Any elation Hermione felt after seeing a glint of the old Harry returning extinguished as she considered what they were suggesting. Another heist. Another break in. If they really were thinking of breaking into the Chamber of Secrets again, Harry had to be there with them. He could teach them the right words in parseltongue, but could that be enough? She knew that if they tried to leave him behind, he would only just end up resenting them. Even if it was for his own safety. Saving his own life just wasn't the way he was wired.

She considered his words. Was it the best plan that they had? She bit her lip. Risking a trip to Hogwarts just to fetch basilisk venom? Surely there was another way?

She looked at her list again. Fiendfyre.

From what little she could find on the spell, she knew enough to know that only one with extensive experience in the Dark Arts could master such a horrific curse. It sounded horrendous - living flame that consumed and devastated anything in its path. There was no counter curse listed, no indication that it could even be controlled or even extinguished. There had been horrific illustrations of charred bodies… lots of charred bodies.

She had memorised the incantation and what light instructions there had been on summoning the demonic inferno. If there is no other choice…

"Yeah, it's a plan. It's a bloody dangerous and risky plan," Ron grumbled, leaning back in his chair.

"We have to involve the others in this." Hermione said, "not the DA," she added quickly when Harry's face darkened. "The Order. Neville and the others only made it safely because of Professor McGonagall's assistance and Kingsley's help with obliviating the Death Eaters patrolling Hogsmeade. I imagine the security has increased significantly as well. Voldemort likely expects you to try to get back. Anywhere that has meaning to you will be watched."

Harry scowled at her words but didn't snap at her or make an angry remark. He considered her words and lifted his head, looking at her.

"What do they know?" He asked eventually. She frowned a bit at the question. "The others, I mean. About our mission. The horcruxes. I imagine you had to give them some idea about why we were breaking into the Ministry in the first place."

"I showed them the locket when we had a meeting to listen to your message," Hermione told him, "but I said nothing about it being a horcrux. Only Remus and Mr Weasley know what it is."

Harry gave a nod, not questioning why they knew. Hermione had told him in her message that they shared the secret with those that they trusted so it wasn't surprising news for him. Ron still grimaced, looking shame-faced.

"I had to tell dad so he knew that we didn't just go into the Ministry on a lark and Remus, well… I figured out of everyone you'd trust to know, he'd be up there."

Harry eyed him, waiting for him to say something else. When Ron didn't, Harry sighed and said it for him.

"And neither of them had any ideas on how to destroy it."

"Neither of them even knew what a horcrux even was before we told them." Hermione said. "Dumbledore went to great lengths to keep it as a banned subject for decades. For good reason. I expect we are the current experts in the field - other than Voldemort and maybe some of his Death Eaters."

"Huh… I didn't really think about that," Harry said. "Where would people learn about horcruxes if not at Hogwarts? Dumbledore removed those books years ago. Anyone with any clue either learned outside of school or before he removed the books."

"You're saying that the only people who know anything to help are either really old or really evil?" Ron asked, giving a short laugh.

"People who know specifically about how to make horcruxes, yes," Hermione pointed out. "We need help on how to destroy them. I doubt we are going to find that in Dark Arts books. After all, the type of wizards who wish to seek out this information in the first place are not the type who wish to destroy them, are they? Perhaps magic like that isn't in these tomes."

"You found that fiendfyre curse in them," Ron pointed out.

"Yes and it's extremely advanced dark magic. The type that could wipe out a whole town." She shivered, not wanting to think about the details she had to read. "Dark Magic isn't the only magic powerful enough to cause irreparable harm." She considered Ron for a moment. "Perhaps when you meet with the others tonight, you ought to ask Kingsley."

Harry looked at her appraisingly. She met his look briefly and felt warmth rise in her cheeks.

"Who better to ask about magic powerful enough to counter dark magic than an Auror?" He said, the corner of his mouth curling in a soft smile.

"I just go up to Kingsley and ask 'nice to see you. By the way, do you know of any spells that can completely destroy something beyond repair?' You don't think he's going to ask questions?" Ron asked, baffled.

"He'll trust our discretion." Hermione said.

"Okay… so I'll try to speak to Kingsley," Ron said, fiddling with his fingers. He looked nervous all of a sudden. "Hermione…" He looked up at her. "Are you… sure you don't want to go instead? You're so much better at all this planning and meeting stuff."

