A/N ~ Hey besties. Hope u all are doing well, enjoy the chapter :))

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"Ron! Hey- Ron! What are you talking about-?"

"I'm going into the woods! Just letting you know- stay back here-"

"Hell no, Weasley. If you're going, I'm going."

"Y/N, listen-" Ron finally stopped and turned back to Y/N, who was jogging after him, slightly out of breath. He grabbed her wrist to stop her. "If this is a trap, they'll want you, not me."

"I'm not staying behind!" Y/N said firmly, flicking off his grip. "Your life is not any less valuable than mine!"

"No," Ron snapped back, frowning deeply. "You're staying. One down is better than two."

"You've got to be kidding me,"

"We're going to lose it!" Ron raised his voice, pointing towards the woods. Y/N scowled. "I have to follow the doe- now. If I don't come back in half an hour, leave. Or get help."

"You're being stupid! Like- actually, this time," Y/N shot at him, but Ron didn't listen.

He turned on his heel and scrambled his way through the snow, deeper into the woods.

"Ron! Ron! Oh, you'd wish you didn't make it back, Ronald Weasley!" Y/N yelled after him.

The last she saw was the ankle of his boot, as the Weasley disappeared out of sight.

On one hand, Y/N wanted to run after him and probably beat him up for waking her up just to force her to stay behind.

But what use would that be? He'd just waste more time talking her out of it and by then, whatever he was after would be gone.

She stood in the middle of the snow-frosted clearing, staring after Ron's footprints.

When he'd told her about the doe patronus, she didn't believe him at first.

The only person she knew who had a doe patronus was herself. And she was well asleep when he'd spotted it.

It couldn't be a stag, Ron made it very clear it had no antlers.

It couldn't be a trap either, for patronuses can't be forced into a specific form.

"Screw that," she murmured under her breath and rolled her eyes, then made her way back into her tent grumpily, stomping in the snow along the way.

She realized just how cold it was outside and threw on another coat over her sweater.

And as usual, whenever she was stressed or bored, she turned on the radio.

The radio crackled and blabbered out inaudible words for a good minute before Y/N decided to switch it off again.

She let out a noise of frustration and managed to hit her hand on the table in fury, which did nothing but cause her knuckles a paroxysm of pain.

"AHHH-"

Y/N ducked low and threw her arms over her head.

A lamp above her head had exploded into oblivion, making small glass particles rain all over her.

Her eyes stung with the stain her powers and blood rushed to her face, as she realized that she had caused it to explode.

Great. Now she's alone and in the dark. The sun hasn't risen yet.

Y/N decided it was best for her to go back to bed so she wouldn't end up setting the forest on fire.

Plus, she'd wake up to the satisfaction of Ron's defeated expression.

After all, the 'doe' could just be a figment of his imagination.

She threw her wand onto the camping table and curled into her warm bed, scowling into the darkness.

She pulled her blanket over her head and tried to take deep calming breaths, but they turned out as sighs.

Although she managed to calm herself down minutes later, there was no way she was going back to sleep again.

Her eyes refused to shut down and there were butterflies in her stomach. Bad ones. Moths. Pigeons.

How was it fair Ron got to do all the adventure? Y/N was supposed to be dead. Or captured. No one would pay attention to her identity.

If anyone was in danger, it was him. He was supposed to be lying in bed, at home, with spattergroit.

After long minutes of endless tossing and turning, Y/N came to a stop and realized how much time had passed.

Why would Ron's imaginary pet doe take up that much time?

Did he find something important? If so, he would've come back already, wouldn't he? To tell her?

The forest was quiet and practically deserted... if there was any trouble, Y/N doubted she wouldn't hear it.

Suddenly, as though Y/N had manifested it, a distant, bellowing, horrible cry rang through the icy air of the Forest of Dean.

Y/N gasped and sat right up, looking around in panic.

By the time she was sitting up right, the roar was gone. When it came to the negatives, her mind was unnecessarily creative.

Could it be a werewolf? Dementor? A pack of dementors?

The cry was terrifying, and it sounded like death.

It was quite faint, but somehow, Y/N's heart rumbled from its waves.

"Ron," she whispered, eyes wide.

She quickly sprang out of bed and grabbed her wand, dashing out of her tent and into the dusk.

She ran through the snow-covered paths, not really knowing where it'd lead her.

With the forest's infinite paths, it was nearly impossible for Y/N to know which one Ron took.

Knowing what to do, she pulled out Dumbledore's golden compass and slid the lid off.

She looked down at the thin arrow and followed down the path it was pointing towards.

"Ron!" she bellowed, turning around in every direction as she scurried through the forest. "Ron, where are you-?"

At this point, she didn't even care if the thing that got Ron heard her. Hell, she wanted it to hear her.

