Clarity

The Truth
The following three weeks flew by for the Seventh Years. Harry had been thrown head first into a pool of insecurity. Not only did his finals keep him on his toes, but Hermione’s new wardrobe pushed him to the edge. Every time he laid his eyes on her, her curves bewitched him. Numerous times he had been caught staring at her.

Ron caught him with his mouth hanging open the last Friday of classes. Hermione walked into the common room to meet them. All the 7th years got together for the Secret Senior Slosh, and Hermione wanted to be the hottest girl there. She knew that Ginny wasn’t going to be around to occupy Harry’s attention, so she decided to pull out the big guns.

The last three weeks Harry and Hermione studied together and flirted endlessly, but every night he crawled into bed with Ginny. Harry used it as an escape. A way to release his sexual tension the only way he could. Hermione only became more and more jealous.

Finally, she was going grab her man. She knew how Harry felt about her. It was obvious to everyone, especially her. That night she had gelled her hair in order to keep it tame, but charmed it to still remain soft and bouncy. She picked out a very short black dress. It had a deep V-neck lined with lace and sleeves that ended with lace right above her elbows. Right below her breasts the dress clung to her, but after that it flowed out nicely, ending only a few inches under her butt. She smiled at herself in the mirror and charmed the dress to not blow in the wind. No one needs to see my black, lace panties. Hermione laughed at herself and pulled down the neck of her dress a little more. Her push-up bra was doing wonders for her.

As she descended the stairs, she felt everyone’s eyes on her. Yea. That’s right, soak it up. She smiled to herself and made her way over to Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean. They were all standing together watching her walk. Harry’s mouth was hanging open. When Ron finally took his stunned eyes off of her, he jabbed Harry in the rib cage. Harry’s jaw snapped up, but it didn’t stop him from licking his lips. Holy shit. Harry thought.

“Hey boys. What time are we leaving?” Hermione said nonchalantly looking around.

Dean and Seamus only managed a few um’s and uh’s before Harry answered, “A few minutes, we’re just waiting for the rest of the group.” How did I manage to spit that out. What did I say? Harry wasn’t even aware of his actions or his speech. All he could focus on was Hermione. His eyes slowly ran up and down her tiny frame. When his eyes reached hers, he saw she was doing the same to him. He smirked. Apparently his jeans and black, designer button down did the trick. When their eyes met, Harry winked at her.

It was a few more minutes before all the Gryffindor’s were wrangled into the common room. But once everyone was there, they walked out the portrait hole and through the castle. Their destination was at the far end of the grounds; hidden by the forest around the lake, perfect for a secret party.

On their way Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione, trying to stake his claim. He whispered sweetly into her ear, “You look gorgeous tonight, Mione. I hope it was for me?” She didn’t answer him but just smiled and slipped her arm around his waste as well. He smirked and said, “I’ll take that as a yes.” And he pulled her closer to him. Even with the extreme height difference, she fit perfectly against him. He thought the close proximity felt extremely right. Like she was meant to be at his side. When she slipped her hand into his back pocket, he never wanted to let her go. As they walked to the party spot, everyone who saw them thought they were a couple. Harry didn’t care; he knew this was right for him. He knew she was right for him.

As soon as the Gryffindors met up with the other houses, Hermione was pulled off in another direction from Harry. Lavender pulled her over to the Hufflepuff drink table. Each house had ‘sponsored’ a table of alcohol. The Hufflepuffs supplied Muggle malt liquer: Smirnoffs and Mikes Hard. The Ravenclaws served Muggle beer of a variety of brands. The Slytherins had rows and rows of an unidentified green, smoking drink. Only the Slytherins would drink it. And the Gryffindors supplied the firewhisky, “If you’re brave enough,” a sign on the table stated.

Lavender handed Hermione a pomegranate flavored Smirnoff and looking at Harry stated, “Tell me you snagged him by now.”

Hermione sighed. “Not technically.” She looked in the same direction as Lavender. “I know that he’s attracted to me, but we haven’t talked about the details.” Lavender raised an eyebrow at her. “You know, Ginny - and him leaving in a week to find Voldemort.”

Lavender shivered at the name and looked back at Harry. “Fuck it all, Hermione. Get pissed tonight and fuck it all. He’s yours tonight, she’s not around.”

