Chapter 2

When he woke up the first thing he remembered was what he'd told Ginny. He wasn't going back on that. He opened his trunk and delved into the bottom where the fake Horcrux lay and looked at the note from R.A B. He wondered like he had every day since that night whether R.A.B had ever managed to destroy the Horcrux. He shoved the locket back into the trunk and began to search for all the things he would have to take to the Dursley's. He occasionally used magic knowing in a few hours, he wouldn't have that luxury. Only three weeks he thought. It took him a long time to find everything in the room he owned but the trunk still wasn't full and the rest of his belongings were scattered somewhere around his two places of residence. He sat on the floor by his trunk to take a rest when there was a knock at the door. He stayed quiet hoping whoever it was would go away.

'Can I come in?' Hermione said from behind the door.

A swarm of butterflies were released in to his stomach.

'I'm asleep.' Harry said and smiled as she let herself in and came and sat directly in front of him.

'I spoke to Ginny' Hermione said after a short silence.

'I'm going. There's nothing you can say.' He told her looking at the floor, scared of what he'd feel if he looked into her eyes. 'Have you told Ron?'

'No I thought you should tell him yourself.' Hermione said tilting her head in attempt trying to get eye contact.

'I'm packing.' Harry stated when the silence became unbearable, gesturing at his trunk.

'You can't just go Harry. We said together.' Harry looked up, surprised to see that Hermione was actually upset and to her surprise he smiled at her.

'You should go home too. You're going to be away from your parents for a long time and they'll be worried. We'll have to figure out a way to make them safe but knowing you you've probably got one in mind.' She smiled grimly as she realized what he was saying. 'For the cleverest witch I know you sure can be an idiot sometimes. Of course we're gonna do it together, you and Ron made it pretty clear I didn't have a choice. After my birthday and the Dursleys, you and Ron better be there, ready to save me. We'll go to the wedding, Godrics Hollow' Harry voice took on a dark, bitter undertone 'and after that who knows…'

Hermione nodded once. 'Albania if you get your way.' They shared a small smile and he felt an electric current run though his body when they're eyes connected briefly. 'Do you want help packing? Or shall I go get Ron so you can tell him.'

'You go get Ron. Then both of you can help me pack.' As the words left his mouth he wished he could take them back, he wanted her alone just for a while.

'Are you sure Harry?' Shacklebolt asked. 'Every Death Eater is looking for you Harry. He's furious that they've lost you.' Shacklebolt gave Harry a serious look. 'Are you sure you know what you're doing?'

'Not really' Harry said sighing and leaning back in his chair. 'But I've got to do something and this is where I know I have to start.'

'There's still the problem of the Blood ward.' Harry suppressed a groan. It was the only thing no-one could decide on. When Mrs. Weasley found out Harry's plan to leave to go to the Dursley's she pleaded with Harry to see sense, she'd told him that the safest place for him to be was right where he was, surrounded by people who love him. However, despite her and several of the other Order members attempts, including Tonks and Remus who when combined made a formidable pair, Harry Potter would not be dissuaded and eventually they began on a plan to transport Harry safely from 12 Grimmauld place to Privet Drive, where his relatives were sure to be less than happy to see him. Getting Harry to the Dursleys would be problematic since the Ministry had banned Floo and Apparition to muggle residence, for the protection of muggle's supposedly, but nothing they couldn't handle; it was the return journey that meant that 2 hours later they were still sat around talking. The wards cast by Dumbledore broke only when Harry becomes of age or if he chose to leave the Dursley's permanently. The original power of the sacrifice, was practically void since Voldemort had used his blood to rebuild his body but the charm's Dumbledore had made were only built upon the sacrifice Lily had made, they were specific to Harry and the Dursley's and still in place. It stopped any enemy from entering the house and they could not be mortally harmed by magic. An image of a giant bubble around the gigantic mass that was Dudley popped Harry's head.

'They can break when you no longer call 4 Privet Drive home or when you come of age.' Hermione muttered.

'Harry it would be much safer if you just stayed here, we could arrange protection for the Dursleys.' Mrs. Weasley reasoned.

'No. That won't work; if I decide that now the wards will break, Voldemort will have access to Privet Drive and the Dursleys will be in immediate danger.'

'Wouldn't be that bad a thing, if they're half as bad as what you've told me.' Ron muttered under his breath.

'Ron!' Hermione and Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

'Just saying…' He looked to Harry for support but Harry wasn't feeling in a supportive mood.

