How?...why?...this can't be possible…how can I possibly have feeling for Hermione?...just last year…I went out with Ginny…I liked her…even kissed her…so how?...why?...thoughts re-played themselves over and over in Harry's mind; reminding him about the scene back at the Weasley's house. Maybe…maybe it's just…a friend thing…everyone generally has some sort of feeling for their friends…right?...maybe that's what I felt…just maybe…

"Harry...Harry? Hello, anyone home in there?" Harry snapped back to reality to find Ron's hand waving lazily before his face.

"Sorry," Harry said, sitting up and turning his gaze away from the window to look at Ron. "I was just thinking about something."

"You sure, man?" Ron asked, giving Harry a questioning glare.

"Yes, I'm good. Don't worry.) With that, Harry gave Ron what he hoped looked like a reassuring smile and returned to the window.

The car became silent once again, except for the occasional whispering of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the low humming of the car the Weasley's had rented. Since they couldn't apparate everyone and the building where the wedding was being held had no fireplace to use floo power, the car was their last resort.

Harry preferred this method of travel more then any other because the fact that he had grown up with this being the only source of transportation unless you rode your bike, took the bus, or walked. The wedding is being held at one of the local taverns in hogsmead.

"Mrs. Weasley, how much longer till we arrive?" Hermione asked. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin, having forgotten that she was also in the same car. She had been so quiet, reading her book, that Harry had forgotten she was there. When he heard her stifle a giggle, he turned to look at her.

"What are you giggling about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"You, Harry. You're very jumpy today it seems. Just relax." She then smiled at him before returning to her book. As Harry turned to face the front of the car, he noticed that Ron looked very confused. Shrugging his shoulders, he mouthed to Ron that he would explain later. Ron signed and turned back around in his seat.

"We're here!" Mrs. Weasley rang out as their car pulled into an empty lot. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other rather confused.

"Umm…Mrs. Weasley, this is an empty parking lot…" Harry said as he looked out his window.

"I know, dear, but since Hogsmead is a wizarding town, you can't very well drive a car to it." Laughing, she climbed from the car, "We'll have to do a bit of walking though. Hope you dears don't mind."

"No, we're good, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you," Hermione broke in before Harry or Ron had a chance to argue.

"Alright then, let's go. We don't want to be late now do we!" with that, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked ahead followed closely behind by Fred, George, and Ginny. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed towards the back, keeping their distance.

The three of them walked for a while in silence, just thinking, until Harry finally spoke.

"I hope that nothing happens at the wedding today, "he said, pulling his hands out of his pockets. Hermione and Ron looked at each other before either of them spoke.

"What do ya mean man?" Ron asked, hoping for a reply.

"I mean, I hope that Voldemort doesn't try to pull anything, now that Dumbledore's gone and there's no one here to protect me against him. He'll now have a chance to kill me without fear of being stopped…" Harry's voice trailed off as a single tear rolled down his cheek, "I don't…just…"

"What do you mean there's no one here to protect you! What about Ron and I? We're here for you, we always have been and always will be, no matter what happens," Hermione replied, taking Harry's hand in hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze before continuing, "Harry, Ron and I will never leave your side, even if you try to push us away."

"Yeah mate. We're here until the very end." Ron said, slapping Harry on the shoulder.

"Thanks." Harry smiled, giving Hermione's hand a squeeze making sure she knew he understood.

"For now," Hermione mentioned, "there is a wedding to attend and let's make the most of it, alright?"

"Sure," Harry and Ron replied in unison.

Hermione smiled as they continued to walk towards their destination. I wish…for once in his life… Hermione thought to herself. he could live without the fear of losing someone close…or knowing someone is out there ready to kill him…I wish just for once…he could have a normal…carefree…life…

Hermione felt a slight tug on her hand which brought her back to reality. She then realized she had stopped moving and had been staring at Harry the whole time she was thinking to herself. Blinking, she blushed.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked, taking a step backwards to stand at her side.

"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something."

"You think too much, 'mione, "Harry laughed as he pulled her forward.

Ron, now realizing they weren't with him anymore, called out to them, "Oye, why did ya stop!"

"Sorry Ron! It was my fault. I dropped something out of my pocket, "Hermione called, blushing again.

"We're coming, Ron! Don't worry. You, right now, have more important things to worry about then us, "Harry yelled as he grabbed Hermione's hand more firmly and began to run. Hermione, caught off guard, nearly tripped over her own feet.

Since when does he call me 'mione! When…did this happen…she thought as she tried to keep up with Harry.

The next thing she knew, she was lying on top of Harry, whose face was buried in the grass. Realizing she had tripped, she quickly got off him, blushing.

"I am so sorry, Harry!" Hermione cried, helping Harry to his feet, "I'm just not "here" today."

When he had finally gotten to his feet, she could help but laugh at the sight he presented.

"What! Is it that bad?" he asked, staring at her.

"Well, let's put it this way, you look like you just faced a mountain troll," Hermione laughed, "Here, let me help you." Hermione muttered a cleaning charm and Harry looked as good as new.

Looking flustered, Harry apologized profusely, "No, no, I was my fault you fell though. I shouldn't have made you hold my hand while running like that."

Adding to Harry's embarrassment, he heard Ron call from a distance, "Oye! You two love birds! Quiet wrestling with each other and get over here!"

Laughing, Harry and Hermione finally caught back up with Ron. Before Ron had a chance to continue teasing them, they arrived in Hogsmead.