He learned that he had to die. Thoughts ran through his head at 300mph. It isn't something you can fix like you fix a broken wand or redeem yourself from a memory charm. This had to happen and it had to be now.
Hermione turned around and looked up the broken marble staircase to see an emotionless Harry walking down to her. ''Where've you been?'', she asked, walking after him as he tried to walk away. It hurt him to do this and it especially hurt him to do this to her. Tears fell down her face as she understood what he was about to do. ''Please don't do this, Harry. Please don't.'', she pleaded. Harry looked at her and then raised his hand to her cheek. ''Oh Hermione.'', he sighed. ''It was always you.''
She raised her hand to touch his. ''What was?'', she whispered, sniffling. ''What was?'', she repeated a bit louder. ''The way you looked at me after I had a hard day. The way you knew how I felt and you really understood. They way you smiled at me, when you knew I felt like I had nothing else to live for. It was always you.'', he said, giving her a hopeful smile. More tears fell down her face as he took his hand away. ''I'll go with you.'', she cried. He took his eyes away from her face to look at the floor and then back up to her again. ''No. I don't want you to. You'll die. I can't put you in that sort of danger.'', he said, shaking his head. She hugged him tightly and whispered into his ear, ''I love you.'' He kissed her forehead, breathing in her scent. Mint, fresh parchment and blood. ''I love you too.'', he replied to her and then walked down the staircase to meet his end.