Chapter 18 - A Fresh Start

Dumbledore sat at the kitchen table nursing a strong cup of coffee. He heard a noise from the door and looked up to see Hermione's exiting back.

"Hermione," he called after her.

Hermione stopped and turned slowly. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"You're not," he said kindly. "I did want to talk to you before you and Harry left."

Hermione nodded slowly and sat next to Dumbledore.

"Have the two of you decided where you're going?" Asked Dumbledore.

Hermione nodded. "Harry doesn't want to tell anyone though," she rushed on before he could question her further.

"I see," said Dumbledore. "Why?"

Hermione shrugged. "He just wants to disappear. He doesn't want the rest of the wizarding world to know where we are."

"And what about you? Is that what you want?" Asked Dumbledore, peering at her from over the top of his glasses.

"I want what he wants," returned Hermione slowly. "Besides, considering that by now Voldemort must be catching on to the fact that it wasn't Harry he killed at Godric's Hollow, I think it's probably a safe idea."

"Voldemort still believes Harry is dead," said Dumbledore.

"How do you know that," asked Hermione quickly.

Dumbledore smiled. "Because of you."

"I don't understand," said Hermione, confused.

"If Voldemort was to somehow become aware that Harry is in fact alive, he would have come after you again."

Hermione shuddered.

"I don't mean to scare you. I only want you to be aware of the danger that is potentially out there."

Hermione nodded. "It's all the more reason we should leave."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Harry will never escape his destiny, no matter how far he runs."

Hermione stayed quiet. Dumbledore regarded her. After a while, Hermione found her voice. "What would you do if you were me? He's determined to go. Should I stay here like a good little girl while he goes out into the world alone? Should I?" Hermione stared angrily at Dumbledore as if she were daring him to say yes.

"Unfortunately, I cannot make that decision for you."

Hermione hadn't quite expected that response and suddenly she realized that she actually wanted Dumbledore's opinion. She looked down at her hands and mumbled. "Am I being selfish?"

"Selfish?"

She nodded. "I'm afraid. I don't want him to die. If he stays here he could."

Dumbledore placed his hand over hers. "None of us knows what will happen in the future. Hermione, you can't live your life afraid of what might happen."

"But we do know what will happen. The prophecy said that Harry must either kill or be killed. I don't want that for him."

"Neither do I," said Dumbledore sympathetically. "I only want good things for both you and Harry."

They both stared at each other silently. Hermione wiped away the single tear that fell down her cheek. "I've followed him since first year, even when my entire being said to stop and think about whatever crazy thing we were getting ourselves into. But I followed him because I trust him. And I trust him because I know that he puts the people he loves ahead of himself. I'm going to do the same for him now."

"If I thought I could say anything to stop you both from doing this I would, but I can see that my efforts would be fruitless," said Dumbledore quietly. "Just keep this in mind, Hermione. The war will not end as long as Voldemort lives. The longer Harry is away, the more people will suffer and the stronger Voldemort will get."

Anger flared up in Hermione. "It's not fair to put that on him."

"You're right," Dumbledore agreed. "And I know it sounds cliché, but this world isn't fair."

"If you truly cared about him, you'd protect him from all of this."

"Hermione, you know that if it was in my power to do so, I would."

Hermione nodded slowly. "It may not be in your power to protect him, but it is in mine."

"You can't protect him from this. No one can."

Hermione shook her head. "I will or I'll die trying," she said stubbornly.

Dumbledore regarded her seriously. "You really are the most remarkable witch to ever pass through Hogwarts during my time as Headmaster. Please reconsider."

"I can't. I'm sorry," said Hermione sincerely.

"I know you are," smiled Dumbledore sadly.

"What are you sorry about?"

Hermione and Dumbledore turned toward the door to see Harry frowning at them.

"Nothing," said Hermione quickly.

Harry approached them both wearily. "Are you ready to go, Hermione."

She smiled up at him. "Not until you eat something," she said.

He smiled back and immediately went to the refrigerator. "Can I get you anything?"

"Just some cereal, please," she responded.

"I'm glad you're up, Professor. There's something I wanted to talk to you about," said Harry with his head still in the refrigerator. He pulled out the milk and set it on the table next to Hermione, then went to retrieve the cereal from the pantry.

"What about, Harry," asked Dumbledore.

"About the house actually," replied Harry as he set bowls and spoons on the table and then the cereal. "I want to turn over the deed to you."

Dumbledore looked at Harry in surprise. "That's not necessary, Harry. When you come back home you're going to need a place to stay."

"I'm not planning on coming back," said Harry simply. "And I know Sirius would have wanted the Order to continue to use the house as Headquarters."

Hermione stared at him. "Ever?"

"Huh," asked Harry distractedly.

"You're not planning to ever come back?" Asked Hermione quietly.

Harry stared at her. "We talked about this." Hermione and Harry stared at each other and then simultaneously turned to Dumbledore. He was watching them quietly.

Hermione blushed and turned back to Harry. "I didn't realize that you never wanted to come back. I mean, this is our home. Our families live here."

Harry scoffed, "the Dursley's could care less if I ever showed up on their doorstep again."

"That's not who I was talking about. My parents, the Weasley's, they're our family."

Harry looked down at his uneaten bowl of cereal. "You're the only family I need, Hermione."

Hermione glanced at Dumbledore again who was staring at her with his penetrating gaze. "We'll talk about this later," she said slowly.

