Warning: This is my second fanfic. It's probably not that great. Read at your own risk. Haha.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the book characters. My name is not J.K Rowling. Even though I wish it were.
He had to die. Somehow, he knew this is what he had to do. He had known it even before he had seen Snape's memory. He didn't know how he knew, he just did. He walked through the corridors, looking everywhere for Hermione and Ron. Hermione. She had to know. Of course she had to know. She was the brightest witch of their age, after all. If he had figured it out, she must have figured it out too. She must have figured it out before he did.
He continued walking, looking around at the ruins of his beloved school, when he finally found them sitting hand in hand on the staircase. They both stood up when they heard him approach. He looked toward Hermione. He could tell, just by looking at her that she knew what he had to do.
"I'll go with you!" Hermione choked out, after he explained where he had been, and what he planned on doing. Oh, what those four simple words did to his heart. It was always her. Always Hermione. She had stood by him when no one else had, and she was willing to do that again. She helped him find the Sorcerer's Stone. She helped him figure out the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. She helped him save Sirius. She stood by him throughout the Triwizard Tournament, when no one else did, not even Ron. She stayed with him when Ron left them when they were looking for the Horcruxes. And here she was, yet again willing to go with him into a dangerous situation, knowing that she wouldn't make it out alive.
He refused. Of course he refused. He didn't want anyone else to die for him, least of all Hermione. She flung herself into his arms, crying into his shoulder. He looked up at Ron, wordlessly trying to tell Ron, "Take care of her when I'm gone, alright?" Ron seemed to understand. Harry was grateful for this. He didn't want to have to speak the words out loud. He didn't want to have to say goodbye to the girl he loved and the boy who was the best friend he ever had. Slowly, Harry and Hermione let go of each other. They looked at each other, their eyes saying a million things. "I love you. I'll miss you. Be careful. Tell everyone I'm sorry, but this is how it had to be." After a moment, Harry turned, ready to face his fate.