A/N:

This is the last chapter where we jump back in time. After this, as far as I have planned, the story will happen chronologically.

6. The Last Day

The beaded handbag Hermione had given him to keep was packed with everything they could think of, including some food and water, just in case. Even if a requirement they had put in the marriage contract was that Harry should have the opportunity to eat his fill at least three times a day, and it should be healthy, fresh human food. Harry had starved enough during his years with the Dursley's and during the war, he would avoid it again if he could. He hadn't taken most of the books they had, just some favourites and some he hadn't read yet and that wasn't rare or expensive. Hermione would keep those safe. He had brought quills, ink and several notebooks so that he could continue with his studies as far as he was allowed. It was something to do and boredom had become dangerous for his peace of mind.

All his clothes were in the bag too, together with his toiletries and blankets and the sleeping bag. He had demanded a private, furnished bedroom with windows and a door that could be locked from the inside and not from the outside, but he didn't know what he would get. He was as ready as he could get. He hoped.

Right, let's go through the rules again. Hermione held up her notepad with her words, while sporting a determined expression.

"Hermi … I think I will remember …"

She simply pointed at her words.

"Alright, as you wish. One rule is that while I can't stop myself from living in fear, the fear is going to be there no matter what I do and think, I can stop myself from living by fear."

Hermione nodded and made an 'continue' gesture with her hand.

"I can't let fear rule me. I have to act as smart and as polite as I can, while also being myself. I should allow myself some sarcastic and quick answers and I should do what I want, as often as I want and can get away with it, while not being an impolite jerk that will get himself killed. That's a balance it will be hard to keep. But yes, you are right Hermione, if I let the fear rule me, I might as well end my life myself. And I'm not doing that," he hurriedly added.

She looked at him with narrow eyes, then nodded and did the 'continue' gesture again.

"I also shouldn't go around on eggshells and apologise for everything, or really anything at all that doesn't deserve an apology. I will not apologise for anything that I did during the war. A lot of it was wrong, but the Dark forces did things just as wrong and worse, a lot worse. The best approach here is to let bygones be bygones as well as I possibly can, and not talk about the war or the fighting more than absolutely required, and then I should be as neutral in my wording as possible, unless someone else starts being antagonising first. That part will be hard, Hermi. I can't imagine talking about the war to anyone from the other side in any kind of neutral way. All they did …!" He stopped and drew his hands through his hair.

You will do your best! You will try! The words were right in front of him when he looked up again. He smiled softly at her.

"Of course I will try, Hermi, I just … I should probably avoid any talk about the war at all."

She nodded. That is probably best. Next.

"I should not stop living my life, to the best of my ability. I should continue to read when I can. I should continue my studies when I can. And I should try to find answers to the questions we have researched these past years. If I can practice magic, then I should do that. And if I'm not allowed …" He swallowed. "Then I will live with that too." He gave a sigh. "I should do my best to stay healthy, which means try to get enough sleep, try to get enough food and water, spend part of the day in motion, preferably outside, and not forget to brush my teeth and shower once a day, no matter how depressed or anxious I should get." He added the last part with an eye-roll after Hermione looked hard at him. That had happened once, years ago, after Ron and …

Harry wouldn't go there. He would not. He pressed the memories and the feelings harshly down.

The last rule was the hardest, in probably every way.

"I should … I should try to be … cordial … towards Voldemort … at least try not to provoke him and … possibly …" He stopped. The thought and the words had barbs on them. It hurt to even contemplate. Hermione grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He closed his eyes.

"… possibly I should try to get to know him … because if I can trust him not to kill me every time he is near me, then the chance that I will try to kill him while consummating the marriage is somewhat lessened. The consummation doesn't have to happen before three months in, but if it doesn't happen …"

The treaty would be broken. Voldemort had been clear on that. No valid marriage, no peace treaty.

"Hermi … Hermi … What if I lose it and actually try to kill him? What if I can't manage to … just the thought …!"

Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes, closed her eyes for a moment and looked at him again before writing.

This is up to you. Every step. Every choice. It's up to you Harry, and only you. I know it don't seem like it, with something like the treaty relying on your choices. But if you can't do it, then you can't do it. It's as simple, and as hard, as that. I don't know what the consequences will be, for you or for the rest of us. But … it's still your choice, it has to be.

Harry nodded slowly at her and sat a while in silence before clearing his throat and saying:

"That's all the rules. I think I remember them all now. I don't know if I will be able to live by them, but I swear I will do my best to try, Hermi. I swear I will try."

Hermione nodded and hugged him hard.

This was their last day.

The last time they would see each other, maybe forever.

And the tears wouldn't stop.

They stayed in each other's arms for hours, crying, hugging, consoling each other as best they could.

"You remember what I said about the Muggle money and the Galleons?" Harry asked when he had to go. "You remember the stash by the coast down in Wales? It should help you get on your feet when you get out of here. The tent is down there too, even if I haven't been able to fix the charms on it. When you get out of here, it should be safe enough to rent a flat, if you are willing to risk it."

The Healers didn't think they could do much more for Hermione now, and all but her voice was healed and as healthy as she had been before the curse took her voice and drained her body of power.

Hermione pulled back and put her hands around his face and looked him in the eyes.

"I will be alright, Harry." It was the longest sentence he had heard from her in three months. Her voice was hoarse, but completely understandable.

"Hermi, don't talk! Your throat … the pain!" He shook his head, and she tightened her grip and scowled at him. Apparently, she didn't care about the pain right now.

"Listen to me! I will be alright, Harry. You do not need to worry about me. When you think of me, do not worry, but remember that I'm here for you, always. Remember that I know you and I miss you. Remember that I have fought for you and that I always will fight for you and by your side. Remember that I love you and always will love you, no matter what. Remember that if you send me an owl or a Patronus, I will be with you in minutes, if that is your wish. No matter how long I must wait, no matter what have happened to either of us in the meantime. I will be with you." She swallowed and blinked away tears to be able to see him clearly again.

Harry's own tears streaked his cheeks, but he didn't try to wipe them away.

Hermione released his face and hugged him again.

"I will always be with you, and I will always, always love you. Doubt anything and everything, but that. I love you, unconditionally and forever," she whispered.

"I love you too, Hermione, and I hope, I hope so much, that I will be able to see you again."

"Me too!" She choked and clung to him while they cried.

About half an hour later Harry left Hermione at St. Mungo's for the last time. He would spend the night at a Muggle hotel so he could have a warm shower and hot breakfast, if he could eat, the next morning.

In his pocket was a note with the words Hermione had told him. She had written them down for him, so he would always remember them.

It would be his greatest treasure in the time to come.

A/N:

I'm sorry about the very short chapter. It happens. Hopefully not too often.

Thanks so much for the reviews! I appreciate it so much! I'm so, so happy that you like the story, that you like the characters and find the story both interesting and easy to follow.

About different points of view: up till this point, I honestly had planned to have the entire story from Harry's viewpoint, but when it was mentioned, I got some ideas that I might like to try out. So, there might be some different PoV, at least one different one.

Thank you to Lillaladylove for being my beta once again! Any and all mistakes will always be mine.