Disclaimer: I, by no means, claim to own anything remotely related to the Harry Potter Universe. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Note that this is a Harry/Hermione pairing. It is a continuation of my first story, Hold You Up, after a substantial time jump.

The story begins from the last scene in the movie HBP, when the Golden Trio are on the viewing deck after the death of Dumbledore. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

In the hours leading up to his decision to continue - or rather, begin - the hunt for the Horcruxes, two notable things happened to Harry Potter. The first was that he discovered and now believed that he had a way to defeat the Dark Lord once and for all. And the second, more morbid than the other, was the death of his mentor and guide, Albus Dumbledore. It had turned an otherwise delightful year into one shadowed in the darkness of death. What was worse, Harry believed, was that he had stood idly by and witnessed the man who had spent years tormenting him cast that Unforgivable Spell at the one man with all the answers. Harry was quite certain he would never be able to close his eyes again and not see the blinding green light.

Harry was angry. With Dumbledore, with Snape, with Draco, and with all those death eaters... but really, he was angry with himself. He had done nothing. Nothing. He absolutely hated that word. And the hardest thing to accept was that it had all been for naught. The mysterious thing he and Dumbledore had gone in search of turned out to be nothing more than a store-bought replica. He turned the locket he now knew to be a Horcrux over in his hands, disgusted with the fact that it wasn't even real. They had battled and Dumbledore had died for something so useless, Harry may as well have thrown it out into the water below him.

It took Hermione coming up behind him to stop him from acting on his thoughts. She moved to stand beside him, looking out from the edge of the viewing deck. She, like him, didn't say anything for a long time, choosing rather to put her hand over his on the rail in front of them. Then, in a steady voice, she asked the question: "Do you think he would have done it? Draco?"

Of course, Harry knew she was referring to the murder of their Headmaster. "No," Harry answered, breathing out as he did. "No, he was lowering his wand. In the end, it was Snape. It was always Snape." He took a breath, gathering himself. "And I did nothing."

Hermione looked at him, wanting to say something. Anything. But the words wouldn't come. She was feeling her own grief at Dumbledore's death, so she could only imagine what he was feeling. From the defeated look on his face, she had to know that the guilt he felt was vastly outweighing the fact that their Headmaster was gone forever.

Harry could tell she wanted to comfort him, but he wasn't sure he deserved it. So, to stop her, he handed her the faux Horcrux and said the painful words. "It's fake." He closed his eyes for a prolonged moment, forcing the hopelessness away. "Open it." Then he watched as her slender fingers worked the latch and it split open, revealing a folded piece of parchment.

Hermione sneaked a look at him before she unfolded and started to read the locket's contents. "'To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.'" She took a breath. "'I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B.'" Her fingers ran over the written initials before she looked at Harry. "R.A.B?"

He shook his head, looking particularly defeated. "Don't know. But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux." That was when he noticed Ron sitting on the steps behind them, silently listening to their exchange. He managed a slight nod. "Which means it was all a waste. All of it."

Ron tried to smile reassuringly but the sides of his mouth faltered halfway there. The red-head definitely wasn't one used to faking it.

Hermione turned to look out at the water again. There were things she wished she could say but the words weren't coming. When Harry returned to his initial position as well, he had a determined look on his face. Hermione knew it well. Whatever he was about to say; she probably wouldn't like it.

He cleared his throat, preparing himself. "I'm not coming back, Hermione," he said strongly. "I've got to finish whatever Dumbledore started. And I don't know where that'll lead me but I'll let you and Ron know where I am when I can."

It took quite a lot of will power for her not to punch him in the arm. Now was not the time. Instead, she took a breath and lifted her head. "I've always admired your courage, Harry, but sometimes you can be really thick."

He just stared at her. That was definitely not what he expected her to say.

"You don't really think you're going to be able to find all those Horcruxes by yourself, do you? Or that I would even let you?"

Harry wasn't sure what to say. The part of him that wanted him with her through it all was being overpowered by the part that wanted to keep her safe. It was hard being in love with someone during an out and out war, and he was certain he could never get over something ever happening to her.

"You need me, Harry. You need both of us."

Harry shook his head, turning his body to face her. "I can't ask you to do that."

She turned to face him as well, equally - if not more - determined. "Good. Then don't ask. You don't need to." She stepped towards him before she placed a soft kiss against his lips. "I'll always go with you, Harry. 'Til the very end."

