"Harry, you should go on up to bed. I'll wait for Ron." She'd just watched him nod off in his favourite armchair in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. The poor fella couldn't keep his eyes open. He was doing that thing where he'd fall asleep and wake with a jump as his heavy head rolled off his hand which was trying to prop it up.

"Yeah you're probably right." He looked beyond tired, his eyes red and bloodshot. Hermione felt such pity, such sympathy for him. He'd lost another role model in his life and she knew he was beating himself up for everything that had happened that night. They all had guilt but Harry Potter had this knack for absorbing it all. No one blamed Harry for anything, he may be the chosen one but this war was bigger than that. The fact that Bill had been so gravely hurt was worrying him almost as much as the funeral they faced tomorrow.

He lifted himself out of the armchair slowly, like he was in physical pain. She jumped to her feet and hugged him. Trying to convey that she was there for him.

"Tomorrow will be awful Harry but we'll get through it together. Ron and I are here for you."

"Err…thanks."

"Try to get some sleep." she begged.

"I will…you should too."

"I just want to check Ron's ok before I go up. Night Harry."

"Night Hermione."

Hermione took up her position on the sofa. Glad to be alone, she had an ulterior motive for sending Harry to bed. Besides hoping he would get some rest she was keen to get back to her secret planning. Now he was gone she reached into her bag and pulled out her notes and books. She was privately scheming how best to protect her family.

Since Dumbledore's death she'd been trying to work out what had to happen next. She strongly suspected Harry would set off immediately to hunt horcruxes and if her and Ron are to accompany him certain things needed to be done. None of this had been discussed with Harry, she'd decided to allow him this time to grieve but after the funeral tomorrow it needed to be dealt with. She needed to make sure he wasn't about to do something stupid like run off on his own in an act of heroism. She hadn't spoken to Ron either but that had to be done tonight, just the two of them. They needed to unite before tackling Harry.

She studied the texts and made meticulous notes even practising the wand movements she'd need. It broke her heart to think what she had planned for her mum and dad. Her doting parents who trusted her so completely. What she was planning was horrendous, deplorable but if it kept them safe while she was helping to make the world a better place then it absolutely had to be done.

Hopefully when all this business was over she could set it right, although maybe they wouldn't forgive her, or maybe she'd end up in Azkaban for the abhorrent magic used on them. Or maybe she wouldn't survive…in which case she hoped they would live happy and peaceful lives.

That was it…she came undone. This happened every time she thought through her plan. The tears fell, she had a pain in her chest as she allowed herself to sob. That was enough tonight, she packed away her notes and books and curled into a ball on the sofa where she let herself go completely. Eventually the tears stopped and she sat upright again, exhausted herself from the emotional exertion. Her gaze fell on the flickering fire as she brought her breathing under control.

Unsure how long she'd sat there or what time it was she finally heard the portrait open and his red hair appeared at the entrance.

"Ron" She said in almost a whisper, it was like she couldn't find her voice. The crying still seemed to choke her.

"Hey. What are you doing up?" He asked, although he didn't seem entirely surprised to see her.

"Waiting for you" she said bravely, attempting to smile.

"I'm glad."

"We need to talk." They needed to have this conversation. It was possibly the most important conversation she'd ever have in her life. In this moment they would make a decision which could shape the wizarding world. She wasn't sure if Ron had given any consideration as to what needed to happen now. She seriously doubted it, with his brother injured Ron had barely left the hospital wing.

The limited discussions she'd had with Harry and Ron since the fight and Dumbledore's death had been dissecting everything that had occurred that night and culminated in the utter disbelief that Snape had double crossed Dumbledore. No one had spoken about what would happen next. Like the funeral was the end of it all, Hermione seemed to be the only person to realise the funeral was the start of it all. She avoided looking at Ron. She hated to do this to him, to force him into these decisions but it must be done.

"I know." He sat down beside her and opened his arms. She didn't hesitate to lean into his body. He felt cool having walked through the castle and she could feel her warmth spreading into him. It was like he knew she needed a hug, much like her intuition to give Harry one. "I know." He repeated. What do you know…she thought? Maybe he had been thinking things over too, she really didn't give this boy enough credit with the important things. She felt his chest rise and fall with a huge sigh and he pulled her back with him as he relaxed against the sofa.

His touch was everything, he made her feel so safe. Their friendship ran so deep. She thought about how he'd nearly died on his birthday and how she thought he was dead during the fight only a few nights ago. Exhausted and emotional she cried again as he held her. Ron was always the one she became vulnerable with. She tried to be strong for Harry even comfort him but with Ron he knew what she needed. She buried her head into his chest and cried until she felt like she'd no tears left in her body. Only after she stopped did she know he too was crying, his chest heaving deeply and his nose nuzzled into her hair.

