Hermione, Ron, Mr.Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley were sitting around the kitchen table eating breakfast. Mr. Weasley checked his watch and stood up abruptly, grabbing his cloak.

"Arthur, you're going into work early again?" Asked Mrs. Weasley at his sudden movement.

"I've got no choice, Molly. The Ministry needs all hands on deck. I'll try and be back for supper, if not, I'll be back by tomorrow to wish the kids a good term." And with that he kissed his wife on the cheek and dissaparated.

Mrs. Weasley proceeded to cleaning up the aftermath of breakfast. Ron and Hermione retreated into the living room where Ron polished his broomstick and Hermione read The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 7. Ron glanced up at her and then saw something flying toward the window behind the chair she was sitting in. He immediatly got up and looked out of the window.

"Ron? What is it?" She asked, looking up from her book at long last.

"I think it's an owl." And sure enough, a snowy white owl landed on the arm of the chair Hermione was sitting in. It was Hedwig. News from Harry. They were both thoroughly excited at this. They had barely recieved any letters from Harry all summer. Hermione pulled the letter off of Hedwig's leg and she took flight. Hermione handed the letter to Ron and he ripped the envelope open and read the letter aloud:

"Ron and Hermione-

I have decided that I cannot return to Hogwarts. Don't try to make me either. I want you both to stay there. I'd be happier knowing you two are safe. Please do not try to overrule me on this. I know what I'm doing...well, I know what I have to do anyway.

I have to find the remaining Horcruxes. I can't let you help me. It would put you both in danger. I may come back later in the year, but not tomorrow. Please respect my decision and my request that the two of you return to school.

I know you said you wanted to help me. And, frankly, I need the help. But I can't take it. This is the same reason I broke up with Ginny. I didn't want to put her in danger. I can't do that to the two of you either. If the two of you were to die, it would be yet another death I've caused.

With love, Harry."

"He's not coming back to school?" Hermione asked in a somewhat hushed voice.

"Doesn't look like it. He told us he wouldn't at the end of last year remember?"

"I know. But I thought...well, if maybe they kept the school open then he would return..." Ron shook his head.

"He knows what he has to do. Let's just be glad we got this many words out of him." Ron replied, scanning the letter again.

"So...we are going back to school?"

"I am," Hermione was slightly shocked at his response, "It's what he asked us to do and I'm going to do whatever he asks of me." Hermione marveled at Ron's loyalty to Harry.

"Then so will I." Ron smiled, but only very slightly.

"He blames himself." Hermione said, sort of off topic.

"For what?"

"For Sirius...and his parents...and..and...Dumbledore." A few tears slid down Hermione's face.

"It's not his fault." Said Ron, reaching up and wiping the tears off her cheeks,

"I know that, Ron. But he doesn't. He'll never see that it isn't his fault, it's Voldemort's," Ron winced, "Oh, Ron, just say the name. It's not like it hurts or anything."

"I know that...I'd just rather say it on my own time..." He added quietly.

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley came in the room and ushered them out. She commanded them to finish packing as the next day was September the first and they wouldn't have time in the morning. Ron handed Hermione her book and grabbed his broomstick and they made their way up the stairs.

"I just don't see why he won't come back to school. Surely he'll need the most difficult spells to defend himself."

"Nah, I think he'll be fine. He fought...You-Know-Who when he was a first year."

"Yes, but that was much different. That was only a remnant of Voldemort. Not the real one. Not the one at the height of his powers." Ron winced yet again but Hermione ignored him this time.

"That's true...But Harry can do it. I know he can."

"Ron, how are you so sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"How do you know he won't die out there?" Ron considered her for a moment.

"Don't talk like that Hermione." He said darkly.

"I'm sorry, Ron, but what if something happens to him?"

"I have full confidence in him. He's a lot stronger than most guys," Hermione still didn't look convinced so he added "Dumbledore had confidence in him." There was silence.

"I know that, Ron...But couldn't Dumbledore have been wrong?"

"I don't think he was."

"He was wrong about Snape." She said quietly.

"Yeah, but that's different. Harry can do it, Hermione. Just stop worrying." He was trying to keep the subject off of Snape.

When they reached Hermione's room, Ron added "Don't worry about Harry, Hermione. He can do it and you have to have confidence in him too." She nodded and he made his way up the stairs toward his bedroom. The ghoul in the attack was clanging pipes, though this was old news. Since Fred and George had moved out there was little noise in the house and the ghoul liked to spice things up a bit.