He didn't know why he smiled. It appeared for barely a moment. Worry took over his features, and she read what he was thinking. What if Ron wouldn't go with them? As if on cue, their heads both turned to face Ron who was still sitting on the step.

"Well, don't mind me," Ron said, rising to his feet. "You'd think I would be used it by now," he added, exaggerating a shudder.

Hermione felt a certain burn in her cheeks as she stepped away from Harry, and towards the approaching Ron. "I assume you heard everything," she said matter-of-factly. "This is something we have to do."

Ron nodded. "It definitely is."

Harry needed to hear it. "Is that your way of saying you're coming with us?" he asked carefully.

The silence that followed carried a lot of weight. The trio stood facing one another, unspoken words rolling around in the spaces among them. Harry had already decided. He would go in search of the pieces of Voldemort if it was the only way to defeat him. There really was no other option. With Dumbledore gone, it really was up to him, which was a weight with which he was willing to burden himself.

Hermione had decided as well. As uncertain as the task was, there really was no other option for her. Selfishly or not, she just could not let Harry do this alone. She needed him, and he needed her. She had said it many times in the years they'd known each other: together, they could do it all. With the three of them... She halted. Ron hadn't yet said anything.

Ron was quiet right until the moment Harry and Hermione's eyes settled on him again. It happened at the same time, as if their subconscious minds decided together. He'd always envied their wavelength, especially when it led to his being left out of the conversation, but he slowly grew to accept it. His two best friends were built for each other. That much had become apparent in the last few months. Better yet, years.

"Ron?" Harry eventually asked, his voice soft and unassuming. The truth was that he wasn't sure he could handle having to do all of this without either one of him. He was just glad he hadn't actually had to admit it. Hermione could read it in his facial expressions, as she usually did.

"Harry," Ron said, quietly asking for another moment to think about what his friend was proposing. The last thing he wanted was to leave his family in the aftermath of Dumbledore's death. And Lavender. How could he leave her in all of this?

"I know it's a big decision," Harry said calmly. "I wouldn't dream of asking you to leave your family, or Lavender," he continued, as if he were reading his friend's mind. "I know I'm not giving up as much as you are, but know this, Ron, that we... I couldn't do this without you. I couldn't have done any of this without you."

Ron kept his eyes on his male best friend, trying to figure out if Harry was just saying what he thought Ron wanted to hear. That truth didn't come to light. From the look on his face and his clenched fists in anticipation; Ron could tell that Harry meant his words. Even so, it really was what Ron wanted, needed to hear. His face broke out into a wide smile. "Is this weird?" he asked, pointing at his own smile. "I mean, I get that what we're about to do is super dangerous and what not, but what you're really saying is that we're not going to be coming back to school. Get that: no school."

Hermione had to laugh at that, even as she shook her head. "Trust you to see the silver lining in all of this."

"Platinum lining, Hermione. I'm tired of playing third fiddle to your and Harry's Outstandings every time all the time. Being Acceptable has never sounded more average, you know. I've already got hoards of other Weasleys to contend with, you know."

Harry risked a smile. "So you're coming?"

He nodded. "Somebody has to bring excitement to this little trio. You two are like the same person in two bodies."

Hermione looked from Ron to Harry. "Did you hear that? He practically called us soul mates."

Ron's eyes widened. "Oh gosh, please just don't kiss again."

The three of them shared a laugh, before the reality of their lives and recent decision descended on them. It took the humour right out of the situation. They weren't about to take a vacation, as if they would enjoy their time away. No. They were going on the run, to hunt down and destroy the Horcruxes that made up the pieces of Voldemort's soul. If that didn't scare them even the slightest, then they weren't human. It didn't matter that they all embodied the courage and bravery of Gryffindor. They were still children after all. Sixteen was too young to face a task so dangerous and unpredictable.

But then again, Harry had been facing death since he could remember. He had been fighting for a decent life from the moment Voldemort had made him an orphan. And for a moment, Harry had almost reached the type of life for which he could only have hoped. Having Hermione beside him, his life had come as close as to the kind of excitingly boring he wished it was.

Harry took hold of her hand and led them back towards the edge of the viewing deck. They looked out at the beauty of Hogwarts. This place was more of his home than any other place he had encountered. He couldn't stop himself from wondering if this would be the last time he would see it. And, if he did ever see it again, would it still be this peaceful, this serene?

