Thomas sat on the edge of his bed flicking his wand absentmindedly at objects throughout the room. He continued arranging everything in different orders and ­deciding which place was more desirable to look at in the present situation. He had been staring around his room for a few hours after Harry had left. He hadn't heard Ron and Hermione leave their room and he didn't want to be subjected to any moans while he was walking the house. He was killing himself thinking about it but he couldn't help it, he had nothing else to distract him. He leaned back on his bed and clenched his eyes shut thinking about the conversation he had with Harry after Ron had stormed out and Hermione went after him.

"Well…" Harry had turned to him suddenly. "That went better than I had expected." Thomas looked at him utterly appalled.

"You expected it to go worse than that?" Thomas' mouth hung open in horror, causing Harry to flash him a guilty look.

"Maybe I should… relocate?" Thomas didn't like the idea of leaving Hermione but he knew Ron disliked the idea of him staying here even more.

"No. That won't be necessary, he'll get over it." Thomas' eyebrows rose at Harry's comment. Harry didn't seem to particularly care about Ron's feelings and that made Thomas curious.

"What exactly is going on between the two of you, or am I imposing?"

"He's upset with me. I'm afraid I haven't been a very good friend to him lately." Thomas said nothing and waited for him to continue. "I didn't tell him where Hermione had gone when she left. I pretended I didn't know a thing when in fact I knew everything." Harry smiled sadly. He truly did regret his decision but he didn't know how he could convince Ron of that. Thomas looked at him not really sure whether or not he should say anything in response.

"You can say it you know." Harry eyed him, "I am a terrible best friend."

"Maybe to Ron but not to Hermione." Thomas shrugged. "We all make mistakes, I'm sure he'll find it in himself to forgive you."

"Come off it. Ron and I have had our share of fights, but this, this is something else. I betrayed him." Harry didn't know why he was rambling. It was like everything he had been holding inside came spewing out. He couldn't talk to Ron because he was furious. He couldn't talk to Hermione because she had her own Ron problems. Ginny was out of the question, she knew nothing about this. Harry hadn't had the courage to tell any of the Weasleys of his betrayal or of Hermione's "return." He didn't know if he would ever be forgiven for all his mistakes. All of the Weasleys had been distraught when Hermione had disappeared into the night. For them, it had been like losing a daughter and after losing a son two years prior, it made things worse. Even more horrific was Ron's reaction to the situation. How could he apologize for all the hurt he had caused? All the problems? How could he justify keeping Hermione's confidence when he had hurt so many others? He couldn't. He knew that. But honestly what could he do? Apologize? Beg? Grovel? Plead on his knees? He was prepared to do it all but he didn't know if it would be enough.

"That is true and two years certainly seems like a long time to keep a lie going." Harry felt as though Thomas had driven a knife straight into his heart. "But if you weren't allowed to tell, won't he understand that it was against policy? A matter of national security?" They. Harry mentally corrected. Won't they understand... Ron wasn't the only one that had been pained by Hermione's sudden disappearance. True, he had taken it the worst but what about Ginny? Ginny had lost a best friend. Harry's stomach rolled over at the thought. He remembered one day specifically, that made him seep with shame. It was the day of their dress rehearsal and Harry had found Ginny after the dinner toasts crying by the lake at the Burrow.

"Ginny?" She turned to him sniffling.

"Oh God, I'm so s-sorry. I hate crying." She wiped her tears from her eyes and turned them toward the lake.

"I knew it! I knew this was going to happen! You decide that you don't want me." Harry joked nudging her and grinning. Ginny turned back to him, smiling weakly. "What's wrong, Gin?"

"I just wish Hermione's here. I would rather her, than phlegm be my maid of honor. All this just makes me miss her, is all. And I know Ron's putting on a brave smile but I know it feels wrong to him too…"

Harry had been stricken with guilt when he reassured her. He had known the truth and didn't say a word. Ginny would never forgive him. Ron might never forgive him. Harry suddenly became annoyed that Hermione could have been forgiven so easily when he knew it would take years for Ron to forgive him. And what about trust him? Could he ever do that again? Harry told himself that Hermione's deception was much easier to forgive because she hadn't been there lying every day, she had been gone. She had chosen to not tell anyone so that they could be protected. That was more admirable than worrying about keeping secrets for the ministry and Hermione alone. The Weasleys could have been trusted, they could have pretended to grieve while secretly knowing Hermione was alive.

"I think it is a bit more complicated than that Thomas. He's co-head of the department. He should have known. It was only Hermione's pleading that I kept the secret from him as did the minister. It wasn't supposed to last this long." Harry bowed his head. "I just kept hoping every day she would come back and explain for me. But weeks turned into months, months to years and years to two years. I didn't know how wise it would be to admit I had been lying when I wasn't even sure myself if she was ever coming back." Harry sat down next to Thomas and stared at the wall. Thomas looked at the man next to him. The famous Harry Potter, the man who defeated one of the most powerful wizards of all time when he was only a teenager, was questioning his decisions. He was grieving. It was odd to see, almost unnatural and amazing. Thomas couldn't believe how much he pitied Harry Potter. It didn't make any sense with his personal history but lately, nothing he'd been feeling had been normal. Yet, here he was chatting with the man that he had been taught for years to hate. Not just chatting but having a serious conversation about his life. His personal life. Something that it was apparent he hadn't done with anyone in a very long time. Weird, was the only word that came to mind.

"Wouldn't Ron have done the same thing for her?" Thomas hoped that might help Harry.

"Yes but-"

"But nothing. That hardly seems fair."

"It's different. They are involved. And honestly if I had been as much of a mess as he had been, I'm not sure he would have stayed quiet long. I just keep thinking that if it had been me and Ginny had disappeared. I would be just as furious with him."

