A/N: Again, sorry for the delay. I'm glad however that you're all okay with the slow start =) you're feedback meant a lot. I may not be uploading stories as often because my summer classes are kicking my butt! This week I have three tests. So not fun. Anyway, I'm kind of getting the hang of where I want this story to take off from. I hope that the Harry and Hermione development doesn't seem all out of the blue, I really don't want to waste too much time on them getting together because in this story, their romantic relationship is very important and develops kind of unofficially. Meaning there won't be an official declaration of girlfriend/boyfriend. It should only be two more chapters until they are ready to go on their journey. Thanks so much, review! And recommend to your friends =) and enjoy!

You are young, and I am scared

You're wise beyond your years, but I don't care

And I can feel your heartbeat

You know exactly where to take me

We're one mistake from being together

Let's not ask why it's not right

You won't be seventeen forever

And we can get away with this tonight

Will you remember me?

You ask me as I leave

Remember what I said?

Oh how could I, oh how could I forget

-"Seventeen Forever"- Metro station

The next day, Harry lay wide-awake in Ron's bedroom, trying to make sense of the foreign feelings he had been harboring lately. Ever since Hermione and Ron broke up, Harry had become increasingly aware of the amount of time Hermione was spending with him and he certainly didn't mind. He was also taking notice of the strange feeling he got whenever she gave him comforting words or held his hands. It made no sense to him why he was feeling this way. Hermione was his closest friend, the hand-holding and embraces were second nature. It was something that had been going on for as long as he could remember. Yet, over the past few days, he was experiencing a new sensation about every little thing they did together. He had enough experience to grasp just what his body was telling him. Somehow, without any control, he had been developing non-platonic feelings for Hermione.

"Hey mate, you up?" said Ron from the bed next to him.

"Yeah." said Harry.

"Happy birthday!" Ron said brightly.

"Oh uhm…thanks. I had actually forgotten it was." said Harry honestly.

"Here" said Ron walking towards him with a small, brightly wrapped, rectangular present. "I got you something."

"Oh thanks," said Harry, retrieving it. He wrenched it open and was met with a book. "A book? Turning into Hermione now are you?"

"Nah" said Ron laughing. "It's loads better than any book Hermione could ever give you. This one is for very important things. It's the decoder of the mystery that is the female mind."

Harry turned the book over and read the title. 'Seven fail proof ways to charm witches'. It was the same book Ron and Hermione had broken up over.

"It's amazing. It answers all the questions any bloke has ever had on girls and the way to approach them." said Ron as he showed Harry the book's contents. "And it's guaranteed to work…well at least with most girls."

"And you would know how?" Harry asked. "Last time I checked this caused you more problems than it solved."

Well…" said Ron sheepishly. "I may have tried it on someone other than Hermione."

Ron suddenly became extremely interested in the stitching on Harry's quilt, adamantly avoiding looking at Harry

"Go on…" Harry prodded. "Who?"

"Luna." Ron answered, turning bright red.

"Luna? So that's the reason you'd always apparate here after you and Hermione rowed." exclaimed Harry.

"No, no not like that!" said Ron defensively. "She has been coming by more often because of Ginny. She just happened to be here whenever I came. She seemed like the perfect person to try it on and see if it actually worked."

"So you fancy Luna now?" Harry asked in disbelief. "After you took the Mickey out of me for taking her to Slughorn's party, So soon after you and Hermione broke up?"

Ron shrugged.

"I don't know if I fancy her per se…but it is really easy to talk to her. She's nice."

"I hope that doesn't bother you." said Ron a few minutes later. "I know Hermione's like a sister to you and I don't want you thinking I was doing anything behind her back."

"No not at all." said Harry absentmindedly.

Like a sister, that's all she was. Yet he couldn't explain the new feelings he had been experiencing for her lately. Whatever they were, they were definitely not just brotherly feelings. Of that at least, he was sure. He looked down at the book he had given him as Ron walked back to his bed and made it. Harry made a mental note to be sure to hide it from Hermione; he didn't want her to believe he needed a book to know how to understand her. There had always been an instinct when it came to all things concerning Hermione. He could read her in ways he never could with other girls. Maybe it was the fact they had been friends for so long, the lack of pressure of having to act a certain way to entice her, that made it so different from any other girl before. Still, it didn't stop Harry from realizing a change in feelings now, given the current circumstances would not be the smartest thing.

