After Remus cradled Harry into his chest and took him outside for some privacy, the rest of them sat silently eating their bacon rolls. The shock was thick and weighted, causing them all to avoid eye contact for a moment. All of them knew that they had just witnessed something very private and the mood was unsettled. Eventually, Luna was the first to brave small talk and her airy voice permeated the stilted silence.

"I like your Christmas decorations. The fairies are very soothing."

Her comment cracked through the awkward tension and conversation spluttered into life. Fleur's soft smiles were grateful as she seized the rope that Luna was offering, chatting with her politely about the decorations and her holiday preparations as if there wasn't a war going on. Hermione did her best to contribute once she had distracted herself with eating lunch. She pushed at the dwindling crumbs on her plate idly as she stole worried looks up to the window. She wasn't alone.

No matter what Luna did to bring the mood up, it still remained, the aftermath of Harry's breakdown.

Around them, Andromeda and Tonks had got up to tidy up. Bill had gone to the living room to stoke the fire while Fleur had gone to show Luna where she had summoned the fairies from.

Only Ron and Hermione remained. It hung over them like a noxious fume. It pulled at every small smile, lingered under every polite word. Their eyes were darkened with dread, betraying flickers of anxiety.

Ron drummed up the courage to break the silence. He sighed, shifting in his seat, facing Hermione. She raised her gaze, meeting his eyes for the first time since Harry had been ushered outside, his sobs muffled against Remus's chest.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" He held her gaze, his jaw setting determinedly. Hermione glanced over in the direction of the window and sighed. She nodded. "When?" He asked, his voice firm and serious.

"As soon as possible."

Ron's expression flickered, betraying the hurt. He didn't look away.

"So that's it? You're both just going to disappear?" He asked, not keeping the bite from his voice.

"You know why we have to go," Hermione whispered back, leaning towards him, her eyes hard and meaningful. She gestured to the living room where the others had all gone, leaving them to their privacy. "The less people that know what we're up to, the better."

"I know what you're up to," Ron searched her face for a moment. Then he rolled his head back, understanding. "But you don't want me back."

The way he said it wasn't accusatory. He said it like a statement, his voice bordering on mournful.

"It's not about what I want, Ron. It's about what's best for the mission… for Harry. For everyone." She argued. "This has nothing to do with… with what happened between us." She glanced over to the window again and sighed. "We nearly lost everything, Ron. Had there been more death eaters or… if Harry hadn't been as bloody stubborn as he is, the knowledge of how to destroy you-know-who would have died with us. It would have been over."

Ron studied her intently, his eyes widening with dawning horror.

"It's too risky for us to travel together now and we can't tell anyone else what we're doing. If anything happens to me and Harry, it's up to you to finish where we left off."

"And where exactly have you left off?" Ron asked, his voice still hard. "If you want me as your back-up, you need to tell me something."

Hermione sighed softly, closing her eyes and composing her patience. She didn't want to lose her temper and make things even more awkward than they were. She was determined to not leave things in a bad way.

"We have basilisk fangs. It's why we went to Hogwarts. The locket is destroyed and… we found another horcrux and destroyed that too."

Ron's mouth fell open. He choked out a shocked laugh.

"Merlin's Arse, you kept that quiet!"

"It's not like we can just blurt out that we destroyed pieces of Tom's soul," she shot back waspishly. Ron's brows shot up at the mention of the name. "And… we're onto something else to help Harry have an edge against him , but we… we need to travel abroad to get more answers. Really, we don't quite know what it is, just that Dumbledore gave us clues about it and it's the best shot we have at making sure Harry…"

Doesn't die. She couldn't say it, but Ron knew what she was about to say. He considered her and then his shoulders dropped.

"Right, well… that was very vague. I guess you can't trust me with what exactly this weapon is?" His voice was miserable. Defeated. Hermione sighed.

"Ron…"

"No, don't bother. I get it, alright? It took me long enough, but I get it." He sullenly dropped his gaze, looking down at the table. "You don't trust me to watch your back and keep your secrets. And you know what, I don't blame you. All I did was slow you down."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh, stabbing his nail into the wood of the table as he stared at the grain.