"Ginny?" Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"My wife. Ron's sister."

"Oh."

"His emotions are valid but I can't stand having him mad at me. I feel terrible. I don't know how to make amends and Ron was the first friend I'd ever had. I don't want to lose him because I am an idiot." Harry didn't know if he was talking to Thomas anymore of if he was simply rambling to himself but he couldn't stop. "God, and his family. How am I supposed to apologize to them? They'll hate me. Nothing I've done in the past will make any difference and to be honest. I don't think I can blame them." Harry sighed heavily and lowered his head. He stared down at his scarred hand. I must not tell lies, was still faintly etched in the skin. He clenched his hand into a fist but all that did was stretch the skin out and make the faint white lines glow brighter. Every time he had looked at it in the last two years he would be hit with a pang of regret over what he had done.

"If they truly care about you I'm sure they'll be able to get past it."

"I'm already the reason why their son is dead and now this? I don't think so." Thomas turned his head to him sharply, his mouth forming a question but Harry had already launched into the tale.

"Fred Weasley died at the Battle at Hogwarts. His twin could barely keep it together and it's entirely my fault." Harry had never forgiven himself for all of the deaths that day and he wasn't sure if he ever could. It really didn't matter how many times people told him he wasn't responsible, he still felt as though he was.

"The war is your fault? You forced him to fight? Come now, I doubt that." Thomas sort of enjoyed the role he seemed to be filling as the listener. It was so interesting to hear the story from the man himself. No biography, no interviews, just Harry Potter.

Harry shrugged. "No. But I still feel responsible. I still feel like it is my fault but that doesn't matter. The point is: I don't know how they will be able to forgive me. It seems impossible that they could."

"Why don't you tell them and find out?"

"I've told Ron and I'm honestly surprised that Mr. Weasley hasn't heard anything yet. The surveillance team just loves watching the drama unfold in this safe house. Of course, if he has heard anything, I would have to fire someone for talking about their work. Those guys are supposed to keep their mouths closed about what and who they see." Harry frowned. He hoped Mr. Weasley didn't find out before he had a chance to let the Weasley clan in on the secret. That would prove disastrous.

"Don't give them a chance, just tell him yourself. You have to start by being honest."

"Advice from a Death Eater." Harry mumbled.

"Ex-Death Eater." Thomas pointed out.

"Sorry. I just hate being wrong."

"Is there anyone who really enjoys it?" Thomas chuckled.

"No I suppose not." Harry smiled. "Sorry I just laid that all out for you. That was inappropriate."

"Stranger things have happened." Thomas laughed. "Besides I understand that it's always nice to have an objective opinion and they are normally hard to come by. You have to seize the opportunity when it happens." Harry nodded in agreement.

"True. Thanks for listening." Harry shook Thomas' hand before he turned toward the door. With his hand still resting on the door, he looked at Thomas.

"Don't let Ron bother you. He's just jealous."

"So I keep hearing." Thomas muttered without looking up. "Jealous of what? I don't know. He's got Hermione. I just hope that I can make it out of this with only a few bruises."

"I don't think Hermione will let him get violent with you." Harry smirked.

"That's comforting." He heard Harry laugh again before he was met once again with silence. Thomas looked up to see Harry shuffling nervously by the door.

"Yes?" Thomas' eyebrow arched.

"Could you, maybe, not tell anyone about this conversation?"

"Who would I tell? I am stuck in a house with people who don't want anything to do with me and all my former friends are Death Eaters. It's just me here. Your secrets are safe. I won't tell anyone that after all he's been through Harry Potter still has a heart." Thomas winked, letting Harry know he was only jesting about the last comment. With a quick nod of thanks Harry had left the house and Thomas had been sitting alone ever since.

Thomas sighed and rolled off his bed. He was hungry and bored. Hermione had said there was a library but he was fairly certain it was on Ron's side of the house. He also feared the kitchen was too close to Ron's bedroom. Thomas didn't think he could bear hearing anything coming from that room. As he was contemplating whether or not to brave the hallways, he heard a door open and close followed by Hermione laughing. He reasoned that they had to be done with whatever they might be doing by now, it had been a couple hours for God's sake. Cautiously he poked his head out of the bedroom door and saw Hermione laughing and looking up at Ron lovingly. She shook her head and began setting the table but as she did so Ron came and hugged her from behind, kissing her neck softly. The intimacy between them stifled him. He hated watching it but he couldn't look away. She closed her eyes at his touch before turning around and quickly pecking him on the lips. She then pointed down the hallway towards his room and began turning in that direction. Thomas extracted his head too quickly from the doorframe and he hit his head. He ran to his bed and began moving objects again in order to look as though he hadn't been spying. He could feel a migraine coming on when he heard Hermione rap lightly on his door.

"Come in." He said in a practiced, casual voice. Hermione ducked into the room and announced it was time dinner would be done shortly.

"We're having spaghetti." She stated and when Thomas didn't move she continued. "Don't worry about Ron. He'll be on his best behavior. Besides, I think the two of you might actually be able to get along if you try. You do have some things in common."

"I'm not pouting Hermione. I just haven't gotten up because I can't decide if this elf figurine should be on my bedside table or not exist at all." He flashed her a grin and she noticeably relaxed. "Come on, let's go. Spaghetti, eh?"

"Yes, Ron's cooking."

"Hm. There aren't any poisons in here are there?"

"No poison. Just conversation." Hermione smiled.

Somehow, I don't think conversation will be boring. Thomas thought but didn't say it allowed. Hermione looked at him expectantly and he stood, ready to follow her. He was suddenly anxious. He didn't want to fight with anyone but he wasn't sure that was the case with Ron. Thomas wasn't hungry any longer. But of course, is anyone hungry on their way to the gallows?