Chapter 15

"And then she just left." I recounted the story to Ron and Hermione the next day at my flat over dinner.

"Wow. So what are you going to do?" Ron asked.

"Nothing. We're completely done now."

"What's different this time?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know. I guess just that everything she said was true."

"Well I'm really sorry." Hermione said.

"Don't be." I summoned over a cup with a grin. "It's been so great doing stuff like that again."

Hermione looked at me strangely.

"Could we talk about something else?" I sighed.

"Well actually, there's something I wanted to tell you." Hermione perked up. "I'm going to America."

"What?"

"Well it will be a work trip. I'll be there for a few months helping a case study for hippogriff rights. It's a great opportunity."

"Thats great. Congratulations!" I gave her a hug, and saw over her shoulder the fierce grimace Ron had.

"Thank you." Hermione beamed. "It'll be interesting being in a new country, all by myself. Too bad Ron can't come." She frowned at him slightly. "But I shouldn't be gone more than three months."

She was actually gone for eight.

"Well it sounds fantastic. To Hermione's new opportunity." I raised my glass.

Ron raised his grudgingly.

"But are you sure you'll be alright with me gone?" Hermione asked, suddenly worried. "I mean you're going through a break up, and I leave in a week."

"I'll be fine Hermione, you're not my mother." I sighed.

"Right."

"Besides, I'm actually happy about this." I smiled. Hermione studied me skeptically, obviously not buying it.

But I acted enthusiastic all night. We shared a nice meal and enjoyed each other's company.

It was only once they were gone that I sat in the dead silence of my flat. Very much alone.

…

Hermione rushed around the room, muttering a checklist to herself, and levitating items either into her deceptively small suitcase, or various boxes littering her floor.

"Are you sure I can't help?" I asked, feeling useless just watching her pack for her trip.

"Yes, only I know where everything belongs." Hermione insisted.

Ron peered around the corner. "I put your books away, what else can I do?"

"Would you wait for my Dad outside? He should be here any moment and always forgets which building I'm in."

Ron nodded, and went out the front door. Once he was gone with the door shut securely behind him, Hermione turned to me. "Harry I know you're more miserable than letting on."

I sighed heavily.

"Don't try to deny it. You know it is okay to be upset. I just want you to take care of yourself, alright?"

"And I am, leave it alone." I said.

Hermione looked at me sadly. "Have you seen her at all since she left?"

"No. And I don't see how I would, really. She's living at her school again. I no longer have any reason to go there."

"What about Ginny?"

I tensed up. "What about her?"

"Well have you talked to her at all?"

"Ending it with Vivian hasn't changed anything there."

"But it could..."

"No. That's over."

Hermione gave me a skeptical look.

"I mean it Hermione. She's moved on, I've moved on. There's nothing more."

"Do you want it that way?"

I thought about that. Really pondered it over.

If by some miraculous chance Ginny wanted to get back together with me, would I want to get back together with her? I'd be lying if I said no.

I looked back at Hermione, she was waiting for a response. I opened my mouth to answer, but was unsure what to say. Thankfully, Ron came through the door with Hermione's parents just then, so we cut the conversation short.

...

Hours after Hermione had left for America, Uncle Ron and I found ourselves at the Leaky Cauldron with Neville.

"So here we are again, three guys all alone." Ron sighed.

"You have a girlfriend." I pointed out.

"She's in America, so it really doesn't count."

I just shook my head along with Neville.

"So what have you found to do with all your new free time?" Neville asked both of us.

"I've been visiting Teddy a lot more often." I answered. "Can you believe he's two years old?"

"Wow, is he talking already?"

"He has been for months."

"He calls me 'Raw'." Ron added. Neville chuckled. "At least it's not as bad as what he calls Hermione. Even I can't say it."

"It's something like 'Harionie'. I dunno, it seems to change every day." I laughed.

"And what does he call you?" Neville looked at me.

"'Har-rie'. It's close enough. Yesterday when I was over there, he had purple hair and my green eyes. It was quite a sight."

"George is hoping that he'll be a red-head for the wedding so he can pass as a cousin or something." Ron said.

"Have he and Angelina set a date yet?" I asked.

"I think they said December, that way Ginny will be on break from Quidditch, and Charlie will be home too." Ron said.

I hadn't been to a full Weasley gathering since Uncle Percy's wedding. Of course I'd visit your grandparents, and seen most of the uncles, but I'd been avoiding the full family.

But I knew I'd have to go to that wedding, and I wanted to anyways.

"Will Hermione be back by then?" Neville asked.

"She should be back by November, so yeah. In the mean time I'm avoiding the Burrow. Mum is in full wedding planning mode. George keeps insisting that they keep it simple, but Mum won't listen. If he had it his way, him he and Angelina would've eloped by now."

"You all ready for another round?" The bar maid came over and asked us.

"We're fine."

She looked pointedly at Neville with her big brown eyes. "Do you need anything else?"

"Uh." He was slightly taken aback. "No, I think I'm good."

"Just let me know." She raised her eyebrow, and walked off flipping her blonde hair. Ron and I exchanged a look, before turning on Neville.

"What?"

"That girl is was flirting with you." Ron whispered.

"Oh no," Neville shook his head. "She just wants a big tip."

"No really, I think she likes you."

"You really think so?"

"Yes!"

Neville peered over to see her at the bar. She noticed him looking and waved. "I'll be right back." He got up, and went over to her.

"Good for Neville." I said. Ron drank to that. I watched Neville talking to that girl, and hoped things would work out.

They didn't of course, not with that random girl any ways. But as I sat there talking casually with your uncle Ron, I hoped Neville would be happy. Ron too.

I hoped that something good was waiting for me.

…

"Please tell me you got back with mum next." James said.

I laughed. "Not quite yet." They groaned. "But I know what'll cheer you up. I'll skip ahead to Uncle George's wedding. That turned into a pretty crazy night."

AN: Please leave me a review! The story will get more exciting soon, I promise