There was more loud noise coming from two ducks across the pond and when Harry raised his head to look... he rolled his eyes. Those ducks were mating.

He snorted, shook his head and returned to his memories and problems, walking away from noisy ducks. Surely he was cursed in that moment, when he saw the vision from Slytherin's Locket. Hermione and himself embracing. So hot. He never saw her that way before and thought about Ginny. They were just friends. That evening, when Ron returned, he did not think much about that vision as he was glad he could talk to Ron again. It was just fleeting ridiculous thought that appeared for a moment after closing his eyes. But later vision returned to him more often and in the night before attack on Gringotts, he woke up after a wet dream with Hermione embracing him and them morphing into Ginny. Sometimes there was only Ginny, wild and headstrong stopping him in Hogwarts corridor and sometimes it was he, who was seeking Hermione with strange sexual hunger he did not feel when he was awake.

When Molly Weasley killed Voldemort, there was that short fight, inside his head and then he woke up in Hogwarts hospital wing - it was two days later, just in time for funeral of four Weasleys. He was accompanied there by one Auror and one Unspeakable - his mind was full of Tom Riddle. Where was his mortal enemy now? They told him, that he disappeared and that they were using various detection spells to decide if Harry was possessed or not. They did not found anything. Yes, they confirmed that his scar is Horcrux and that meant Riddle was still alive.

We will go with you, for safety of others, told him small Auror Andrew with long wavy hair and big belly.
We don't want to be surprised, told him tall and thin Unspeakable Matt. He went to funeral with Hermione and these two as escort. It was hard to go there. And he could feel it was very hard for Hermione too. He had the Stone, could use it and talk to them, but after one look at Hermione, he stuffed that thought away.

It was beautiful day. Sun was shining, warming his skin pleasantly, and wind was blowing slightly keeping him from being too hot. Flowers were blooming indifferent to loose of Harry's friends. And they could not see flowers either.

Perhaps you can bring them back and show it to them, whispered something in his mind as came there to opened coffins, look at them for last time. He held the stone in his hands and wished. Wished he could stand there with them. How it was possible they all died and he was alive? How could he continue to live without them? Stone felt so warm in his hand.

Hermione caught his hand and held it in same way as before, when they stood over their corpses. He held hers too and wished to see Ron open his eyes, to start breath and he felt stone in his hand to grow hot and Hermione's hand too. In that moment he almost believed, that their breasts are moving up and down, slowly breathing. Their eyes opened looking up at the sky. They slowly sit and looking around with happy smile in face looking on flowers and people around them. Hermione sharply took breath in, Harry blinked and everything was same as before. Bodies were white, with non moving closed eyes and hands on their breasts, lying on backs in their coffins. What a pity they could not live to see this beautiful day.

Anger slowly started to beat pity. How it comes they are dead and he can walk? He won and lost everything in one moment. He wanted to flee and never look at those faces, those faces telling him: You could have save us! You could have. You should not be so selfish and you should die instead. You are Horcrux, you will die anyway.

It was long moment and he didn't know how much time it took to gather himself. He couldn't have done it without Hermione, who let his hand and gone to Ron.
"Good bye and thank you, Ron," she said and kissed his cold lips, her tears dropping on his face.
Harry took step beside her and slowly said: "Sorry, mate." His throat burned and it was hard to say anything. He saw him sitting in the train in first year with dirt on the nose, then driving flying car and scared in Forbidden Forest. "Hope, there are no spiders there." Then he remembered their painful row during Triwizard Tournament, how jealous he could be and how much he liked it, when he had Ron back. And how much he liked it again when he returned during Horcrux hunt. He did not want to remember vision with Hermione, so he slowly put his hand on Ron's and moved to Ginny.
"Sorry, love," he whispered and planted light kiss on her lips. They were cold, not full of life, when she kissed him on his last birthday. Her face was calm, not full of energy, emotions as he wanted. He was holding the stone, second Hallow, inside his pocket and thought about destiny of second brother. Was this his destiny also? Why everyone who he loved have to die? He moved.
"I'm sorry, Fred, I wish you could prank me again," he was almost unable to say to next white Weasley while thinking of him standing with wide grin on face in his Jokes shop with his brother.
It was hard to get to the last coffin. Molly Weasley was there unnaturally white and unmoving and he heard her voice ringing in his head, scolding her children for something they done, for everything they did. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to say something, but it was impossible. He knew that tears were flowing on his face and he didn't care. He remembered how fussy she was when he was going to ministry hearing, how she stood in his way, when he wanted to do something dangerous as his mother would.
Hermione again took his hand and whispered hoarsely: "Come." And he said goodbye and came.

