Life seemed so perfect, like it would just end there. But we still had such a long journey to travel . . .

The rest of the summer went on much the same as the first few days we were together. Ron and Harry got in plenty of rows, Ron was still angry though he said he was all right with us together. Harry and I tried to take our relationship slow, but we never missed an opportunity to touch, hold each other, or kiss. We had difficult lives, and we finally found a way to escape it all. But our lives kept catching up with us. Like one day, when I spotted an odd piece of parchment on Harry's desk . . .

H. Potter,

We sent you our regrets on your recent loss. Attached is a copy of the last will and testament of S. Black. Please sign the parchment and return to Gringotts, Diagon Alley. All possessions will be transferred to your vault at the time we receive your owl.

Best wishes,

Gripwak Dernhom

Director of Inheritance

I read it and reread the list attached. The enormous Black fortune was now his. I felt so horrible for Harry, but why was this here? Why hadn't he returned it? Harry walked in the room as I set it back down.

"Browsing through my stuff?" he said rather curtly.

"Harry, I'm sorry, just . . . why didn't you return it?" I said, trying not get him angry.

"I don't want his damn money, 'Mione! What do I want double the money I have for? As another painful memory of death!" he shouted. I felt myself trembling as tears escaped me. He sat down on the bed and put his head in his hands.

"Harry . . . " I started.

"No. I kill everything I touch. That's why I didn't want to be with you. That's why I'm still holding back . . . I still won't let myself get too far into this," he said as tears poured from his beautiful emerald eyes.

"Let yourself live. Harry, I know you want to stop it but you can't." I gazed into his emerald depths and took hold of his hands. "I love you," I said for the first time out loud, barely above a whisper.

"No . . . " he croaked as I pulled his head to my chest. "No . . . 'Mione, I can't kill you . . . you can't die . . . "

"I'm not going anywhere, my love." We sat there for what seemed like hours, as he silently grieved for his losses. I told myself that I wouldn't let him go, ever. And I hold true to that word. After an eternity, we feel asleep in each other's arms. A perfect ending.

It seems like we fought a bit, but we didn't see it like that. Harry had so many pent up emotions, so much sadness and rage to let out. I listened to his every story and confession about his life, and afterwards we would hold each other and show that times were better even though the world was doomed. We were truly in love, and told one another that often. After I broke the word barrier between us, Harry was much more open about how he felt. It was sheer bliss to hear those three words from him. If only I could hear them again . . .

Summer ended peacefully, or so it seemed. On September first, everything seemed normal as we prepared for the train ride back to school. I noticed the death toll rising even higher as Mr. Weasley read the Prophet; a few wizards and muggles had been murdered while a warning was being sent out to the muggle prime minister. One by one, people were dying. And with each death, Voldemort was closer to his goal. Everyone was frightened to leave Grimmauld Place, but Mr. Weasley insisted that Hogwarts was one of the safest places to be right now. Shutting down the school would only give Voldemort what he wanted. We silently departed, trunks and all, and drove to Kings Cross. The drive was drab, but the moment we arrived I sensed something was wrong. We were just about to enter the platform when all hell rose.

It was like thunder, or an earthquake. The entire establishment shook, but many muggle just looked around and continued walking. Another shake happened, and then the archway started to collapse. I could hear screaming from the other side of the platform.

"Everyone stay here; I'm crossing over! Don't move!" shouted Mr. Weasley. He ran through the barrier and I heard him scream to others as soon as he reached the other side. Harry grabbed his wand and made toward the platform, but Mrs. Weasley stopped him.

"Harry dear, no. We have no clue what's going on in there!" she yelled, but it was useless.

"People need help in there!" he said, and pushed through the wall. I immediately ran after him, wand ready, and sensed the others right behind me. Ginny screamed behind me, but I never looked back to see why.

The platform was a disaster. There were hooded figures Apparating and Disapparating everywhere, casting gruesome spells on anyone in their way. There were bodies everywhere, lying under pieces of the fallen ceiling or tangled with another. Adults were furiously attempting to duel with the hooded wizards, but they kept Disapparating. The sight was horrific, unlike anything I ever expected to see. There was no sight of Harry in the midst of the pandemonium. A black-clothed man approached me. He lowered his hood.

"Why, I do believe we have met, Mudblood," he said before casting a spell. Everything started to spin around me and that was the end. I had barely lasted five minutes in battle and hundreds were in need around me. I fell.

I was unconscious for two days, according to Madam Pomfrey. I awoke in the Hospital Wing, drenched in sweat, screaming for Harry. The old nurse came to my side and gave me a potion. I looked around and noticed that the room had been expanded to hold what seemed like half of the student body.

"Where is . . . Harry . . . " I gasped. It felt like my rib cage was crushed, and I noticed bandaged around my chest.

"He's here, dear. Now get some rest," she replied.

"No . . . not until I see Harry . . . " I wheezed. I had to see if he was ok. I got out of the bed and felt pain coursing through my entire body.

"Miss Granger! Bed!" Madam Pomfrey tried to insist, but I would not hear of it. She finally gave in and walked me to the other side of the room. There were a few tented beds in the front of the wing. I noticed the grave look on her face as she pointed me to the first one. I walked in, scared.

I pulled back the curtain and closed it again. I kept my eyes shut until I felt the side of the bed, and a cold hand hanging off. My eyes snapped open and I saw him. Tears sprung in my eyes. He had large cuts all over his face, neck, arms, and chest, some of which were bleeding and oozing rather grotesquely. Much of him body was bandaged and there were no less than ten potions sitting on a bedside table. I held onto his hand tighter and his eyes fluttered open. They were dark green, almost black.

"'Mione . . . " he said, barely audible. The sound of his raspy voice sent chills through my body.

"Harry . . . oh Harry . . . what happened?" I managed to tremble out. All he did in response was beckon me closer. I leaned down close to his face and he reached up slightly to press his lips lightly on mine. A weak smile played around the corner of his mouth as he withdrew.

"I was right . . . you make it better . . . " he whispered. He shut his eyes again and tightened his grip on my hand. I the nearby chair closer to the bed with my free hand and laid my head on the edge of his bed. I knew right then and there that this would be a long year. A very long year indeed.

"I won't let harm find you again, Harry," I whispered, thinking he was asleep.

"You better not," he said with a smile.