Disclaimer: Although the idea of owning Harry Potter would be nice, that would constitute as Slavery, wouldn't it? Shucks. The Plot is mine though, so HA!

two notes: the long line means time has passed, while the stars are a point of view change. It switched between Harry and Hermione.

The night was long. Ever since the end of the battle, bodies and people had been stumbling into the great hall. The bodies of Tonks and Remus still had the most gathered around, but slowly the other teachers began to move and identify the other bodies. The causalities were severe, with over twenty deaths, and forty critically wounded. Most everyone else were suffering from scratches and bruises, except for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Hermione had a long gash running down her left leg, and a curse that a death eater sent her way had glanced off her 'protego' spell, but it still had gotten through. It made her have mood swings constantly. Ron had found himself in perfect health, save a minor scratch above his left eye.

Harry was the worst of the trio, and he looked it. Both eyes were black, and a long cut ran from his left ear down to his elbow. He also had broken ribs, but those seemed minor to what was really bothering him. His mind was racing as he thought. All those people. All those deaths. I died too, but I was able to come back. Nobody else could... he sat against the window at the Hog's Head, where he had rented a room. Hermione and Ron had gotten a room together so they could talk about, well, them, and Harry had decided to give them their space. Harry sighed and looked over at a picture sitting on the desk. It was a picture of Harry, Hedwig, and Hermione. Harry looked longingly at Hedwig, wishing he had her there. He needed to send a letter, so finally he decided to write it and slip it under their door as he left.

Harry leaned back against his pillow and stared at the ceiling, waiting for sleep that he was sure would never come.

Harry awoke at 3 in the morning. His bags had been packed for him by Dobby, and he had asked that his broom be left out. Harry swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, using the bed frame to support him. Madam Pomfrey had come while he was asleep, or so he assumed, because everything was healed, except his soul. The dead compared to the lives saved was minimal, but those who had died were more personal than muggles he saved. Harry walked over to the door, and quietly pushed it open. As he passed the door marked 101, he leaned down and slipped the letter under the door, hearing Ron's Foghorn of a snore. He passed by the door marked 100 and was surprised to hear the sobbing of none other than Hermione. He had written her a letter for her, but had not had the courage to give it to her. He had it in his front pocket, and, without second guessing himself, slid it under the door. Harry hurried down the stairs and through the open door into the bar and main entrance to the pub. "Aberforth, did you prepare everything that i asked?"

"I did. Are you sure you do not want them to go with you?" Aberforth asked. "They could be of great help."

"No. I don't want them to follow me to wherever the heck I'm going. I'll mail you my location, so you can update me on the news." Harry spoke, pointing his wand at his trunk, which instantly shrunk. He reached down and placed the small trunk into his pocket, feeling as lost as he ever could. He didn't want to leave his friends behind, but he had backed himself into a corner. If he stayed he could ruin the friendships he had. Well, he thought grimly, once had.

Harry stepped out onto the dew-soaked grass outside of the pub and looked up at the windows of rooms 100 and 101. the light in Hermione's room was still on, and Harry could still hear Ron faintly snoring. Harry took the Firebolt out of the broom shed and looked it up and down. He mounted it, looked up at the moon, and with a sudden blast of air, Harry Potter had left the Wizarding school forever.

Hermione stared down at the piece of parchment. She had been woken up by a pounding on the door. It had turned out to be non-other than Ron, who was holding an open letter with an ashen face. "Harry's gone." Ron said disbelievingly. "I already checked his room. Everything is gone. Except for this." He held up the golden snitch that had once held Gaunt's Ring.

Hermione grabbed the letter and read it aloud, as if Ron hadn't already read it.

To Ron & Hermione,

I'm so sorry that things had to work out like this. In my heart, i know that you would have gone with me, to wherever the hell I'm going. I know by now, Ron, that you will have found the snitch. This will only open at the right time in Hermione's life. Not your's Ron, but hers. This may be the hardest thing of all, but ask Aberforth to give you the letter. Give that letter directly to Ginny. After that is done, go to Neville and ask for the other letter. Please, as bad as this sounds, give it to Draco Malfoy. To prove that it is really me Ron, you and Hermione kissed before the battle. This is a happy time for the both of you. You two should cherish it together. Where I am going, I will not be recognized, so that should be a nice change of pace for me. If the world becomes a troubled world again, i will come to help.

Lots of Love and Luck,

Harry Potter

P.S. Hermione, this part is bewitched so only you can read it. When Ron leaves, check under your pillow. Love, Harry

Hermione stared blankly at the parchment. "Ron, go get the letter from Aberforth, and give it to Ginny. Then go to-"

Ron looked at her, and with a sad look, said, "Alright. I'll be back soon, alright?"

Hermione just nodded, and as her door closed as Ron left, and then she collapsed against her wall. The crumpled parchment was held tightly in her hand, and tears began to well in her eyes. She reached over under her pillow and grabbed the letter. She fumbled with the wax stamp and slowly pulled the photo and piece of paper from inside the envelope. She looked at the photo first, noticing that there was something written on the back. It read, You have given me photos of all of us, Hermione, but never one of just us. This is for you. Harry.

She read it twice, and then turned the photo over. It was from the end of their fourth year, and seconds before the shot was taken, Hermione had kissed Harry on the cheek. Hedwig was on the cart of luggage between the two, who, as far as Hermione could tell, were holding hands. Hermione gently set down the photo and picked up the piece of paper. She unfolded it carefully and read.

Hermione,

There were so many things that i had racing through my mind last night, and one that kept popping up was taking you, only you, with me. I know that it sounds crazy, but, after Ginny reads the letter she will surely tell you, i no longer love her. The snitch will open when you except who you really are. And until that happens, you have a pretty dead snitch there. I heard you crying throughout the entire night, and I'm so sorry I couldn't be there.

I'll Miss you,

Harry