Chapter 3
The trio walked down the road and to the park nearby.
Ron and Hermione sat down on the swings while Harry leaned on the crossbar. They looked at him expectantly, though not unmixed with some fear. Fear of what, however, Harry couldn't tell.
'So, what do you want to talk to us about, mate?' questioned Ron.
'I've been thinking about all that's happened so far, and I've been meaning to ask you guys something." Harry started.
He took a deep breath and then continued, "For the past seven years, you guys have been with me, stuck by my side, even when no one else was. You've fought alongside me against Umbridge, the Death Eaters, Malfoy, Snape, and believed in me when the Daily Prophet was writing all those lies. You have been through a lot, and it's all because of me. I've been meaning to ask, do you want to go on? Are you sure you want to continue putting yourselves at risk just for me? If something were to happen to one of you, I would feel horrible, it would be entirely my fault. I don't want you guys to think that you have to stay by my side. You can stop here and now if you wish. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you to because you thought that you had to stay by me. I'm giving you two a chance to back down if you want.' He finished heavily, staring at the tree nearby rather than their faces.
He loved having his friends along with him, lending their support, but if something happened…no, a lot of people had already lost their lives because of him. He would not allow anybody else he cared for to die.
'We're not going to bail on you now, Harry, not after working so hard to keep you alive,' Ron said solemnly.
'You might feel bad if something were to happen to us, but we would feel even worse if something happened to you because we weren't there to back you up,' agreed Hermione.
'Are you two sure? Because – '
'We are both sure. We are not going to leave you, and this is the last time we say this. Is that clear?' Hermione cut him off and said decidedly.
'Like I said, why waste all the hard work if you were to go and die now? Ron said, now grinning.
'Surely you didn't expect anything else of us, did you Harry?' asked Hermione, also smiling slightly.
'I guess not, no,' Harry admitted, nodding, with a hint of a smile on his lips.
'Good. Now that that's cleared, what should we do until you turn seventeen at midnight?' asked Hermione.
'I know! Let's go explore the muggle town!' Ron said excitedly.
Harry and Hermione jointly groaned. 'Ron! Have you already forgotten what you did to the Dursley's house?' Hermione said in a disapproving voice. Harry laughed, remembering the mess Ron had created in the kitchen.
He could just imagine his aunt groaning and complaining at the mess, and his uncle threatening to skin him alive the moment he stepped into the house, while his cousin would be throwing a tantrum because he was not getting any attention from both of them. Yes, he decided, it would not be safe to go back for a while…at least, not until his relatives had calmed down.
"I think it's a great idea. Besides, we've got nothing else to do, have we? I don't think it would be a good idea to go back right now…" Harry said, smiling at his two friends.
Ron brightened up immediately, and even Hermione nodded, though not before giving Ron a warning, "If anything, and I repeat, anything, goes wrong, then you'll be in big trouble Ronald Weasley."
Ron grimaced and quickly nodded his head, determined to be on his best behavior. Harry chuckled at his friends, thinking how great it was that they had come to visit him. What would he have done without them?