Just then Harry looked over at Lavender and Hermione. He raised his eyebrows at their deliberate staring and then winked at the two of them. “Oh Merlin. Lav, I’m in love.” The two idly talked about end of the year and graduation the next day. Laughing once and a while, not paying attention to anything in particular.

Harry, on the other hand, was definitely paying attention. He was hoping that the breeze would blow a gust of wind in Hermione’s direction and catch her excruciatingly short dress up to expose her panties. Maybe she’s wearing a thong. Nah. Mione’s not a slag. She’s probably just wearing cotton undies. He sighed and continued staring. Ron came over to his side and followed his gaze. When his eyes too landed on Hermione, Ron chuckled, “Well. Are you going to do this or what, Harry?”

Caught off guard by Ron’s presence, he almost knocked over the shots of firewhisky Ron was holding. He took one of the glasses and replied, “There’s nothing to do, Ron. I’m with your sister.” His eyes were still watching Hermione. His heart beat a little faster at the sight of her smile and the distant sound of her laughter.

In all seriousness, still watching Hermione too, Ron answered. “Normally I wouldn’t condone this, and especially not with my sister, but fuck it all, Harry. You’re leaving in a week and we all know you love her. Fuck it all.”

Harry’s eyes became dark as he watched a Slytherin starting to chat up Hermione. He strained to hear what he was saying, to know why she was smiling. “Well apparently not everyone, Ron.”

“Go take care of that shit, mate. But first,” he held up his shot glass, “to having each other’s back for all 7 years. It was a ride, Harry. A great ride.” Harry nodded. They clinked the glasses and threw back the burning liquid. Ron chocked on the after affects, but Harry was determined and single minded. He needed to get that damn Slytherin, Blaise? Is that Blaise?, away from his Mione. Ron clapped him on the back and turned to talk to Seamus.

Harry took a breath and strutted over to Hermione, Lavender, and Blaise. “Hey.” He said calmly. Harry stepped in between Lavender and Hermione and placed a protective arm around both of their waists. “Having fun, mate?” He directed that question too Blaise; it was dripping with disdain.

“Yea, Potter. I was just asking Hermione here if she wanted to go for a little walk.” Blaise took Hermione’s hand and motioned his head to the forest.

“She doesn’t.” Harry answered. He didn’t make a move to release Blaise’s hand from Hermione’s, but his tone should have indicated such.

“I wasn’t asking you, Potter.”

“I answered nonetheless.” He pulled Hermione closer to him causing her hand to drop from Blaise’s. Holy crap this is hot, Hermione thought stealing a quick glance and smirk at Lavender. She returned it and knew exactly what Hermione was thinking. Hermione wrapped an arm around Harry’s waist and slid her hand back into the back pocket of his jeans.

Blaise’s eyes turned dark grey in anger. “Potter, why don’t we ask her?”

Before Hermione had a chance to argue her wants, Malfoy walked up beside Blaise. “Is there a problem here?”

“Not at all, Malfoy. Why don’t you take your mate here and go back to your table?” Harry suggested. From across the small field Ron saw a confrontation brewing. Knowing he was probably needed, he motioned to Dean and Seamus to go with him to the scene.

“I think you should let him be, Potter. Before the rest of the table comes over here and makes you.” Malfoy sneered.

Hermione moved closer to Harry to find comfort in this confrontation. Sensing her fear he stayed calm and rubbed his thumb along her side. He felt her muscles relax a bit. Ron, Dean, and Seamus had just arrived. Together the four of them towered over the two Slytherins in height and build.

“Or,” Harry answered calmly, “You could take your friend back your table and ask your own girls to take a walk in the forest. Just a thought.” Harry shrugged to add effect.

Malfoy’s face burned with anger. He took a step toward Harry who quickly moved the girls behind him. He felt Ron move them further back into the crowd and then step up to his side and say, “They are Gryffindors, Malfoy. Back the fuck off.” Malfoy took another step forward with a clenched fist causing Dean and Seamus to stand beside Ron and Harry. Ron continued, “Either you back off now or you’ll have a shiny black eye for your graduation photos with mummy.” He shrugged. “Your choice.”

Malfoy had lost a lot of clout the past couple of years. The Slytherin Quidditch team was the worst of the four, his father had gone into hiding with Voldemort, and even some of his friends had become his enemies. Malfoy knew he was in a losing battle. So without another word he tapped Blaise on the shoulder and walked backward out of the confrontation with his hands raised in surrender. Not until he was back with his house did the Gryffindors relinquish their position.