He kissed the top of her head and it sent a warm tingle through her whole body. Even in this state she felt another shift in their relationship. The recent nights where they'd cuddled or touched one another had a hint of sexual tension, lust, desire…but this…this felt like love.

Finally, she sat back from him searching for his eyes. "Thank you." Was all she could think to say.

"Anytime" he tried to laugh but it was stilted as he tried to wipe the wetness from his face. His own vulnerability melted her heart. She didn't think she'd ever seen him properly cry before and found herself thankful that he trusted her to be here while he did.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. How are you? How is Bill?" She asked, suddenly aware of her selfishness. He'd just been with his brother who'd been maimed in the worst possible way and here she was blubbering like he didn't have enough to deal with.

"Don't be silly. We all need a good cry sometimes. Me included apparently." He tried another chuckle. It was so like him to try and lighten a serious situation, so like him to try and make her feel better. "Bill's OK…I mean he will be OK. He still looks worse for wear. I think…I think he always will though. He ate something tonight. Raw pieces of steak." She noticed disgust on his face. "Completely raw." She suppressed a shiver down her spine, as revolting as it was they had to hope raw steak would be the extent of Bill's blood thirst.

"Oh Ron. Poor Bill. I suppose that's good news, that he's able to eat. I'm so glad to hear he's going to be ok." She couldn't control herself tonight, whether it was the tiredness or her overwhelmed state she couldn't stop another huge sob hiccupping from her. "Ron I've been so selfish and I can't stop thinking about it…I'm…I'm so sorry."

"Hey hey hey, stop…what's wrong?" He asked with a frown. Merlin she hated to be the reason for that worried facial expression.

"I…when Luna and I got upstairs, I saw Bill first. Lying there, there was so much blood. Ron he was so…mangled…I could only make out the red hair and I…I thought it was you lying there. I thought you were d…d…dead." She had to explain, the guilt had been eating her up.

"Shhh I'm fine, I'm right here." he pulled her back into a hug, she could feel his heart and its rhythm helped to settle her.

"I know. But when I realised it was Bill I was so…r…relieved. I'm such a terrible person Ron. How selfish and horrible to be glad it was him and not you!" She didn't want anyone to be hurt, she didn't wish it on any of them but she'd learned something about herself recently. Somewhere deep inside her brain…or maybe heart…there was a list which prioritised people. Some people were more important to her than others and she was willing to hope it was other's in pain rather than her favourite people. It felt like an ugly shameful realisation but also so painfully obvious and simple.

"Hermione, don't, it's ok. That doesn't make you a terrible person. We're all ok." He said patiently and she just accepted his comfort once again. "Is Harry ok?" She knew he was changing the conversation, giving her a way out after her confession and she was grateful.

"Yes. He went up to bed about an hour ago. I really hope he's getting some sleep."

"Me too. I'll check in on him when I go up." Ron said. Gods she thought, he really can be so sweet.

"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." She thought it best to get on with it.

"I know." He nodded. She sat up again and searched his eyes. What did he know she thought for the second time that evening?

"I haven't spoken to him about this yet. But…after the funeral is over tomorrow and we leave…I don't think Harry will come back to Hogwarts. I think he's going to hunt horcruxes…and…"

"And what?..." He said simply.

"And." She took a deep breath. "We…you and I…need to decide what to do."

"What to do?" He seemed confused by the question. Obviously he didn't know what she needed to talk to him about. Either that or the answer was so obvious he was wondering why she was even asking him.

"Yes, I think at the moment we have a choice. Before we speak to Harry I want to make sure you feel the same as I do." She left it open to hear his opinion. Wanting to know where his thoughts truly lay, she didn't want to pressurise him. This wasn't an invitation to a tea party…this was a war plan.

"Well…I don't really feel like there is much of a choice. If he's leaving to hunt horcruxes I guess, we'll be going with him. As much as this pains me to say it…because I would prefer you stayed at Hogwarts or at home or went somewhere safe with your parents because this is going to be really bloody dangerous…there is absolutely no way in hell Harry can do it without you. You're so smart, there's a reason Dumbledore allowed him to tell you about these things. He knows you're able to help him. I'll be there, I'll likely be rubbish at finding them and just as rubbish at destroying them…but I'll do what I can." He shrugged. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure you and Harry get through this."

There he was, brave, loyal, caring. He hadn't thought much about it…because it was a foregone conclusion that whatever Harry wanted or needed he'd be there for him. When it came down to it, behind the teenage nonsense, he really had a heart of gold and she admired him endlessly. Why did he have to doubt himself though?!

"Oh Ron. Don't say it like that! Like you're dispensable! Because you're not! You'll not just be there. I've no doubt you'll be brave and strong and you're great with planning, a true strategist. You'll be invaluable too. And…and…you keep Harry sane, you can always get a laugh out of him. He'd go mad if he was stuck just with me! Dumbledore recruited both of us when he let Harry tell us. We're all supposed to do this but it doesn't make it any less scary."

