone to Brian and Harry was wondering how long Ron knew him and why did Ron know him.

Dinner was delicious but the tension was rife. Most people didn't notice but Ron, Mrs Granger and Caroline did. Harry and Hermione sat at opposite ends of the table and Harry spent most of dinner staring at her and wondering who her 'date' was. They didn't seem to be acting like couples but Harry was still jealous.

Hermione decided it was time.

"OK everyone, I have some news to tell you." Hermione was very nervous and Brian reached over to take her hand which of course got under Harry's skin instantly. All eyes were trained on Hermione and this new man and for some reason, Harry's stomach flipped.

"As you all know, this is Brian and his company is into research I have been offered a position in his company and ….. I accepted." There were cheers around the table and questions being thrown everywhere.

Neville asked the one question that Hermione hadn't wanted to broach just yet.

"Where is your position, Hermione?"

"It's in research still, but the actual job is Canada." Well didn't that open the proverbial can of worms. Everyone started throwing questions at her and she tried to answer them as each one came to her.

Harry sat in his chair and said nothing. Not a single word. He just stared at her from the other end of the table. With all the questions flying at her she managed to get all the information out except when she was leaving.

"So Mione, when do you actually go?" Ron asked between mouthfuls of food. Hermione looked at Harry and then lowered her eyes. His glare was intense and she realised this wasn't one of her brightest ideas. She knew this would hurt him and she was being very insensitive. But it was too late now.

"Tomorrow."

Silence. Dead silence.

All eyes were on Hermione and then some people turned to look at Harry.

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Harry voice was controlled but his anger was evident.

"umm, yes, I don't actually start work till mid week but I need to organise a place to stay in Canada and I want to settle in before I start work." Hermione answered but she wouldn't make eye contact with him.

"It's ok Hermione, you're welcome to stay at my place as long as you need." Brian answered. Hermione knew he was married with a little son, but no-one else knew this information, so it probably gave them the wrong idea.

"That's OK, Brian I don't want to put Mrs Nettle out and your little boy, he might not like having a stranger in the house. It's fine I will get a small flat." There was still silence around the table until Ron broke it.

"Well, I for one, am very proud of you Mione, I hoped you would take this position, you deserve it." Harry's eyes were trained on his 'former' best friend. Ron knew about this man, even though he is not in a relationship with Hermione, but he still knew and now we find out that he knew about the job offer as well.

"Darling, we are so very proud of you too." Mr and Mrs Granger stood and hugged their daughter. Ginny and Neville were next to congratulate her and then Caroline came up to her last.

"I am really happy for you Hermione."

"Thanks Caroline, it means a lot to me." Hermione smiled and then suggested they pack up the table and move into the lounge room to have some wine and dessert. Caroline offered to help and when Ginny jumped up, Caroline gave her a job to do in the lounge.

Once in the kitchen, Caroline started.

"Hermione what are doing mate?" Hermione used her wand to clear away the rest of the dishes and set them to wash themselves in the sink.

"Caroline this is a perfect opportunity for me..."

"Yeah perfect to run away you mean?" Caroline stood with her hand on her hip and when Hermione didn't answer her, she continued on.

"... Hermione, please understand I am really happy for you, but I think you're doing this for the wrong reasons. You can not run away from him forever." Hermione walked up closer to her so no-one else would hear.

"Caroline what am I supposed to do, he has been with his girlfriend for ages now and for all I know she is out looking for engagement rings. Do you honestly expect me to sit here and plaster a smile to my face while he is happily living his life, while mine is being destroyed by the minute."

Caroline didn't know what to say so she hugged her.

"Hermione, I am so sorry, I never realised it could be so hard..."

"Yeah try living with the man you love while he loves someone else... just great."

Hermione tried not to think about the kiss earlier, she knew it meant something to her but to him, she wasn't quite so sure. The only thing was, she couldn't explain it and it really belonged in the too hard basket and that's where it would stay.

Mrs Granger walked in to see if Hermione and Caroline needed help and found them in a hug.

"Is everything ok sweetheart?"

"Yes Mum, we are just saying our own goodbyes." Hermione smiled and went to get the desserts out.

"Oh dear, don't be silly, it's only two years Caroline, you watch how time will fly."

Harry was very quiet for the rest of the night and when everyone left he was still sitting in his lounge chair in the lounge room. Hermione had said the last goodbyes and did a last wand check for the dishes and then walked into the bathroom to have a hot shower.

The hot water was soothing but her mind could not be soothed. She knew she had to talk to Harry about the move, even just for the fact that he would be alone in the flat here. She felt the tears prickle at her eyes and then she finally let them escape.

She had a good cry, she needed it. She knew it was the right decision but it was still hard. She thought back over the years of the times she shared with Harry and there were more tears.

She dried herself and put on her favourite pyjamas, Harry's old Quidditch shirt and a pair of loose pants. She walked out to the lounge room and saw that Harry was gone. He must have gone to bed.

She walked down the hall to her room and stopped at her door, she looked at the next room and then went to knock on the door. She tapped lightly but heard no response. The door slipped open and she carefully stepped in. He wasn't there. Hermione decided to try and get some sleep.

Ok so what do you think?

Poor Hermione is so confused but she has a job to do.

As usual read and review if you like.

Sirius xoxo