"Fine," said Harry wanting to avoid an argument. It didn't matter how many times they talked about it. His mind was made up. Once he left the house he was determined to never come back. He got up from the table and dumped his uneaten bowl of cereal into the sink. "I'll go get our bags." He headed for the door, but turned before exiting. "I don't want the house, Professor. I'll leave the deed."

"Harry," began Dumbledore, but Harry turned and left before he could finish.

Hermione glanced at Dumbledore. "You have to understand," she said hurriedly. "He wants to protect me. He doesn't think we'll be safe in England, but once things settle down, I'm sure we'll come home. He loves all of you, really. He's just... he's just..."

"He's just scared," finished Dumbledore for her. "That's what scares me. People do not make rational decisions when they are basing them on fear."

"If you'd lost every person you ever loved to Voldemort, you'd be scared too." Hermione stood, not wanting to continue the constant back and forth.

"Whether it's tomorrow or a year from now, Voldemort and Harry will meet again."

Hermione's lips went white with fear. "Not if he can't find us," she said unsteadily. Then she turned and left the kitchen, leaving Dumbledore alone with his own fear.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry and Hermione were in the entranceway of Number 12 saying the last of their good-byes. Dumbledore was there as well as Moody, Tonks, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley cried as she gave them each an extra long hug.

"Remember," she said through her tears. "The two of you can come back whenever you want. You'll always have a home with Arthur and I. We love you both."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," replied Hermione tearfully.

Harry hugged the woman who was the closest thing he had ever known to a mother tightly. "I will never forget everything you and Mr. Weasley have done for me," he said softly in her ear. "I'm sorry if I've hurt you."

"Don't be sorry," she whispered back. "Just come home when you're ready."

Harry hugged her again, unwilling to break her heart more than he already was. When he released her he turned to Mr. Weasley and extended his hand.

"Come here, boy," said Mr. Weasley in a choked voice and he pulled Harry into a tight embrace. When he released Harry, he jammed his hand into his pocket and pulled out something small and gold and held it out to Harry.

Harry took the object and examined it closely.

"It's a miniature of the Weasley family crest," said Mr. Weasley quietly. I gave one to Bill and Charlie the days they left home. This one should have been Percy's. It's to remind you where home is."

Harry stared at the small crest. "Thank you," he whispered, though the words felt inadequate to him.

Mr. Weasley gripped Harry's shoulder tightly. "You take care of yourself and you take care of Hermione."

"I will," said Harry unable to take his eyes of the crest. "Mr. Weasley?"

"Yes, Harry."

"Will you do me a favor?"

"Of course," said Mr. Weasley immediately.

"Will you tell Ron that I'm sorry. I had hoped he'd come and say goodbye so I could apologize to him in person, but..." Harry trailed off.

Mr. Weasley nodded sadly. "I'll tell him."

"Thanks," said Harry gratefully. He turned to Hermione. "Ready?"

Hermione nodded smiling. All the uncertainty and sadness was gone from her face as she gave one last goodbye to everyone and took Harry's hand.

They walked outside together and Harry went to the edge of the curb and through his wand arm out.

With a loud bang, the Knight Bus appeared causing both Harry and Hermione to jump back a few steps.

Stan Shunpike emerged from the door of the bus and said loudly. "Welcome to the Knight Bus. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this morning."

Harry raised his eyebrows at Hermione and motioned for her to get on first. It was then that Stan realized who was boarding his bus. "Harry Potter. Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts? Will we have the honor of bringing you back there today."

"Umm... No, actually," Harry looked around the empty street apprehensively. "Look, can we just get on the..."

"Wait," shouted a voice from behind them. Ron was running toward them waving his arms frantically.

"Ron," said Harry in surprise.

"I'm sorry," he said breathlessly as he reached Harry and Hermione. "I was being a prat. I didn't mean what I said. I don't want you to leave angry with me," he said rambling.

"It's me who should be saying I'm sorry," said Harry interrupting him. "I am, Ron. I'm really sorry."

"Forget it," said Ron quickly. He and Harry grinned at each other.

"Are you both done now?" Asked Hermione from the side.

They looked at her uncertainly.

She shook her head at them. "I don't know what I'm going to do with either of you. You'll both be the death of me one day."

They both smiled at her and she moved to Ron and hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered so Harry couldn't hear. "I know you did this for me."

Ron shook his head. "I did this for all of us," he whispered back.

"I love you, Ron," she said.

Ron gave her another hug and then released her. He turned back to Harry. "You take care of our girl."

"I will," said Harry seriously. "We'll send you an owl when we've settled."

Ron nodded. "When I graduate, maybe I'll come and see you both."

"Yes, do," said Hermione excitedly.

"Ahem," said Stan from the bus. "We really need to be going."

"Right," said Harry. "Sorry." He handed Stan their bags and he lugged them up the stairs of the bus.

"Goodbye, Ron," he said.

"Bye," Ron returned trying to smile.

Harry motioned Hermione to get on the bus. She did quickly followed by Harry.

They both immediately took the first seat and looked out the window down at Ron who was staring back. Hermione put her hand on the glass window and Harry did the same. Ron raised his own hand and took a step back.

With a loud bang the Knight Bus lurched and Ron and Grimmault Place were gone.

Unable to keep her tears in check any longer, Hermione let out a small sob and buried her face in Harry's shoulder. His arms immediately went around her and he stroked her arm lightly, letting her have her cry out.

After a few minutes she stopped crying and relaxed in arms. They sat silently for a while before Hermione tentatively asked. "Are you ready?"

"Hmm?" Asked Harry.

"To begin the next chapter in our lives."

Harry smiled. "As long as I have you, I'll be ready for anything."