AN: Okay guys. This took a long time and it is a long chapter. There isn't a whole lot of mushy stuff. I needed to set up the change of tone in the story, so there is a lot of plot and no fluff in this one. The next chapter will be fluffy, especially for Harry and Ginny. However, Considering Hermione's condition, I am waiting a little while for her and Ron to take the next step. Please review me! I need to know how I am doing!

--The Erudite Witch

Harry Potter woke up early and alone. He wasn't surprised there was no one in his room. Ginny had periodically snuck into his room in the middle of the night. Harry would wake up to the gentle caress on the side of his face and revel in the feeling of Ginny for as long as he could. He never felt so light in his entire life. But Ginny couldn't stay all night, or her parents would go mad. So Harry would wake up heavy with the burden of his future journey.

He didn't expect Ron to be in the room, either. Harry knew where he could find Ron, placed firmly in front of Hermione's door. Hermione. Harry still held the weight of what happened to her on his shoulders. But now, Harry had a new worry. Hermione was getting better. He was relieved at this, but now that the wedding was over and Herminoe was recovering, it was time to leave. It was time to go to Godric's Hollow.

Harry had an overwhelming sense of purpose, but on mornings like this, he wanted nothing more than to stay at the Burrow and wait out his fate with Ginny. He knew Mrs. Weasley would never let Ginny come with him. Ginny is underage and under the will of her parents. This reassured Harry. Now, he knew Ginny would remain safe.

He decided to bring in the day with a fly around the orchard. No one was up, so he knew he could just fly around in peace. As Harry grabbed his room and walked down the stairs, he noticed Hermione's door ajar. He cautiously walked toward it and opened it to whisper her name, but stopped abruptly at the sight of her tiny frame wrapped safely in Ron's arms, and both sleeping soundly. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about his. It warmed him considerably to know that his best friends always had each other, it added to his understanding of what he was fighting for. On the other hand, he felt guilty. He accepted the fact that Ron and Hermione would follow him into the fight, but would they ever get a chance at a normal life? At real love? Harry realized he had lingered too long when Ron's sleepy snores shook him out of his reverie. He made his way out to the orchard.

Molly Weasley was used to being the first awake in her home. She bid a good morning to Harry as he walked outside, but didn't chance any further conversation as he has a very brooding look on his face.

Molly could feel something growing among the trio; it was the same proverbial deep breath rising in the rest of the wizarding world. She noticed Harry's increased mood swings, and the apprehension and concern on Ginny's face. Hermione's guilt and the piles of books she had while locked in her room where not ignored by the ever-perceptive Molly. But the thing that made her realize the three friends would soon leave was Ron's increased sensitivity and maturity. He had become more quiet and reactive. His actions during the attack on the wedding etched the determination in his face. When he went to save Hermione and then camped outside her door only furthered Molly's theory. Now she had just witnessed her youngest son with his arms protectively wrapped around his best friend. Everyone becomes so fierce and determined before a war, and Ron was no exception.

The mother of 7, nine if you count Harry and Hermione, reflected on her actions during the first war. Her and Arthur married immediately, savoring there days together. Her Arthur still hadn't woken up form his run-in with the Malfoys. The healers said he would be fine eventually, but Molly needed him awake before this unknown business Harry was getting into gets started.

Molly walked up to her room where Arthur lay and took his hand, "Please My love. Wake up. Your family needs you. I need you." This pleading had become a daily routine for her. She kissed his forehead, adjusted his pillow, and began to go back to breakfast.

"Oh Mollywobbles! Don't tear up darling." Arthur whispered from his bed. Molly nearly startled herself to death.

"Oh Arthur! You're awake! I was so worried!" she exclaimed as he reached up to caress her cheek.

"How are the kids, dear? Did Ron get her back safe? What shape is she in?" Arthur asked quickly, expecting the worst.

"Ron and Hermione arrived back first. She was in bad shape. They starved her, burned her, and they did many more unspeakable things." Arthur's expression turned cloudy.

"Oh that Poor Girl!" he sighed. "A girl doesn't recover from something like that."