'Well you have to be back in time for the wedding?' Mrs. Weasley said tartly.

'Of course I will be-' Harry began.

'-Since, when are you such a Dursley supporter?' Ron cut in sourly. 'Has anyone been through you're security questions with you today?'

'That's it!' Hermione said almost jumping out of her seat. Everybody turned to look at her.

'Hermione, just tell us so we can have lunch.' Ron said staring sulkily at the food.

'The wards will break.' When everyone looked confused Hermione exhaled dramatically. 'It means we can choose when to break the wards and catch V-voldemort off guard. On a day of our choosing we send the Dursleys a letter telling them they've won a trip for the day, enclosed will be tickets and spending money. We intercept the Dursleys on the way and bring them to, well I'm not sure about that yet, but Harry will be there to explain why they have to go into hiding. Then there's Harry, you can thank Ron for giving me this idea.' Harry smarted as Ron swelled with undue pride. 'We stage a wedding or an event that Harry is nowhere near but could be at and use a Doppelganger to lure the Death Eaters away from Privet Drive.

'No!' Harry exclaimed 'No-one's getting hurt for me.'

'It's not all about you Harry' Hermione snapped tartly, shutting Harry up. 'Death Eaters descend, chaos ensues and you claim that the two younger Weasly's and anybody else in need of an alibi, were killed. Neither of them will go back to Hogwarts and Mr. Weasley can still work and spy on the Ministry. It might also raise morale.' Hermione sat down and looked around nervously as everyone lapsed into a thoughtful silence.

'It's a bit complicated, isn't it?' Ron said finally. 'I mean we could do it without a fake Wedding. One wedding this summer is going to be enough.'

'I suppose, but then how do we get you out of returning to Hogwarts.' She retorted causing them to all fall silent again.

'Well I was thinking of dressing the ghoul up like me and saying I had spattergroit.' Ron muttered but not loud enough for anyone to hear.

'We can't kidnap the Dursley's and make them go into hiding.' Mr. Weasley commented.

'We could release them if they truly didn't want our help, but any sane people would receive it gratefully' Hermione replied.

'They're not exactly sane, Hermione.' Harry said grumpily, trying to imagine explaining to his angry Uncle that an evil wizard would kill them if they went back home.

Finally Shacklebolt spoke.

'The Ministry has placed, as a supposed security measure, an anti-apparition perimeter around Privet Drive so I suppose a diversion is the only way to get Harry far enough away to either Portkey or apparate to The Burrow. Getting you to the Dursley's will be a relatively easier task, you must arrange to meet them somewhere close by and preferably both Petunia and Dudley should be there to meet you. I would like some of the Order to accompany you, to act as guards, until you do meet them and then a tail until you arrive home safely. You must stress the importance of being on time though, as if you don't meet them almost immediately from when you land from the apparition, the Ministry will have time to inform the Death Eaters and then your guard could have a very public fight on their hands. Ok, Harry?' Harry nodded even though he thought the chances of his Aunt meeting him were pretty slim. Shacklebolt stopped and his face screwed up in thought. 'As for the Wedding, it would be a way of distracting Voldemort from Harry's movements, as well as providing a way for Ronald, Ginevra and others to escape returning to Hogwarts or work. It might also help build morale, show people that we haven't given up. It might not be reported in The Daily Prophet since the takeover, but there are other channels of communication and word gets around.' He looked down thoughtfully. 'It would be dangerous though and the risks may outweigh the merits. A meeting will have to be held to allow the entire Order to decide if the risk is worth it. Harry would you stay until then?' Shacklebolt asked, looking at Harry directly.

Harry thought about it. It would only be one more night he supposed and gave a stiff nod. Shacklebolt left shortly after their meeting, only stopping to be force fed by Mrs. Weasley. He asked Harry to write the note to his Aunt and told him he would deliver personally and get the reply back immediately.

For most of the remaining afternoon Ron and Harry finished packing and it was as he sun was setting that the last sock was chucked into his trunk. Ron had invited Harry round for dinner but not feeling like company he'd declined and retreated to his room where hours later he lay on his bed in a restless mood.

Yesterday he would have been glad of the isolation, free from the increasing jealousy that festered in him whenever he was around both Ron and Hermione. However the pressure he felt to solve the Horcrux puzzle began to close in on him and his solitude only made it worse. Having finally begun on a journey he should have started weeks ago, already he felt shut off from the wizarding world.

