It was almost time for Hermoine to get back to work, she stayed away from the muggle and wizarding world for the last 2 weeks. Ignored every call from Ginny, Harry, and her mom. She was on the verge of just moving to a deserted island, it would have been very convenient for her to do that, away from the world itself where nobody would ask her how she feels. She has not heard from Ron in over 2 weeks, it was very unusual since she spent her last 9 years around him almost every day. She remembered when they were at school and how excited she was every September 1st to finally see Ron waiting for her in platform 9 ¾. She missed talking to Harry like they used to. She missed Hermoine Granger.

"Hello Miss Granger, you are rather early today"- said Healer Linus as he walked into the farthest isolated room of St Mungos.

Hermoine jumped as she realized she is been day dreaming. She was still holding a book about extremely complicated potions she s been trying to read for the last 30 min.

" Err,, yeah I sort of wanted to make sure there was enough potions stocked before I leave.., since today is my last day."

"Oh is it already? We will all miss you. You have been a great help… I honestly don't think I had a better potion maker than you"…- said Healer Linus sounding very sorry.

"Thank you Healer Linus, I am just trying to help, It was great to keep myself busy these past couple of weeks"-

"Miss Granger, since I am not longer your boss as of today at 3 pm, I was wondering if … if well you would like to join me for a cup of coffee"- said Healer Linus nervously.

Hermoine could not processed what just happened. Specially Healer Linus who was always confident and extremely talented. He had never hesitated for anything before and now … is it really happening? Is Healer Linus asking her on a …. Date?

"Excuse me?"- asked Hermoine still shocked by the previous question.

" I am sorry, it must have sounded too forward I .. apologize I have been wanting to ask you for a long time now, but my ethics as a healer prohibits me to have a social relationship with an employee that reports to me"

"I .. I don't know what to say I…"

" Sorry I should have known you had a boyfriend " said healer Linus disappointedly

" I have a… Ron" – said Hermoine more to herself

"Excuse me?"

" I am sorry I mean .. no I don't have a boyfriend.. I have a.. nothing"- said Hermoine unsurely. She could almost hear her voice cracking. Is there anything more depressing than crying when someone asks you on a date?

"So is it settled then? Today after work?" said healer Linus enthusiastically

"Yes.."

She didn't know why she agreed, she thought that for possibly 7 minutes, she was under the imperious curse and agreed to go on a date with someone that wasn't Ron.

Healer Linus smiled happily and left the room. Hermoine took a good look at healer Linus before he left and thought that he was not bad looking and he is always been very pleasant to her.

Three o'clock was approaching way too fast. She was saying goodbye to some of the nurses she barely socialized with.

Ready?- asked healer Linus

Yes I guess.. so- flushed Hermoine furiously

They walked together without saying a word to the closest pub and he ordered two coffees.

"I think you are brilliant"- said Healer Linus unexpectedly

"Thanks healer Linus" – said Hermoine still blushing

"Please call me John"

"I am sorry I am usually not this weird… but is been some weird couple of weeks I don't feel myself and…" – she spoke completely for the first time trying to spit out what she is been holding for a long time.

"Sorry you are not feeling well… You can tell me anything you want"

" I am sorry heal..I mean John I had just broke up with my boyfriend and I am still grieving about it"

"O h I see.. is there any chance you two will be getting back together? -Asked healer Linus while sipping his coffee quietly.

" I don't know we have been together through so much…. I mean we fought a war together for Merlins sake"

"I know what you mean, those were really dark times" agreed Healer Linus "Did you know each other for a long time?"

"Yes we started Hogwarts together, Ron, Harry and I became best friends since first year in Hogwarts.

"Harry ,, who? Harry Potter?- asked John surprised.

"Yes he is my best friend"- added Hermoine

" Oh so when you said you fought a war, you literally fought the dark lord?"

"Yes they were horrible times"-

" Oh I see you three are the famous golden trio"- added excitedly " I cant believe I didn't recognized you before"

"Oh its ok I like it that way better, it was hard the first year after the war. It seemed like the 3 of us could not go anywhere without people wanting to thanks us, a bit overwhelming if you ask me"

" I bet.. so Hermoine Granger what do you do now?"

"I work for the department of magical creatures in the ministry of magic"

"That's very interesting…"

The conversation kept on going and Hermoine realized that she needed that… a friend she can talk to, a friend who would not feel pity about her break up with Ron.

