AN: If you want to get into the mood: I was listening to this "Youtube: harry Potter (Calm Ambient mix by Syneptic) | Episode III" while writing this chapter. Maybe it's nice to have it as background noise.

Chapter 5: Time to tell my friends

Hermione was in an exceptional good mood. No one saw her this happy for a long time. She had a long talk with the Headmaster and her head of house the evening before and they worked out everything just great. Hermione, or rather the teachers and St. Mungo's department for family issues, would spend the rest of this school semester to find her a foster family in America. Once this issue was settled she was supposed to take the rest of the time off and get used to her new home and family. If everything fits, and she was determined to make it work, she would start attending Ilvermorny after Christmas. She was excited. Ilvermornie's Headmaster already gave his okay, and was happy to take over such a great student, as he put it.

At first Hermione wasn't too excited about the part of the plan, where she gets used to her new family. She really didn't care so much about what kind of family she would get into. Ilvermorny was a boarding school just like Hogwarts and she would barely ever see them. It was more a necessity than something she really wanted but since it was her way out of this misery and into a new life, she was ready to pay this price.

What followed now was the last bad part of her plan. She had to tell Ron and Harry and just hoped they wouldn't hate her forever. But even with this task ahead, her good mood couldn't get cut off. It was such a feeling of hope, that she missed for too long, that now filled her day. It felt as if sun was shining for the first time after weeks of rainy weather. She heard birds singing as she walked to the Gryffindor common room and wondered where all the birds had been during the past few months, she didn't hear them all this time.

She walked through the castle, now with a different view on thing. Every corner she passed, reminded her of memories of her glorious first year. She knew she should feel sad, but she didn't. All she felt was hope to experience more of those good moments again, somewhere else. She wanted more of those happy memories and she wouldn't make them here, but she would savor those she had. She wanted to leave Hogwarts with more good than bad emotions attached to it, so she had to leave soon. It was only early October yet, but the sooner she found a new home, the sooner she would be gone.

As she entered the common room, being more aware of the smell of dust, old furniture and burned wood, than she ever had been, she smiled contently. A look around the room told her that Harry and Ron must be in their room. She only ran up the stairs halfway and then called for them "Harry! Ron! Come down here, I have a surprise." It was Saturday now and due to the long weekend, Hogwarts lacked most of its students. The boys peaked their heads out of their room, and smiled a little surprised when they saw an unusual happy Hermione waiting for them.

"Grab some warm coats and get down here, we are going out." She exclaimed happily. Ron shot a worried look to Harry. "Don't you think she's up to something, that's against the rules, too?" he whispered to his friend. But Harry already was turning to his trunk, looking for cloths and getting ready to do as he was told. He was truly happy to see their friend smile again. After an annoyed sigh Ron followed Harry's example and only a few Minutes later they met Hermione at the Common Room entrance. She wore a thick purple coat and a grey scarf with a matching grey hat. She laughed into her hand, as she saw Ron's self-made Sweater with a giant 'R' on it's chest. "Are you two ready for Hogsmeade?" she asked, knowing that she drops the bomb here.

Both boys looked at her shocked "But we aren't allowed to go there until next year." Harry said disappointed, already turning around to take off his warm clothes and bring them back upstairs.

"Yeah and I cant get into trouble again. Mom would have my head" Ron complained, also turning around.

The young witch grabbed them both to stop them from fleeing. "But what if we have an exceptional OK from Prof. McGonagall?" She asked with a smirk. Both her friends looked at her open-mouthed.

"But how?" They asked like one person.

"I will explain to you when we got there. Just enjoy that your dear friend Hermione, got you a ticket to freedom." She opened the portrait-door and walked out, two confused boys stumbling after her.

Hermione discussed the problem of telling Ron and Harry, with her teachers, and all three of them agreed that it would be best if she told them herself. But to make things easier, McGonagall offered her the option of a nice day in Hogsmeade. They could shop through the stores and after a nice day have the dreading talk, while sipping butterbeer in the three Broomsticks. The only condition was that they behave, don't start trouble and come back until 5pm. Manageable, Hermione thought, even with Ron.

