31. Burn
He wants to catch his breath and tell her that he loves her.
But now is not the time, because they just jumped off a fucking dragon's back and his body is screaming in pain. He is covered in burns and as he applies essence of dittany everywhere, he notices Hermione flinch from the corner of his eyes. She is in a terrible shape, burns and cuts covering her body too. He is so close to take her hand here and then and just Disapparate her away. Away from the pain, from the war and the dreadful unknown they are living in.
He can read the panic in her eyes that she's trying to keep under control for Harry's sake. He knows, because he is feeling exactly the same way.
She's quick on her feet though, and he witnesses her lift her chin higher, a look of determination he knows all too well on her face, before she hands Harry and him pumpkin juice and a change of clothes. Brilliant.
Before he realises how it happened, they are laughing. Because they just broke into Gringotts and how many times have that happened?
They sober up quickly though, because Voldemort knows and things just got ten thousand times more dangerous. They need to go to Hogwarts immediately and Hermione can't hide her panic now.
They don't have time to fucking plan.
So as they get ready to Apparate, he grabs her hand tighter than ever before, trying to convey through this touch what his soul is yearning to scream.
He wants to catch his breath and tell her that he loves her, but there is a war to win first.