The question caught her off guard. She had been trying to distract herself from her reasoning behind why she quickly refused to go to the meeting. The moment Bill made it clear that only one other person could go with Remus and that Harry wasn't well enough to go, she knew with absolute clarity that she did not want to go.

She pictured in her mind the crowded sitting room in McGonagall's cottage. The crowd of red-headed Weasleys, comfortable in each others' presence, sharing jokes, ruffling hair, getting into arguments. She could see and hear snapshots. Mrs Weasley chiding one of the twins for something. Charlie guffawing at a joke. Ron grinning at Bill, blushing at a compliment. They were able to escape the fear and stress of the war because they had each other. They were a family.

She didn't have a family. Not anymore. She removed herself from their lives and sent them away. To be safe. Whenever she was in that room, seeing those moments, that absence was raw and bleeding all over again. And when she found herself potentially having to go into that room, into that moment, in place of Ron. She couldn't do it.

To make matters worse, tomorrow was her birthday. The weight of her parents' absence was dragging on her, an unwelcome pain that was all the more acute now that things were relatively calm. While they had been planning on how to save Harry, she had barely had a moment's peace to think of anything else. Now all she had was moments of peace.

"I'm sure," she said, giving him a reassuring smile, "don't forget you'll be with Remus."

"Oh, yeah," Ron looked comforted by that reminder.

She caught Harry watching her, suspicious. She avoided meeting his stare. Of course, there was another reason why she wanted to stay. The reason that twisted in her gut.

She didn't want to leave Harry. If he couldn't go, then she wouldn't. While he was doing a lot better, having regained his mobility, he was still weakened. But it wasn't his physical condition that worried her. It was the vacant stares into the distance where for a moment, he was somewhere else completely. He was putting on a brave face, pushing on and fighting it. Harry was the strongest person she knew but he had a breaking point like anyone else. She needed to be there for him.

They had an unspoken agreement that the conversation was exhausted. Taking the notebook back, Hermione plucked the pen from the ring-binding and clicked the end, settling back in her seat. There was something comforting about muggle pens and paper. It made her feel safe.

"Do you have… spares?" Harry asked her suddenly as she sat down.

"Spares?"

"Notepads and pens?" He nodded at her book.

"Yes, I have. I'll get one and some pens." She saw the awkward flash as she stood up. His inability to do things for himself cut him so deep.

"You want to study?" Ron asked Harry, stunned.

"Huh?" Harry looked over at him. "No, I want to write a message. I… have a lot of thanking to do that I can't do in person."

"I'll get them now," Hermione said, drawing her wand. Harry gave her a grateful look that stirred something in her. She smiled softly in response, drawing out her wand. She fixed her thoughts on the pile of notepads that she left on the desk in her bedroom after she unpacked.

Two summoning charms later and Harry was suitably equipped. He picked up the pen that she summoned for him, looking at it with wide eyes. It was a handwriting pen that Hermione kept from her days in muggle primary school. She kept everything that her parents bought her, her old pencil case, a colouring set, even a calculator. They gave her nostalgia for a life that felt so far away, a life that she almost barely remembered.

"I used to have a pen just like this." Harry pulled the lid off. "Mine was pretty much broken by the time I got it from Dudley but it still worked."

"Well if you're both going to reenact studying muggle-style, I'm going to see if Tonks wants a game of chess."

"You could read up a bit more-."

"You already said that we're experts in horcruxes and that includes me. There's nothing more to know." Ron said with a sly smile. "I'll be out later. Not like I can go far. Need to go over what I'm saying about our plan as well, right?"

"Oh right." Harry looked up, distracted for a moment. "When I'm done with these, we can go through it. I just… ow." He flinched, flexing his bandaged hand.

"Are you sure you should be writing with that hand?"

"Probably shouldn't but…," he mumbled, blushing a little.

Sighing, Hermione drew out her wand and tapped his bandage. "Molliare. There, that should hopefully stop any pressure on the…wound." His lips parted with surprise as he picked up the pen.

"That's loads better. You're amazing, Hermione."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Right, nerds. I'll catch you later."

Thank you.