He glanced at the reply his Aunt had sent; it had been scrawled on a scrap of paper in his Aunt flowery script and she'd used the same envelope but just crossed out the address and written the return address beside it. There were only three words. "Kings Cross 3.00pm". Shacklebolt had told Harry of his plan to confound a muggle postman into delivering the letter and then collect its reply. He had been doubtful of the plans success and worried for the poor postman; but then he supposed a Death Eater would know nothing about the delivery of muggle post or that a postman stopping to collect a reply was a little untoward. If anything he was mostly shocked that there was any reply at all. He had secretly thought that the plans would have to be changed and he'd have to turn up on the Dursley's doorstep unannounced. So he'd been shocked and grateful for his Aunt's reply, it ensured a lot more safety for them all. He wondered briefly if Aunt Petunia had told Uncle Vernon of his nephew's unexpected return, he would surely be fuming. The letter he'd sent them earlier in the summer asking them not to bother picking him up from school would probably have inclined them to the notion that he was never coming back. They'd probably turned his room into an office, or back into Dudley's playroom. Glancing again at the reply, he wondered if he'd managed to get across the importance of meeting at the exact place, between platform 9 and 10, and the exact time, enough in his letter He knew his return to the Dursley's was necessary; he was in debt to them, his life had depended on their hospitality and even though it had been begrudgingly they'd taken him in, but the Dursley's home had never been his home just a house he'd lived in and he was not looking forward to the awkward return.

Harry was woken up the next morning by a loud sharp knock on his door. He was stiff, once again fully clothed and his scar prickled painfully. He let out a hiss of pain as his scar seared and he felt a flash of anger pass through his body. Hermione wouldn't be happy to know he still hadn't managed to block out Voldemort's feelings he thought to himself. He tried to use Occlumency but failed, miserably. Another knock cracked against his door and Harry glanced at his watch, it was 6:40 am, who the hell was knocking at this time? He swung his legs over his bed and as he traipsed across the room, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He was met by a bleary eyed, yawning Ron when he finally opened the door.

"'eeting s'arts in 'enty minutes if you're coming.' Ron said through a yawn. 'Mums made pancakes for breakfast.'

Yesterday's events came rushing back to Harry and he remembered the scheduled meeting, he suddenly felt much more awake."

"Oh ok. Just gonna grab my wand and I'll be right down. Will it be here or The Burrow."

"The Burrow." Ron replied sleepily, closing his eyes and leaning his head against the door frame. There was a pop and Ron disappeared into thin air. Not batting an eyelid, Harry rummaged for his wand on the bed and swung by the bathroom to pick up his tooth brush, he then followed suite and apparated over to The Burrow.

The kitchen was already buzzing with activity, it seemed as though the entire Order had turned up for breakfast before the meeting. Mrs. Weasley was in her element directing the making and serving of the pancakes simultaneously with just a few timely flicks of her wand. Even so Harry decided to ask if she needed any help, magic on this scale must be tiring. She smiled and thanked him but refused his help, she then laden him with his own pile of pancakes and sent him off to find his friends. He weaved his way through the talking, milling people and eventually found Fred, George, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sitting at the end of the bench. The two girls looked up at the same time and smiled at Harry in greeting, he felt his heart beat increase and his cheeks burn. He cast his head down and shuffled onto the edge of the bench next to Fred and began to shovel down his pancakes.

'Hey Harry.' The twins said.

'Hey. How's the shop?' He asked between mouthfuls.

'Great' George said.

'Thanks for asking.' Fred said. 'We've got a few new line's coming out for the start of the school year. You should drop by sometime.' They smiled identical smiles at him.

'I will.' He replied knowing that he probably wouldn't get the chance to, not for a long time.

Even with most of the Order being there the meeting was over and done within half an hour.

Almost every Order member was willing to put their life on the line for Harry's, which he'd felt bowled over by and after little discussion, and only a few comments of protest from newer members, Hermione's plan for a fake wedding was accepted. Neither Bill nor Fleur were there but they weren't truly needed to make the decision; though Harry had felt uneasy with using their names and hijacking their wedding for his purposes, even if it wasn't their real wedding day.

As everyone left, he had felt nonplussed at the lack of involvement he would have in his own rescue. All the decisions were to be made without him as owl post would be intercepted, the only knowledge he had was that a letter would come for the Dursleys in two weeks and a group of Order Members to accompany him to The Burrow in two and a half. He was finding the change in tempo of his life a little disorientating. Tonk's, Bardolf and a small witch from Magical Law Enforcement, Gwerful Pritchard, stayed behind and Kingsley told him that these three were to be his accompanying guard to Kings Cross later that day. He felt uneasy at the fact that two weren't previous acquaintances of his but he smiled and nodded at the arrangement. Quick introductions were made and then the three left to go to work telling Harry they'd see him in a few hours.