"So…Hermione's been preparing stuff for our departure." said Ron looking out his window.

"Has she?' Harry asked, taken aback.

"Yeah, she reckons we should be ready for any opportunity," said Ron. "Always one step ahead of that one."

"Yeah" Harry agreed. "In a way that's good though."

Together, they headed downstairs where Harry was greeted with hugs and cheers. Mrs. Weasley had prepared a vast, typical English breakfast for them all. Fleur's parents had arrived, making the kitchen seem evermore crowded. Once finished, Harry noticed there were presents set out in the living room, which overwhelmed him.

"You're definitely not in Privet Drive anymore are you?" said a familiar voice behind him.

Harry turned around facing Hermione, who was holding a neatly wrapped present in her hands, smiling kindly at him.

"Happy birthday Harry!" she beamed as she rushed forward and hugged him. "I really wish I could've given you something better but-"

"It's fine, you shouldn't have anyway." he brushed her off, grabbing the present from her gently.

Hermione watched eagerly as Harry ripped through the paper.

"A Sneakascope!" Harry said excitedly. "Thanks Hermione."

He didn't know what made him do it, but he stepped forward and gave her a peck on the cheek. Leaving them both visibly flustered.

"Wow, all this for a Sneakascope?" Hermione joked.

"No, it's just for being you." he answered simply.

Although he genuinely meant it, and Hermione was obviously flattered, Harry couldn't help but feel the awkwardness lingering in the air. He was immediately relieved when they were joined by Ron.

"What did you give him?" Ron asked Hermione

"A sneakascope." Hermione replied. "You?"

"Oh just-Hey look Harry…wow Fred and George really went all out." said Ron ogling the huge basket of Weasley Wizard Wheezes products that was resting on the mahogany dining table.

Harry knew why Ron was so bent on avoiding answering Hermione's question and was glad he hadn't answered. The last thing he wanted was for Hermione to get mad at him over the same thing she had been livid about with Ron. They were not the same.

He proceeded to open the remaining presents. The entire Weasley family, with the addition of the Delacours sang him a happy birthday as Mrs. Weasley brought out a golden snitch-shaped cake that Hermione and Ginny had helped her make. They were all enjoying the slices of cake and festivities, when they were all taken aback by a sudden knock at the door.

"Are we expecting someone else Molly?" Arthur Weasley asked cautiously.

"No dear, it's just us."

made his way toward the door, his wand tightly clenched in his back pocket.

The whole room grew loudly still, they all watched apprehensively as he looked outside the peephole on the door. Arthur's shoulders somewhat sagged as he saw who was on the other hand.

"It's the Minister of Magic…" Arthur spoke confusedly.

As they all gave each other shared looks of bewilderment, Arthur opened the door.

"Minister!" Arthur exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise, what could I do for you?"

"I'm here on official Ministry business Arthur, I need to have a word with your son, Mr. Potter and a Miss Granger I believe should be here as well."

As Arthur stepped aside, Harry caught a full glimpse of Rufus Scrimgeour. He was a tall man with a weathered, scowling face. He was around the same age as the previous Minister, Cornelius Fudge but much less inviting. He was slightly thin with limp, gray, shoulder-length hair.

"Kids, the minister is here to see you." Arthur smiled.

"I apologize to interrupt such a happy occasion Mr. Potter," said Scrimgeour as he walked deeper into the house. "I'm afraid this is the only time I have available to read out the last will and testament of Albus Dumbledore."

"Everyone out into the garden!" Mrs. Weasley directed. "Let's give them some space."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down on the larger couch opposite the one Scrimgeour had chosen to sit in.

"Lets get to it shall we?" he asked while pulling out a square piece of parchment from his inner robes. The letter levitated towards them non-verbally.

"Herein is set forth the last will and testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. First to Mr. Ronald Bilus Weasley I leave my Deluminator a device of my own making in the hope that, when things seem most dark it will show him the light."