"Yesterday, seeing you both in action, I can't match that," his nail dug into the wood, "you with that huge fireball and then Harry… taking him on single-handedly after punching the shit out of Malfoy." He sighed, looking up at her. "It sort of put me to shame." He admitted.

Hermione didn't know what to say.

"Very few wizards could have done what Harry did," she said eventually. Ron shrugged.

"Maybe… but anyway…" He met her gaze properly, holding it. Hurt, guilt, loss… so many emotions tugged at the corners of his blue eyes. She reached out a hand to him, pushing it over the table. Ron looked down at it, and bowed his head down. She caught sight of a sparkle of wetness in the corner of his eye. He then pushed his own hand out, the tips of his fingers touching hers.

"I can't take back what I did." Ron's voice was thick with emotion, his eyes downcast. "Because of it, we're no longer a trio, and that's my fault. I lost y-your respect… and I lost Harry's trust." He let out a gasping breath and brought his other hand up to his face, wiping away his tears. "He might have forgiven me but that's what he does. He forgives too easily."

Hermione dipped her chin in response, agreeing with that much. Harry had a heart of gold. One of the many reasons why she loved him.

"I forgive those who deserve it. There's a difference."

Both their heads snapped up at once. Harry stood in the doorway to the kitchen, leaning on the doorframe. Neither Ron nor Hermione had heard him enter but there he was, watching and, apparently, listening. Hermione felt her face warm.

But then she saw his glasses.

His glasses.

Before she could wrap her mind around how he suddenly was wearing a pair, he stepped languidly from where he had been standing, leaning on the doorframe. He met Hermione's look for a moment, but then returned his brilliant green eyes back onto Ron.

"I can't thank you enough for what you did for me yesterday. You saved my life and a lot more besides. Actions speak louder than words, you know." Harry smiled at him, then he pulled the chair out. "But… judging from the mood in here, I'm guessing we're talking about us going our separate ways?"

As Harry sat down with them, Hermione could see now that the glasses he wore were different to the ones that had been taken from him. While still round in shape, the lenses were slightly larger and suited his face a lot more. The frames were thin, gleaming gold, contrasting nicely with his green eyes and black hair.

His gaze immediately sought out Hermione, sensing her stare. She nodded in confirmation.

"Yeah and…" Ron groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I get it. Besides, I don't exactly want to be Garry Gooseberry."

"Right, well…" Harry rubbed at his neck. "We're not going to disappear completely. I've already promised Remus that much. We can think of a way to stay in contact safely. Maybe something like the coins we used for the DA. The deluminator is good and all, but a bit one sided."

Hermione could see that something had changed in Harry's demeanour. He appeared buoyant, almost happy. His eyes were bright, even if they were a little red-rimmed from where he had been clearly crying. It was very different to his attitude before lunch where he had been guarded and on edge. There was a hopefulness to him, a steady confidence that swept her up, making her heart felt light as it fluttered in her breast.

"Wait… you want to stay in touch?" Ron looked confused, glancing over at Hermione.

"Um… yes," Harry now looked confused as well. "Once we've worked on the little immortality problem, there's a war to win. Unless you like living in a country governed by Death Eaters?"

Ron was bewildered, looking at Harry slack-jawed.

"But, you're leaving…"

"Yeah, to lay low for a bit and then maybe go to Germany… of all places. Sorry I can't say more but… I can't share what we're looking into. Not yet, anyway," Harry said, catching Hermione's eye. "And really, I should keep my distance while I'm a liability." He tapped his forehead. Ron's eyes travelled up to Harry's scar, widening with understanding.

"He… he can get into your head?"

"He hasn't tried since we escaped, but, yes, he can absolutely get in my head," Harry said grimly. He sighed and took off his new glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose. He glanced over to Hermione who was watching him so carefully.

"I take it you got those from Remus?" Hermione asked him, looking to change the subject from Harry's curse of having a mental connection with his nemesis. Her eyes lingered on the glasses. Harry beamed at once, the hollowness in his eyes retreating as the hopeful gleam returned. His smile then met his eyes truly, their green depths warm and happy. The sight of it after Harry's emotional breakdown made her heart leap.

"Yes! They… they belonged to my dad." He gazed at them in his hand, his eyes shining with joy, then he looked up at the window to where he and Remus had been sitting. "I could remember them. I know… it's mad. I was only a baby, but I remembered stealing them from my dad. I did it so much, they had another pair made for me because I wanted them so badly. These are that pair. Mine. And I remembered."