Knowing he was all packed and ready to go he sat with Ron, Hermione and Ginny in the kitchen for a bit, but the feeling of separation from the wizarding world he always got when he returned to the Dursley's, was well and truly set in, so he made his excuses and went to his room where he lay on his bed and tried to clear his mind of all the doubts and confusion about his future and his present that were plaguing him.

He only realised he'd fallen asleep when a hand pushed at his shoulder gently.

'Harry, wake up.' Hermione said softly He groaned and his hand reached up to rub his eyes. She was sat crossed legged on his bed smiling funnily at him.

'W's 's time.'

'It's almost 2:45. Everyone's waiting for you downstairs.'

He became slightly more alert at the mention of the time and sat up wriggling a little to try to shake off his lethargy.

'You shouldn't have let me sleep so long' He finally managed between yawns, his eyes still heavy from sleep. 'I don't feel ready for dodging Death Eaters at all.'

'You'll be fine Harry.' She said grabbing and squeezing his hand, and smiling like she did when she was worried. Suddenly he was all too aware, that he was alone with her, in his room and she was grasping his hand. He was instantly tense. There were little lines of worry crowded at the edge of her eyes and Harry wished he could smooth them away. 'Are you sure you're all packed?' she asked glancing around his room and then fixing her eye's back on his.

Looking into her eyes Harry was overcome with vertigo and he felt as if he was teetering over oblivion. It unexpectedly occurred to him that he should just fall in. He let go of the suffocating knot of tension he'd been keeping tight in his chest and embraced the wave of warmth that spread though his body at her touch. He felt as though every part of him was humming.

Her hair fell over her eyes; as she looked down to disengage from Harry's intense gaze, and slowly yet without thinking he sat forward and swept it behind her ear. Her cheeks turned pink and heat flushed through his body. He was no longer tired at all. His hand began moving to cup her cheek and he found himself staring into her eyes unblinkingly, he felt as though a fire was raging through his body setting every part of him alight.

'Hermione… I… What I mean is… when' when I say I love you I don't mean it like a brother. I don't even think I mean it as a friend anymore. That's what he wanted to say but it sounded stupid to him, even in his head. He kicked himself mentally, this was all too much.

She was still staring at him, her mouth slightly open and her eyebrows arched enquiringly. His thumb traced the outline of her lips and he felt her tremble beneath his touch. He felt sick and light headed and scared but the one thought that overpowered all of that was that she hadn't moved away. He sat up on his knees and edged closer to her, his lips parted and his mouth dry, barely daring to believe that this was going to happen. His breathing grew shallow and hitched as their breath started to mingle, the slightly minty humid air sending his stomach into freefall and his heart pounding, dangerously, against his chest. As his eyes closed Ginny and Ron's faces appeared and he faltered, he wasn't ready for the consequences of this action.

He pulled away and looked up at her with a regretful expression which was replaced by a frown when he saw that fat tears were rolling down her face and that she was shaking her head her mouth opening and closing. He realised quickly she'd pulled away before he had. The thought wrenched at his heart.

'I'm s-so s-s-sor… We c-can't.' She managed to get out between sobs.

Harry stood up off the bed his head reeling. 'I shouldn't have. I know you and Ron.' He walked gingerly to the door and was shocked to feel a hand slip into his tugging him back.

'Harry, you're my best friend. Don't make this harder.' she whispered the last five words almost pleadingly.

He turned around slowly and found they were now standing opposite one another barely an inch apart. Her eyes searched his face lingering on his lips. He smothered the urge to ask her "what" he was making harder but he knew it wasn't worth it. She smiled questioningly at him, her face open and vulnerable, his heart skipped a beat. He brushed the tears from her cheek.

'Sure. I'm sorry. Let's forget about it, yeah?'

She nodded once, eyes still lingering.

The door opened abruptly and Harry and Hermione jumped apart hastily at Ron's intrusion.

'Ron!' Harry said so grateful that he'd just curbed the impulse to lean forward and close the small gap between him and Hermione. That was the most he could muster. Realising this after many painful seconds Hermione cut in.

'Ron did you have something you wanted to say?' Hermione ventured.