I wish I could be there in person and say those two words to all of you. I hope that one day I'll get the chance to do just that. It's thanks to you and what you risked in putting your lives on the line for me that I even have a chance to write this. To do anything. Walk, talk, breathe, live. You saved my life.

This chance that you've given me - I promise to make it matter. I hope to return to the fight when I'm fully recovered. It's risky but then, I'm me, everything's risky!

Stay alive and don't get arrested. I really do not recommend it.

Harry

—

After signing his name, Harry put the pen down and turned his gaze out to the sea, drawing in a deep breath. His emotions were turbulent. He wasn't pleased with what he had written. It sounded cold but how could he put everything down in just one message? He wished he had Hermione's skill at writing. He flexed his hand, wincing. He returned his attention back on his notepad and tore the page out. Hermione jumped a little at the sound.

"You're done?" She asked, surprised.

He shrugged, frowning down at the page. He folded it, noticing Hermione curiously looking at what he had written.

"I know it's short but… well… you know how bad I am at writing."

He saw her smile.

"You simply have a way of communicating a lot in a few words. It's not a bad thing."

"It sounds cold," he said.

"I'm sure whatever you've written is far from cold, Harry," she said softly, "and no one is expecting for you to write anything. The gesture alone is more than enough."

He sighed softly. "I don't know who's going to be there so I wrote something to be read out on my behalf. I'll ask Remus if he wouldn't mind…"

Hermione put the book down at that. She turned in her seat. He peered up, noticing that her eyes looked more golden than usual with the sun splashing on her face.

"I'm sure he'd be happy to do so."

"I don't know how I'm meant to say 'thanks for saving my life' other than saying… just that. But it's more…" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know how to explain. Could you… read it for me?"

"Are you sure?" She asked, clearly surprised.

"I'm sure. You know me best." He picked it up and handed it over to her. Her eyes had widened a bit at what he said, then settled on the note. She took it. He watched her cautiously as she unfolded it and read it. Her eyes narrowed a little and a line appeared between her brows. It was a very familiar look, but then it softened and she lowered the scrap of lined paper covered with his messy scrawl. Her eyes sparkled as she met his gaze.

Slowly, she rose up from her chair and moved over to him, sinking to the ground. She brought her arms around him and roughly pulled him into a hug. His breath whooshed out of him at the impact, his bruises smarting.

"Uh… does this mean it's okay?"

She released him at once, turning from him, hiding her face as she brushed at her eyes.

"It means that it is very you."

Harry's mouth was agape as she sat back down, now completely composed. She folded his message again and put it down. He absently rubbed at his side where one of his bruises was smarting from her rather energetic hug. He leaned back into the wheelchair while his hand throbbed.

He looked down at the pen that Hermione lent him and gave it a small smile. Old memories stirred and he let them come to the surface. Usually, he'd push memories of his childhood far back to the depths of his mind, but these ones were different. They were actually pleasant. Some lessons at school had been, sometimes, enjoyable. English with Mrs Jones, for example. If he was lucky and finished his exercises early, he could have time in the quiet corner where he could choose whatever book he wanted and read it on his own without Dudley knocking it out of his hands or smacking the glasses off his face.

"Thanks for letting me borrow this," he said to Hermione, picking up the pen, "you know, I missed using a pen. And lined paper! I'd almost forgotten that it never used to be an actual effort to write in a straight line."

"You're welcome," Hermione smiled at him, "and you can keep it. I have a whole pencil case full of them. My mum and dad would always buy me a new set for my birthday as I had a habit of wearing them out. And as my birthday is at the start of the school year…" She trailed off, her smile fading. Harry didn't notice at first, then he looked over at her.

It clicked.

"It's… not the 19th today, is it?" He asked, his heart lurching in his chest.

We didn't…

Please, don't tell me we forgot.

Her gaze met his. "No, it's the 18th."

"Your birthday is tomorrow!" He burst out, aghast. "I haven't got you anything!"

The miserable look that she had been wearing a second earlier melted away as her eyes sparkled with mirth at his reaction. Her mouth curled in that soft smile, her eyes warm.

"Harry, you have a pretty good excuse for not getting me anything for my birthday."

"True… but still! You should have something."

"It's fine, Harry. I'm not expecting anything. I didn't even think you'd… well it's fine."

