Sorry guys had to repost this chapter after fixing the mistakes... LOL, I'm a first-time publisher. I'm still figuring this stuff out.

Ever since the war ended, almost two years ago Hermione never had a moment of peace. Being pestered by the press, fans, and persistent suitors alike. Even though she dated Viktor Krum for a year during the Tri-Wizard Cup, Hermione never had to think about what it would be like to walk in a famous person's shoes. Never did she covet attention.

She would be more willing to sit or stand in the background watching Harry and Ron bask in the limelight. The wizarding world though seems more interested in the life of the only female of the Golden Trio, and it never did occur to her that she would be the most sought after; after the Boy Who Lived Himself. Yes, Ron does get attention as well, but not as much as Harry and herself.

Hermione and sometimes Harry seem to be the only ones who detest the eyes that are constantly on them. Whether it be adoring, awe-filled, envious, or star-struck. Ron though seems to drink it all up as if it was the last drink of pumpkin juice on the table. How can she even enjoy it after all the horrors she went through during her 7th year? Almost starving to death, being captured and tortured, and almost raped does things to a person. Yes, Harry and Ron had their fair share of war horrors, but it still doesn't change the fact that Hermione was more victimized than the two of them combined.

Her nightmares were on par with Harry's, her not having a mind link with the most feared wizard makes it even worse. Harry was seeing into the mind of a murderer and having dreams that were not directly or physically harming him. Hermione's on the other hand is a memory that she relives that opens up all her half-healed wounds.

Nothing could be done about her mud blood scar or the incision that was made on her neck. The blade that Bellatrix used was cursed and that causes the injuries inflicted with it to not fully heal. Every time she relives the torture in her dreams the wounds open as if it is being inflicted again. Madam Pomphy and the other healers at St Mungo's can't seem to find a way to cure it and stop it from reopening. She was stuck with it.

None of her friends knows what she goes through at night because she hides it pretty well. You could say she is the suffer-in-silence type. She even has a set of strict rules that she lives by and remembers to implicate them religiously. Number one, never forget to set a silencing and locking charm. Number two, never let them see your pain, smile always. Number Three, never let them see your scars, glamour always. Lastly, always divert the attention away from you and onto someone else. It seems to have worked perfectly so far because her friends and family have not yet caught on that something is wrong.

Before that happens though she would be long gone. Hermione had finally decided to get in contact with her estranged big brother. The last time she saw him she was five years old. He came to show off his almost two-year-old baby girl and to tell Mum and Dad that he was getting a divorce. Never saw him again after that, but I could still remember his heartbreaking wails as Mum tried to console him. "She's taking my daughter away from me Mum and I can't do anything to stop her. The law is on her side." The only thing she could do for her brother at that age was hug him and give him wet kisses on the cheeks. He laughed and kissed her on her cheeks too. Dad was sitting with baby Isabella the whole time.

She smiled as the memory played out in her head.

At that moment she regretted not visiting her brother during school breaks and special holidays. But never mind that, he sent me a letter back and told me I'm always welcome in his house and his life.

That's how Harry found her that morning. Busy packing her trunk with everything she owned, books, clothes, and every gift given to her over the years. She was trying to remove every trace of her ever living there.

"You're leaving," he stated. Seeing that her decision had already been made.

She sighed, "Yes"

He took a seat on the edge of her bed playing with the bed covers. "Ron is going to be devastated. You know how much he likes you."

She gave him an irritated glance while continuing to pack.

"You know Ron has no interest in me. If he had he wouldn't be sleeping with every willing bimbo that he comes across!" She huffed out.

This is her other reason for leaving. Everyone is trying to push Ron and herself together even though she does not have feelings for him other than friendship.

"Maybe if you gave him a chance it will change him into a better man. We are so worried about him ending up with the wrong sort, that's only interested in his fame and fortune and does not care about him as a person." Harry ran a frustrated hand through his already messy dark hair. "You are in the same boat as him and it would make perfect sense for the two of you to gravitate towards each other. Ginny is excited to have you as a sister and Mrs Weasley has already begun planning your wedding, but don't let them know I told you." He said the last part with a chuckle.

Hermione was positively fuming where she stood and momentarily stopped her packing to calm herself from lashing out at her best friend. They were trying to control her life, trying to lock her into a loveless marriage to eliminate her as a threat to Ginny and Harry's relationship. She was not blind to the schemes of Mrs Weasley and her daughter. They want Harry all for themselves and the wealth that comes with him.

Harry is head over heels for Ginny and Hermione can accept that she will never get his attention off his fiancé and onto her plain ole self. " Will you miss me, Harry?" she asked softly. Many a insecurities in that one question.

He answers quickly, "Yes of course 'Mione' you are my best friend. You didn't even have to ask." Disappointment flashed across her face, but she quickly went back to packing.

Hemione loved Harry as more than just a friend, but she knew it was one-sided. She will never force herself on another person. So that's why she has to leave. To stop the pain, both physically and emotionally. The wizarding world is not for her anymore. It holds more bad than good memories.

The last of her stuff flew to her trunk and she was done packing.

"I am going to miss you too Harry. Just promise me you will stay out of trouble, okay." She gave him one last hug and his arms automatically went around her waist. " Be safe, Hermione," he whispered against the crook of her neck. It caused Hermione's eyes to glisten with unshed tears, and she squeezed him a little tighter. His hugs always made her feel like she was home, but she removed that thought quickly from her mind.

She extracted herself from his hold and straightened her clothes. "I wrote letters to the others because I was trying to avoid any emotional breakdowns. Will you please give it to them after I've left?" She gestures to the small pile on the bedside table. " I will make sure they get it."

Hermione gave the room a final once over and squared her shoulders. Shrinking her trunk and placing it in her coat pocket " Well I'm off then… I will see you when I see you, Harry. Remember what I said, stay out of trouble!" With that said she apparated away, leaving a sad heartbroken best friend behind. He sat back down on the edge of the bed feeling alone for the first time in years. He never did know how much Hermione meant to him until that moment and now she's gone.

Please review and let me know what you think. Keep in mind I am no writer so I may need a beta.