Chapter One

Two Weeks Later

Hermione had woken shortly after sunrise at the Burrow. Today was the day she would leave, making the journey to Australia in order to remove the memory modifications she had placed upon her parents last summer. She sat up, glancing over at the still sleeping Ginny, and quietly exited the room.

The Burrow was silent, its occupants deservingly sleeping in. She grabbed herself a cup of tea before heading outside, taking a seat on a bench in the yard that overlooked the garden. Hermione had made a habit of this routine since returning here. She sipped at her tea until the sun had more than fully rose up in the pale blue sky. It was as she was walking back that the bushes beside the garden path had whispered her name. "Hermione…"

Hermione turned, pointing her wand instinctually towards the voice, "Who's there?"

"It's only me," Harry Potter had stepped out of the shadows.

"Merlin, Harry," she put her wand away, "You of all people should know not to sneak up on people."

"Yeah, sorry," he thrust his hands in his pockets, clearly distracted from the fact that she almost cursed the pants off of him.

"You alright Harry?" She prodded, reading his mood, knowing something was on his mind.

He looked up, sorrowful all of the sudden and asked, "You're leaving for Australia today, right?"

"Yes…" She answered, misinterpreting his saddened look, "I can wait a couple more days."

"No, no, no" He quickly interrupted, "I want to come with you. Well, at least until you get to Australia, then I would go my own way. But you cannot tell anyone until after I am gone, otherwise they'd never let me go, you see?"

The words bounced right off of her, absolutely zero meaning taken in. Hermione repeated his hasty explanation in her head, shaking her head at phrases like 'go my own way.' She looked over at her friend, realization dawning over her.

"You want to leave," she said slowly, "but you don't want anyone to know you're going." Her brow furrowed, "Except me of course, you want me to lie- to Ron, to Ginny, to MRS. WEASLEY." Her voice became loud, anger washing over her like an acid cloud.

"Yes." Harry sighed, "I have to go Hermione, you don't understand."

She snapped, "Yes, Harry, I do understand. What I don't understand is why you feel the need to lie to every single person that loves you, and forcing me to partake in it!"

Every cell inside of Hermione Granger was revolting against her, willing for her to not participate in this blatant lie. However, she agreed to tell the Weasley's that Harry was to accompany her to Australia, where they would be spending the summer, and would return to Hogwart's September the First to finish their education. They agreed, after two weeks spent at her parent's new beachside bungalow, that he would disappear, leaving behind nothing but a note.

There in, Hermione would send a copy of Harry's letter, and a frantic explanation to Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. By then, it would be too late for he would be somewhere deeply hidden in America. He had confided the broad location, though she had to promise she would not share that information with anyone else.

After several minutes of arguing, he had finally agreed to send her an occasional update via Muggle electronic mail. So it was settled, Harry would spread his cock and bull story about joining Hermione throughout the day and the pair of them would leave shortly after dinner.

She and Ron had taken a walk to Fred's grave that afternoon, where they held each other, neither moving nor saying a word. It was without saying that Ronald was having a tough time since Fred had died. Truthfully they both were, and so that is the reason they had walked silently back to the burrow, neither acknowledging the kiss they had shared weeks ago.

Dinner was a reminiscent affair, the group had talked of fond memories of the lost, Fred coming up most often though never stories shared by George, until the sun had set over the horizon. "The food was magnificent," Hermione hugged Mrs. Weasley for the last time before departing.

"Thank you, my dear." She replied, squeezing the younger woman.

"Take care of yourself- and Harry too." She added, releasing Hermione.

She and Ron embraced quickly, knowingly having said their goodbyes earlier. Hermione would miss him, she was sure, but she realized she was grateful for their time apart also. They both needed it.

The rest of the Weasley's and other guests, including Luna Lovegood, had embraced her in turn, wishing her safe travels back to her parents. Ginny stood alone, the last of the redheads having scattered among the yard, last to say goodbye.

"Good luck," Ginny whispered into her ear as they hugged; the wind of the cool evening sending shivers throughout her. She had shorts on despite the chilly evening, for it would certainly be hot when they had arrived in Australia.

"Thanks," she chuckled nervously pulling away, both girls oblivious to one another's suddenly racing heart beats.