They turned around and Harry immediately found Hermione. “You ok?” He put both of his hands on her waist and looked down at her seriously.

“I’m completely fine. I only got a little nervous when Malfoy came over. I can handle guys hitting on me you know.”

Harry nodded and pulled her into a hug. “But I can’t.” He whispered and placed the smallest of kisses on her neck. Her heart pounded against her chest and she buried her head into his neck. They stayed in that position, with him holding her, for a few more seconds. The scene was interrupted when Ron handed them a shot of firewhisky.

He held it up, and Harry and Hermione realized all of the Gryffindors were doing the same. “To the last idiotic fight with Malfoy. To the last Friday night as students. And to getting pissed and fucked.” He looked at Harry and winked. The whole group cheered and threw back the shot.

Before the 7th years were too drunk to properly do magic, Luna (who was graduating with them due to her independent studies over the summer and through the year) decided to make a bonfire. It took considerable less time with magic, in a matter of seconds they had Summoned wood and the fire was blazing. The students stood around the fire and marveled at its intensity for a while. Then they broke off from their larger groups within their houses, and started to socialize within the different houses.

Four shots of firewhisky chased with a beer, later, a different Ravenclaw conjured up large speakers and magically it started to play Muggle music. With the large group of graduates completely sloshed and loud music being pumped over the speakers, the party really started.

Hermione was talking and dancing with Lavender again, when she felt someone start dancing extremely close behind her. Normally, if she was sober, she would have frozen and turned around immediately to see who it was. Her instincts, and Lavender’s smile, told her exactly who it was. She leaned back onto his chest, causing her butt to get closer to his groin. She ran her fingers through his hair and he whispered, “You look so sexy tonight.” It was Harry, she had already known, but his husky voice confirmed it.

Hermione giggled, and Harry’s hands moved from her hips to her thighs. She sighed and leaned back against him more. Their hips moved rhythmically together to the Muggle R&B music, and Harry was becoming more aroused by the minute. Her butt pushed harder against him causing him to growl in her ear and nip at her neck. With the amount of alcohol in him, he forgot all about propriety and Ginny. When the song ended and blended into a more upbeat song, Dean had come over to dance with Lavender, so Harry whipped Hermione around to face him. He smiled seductively at her and pulled her close to him. He tangled his fingers of one of his hands in her hair, and moved the other one slowly down her body. He loved every thing about her. He loved the way her hair felt, the way her skin felt beneath his hands, and the way their bodies moved perfectly together. He loved the way she smiled up at him, wrapped her hands around his neck to pull him closer, and the twisted her hips to turn him on. He closed his eyes and pictured her in the library, where they were two days ago, and he even loved her with her hair pinned back with a pencil, quill in hand, and scribbling out notes for later review. She was amazing. She was perfect. He was in love.

When the song slowed into the next, the two Gryffindors clung to each other as Harry led them through the dance. He hummed the tune without realizing it, and played with her curly locks. “Mione?”

Without looking up she responded, “Yea, Harry?”

“Lets go for a walk.”

She looked up at him and smiled, “Sure.” As he pulled her away from the crowd, she couldn’t help by smile. She was going to walk through the forest with the man she loved. She knew nothing could make this night better. Well unless he dumps Ginny.

Soon Harry had brought them down a path that was far from the group. They could hear the music and the laughter of the students, but no one was nearby. When Harry decided on a spot, leaning up on a huge, rooted tree, he pulled Hermione to him. Their bodies were so close Hermione could smell his sweat. It smelt sweet, and when she kissed his neck lightly, testing the waters, she discovered it tasted sweet as well. She figured Harry approved of her kiss because the minute she did it he moaned her name. His voice was lower and huskier than she had ever heard. For a moment she thought whether he got that way with Ginny, but she dismissed it and continued to kiss his neck lightly. His hands were holding her close at the small of her back, and she could feel his excitement pressed up against her leg. After she had fully covered his neck with kisses and he had yet to move, she placed her forehead on his chest and sighed. She loved being this close to him, feeling his muscles under her fingers. “Mione?” Harry asked again.

“Yea, Harry?” She answered.

“I think I’m in love with you.” Hermione’s head shot up and looked directly into his green eyes.

“Your what?” She was flabbergasted.

