After a few hours I'm still awake sipping an herbal tea and reading a book when a noise informs me that Harry is awake. He enters the kitchen rubbing his eyes and closing the door behind him.
'I nodded off' He says after a yawn as he seats close to me.
'What are you reading?' he asks peering over the pages.
I show him the cover, he read the title, frowns and mumble 'Another of your Hermionish incomprehensible books'.
I chuckle 'It's actually very interesting' I say pretending to be offended and slapping him playfully on the shoulder with the book.
He laughs as he stands to make himself some tea too.
'I must thank you again, I guess…' he says, sitting again close to me 'What would have been my life without you?'
I smile, I must say, flattered 'It would have been totally fine' I answer 'and probably more relaxed without me badgering you every time' I conclude.
'Nope' he says shaking his head 'I would be dead. Let's see, at least…' he starts to count on his fingers playfully and then shrugs 'Many times over. And now I would be very lonely and miserable. It seems that you know better what is good for me'.
I smirk not rising my eyes from my book that I'm anyway not reading.
'Hermione' he says then serious to catch my attention, taking a sip from his cup.
'Mmmh?'
'I'm leaving'
I glance at him consternated 'What?' I blort out 'Where? No Harry, no!' I bellow almost in a wail 'What about Sunrise? Where do you want to go?' I rant madly shrugging his hand trying to reach out for me.
'No, Her…'
But I interrupt him brusquely 'You must take care of her!'
He tries again to speak but I stand up in agitation 'You cannot do that! You saw how Sunrise is happy to be with you! You cannot leave her alone!'
'Herm…'
'No, I won't allow you to!' I gabble pointing an accusing finger against his chest 'You won't go anywhere!'
'Ok, Hermione, calm down now.' He says stern standing up and putting both his hands on my shoulders to prevent my ranting from starting again as he bows to stare into my eyes 'You misunderstood. Sit down and listen to me'.
I comply calming down instantly under his stare.
'Take a big breath and a sip of your tea' he orders me, and I obey again as a robot, my mind blank.
'Better?' He asks after I followed his orders.
I nod waiting for an explanation.
He takes my hand 'I'm leaving England. With Sunrise. Albus and James too if they want to come even though I doubt they will.'
'I'm going to move far afield in a place where there are only muggles, I'll change my name and I'll start a new life there'
I'm speechless. I look at him and at his hand on mine, my mind totally uncapable to form any straight thought.
'But why?' I only manage to stammer.
He laughs softly and then arch his eyebrows looking straight at me with a sly smile 'The why has been under your eyes since we are eleven. I cannot have a normal life here, nor where magical people are present. I should have done it long time ago. I should have saved my family from all of it' he says waving his hand toward the window 'but I'm still on time to save Sunrise and myself. I just want to have a normal life like everybody else. I want to be able to speak with a person without being recognised and courted. I want to find people who can appreciate me without bias for a change. I want Siry to have a normal life.' he stares at me with his green eyes that overpowers me as usual 'Is it so unreasonable?' he concludes.
It takes me some time to find my voice, buried under my reasoning. I'd like to believe there is another way but, despite my inside is squirming against this notion only because I don't want him so far away, I know that he is right. This is the only way. Therefore, I nod 'No, it is not. I think you are right' I admit.
He pats my hand smiling 'I knew you would have backed me up'.
'When are you going?'
He shrugs 'As soon as I can. I'll start tomorrow to make all the necessary preparation. I need to update my muggle passport with my new name and procure one for Sunrise. I'll go to Hogwarts to speak with the boys, I'll say farewell to everybody, and I'll be off. It shouldn't take more than a few days'
I nod feeling a hard knot in my throat. But I don't want to cry! I won't! I cried enough for a lifetime!
'I'll help you' I mutter.
'I need a new name to start with and you can help me with that' he says pensively 'I'll keep my first name. It is common enough, I don't need to change that, but I need a new surname'.
'Have you got any idea?' I ask forcing a smile.
He nods with a mischievous expression 'What about Granger?'
I succumb to tears immediately.