A/N: After watching my new Deathly Hallows Part 2 DVD, I started thinking: What if Harry had told Ron and Hermione that he was going to walk into the forest to die? What if he had stopped? When I first saw the movie at the midnight screening, I was furious that they portrayed Harry as telling Ron and Hermione that he was going to turn himself in and they just totally let him. The only response that he got was Hermione saying, "I'll go with you" and a giant hug from her. It didn't make sense to me... SO... I decided to write a story where it does make sense. Or at least, a little better sense. If you have to change the battle scenes and the forest chapter, then the least they could do was make it believable and I've decided to do just that. With my own spin of course.

This story begins just after Harry has looked into the Pensieve and learned the truth about Snape and his fate. He now knows that he must die in order to kill the horcrux that is inside of him and he makes the decision to turn himself in. He leaves Dumbledore's Office and begins walking down the stone corridor to turn himself in. We're also going to pretend that Harry and Ginny were never dating and that Ron and Hermione were not dating as well - just a few typical teenage crushes, but no serious relationships. And... Go!

His heart seemed to thump louder in his chest now. His feet seemed to move on their own volition; slowly one foot was placed in front of the other. As he walked down the remnants of the stone corridor, his mind was becoming numb at the thought of his own mortality. He will die tonight. He must die tonight.

He continued walking down the corridor, noticing for the first time how short it really was. He would be rounding the corner any moment now and would surely be faced with the battle in full force. He could already hear it: the crumbling stone, the screams, the sounds of exploding spells. But it all sounded so far away now, like he was in a parallel universe.

He rounded the corner and Hermione slammed into him, Ron closely behind her.

"Oi!" she shouted, knocking Harry into the floor as she fell on top of him.

"Harry!" she said, exasperated and out of breath. She lifted herself off of him and began to stand. "We've been looking for you!" The relief was evident in her voice.

Harry stood. He felt tense and rigid. He was too afraid to meet their eyes, terrified that if he did, he would break down like a scared little child. He had to stay strong. He had to stay determined. It has to end like this.

"I've... I've got to do something," he said. "I have to go." Harry turned to walk away, knowing that he had to get away from them before he lost the little courage he had left.

Ron noticed Harry's tone and looked at him quizzically, refusing to allow his mind to think about a theory he had discussed with Hermione weeks ago.

"Harry?" Hermione quietly asked. Her voice was gentle and small, something you were hear from a small child after a terrible nightmare. Clearly, the theory had appeared in her mind once again.

"The snake. Get the snake. Just like we discussed. The snake has to die." He couldn't face them fully. His voice sounded so different now. So calm, so cold, almost absent of emotion. He needed to be strong for them. He needed to stay on this path. They couldn't know. He'd never have the strength to keep walking away if he heard their screams, their pleas.

"The snake?" Ron asked. For the first time, Harry noticed the cut just above Ron's left eyebrow.

"The snake." Harry finished for him.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked. "Why are you reminding us about the snake?" Fear was creeping into her voice.

"I'll be back". The lie rolled off his tongue easier than he imagined it would.

"You're not... you're not actually..." Ron began, his forehead scrunched in confusion.

"I have to finish something." Harry heard his own voice crack. He had to get away from them. He had to keep walking forward before he allowing fear to take over him. He closed his eyes for a moment and walked towards the forest. Walked away from his best friends. Walked away from his life.

"HARRY!" Hermione's voice pierced him but he did his best to ignore her voice. His lungs couldn't seem to function, unable to bring in oxygen. He willed his legs to keep moving. One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other.

"HARRY!" she screamed again. "DON'T GO! PLEASE! There has to be another way!" He was so afraid that she would have figured out the puzzle, but he always knew she would. She knew. Harry Potter was going to die tonight.

He paused and turned around. For the briefest moment, he was afraid that he would burst into tears and beg them to keep him there. He swallowed hard.

His voice was just above a whisper. "I have to."

"There has to be another way, mate. We'll figure something out." Ron seemed to be trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

"This is the only way. I have to go." Harry's voice sounded so different from his own that he almost didn't recognize it.

Hermione's eyes were full of tears now, a few of them spilled over. "No, please. Harry... Harry please!" He turned around, unable to face her. He couldn't look at her, not like this. He had to do this for them, for everyone. It was their only chance at survival. It was their only chance to live full and fulfilling lives. He would do this and so they could move forward, find careers, get married, raise their own families, grow old together. A pang hit his stomach, turning his insides into a twisted mess. He wouldn't grow old with them.

Hermione ran forward, grabbing his arm. "I'll go with you!"

"No."

"Don't do this alone, mate." Ron hadn't moved, the expression in his eyes showing fear. He had already lost one brother tonight and he wasn't sure if he could handle losing his best friend too.

"I have to go. Alone." He continued moving forward. One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other.

Hermione ran ahead of him and wrapped her arms around him. "Please..." she sobbed into his chest, her knuckles white from gripping his shirt so hard. Her whole body was shaking now and she wasn't sure if she could ever let go.

Harry was shaking too now. His heart was beginning to feel like it might burst. He took a sniff of her hair... a mix of vanilla, fresh parchment, and blood. Once again, his mind was brought back to the battle. He had to keep moving. He had to end this before another life was lost.

He pulled her away from his body, his own arms shaking as he gripped Hermione's shoulders. Her shoulders was slumped over in relief and exhaustion as she hopefully searched Harry's face for reassurance.

Instead, Harry turned to Ron and passed him a pleading look. Ron's face began to tighten as a few tears traced down his cheeks. He seemed to silently understand what he had to do. Harry dropped his eyes to the ground, grateful for Ron's understanding. There was no other way.

Ron walked up behind Hermione and wrapped each of his hands around her wrists. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what Ron was doing. She tried to free herself from his grip, screaming and sobbing as she did so. But Ron held firm and Harry continued walking.

"NOOO!" Hermione screamed, her voice raw and cracking. "HARRY! NO! HARRY!" He could hear her sobbing. "LET GO OF ME! RON, LET GO OF ME! DO SOMETHING! HARRY! HARRY!" Ron was sobbing now too but his hold on Hermione's wrists remained tight.

Harry started to run. He had to get away from them. He had to push forward. With every step, Hermione's voice became further drowned out. Although there was a temporary lull in the battle, people were still bustling around. The sounds of tired footsteps against the cold stone floor could be heard. The sound of people heaving bodies over their shoulders, moving the bodies away from the field. He could hear the cries of the injured and dying. One foot in front of the other.

All I see is you and me.

The fight for you is all I've ever known.

So come home.

~One Republic, "Come Home"