A/N - I'm back! And hoping to continue with daily updates :) Did you see the new DH part 2 trailer? So sad this is finally coming to an end. I think it's finally hitting me now.. :(

And on with the next chapter...

Chapter 18 - Run and Laugh (Prompts)

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The day started out just as Harry thought it would.

Hermione avoided him every chance she had; choosing to duck her head and concentrate on the most mundane things just so she need not look him in the eyes. Ginny would get up and leave whatever room he entered. And Fleur tried to feed him; which turned out to be a useless endeavor since the last time he ate anything was a few hours before and he found himself too distracted to be able to swallow successfully.

He had never felt so alone among three women whose personalities made him feel so out of sorts at that moment. He finally sighed in relief when Ron descended the stairs, only to be confused at the blank look he gave him.

The atmosphere was weird, awkward; and Harry felt the undeniable urge to leave. He had just made up his mind to run back up to Percy's old room and pack up his things when Ron finally made his way over to him. And Harry couldn't help but notice that he did so grudgingly.

"Was thinking of leaving for the Forbidden Forrest in a few minutes. Coming?"

Harry immediately looked over at Hermione, who seemed completely enthralled in the book she was reading. He didn't know how to handle a situation like this. Should he agree? Should he make up an excuse and postpone this? Or should he try to talk his best mate out of this? The last option felt like the wrong option since Ron knew that Harry had turned the stone three times before he faced Voldemort, and he would seem like the worst type of hypocrite if he refused to help him with this one thing Ron was asking him to do. "I..." He looked at Hermione again. Surely, she would turn to them and say something that would make Ron stop and think.

Ron followed Harry's gaze, his jaw tightening slightly before he asked curtly, "Well?"

Taken aback, Harry nodded, aware that Ron and all the Weasleys were in a delicate situation at the moment, and he shouldn't say anything that they could take the other way. Ron nodded back, a silent agreement between friends. And it was when Ron was about to leave the living room, did Hermione finally speak.

"We have to take Harry to St. Mungo's first."

Harry and Ron both looked at her in surprise for two completely different reasons.

"St. Mungo's?" Ron questioned, confused. "Why?"

"He didn't get himself healed yesterday. He has tons of injuries that need medical care." Harry noticed how she didn't meet their gazes properly, her eyes flicking between them without lingering for too long.

Ron then looked at him. "What's that about, mate? We were all healed yesterday. Bloody difficult not to be. What with all the healers trotting about after the battle and frisking you to check if anything was broken."

They both looked at him expectantly, and Harry couldn't help but feel just a bit defensive. "I don't know how this happened. It just did." He hoped that was enough of an explanation. He didn't really need another lecture from his other best friend; one that would call him an idiot for neglecting himself.

But Ron didn't seem happy at the prospect of postponing his trek through the forest. "What if Hermione and I meet you there, mate? You don't mind, do you? I'd like the help and I don't really want you to exert yourself without going to St. Mungo's first."

Harry honestly hadn't expected such a reaction. He also didn't expect Hermione to let out a small laugh. He and Ron stared at her incredulously.

"We can't let Harry go by himself. It's going to be absolute madness when he goes out into the public." She closed the book she was reading and stood up. "Besides, it's not like we can find the Stone without Harry's help. He dropped it, he's probably the only one who will be able to recognize the place the Stone could be."

Ron looked back at him, and Harry could see that he wasn't happy. Not at all. Reluctantly, his friend nodded. "Fine. St. Mungo's first, then the Forbidden Forest." He gestured towards the kitchen. "Let's just eat something before, yeah?" Without waiting for a response from either of them, Ron left.

Hermione didn't even look at Harry when she said, "We just have to make sure not to find that Stone."

And before he could say anything else, she left.

Harry stood alone at the living room at the Burrow, with only one thought penetrating his mind. He really needed to leave; and soon.

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