Hermione gasped, putting her hands over her mouth.

"You… you remembered your dad?"

Harry nodded, and his eyes dewed with tears.

"Yeah," he laughed and sniffed. He looked a bit alarmed at his emotions, but smiled nonetheless.

"Oh Harry!"

Hermione was up in a blink, rushing over to him. She wrapped her arms around him, choking out a laugh of shock out of him. He squirmed in the chair, twisting around so he could return the embrace. As he did, Hermione's lips found his.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, do you have to do that in front of me?" Ron protested, grumbling. Hermione straightened, rolling her eyes. Harry chuckled, then grabbed her arm before she went to sit back down. She yelped as he shot up and kissed her. He laughed as he did when Ron feigned gagging noises.

"Ergh well, I'm going to head in there while you get whatever this is out of your system." Ron grumbled, rising from his chair. Harry released Hermione, watching Ron with a mixture of guilt and surprise. He went to immediately apologise, but stopped himself in time. His face set and he rose from the chair.

"You're going to join the others?" Harry asked him. Ron rolled his eyes, folding his arms.

"What else am I going to do? Watch you to perform the tongue tango?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe... as penance for all those hours I had to spend with you while you explored Lavender's tonsils last year," Harry said, the glint in his eye beyond mischievous. Hermione had to hide her smile, but her giggle caught Ron unawares. He looked at her, incredulous.

"This is so weird," he groaned. "Just… don't be long." He pushed his chair in and slunk away, his shoulders hunched, ears flaming red. He paused at the doorway, hesitating, but then sighed and left them to it.

Harry watched the empty doorway that led into the living room. Hermione followed his gaze and sobered, knowing what he was thinking. She could see Harry's expression. The guilt. She immediately went to him, bringing her arms around him. He let out a quiet sigh, his arms coming around her.

"I don't like that this hurts him, even though it's sort of his fault that we happened in the first place." He said a little gruffly. "But he has his family to support him… and Luna. Maybe they can meet up with Neville and go into hiding together."

Hermione smiled at Harry's concern.

"He needs to figure this out on his own," she said to him, "I think that's part of the problem. As much as he complains about being in someone else's shadow, he can't handle being cut adrift. Let's be honest - his family do mollycoddle him."

Harry put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her warm eyes. He brushed a finger down her cheek fondly.

"Mollycoddle huh?" He stressed the start of the word, his eyes glinting in that meaningful way. She huffed out an amused laugh.

"Yes - and maybe we shouldn't joke about him when he's in the next room."

"Huh, maybe," he grinned, but then let out a disappointed sigh. "Alright, I'll be sensible and mature if I have to be."

Hermione kissed his lips softly. "Good. That's what I like to hear . " She ran her tongue past his lips. Harry at once gripped her robes in his hands, a moan puffing out his throat. He smiled, his pupils dilating, taking on a sensual look that had her moving in closer, her body heating up as she responded to his desire.

"I can't wait…" He brought his lips down to the nape of her neck, "to show you just how mature I can be, Hermione Granger."

It was her turn to moan, her breath hot against his hair as she curled around him, her lips going to his forehead while he kissed her neck. They slowly parted, taking in each others' flushed, aroused faces.

"We can keep them waiting for a few minutes, can't we?" She asked quietly.

Harry laughed lowly. His hand wrapped around the back of her head and pulled her flush against him, his lips answering her question in their own way - against hers.


Inventing a new method of communication in a couple of hours, as it turned out, wasn't a challenge. It did however, take some time. It was starting to get dark outside already, the short, midwinter day dwindling too soon. Harry, Luna and Ron soon realised that they weren't much use to the team of tinkerers. Compared to the ex-Hogwarts professor, a talented healer, an auror, a curse-breaker and a teenage prodigy,they felt glumly useless. Harry, Ron and Luna sat together in the living room, out the way, while the crew of magical geniuses chatted excitedly over their project in the kitchen. Not wanting to waste time being idle, Harry had turned his attention instead on doing something that Ron found incredibly amusing.

"You've spent too long alone with Hermione, mate," Ron teased when Harry asked Fleur for parchment, a quill and ink.

