Harry and Ron found Hermione pacing in the living room. "Mione" Ron said gently. "You ready?"
Hermione looked up and plastered a fake smile on her face. "Ready as ever I guess," she chirped. The trio was heading out the front door when they heard screaming and footsteps.
"Wait" Ginny cried, "Wait!"
Ginny Weasley rushed into the room her long red hair flowing behind her. Harry's breath caught in his chest. Merlin, he thought, she is beautiful. Then he mentally slapped himself for having the thought. He had to let go of Ginny, for her own sake.
"Ginny" Hermione started, "We are-"
"I wasn't talking to you" Ginny snarled, causing Hermione to recoil. "I am sorry" Ginny said quickly, "I just-I am a little distraught". Ginny turned back to Harry. "Can we talk?"
Harry nodded, "You guys wait for me outside" Harry told Ron and Hermione. "I'll be out in a minute". They nodded and without another word headed out the door. Once the door shut behind them Harry turned to Ginny.
"You're leaving aren't you?" Ginny asked.
"I am" Harry replied. "I have to this is bigger than us. This is life and death. I have to finish what Dumbledore started."
Ginny sighed, "I get that," Ginny said. "I really do, but I am scared. I am scared for you. I want us to go back but I know we can't. I just wanted to say goodbye."
Harry smiled, "Goodbye" he said. Ginny put her arms around Harry and pulled him into a hug.
"Come back for me. Promise you will come back for me" She whispered into his neck.
"You know I can't promise that" Harry said. He pulled away. "I love you. I always will but I may not be able to come back at all. I may not survive this Gin and you need to be ready for that"
"Never" Ginny hissed. "I will never accept that. I will be waiting for you"
Harry didn't respond he simply turned his back and went outside. Hermione and Ron were waiting for him.
"Everything ok?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded and pulled his wand from the waistband of his jeans. He stuck it out to flag down the knight bus.
It appeared out of thin air and came to an abrupt start in front of the trio. Stan Shunpike opened the door and stepped off.
"Welcome to the knight bus" he started but quickly stopped when he saw Harry's face. "I guess you've 'eard this before" he said and Harry nodded. "Ok, then come on" He motioned them to get in. Hermione gave Ernie direction to her house and then they picked seats in the back of the bus.
The trio made small talk but none of them was very chatty. Harry tried not to picture Ginny's brown eyes glistening with tears bit her couldn't get the image to go away. He would love Ginny until his very last breath but he had to be responsible and live his life now. Maybe one day he could come back for her but for now he had things to do and Ginny just didn't fit in his life.
Sooner than Hermione expected they pulled in front of her house. She sighed deeply and stood up. It's now or never, Hermione thought grimly.
"Come on boys" Hermione directed. Harry and Ron both stood up and followed Hermione off the bus. She saw the look on Ron's face as he looked at her house. It occurred to her that in the six years she had known them, they had never seen her house. To her it was an average house but to Ron it probably looked like a castle. She stood there for a moment to look at it. Her childhood residence was a large brown home. It was three stories and had a winding driveway.
Ron grabbed her hand and pulled her up the driveway. "Let's go," he urged. Hermione tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ears and tried to tell herself this would work out in the end.
"Nice house" Ron commented.
"Thanks" Hermione mumbled. When they reached the front door Hermione pulled her keys out of her purse and opened it. "Mum, Dad" she called. Both of their cars were in the driveway so she knew they were home. "Mum"
"Hermione, love?" Her mother replied. "Is that you?"
"Yes mam" Hermione answered. "Where are you?"
"In the kitchen"
Hermione led Harry and Ron down the hallway to the kitchen. Emma Granger was standing there on the telephone. She smiled at Hermione. "I will have to call you later" Emma said. "Hermione just walked in" She put the phone down and embraced Hermione. "Hello Darling" she said. "This is a nice surprise"
"Hello mum" Hermione replied. "You remember Harry and Ronald."
"Of course" Emma replied. "Hello Boys. It's good to see both of you again."
Harry and Ron both greeted Hermione's mother politely.
"Emma" Hermione's farther called as he came into the kitchen. "Is dinner ready?" He stopped abruptly when he saw the trio. "Hermione, love- what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I just wanted to see you" Hermione answered. The room seemed a little tense. Finally Todd Granger cleared his throat.
"Well, we are glad you're here" He said a moment later. He turned to Ron and Harry. "Would you boys like to join us for dinner?"