From a leather pouch which Scrimgeour had retrieved as he had been reading Dumbledor's last words, he pulled out the silver trinket. Gingerly he handed it over to Ron.

"Dumbledore left this for me?" Ron questioned. "Brilliant..what is it?"

As Ron pushed down on one of the grooved on what looked like a large sized lighter, the lights from the nearest lamps disappeared, their glowy whisped inhaled by the deluminator. With another press of the same button, they all released and returned from where they came.

"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed.

Scrimgeour seemed confused at the display,as if expecting something much more dramatic happening than just displacement of light. Unimpressed, he moved on.

"To Miss Hermione Jean Granger I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard in the hope that she find it entertaining and instructive."

From the same leather pouch where the deluminator had been, The minister pulled out a tattered old book.

"Any idea why Dumbledore would give you an old copy of a book full of children's tales Miss Granger?" he inquired.

"Well, he knew I loved books. Everyone knows that." Hermione said dismissively.

Harry could sense Hermione was being defensive and he was not sure why. He could also tell that Scrimgeour was suspicious of the very items he was handing over, almost as if he was certain there was more to it than just being random old objects a professor wanted to hand down.

"And finally to Mr Harry James Potter I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill."

Finally, and a lot more delicately Scrimgeour retrieved the golden snitch through a piece of cloth, as to not touch it by bare skin. As The Minister handed it to Harry, he could feel Hermione shifting in her seat. The gold metal made contact with his hand, nothing unremarkable happened much to Scrimgeour's obvious dismay.

"I noticed Mr. Potter, that your birthday cake is also in the shape of the golden snitch…any significance in that?"

"Why would there be any significance?" Hermione interjected. " Harry is a seeker, and this is a memento of his first game and catch."

"As I'm sure you are aware Miss Granger, it is no secret that Golden Snitches have flesh memories." Scrimgeour explained. " I was certain that after much observation that it may have something inside once it was touched by the one who caught it."

"Observation? Did you observe these objects before handing them over?" Hermione demanded. "You have no right!"

"Are you planning on following a career in Magical Law Miss Granger?" Scrimgeour asked. "Because one of the laws you should know about is—"

"The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation, on which can only be acted upon if there is strong evidence that illegal items might be passed on. Are you telling me the Ministry believes a headmaster would give cursed objects to his students?"

"We are living in uncertain times Miss Granger, this merely for safety reasons."

"So is that all then?" Harry asked.

The room was thick in tension.

"There is one more bequest…however I will advise before Miss Granger says another word, that certain artifacts are not of sole possession to anyone…Dumbledore also left Mr. Potter the sword of Gryffindor. However, it is not Dumbledore's to give."

"Yes it is!" Hermione replied. " It showed up at a time of great need. He proved himself worthy, it belongs to Harry."

"The Gryffindor sword will come to any Gryffindor that proves themselves worthy Miss Granger. That does not make it exclusive to Mr. Potter." Rufus said cooly. "That being said, regardless of his wishes, the swords whereabouts are unknown."

"What?" Ron asked outrageously.

"The sword is missing." said Rufus simply.

"Look, I don't know what you're up to Mr. Potter but know this: you cant do it alone. He is too strong" he said ominously.

"Thank you for that Minister…for your uplifting words." Harry replied sarcastically. "But I like my chances."

"Very well, I know the ministry has had a shaky relationship with you prior to me but I do wish you the best of luck Mr. Potter." said the Minister sincerely. "And Happy birthday."

With one more nod to the three teenagers, The Minister left in the same pompous manner in which he had entered. There was a heavy feeling lingering in the air. It wasn't surprising they were all looking at their inherited objects, in utter confusion as to what crazy hidden meaning Dumbledore had left for them to solve within them.

The rest of the family caught wind of the Ministers retreat and reentered the house with boisterous time went on, the kitchen was becoming increasingly stuffy, prompting Harry, Ron, and Hermione to step away.

"I'll get a head start on packing this Harry." said Hermione, levitating the gifts with her wand.