"Probably why we made so much progress," Harry quipped back before he could stop himself. Ron had been pretty put out by his remark and had gone instead to fiddle with a Wireless. Harry had gone to work, writing notes about everything they had learned over the last forty eight hours.

"What are you doing, Ronald?" Luna, who had been happily sat cross-legged at the Christmas tree, enticing the fairies to uncircle her arms instead of the tree, looked around to watch Ron's efforts. Ron, sat at the sofa, jerked up in surprise at the question.

"Oh… I'm trying to figure out the code for Potterwatch."

Harry had been writing everything he could remember from his talk with Luna's father and his unpleasant confrontation with Voldemort. He was deep in thought, thinking about what it meant now that Voldemort knew the prophecy, when he heard the word 'Potterwatch'. He nearly knocked over the bottle of ink.

"W-what?" Harry sat up straight, setting the quill down, flexing his hand. Ron scowled at his question, clearly still annoyed at Harry's blunt remark. But when he saw Harry's genuine confusion, his expression turned more neutral.

"It's not been running long and we've only caught one broadcast, but Fred, George and Lee have been running a radio station. A very illegal one. You only can listen to it if you know the code for the next broadcast… I missed the last one so I've been guessing."

Harry glanced over his notes, frowning, and cast an ink drying spell over them. He folded them up, screwing the lid back on the ink and stowed the notes in his mokeskin pouch. As he did, his finger brushed the lock of Hermione's hair that was kept safe with his other mementos. He wore a slightly wistful smile when he returned to Ron, who gave him a rather chilly look.

"Finished your homework?"

"Yeah. Even got the stains," he said, lifting his hands to show his ink-smudged fingers. Ron appeared to warm up after that and shifted over so Harry could join him. "So… you need a code? How's it work?"

"Well…" Ron swallowed awkwardly and lifted his hands from the dials. "They're five letter words and… they all have something to do with you. Before you ask, I've already tried Harry and James. "

Harry stared at the Wireless, his mind going horribly blank.

"Why are they about me?"

"It is called Potterwatch. You see any other Potters around?" Ron asked him flippantly. Harry's jaw tensed. He didn't rise to it, looking down at the Wireless. He supposed Ron deserved one free-pass after his remark earlier.

"Can I try?" He asked instead. "I'd like to think that if I'm an expert in anything, it's myself." Ron waved a hand at him.

"Be my guest."

Harry then took over the infernal clicking. Ron made the odd remark with his guesses when he told Harry that he had already tried a certain combination. Harry started to get frustrated. How could he not know a password about himself?!

Cloak

Broom

Albus

Black

Lupin

Evans

A loud low drone sudden emitted out the speaker, causing both Harry and Ron to jump in surprise.

"... standby for the scheduled Christmas broadcast of Potterwatch… 2pm Christmas day…"

"Merlin's Arse Crack, Harry, you did it!"

Harry stared down at the machine in surprise, his mouth a little open. He closed it, looking across at Ron. He looked positively thrilled and looked down at the word Harry had used. Ron frowned, puzzled. He met Harry's eye.

"It was my mother's maiden name," Harry said quietly, a little put out that Ron didn't know that. He knew Ron's mother's maiden name, Hermione's mum's as well. He could see Ron's slightly ashamed expression in the corner of his eye.

"Huh, well… I guess that means if you can get your hands on a wireless, you'll be able to listen to it as well now," Ron said, trying to gloss over the awkward moment. "Speaking of which, what are you doing for Christmas? Bill and Fleur have already invited Luna to stay."

Harry looked over to Luna, guilt twanging through him. He sighed, rubbing at his forehead. He got up from the sofa.

"Luna?"

She turned from where she was sitting now surrounded by fairies. She smiled up at him.

"Are you… not going to go back home?"

Her open smile faded, the lights of the fairies also dwindling as they swept from her arms to return to the tree. She bowed her head a little, her lips pressing together.

"I get that you're angry with your dad…"

Luna's eyes took on a steely quality that Harry had only ever seen once - when he tried to turn down their help with coming with him to the Department of Mysteries.

"He betrayed you." She said in a voice that Harry barely recognised.