“In love with you.” He said a little unsure. He pushed her back a little bit so he could look at her reaction. “I know we haven’t talked about this and the last month has just been flirting and inferring, but I’m in love with you. I can’t get enough of you. I want to be around you all the time. I love just sitting and studying with you, and I’d do it for hours if it was the only way I could see you. I dream about kissing you and touching you and making love to you. I want to be around you to protect you, but also to make you smile. I want you to be the one that crawls into bed beside me at night, and comforts me when I have a horrible dream. I want you. I love you.”

He sighed nervously, but he didn’t move. He didn’t want to let her go, he didn’t want to see her run away. He needed her to say something, to give him some direction on her thoughts. Could he have just been someone to flirt with? Did she not feel the same? She just stared at him, seemingly scared out of her mind. “Mione?” He asked, tightening his hold around her.

“Oh, Harry.” She started.

He couldn’t take it. “You don’t feel the same way, do you? Oh Merlin, Mione. I’m so sorry, I don’t want to mess–” He was cut off by the feeling of her finger on his lips.

“Shut up, Harry.” She stated bluntly. “I’m so in love with you it’s not even funny.” Harry smiled and nuzzled his face to her neck. She continued, “I have loved you for two years now. You and Ginny started to be together before I could tell you and then you looked so happy with her. I couldn’t step in. I was so jealous of her, and that’s why I stopped being friends with her. I just wanted you to myself. I still can’t have you.”

“You can.” He whispered into her neck and then started to kiss and lick it passionately. “You can have me. I promise. I love you.”

Hermione pushed back from him, “How Harry? How when you’re with Ginny and you’ve been shagging her every day for the last month? We can’t both have you.” She was a little annoyed, and her drunkenness showed the enormity of her emotions.

“I love you, Mione. Ginny and I have something going on is all. But I’m yours. I just need to feel you close to me.” He started to kiss her neck again and moved up her chin to her cheeks, kissed over her eyelids and down her nose. He finally found her lips, and he took them passionately. He kissed her with every ounce of love he had, and she kissed right back. He traced his tongue along hers and heard her moan into his mouth. He flicked his tongue on the top of her mouth and felt the slick sides of her teeth. She tasted of candy and Firewhiskey, and it drove him wild. Her hands tangled in his disheveled hair and stopped him from moving his head. He moved his hands down to cup her butt. Her dress was so short that his hands easily slid under it, and he felt the fabric of her panties and her smooth, enticing skin. He groaned out loud, Lace?! Wasn’t expecting that. He was over come with want and pulled her closer to his erection. He wanted to feel her naked skin next to his, make love to her right there in the forest. But he knew he’d have to wait until Ginny and him were completely over.

For now he settled for the kisses - the perfect, never ending kisses. Finally they broke apart gasping for air. Harry rested his head on the tree, and Hermione dropped hers onto his chest. I just kissed Harry. I just fucking kissed Harry. It was amazing.

“Wow.” Harry gasped. His kisses with Ginny never felt like that, even at the start of their relationship. He had never been so aroused, yet so in love at the same time. Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione’s shoulders and shifted her head beneath his chin. If they were going to go back to the party, he was going to have to calm down.

“Wow, good? Or wow, bad?” Hermione whispered into his chest, unsure of herself. She had been in heaven just then. She had floated among the clouds, and she was still slowly coming down.

“Definitely good. No.” Harry said into her hair. “Amazing. Wow, amazing.” He kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers up and down her arms. Her skin was so smooth, so delicate, and the feeling of it sent shivers up his spine.

“Yea.” Hermione giggled. “Amazing.”

The two of them stayed cuddled together for some time, longer than Harry needed to relax from his erection. They talked a little, especially about what Hermione was going to do after graduation.

“Are you going back to the Muggle world?” Harry wondered out loud.

“I’m going to live there. My parents found a small house for me in Surry near them. But I’m working in the Ministry, as a potion researcher.”

Harry laughed, “Are you sure you’re not in love with Snape, Mione?” She hit his arm and laughed a little. He continued, “No. Seriously, Mione that’s great. I wish I had the chance to follow my dreams.” He sighed.

Hermione looked straight into his eyes and said, “You will. You’re going to find Voldemort and end this once and for all, and then…you’ll follow your dream. What is your dream? An auror?”

“Hell no.” Harry and Hermione now started to walk back to the party. It was really late and they had been gone for quiet some time, long enough to start to sober up. “After a lifetime of fighting evil, I want to let other people do that when he’s dead. I want to play Quidditch. I know it’s completely brainless, but I want to be happy for the rest of my life, not stressed.”

