AN: This is a bit more introspective, and could possibly fit in cannon. Or at least an AU close to cannon.

Don't own, because if I did there would be some drastic changes to the last few books. Or it would just have a different protagonist. And probably not be as good, so I suppose it's best I don't own it and I'm merely borrowing.


Proverb: No man is an island.

No man is an island, but sometimes people need to be reminded of that.


Harry was sitting on the Astronomy Tower, where Snape had just killed Dumbledore. He had covered himself in his cloak, not wanting to be found or disturbed. There was a lot of thinking he needed to do.

Five. The number of people whose death he had caused. His parents, because of that stupid prophesy, Cedric for offering to share the cup and not being fast enough, Sirius for falling into Voldemort's trap, and now Dumbledore. Dumbledore, who had wasted his strength on trying to get a horcrux that wasn't a horcrux. Dumbledore, who tried to protect Harry (but for what reason? He was going to die anyway. A teenager can't rely on luck against an older, more learned creature.) Harry had failed them all. He couldn't save Dumbledore, or Sirius or Cedric, and Barty Crouch, and that poor muggle from the Riddle house. He wasn't a savior, he was a failure. Hot headed, an idiot, not paying enough attention to the things that matter and too much to that which didn't.

He needed saving more times than he saved others. He put his loved ones in harms way. He was no hero. He could never be a hero. He would just cause more death and destruction where ever he went to who ever he cared about. It would be easiest to not care. Unfeeling. Let everything wash over him so that he could do what he needed to.

Voldemort had to be stopped. That was a given. Harry had to be the one to stop him. That was prophesized. No more would he let others fight his battles. No more would he sit back as others attempted to correct his mistakes. It was time to go on the offensive; destroy the horcruxes before Voldemort discovered it.

And the best way to do this? On his own.

He nearly got Ron and Hermione killed; first year, second year, third year, fifth year. Neville and Luna in fifth year. Ginny in fifth year and by dating her, for however brief that had been. He needed to be alone. He couldn't risk anyone's life other than his own.

He'd break up with Ginny, using Hedwig. He'd tell Hedwig to stay with the Weasleys. Maybe have Rita write an article about how much Ginny hated him for it. (But it was for her own protection. If she had no connection to him, she would not be harmed). He could get away with not talking to anyone for a few months, then leave on one of Dung's shifts. He'd try and find the horcruxes on his own, and keep his friends out of it.

This was between him and Voldemort.

And if Harry was being honest, he didn't think he would live through the encounter. All he needed to do was make Voldemort mortal. Someone else could take the killing slot. Maybe Neville. Maybe Neville was the real Chosen One. Harry got lucky, Neville worked hard. Harry goofed off, Neville was focused. Maybe the Neville from first year was not the chosen one, but now. Now Neville seemed more the part of a hero than Harry.

Neville had never been responsible for people's deaths. He had not lead anyone into dangerous territory on a dream and a half mad house elf's word. Neville did what needed to be done.

Harry had his head in the sky, flying.

So Harry was going to do the only thing he could do. Go back to the Dursley's, then leave. Go into hiding. Find the horcruxes (which would be so much harder without Hermione's brain, but he couldn't ask her to join him. It wasn't her fight). Destroy them. And finally, confront Voldemort and take as many Death Eaters out as possible (his heart ached as he heard a ghost of Ron's voice, eager to fight the evil doers). But this was his fight. Nobody else. He was responsible for everyone who came with him, and he could barely take care of himself. He couldn't count on luck forever.

Tomorrow, Harry thought drowsily to himself. Tomorrow I leave everyone I care for behind to protect them. No one else will die for me, instead of me. I will face my destiny with my head held proud.

The quiet night and twinkling stars, and the glow of the moon soon lulled Harry to sleep.


When Harry awoke, it was to whispered voices, and a warm bed. He looked up and saw the outline of brown and red before his glasses were placed on his face.

Ron and Hermione were looking at him, concerned. He soaked in their looks, knowing that after leaving Hogwarts it was unlikely they would meet again. Hermione, noticing he was awake, began to chide him. Her concern obvious as she complained about him sleeping outside. Ron, still trying to stay on Hermione's good side, merely nodded when Hermione said his name. Harry listened to Hermione, and when she was finished he smiled.

"Don't change, Hermione," he said, smiling at her. Instead of reassuring Ron and Hermione that he was fine, this seemed to make them more concerned.

"That sounded like a good-bye," Ron noted, a frown on his face. Harry shrugged.

"Well, we are leaving Hogwarts today for the summer, and everything is going to change with Professor Dumbledore's death," Harry said, attempting to distract them. It didn't work.

"No, usually your summer good-byes are less...depressing, and more 'get me as soon as you can'," Hermione said, Ron nodding. Harry cast about for something more to say.

"Well, with what just happened..." he tried, but Ron and Hermione shook their heads.

"We've known you for nearly seven years. We know all your moods and faces," Ron said.

"You're 'I'm going to do something stupid', 'I'm going to save a friend', 'I'm going to be stupidly noble'..." Hermione started.

"Also the 'I'm going to catch the snitch', and your favorite one, that you are wearing right now..." continued Ron.

"The 'I'm responsible for every bad thing that has ever happened in this world and I'm about to do something stupidly noble on my own to fix it'" Ron and Hermione chorused together. Harry stared at them before cracking a smile.

"Maybe I'm a little predictable," he allowed, before frowning. "But that..."

"Look mate, we've been with you for all of Hogwarts. Through trolls and snakes, and crazy professors," Ron started.

"When the world hated you and when it loved you. Through Voldemort, and tests, and dragons and potions," Hermione continued.

"If we haven't actually left yet, why would we leave now? Wouldn't fourth year make more sense? Or fifth?" Ron asked.

"Or first year, when you decided to stop a professor on your own. Looking back, not one of our better ideas," Hermione said, smiling.

"You've saved my sister and my dad, and helped my brothers. Mum's practically adopted you and we're pretty sure you're her favorite," Ron added.

"But what I'm going to do is dangerous, and..." Harry started, trying to make them see.

"And we chose to help. It is our decision to make, not yours," Hermione stated, looking him in the eye. "This war doesn't just effect you. Even if you try and pull away from us, we'd still be targets."

"My family is kinda vocal about our opinions, and Hermione's muggleborn. We'd rather be targets with you and doing something to stop the war than be targets just sitting around uselessly," Ron agreed.

"Harry, no man is an island. You can't go through life alone, and you don't have to," Hermione said, resting her arm on Harry's shoulder.

"We chose you, we will keep choosing you, and unless you decide to join You-Know-Who, well, you're stuck with us mate," Ron smiled lopsidedly. "Besides, who's going to keep you out of trouble if you don't bring Hermione?"

"And who's going to remind you to take a break if you forget Ron?" Hermione agreed.

Harry looked from one face to another. It was weird, he thought, to see that look directed at me. Not since Sirius...

Harry took a breath. Yes, he could try to go it alone, but he never really had before, and there was really no reason to start now. Three heads were better than none.

"So, I guess we'll need a plan..." Harry said, grinning up at his closest friends. They grinned back.