"Luna…" Harry pressed the palms of his hands against his forehead, glancing over to the kitchen. Hermione was a lot better at this than he was, but he couldn't let the Lovegoods relationship be another casualty left in his wake. Her father was all she had and she was all he had. What kind of person would he be to let that happen because of him? Luna had stayed for him. He owed her this… his forgiveness for her father.

He rose up from the sofa, ignoring Ron's questioning gaze. He came over to Luna, sinking down to sit beside her, crossing his legs. She looked a little frightened when he moved so close, uncertain at the sudden attention.

"He had to choose between your life and mine. Luna, he absolutely made the right choice. He had a bargaining chip to get you back home and he made his choice." Harry put his hand on her arm. "There is nothing a loving parent would not do for their child."

Luna's eyes lost their hard edge, her lower lip trembling. She gazed up into Harry's face.

"You don't have to forgive him, but please, don't lose him. Not over this. His only crime is that he loves you."

She gasped out a sob then, tears tracking down her cheeks, falling from her large, expressive eyes. Harry didn't want to make her cry. He wasn't sure what to do, so he imagined how Hermione would react. He brought his other arm around her and gave her a hug. She leaned into him.

"Thank you," she said softly into his ear. He drew back.

"Try to speak to him at least." He said to her. "He likely doesn't know that you're safe. He should know that much, at least." Luna nodded, wiping at her face.

"I will," she said, her voice trembling a little. She looked up at Harry and smiled. "You've changed, Harry. For the better. You suit being in love." Luna put her hand on his chest. "You're not afraid to show your heart."

Ron spluttered from the sofa, catching their attention. He gasped in a shocked breath, eyes wide, gazing at Harry. He then pushed himself up to his feet, his brow furrowing, as he looked up in the direction of the kitchen where the voices of the others were drifting in a low drone. He paced around the kitchen table, still looking at Harry, then he stopped himself, letting out a long sigh. He brought his hands up to his hair, gripping handfuls. Luna let out a low groan, her eyes crinkling in sympathy. She moved gracefully to her feet. Harry, confused by Ron's reaction, stood up as well. The moment he was level with Ron, the other boy advanced on him, grasping him suddenly at the front of his robes.

"Is it true? You love Hermione?" Ron gasped out, his eyes fixed on Harry. Luna moved to interfere, but Harry shook his head at her. This was a discussion they would need to have.

"I do. More than anything," he said unembarrassed.

"She loves him too," Luna's dreamy voice calmly spoke on Harry's behalf. She put a hand on Ron's wrist. "Can't you see it, Ronald?"

Ron's hand released Harry as if scalded. He closed his eyes and nodded, clearly pained.

"Yeah. I can." He then stared at Harry, searching his face, his eyes losing that pain as a fierce affection burned in them instead. He grabbed Harry again, but this time, he pulled him into a rough embrace. Harry's glasses knocked down his nose at the force of the hug.

Bewildered, Harry brought his hand up and patted Ron on the back.

"If it's anyone, I'm glad it's you. I know you'll keep her safe. You faced down you-know-who for her."

"I'm not going to let a single Death Eater touch a hair on her head." Harry vehemently growled.

"Good, 'cause if I hear she's been hurt, I'll bring the full Weasley reckoning down on you." They parted, both gazing intently at each other. Harry clapped him on the arm, eyes lighting up, grin slashing across his face.

"You know, it was my dad who had a thing for red-heads, not me."

Ron raised his eyebrow.

"Huh, well, that's not news my sister is going to take well."

Harry and Luna shared a look.

"About that… She knows."

After recounting to Ron about the whole Hogwarts episode, including the fiery reaction from his sister and Hermione's equally fiery response, they all settled down on the sofa, falling into a familiar pattern of conversation. Luna shared with them her ordeal with the Death Eaters and how they snatched her from the station. According to her, they were very rude and lacking in oral hygiene.

"Harry! Ron! Luna!" Hermione called them from the kitchen.

Not waiting for any more information, the three of them answered the summons. Ron led the way, Harry second, Luna dreamily taking the rear.

The moment they entered the kitchen, Remus greeted them with tumblers of what looked very much like firewhiskey. Harry sniffed at the glass that was thrust into his hand before seeing the joyous gleam in Remus's eyes.