"I know." He repeated apparently lost for words at her outburst.

"You know you have the opportunity to stay out of this? You're pure blood, you'd be ok. Harry and I would both understand." She wanted to offer him an out, make sure he'd considered all his options.

"Don't be so bloody stupid. I'm in. I'm all in. I always have been! Why would you even say something like that?" He was angry, she had her answer and was silently glad.

"I'm sorry. Please don't get mad. I'm just saying you could. You could be safe. I'd like it if you were safe." She mumbled.

"I'd like it if you were safe. Why don't you stay safe?" He said in an accusing tone.

"No, I agree with you. I'm all in too." She fell back into his embrace, symbolising how tightly they were now bound. The decision had been made.

"What do you think he'll do about Ginny?" Ron asked after a few moments of silence.

"I'm pretty sure he'll break up with her. He won't want to put her at risk any more than he will us. Unfortunately for him it appears he's stuck with us!" She tried a weak chuckle.

The newly developed relationship between Harry and Ginny had been hard on Ron. To be fair Harry had maintained a respectful boundary for Ron. He knew from historical evidence that his best mate was an overly protective big brother and hot headed, a bad combination for snogging sisters. Harry however also had a fiery new girlfriend who was determined to snog his face off regardless of said big brother's proximity. Hermione privately thought Harry had worked very hard to strike a balance between best friend and boyfriend. Thankfully this allowed Ron to mellow over the last few weeks to the point where the foursome could hang out in the common room with only a minor amount of tension. Hermione could see Harry cared for Ginny very much but he was selfless and wouldn't endanger her while he completed his mission.

"Yeah but he might take some convincing to let us come." Ron agreed and she was happy he seemed to move on from discussing Ginny.

"Of course. But as long as you and I are agreed, yes? We pack absolutely everything. After the funeral tomorrow we'll take the Hogwart's Express back to London and if Harry isn't returning for 7th year then neither are we?" She wanted to confirm.

"Agreed." He nodded. She felt such relief, she wanted Ron to be with them. Wanted him to be with her.

"We can't do anything until Harry comes of age so we have a few weeks to prepare. I need to sort things out at home. Then I'll be at the Burrow in a few weeks. Mid July I should think. Will that be ok?"

"Of course. I'll tell Mum you're coming. She'll want Harry home too."

"He might have to go to the Dursely's, do you think?"

"Merlin I hope not. At worst maybe a few weeks? He always ends the holidays at The Burrow, we'll get him out as soon as we can."

"I've been…umm…researching what to do about my parents and we need to think about how to keep your family safe. If we go off with Harry they'll all be targeted." She tried hard to keep the tears at bay this time. Her throat constricted as she thought of her family again.

"What are you planning for your mum and dad? Maybe the Order can help?"

"I…I can't tell you right now. I want to do it on my own, the Order has enough to deal with." She needed him to stop talking about this, she wouldn't be able to hold it together.

"Are you OK, Hermione?" he asked. Oh Merlin, when did he become so observant? His caring concern started the crying again. It was time. Time to say what needed to be said and it felt like her heart was ripping in two.

"No, not really. I think the last thing we need to talk about is…us."

"I know."

"Harry's going to need us. We've a very difficult, maybe impossible job to do and we need to give it our all Ronald. I'm really sorry to say this but I don't think we should…umm…distract one another."

"Yeah…I know you're right but I don't…Hermione…I feel like we've grown so close since my birthday. Yeah we made up being best friends but I really thought we were…we might…" Please don't fight this Ron she prayed. It was so hard already she needed him to agree and accept it.

"So did I, Ron. So did I." She interrupted him.

"I wanted to." Oh Gods…he wanted to. She wanted to. Why, why did this have to happen to them. To Harry and Ginny. It wasn't fair!

"So did I…so much." She touched his cheek and he learned into her hand.

"But now we're not?" He looked so lost and desperately sad. She hated to be the one doing this to him.

"I don't think we should…"

"You're right. Of course. But after?...do you think maybe with us…after?"

"Yes I think so…after."

"Something to look forward to then."

Her heart clenched. Even in this saddest of situations he's trying to make me laugh, she thought. After. What an obscenely optimistic thought. Please please please let there be an after. She knew it now…if they both survived this journey, if they helped Harry destroy the horcruxes, and by some miracle, Voldemort himself…she was his. If. So many if's…it was such a small but obnoxious word. To put it simply, all they had to do was defy the if's and reach after. Easy? Simple? Some day, every inch of her would be open to him, she'd give the very depths of her soul to him. They had to make it…the three of them together.

He held her and kissed the top of her hair again. As Harry said before, they had something worth fighting for. Love, it makes all the difference.