'Yes. No. Do you?' Ron had turned a deep red and Harry wasn't sure if the expression on his face indicated his urge to hit Harry or whether it meant he was going to cry. 'Look I'll take a hint and go.' He spat out turning to leave.

'No. Ron. Please don't go. I don't even know why we're arguing.' Hermione said her voice raised and husky. Ron stopped and turned to face them.

'I think you do.' He said his eye's dropping to their entwined hands.

'It's not what you think, Ron' she said dropping Harry's hand.

'I think it's exactly what I think, Hermione.' Ron shouted his hands trembling.

'We were just talking. I was giving him some support for the dangerous venture he's partaking in today. Hermione explained fervently.

'And you expect me to believe that that's all this is.' Ron said his voice tight and measured.

Harry was in shock. He'd expected by now for Hermione to shout at Ron about it not being any of his business, much like the argument they'd had after the Yule ball. Letting go of his hand had hurt most of all, but then she stepped from Harry and he felt the moment they just shared slip away from him and the knife in his chest twist slightly.

'Yes, Ron. I do.' Hermione said grabbing Ron's hand. Ron turned back to Hermione awkwardly and she smiled at him. Harry's heart sank. 'I think we need talk, away from Harry and I think you owe us both an apology.'

"Sorry." She smiled at him in acknowledgement. 'Why are you up here anyway Ron?'

'Oh yeah.' Ron said looking slightly more elated. 'It's really time to go Harry. Tonk's sent me.'

'I need some air I'll meet you downstairs.'

Hermione stepped through the door passed Ron and as she did kissed him on the cheek. Harry watched the scene helplessly, regretting what had and hadn't passed in the last two minutes, he half thought of running down the stairs after her.

'Sorry mate.' Ron said sheepishly.

'It's fine.' Harry said. It wasn't fine. 'Shall we go?' He asked guilt and anger coursing through him.

'Yeah sure.' Ron said cheerily.

They went downstairs in silence, Harry's trunk floating effortlessly behind them. They only stopped once when Ron brought the procession to a halt and turned around to face Harry.

'Was Hermione crying?' He asked, puzzled. Harry swallowed and smiled tightly.

'No. Don't know where you got that from.' Harry replied and was relieved when Ron shrugged and accepted the lie.

Tonk's, whose hair was its usual bubblegum pink, was leaning against the kitchen cabinet and saw the boy's first, she smiled brightly at them.

'Hey Harry. Are you ready to get going?'

'Ready as I'm going to be.' He looked around and frowned. 'Where's Bardolf?' He asked seeing only Gwerful Pritchard sat at the table.

'He's already at Kings Cross. Kingsley decided that your transportation would only take two of us, seeing as we plan to be in and out immediately. Bardolf is standing by as back up; so, it's just me and Pritchard.'

Harry felt a wave of relief. Something about Reiley Bardolf just didn't feel right to Harry.

'Okay well two minutes to go. You said all your goodbyes?' She asked, and he realised fretfully that he hadn't said any.

'No. Have you seen Ginny or…' He stopped as Hermione stepped into the room with her arms crossed.

'She's just coming.' She said leaning against the door pane.

He stared at her and tried to swallow despite feeling his heart had jumped into his mouth. He nodded in response and then looked down at his feet, and took in several sharp breaths. He heard the banging of feet on the staircase and looked up to see Ginny pushing past Hermione in the doorway. She ran towards him and embraced him tightly. Pulling away she gave him one her dazzling smiles. His stomach tightened.

'See 'ya weeks Harry.' She said.

'Yeah,' was the only word he could manage in response.

His next goodbye was from Mrs. Weasley who gave him a quick hug and told him to stay safe. This was followed by an awkward hug/handshake with Ron neither knowing which was more appropriate for their brief separation, and then he looked to Hermione.

She made no effort to move from her doorway but instead uncrossed one arm and waved a hand at him with a small smile on her face. He lifted one hand and thought about waving back but feeling silly let it drop, slowly, to his side.

'Bye Harry.'

'Bye Hermione.'

He felt like so much more had been said in that exchange.

A finger tapped him on the back and he snapped out of his daze. He turned around so see Gwerful Pritchard was now up and looking alert and that Tonk's Hair had changed to a much more natural shade of brown.

'It's time to go.' Tonks told Harry. He looked over his belongings one final time, checking he had everything, before grabbing Tonks' hand. The clock on the wall chimed and he had time to look over at the doorway before feeling that tight sensation in his chest.

The doorway was empty.