Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter and other assorted characters
A/N - This story takes place right after Dumbledore's funeral in HBP. Yes, I know it's short but I'm thinking of making it a two-shot in the future. Also I'm new to writing outside of school assignments so constructive crit would be appreciated!
The castle was mostly empty; Hermione wasn't sure if this would make finding Harry easier or harder. By the time she had pulled herself together everyone was gone from the funeral leaving just her and Ron. Harry was nowhere to be seen. Hermione knew she had been stupid. Harry was right about Malfoy all along and all she had been concerned about was the stupid Half-Blood Prince.
She had to make sure he was all right. When she reached the fourth floor the staircases changed up on her. She took a shortcut through a tapestry, unconsciously walking through the scene where Harry and Ron had found Ginny and Dean snogging.
"Bloody hell, I give up!" Hermione exclaimed because she knew she wasn't heard. Hermione took a hallway at random and sped up her pace. Soon she was in the Astronomy Tower, and there was Harry. It seemed he didn't even notice her. Hermione tentatively reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Don't talk to me Hermione. Don't be my best friend or I won't be able to leave." Harry said softly.
"What do you mean leave? You can't leave; you don't even know where you're going! Harry just stop and think a second, we can make a strategy and go together." Hermione still had her hand on his shoulder but Harry still hadn't turned around.
"Hermione there is no we. There is no together. I can't let you come with me, because I can't live without you. Or Ron." Harry's voice was barely audible now. This was what Hermione was afraid of: Harry's literal guilt trip. He didn't want anyone to get hurt so he was going to take off alone. He continued, "Seeing you out there crying tore me apart, or at least the last part of me that was whole. I can't lose someone else Hermione especially not you. Or Ron. You and him have each other and he'll take care of you."
Hermione was breaking apart inside. Harry was her best friend and she couldn't stand to make him feel responsible for her. Ron was Ron; a source of comfort in troubled times. She was attracted to Ron, yes. But Harry was her best friend, her confidant, and her hero. She could tell him anything and they were hardly ever apart. They always tried to be there for each other. She turned him around so they were face-to-face. His emerald eyes were hiding tears and sadness.
"Harry, you are doing something incredibly stupid, in fact, your being downright selfish. Our whole world isn't your responsibility, even if it sometimes seems like it is. You're not responsible for me, and goddamn you Harry, I won't let you do this alone. I've always tried to be there for you!" –
"And you always were." He said. Hermione looked at him again. She could always read him; his face was so transparent, almost painfully so. His face was set and resolute but his brilliant green eyes told her the whole story. Every word he spoke pained him, even though he knew he had no choice but to leave. Harry was still the skin-and-bones little boy on the train to her, alone and afraid but determined nonetheless. Hermione didn't want to be alone this time. She couldn't take it anymore. She hugged him hoping to never let go.