About Harry

Chapter 27 - I will miss you. A lot.

That night was sleepless for Harry. His mind too busy in schemes to make life easier for Hermione and Ron.
What could he do? Idea after idea chased each other in his mind but none seemed to fit. None would solve the problem. Even in case he agreed to be interviewed on the Christmas' accident, and only the deep love for Ginny and Hermione could bring him to do it, it certainly wouldn't cancel what happened. Ron would anyway retain the stigma, being reminded of it every day in a way or another.
And even if he stuck to his resolution not to see Ron, he was sure that pressure would start to come from all directions to make him change his mind. From Molly and Arthur, from Ginny and perhaps even from Hermione.
He would have to yield eventually. It was certainly not going to be pleasant for himself. But would it be good for Ron? Somehow, he thought not. He took that decision for both. Both would be continually reminded of what happened to Lily. It was better not to meet. But how could he manage that considering all the family connections linking them?
He was sitting in bed his back against the wall listening to Ginny's breathing on his side. She had fallen asleep straight away worn out by the crying.
He was ready to do anything to see her happy but this, Harry thought, was beyond him. He was too known there; nobody will ever forget.
And then a sudden brainwave made him sit bolt upright. He knew what he could do! There was something he could try that may work. He wasn't sure it would have made everybody happy, surely not even him at that, but it was the only plan that could work.
Silently he left the bedroom and went to the kitchen, got ink and parchment and started to write. Once done, he sealed the letter and hid it in a drawer.
When he got back to bed it was almost morning, but his mind quietened by having found a possible solution he managed to fall asleep.
Barely two hours later he was awake, full of purpose. He waited for Ginny to be out, mumbling some excuses to stay behind and as soon as she was gone, he retrieved the letter and made for Diagon Alley.
Normally he was always avoiding the place during daytime unless it wasn't absolutely necessary, like to buy the children stuff for Hogwarts or to go to Gringotts's.
He never passed unnoticed, and he was stopped every three steps by people wanting to shake his hand or to tell him how grateful they were to him for getting rid of You-Know-Who, what it meant to them, who died by his hand, etc etc...
He hated it. It is not that he didn't appreciate people wanting to show him gratitude, and he always tried to be polite to them, but it was vexing, nevertheless. It wouldn't happen so often as the beginning, but it still made a small trip last hours sometimes. He was always knackered after any Diagon Alley expedition.
That day was worse than ever. An old witch accosted him to say how sorry she was for Lily, another stopped him for half an hour talking about every single death happened to her relatives, her neighbour's relative and friends of the neighbour's relatives. Two others again to shake hands and sympathise.
It took a whole hour to make the scarcely one hundred steps that was separating him from the post office. It would have taken less to modify his appearance by magic, and he regretted very much not to have thought about it.
The post office was quite busy in the morning hour, but fortunately a big tawny owl adapted for long trips was available. He paid the silver sickel required and tying the letter to the owl's leg told him the address. He watched him fly in the gloomy sky praying it would come to something because if this failed, he didn't know what else he could do.
The rest of the week passed by without any news from Hermione. She was still not showing up for work but on Sunday Harry got a short note from her informing that the following day she had intention of returning to the Ministry and asking him if he was willing to go together. With a jolt, he answered in the affirmative and the next morning was waiting impatiently for her at the corner of the street.
She appeared from the usual small alley where she could apparate not seen by anybody.
She was wearing her business suit. She, unlike Harry, was very formal in her appearance when going to work, despite it wasn't strictly necessary. Her bushy hair was forced in a bun that enlightened a very gaunt and pallid face.
That didn't stop Harry to be happy to see her. They were often meeting to walk to work together. They could just apparate both there from their respective places of course, but they liked to share that moment in the morning, it gave them a chance to chat. Despite that walk, the time spent together was nevertheless a lot as their respective departments were linked together, working elbow to elbow. They helped each other in very tight spots time to time and Harry's job was much easier with Hermione's collaboration. Nothing seemed to work without her.
'I'm not gonna ask you how you are doing' he said bringing himself to her side following her trotting.
'And me neither' she answered.
'How's Ron?' he asked, which was another way to know how she was.
