AN: Longer chapter than usual, as per reviews so it took a little longer. I tried to explain what Hermione was thinking when she had her little make out session with Ron. I have tried to stay relatively close to canon during this story, as I believe that JK Rowling wrote a truly magical love story between Harry and Hermione. Hermione just took a detour with Ron, but she eventually realizes what is important, and WHO is important.

Anyway, hope you enjoy and please review!

Chapter 6

"Where is he?" Hermione asked aloud. She was peeking through the curtain at the crowd spread out before the stage. Her mom and dad were in the front row bemusedly looking at the stage where the Hippocratic Oath was floating in the air, seemingly spelled out of red ribbons. Next to her father sat Harry and then Ginny, heads bent close together, heatedly discussing something. No doubt Ginny was laying into him again for being late for dinner. As an apprentice Auror, Harry was required to work long nights, way past the time his superiors had already left for the night. His dedication made Hermione proud but Ginny just scoffed. Next to Ginny was an empty seat that she was saving for Ron, but why wasn't he there? Even Neville was sitting a few rows back next to Luna.

Harry looked up and saw her peeking out around the corner. He mouthed the words "He'll come" and gave her two thumbs up and a wide smile. Ginny didn't notice but Hermione felt a small smile creep up. Harry could always make her feel better, especially when Ron was the one person who always caused her so much pain. Hermione looked to the back of the auditorium and saw a witch standing straight against the back wall. She was wearing square spectacles, an emerald cloak and her hair was pulled back into a severe looking bun. Hermione was surprised to recognize Professor McGonagall and realization dawned on her.

This was an important day. She had almost died numerous times and she probably shouldn't even be alive today. Everyone was here to support her expect for Ron. After all he has put her through over the years… she turned away from the crowd and looked down at the parchment in her hand. As top of her class, Hermione was expected to give a speech about the future but how could she? Her own future was so unknown, who was she to guide other witches and wizards in their journey?

The lights in the audience dimmed and Kingsley Shacklebolt walked onto the stage to thunderous applause. His robes were a deep purple and he wore a golden belt at his waist, looking every bit the Minister of Magic. The students followed behind him and sat on raised wooden bleachers. As the last person to walk on stage, Hermione stood just behind and to the right of Kingsley as he pointed his wand as his throat and whispered "Sonorus."

"Many witches and wizards only dream of graduating from Healer school," Kingsley began, his voice magically amplified so even Professor McGonagall could hear him in the back, "but only half of those who began their training actually finish it. And this year, only one graduated with the highest marks in the history of Saint Mungo's Healer Training." Hermione blushed slightly as Kingsley looked her way and extended out a hand. She raised her chin a fraction of an inch as she moved forward to stand next to him. "This is a young woman who needs no introduction. Many of you may know her as one of the pivotal trio that helped right our world and bring the wizarding community together at last. I simply know her as one of the cleverest young witches I have ever had the pleasure of knowing: Hermione Granger."

Hermione's bluish deepened as Harry Potter was the first wizard to jump to his feet, roaring with applause and whooping loudly. Everyone else in the packed auditorium followed suit as Hermione stepped to the center of the stage and Kingsley bowed to her and stepped back. The audience was clapping and cheering so loudly that Hermione laughed as she looked back at her fellow classmates. When she looked back at the crowd, she made eye contact with Harry and moved her head slightly towards the empty seat. Harry shook his head and mouthed, "Sorry." Hermione kept the smile on her face as she reached her wand up to her throat and said "Sonorus."

Hermione apparated in front of a small stone cottage in the woods. Oak trees surrounded a small pond off to the back and that is where Hermione started walking. Though it was almost midnight, the moonlight guided her path as she had walked this trail many times before. Hermione sat down against one of the oaks and let the stillness of the night wash over her. Between Harry's accident and Ron's profession of love, there had been no time to just stay still. Unfortunately, that was when her brain refused to stop.

"Thank you Minister for the kind words on this special day." She pulled out her speech, meticulously handwritten on a small scroll of parchment and looked up at the crowd. "And a special thank you to my Mum and Dad for coming today as well as my friends: Harry and …" Hermione paused, "and everyone else." She realized that all the planning in the world was not going to keep her and Ron together and her future was as unknown as it was back at Hogwarts. She slowly put the scroll away. "I shouldn't be alive today. When Voldemort came to Hogwarts," she heard the gasps through the crowd, "I had every intention of dying out in the woods, protecting those I loved." She looked around the crowd and found McGonagall staring at her. "But my professors fought for us. My friends fought for us. I fought for us. And I wouldn't be the person I am today without Harry Potter."

