"Let's go! Let's go! Oh, I have so many things to get…" Hermione was yelling and muttering from the bottom of the staircase, digging through her bag as she waited for the two boys. Strangely enough, they weren't boys anymore, and Hermione was no longer a girl. As she had yet to turn seventeen, she was still in the same area of attention the boys received. She had started to notice this while she was in Italy, as well as London. She had her father's height, that only put her about four inches below Harry and Ron, as well as her mother's hair, which she was glad to see was working itself out of its bushiness.

Before leaving her home in Kent, her mother gave her wizard coming-of-age gift, not wanting her to be without it until her birthday in September. It was the locket that she had been wearing every day since; one of antique sliver that almost looked gold in some places. It was an oval and comparable to the size of a quarter, and a thick round strand of silver with a lobster clasp and engravings strangely matching the vines that wound up around her own wand.

"It's never been opened, maybe with your magic…you'll be able to when you're ready," said Mrs. Granger quietly as she fitted the necklace around her daughter's neck, with Mr. Granger looking on. Since then Hermione had never taken it off. She felt if she did, she would lose connection with her family, or the memory of them watching her leave on the Knight Bus for Grimmuald Place.

Hermione hadn't kidded herself after fifth year. She had developed an exercise regimen that she was somehow able to fit into her summer and sixth year. During the attack that took place in Hogwarts that spring, she had thanked Harry's Felix Felicis as well as her endurance. She had noticed the change in her demeanor as well. It had caught her by surprise as she found herself dealing head-on with her aunts' death, as well as facing Ron and Harry again.

It had suddenly occurred to her that the pressure that settled around them all; a pressure that she was sure was similar to what Harry was going through since he witnessed Voldemort's resurrection. The same fear and dread that affected her at her family level gave her perspective and a hardening realization; beyond her own family, Ron and Harry meant everything to her. She knew that she would defend them in every possible way known to herself. It was a stressed determination, and she began to find her early morning runs to be therapeutic.

She always thought about Harry and Ron. Every moment in Italy and every day that she spent with her parents in the summers before. She would sit in the shade of the cafés and wonder what they were doing, how they were coping. Hermione never really took the time to think about why, but as they bounded down the stairs while pulling on their coats, the same rush of emotions came over her every time she came back to school and found them waiting for her.

Ron was miles away in appearance since the first time she met him on the Hogwarts Express, and in the opinion of some fourth years last term, was becoming something of a dreamboat. His figure was something she found herself staring at, but then her head shook clear once his mouth opened. She had found him damned exasperating at times, but still endearing. Despite his attempts in the past to get her attention, she had been flattered, but fed up with the amount of effort that it took and the mortification of the tactics. In the end, she just wished for something simple; something unembarrassed, sure, and true. She didn't know if it was with Ron, but she figured she would know it was right by the feelings when it happened.

As for Harry.... Hermione watched him as he unconsciously tried to flatten his hair over his scar while trailing Ron. She didn't know how to feel about Harry anymore. There was a bond of worry, protectiveness, fear, sadness, and so many other things that she decided her mind would only end up confused if she examined them all. His appearance when she first arrived at Grimmuald was what startled her, not the fact that he was about to bowl her over by coming down the stairs too fast. He was relieved; an expression that she thought his face hadn't experienced in a long time and didn't know what to do with.

The look on his face that she was always familiar with was drawn and closed. She had always been appalled at the way the girls in Hogwarts gushed over his 'dark and mysterious' demeanor, and she had concluded that any form of reality concerning Harry obviously soared over their heads.

He had told the truth from the beginning, and still somehow people adored his suffering appeal. What Hermione saw was something scarier than that; a haunting shadow that kept growing everywhere he looked, and never daring to bring anyone else into it. It was a sort of nobility that she admired, but also knew it as one of his biggest faults. She saw at times that he realized this, but she also saw he would always need Ron and her there to tell him otherwise. In the end, all that Hermione knew was helping was for her to be there for him.

She was never good with feelings, so as the familiar emotions took over, she pulled her jacket closed and focused on digging through her bag, blinking back tears.

Ron thudded to the floor, "Right! Leaky Cauldron then?" He gave them a rougish wink and disapparated.

She started for the stairs, trying not to look up. "You go on Harry, I left my money in my trunk…"

"Really?" he asked simply. She had passed him on the stair and stopped.

"I'll just be a sec."

Harry adjusted his glasses, "Or maybe you need a moment. For everything to sink in?"

Hermione finally turned to look at him from three stairs up. Her shoulders sunk and she was contemplating digging through her bag again. Since that distraction had failed before, she thought better of it.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" he replied, curious.

"I can't even begin to imagine what going back to Hogwarts means for you. I…I don't know if I'm giving you a hard time by giving you all of this advice when I know nothing of it."

Harry had a bewildered look on his face. "You think about this all the time, don't you?"