Then they met remaining still living Weasleys, four of them standing aside and receiving condolences from others.
"I, ... I, ... don't know what to say, ... I'm sorry." Harry heard his own voice, strange and distorted, he was staring afraid what will kind man tell to him. Arthur nodded his head slowly, eyes blank: "It's... it's not your fault, Harry."
It's not our fault Harry, said high-pitched voice in his head mockingly, it's Voldemort's. And it started to laugh. Voice echoed through his head and Harry could not bear it anymore. He looked away, eyes full of tears and then he walked away without speaking or shaking hands with Charlie, Percy or George. He was walking quickly, didn't know where, just away from them, away from that mocking, laughing voice. Then someone stopped him. Bellatrix. He reached for his wand in surge of adrenaline before being able to stop himself. No. Bellatrix was dead. It was Andromeda Tonks.
Another sad face. Another one who lost everything. Husband, daughter, all family. There was only one left, Teddy Tonks. He was in his grandmothers arms looking at Harry curiously unaware of funeral.
"Hello Harry," said Andromeda, "It's nice to see you again, ... despite circumstances." Andromeda was speaking smoothly but it was clear that she did not enjoy that beautiful day likewise. Boy didn't know what to say, he thought of weak smile, but then he only nodded: "Hello Andromeda, I'm... sorry."
He said that again and it didn't make any sense to him. He was saying this so often, it couldn't be truth anymore.
There was a moment of silence and when Harry wanted to say I need to go, Andromeda started to say something, probably after seeing that idea in his face.
"You know I have empty house now and small baby and I will need some help. And you are his godfather, so if you want to come and stay, you will be welcome."
Harry was looking at her with open mouth, then he uncertainly looked back, what would Hermione respond to that?
"Of course you can bring Hermione with you, no one should be alone in these troubling times," Andromeda was speaking quickly, "she is girl and she will know better than you, how to handle baby and can help you." There was something in her voice. She was asking for help and he was Boy-Who-Lived.
No! You are Voldemort! HAHAHAHAHA!
Harry Potter!
HAHAHAHA!
"I do understand if you don't want, I suppose you have your own house and people you want to return to, like Hermione. But you can come for tea at five tommorrow to look at Teddy, what do you say?"
HAHAHAHA!
"Yes, I'm aware we barely know each other and was hard to ask you,... " she spoke slowly and Harry was not sure if she really wanted him to come, "... to make the offer. Truth is that I really need help, Teddy needs your help, just promise me, you will think about it and come for tea. You don't have to take care for him, but I would be glad to have someone to talk to. Also maybe it will be better ..."
Harry returned his gaze to older witch while still fighting his inner fight: "Yes,... we will come,... thank you for your offer... Excuse me, please." He stepped back and nearly hit his escort Auror Andrew.

