Hermione lay in the tent, still searching for horcruxes. It had been about a week since Ron left. Even with Harry around, she was so desperately lonely. Her heart was broken, not for the first time. She wiped her cheeks with her thumb to get rid of the tears and sat up, letting one last sob escape her lips. "Hermione? Are you all right?" she heard Harry call. "I'm fine.. come in" she said quietly. Harry stepped in and gave her a weak smile. Hermione laid back down, "Harry?" Harry sighed and looked at her,
"Yes, Mione?" he said softly, trying to sound as pleasant as possible. She didn't know where to begin. She wanted to say "I miss him, Harry. I want him back." But she couldn't bring herself to. Instead she said, "big day tomorrow, right? Godric's Hollow..."
He sighed and knelt next to her bunk, "That's not what you were going to say, was it?" She looked at him. his tired, dirty face. And she knew he was looking at the tearstains on her cheeks. She also knew he wasn't going to push the subject if she declined.
"Harry.."
"Yeah?" he said softly, gently wiping the tears away with his thumb. She knew she didn't have to say anything. She knew he understood. He frowned, "I miss him too" She let a few more tears escape, and looked away so he wouldn't see. It hurt him down to the core to see Hermione like this. "Hermione," he started, but started to cry instead.
"No!" she let out in between sobs. "Harry! Don't! I'm ... sorry I didn't mean to. I'll stop I'll- I'll stop."
He got a hold of himself, "Sorry" he mumbled, wiping his eyes. "I'm just tired"
"No...you're not. and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said-"
"Shhh" he said gently, touching her lips for a moment. "I just.. I don't like seeing you like this" She nodded. And closed her eyes. her head hurt from the crying, but oddly, she felt at peace "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" he said suddenly, blushing once it was out.
This caught her by shock. Her eyes darted wide open "What?"
He looked away, but looked back suddenly. "You're beautiful, and I wanted you to know that" he said, biting his lip.
"Oh.." there was a very pregnant pause. "Well, thank you."
He smiled softly, "I'm only telling the truth" he said, standing up. "Anything I could do for you?"
"No thank you, I think..I'm going to bed."
He sighed and nodded, "Okay.. I'll take watch"
"Harry?"
He turned around. "Yes."
"Thank you, though. Really. Thank you."
He smiled. "Anytime."