Healer John walked Hermoine to her flat and decided to get together again next day. Hermoine really enjoyed his company. They talked about books and potions.

When she arrived at the ministry of magic, Harry was waiting for her at her desk.

"Hey there stranger I am looking for my good friend Hermoine Granger. Have you seen her? – asked Harry as she walked in

" No I have not seen her but I will look for her" said Hermoine smiling weakly

"Good I am starting to miss her"- said Harry while stretching his arms to Hermoine to hug her.

" Oh Harry I am sorry I have been …. busy"

"Its ok I understand… hey about Ron…" – said harry hesitantly

"Is he alive?"- asked Hermoine coolly

"Yes.."- "

"Then that's all I need to know about him" interrupted Hermoine- "Now Harry If you can excuse me I have lots of things to do"

"You know he has been taking on every mission there is just so he can keep himself occupied"

"Well good for him is about time he takes things seriously" responded Hermoine pretending to read a document she had read 3 times the day before.

"I am worried about him, he is taking missions that are way beyond our junior category, and I don't think he can handle it himself, you know Hermoine there are Voldemort supporters still out there…"

"Well he fought against Voldemort too, so he ll be ok" responded Hermoine biting her lower lip a clear sign that she was getting worried.

"You know we had each other back then Hermoine"- responded Harry getting frustrated

"We are all grown ups now you know, we make our decisions and take the consequences accordingly"

"Yeah all grown up and you two are still fighting like we were on 4th year" –Said Harry now irritated- " You two really irritate me!"- added Harry now storming out Hermoine's desk

Hermoine's mind stayed on the conversation with Harry throughout the day. She could not help but being extremely worried about Ron. She knew he had been on his own before, facing snatchers and what not, but even if she wanted to talk to him, she didn't know how reach him.

Hermoine accepted John's invitation to get coffee after work. She seemed absent …

"Hermoine are you ok? You seemed to be in another place?- asked John

"Yes, I am sorry I am just … worried about Ron… He is risking his life way out there and I don't even know where he is at…" said Hermoine for the first time putting his thoughts into real words

"I am sorry, I hope he is ok… "

"But anyways How was work? Asked Hermoine dodging the subject

"It was good but it wasn't the same without you…" –said john mildly blushing

" John, I need to be honest with you .. I enjoy our friendship very much, but don't expect things to go further than that.. I have loved Ron for 9 years and I don't think is going to change… I am sorry"- said Hermoine honestly

"I know… and thanks for being completely honest with me, but I am not giving up that easily"- said John grabbing Hermoine's hand.

Hermoine wished he believed her, she knew that there was no hope for John, her heart had always belonged to the idiot that made her cry almost every year and she now wished he would be with her holding her hand.

Weekend arrived soon enough, Ginny had finally been able to reach Hermoine and agreed to get together.

"Mum is worried about Ron you know"- said Ginny after 5 minutes of awkward silence.

"I am too" said Hermoine sadly "Where is he at now?"

"He is in some training by the mountains . Is just that there still giants hiding up north and we know they are not the sweetest kind of people." Said Ginny frowning.

"What is he playing at? trying to get himself killed?" Scolded Hermoine.

"Well he is just keeping himself busy" –added Ginny

"and in danger…" finish Hermoine.

"Are you ever going to talk to him?"- asked Ginny- "I know my I brother is an idiot but you love that git"

Hermoine chuckled, She didn't know what to do she was extremely tired of Ron and his unnecessary jealousy attacks.

Hermoine return to her flat. When she got home there was an owl waiting for her, he seemed tired and in need of much sleep.

She took the small parchment off his beak and took him to nursing him. She opened it to find Ron's writing.

Dear Hermoine,

I have been meaning to write to you sooner, but I have been isolated for training and is forbidden to keep outside communication. I know I have been a jerk and wouldn't expect you to forgive me. You know I hate writing letters but I wanted to let you know that I always think about you and that I decided to be part of a secret mission and will not return to England until mid July. I think this will give us the time that we need to sort us out. I just hope when I return that you still love me and want to take me back.

Don't write back as I won't be able to get your letters where I am going.

Always yours

Ron W.

Hermoine clutched the parchment and felt tears running along her cheeks. She didn't want to be apart from Ron any longer, but she was the one who decided that would probably be the best. She suddenly regretted that decision. She needed Ron more than she thought.