'Better, I believe. We are at my parents, it's much quieter there and he discovered a whole new world with television. I don't think it is healthy but at least he is not in bed anymore'
Harry nodded 'It has been wise to move there'
'It won't be for long anyway, and I'm sure you know why...' she affirmed keeping her eyes on the street ahead of them. They chose always the same, a side-street quiet at the time in the morning. The footpath was punctuated by small puddles but their feet, used to the map of them, were conducting swiftly leaving them free to focus on the conversation.
'I don't know what you are talking about'
'Yes, you do. You can fool Ron but not me. You wrote to Charlie. How could he possibly know otherwise what was happening? Where could he get the idea to try to convince Ron to move there if somebody didn't suggest it to him? I realised it could just be either you or George. Molly and Arthur would never have done it.'.
He moved aside to let a woman with a stroller pass. Once he retrieved his walk, Hermione continued.
'It was good thinking I have to admit. And Charlie has been very convincing with Ron. I hate the idea to leave England, but we haven't got any other choice. Ron will never be able to get over it here. But in Rumania... Nobody will know him there. We can start a new life' all of this was said matter of fact but Harry was able to detect some melancholy in the undertone.
'When are you leaving?' he asked subdued. His plan had worked and that was his only consolation.
'Ron is going in two or three days with Hugo. Charlie, Cleo are waiting for them. They will help out looking for a place. It will keep him busy, and Charlie thinks there may be a vacancy in their import export office. That would be great for him. It's kind of the same job he is doing now but being dragons involved I hope he will like it better. While Ion will help Hugo to get used to the new place. There is a small age gap and Hugo had always had a liking for him' she sighed and continued purposedly 'For what concerns me, I will have to stay here at least a month to sort out everything at work. We will keep the house, I think. The idea is to return in England for summer holidays so hopefully Rose will be able to keep attending Hogwarts. We will see for Hugo when the time comes. He may have to go to Durmstrang. It's closer'.
This was just what Harry was hoping. The only sensible thing to do. He had considered himself more than once to leave England for a country where he would pass unobserved, but Ginny wouldn't hear of it because of her family and Harry liked his job so, in the end, it had come to nothing but for them it was lifesaving. All the novelty would have kept Ron busy and interested and there wasn't anybody there reminding him of what he had done. It was sensible and well planned, but it didn't stop Harry to keep thinking how much he would have missed her.
'The Law Enforcement is going to go to the dogs without you.' he lamented 'Who's going to take your place?'
'I don't know for sure yet. I still have to speak with the Minister for my resignation, but I imagine either Richard Langdon or Helena Heyhurst' Hermione said reflecting.
'Do I know them?'
'Richard is the big bloke with dark hair sitting close to the window, and Helena is the tall blonde one that sits close to my office. I think they are both...' Harry didn't let her finish halting brusquely in the middle of the pathway 'The bloke! The bloke! Pick the bloke!' and taking her hands in his own 'Please Hermione! This is important, pick the bloke.'
Hermione snorted annoyed 'Can I know why?'
So, Harry recounted in a few words of the encounter with Helena.
'You just need to swap "talking over a cup of tea" and "listener" with a single word and you understand what she meant. I tell you it was quite explicit, even me couldn't fail to grasp it!' he said keenly.
She slid back her hands and resumed briskly her trot leaving him behind 'Harry, first of all, I'm not the one choosing.'
'But you can influence!' he said keeping up with her.
'And second' she continued ignoring him 'It would be unfair. She is as capable as him'.
'Hermione if she gets picked, I will be in a dead end! It will be very awkward to work with her, not to say impossible if I don't shag her. If I do, it's going to be the time that Ginny chuck me forever!' he said in desperation 'Do you want this?! Do you want me to have to choose between job and family???'
She rolled her eyes 'Are you not exaggerating a bit the whole thing?'
'No, I'm not. Definitely not!' he retorted with a frown.
'All right, all right, I will see what I can do' she muttered defeated.
'Cheers, Hermione! You are the best!' he said patting her shoulder happily.
'Ah and... Hermione...?' he added to get her attention just before reaching the entrance.
'What else?'
'I will miss you. A lot.'
'Oh Harry...' and two big tears poured from her eyes rolling swiftly on her cheeks.