"I've never realised how beautiful this place is," Harry said softly, cutting into the silence.

Hermione just squeezed his hand in response, not wanting to say anything.

Ron cleared his throat behind them, making both Harry and Hermione turn back to him. Ron was grinning, even though he looked a bit fearful.

"All right, Ron?" Harry asked, confused over his friend's expression.

"Well, Harry, I was just thinking that if you get to take your girlfriend along, surely I should as well." He said it seriously, even though he was still smiling. Before Harry could say anything - not that he actually knew what he would say - Ron spoke again. "I'm kidding, of course. I'd never ask to bring Lavender along." He seemed to think about it. "She'll totally understand."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a worried look.

"She'll understand," Ron repeated. nodding his head. "Right?"

Hermione swallowed. If they knew Lavender, she definitely wouldn't. But that really wasn't what Ron needed to hear.

"Oh, definitely."

The yelling started a few minutes after Harry and Hermione left Ron at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. They had wished him good luck before sending him off to have the conversation with Lavender it was clear he was deeply dreading. They were certain the noise could be heard from the highest tower in the castle. Even the various portraits on the walls looked particularly worried.

"We should save him," Hermione said, as she and Harry sat on the steps of a changing staircase, waiting for their friend to emerge, hopefully, unscathed.

Harry had to admit that he was quite enjoying the motion. It almost allowed him to forget that the rest of the world was happening. Sitting there, drifting steadily, with Hermione so close; that was a life he would have enjoyed.

Hermione bit her bottom lip. Then, with the yelling increasing in volume, she said: "We should definitely save him."

Harry risked a smile at her worry. It was actually quite adorable. "You do realise that Lavender would just transfer her anger to both of us, right? Nobody is going to be happy about this. We'll have to bear our own disgruntled patrons by the time the day is up. Your parents included."

That thought seemed to halt her breathing. Her parents. What would she tell them? What could she tell them? In no universe, muggle or magical, would parents allow their only daughter to go hunting for Horcruxes, while fighting off death eaters left, right and centre. Better yet, she was almost sure her parents wouldn't allow her to travel alone - though not quite - with her boyfriend. Her parents really were muggles after all.

The thought almost made her smile. But then, the thought of her parents anywhere near this war was a sobering one. For a moment, Hermione allowed herself to think about what she already knew she would do; what she had to do. In that moment, her heart rate picked up. It was enough for her to realise that it was going to take a lot out of her to work up the courage to actually do it.

Well, she could have always asked Harry to do it, but she knew that he could never know. It would just add to the guilt he was constantly carrying with him.

The sound of running feet ripped her from her thoughts. She turned to see Ron suddenly stop at the top of the stairs, face red with panic. "You think maybe we could leave, like, right now?" he hurried.

Before either Harry or Hermione could react, Lavender appeared behind Ron. She looked livid. And hurt.

"I hope you're happy," Lavender said to Harry and Hermione, her voice sounding broken. "You both thought we'd never last, and I was so happy every time Ron and I proved you wrong." She stepped back. "But I suppose you really were right all along." And then she was walking away, leaving the Golden Trio in stunned silence.

Hermione recovered first, asking the question. "You broke up with her?" she asked, rather incredulously. "Why would you do that?"

Ron started to descend the staircase as he spoke. "Well, she wasn't seeing reason. She said she wouldn't let me go. She said I had to choose. You would think that wanting to save the Wizarding world would be a turn-on, but she all but lost it when I told her that I had already decided, and she just had to accept it."

Harry grimaced.

"Right," Ron said, acknowledging Harry's expression. "Poor choice of words, wasn't it? I always knew that one was mental but asking me to choose between saving the world with my two best friends and staying here to see out the end of our days in my Lavender bubble should have been a no-brainer."

Once he was seated on his own step, Harry spoke. "I'm really sorry, Ron. This was the last thing I wanted to happen."

Ron raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh really?"

Harry nodded. "I swear. I thought it might, but that doesn't mean I wanted it."

Ron just sighed. "So I'm newly single," he said, shrugging his shoulders in acceptance. "Maybe I'll meet someone at the wedding."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a look.

Ron paled. "No? Tell me we're going to wait to leave until at least after the wedding. Right?"

Harry knew they would need some time to get their affairs in order before they left. He just wasn't sure they would need that much time. But that wasn't what Ron or Hermione needed to hear.

"Oh, definitely."