He frowned at her. "You didn't think what? That I'd remember?" He crossed his arms. "I always remember. I just… lost a track of the date a little bit." He sighed, looking out at the view. "Well, I bet you never thought you'd be in the South of France for your eighteenth."

Hermione gave a laugh. "No. I suppose it could be a lot worse."

"We should do something for your birthday."

"Like what?"

"Well, if we were at school, we'd likely go to the lake or something. It's usually still warmish on your birthday, though not as warm as here." He smiled up at the beautiful blue sky. "I would probably sneak some food out of the kitchens and not tell you where I got it from so you don't get mad at me."

Hermione pushed his arm playfully. "Because I really wouldn't work it out."

"I'd have to employ my charm to pry you from the library as well. Even on your birthday. 'It may be my birthday but this is still the most important year of our lives!'" He put on an impression of her, making his voice higher. Hermione swatted his arm again and he laughed.

"I do not sound like that."

"What do you think? Maybe Remus could nick a cake from the nearby town." He then flashed her a smirk. "Or maybe open a bottle of champagne."

Hermione met his look, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" He said, grinning, "it's your eighteenth. You're meant to have alcohol." He sobered a little. "I know it wouldn't be the same. It's just us and… well… not your parents." Hermione bit her lip and looked away sharply.

Her parents don't even remember that they have a daughter, you moron!

"Oh shit… Hermione, sorry. I wasn't thinking," Harry groaned, putting his hand on his head. "Like you needed to be reminded of that. I'm so stupid sometimes."

"It's fine, Harry. Really." She said softly, giving him a sad smile. "If we weren't on the run and in the middle of a war, I still wouldn't be spending my birthday with them. It's always during the school year. I'm used to it at this point."

"Hmm," Harry wasn't convinced. He looked over at her. Hermione deserved a day just for her. She deserved a day off! "We'll just have to do something tomorrow. Me, you, Ron… and Remus and Tonks. Something that's not talking about horcruxes and Dark Lords."

Hermione was still staring at him. He found himself getting redder under her gaze.

"It sounds perfect."

—

Fred and George,

Honestly, you couldn't come up with a better name than Potterwatch? It sounds like you're stalkers! Where the hell did you get the equipment to run your own radio station? Oh wait, I just remembered who your dad is. Scratch that. Thanks for getting the word out about my arrest and me not being a murderer. Appreciate it!

I didn't get to see you but I certainly heard you. You definitely know how to leave an impression. Very explosive. Brilliant fireworks by the way.

Thanks for saving my speccy butt,

Harry

—

Kingsley,

Thank you for what you did. Coming back when you knew there was a high chance of being captured and killed with us. Thank you for trusting me. I hope we can speak more in the future. I wouldn't mind a little direction in duelling dark wizards…

Thank you for your belief in me. It's not deserved but I will try to be worthy of it.

Harry

—

Arthur,

What you did for me. It did more than save my life. You gave me hope when I had none. Hearing your voice reminded me that the fight goes on as long as there is life to fight it. You risked getting yourself arrested just so I could hear a friendly voice and then risked so much more. For me. I really don't know how to repay you and your family. I've endangered you ever since Ron shared that compartment with me on the way to Hogwarts.

I'm sorry about your wand.

Thank you for pulling me on my feet and getting me out of there. Falling apart like that nearly got us all killed and I'm sorry.

If I could go back, I'd rather that no one got involved in what me, Ron and Hermione are up to, but I can't. I put you all in terrible danger and there's no going back.

Thank you for being there for me,

Harry

It was late afternoon - Remus's unofficial nighttime. Harry, having finished his letters, chose to opt for something to distract him from the emotions that he disturbed by reliving what had happened at the Ministry. First, he tried to meditate, but he couldn't concentrate. After a lunch of sandwiches, Hermione asked if she could help him with his occlumency, which went well enough until he found himself falling asleep. They chose to leave it. Hermione went off to relax with a book when Ron managed to convince Harry to play chess. The two boys settled at the table for the afternoon, falling back into the comfortable banter that two best friends often did.

Harry even found his smiles were authentic when he responded to Ron's quips and complaints about the heat. He finished his glass of pumpkin juice just as Ron made his next move.

"Oh come on! I've been planning that move for ages!" Harry exclaimed as Ron's right knight swanned up to his last bishop and shattered it into splinters of balsa wood.

