Both boys were sitting inside the magical tent as the wind blew harshly outside. It would have been Harry's turn for lookout if the situation was

different but it clearly wasn't although he was hoping for it to change . " Hope is all I have now" he thought What Ron had asked him earlier that day and the

sudden answer he had given was troubling him even more. 'Am I really in love with her?' the thought came as he saw Hermione stir in her sleep .

"You reckon she'll be alright?" Ron's sudden voice startled Harry back to reality. He looked at Ron, who was sitting on the couch still holding the sword again,

then he returned his gaze at her. Hermione's small and fragile body was resting on her bed in front of him. When they had carried Hermione inside the tent,

Harry chose to stay by her side while Ron chose to sit on the couch. She was pale and thin but she looked beautiful. She was breathing slowly but steadily and

she was making soft sounds and Harry almost smiled at her...almost...

"She looks peaceful when she sleeps doesn't she," stated Ron suddenly.

"Yeah, she does. She always does," Harry replied softly.

"We should make her rest more often... You know how she is, always darting around and thinking and reading and lecturing. Or threatening

to hex us," Ron added in amusement. His voice was so sincere that Harry looked at him curiously.

And then they both smiled. It was not their usual riotous laughter, but this was one of the few genuinely happy moments they had shared in

months. They were alright, and Harry was glad to have Ron once again, but he was also scared of how Hermione would react after waking up.

'Things can't be that bad,' he thought.

"So you forgive me?" Ron said after some time as he came and sat beside Harry and Hermione. Harry was again lost in his thoughts he was

staring at the candle in front of him, the flickering

nature of the small flame was a reminder of his own life. "How easily I can put it out," he thought. Just like Voldemort can...

"Harry! HARRY!" Ron's sudden yelling made him come to his senses once more. "You look like you've just seen a Death Eater. You don't forgive

me, do you Harry?" Ron said a bit sadly.

"No, it's nothing like that Ron" Harry assured him but the slight tremble in his voice let Ron to think otherwise. Ron looked at him curiously and

suddenly Harry spoke again as if he was speaking to himself.

"I don't think that I was mad at you in the first place. I was just too frustrated of my own shortcomings... you were

right Ron. I didn't have a plan - hell, I still don't know what to do! Dumbledore gave me nothing! I don't-I don't think that I can do this...I

never should have let you guys come, this isn't your war..." Harry's mouth was getting dry and he knew that he was babbling now. "You don't deserve this!

You and Hermione could have been happy together like normal teenagers, if I - if I had left when I should have, or if I had died with Sirius or with Dumbledore!

It would have been over for good! Then Hermione and you could have had the chance to be normal! Sometimes I wonder if... if Voldemort... if I just died..."

SLAP!

Harry couldn't finish as his head snapped back from the force of Hermione's hand. As Harry fell to the ground from where he was sitting, Ron jumped to his feet.

"Do you really...do you honestly think...think that we...that I could be happy if you died?" Hermione was awake! she had been for a while now but she didn't

have the courage to face them just yet but she just couldn't take it anymore. The frustration boiling inside was now converted into anger and she was having

difficulty in controlling it. Her breath coming in pants. For the briefest moment she looked as if she would cry. Harry, after recovering from the blow, tried to

reach for her...

SLAP!

"BLOODY HELL!" Ron cursed as Hermione's hand came in contact with Harry again.

"YOU SELFISH GIT! YOU...THINK, HOW COULD YOU THINK...AFTER ALL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH, AFTER ALL I'VE BEEN THROUGH - AFTER ALL THE SACRIFICES THAT

I'VE MADE - AND YOU THINK THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY IF YOU JUST DIED... YOU THINK THAT I COULD LIVE IF YOU JUST DIED!"

Hermione was screaming now. Fresh tears were falling down from her eyes and she was quickly wiping them off. She refused to look vulnerable at this moment

as she came nearer to Harry, she failed in her feat.

"AND YOU!" She was now looking at Ron, who was horrified by what he was seeing.

"What? What did I do this time?" he squecked.

"YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN LEAVE US ANY TIME AND THEN COME BACK WHENEVER YOU LIKE? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, THAT I'D JUST WELCOME YOU? YOU

BLOODY GIT... AND WHAT WERE YOU SAYING TO HARRY? WHERE'S MY WAND? HARRY JAMES POTTER, WHERE IS MY WAND! I SAID GIVE ME MY BLOODY WAND!"

Harry, who had recovered now, quickly went to the other side of the tent for protection. Ron was making strange, fearful noises as Hermione threw anything

that she could find at them including some not so friendly curses.

"BLOODY HELL, WOMAN!" Ron yelled after being hit by a flying book that Hermione had thrown at him. For the briefest moment he thought that

facing Bellatrix would have been a lot easier. At least then he could have fought back.

"HERMIONE, STOP!" This time Harry yelled. Hermione looked at him for a moment and then she launched herself at him, constantly throwing

punches and kicks. Harry finally tackled her to the ground. Both of them were lying on the ground for some time, panting and catching their breath. Ron settled

himself on the couch again but he still kept his eyes on Hermione. He finally found the courage to muster "Are you lot finished?" Both of them got up at the

same time. Hermione without looking at them went to sit on her bed and Harry went to sit beside Ron. They both looked at each other meaningfully, strangely

they were all very calm. Chaos that conspired a few minuets earlier were all forgotten.

"So what should we do next?" asked Ron.

"I dunno, Ron. We already went to Godric's Hollow and..." Harry looked at Hermione, who was still not looking at him. "And there was nothing

there. The only place left is Hogwarts."

"I don't think that Voldemort hid two of his Horcruxes at Hogwarts," Hermione finally said, her voice was soft. "If we could just find out about

the symbol-" she looked thoughtful.

"What symbol?" asked Ron, clearly curious.

"Ron! The symbol! The symbol..." Harry said excitedly as he looked at Ron, his friend has reminded him. Bill and Fluer's wedding. It was all clear to

him now. He looked at Ron meaningfully.

"Yeah, but what symbol, mate?" But Harry ignored Ron's question and looked to Hermione.

"Mione, give me the book." As Hermione offered him the book, Ron lit up the fallen candle. "Don't you call me 'Mione," Hermione said

halfheartedly while she came and sat beside them. Harry smiled at her.

"And don't smile at me either!"

Harry smirked at her comment, amused.

"DON'T YOU DARE, HARRY JAMES POTTER!" she said loudly, and Harry couldn't hold back the laughter that escaped him..