"Just how are you managing to pack all this stuff? How can we possibly carry all of that on our backs?" Harry asked incredulously.

"You just leave that all to me." said Hermione dismissively.. "I've had it sorted for weeks; I'm actually nearly done with everything."

"Everything?" Harry asked

"Yes, including… unmentionables" said Hermione blushing.

"What?" Ron asked outrageously

"Oh come on, we all know what underwear looks like!" said Hermione defensively. "It's not like I went through them all individually and observed them!"

"I would hope not!" said Ron, annoyed.

Hermione sighed impatiently.

"I'm going to pack," she said, rolling her eyes at Ron one last time before heading upstairs.

"I can't believe she went through my underwear." said Ron whispered ashamedly. "Underwear- seeing privilege is gone once you're an ex."

Harry looked at Ron with an alarmed expression. It was much more information than he had ever wanted to hear.

"That came out completely wrong," said Ron sheepishly. "I'm not saying she or Lavender saw it before or anything-"

"Please, for both our sake just stop." Harry pleaded.

"Agreed." said Ron.

Together, Harry and Ron went up the stairs en route to Ron's bedroom. As they reached the first floor, what Harry knew to be Ginny's room door opened. It hit Ron in the back.

"Ow! What the— Ginny, do you have to wrench your door open like that?" said Ron rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry Ron, how was I supposed to know you were passing by exactly as I was opening the door?" Ginny said impatiently as she spotted Harry.

Her expression softened considerably when their eyes met.

"Hey Harry, I was just about to look for you," said Ginny, stepping completely out of her door. "I kind of need to talk to you…alone."

Harry and Ginny both looked over at Ron, who seemed all too reluctant to leave. Harry found himself hoping that he wouldn't. He had been dreading being left alone with Ginny since he came to The Burrow. Especially after Ron told him Ginny still had hope that they could get back together.

Ron narrowed his eyes at Ginny before he slowly backed away and continued on the way he was heading.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Harry asked nervously.

Ginny looked all around before she spoke.

"Not here." She said, taking him by surprise and pulling him into her bedroom.

It had just occurred to Harry that he had never seen it. He had never been as close to Ginny as to come to seek her and talk in her room all those years before. Not that would have been approved. He was sure she definitely wouldn't do so now. It was a typical teenage girl's room. The window's curtains were drawn, letting the sunlight flood in. There were girly details everywhere, doilies, old stuffed animals, and moving posters of attractive male Quidditch players. There were also the occasional not-so-girly items like brooms and books about broom maintenance and Quidditch.

"I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now," said Ginny. "But first thing is first, happy birthday."

She stepped forward and Harry could tell she had been aiming for his lips, but sensing his more than obvious hesitation, ended up changing destination and her lips landed on his cheek.

"Thank you." said Harry awkwardly.

"I know that you'll more than likely be leaving soon and that that information will not be disclosed to me." said Ginny sadly. "My brother was more than clear on that."

"Yeah."

"I know that I probably won't see you for a long time, and I just wanted to know if I would be wasting my time if I pined away for you." She said looking at him dead in the eyes.

"Ginny-"

"I know that we ended things after Dumbledore's funeral- but I just feel like it was all in the heat of the moment." She continued. "And maybe now that the smoke has cleared, you'll give us another chance…maybe not now but sometime in the future?"

Harry stepped away from her, shaking his head gently.

"No, I'm sorry."

He saw tears in her brown eyes, eyes that were so much like Mrs. Weasley's.

"I don't understand. You say you want no one to get hurt, you don't want to give You-Know-Who more reasons to kill people you care for." she said shakily. "But why am I the one being hurt right now? Why am I being left behind?"

"Ginny, Ron, and Hermione have been in on everything from the very beginning. I have tried to talk them out of it but I can't change their mind." Harry explained, "You're young, and you're Ron's sister, I couldn't handle the guilt of you losing your life for what you feel for me."

"And you can handle the guilt of them losing theirs?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why am I the exception?" Ginny asked angrily.

"Because…apart from all of that, the reason I can't get back with you is that my feelings for you are no longer there."