So they enjoyed their day out of school. They got bags full of candy, Hermione had a hard time pulling the two of them away from this fancy Broom, that hovered behind one of the shop windows, Ron got some treats for his pet rat and harry got a little bell for his window, that Hedwig could use to play with. It was great day. Once they all had hurting bellies from laughing at Ron, who took an opening door with his face, as he was distracted, they all felt somewhat cold and decided it was time for lunch and butterbeer.

Hermione felt a knot forming in her belly. Now was the time she would have to tell them and she really didn't want this nice day to end. For the first time ever since, she felt like their friend again and second thoughts crept up her mind. Maybe this all was a mistake and everything could become normal again, after all. But she quickly shook her head. She couldn't back out now, she fought too hard for this. With a little regret clawing at her, she followed the two of them into the tavern.

Once inside, they got a nice table at the fireplace and took off their cold clothes. There weren't much people in here today, Hermione noticed. Only the three of them, two older wizards at the bar, one old lady at a window, sipping her hot drink and reading, and two people sitting at a table in another corner. As the waitress approached them, they all placed their order.

Hermione wanted to wait until after they had something to eat, before she would start the talk, but Harry destroyed that plan. "So why did we get this special privilege, Hermione?" he asked curiously. Sometimes he was so much smarter than one would guess, Hermione thought with a mixture of pain and pride for her friend. He always knew when something was off, as if this was his special talent, she thought. "Well I have something I need to tell you two and Prof. McGonagall and the Headmaster agreed that it would be easier, when we had the chance to spend a fun day together." She explained matter-of-factly. She tried to just stay professional and don't get overly emotional. "Oh it was a fun day!" Ron agreed happily, clearly not picking up the change of mood. Unlike Harry. He instantly knew that, what would follow, would not be good news. "What is it Hermione?" He asked, skeptical this time.

Hermione remained silent, as the waitress walked over and placed their cups and some snacks on the table. Nervously she placed both of her cold hands around the warm drink, turning it back and forth and watching the liquid inside move as she chose her words carefully. "You two know that it wasn't easy being around me lately…..and….and that I wasn't all that happy." She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "And not only because of what happened with my…..my parents." She swallowed hard trying not to think about it "….but also because of how everyone treated me differently lately."

Harry listened patiently, giving his friend all time, that she needed. Ron just now picked up the direction of this talk and stopped chewing on one of the little sandwiches.

"You should know, that I am …..well I am not fine, but I am okay with ….how….uhm…how things are now, if you understand what I mean." She wanted to look into Harries eyes, to reassure if he knew what she was talking about, but couldn't find the confidence to do so, so she kept staring at her drink and continued "and all I really want now is to have a normal daily life again." She mumbled.

Okay now this was painful. Hermione hated herself for dragging it out so long. She just had to spit it out now. She gathered all her strength, took a deep breath and forced herself to look up and into her friends faces. And then she started to just tell the truth without any mumbles, stutters or pauses. Determined she lifted her chin…..

"Thing just don't go they way they should by now. And because it's not good for me, the teachers and I agreed, that it is best for me to leave Hogwarts and start over in Ilvermorny, in America, where it is easier to find a new home for me and where no one knows about me." She spoke so fast, that her words nearly melted into one long noise.

A few moments of silence followed.

"You want what?!" Ron jumped up, his chair falling backwards but he didn't care. "Are you kidding me? You just gonna run away and leave us? I thought we were friend Mione!" He wasn't angry, he was furious.

"Ron please let me…" Hermione tried to explain, but Ron cut her off

"You didn't even ask us for help! You just decided we aren't what you need anymore and run off to a better place!" he slammed his hands on the table. People started to stare at the trio. "I…..How could you…What do you…..ARGH" He couldn't find words, that could express his anger, he turned to leave. He wanted to go back to Hogwarts, back into his room and hide in his bed. He couldn't believe that Hermione would do that to them. But something took a hold on his shoulder.

Harry grabbed his friend. He didn't want to let him leave like this. He didn't want to separate fighting or let this beautiful day end in such a bad way. He already had only a few of those good days and he knew how Hermione must feel, so he wanted everything to be okay again. But Ron struggled, trying to get free. "Let me go harry!" he yelled and shook his arm furiously.

Suddenly, his friend let him go and without a look back Ron ran out of the room. He heard Hermione yelling Harry's name, but didn't bother to see why.