Harry, Ron and Hermione descended the spiral staircase. The corridor was deserted but a dim chatting could be heard from the Great Hall seven floors below. Harry headed for the common room, and the others followed. The fat lady was absent, but the portrait hole was open anyway.

"I'm exhausted," said Hermione, and made to climb through the portrait hole, pausing when the boys didn't follow. "Coming?"

"After you," yawned Harry.

"I think..." Ron looked awkwardly at the floor. "I think my family needs me at the moment."

"Oh, of course," said Hermione quickly, her cheeks flushing pink. After an awkward moment or too, in which Harry sincerely wished he could be hidden under his Invisibility Cloak, Ron leaned in and gave Hermione a small peck on the cheek before hurrying down the stairs. Hermione flushed redder as the stairs swung Ron out of site.

"Err..." Harry didn't want to be rude, but he really needed his bed. Hermione jumped and quickly made her way up to the girls' dormitories. Harry, shaking his head at the pair, yawned again and hurried upstairs to his warm four-poster bed. His mind wandered, as it usually did, to Ginny as he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Harry stirred as the curtains of his bed were drawn back. Through narrowed eyes he saw it was a red-headed figure.

"Ginny?" He immediately sat up, only to be knocked down again by a pillow hitting him square in the face. "Ouch, Gin-" He quickly stopped as he realised it was in fact Ron. "Sorry I was just dreaming about-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, mate. You're digging it deeper!" Ron said putting his fingers in his ears. Harry blushed as Ron handed him his glasses. "Mum says you've slept enough and it's time to go home."

"Home?" Harry thought reluctantly of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. At least he would have Kreacher for company. He thought longingly of the Burrow; Mrs Weasley's cooking, de-gnoming the garden, Ginny... Ron hit him in the face again. "Are you coming or what?"

Harry pulled on his jeans and followed Ron out of the common room; glancing at his watch he saw it was 11 o'clock. As they descended into the entrance hall, Ron spotted his family, Hermione among them, and headed for them. Harry looked at their sad, grey faces. Arthur had his arm around Molly. Bill stood hand-in-hand with Ginny, whose long shiny hair covered her face as she stared at the floor. Charlie was absent, and George stood a little way away, staring blindly at the floor. Harry stopped.

"What, did you forget something?" asked Ron, turning around to face him.

"No, I just don't think... Your family..." his eyes wandered to Ginny once again. "They don't need to see me. It's my-"

"If you say it's your fault I will make Ginny cast her bat-bogey hex on you."

Harry had to force himself not to smile at the thought of Ginny and her bat-bogey hex.

"Well, I can get to Grimmauld Place by myself. Thanks, though."

Ron stared at him blankly.

"What are you on about?"

At this point Molly Weasley came bustling over. "What is taking you two so long?"

"Harry's gone mad... He's going on about Grimmauld Place and-"

"What? You want to go to Grimmauld Place dear? I don't see why you wouldn't want to come home, but-"

"What do you mean, Mrs Weasley? You – you want me to stay a-at the Burrow, with your family?" Which I have torn apart, he thought silently looking at George's broken face.

"Well, of course, you silly boy. Now get a move on!"

Harry's eyes filled up and he quickly wiped them as he watched in wonder as Mrs Weasley headed back to her grieving family.

"But I... I don't understand..." Harry looked at Ron desperately. "I'm..."

"Family, Harry. You're family. Now, come on!"