Hermione smiled, “Sounds perfect.” Cause you’ll always be in shape and I’ll be able to feel your muscles under me every night. Oh Merlin what am I saying? He hasn’t even said he’s going to leave Ginny. “Harry, about Ginny…” She didn’t really know how to approach the topic, so she just trailed off. She looked at Harry who had stopped and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“There are some things going on that I haven’t told you about, and can’t really.” Hermione went to back away from him, but he secured her to him. “All that means it’s going to require a full discussion with her, not just a simple goodbye.” Harry kissed her on the forehead.

“Ok Harry. I trust you. Just..” Hermione blushed and looked away from him, “no sex, please.”

Harry smiled and stooped a little lower to nuzzle his nose into her neck. He loved smelling the soft, honey scent of her skin. “Never again.” And he kissed her lightly on the neck.

They released from their embrace and continued the short journey back to the party. The party was starting to dwindle, and Harry and Hermione couldn’t see any of their friends. So he wrapped his arm around her waist once more, and together they walked up to the castle. They walked slowly, not ready to give up the night just yet. When they finally made it to the common room, no one was there.

Standing in front of the girl’s dormitory staircase, Harry pulled her close to his body, looked her deep in eyes, and said, “Sweet dreams, Mione.” And he bowed his head to her lips and gave her the most loving kiss she had ever known. He moved back from the kiss and placed one of his hands on her cheek, kissed her forehead and watched her ascend the stairs. With a smile on his face, he trotted up to his room.

He laughed as he undressed to just his boxers. Ron, Dean and Seamus were passed out on their beds, fully clothed. Luna, sound asleep next to Ron, had at least changed into a pair of Ron’s boxers, but she was still wearing her shirt from the party. Harry shook his head and crawled into bed.

He was half between being awake and asleep when he heard the door creak open. At first he thought it was Neville, so he left it be, but then he felt his covers being lifted and a small naked body slip into his bed.

He almost called out her name, praying it was his Mione. But the body said, “Did you miss me tonight, Harry? I missed you.” His eyes snapped open to see Ginny lying next to him. He felt her hand run down his chest and touch his soft member. He wasn’t even turned on by her presence. He wanted her to leave; he had to make her leave.

“Ginny, I’m far to drunk to get it up tonight. I think you should go back to your own room.” He tried.

“We’ve never had that problem before.” She stated and started to kiss his neck. Again, he was turned off by the whole ordeal and only thought about his promise to Hermione. He needed to get her to leave.

He removed her hand from his groin, still not hardening, and stated, “I think you should go back to your own room. I’m not in the mood.”

She was pissed. He had spent the entire night out, drink and partying, and now he was denying her. He probably danced and flirted with Hermione all night. She thought. Then she replied, sitting up, “Well you can fuck me every day for the past three weeks except for tonight? Fine. I’ll go to the next room and ask Colin to please me.”

Harry rolled her eyes at her immaturity and replied, “I’ve heard quite he’s good actually.” And he rolled over and closed his eyes.

“Well, I have never been so insulted in my life, Harry.” She was starting to raise her voice now, grabbing her clothes and putting them on. “What has gotten into you tonight?”

Harry shrugged in the dark, “Just not into it, Ginny. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

“Yes. You definitely will.” She stormed out of the room.

Apparently Ron had woken up because he sleepily slurred, “Way to piss her off, mate. Did you get with Hermione?”

Harry smiled at the memory of their kiss. “Almost.” He heard Ron sigh and start snoring again. Harry wasn’t in any position to break Hermione’s heart, he held up his promise. He’d tell Ginny after the graduation.

Graduation went incredibly smoothly. Hermione, as first in their class, spoke eloquently on chasing after dreams and becoming who they were went to be. She told their friends and family that the dark rode ahead ended with bright light, and the crowd felt the truth in her statement. She found Harry instantly in the crowd, locked eyes with him and ended her speech, “Our destiny is more than we are capable of knowing. I challenge all of you to find the hidden secrets.”

Harry shuddered in the intensity of her words. He missed all of Dumbledore’s short speech, because he couldn’t take his eyes off Hermione. He took in her beauty, almost missing the cap toss. Ron jabbed him in the stomach as he stood up. Harry snapped back into reality and grinned broadly at the thought of graduating school. Hogwarts had been his home for seven years, and he was looking forward to finding another.