She nodded slowly. Neither of them spoke for a moment, then:

"Hermione, I have never told you or Ron straight out, but…I'm glad you're here, I need you here. Whatever it is you say, I know it's because you care."

Hermione wiped her eyes gave a half smile. Her voice was a helpless laugh and a whisper, "How many years have I been trying to tell you that?"

"Cummon," he said smiling back while extending a hand up to her, "I'm not leaving without you."

She smiled and thought of the Leaky Cauldron while taking his hand, and the two disappeared with a muted pop.

Ron was waiting at the bar, finishing off a butterbeer and turning to them just after dropping hands. "'Bout time. What took you?"

"Hermione forgot something," Harry said simply.

Ron didn't seem believe the answer straightaway, and Harry saw his eyes narrow slightly, "What did you forget?"

Hermione had regained her composure again, and asked herself the question of why she was lying to Ron when she replied, "I needed to send a letter to my parents. They have a right to know that I made Head Girl, don't they?"

Ron handed over a few knuts to Tom, "Sure, since you deserve it. Did you ever have any doubt?" He meant for it to be a compliment, but it obviously soared over Hermione's line of thought.

"I don't like to assume, Ron," She replied with a snap.

Harry jumped in, "Why don't we get going? I still need to get back in time to catch Lupin."

"Catch Lupin for what?" asked Ron. He was giving Hermione a hurt and questioning look.

"I'm going to Godric's Hollow tonight."

"What!" barked Hermione. Ron suddenly snapped his attention to Harry.

"Not without us, mate."

"Sorry you two, not this time," Harry said as he opened the back door of the tavern. Ron and Hermione were hot on his heels as he was tapping the bricks on the wall.

"Harry! We agreed- we're going with you-"

He suddenly turned around as the archway opened up. "Listen, this is something I need to do by myself. Lupin's agreed to go with me, I'll be alright, okay?"

Ron was studying him with concern, "You sure?"

Harry realized he had tensed up. He let his shoulders slump as he nodded. Hermione was biting her lip and Ron awkwardly had his hands in his pockets and was staring at Diagon Alley behind Harry.

"Well, lets get to it then," Ron said finally, and headed down the alleyway.

They had a longer list than usual for supplies, and some interesting new ingredients for potions as well. Hermione was pouring over her list as she stalked the shelves in a new establishment that popped up in the area. Like the Weasley twins, some other businesses saw the benefit of being the only supplier in a location that was as popular as Diagon Alley. Hermione had contemplated going in, until Harry pointed out that there was no place else to go for their supplies at the time.

"Fathead minnow eyes…snozberry leaves…ancient sandstone powder…" she was going down the list and crossing things off while placing them in the basket that Ron was carrying beside her. As Hermione was concentrating, Ron was trying to talk to her while Harry was meandering in the other isles.

"Hermione…"

"Moraine dust…"

"I was wondering…"

"Chili seedlings…"

"When Harry's at Godric's Hollow-"

"Pumpkin skins?"

"That we could slip out for-"

"Dragonfly thoraxes…"

"-a bite to eat, or something…"

He had finally gained her attention as she slipped the last vial into the basket.

"What? Oh, umm…" Surprisingly, Hermione felt herself not being interested and had wholly intended to convince Harry that they both would go along with him to Godric's Hollow. She mulled the intention over in her head.

He'll be with Lupin and he probably just wants some time to get to know his parents…she thought to herself. Nonetheless, she still wanted to be there.

Don't be silly, everyone needs time alone. She looked back at Ron's nervous smile and said;

"Well, alright…but someplace close by-"

Ron's eyes lit up and he nearly dropped the basket that she had meticulously filled. "Great! Great, so after we get back, then?"

Hermione felt nervous, but told herself that it was merely because she was worried about Harry being at Godric's Hollow without them. She realized though that she hadn't had much time with Ron since he had returned, and found it to be the perfect opportunity.

She brought up a smile, "Sure, Ron."

They apparated into the library of Grimmuald Place and sank onto the couches and chairs, letting their bags fall to the floor. Hermione's items had far outnumbered the two boys' as usual, and the boys took it upon themselves to load up on a few of Fred and George's new line of products.

They had purchased distracters, darkness powder, and a vial of veratiserum, as the potion itself took too long to make in time for the school year. They sat exhausted for a few moments and then noticed that smells were coming in from the kitchen.

Hermione raised her head off the couch and looked down the hallway towards the kitchen archway, "Really Harry, does Dobby actually take his vacation time?"

Harry grinned, "I told him if he didn't that he could use it to retire early."

"Like that's ever going to happen," said Ron while rolling his eyes. "You probably made his eyes pop out of his head saying that."

The trio laughed and got up to head for the kitchen, but stopped when two figures came out of the archway and headed towards them.