"Come on. Gather around!" Bill told them, waving at them eagerly to stand around. Harry saw everyone, save Fleur and Tonks, clutched glasses of the potent drink. He immediately sought out Hermione, who's cheeks were rosy in the warmth of the cramped kitchen.

"Before we get to business, Remus has some words to say." Bill told them. Harry peered curiously down at the table to see what they had spent the last couple of hours toiling away on. The room was very warm and he could feel the charge of magic lingering from the many spells that had been cast in the small space. Harry slid around the small crowd to move to Hermione's side. He brought his arm around her waist, smiling when she blinked in surprise at his unabashed gesture.

Remus shifted to stand before everyone. He raised his gaze, his eyes finding Harry's, and he raised his glass before considering everyone gathered.

"Not a single one of us gathered here has been spared from the devastation of this war." At his words, silence fell thick. "We recently lost Ted, Dora's wonderful father and Dromeda's devoted husband."

Tonks drew her arm around her mother quietly, their heads dipping down.

"We've been forced into hiding, our lives under constant threat. Some of us have endured captivity and the depravity of our enemies firsthand." Remus looked over to Luna, his gaze drifting over Harry, who did his best to not rub at his wrists.

"Each of us has made sacrifices to survive. Because of that, here we stand, together, alive despite it all. Here, we are bound in friendship, camaraderie, and united in our cause. To protect that which we love - no matter the cost."

Andromeda nodded in response, her dark eyes lighting up, inspired. Bill drew his arm around Fleur's shoulders, moving her close.

"I would like to raise a glass to the person who represents our struggle. Who has lost the most, endured the most, yet still stands strong with a will unshaken."

Harry ducked his head down, his face heating up. Hermione's arm then came around his waist, supportive.

"The son and godson of my two dearest, fallen friends… godfather to mine and Dora's child." Hermione gasped, looking up at him. He gave a small smile in response at her surprise.

"To Harry Potter."

Horribly embarrassed, Harry stared down at his glass as they toasted him. He caught sight of Ron dramatically raising his drink, grinning at him, likely enjoying his discomfort. Hermione kissed his cheek.

"You'll make a wonderful godfather," she whispered in his ear. Harry leaned into the touch of her against his skin, her lips soothing. Once everyone had drank their toast, Tonks tapped her glass.

"Speech," she demanded, her grin so mischievous, it would make the Weasley twins proud. Harry's face went even brighter at the thought of even trying to follow up what Remus said. But as he looked around at the faces of those in the room, seeing them waiting for him, he knew he had to say something. For Bill who was risking his family's safety to house them all, Fleur who so graciously welcomed them. For Andromeda who turned her back on her Dark family and took up arms against them. Tonks who faced her fears for her child with such bravery. Luna… Ron… Remus…

Hermione.

"Thank you, but really… it's not me you should be raising your glasses to," he said, turning his face to his right, finding those wonderful eyes watching him, surprised. "I never would have reached the Philosopher's Stone without her. I never would have known how to open the Chamber of Secrets. I never would have saved Sirius." Hermione's smile dwindled as she searched his face, her eyes dewing. "I never would have made it through the Triwizard Tournament without her support. Really… all my accomplishments, everything I've done, I've been able to do because of this wonderful witch with the patience of a saint. It only took me a war and sharing a bed to figu-."

She shut him up with a kiss. Harry grinned behind it. He freed himself and lifted his glass.

"To Hermione Granger." Remus, Tonks, Bill and Fleur lapped it up, laughing, toasting them both. Ron begrudgingly followed. Luna smiled encouragingly at him as she did the same. Andromeda wiped at a tear as she followed.

Harry kissed Hermione's cheek as she blushed and he leaned in to whisper.

"It's only fair. Everything together - right? Even being embarrassed."

She smiled, eyes flashing dangerous. She brought her mouth to his ear.

"I am so going to get you back for this, Harry Potter."

His insides squirmed with anticipation, his heart leaping with excitement rather than dread. He was suddenly very grateful that he was wearing robes, not tight jeans.

Once their glasses were empty, it was properly dark outside. The mood turned from jubilant to tense as they all became increasingly aware of the looming farewell. Glasses cleared away, mood sobered, Remus brought everyone's attention back to the focus. He and Andromeda laid out five medallions on the table.