That was it, he wanted to return to Hermione and go away. High-pitched voice was laughing very loudly and it was hard to hear or see anything else. So after few hasty steps, Harry stopped for a moment and let his head time to clear. Slowly voice in his head was lower and lower, until it disappeared.
"Here you are," said Hermione quietly somewhere nearby and Harry opened his eyes.
"Can we go now?"
"You have not said a word to Charlie, Percy or George."
"Yes," agreed Harray weakly, "I, ... it is..."
"And also there will be speech."
"Ah, really?" Someone will speak meaningless words, trying to describe what happened? They will be heroes of course. Dead heroes, who can't live their lives as they should. And yeah, they will say that it's not my fault again. Surely.
"Ehm," said Hermione in that voice. Harry's eyes met hers and he saw easily, that something was wrong. She expected something and he was not doing it. Yes, she looked tired and unhappy because of something else, but there was that message also and it was clearly visible.
"Sorry, Hermione, it's just..."
"Yes, I know," she replied softly and made step to him to embrace him. Harry slowly embraced her back and she was whispering into his ear: "I know very well, I feel it same, it is really, really hard. It is. But we have to move forward, make other steps. Go on with our lives without them. Remember I'm here and I can help. And remember I'm here and I need your help. I... I don't want to loose you too, Harry."
And again, as they stood there together, again he saw picture of himself and Hermione, naked and embracing and touching - which was so similar to current experience and he felt growing warm in his groin. You are joking! Said that other voice in his mind. Even during funeral? That is how you honor her boyfriend Ron? Your best mate?

Harry slowly let his arms drop and made little step back.
"Thank you Hermione," he heard himself saying, "of course we will stay. And of course I will be there for you."

Speech was quick, there were heroes, greatest price paid and there was his name too. Before they left, Harry shook hands with Weasleys and Arthur asked him to go to live to Burrow with them. Harry said no. When they returned back to Hogwarts he told Hermione about Andromeda's offer and she agreed to go for a tea with him. She did not want to go searching for her parents yet, afraid they will be hunted by remaining Death Eaters. She was planning to help with Hogwarts repairs. Harry was going to go to Department of Mysteries and Hermione decided, that she will go with him. Minerva McGonnagal wanted to go too, she did not want to leave her "little" lion to Unspeakables. Yes, she knew he can do it alone as he was able to stand up to Voldemort, however she wanted to make sure, check what magic they want to cast at him. Later she let him go after she asked Hermione to take care for him

Ministry was in turmoil. One would think that it will be little calmer, however everyone was running or walking quickly trying to accomplish whatever was needed as soon as possible. There was some shouting and arguing, but Harry and his companions ignored it, as they presented their wands to security. Then elevator was closing behind them and they were walking through stone corridors unmarked door. Auror Andrew was last and Unspeakable Matt was leading them to the empty room with table and chairs and one man sitting and waiting for them. Then they sat down and Matt started to explain.

"This is Eddie, our most experienced man on traveling through mind. He is master of Legilimency, Occulmency and others more specific mind arts." They were looking at remarkably common face. It was face of averange man with grey eyes, grey short hair and no clear distinguishing sign. His face was empty of emotions.
"Hello," he said in averange voice, not too deep or high. He slightly smiled, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, good to see you again Andrew, Matt." He nodded slowly to each one while looking at them.

"Harry, Eddie will try few spells on you. First you don't have to be afraid, he will tell you about them before he will cast them. Afterwards he will tell you what spell revealed. You can disagree when you don't want to be subjected to such spell and we will try to offer alternative spell. Do you agree?"

Harry looked at Hermione who nodded and Harry replied cautiously: "All right."

"All right, " agreed noncommitally Unspeakable.

"First, I will try to cast charm to detect any magical devices or beings. Every different one should start to glow in different color. It will allow us to remove external influence if there is. If there is magical connection between item or that being and wizard, we will see line of two colors between them."

Eddie got out his grey wand and asked: "Ready?"

Harry nodded in response and then there was quick spell which hit Harry and then there Harry was swimming in different colors which were slowly changing.

"Can you put those items on table, please?"

Harry took out violet Cloak of Invisibility and put it on the table, there was strong violet and golden thread between Harry and the Cloak. Then he took out Stone of Resurrection glowing red and put it beside Cloak. There was slightly thinner red and violet thread between them and also red and golden thread leading from Stone to Harry.

"How interesting, ... " said Matt neutrally.