Ginny furrowed her brows as she tried to be the same stony-faced, strong woman she had been all her life. The type of woman you become when you have six older brothers.

"Where are they then?" she demanded. "Your feelings can change that quickly? Was it nothing?"

"Ginny, I don't have room in my mind or life for love right now." Harry explained.

"You sure that's the reason? Or is it more because you have feelings for Hermione?" she debated.

"What?" Harry said outrageously.

"I know I'm not the first person to spot it. Everyone has. Except for you two." said Ginny wistfully. "I was just hoping that maybe I was wrong in judgment."

"Hermione and I are just friends. That's all we've ever been." Harry said feeling annoyed.

"Harry, I'm sorry but I'm really over this and your denial." Ginny interrupted impatiently. "Anyone can see it. You may say it's all because of the war, but deep down we both know that the only reason why you even noticed me was for a fun distraction...I've served my purpose."

"That is not fair Ginny." Harry interrupted. "I fancied you, that much is true and I enjoyed what we had, but there are more serious things going on right now. Why would I put you through all of that?"

Harry was speechless. His mind was at a complete loss for words. Why was everyone bent on seeing more between Hermione and him than what was actually there?

"I may be young, but I'm adult enough to admit defeat when I see it." She said adamantly. "There's a reason why many people have this suspicion…four people and counting can't be wrong. Maybe you're just too blind to see it…or stubborn."

Ginny caressed his face one last time before she assertively pulled him out of her room, slamming the door behind him. He could hear small sobs within it

Once outside, Harry had no idea what had just happened. How did it all end up turning into a conversation about his feelings for Hermione? What feelings were all these people seeing? Hermione was special to him, that was always obvious to everyone. So was Ron. Yet no one appeared to believe something was going on between them…sure She was his closest friend, and unlike Ron, she had always been there even when his name was being battered with negativity. How could he not set her above the rest? She had seen him at his absolute worst; she had even been collateral damage many times just because she was his friend. He couldn't help it if people misunderstood it for something else. Hermione was one of the most important people in his life and there was very little that could change that.

"You okay?" Hermione asked compassionately as Harry appeared on Ron's floor.

"Yeah…"

"Ron told me Ginny was talking to you." She said, "You two sorted everything out?"

Harry shrugged.

"I guess you can call it that."

"I'm sensing it was rough." said Hermione as she patted down the empty space of the bench outside Ron's room where she was sitting.

Harry sat down next to her, dispirited.

"I'm okay; it's Ginny who isn't taking it as well. I wish I could do something."

"I'll go and comfort her if you'd like." said Hermione helpfully.

"That would actually be a bad idea." Harry told her.

Hermione looked at him confusedly.

"Why?"

"Ginny has joined the growing group of people that have the impression you and I have feelings for one another," said Harry chuckling despite himself.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I really don't understand where they get that." said Harry.

"Yeah…" said Hermione, looking away.

Harry felt her slide away from him slightly.

"Maybe we shouldn't be so attached at the hip." she said nervously. "I don't want to come between you and Ginny."

"Ginny and I have been over for a while." Harry reassured. "You're just the easy scapegoat. Besides, why should we change who we are? I'm not ashamed of my bond with you. Why should I? you're my best friend."

Harry reached down and placed his hand on top of hers on the bench, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

They gazed at each other for a while longer. Harry was sensing a change in the way he was looking at her. He was enveloped in warmth by just her hand touching his. Could this foreign feeling be the one that so many people had spoken about? Was he finally becoming aware of the shift? f Was the blindfold finally coming undone?

Before he could think any further, Ron's door wrenched open and his hand immediately retracted itself from above Hermione's. He found himself jumping and walking slightly away from her as if walking away from something he shouldn't be near to.

"Oh good you're out." said Ron looking oddly relieved. "Listen, mate…I know we're close and all but I'm not all too comfortable with you and Ginny alone in her bedroom…"

Ron was leading Harry roughly into his room, making it evident that he wanted to talk to Harry alone. He went along reluctantly, looking back apologetically to Hermione. However, his look went unnoticed as Hermione was looking down and slightly disappointed. He furrowed his brow in confusion before the door blocked her from view.