"My knight's been on that square for the last six turns. It's not my fault you didn't read the board."

"Not my fault blah blah…" Harry said under his breath, shoving his elbows on the table and resting his head on his palms, staring at the board, his good mood slipping through his fingers just like this miserable game.

"Well I know you're feeling better if you're back to being a sore loser," Ron smirked, not hiding his smug smile.

"I've not even lost yet."

"Well get a move on then," Ron gestured at the board.

"Castle to D4." Harry said eventually. His castle took one of Ron's many pawns.

"Oh a game changer, that."

"Shut up." He snapped, then dropped his hands to the table, shooting an angry look across the table at his opponent. "And since when have I been a sore loser?"

"Remember that game of exploding snap last year when you were down to your last card? 'I've got this, guys. Just watch.' And then you lost. To Neville." Ron's grin was widening. "What happened to that deck of cards, Harry?"

Harry tried to hide his smirk at the memory.

"It might be at the bottom of the lake… but I had that game! I was robbed. Neville distracted me."

"By winning?"

"Just shut up and make your move already. Remus has been waiting for me to do some more occlumency practice…"

"Nice try worming out of this, Potter. Remus is upstairs… asleep. Queen to D4."

"Oh for the love of-."

There went Harry's last castle. Harry groaned as more splinters rained down the board. While the set was composed of carved wooden figures in place of stone he was used to, it was just as violent. Harry peered over to the reclining loungers where Hermione had retired after lunch. He tried to not look at her legs but every glance that he took away from the chess set ended up at her shimmering shins. He noticed Ron's gaze flicking in the same direction.

"You know… um. Tomorrow's Hermione's birthday," he said, idly playing with the base of his king piece. Ron's eyes shot up to his, his mouth dropping open.

"Oh… we didn't…"

"Yes we did. We forgot."

"Shit!"

"Keep it down," Harry said, leaning forwards, turning his head so Hermione couldn't see her face. "Did you… have anything planned? It completely slipped my mind."

"No. I mean, I knew it was soon but when we were at Grimmauld, we were so busy and then… well…" Ron rubbed his sleeve over his sweaty lip. "Wait. Have you… spoken to her about it?"

Harry grimaced. "It came up."

"Bloody hell."

"You think you could, you know, ask around tonight? Maybe get a card signed by everyone." He dropped his voice, reaching for his drink to disguise their conversation. The cool glass soothed his injured hand as he sipped at the fresh orange juice. "Maybe your mum might have something to bring back?"

"Great idea," Ron grinned at him.

"We'll just have a day without… everything… tomorrow. Try to be as normal as possible. Maybe I'll be out of this stupid thing," Harry said, glowering at his chair.

"A Hermione birthday without studying?"

"First time for everything - knight to F7." Harry put his glass down. His knight obediently shuffled towards its doom.

"If mum's there tonight, I reckon she'll have something. She normally has Hermione something for her birthday and she never forgets. It's like she has a calendar on the inside of eyelids or something. Bishop to F7. Check."

"Are you even going to try to put me in check or just crush my spirit?"

"You are in check. Open your ears."

"Oh."

Harry plucked his lip as he looked at the board. He moved his king out of trouble and then looked back up at Ron before his gaze could wander over to Hermione's legs again. What the hell is wrong with me!

"D'you think Hermione's pissed off with me?" Ron suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Harry glanced over at her and immediately stared at her legs. Damnit. He looked back at Ron. "No. Why would she be?"

Ron shrugged. "I dunno."

Harry frowned, then sighed. "You both seem pretty normal to me and I've been around you both long enough to judge."

Ron said nothing, staring at the board for a moment. "Queen to G4. Check."

"Unless something happened while I wasn't around?" Harry asked, raising a brow at him. "You didn't fall out?"

"No… we're not arguing or anything. Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Then what's the problem?" Harry was confused.

"It just feels like something's changed." Ron's shoulders dropped. He sighed.

"Well… don't you think you should be talking to her about this and not me?" Harry said carefully, "the mess of last year happened because you're both too stubborn to talk to each other. About… how you feel." Harry distracted himself from being embarrassed by saving his king again from his compromising position. His poor king was going to be running around a lot until cornered. Ron watched his king's sad retreat and sighed.

"Yeah. I should. She just doesn't make it easy, you know?"