"These are not of your concern, they are Potter family heirloom," said Hermione slowly.

"There is also very thin light green thread, if you look here, " continued Unspeakable neutrally and pointed his wand at line leading from Harry and then also at line from cloak and last one from the stone. "How very interesting, " this times words were not void of emotion and Harry, who glanced at Auror Andrew could see there was surprised look on his face.

"Yes, there is third item connected to these two, however I didn't know..." Said Hermione and then she stopped and looked uncertainly at Harry.

"But we didn't know I'm connected to it too." Finished Harry.

There was a moment of waiting, perhaps Auror and Unspeakable hoped that Harry or Hermione will tell them more about these items. Finally they didn't ask and maybe they already knew what they are looking at, maybe they were going through options what these items might be or maybe they just respected privacy.

"That left only black part of Voldemort's soul and gold is obviously you. " He was looking at it and studying colors as they changed. "I can't see any black in connection to your family heirloom, so I suppose they are not connected. Yet. Let's enlarge it, " he took breath, quickly muttered another spell and they were looking at black hole in golden material on the table. "As you can see, there is not exact border, there are black threads that lead into golden territory and there are golden threads leading into the black. That probably happened because you are connected to this thing for such a long time. It would be very hard to separate it from you now. And I suppose in time black will merge more and more into the gold. Your soul is strong, Mr. Potter, to be able to withstand it in such state for such a long time. "

Again everyone was quiet for a moment and then Harry asked darkly: "What does that mean?"

Eddie was weighing words for a moment and then replied in his carefully neutral tone: "It means exactly how it looks. Voldemort's soul is part of yours. They are connected and it would be very hard to separate them. Parts are different, but they can work together. Your soul is very strong and it is denying the darkness. Perhaps connection to your family heirloom have helped? Who knows? However Voldemort's soul is strong too and gold cannot defeat it. So they are there both, gold slowly melting black and black slowly coloring golden to dark."

"What can I do? How can I remove it? What is that way to separate us?" Cried Harry, he didn't want to be corrupted by darkness. He saw black threads are creeping through his own soul. He felt really dirty and wondered again as before, when he thought he attacked Mr. Weasley in form of Nagini, when he will attack people. Then there was another horyfing memory. Was Voldemort in control when he attacked Draco in the bathroom? If yes, how can Harry recognize it? Stop it? Or was it Harry? Who was who? What part was really his and what part was Voldemort?

There was hesitation and moment of silence as if Unspeakable wanted let Harry wander in his own mind... or maybe not?

"I can remove most of the black, but with it golden threads will go away too, see, this and this," he pointed with his wand at brightly pulsing veins, which seemed more golden in the black background than the rest. "If I remove his soul, I will remove part of your soul. And also you would have to pay. Do you know what is the price for dividing souls?"

"Yes, ... we know, ... it is murder, " said slowly Hermione. And Harry's face was suddenly white. He nearly killed Draco that time in lavatory. He wanted to kill Bellatrix when she killed Sirius. And also later, there were encounters with Death Eaters which were dangerous. However he never intended to kill and always choose Expeliarmus instead of Adava Kedavra. He could not pay that price.

This time silence was longer than before, until Eddie said.

"This was much quicker that I thought it will be. Perhaps I can enter your mind using Legilimency and do more exploring. I can travel your mind and try to find if there is no other solution. I can try to separate your souls, but I will see your memories, your emotions, your deepest secrets. It will take time, each session two hours, your head will hurt afterwards and I can't say I will be successful. Maybe yes, maybe not. I can't do much more here, ... it is as you told, Voldemort's soul is attached to yours. I can show you spell which will show state of your souls if you want. Also I will require you to come here next week, so I can see progress of merging and decide how quick will process be. Then I will require you to come here once a month for check, to be sure there are no sudden leaps, or how to say it. Is that alright with you?"

Harry did not reply, he was just looking on the table. Hermione was silent too.

"Also we could discuss these items and your unique connection to them and if it is possible that they help you. If you want?"

