'I guess I should go and get changed,' Harry said as he fingered his white cotton shirt. He could feel Hermione's knee touching his under the table and took comfort in the contact. He ruffled his hair anxiously, not used to the new feelings that being around Hermione were stirring inside him.

'You'll need to show me how to get to the roof sometime, ' Hermione said with a smile, her brown eyes sparkling.

Harry smiled back, 'I think there's a whole lot of this house left to explore, I just stumbled onto it really.'

'Fancy a game of chess later, Harry?' Ron asked, breaking the eye contact between Harry and Hermione.

'Of course.' Harry tried to ignore the odd look that Ron was giving him. It wasn't an angry look, but a curious one. It was a look that often on his face when he was playing chess.'You know I always look forward to getting completely pummelled.'

Ron smirked good-naturedly, 'ahwell, can't be good at everything.'

/

After he showered and dressed, Harry wondered the narrow halls on his way to the library. He caught a glimpse of Hermione as he went to walk past her room and paused. She was packing away her clothes, her hands delicately folding and placing them neatly in the drawer. Harry watched silently for a moment, his eyes drinking in every detail before he knocked gently on the door.

Hermione turned at the sound, a smile gracing her face. 'Feel better?' She said as Harry entered the room slowly.

Harry grinned and nodded. 'Much, thank you. But as nice as it sounds to fall asleep under the stars, it wasn't the most comfortable of sleeping positions.' He rubbed his neck dramatically.

Hermione smiled, brushing a stray hair that had fallen in her eye. 'Do you want to talk about it?'

'Talk about what?' Harry asked absently as he wondered around the room. Her school books were already out of her trunk and neatly stacked on her desk. He knew very well she was referring to the conversation that had been interrupted in the kitchen earlier. He just wanted to stall for a moment to gather his thoughts. He paused at a photo she had placed on her bedside table. It was of her parents. Hermione stood in the middle, both her parents had arms around her shoulders and smiles on their faces.

'Wow, you look like your Mum.' Harry commented as he picked up the picture. She had the same dark brown eyes, and hair. He felt a smile come onto his face and turned to Hermione who was watching him. 'I kinda miss muggle photos.' He looked back at the picture and appreciated how genuinely happy Hermione seemed to be in it. 'You look so happy.' He said quietly as he placed the frame back down.

Hermione smiled at him, 'I always love going home.' She paused thoughtfully, 'I'm so lucky to have my parents but it's getting harder and harder for them to understand this world. I mean, they try. They're so interested but it's just so different from the world they live in.'

Harry smiled, 'you know after our first year. Back at the Dursley's, I almost convinced myself I'd made it all up and that it was all a dream.' He looked at her, 'too good to be true you know?'

'I can't imagine how you would have felt.' Hermione stated quietly. 'The life you had before you got your letter.'

Harry gave a small smile, images of Hagrid in that small hut flashed before him. 'I would spend so much of my time wishing for a different life. When I met Hagrid, I couldn't believe it. Magic?' He shook his head as he remembered. 'An entire world of Magic right in front of me, waiting for me.' He looked up, 'It gave me hope, you know. Hope that there was something more in life. That there was more than the tiny world I had lived in for so long. A place where I finally belonged, a place where I would call home.' He paused, a wave of sadness coming over him as the weight of the prophecy made itself known.

He closed the door gently before coming to sit next to her on the bed and rubbed his sweaty hands on his jeans anxiously. His heart was hammering in his chest and as he took a deep breath, he felt Hermione take his hand in hers gently. Her fingers intertwined with his and gave a small squeeze.

/

'Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…" Hermione repeated slowly, her voice soft. She took a deep breath, her grip on his hand strong and reassuring.

'When did Dumbledore tell you?' Hermione asked, her eyes glued to his face.

'After the Department last year.' Harry replied, images of Voldemort invaded his mind. The feeling of being possessed leaving a sickening feeling in his stomach. 'I was so angry.' Harry whispered, eyes re-focusing on Hermione. 'I was so angry that he hadn't told me. That he lied to me. That he kept me in the dark.' He paused, 'all summer, Hermione. I live that night again and again and I can't escape it. But I realised something, I'm not angry at Dumbledore, not anymore. I'm angry at myself. For being so stupid, so hotheaded.' He felt his eyes sting and stood up. 'you were right, Hermione. This saving people thing, It's dangerous. It's my fault that Sirius is gone. It's my fault that Remus lost his best friend.' He felt his heart rate increase and closed his eyes as he tried to take calming breathes. He opened his eyes as tears began to stream out. 'I can't even walk around this house without thinking of him at every corner, knowing it's on me that he isn't here right now.' He blinked, 'Hermione. Being here, being my friend. It isn't safe. He will use you to get to me because he knows how much it'll hurt.'

'Sirius dying wasn't your fault, Harry.' Hermione stood up. She clasped his hands in hers. 'And my being there? That was my choice, Harry. Not yours. I chose to go with you.' She took a deep breath, her hand coming up and wiping a tear away. 'And I will always chose to stand by you. No matter what.' She clamped her hand over his mouth as he was about to respond. 'You are my best friend, Harry. My best friend. I will not let you go through this alone.' She took her hand away slowly, and brushed his fringe away from his face. Her small fingers delicately tracing his lightning scar. Harry closed his eyes, his heart rate lessening considerably at her touch. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised by the intensity in her gaze. 'Don't fight me on this, Harry.' She whispered.

'What did I do to deserve you?' Harry whispered as he pulled her into a hug. His arms completely encircled her, holding her close. Her arms wound around his waist and squeezed tightly as though she was afraid he would disappear. Holding her in his arms, feeling her steady heartbeat against his chest and the warmth of her body radiated to him made him more content that he ever had in his life. He could feel Hermione smile into his chest and met her gaze.

'What did I do to deserve you?' She countered before gently releasing her grip on him and stepping back from the embrace. Harry instantly missed the contact. She stood up on her tiptoes, her lips grazing his cheek. 'Don't ever think you're alone in this, Harry. Not ever.' She offered a playful smile, 'you're stuck with me.'