How could she have snogged Ron? Their relationship was over so long ago and she wasn't even interested in him. Hermione picked up a rock and threw it into the pond. She knew she was feeling vulnerable, watching Harry die, and then watching Ginny comfort him in the hospital room. Ginny was always there, nagging him about coming home, holding his hand, playing with his hair, kissing him goodbye…

Hermione realized that she was most upset about Ginny being intimate with Harry. Hermione's session with Ron could have ended in bed, but she pulled away and made a lame excuse about a patient or something. She didn't want Ron. Hermione put her head in her hands as she realized that Harry was the most important person to her.

"It's Harry," she whispered through her fingers.

The seconds ticked away as Hermione and Harry looked at each other. As Ginny silently glared at Harry, he stood up and bowed to Hermione. Tears filled her eyes as she said, "We are who we are today because of you Harry. All of us. I dedicate this ceremony to you and to Hogwarts." Harry sat back down and Hermione turned to face her colleagues. "Albus Dumbledore said 'It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' Good luck." Ron's face floated to her mind and she raised her wand in the air and fireworks flew out. Her colleagues laughed and followed suit and soon the auditorium was filled with cheering and fireworks.

Hermione remembered the moment she knew her and Ron were never meant to be, at the ceremony when his decision not to show up was his last chance for a relationship.

Hermione stood off to the side and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Anyone who saw her might have thought she was happy for finally graduating, but she turned away from the crowd. "Expecto Patronum," she whispered and saw a faint, nondescript animal instead of her usual otter. She stumbled off the stage amidst the tears and down the back hallway. "Alohomora," she pointed her wand at the nearest door and collapsed through it. The room was a small waiting room, no doubt for acclaimed guests and presenters waiting for their turn on the stage that Hermione had just abandoned. She sank down into one of the chairs when she realized she had forgotten to lock the door. She pointed her wand back at the door as it quickly swung open.

"Hermione!" Harry yelped as he put up his hands. "Are you OK?" Hermione burst into tears and put her face in her hands. Harry approached cautiously, no doubt wondering if she was going to try and hex him.

"He didn't show, Harry," she wailed as he sat next to her. Hermione's shoulders shook as he gingerly put his arm around her. "After all we have been though. He knew," she hiccupped, "he know how," hiccup, "how important," hiccup –

"Shh, it's OK," Harry pulled her into a tight hug, trying to get her to calm down. "I know, Hermione." She began to relax in his arms and when her breathing normalized, Harry began to let her go. Hermione looked up at his face and gently touched his cheek.

"Thank you," she whispered. Harry stiffened slightly and pulled back.

"Your mom and dad and waiting," he said as he stood up. "I will walk you back." Hermione was slightly put off by his quick movements but thought he was probably just uncomfortable with her crying.

"OK, let's go." Together, they walked out the door and back towards the crowd.

Hermione was exhausted. The sun was peeking out through the clouds and Hermione wasn't sure if she had fallen asleep or if she was just daydreaming. Standing up, she realized her muscles were cramped from her position against the tree and she started stretching. Hermione knew that her feelings for Harry projected onto Ron but there was nothing she could do to change the past. Cursing her lack of a Time Turner, Hermione headed back down the path towards her small cottage. As she reached the back door, she heard a pop then a noise like someone had dropped something on the ground. She rushed to the front and found Harry Potter laying on the ground.

"Harry!" she yelled as she ran towards him. "Are you OK?" He struggled to get to his feet but his right leg seemed to not work anymore. Hermione helped him stand up and supported him and they walked through the front door of her cottage. Harry was sweating and out of breath when she unceremoniously deposited him onto her couch.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she with her hands on her hips. He looked taken aback by her bold stance.

"Well," he began slowly, struggling to sit up, "I came to see if you were OK." Hermione looked angry for another second more before she busted out in laughter.

"Harry, you almost lost a leg. You someone snuck out of the hospital. You can hardly sit up right now. Why would you ask me if I am OK?" Hermione uncrossed her arms and sat down on the couch next to him. She grabbed his wrist and started taking his pulse while with her other hand, she used her wand to conduct a body scan. It was then that she noticed he wasn't wearing any pants. She stopped her scan and looked into his eyes. "Harry, what's wrong?" A thousand thoughts crossed her mind and Harry's other hand covered hers. Voldemort was back, her parents were dead, someone was dead…

"I heard what happened between you and Ron last night," he said as he gently patted her hand, "and I wanted to make sure you were holding up." He looked so concerned that Hermione almost kissed him. But she laughed instead.

"Harry," she said, "I'm fine. I did a little soul searching last night and for the first time, I am actually over Ron." When Harry looked confused, she continued. "When you came into St. Mungo's, I was terrified. Everything happened so fast. Then Ron was there and I was so tired… I wasn't thinking and I made the wrong decision. But it's not about Ron. It never was." At this, she looked at Harry and wondered how much to say. She looked down at their hands and she said, "Life is… fragile. And I think I was projecting my feelings for someone else onto Ron."

She looked back into his eyes and she knew that he figured it out. They were never really able to keep secrets from each other and this was a big one. Harry leaned forward slightly then turned sideways and fainted off the couch.