For Harry

When asked to his explain his actions, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore often cited one of two reasons.

"For the greater good"

and

"For Harry"

However, tonight was entirely different. Tonight, he used both in one sentence.

"Minerva, we must do these things, they are for Harry, they fuel the greater good!"

"Albus, with all due respect, I see no way in which the isolation of a lonely teenage could further his own, let alone the greater, good." She pursed her lips

"Ah Minerva, I cannot yet explain. It is important, and I ask that you trust me on this."

He never could. It always was. He always did.

"There is a war coming. You're a bright witch, and I'm sure you know that."

"I would hardly say that. It's been here for quite a while now, hasn't it."

"That's why I need to ask, what are you willing to do kitten?"

"For Harry? Anything."

He knew it was true

"And the rest of the world?"

"The rest of the world needs Harry."

Sirius knew from just that response that she really was the brightest witch of her age.

"My lord, if I way ask, why are we searching so feverently?"

"Isn't it obvious you buffoon? For the boy!"

His voice was a hiss

Lily Potter had died as she had lived, eyes open, stubbornly facing her oppressors head on. She had died protecting those she had loved.

Lily Potter had died with but one thought in her mind,

'For Harry'

Upon her death she'd left her husband a letter. It was written in that familiar upright script and he couldn't help but smile at how the 'a' and 'r' in his name connected just slightly. Yes, this was Hermione's handwriting.

There, written on the envelope in a practical black ink, sat only the words 'For Harry'

Sometimes for Hermione it felt like it always was

He had never been the most considerate guy, this even he knew, but it simply wouldn't due to leave his best mate hungry. When asked why he was stuffing treacle tart inside his robes, he gave the simple response of 'For Harry'

She had paused for a moment and then smiled

He wasn't the most considerate guy, but he couldn't find it within himself to be jealous that she didn't smile so peacefully like that for him.

Molly would fight, and she would cook, and she would do all the things no one else could or would do. She would do these things for her life. For her husband. For her children. Even for other children, like that polite black haired boy she'd met what now feels like ages ago. After all, he seemed to not have enough people doing that for him.

'Yes,' She decided 'for Harry'

Though really he had begun to fall into the 'her children' category long ago, heaven knows he needed someone to put some meat on his bones.

"You do so much, you should rest."

"It's fine Harry, really. If I had my way I'd be doing so much more."

"Hermione..."

"I promise, I'm fine. I'll keep going for a while longer."

"...'Mione?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Why do you work so hard? I know you're barely sleeping, I can see the bags under your eyes."

"I have to." For you Harry

He only nodded

I work so hard so you won't have to anymore.

"Thank you. For doing it, that is, I know we don't really thank you all that much, but we couldn't get by without you." 'I know, that's why I do it'

She didn't sleep that night, far too busy trying to find meaning in all that Dumbledore had left behind.

A/N: Because Fork discernable timelines, I write whatever comes to mind in whatever order I feel like. Error in timing you say? Call it an AU.

-Lucas_Gilbert

P.S. Ron would realistically probably be super annoyed about the smile thing. Three cheers for his being too oblivious to be able to actually notice stuff like this if it happened in cannon.