"Well, the healers took care of her very well. Her scars are cleared up nicely. I was worried as she wouldn't come out of her room or speak to anyone. Ron slept outside her door every night." She explained.

"Our boy wears his heart on his sleeve alright." Arthur added.

"I think Hermione is getting better, though. I discovered Ron sleeping behind her this morning. Normally, I would protest, but they both need that comfort right now." She said.

"Molly, you are a magnificent woman, and I love you." He spoke softly to her.

Soon, the occupants of the Burrow allowed their stomachs to get the best of them and headed down to breakfast. Harry and just joined Ginny at the table with her parents when they hear a 'Pop' followed by a knock at the door. Arthur stood with his wand ready. Security had gotten very tight at the Burrow. "Who is it?" he asked.

"George! You senile old fart!" he yelled.

"When you were five, what did Fred trick you into eating?" Arthur asked.

"A real frog covered in mud. But I thought is was a chocolate frog." George explained.

George stepped in giving his father a hearty hug. "Glad to have you up and ticking again, father." A very apprehensive looking blonde, Fred, and Angelina followed George.

"So George, who's your friend?" Molly asked politely.

"She's the unfortunate victim of experimental glamour charms, which apparently has worked wonders." He smirked. "May I present to you the lovely miss Pansy Parkinson?" Harry and Ginny dropped their forks and gaped at the two as they chastely kissed.

The silence in the shocked kitchen was soon broken by the falls of footsteps down the stairs. Hermione was walking cautiously down the stairs with Ron's hand placed gently on her back. They were painfully aware all eyes were on them. Ginny broke the tension as she ran and flung her arms around Hermione's neck. Hermione laughed slightly. "It's good to hear that arrogant chuckle, girl. I'm glad to see you up." Harry beamed from above his cereal as Ron took a seat beside him.

"I saw you this morning. I won't take the Mickey out of you know because I am just glad to see my best mates feeling better. But you just wait until later." Ron blushed and just nodded as he piled his plate with muffins and fruit.

"Glad to see you're awake Mr. Weasley. I owe a lot to y you." Hermione said with a watery smile.

"You're like family to me, dear. Don't think twice about it." Arthur answered. And with that, Hermione received her first hug from Arthur Weasley, and she accepted it graciously.

They were broken by a choked sob coming from George's left. Hermione walked over to Pansy and hugged her, as if years of schoolyard battles had vanished.

"I'm so sorry." She cried

"Don't be." Hermione's voice faltered, but she was resolute.

"I owe my life to you as well. There is no need to feel guilty for believing years of brainwashing and propaganda."

Pansy nodded but said nothing. She just turned her face into George's chest. They all took a seat at the table and began a merry conversation on nothing unparticular. For a few brief moments, Harry again felt that inner warmth.

Those moments quickly subsided when Hermione leaned over to whisper in Harry's ear. "I've done some research while I was in my room. I read about artifacts of the founders and where the Horcruxes may be, and it occurred to me. You said the woman who was killed for Hufflepuff's cup was named Hephzibah Smith?" She asked, and Harry nodded. "Well, I think even though Smith is a fairly common name, that there may be a student at Hogwarts that could be a direct relative of hers." She paused, Ron looked impressed, but skeptical. "Well considering he is in the proper house, has quite a 'wealthy' personality, and an unusual name similar to hers, I though Zacharias Smith may know something. It's not much but it's worth checking out." She finished, attempting to read Harry's stoic face.

Harry melted. "You really are brilliant, Hermione. I think a trip to Hogwarts this year may be a good thing. There are a few things I need to look at as well." Harry said with a touch of sadness. He was thinking of Dumbledore's inevitable portrait in the Head office. "But first, I want to go to Godric's Hollow. I don't know what I will find; I just want to see where it all started. And maybe visit my parent's graves." He added quietly. "I also need to go to Grimmauld Place. Sirius left that to me, so it's mine now. I would like to fix it up and make it a sort of headquarters for us." Hermione nodded in agreement, Ron went pale.