Mrs. Weasley dusted off her hands on her apron and waved them into the kitchen. "There you are dears, I thought I heard you apparate in. Ginny just arrived!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally realized they had been staring at Ginny the entire time. She stepped out from the shadow of the hallway next to her mother and smiled at them. Ginny had cut off her long plait of hair into something of a short bob and was wearing a neat blouse and skirt with a traveling cloak.

"What on earth are you three staring at?" she asked teasingly.

"Where'd your hair go?" asked Ron immediately.

"It was getting in my way," she replied simply as she tucked a strand behind her ear.

Hermione walked up and gave her a hug in welcome. "Well, I like it…but I honestly didn't recognize you! How was the internship at the ministry?"

Ginny shot a warm smile at Harry over her shoulder as she walked with Hermione into the kitchen. "Weird. Long periods of insane boredom and then all of a sudden aurors would disapparate in the middle of a briefing and the ministry would be in an uproar!"

"Doing what?" asked Harry as he sat down at the table next to Ron. His stomach was clenching uncomfortably since he had first seen her step out from the shadows.

"They don't tell us much at the Department of International Magical Cooperation. All of the action is on the first floor, in the Department of Mysteries, where the Wizengamot have their meetings. Daily now, last I could tell."

Harry stared at his fork as Molly magicked the food onto the long oak table.

"Help Dad out much?" asked Ron as he reached for the potatoes.

"No, but Percy was only a few desks away from me. Could tell you how fun that was."

Ron snorted in reply. It had been nearly two years now since Percy had left the family's good graces. Harry had hoped last year when Scrimgeour made a visit that Percy would at least make an effort. But stubbornness was rampant amongst the Weasley's, so Harry was starting to see.

"How are you Harry?" asked Ginny, interrupting his thoughts.

He looked up from his still empty plate, noticing that Ron and Hermione we're trying to busy themselves with side conversation. Hermione was unconsciously re-buttering her bread and adamantly talking about quidditch with Ron; something that seemed to throw him for a loop.

"Things are okay. We just got supplies from Diagon Alley."

Ginny's eyebrows raised, "Really? And Bill and Phlegm's wedding?"

Mrs. Weasley sat down next to her daughter muttering, "For the hundredth time, stop calling her that." Ginny rolled her eyes in reply.

Harry felt on the spot, both Ginny and Molly looking expectantly at him from across the table. He wished that there was a signal to send to Ron or Hermione to help him out, but he hadn't honestly thought about attending Bill and Fleur's wedding.

"Yeah, I'll be there," he said finally.

Mrs. Weasley gave him a smile, "Oh that's good Harry, I know you and Remus-"

"Mrs. Weasley, could you pass the salad?" interrupted Hermione, who finally noticed Harry's state. "The roast is really good by the way, is it the usual Weasley family secret?"

As the distraction worked, Ginny looked around the table as if to gain an explanation. The dinner wore on and Harry could hardly muster up any appetite as he thought about his trip to Godric's Hollow. He had planned on spending a few days there, possibly to gather some information within the village. But what he wanted most was to know his parents, and not with the discomfort of other people around.

Remus had returned to Grimmuald, and Harry could see his shadow hanging up his cloak out in the hallway. He quickly excused himself from the table and went out to the foyer. Remus was leaning on the banister and writing notes down on a piece of parchment, he turned around upon hearing Harry approach.

"Well, good evening Harry," he said while sealing up the parchment and banishing it. "For McGonagall," Lupin replied to Harry's questioning look.

"I haven't seen you in awhile, everything going alright?"

Lupin smiled as he was used to Harry prying for the latest information about the Order, "You're good at that, making it sound like regular conversation and all…"

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Always worth a shot. Thanks for coming."

"Of course. I'm guessing Ron and Hermione aren't coming then," he asked while peering around the corner. Hermione was pushing peas around on her plate and Ron was still asking Ginny why she thought her haircut would look good.

Harry nervously ran a hand through his hair, "I don't think that it's something that they need to be there for. They need to get out of here anyway. I should probably say goodbye real quick." But as he turned around to re-enter the kitchen, he saw the two standing there.

"Well, be careful mate. You don't want me coming over there to save you," Ron replied while trying to lighten the mood.

"No, I wouldn't want that," Harry agreed with a grin.

Hermione was looking at him with a worried expression, "When do you plan on returning?"

"I don't know, but I'll try to be back before Bill and Fleur's wedding," he said while pulling on his coat and slinging a bag over his shoulder. Hermione merely nodded in return.

"Well, since you've never been to Godric's Hollow, take my arm."

As Harry did so, he saw Hermione mouth the words 'Be careful.' He gave her a nod in reply and in a sudden twisting movement they left Grimmuald Place.

Ron and Hermione were looking at the spot where the two were just a moment before. Ron looked over and saw the worried expression still on her face. "He'll be alright," he said softly.

Hermione sighed and nodded, "Sure… Well, how about that drink, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron grinned and held out his arm, leading her into the library to use the floo.