It was late. Well after dark when the two boys finally made it to their destination. Hiding out in a broken muggle farm house in the country was one of their most ingenious hide outs yet. Here no one would find them. Here there would be no magic, no people, only themselves and their research. Training would resume in the morning, but right now both of them were too weary to even raise a hand, let alone train. Both of them had laid out on the floor and didn't even bother to make beds or blankets. Using their packs as pillows, they curled up and went to sleep. Once it was morning they would both have to think again. They would both be alone with their thoughts, even though they were right next to each other. Thinking was the hard part, acting, dueling, hunting, those were easy. But thinking, that was when all the doubts made themselves known. All the lies, pain, and total fuck ups were just screaming, worming their way into thoughts, feelings, and actions. What ifs became common, why didn't I was always right there. Comfort was in sleep for in sleep there were no thoughts, no actions, no feelings, dreams, or anything else. Sleep was oblivion, oblivion was bliss. In the morning the owls would come. In the morning life would resume.
But there wasn't any life. Hermione was gone, so were their friends. Dumbledore, everyone gone. Laughter, friendship, help, it was all gone. There was no one to turn to, no more reckless, relatively harmless escapades at Hogwarts. There was nothing. Nothing left to live for except that which had taken everything in the first place. Voldermort, war, pain, anguish, revenge. Sad really how little they had to live for. They wouldn't be going back to Hogwarts or anywhere ever again. Childhood was gone, innocence finally shattered. Life, what was it?
When morning finally rolled around to free them from sleep, the two groaned and sat up, briefly confused about where they were. Regaining his wits, Ron stood up first. Sighing, he spoke. "Well, if this is to be our base, we might as well make it look like it."
Nodding, Harry stood up and pulled out his wand. "Let's start upstairs." Ron followed him up. "This looks like a training room," said Harry, waving his wand and transfiguring training mats, weight lifting equipment, and mirrors so they could see themselves in battle. Adding a few trees and rocks for cover the room was done and they moved on to the next one. Room after room became a study, electronics room, strategy and tracking room, two bedrooms, and the usual kitchen and living room, with an addition of a potions lab in the basement. At the end, both just stood there looking around, not quite sure what to do with themselves.
Ron was the first to move. "Well mate, guess it's off to Diagon Alley for us. Scouting and such. We'll need more information on horcruxes and we should probably practice destroying some fake horcruxes. Also, maybe in check out that one place, Borgin and Burkes. Never know what we'll find there."
"Yeah, except for the fact that there will be Order members swarming the place. We didn't go back, and I told your mum that we were just going to Diagon. Hell, half of them are probably searching for us now."
"Guess we can practice our disguises then. Maybe we should send mum and dad a letter or something."
"And have them come here, demanding us back, trying to help and getting hurt? I don't want anyone else hurt over this Ron. I just want it over with." Sighing again, Harry got up and cast a notice-me-not charm on them and they changed. Ron's hair was now blond and he was about three inches shorter. His freckles were gone, so were Harry's scar and glasses. Harry's hair was now sandy brown and he was taller. Reluctantly, they set off walking down the road towards London. About two miles out from their house, they apparated into Diagon alley.