Together the graduates threw their caps up in the air and cheered at their freedom. Harry grabbed Ron and laughing pulled him into a brotherly hug. He did the same to Neville, Dean, and Seamus. Done with school. He smiled. He gave Lavender and Pavarti small hugs to congratulate them and left to find Hermione.

“Looking for me?” Hermione giggled from behind him.

He spun around and took her into a huge, loving hug. “Your speech was perfect!” He kissed her temple and brushed a stray hair out of her face. He wanted so desperately to kiss her, but he knew he was teetering on the edge as it was. “You looked beautiful up there, Mione. Your speech put Dumbledore’s to shame.”

Hermione blushed and thanked him. He was going to continue complimenting her when he heard Ginny calling his name over the crowd. He sighed, kissed Hermione’s forehead as she frowned. “I have to go, you know that.” He gave her a small smile and made his way to find Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys.

Not long after Hermione followed him and Mrs. Weasley gave her smothering hug filled with pride and love. Together the large group of biological and ‘adopted’ Weasleys made their way to the edge of the grounds to apparate back to the burrow. Ginny tried to wrap her arm around Harry’s waist, but he calmly removed it. Even if Hermione hadn’t been there, he still wouldn’t have wanted it there. He had to tell her soon.

Unfortunately he was forced to act like her loving boyfriend all afternoon. He dodged kisses from Ginny and stole glances at the fuming Hermione, trying to send her apologetic glances. Ginny eventually gave up trying. Harry figured she thought he was upset about the night before. Ginny however saw every glance to Hermione. She stopped trying, because she silently started to prepare her angered speech for Harry. She sighed to herself in frustration.

Finally the guests started to leave. Ron, who had bought a flat with Luna, left with her for their first night in their new place. The older Weasley brothers made their way back to their flats and homes. And Hermione left soon after, giving a brief hug to Harry and the remaining Weasleys, promising to keep in touch. She left to go to her new home in Surry. Harry wished that he had a chance to kiss her and hold her before she left, but Ginny’s close proximity left no opportunity.

When everyone left and Mrs. Weasley had shooed Ginny and Harry off so she could clean up the mess, Ginny took his hand and led him up to her room. She closed the door and pushed him on to the bed. She started to unbutton her summer dress, when Harry stopped her.

“Ginny. No.” He got up from the bed and ran his fingers through his hair nervously.

“What’s going on Harry? This is the second time you turned me down.” She snapped at him.

Harry sighed. “I can’t lie to you anymore. I’m not happy, Ginny.”

“What are you talking about, Harry? How can I make you happy if you keep refusing me?” Ginny’s blazed with fury. She dropped to her bed, slowly buttoning her dress again. “It’s Hermione isn’t it? That bitch.”

“Yes.” Harry gritted his teeth in anger. “She’s not a bitch. Sex isn’t all a relationship is supposed to be. If that’s all you think it takes to make me happy, you’re sadly mistaken. It’s been Hermione for a while now, Ginny. She makes me happy and I haven’t even had sex with her.” Harry’s temper rose. “I feel lost with out her around. When I’m with you, I just want to get away! The truth is,” The truth? Harry thought as he paused, No longer let the truth hide! The truth is I love Hermione. “The truth is,” Harry started again, this time a little calmer. “I love her.”


Ginny had tears in her eyes and her face matched her flaming red hair. “You love her? How can you love her? You and I supposed to be together. I’m supposed to give you an heir. I COULD BE PREGNANT, HARRY!”

“I never said I wouldn’t support you, Ginny!” Harry was doing his best to control the situation. He should have expected a reaction like this. He had been naïve in thinking she would take it with stride. “Look. I’m sorry that your hurt, and I’ve changed your plans. But I can’t live my life pretending to love you any longer. I’m going to leave in a week. I’m going to do what I can to end this war. And if I come back, I’ll deal with the consequences then. But right now, we’re done.”

Ginny wiped the tears from her cheeks in anger. “Merlin, Harry. I hope you two are very happy together, you bastard.” She spit out at him. “Get out of my house.”

Harry didn’t need any encouragement. He left Ginny’s room, slamming the door behind him and ran up the stairs to Ron’s old room. With a flick of his wand he had packed all of his belongings in his trunk. Using the Weasley’s owl he quickly wrote Hermione a note:

Mione,
I’ll be there in an hour.
Yours – H.