'Where are you going?'

Hermione's voice made Harry stop. He was walking down the stairs of the Great Hall, having just seen Snape's memories and realised what fate kept in store for him.

'You're going to the Forest, aren't you?' she asked.

Harry turned around. There she was - her face was scratched, and unclean; her hair was a mess; her clothes were ripped in several places; there was no glimmer of hope, that sparkle that was always in her intoxicating hazel eyes. His voice sounded brittle as he spoke.

'I've known for a while, and I think you have too.'

'Harry?'

'There is a reason I can hear them, the Horcruxes; there is a reason I can look into Voldemort's mind. I am a Horcrux, and you know a Horcrux needs to be destroyed in order to kill Voldemort. Ron and you know what has to be done after I am dead. Kill the snake, and then it's just him.'

'No, Harry,'

'I have to. There's no other choice.'

Tears were streaming down Hermione's face. 'I'll go with you,' she wept.

'No, Hermione, you can't. Stay here and win this battle, for me. And you'll be happy, with Ron. Trust me.'

She took the remaining few steps towards him and flung her arms around his neck.

'Oh, Harry,' she cried into his shoulder. Harry kissed the top of her head.

She pulled back and took his face in her hands, looking intently as if studying him. Harry realised he was doing the same, he was staring hungrily at her for the last time in his life. There were so many things he had to say to her, but he realised it was too late.

'Ron was never the one for me,' she whispered, looking deep into his eyes. Her face was so close to his, he felt dazed. He wanted to grab her hand and take her somewhere else, somewhere away from the battle, somewhere warm and peaceful and happy where he could whisper things to her. But such a fate was not going to come to him.

Suddenly, Hermione's lips were pressed against him. Harry's mind might have burst. She was kissing him! They were kissing, something he had wanted to do ever since their sixth year, when he had begun to fall in love with her. The kiss was slow and tender; Harry put in all his love for her into the kiss, trying to convey to her all that he wanted to say.

The glorious few moments came to an end, as do all good things. Once again Harry was surrounded by war, by rubble, by blood and dead bodies. Hermione was crying uncontrollably now. Harry hugged her for one last time and kissed her forehead.

'We'll meet again, Hermione,' he whispered into her bushy head, and with his own tears finally breaking the dam, he turned around and left. 'HARRY, wait!' Hermione screamed, running after him as fast as she could, but he quickly cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself. 'NO!' Hermione cried, dropping herself to the ground as she began to sob into her hands.