Harry came up beside her out of nowhere it seemed, causing Hermione to jump slightly. "You ready?" He asked.

"Sure." Hermione replied, taking one last look at the Burrow and the mostly red headed crowd gathered, waving at the pair of them. They waved back, Hermione grabbing tightly unto Harry's free arm and turning on the spot.

It had taken both of them minutes to adjust to the sun's blistering light. Only midmorning, they had apparated somewhere in Australia. Harry took off his jacket as they walked uphill, a layer of sticky sweat already covering them both. After only two blocks Hermione slowed next to a sleek, black BMW.

Harry's mouth went agape as he watched his very best friend, his good and honest friend, tap her wand against the handle.

She pulled the door open, to which he shouted, "Hermione, I know I told you I didn't want to know the finer details of the plan, but I didn't know they included grand theft auto!"

Hermione made a sort of exasperated noise and shut the car door. She rolled down the window a bit, he was unable to see through the dark tint, "Harry relax- the car is mine."

He mumbled, "well that changes things then," as he opened the car door and got inside. The interior was sleek, black leather cold from the running air conditioning. "Where'd you get the car?"

"I prepared it before I had left, working with the Australian Ministry to get the proper licenses to modify it." She said matter of fact.

"Well okay then." Harry said, poking at the touch screen computer in the center console.

They drove for nearly half an hour before turning down a hidden drive, through a thick expanse of trees. They emerged suddenly, the sun shining bright, the ocean in full view. Hermione parked the car in front a lone beach house. Harry followed her as she hastened up the footpath leading to the house. "What's your plan?"

"Didn't have one," she answered as she unlocked the door with her wand. Between the unpredictability of her parent's decision making and the grave realization that she very well may not come back from the war, she hadn't created a return plan.

Hermione dashed into the living room, where fortunately her parents sat next to one another on the sofa. She had made easy work of remodifying their memories. They were ecstatic to remember again and were as equally impressed with their new home.

Several hours and a dozen cups of tea later, Hermione, with the help of Harry, had explained the events that occurred over the last year. At some points, both she and Harry bent the truth. She had skipped over her perspective at Malfoy Manor entirely, allowing Harry to take over from his point of view. When they had finally concluded, her father brushed tears from his eyes and grasped both her and her mother's hand. He inhaled sharply, "So what now?"

Hermione hadn't exactly prepared for that exact question, so she replied slowly, "So… I guess whatever you all would like."

"We could stay here then?" Her father asked, her mother nodding in agreement. "Only, and only if you'd like," her father hastened, "we want to be wherever you are."

She had assumed they would go back to London and resume their normal lives. Hermione hadn't considered an alternative, but her mother interrupted her contemplation suddenly exclaiming, "But what about the office, Hermione?"

"Oh," Hermione laughed, "I hired a manager, the Muggle husband of a member in the Order. I have overseen finances remotely, periodically to ensure everything remained on track."

"Hermione," her father said slowly, gears turning, "how could you afford all this?" He gestured around at vast living room, the beach visible from the wall sized window.

"Well, Dad," she said, confident, expecting this question all afternoon, "I am going to have to resort to a quote spoken by Fred Weasley."

They all looked at her, absolutely bewildered expressions on their faces, as she spoke, "He once said to me, 'Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies.'"

Later on while Hermione conjured another bed for Harry, she smiled at the memory of her mother's bemused expression after she implied that she and Harry would be sharing sleeping quarters. This made them both crimson red immediately, interrupting one another explaining that Harry was only joining them temporarily.

"So how did you get the money?" Harry probed as he made his bed.

Hermione laughed, "Stole it, but I'll never tell you who from."

"You didn't!" Harry nearly shouted.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "You're right, I didn't." She pulled out a long gold necklace from under a shirt in her dresser.

"Ahhh, a time turner," Harry breathed, "So all except for one broke in our fifth year at the ministry?"

"Maybe…" she said, drawing out the word. "Don't tell anyone, especially not Ronald." She made him promise.

"Fine, fine," he put his glasses on the bedside table while she dimmed the lamps, "Night 'mione."

"Night Harry," she added hastily, "Love you."

"Love you too 'mione," he said into his pillow so the sentence came out squashed, almost unintelligible.