Chapter Text
“I never really gave up on you,” Ginny’s words rang through Harry’s mind as the Hogwarts Express rolled its way through the Scottish countryside towards London. Despite the fact Harry knew he wouldn’t return to Hogwarts in September, his focus remained elsewhere.
Ending things with Ginny offered her the only form of protection Harry could give her while looking for horcruxes. Staying in a relationship with her, even in secret meant that whenever death eaters came looking for him if they found Ginny they would hurt her. Even though Harry knew deep down that if Voldemort himself found Ginny there wouldn’t be any hesitation to use her against him, relationship status irrelevant, he thought staying broken up could protect her from the death eaters.
“I was thinking,” Hermione begins forcing Harry to snap his attention back to the train car. “Harry you’ve got the trace on you until your birthday, and since we all promised Bill and Fleur we’d do everything to attend their wedding that we should plan on leaving the morning after the wedding.” Bill and Fleur had decided to get married despite everything happening around them. The wedding would take place the day after Harry’s 17th birthday.
Harry made a noise to protest, but Ron cut him off. “We’re going, mate. End of story.” Ron’s tone left little room for disagreement. What Ron didn’t mention was the conversation he’d had with his only sister after her breakup with Harry, where he promised he wouldn’t let Harry run off alone. “I know you think it’s all noble, going off alone, but they’ll come after us either way.”
Noticing the confusion cross Harry’s face, Ron continues. “It’s no secret we’re your best friends. Merlin knows what Malfoy’s told ‘em. Hermione can’t come back because she’s muggleborn, and I’m not about to let the two of you do this alone.” While Harry had gone off with Ginny, Ron and Hermione had agreed to stick with Harry next year. “We’re of age and we’ve been with you since the stone, so you don’t get to be stupidly noble with us.”
The language slip doesn’t come by accident. Ron knows perfectly well Ginny called Harry stupidly noble yesterday. Holding his eyes to Harry’s, Ron all but dares his best friend to challenge him. “Not to mention Hermione’s saved our asses too bloody often to leave you out there alone.” A chuckle breaks out amongst the boys, thinking of all the times Hermione pointed them in the right direction.
“As I was saying,” Hermione interjects. “I think the morning after the wedding, I’m going to spend some time devising a list of everything we could possibly need and I’ve been doing some research into charms to hide us.” The trio spends the rest of the ride back to King’s Cross plotting out what they think they’ll need. With Voldemort still out there, and both Harry and Hermione heading to live with Muggles they won’t discuss this again until they reunite in July.
Getting off the train in London, the trio hugs tightly one more time. In theory, they should see each other in just a few short weeks, but Harry knows now to never take anything for granted, especially after Dumbledore’s recent death.
Looking around, Harry knows not to expect his aunt or uncle to be waiting for him, and he knows not to expect the Order to let him just find his way back to Surrey. Which is why Remus Lupin’s presence doesn’t surprise him in the slightest.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry hug once more before they begin trickling off towards their families. Taking his time towards Lupin, Harry watches as Ginny and Ron walk towards their parents. Harry and Ginny make eye contact briefly, before the Weasley family disappears.
“Ready to go?” Lupin asks once Harry reaches him. Nodding, Harry closes his eyes as Lupin apparates them to Privet Drive.