"Bloody Hell, Harry!" He whispered and shouted at the same time. "What are we going to tell me mum and dad? They are going to go mental!"

"Well you're of age now, and Hermione has been for a while. I've turned 17 recently, so there really is nothing they can do about it. However, I think we should try to make that point as carefully as possible." Harry added. It was Hermione's turn to go pale.

"I am going to have to tell my parents too! Can we stop by and see them before we go to Godric's hollow. This is going to be very hard, I don't even want to imagine the looks on their faces. Especially after…" she let out a small cry and Ron put his arm around her to comfort her. "We can go see them, Hermione." Harry said quietly, patting her back.

Ginny was unnaturally silent through this whole conversation. For a moment the trio forgot that she was there. Then she spoke up. "I'm not of age. Mum is never going to let me go. And I really have no choice, do I?" She was looking directly at Harry like he was the only on in the room. Harry simply hung his head. "But I want to help you! The thought of losing you while just sitting idly by makes me so scared! You know I can do it!" she said with as much courage as she could muster. Harry seemed to brighten slightly. "There is something I think we should do, Gin. And you are the PERFECT one to do this for me. You will still be able to stay in Hogwarts, but you will be contributing well to my battle." Ginny and Ron both stared at Harry quizzically as Hermione gave him a knowing smirk.

"Ginny, would you restart the D.A. for me? Contact Neville, Dean, Luna, Seamus, and have them help you start. Hermione, do you still have that protean coin charmed?" He asked. "Yes I do." She said with a small smile. "Good. Ginny, you are really good with DADA stuff, better than me sometimes. You can teach the rest of them what they need to know. So when the time comes, and it will, I can assure that you and all of my friends are safe." He said as he looked at her.

"Of course I'll do it1 It's a wonderful idea! Do I have to have Cho back though?" Ginny asked. Harry blushed "She's really good with healing spells, Gin. But you don't have to be that nice to her." He added. They all laughed as Ginny placed a small kiss on Harry's cheek. They didn't notice that everyone was gone except Molly and Arthur. They had stern looks on their faces. Ron audibly gulped.

Molly's expression softened at the panicked look on all of the teenagers' faces. Her and Arthur took seats across from them at the table and folded their arms in front of them. They looked like the Spanish Inquisitors of magic.

"We know something is going on. You are planning something. I am guessing it has to do with those special lessons that Dumbledore administered to Harry last term." Arthur said matter-of -factly. Harry went to speak, but Arthur wasn't finished.

"Dumbledore trusted you with something. We understand that. We are also fully aware that you are all of age and can do as you please. We ask that you please allow the order to help. I can't bear the thought of three young wizards going out of their own to defeat the most evil person in the wizarding world." Arthur stated. Molly began to tear up.

"I just want all my babies to be safe. The world is becoming very dark and dangerous and I feel like I can't protect any of you anymore. Ginny, I know this is going to be hard, but there is no way I'm letting you go. I still have authority over one of my children, and I'm keeping you safe." Molly said getting very choked up.

Hermione was in tears now, with Ron's arm still around her. Ron looked like he had swallowed all of those slugs again. Harry had a very apprehensive look on his face, and he glanced over to gauge what Ginny would say at Molly's declaration. No one spoke for a very long time. Then Ginny chimed in.

"It's alright, Mum. I'll go back to school. But if the fight comes there, I will not stay in the sidelines." She added resolutely.

"I will try to get the Order's help whenever I can. I cannot tell you what Dumbledore has charged me to do. Very few know what I know, and I want to keep it that way if I am going to succeed. I will however, keep you guys aware of where we are. I my have a hard time communicating with you, but I'll be sure you know we're all right. I want to leave tomorrow; there are some things I really need to start. And if I don't leave soon I'll never leave." Harry said with as much strength as he good. He stared at Ginny involuntarily at the end of his speech. "I will need Remus's help. The first place I would like to go, after we see Hermione's parents, is Godric's Hollow. I have to see for myself." The table just nodded and sat there in silence. It would all begin tomorrow. Life would change tomorrow. Tonight, Harry thought he had to make the most of those final bits of warmth.