Harry edged around Hermione to get a better look. The coin-like pendants were the same size and shape as golden galleons. They might have even once been galleons for all he knew. Yet they had been transfigured and enchanted with numbers charms that he failed to properly identify. He was certain Hermione would give him a detailed account later on. Remus looked up, meeting Harry's eyes directly. He picked up the first medallion and handed it over.

"You have the master medallion, Harry. I think it… goes without saying that you have the lead at present, considering that you are acting under Albus's direction."

Harry hesitated.

"Wait, the lead?" He looked over, panicked, to Tonks. "You don't mean as in, lead the Order? What about Kingsley?"

"You were the one whom Albus took into confidence and who he told us to follow on account of his death," Remus said seriously.

Harry couldn't dispute that much, but it still weighed heavy on his shoulders as he took the offered medallion. It was lighter than he expected. He held it in his hands, studying it. One side bore a phoenix, which he wasn't too surprised about. Turning it, he blinked.

A stag.

"Each of the medallions has a side that matches yours," Hermione told him, leaning over, drawing her wand. "When you change yours, the others will change to match."

"Like our DA coins."

"Yes…" she turned it on his palm, showing the side with the engraved phoenix. Harry ran his finger over the design, looking up at the group. It was beautifully done.

"Who designed these?" He asked at once. Tonks gave a wave. He gaped in surprise.

"Being pregnant gives me a lot of free time to learn new skills," she said with a wry smile.

"With this side," Hermione continued, "if anyone changes theirs, you receive their message… and the phoenix will change to their crest so you know who it is from. No names."

Harry looked over at the table at the five other medallions.

"Who is getting the others?"

"We made spares for when we make contact with more Order members, but at the moment, we have ones for the Weasleys and for Remus."

"Huh, well, I suppose spares are a good idea, but how will we know who they belong to?"

"The crests will make it clear enough. They represent our patronuses," Remus said to him, holding up his own, showing the wolf. Harry nodded. It made sense.

"These… these are really something else," he said, holding his up to the light. "Thank you for working on these. The patronus crests are a good touch." He then drew his over his head, looking down at the stag. He ran his finger over the design, smiling wistfully.

"Each message is only limited to a few words so have to be pretty concise," Remus explained once he donned his own medallion, sticking it under his shirt. "Though please do try to embellish beyond 'I'm okay'."

The threat of goodbye pressed upon them with more relentlessness. Each smile was strained, each glance close to a wince. It worsened when Fleur took Hermione's hands in her own, his smile gentle and affectionate, her hair a glorious sparkling veil.

"You both know you are welcome 'ere for Christmas. We 'ave room." Her stunning deep blue eyes were pure concern. Hermione hesitated, glancing over her shoulder to where Harry was talking to Ron.

"Thank you for the offer, Fleur. It's really kind, but Harry and I actually have plans for Christmas."

Her statement brought the attention of Remus, who looked like he was about to start his 'goodbye' rounds. He even had his hands clapped together. He paused when he heard what Hermione said, his brow furrowing.

"You have plans for Christmas? The Weasleys never said-."

"We're not going to The Burrow." The conversation attracted Harry then. He seemed rather eager to leave whatever he and Ron had been in discussion about. Both of them were rather pink in the face. "I… um…" Harry looked over to Andromeda. "Well, we're going to Godric's Hollow." His announcement was met with a second of silence. "We met someone when we went on Halloween, someone who was really close with my parents and with Dumbledore. We figured they would be a good person to talk to and… we ended up staying there and then…"

Remus choked out a laugh, taking them all by surprise.

"Oh no. You got adopted by Bathilda Bagshot, didn't you?"

Harry glanced over at Hermione and sighed, nodding.

"Pretty much, yeah."


The cold, salty tang of the island was as sweet as a siren's song when they emerged on the damp rock of their hideaway. Pulling the Invisibility Cloak off their shoulders so she could stash it safely away, Hermione relished in the chaotic thrashing of waves that lashed their rock. It soothed her nerves, reminding her that up ahead, the moment they crossed the threshold of her runes, Harry would truly be safe. His hand was steady under her arm as they mounted the slippery stone. Drizzle coated them as they made their way to the hut that concealed their tent, their sanctuary that had become their home.