Ron looked at Harry. Harry shrugged and then nodded.
"Sure" Ron told him.
"Let me just set the table" Emma said. "Hermione, please help me?"
Hermione followed her mother over to the table and helped her set it up. Todd Granger smiled uncomfortable at Harry and Ron. "Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked.
"Water would be fine" Ron answered.
"Same" Harry said.
Hermione's father turned to get the boys a glass of water. "Weird" Harry mumbled and Ron nodded. The atmosphere of the Granger's home was tense and Ron wondered why.
"Here" Todd said handing the boys their water. Both muttered a thank you.
"Dinner is ready" Emma announced. "Come on"
Todd led the boys to the dinner table. He sat at the end of the table. Emma sat on one side of him and Hermione sat on the other. Ron and Harry positioned themselves at the other end. The dinner was served and everyone ate quietly. Finally Hermione started a conversation.
"I guess you heard about Professor Dumbledore" Hermione said.
'Yes" Todd answered. "We were very sorry about that. He seemed like a nice man"
"He was" Hermione replied. She sounded a little choked and up and she sniffed quietly into her hands. A moment later she recovered and turned back to her family.
"Will the school be closing?" Todd asked. Hermione shrugged.
"I don't know yet," Hermione answered truthfully. "But it doesn't matter. I won't be going back"
"Oh Hermione" Her mother cried. "We were hoping you would say that."
"I don't understand" Hermione said.
"Well, we were going to tell you not to go back" Emma said, "We were going to let you finish in a normal high school. The wizarding world is just too dangerous. I am so gad you agree"
Hermione stared at her parents for a moment. "No, you don't understand" Hermione said. "I am not going back to Hogwarts because I am going with Harry and Ron to join to war"
"Hermione" her mother started but Todd Granger held up his hand.
"No Emma" He said. "Let me make this easy Hermione. You will be coming home"
Hermione's face turned red and she pursed her lips. "No, I wont" Hermione replied. "Don't you get it? I have to do this"
"Why?" Emma cried. "Why do you have to do this?"
"You can't seriously be asking me that?" Hermione screeched.
Mother and daughter were both on their feet glaring at one another. Harry and Ron watched in horror as the scene continued.
"This war has nothing to do with you." Emma retorted.
"Mother it has everything to with me" Hermione cried.
Emma opened her mouth to speak but found no words. She just sat down again with tears in her eyes. Hermione continued to stand as if waiting for another round. A few moments later Hermione silently took her seat.
"Todd-tell your daughter she isn't going anywhere" Emma fumed. Mr. Granger looked up at Hermione and for along moment just stared-finally her cleared his throat. "No Emma-Hermione can go where she pleases."
"What?" Both Hermione and her mother cried.
"I would like nothing more than to keep her here" Todd explained, "But she is an adult now- an adult that can make her own decisions"
"But Todd" Emma started. Mr. Granger shook his head she cut herself off.
"Thank you Daddy" Hermione whispered. She stood up and Harry and Ron followed suit. Hermione rushed over and hugged her father. When she released him she turned to her mother. Emma stood up and left the room quickly.
"Give her time pumpkin," her father said. Hermione nodded and motioned for Harry and Ron to follow her. She climbed the staircase in the hallway and led them down a dark hallway. At the end of the hallway was white door. She threw this door open and revealed her bedroom. Ron and Harry stared at the room realizing this is the first and possibly last time they would ever see Hermione's room.
Her walls were white and clean. She had a few pictures hanging on walls-mostly of her family or Ron and Harry. The only other color beside white in the room was blue. It was disgustingly clean. Hermione headed for the closet and door and threw it open. "I will only be a minute guys". She grabbed a suitcase and mumbled a packing spell. Ten minutes later she was ready to go. Hermione stopped by her parent's room but the boys could see she didn't have the nerve to knock.
"Your mum will come around" Ron assured her. Hermione nodded stiffly and lead them back down stairs. She said one last tearful goodbye to Todd Granger.
"Take care of her boys" Todd called from the doorway after walking them out.
"We will sir" Ron replied.
Hermione stuck her wand out and summoned the knight bus again.
"Surrey" Harry told Shan when they climbed aboard. "Number four Privet Drive"
They sat down in the back. Hermione and Ron made quiet small talk while Harry prepared himself to see the Durlsey's-for the very last time.