Harry frowned, looking at him. Of all the people in Harry's life, Hermione was the easiest person to talk to. He knew that she would always listen. She might not agree with him, but she'd always listen. And when it came to emotions and feelings…she was more understanding than anyone he knew.

"Might as well try." He said as diplomatically as possible.

"I guess. Bishop to C5. Checkmate."

Harry dropped his head down to watch the bishop casually stride up to his poor king and obliterate him. He huffed out a sigh. At least it was quick.

Ron was grinning as he brought his wand up to reset the board. The splinters reassembled to form wooden chess pieces. Harry spied his king giving a nervous twitch. He eyed Ron.

"What's the time?"

Ron checked his watch. "Uh six… oh shit! Six! We have to be there for Seven."

"Calm down. We're an hour ahead." Harry reminded him. Ron's shoulders slumped with relief.

"Phew."

"Might need to wake up Remus though," Harry pointed out. He swallowed then, remembering that he wanted to speak to Remus before they left and give him the message that he wanted the other people at the meeting to hear. He then remembered the letters that he had written, especially the one to Mr Weasley. It felt so impersonal to put that in a letter after everything that the man had done for him. He recalled what Hermione said about sometimes the gesture being enough but how could words on a page be enough?

He sighed, feeling his pocket, his fingers brushing the folded pages that he'd shoved in there. They might be a bit crinkled. Harry put the letters in his lap and returned the one to Kingsley and the one for Remus to his pocket.

"Ron, if Fred and George and your dad are at the meeting tonight, d'you reckon you could give them these?" Harry put the letters on the table beside the chess piece.

"Wha? Oh… yeah sure." Ron looked curiously at them.

"It's just… to say thank you. For… well… everything," Harry explained awkwardly, rubbing his wrist. His fingers scratched over the scabs and he stopped, glancing down at the marks. "I know everyone played a part but they went a bit beyond. I mean… you and Hermione obviously did the most…"

"And you still ended up saving our asses later," Ron said lightly but there was a twitch in his jaw and he looked away. Harry rested his forehead against his hand. "Has Hermione had a go at you for that yet?"

"No, not yet but I know it's coming," Harry said.

"Good, well not good. I mean…" Ron sighed, "I'll get these to them." He picked up the letters and put them in his pocket. "Did you… want another game?"

"Nah, I should probably speak with Remus." Harry instinctively went to stand, but his hands pressed into the soft arms of his wheelchair and the reality tumbled back. He was in a wheelchair. He couldn't go upstairs to see Remus, not without help.

"Ah, good thinking. Oh look, Tonks is in the kitchen. Tonks!" Ron shouted, making Harry jump. Tonks poked her head out of the kitchen doors, her bouncing blonde curls framing her face.

"Wotcher boys. Oh… no Ron, I'm not going to have my pride annihilated again." She gestured at the chess set.

"Yeah, I wonder what that's like," Harry muttered.

"What's up?" She asked, stepping outside, her eyes moving to Harry, her face suddenly dropping the humour and turning serious. "Everything alright, Harry?"

"Huh? Yeah." Harry was a bit startled at the question. "I… well… do you know if Remus is about?"

"I'll get him. Just be a jiffy," she said, turning back to head inside.

"No. There's no need. I just- oh, she's gone." Harry sighed at her retreat. He shot Ron a grimace and leaned back in his chair. Ron picked up his glass.

"I'll fix myself something and head back to the library. Hermione will probably want to go over everything again as well." Ron got to his feet, surprising Harry. His ears were a little red. Harry felt awkward at having unwittingly dismissed his friend by wanting to talk to Remus but said nothing as Ron rolled his eyes at having to go over the notes again. He watched Ron head back into the kitchen, seeing the sunburn on the back of his neck.

He thunked the back of his head against the headrest of his chair. It felt wrong to be grounded while Remus and Ron were preparing to head right back into danger. But what could he do about it? He wasn't in denial. They were right - he was too ill to apparate on his own. And he would need a wand. Not just to apparate with but to defend himself if anything did happen.

There was the other niggling worry in the back of his head. He was vulnerable to Voldemort's mental attacks and was a liability. While he was able to eventually push him out with difficulty, just the shortest connection could be enough to compromise them.