Words were pointless with the crashing waves filling their ears. Between them, it was clear how desperately they wanted to get to their home, to their privacy.

To each other.

The battered wooden door was more a display than anything else. It was sodden in rainwater, even more forlorn than usual. It wetly slapped against the wall when Harry kicked it open, the noticeable crack and thud telling them both that he had just destroyed the door.

"Oops."

"Tomorrow's problem," Hermione remarked, following him through the doorway. At once, the runes that she had painstakingly marked all around the walls of the hut flared blue and red. The red runes were her blood runes, the ones that bordered on illegal (not that it exactly mattered at present). The blue runes muted the sound of the elements outside, kept the temperature mild, and sealed them in a protective bubble where no one would ever find them.

They both still didn't speak as they made their way to the tent pitched up in the middle of the hut, looking so normal and small. Harry pushed through the flap first, greeted with darkness. Hermione lit their lanterns and filled the waiting glass bowls with blue flames. Their home came to life around them, familiar, comfortable… safe.

Harry's hands then reached from behind her, pulling her towards him.

Hermione felt an unravelling inside her, an overwhelming feeling that at first clenched and then released. Harry held her to him, his head burrowing into her neck as she floated in the comfort of his arms.

"I know… we have a lot to talk about," she breathed out, the intense feeling inside her making it hard to speak. She then nudged his nose with hers, making his wrinkle in surprise. His eyes met hers. "But bodies can talk too."

In response, a look burned in Harry's eyes unlike anything she had seen before and it made her nearly sag at the knees.

"I'm thinking we leave the serious talk for the morning," Harry's voice was low, sensual, matching the dark look that turned his brilliant green eyes into unreadable pools of dark emerald. "I'm thinking… a shower and then I'm yours. Whatever you want…" He leaned into her, kissing her collarbone, making her toes curl. "You're my saviour… and as you say, bodies can talk."

He dropped his arms away from her, his teeth flashing in the light of the lanterns as he made his way to the bathroom. Just as he said, he disappeared and shut the door of the bathroom to have his shower.

Moving on autopilot, Hermione found herself in their bedroom in wet robes. She pulled them off, glad to be rid of the unfamiliar garments. She didn't stop there, taking off the underrobe, then the underwear. She stood naked in their bedroom, looking down at her body, her skin chilled. She could hear the rushing of running water from the shower.

I'm yours.

His promise pulled her head in the direction of the running water. The swelling, overwhelming presence of her libido easily deflected her inhibitions, the thought that Harry wouldn't want her joining him while he showered. That he was just there, his skin, his hair, his lips… his manhood. The feelings of her need rushed over and over her.

Clothes, wand, everything was left abandoned in the bedroom. She rushed, almost at a jog, pulling her hair out of the braid as she did, her focus purely set on Harry. She didn't bother knocking. She grasped the door handle and fiercely entered. Steam swept over her and with it the tang that she knew was Harry's magic, his scent. She stepped inside, not sure what on Earth she could say to excuse her intrusion. The water was still running and she could see through the glass screen that Harry was most definitely there, showering.

"We really have to do everything together?" Harry asked her.

She stepped into the shower, finding him there, naked, hair flat to his head. His body littered with bruises, but still the picture of energy he was. She cornered him. He looked confused. His hip butted the soap dish.

"I don't have the patience of a saint," she said, her hair now flat and wet down her back. "I need you now, Harry."

Feet squeaking on the wet floor, Harry put his hands on her waist and shuffled around so she was under the showerhead. Looking into her eyes, he slowly went down on his knees, hands moving down from her waist to her hips. The warm water gushed over them both, slicking their bodies. Harry, gazing up at her, his expression of pure adoration, set her ablaze. Her hands carded through his hair, her breast heaving. He smiled up at her and put his hands on her thighs, pushing them lightly apart.

"Harry…"

He chuckled at her gasp and kissed her inner thigh.

"Don't mind me. Wash your hair, just enjoy the warm water… whatever…" His thumbs circled upwards towards her vagina.

"O… oh my God…" She breathed, hands slapping to the sides of the shower.

"Maybe we can see what a parselmouth can do," Harry mumbled from between her legs.

She didn't need to wash her hair anyway, as it turned out.