"Eddie, ..." said Harry slowly taking breath, "thank you for your analysis."
"You are welcome."
"I will come next week and then for monthly check."
"Alright, same time, next week. I can show you the spell then."
"And I will think about speaking with you about those items."
"You know, I can make a vow not to disclose anything about it, if you want. "
"I have one question though, what do you mean by sudden leaps?"
Eddie nodded and said neutrally: "It is possible that Voldemort can get more firm grasp on your soul and balance can be broken in certain circumstances. For example if you willingly choose to... murder someone - for example to have your soul separated from Voldemort's - then Dark Lord can use it against you, to take larger portion of your soul before you can make separation work. So this course of action is not recommended. Of course there are lesser sins than murder and I don't know how much can Voldemort use those as his advantage. I mean, ..." Eddie put fingers on his hands together, "for example if you choose to lie to Hermione to get minor advantage in exams, how much will Voldemort gain? And that is something I would like to measure. I have saved image from this session to pensieve and we can compare it with another image from next week and next month. If you will be kind enough to tell me about your sins, then we can create model and expectation for future behavior."

Harry was just looking at Unspeakable coldly, how can he speak about it in such calm voice, he would never do that to Hermione, ... or murder? Even if he wanted to murder someone, he couldn't do it, because Voldemort could win that way. And he couldn't let him win.

"Do not take it too personally, Harry," continued Eddie with his monologue in that sametone voice, "we are humans and every each of us makes mistakes sometimes. We want to be better than others, we want to be with others, we want to eat, ... in other words every living person wants or needs something and to get it, they choose some course of action and sometimes that course is wrong. If we can see it is wrong, we can correct our actions and do it better next time. However if we don't see it as wrong, then we simply can't."

Then Unspeakable did not speak more, he was waiting for Harry's reply and Harry was pondering what to do next. Finally he stood up.

"I don't agree with you using Legilimency on me," he said.

"Fine then, see you next week." Replied Eddie and Hermione got up too. Yes Hermione.

That was what happened there. And now Harry was looking into the pond at his image in water and wondering what part of him wanted Hermione. Wondering if they could stand together. What would Ron say about that?

No, he shook his head. That was clearly mistake. It should not have happened. He didn't like Hermione, he liked Ginny. Ron and Hermione were always bickering like old pair, they were destined to be together from start. From that first meeting in train. When she pointed at dirt on his nose. When he said she was horrible and nobody can withstand that before the Troll incident. What kind of bravery is that, to be with someone who nobody can withstand. That thought made him smile. He saw it in the lake.

What will he do now? After what happened? Will he go to Hermione and tell her "I love you" and then they will live happily ever after? Did he love her? Yes, he loved her as a friend, ... best mate. And he had dreams about her. So she was attractive to him too. Ah, that is impossible! And you know it. That can't be. He just wanted to banish that darkness inside his soul, to embrace her, be with someone. Know he is still alive. Or was that Voldemort? Was that hungry someone Dark Lord himself manifesting in his soul?

And she. Hermione. What did she think about it? Does she hate him? Will she speak to him? What will she say? How can he answer that?

Harry stood on the bank for a long time. Trying to think what to do now, fighting with his memories. When he returned back to house for late lunch, he was really hungry and sun already begun it journey downwards. He didn't know what to say and when he entered, he just greeted. Hermione was there, she didn't look at him and said hello.

And nothing more. She seemed lost in her thoughts and continually distracted by Teddy. Harry tried to join them, but his stomach spoke loudly and clearly. Hermione just waved him to the kitchen. After eating, he returned back to living room. There was Andy also and he sit with them, playing with Teddy, speaking with Andromeda and not speaking with Hermione. Afternoon changed to evening and when Andromeda said that she will put Teddy to sleep, Hermione got up to do it.

After few customary games of wizard chess with Andy, while Hermione read book on couch, Harry started to wonder if he will be able to speak to Hermione at all.

He did. Next morning.