He heard footsteps and turned, seeing Remus striding out of the kitchen, his hair a little dishevelled, holding a glass of water. He saw Harry, catching his eye and smiled.

"It might surprise you to hear but werewolves and hot weather do not mix," he said as he approached. He reached the chair next to Harry and put his drink down on the table.

"Ron said you wanted to talk." He said in a low voice. "Is everything alright? Did you want to practice more meditating before we leave?"

"Uh no, well… yes. I planned on doing that tonight when things are a bit… um."

"Quieter?" Remus finished, a knowing glint in his eye.

"Yeah…"

"I suppose that's fair enough." He said but then his expression went more serious. "I'll speak to Kingsley tonight about it."

Harry gave a grateful nod, a little relieved that Remus wasn't pushing the issue. He didn't really want to talk about occlumency and the constant threat he had over his head. In his head. He reached into his pocket and brought out the two folded pages of lined paper.

"When you do speak to Kingsley, could you give him this?" Harry held out the letter. Remus looked down at it, frowning a little at the muggle stationery, a little confused at the absence of parchment. "It's just… a letter to thank him. I'd rather thank him in person but… well… who knows if I'll get the chance to."

Remus took the letter, eyeing it. "Of course. I'll make sure he gets it." He put it in his pocket.

"There's… something else too." Harry said quietly. He unfolded the last page and handed it over to Remus. "I'd really appreciate it if you could read that out to everyone on my behalf."

Remus searched Harry's face the same way Hermione did when he handed it over to her to read. Like her, he also took it cautiously. He pulled out the chair and settled down, his eyes moving left to right as he read what Harry had written. He put the page down on the table and gave a sigh, looking out at the view for a moment. Harry watched him for a moment then he awkwardly looked down at the page and at his handwriting. He had tried to be as neat as possible.

"This is… a nice gesture," Remus said softly. "You know, with every passing day here, I'm starting to see more and more of Lily in you." Harry looked up, surprised by this sudden mention of his mum out of nowhere. As his eyes met Remus's, the werewolf let out a sigh and wore a sad smile as he looked into Harry's eyes. "You have her gift for saying a lot with a little."

"I… well…" Harry was a bit startled. "I thought it was short and impersonal."

"It's meaningful," Remus said, then he picked up the page and folded it up. It put it along with Kingsley's letter in his pocket. "If you wish me to read that, I will."

"Thanks…" He looked out at the sea and took a deep breath. "There's also…" He glanced across at Remus. "I'd appreciate it if you could ask someone to check up on Hestia and Dedalus. Or… find out if anyone's heard from them."

"I will," Remus assured him. "Hestia might even be there. She is an original member of the Order."

"Ah right," Harry said absently. There was something else. He heard Remus giving a soft, amused sigh at his side.

"There's something else?" He asked. Harry glanced over at him, seeing a crooked smile on his face. His eyes were warm, amused.

"Uh. Yeah." He shifted on his chair. "Well. I know you said yesterday that you, Kingsley and Mr Weasley agreed to not say too much about everything that happened. Specifically about what I did." He saw the humour bleeding from Remus's face as it dawned on him what Harry was talking about. "The… the thing is I don't know how much the three of you know about me and… Voldemort. About our history. The truth… I mean. Not rumours." Harry kept his gaze fixed on the table. He could feel Remus staring at him. "I expect you know a bit. Considering you know that the prophecy exists."

He straightened and dared to look over at Remus.

"I want you to know the truth. All of it. And… I'd like Arthur to know too. Kingsley as well." Harry looked away again. "The only thing… it's not a story I want to repeat."

"They could come here," Remus said. "If that's what you want."

Harry considered his hands for a moment. They deserved to know. After what they did for him. Secrecy was Dumbledore's game and look where it got him. He left Harry in the dark. He wouldn't make the same mistake. Remus, Arthur and Kingsley put their lives on the line for him. He could trust them.

"I do but… can it wait? I'm… I need to…" He couldn't get the words out. Remus sighed and gripped his hand.

"When you're ready to talk to us, we'll be here."

AN: I was enjoying writing the dynamic between the trio so much that I ended up getting carried away. I know nothing really happens but I wanted them to have a bit of a reprieve. I hope it's not too dull and jarring. I know the chapter's shorter than my usual length. Sorry!

Thank you, new followers and favouriters! I hope to make this worth the click!