If something happened to him- her heart twisted from the thought- she would never forgive herself. She broke into a run.

"Come on, Ron," she whispered, almost desperately.

She stumbled into a clearing, panting and gripping her stomach. She realized, with surprise, it was not a clearing but a frozen pond.

What surprised her even more, was that the pond was disturbed.

There was a gaping hole in the middle, big enough to fit Hagrid through, revealing dark water beneath the thick surface that still swished and swayed.

Y/N spotted a body, far to the left side of the pond, near the bushes.

Ron was breathing heavily, his face so pale that it looked yellow. He was drenched in icy water and he was holding a magnificent sword- but that was Y/N's least concern.

"Ron! Thank Merlin!" Y/N let out a relieved breath.

She struggled through the surface of the pond, slipping and stumbling along the way, and reached the ill-looking Ron Weasley.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Y/N demanded, falling to her knees next to Ron's frail body.

"Y/N," Ron said faintly, staring at her. "You're- you're here... What are you doing here? I told you to-"

"What happened?" Y/N repeated fiercely, and fought the urge to shake him in case he had a concussion.

By the look on Ron's face, Y/N knew he sensed the anger and fury from her.

"Behind... you..." Ron whispered.

Y/N abruptly jumped to her feet and turned around, her wand out and ready.

Whatever it was, she was willing to fight it to death.

But what she saw didn't trigger her fight or flight. Well, maybe it did... just a little bit.

There was no mistaking it. Though his hair was dripping pond water, as well as his clothes, and his face was almost as white as the snow, Y/N could recognize him from an ocean away.

Harry had stood up from behind a giant rock, shaking from head to toe. He was looking at Y/N with an expression she'd never seen before. Not on Harry, anyway.

"Harry?" Her voice was barely recognizable.

She stared at Harry for a moment, to make sure it was really him.

Oh, how she wanted to melt in her spot and cry with happiness. How she wanted to hug him, even though she felt like she didn't deserve it.

Once, not long ago, a boy had told her she was his sunset. He didn't know, however, that he was her stars and planets.

Once, not long ago, they were just two young wizards that were splendidly in love. And they never fell out of it.

But she'd understand... she'd prepared herself to understand... that she had caused the months of confusion and betrayal.

She looked down at Ron, who was now smiling at her encouragingly.

Y/N looked away from him quickly and then back at Harry, her wand raised at him.

"It's him! It's really him- I checked..." Ron quickly said, now standing up beside Y/N.

Harry stepped forwards carefully, his face ghost-like. He moved slowly, as though he thought Y/N would vanish if he moved too swiftly.

But Y/N was there... she was actually there.

She was no longer looking at him, but at the ground, hugging her wand to her chest.

"I know what you're going to say," she started. Harry wanted to grab for her voice. "that I... that it was stupid of me. Irresponaible... selfish..."

Harry continued to step closer, his lips parted and his eyes glistening. Y/N didn't think she could stand it if he was any closer.

"I wanted to give you your best chance," Y/N continued, not able to meet Harry's eyes. "It cost me consequences, but I don't regret it. You've been safe, haven't you?"

"Y/N, come off it. He's just happy to see you," Ron whispered sympathetically, but Y/N didn't hear him.

Y/N glimpsed up at Harry, who was now towering over her, looking at her as though she was a miracle. In a way, she was. Y/N found herself shrinking guiltily in her boots.

"Harry, I know," She said relentlessly, shame and embarrassment flooding over her. "Just say it... I'd be damned if you feel no resentment."

As he took a step closer to her, awkwardly yet majestically like always, Y/N felt herself go smaller and smaller in shame.

Before she could shy away, Harry got hold of her face in his hand. Y/N had no choice but to face him.

She wouldn't be surprised if she was crying. Her face grew hot with thousands of emotions.

Harry gently ran his thumb across her bottom lip, staring at her in greatest disbelief.

"I'd be damned if I ever stopped loving you." Harry was so close to her, caressing her face in his hand and taking in her beautiful details.

Y/N closed her eyes and let the feeling of him sink in. His hand was cold- freezing, in fact- but he felt like home. He felt like love and warm fireplaces.

A warm tear ran down Y/N's cheek as she opened her eyes to his presence again.

He was smiling ever so gently, as he brushed the tear away from her face.

Harry didn't want to scare her. He didn't know what she'd been through. He just wanted her to know she was safe.

He pulled her in close, into his arms, shielding her body from the dangers of the world, and let her rest her head in his chest. He could hear her small sigh of relief.

He missed how her arms tightened around his torso when she hugged him. He wasn't sure who needed the hug more.

"You'd scare me to death, one of these days, Harry Potter..." Y/N half smiled half sobbed into his chest.

"At least you'd die knowing you're the reason I ever got to live." Harry grinned over her head, one hand around her waist and the other at the back of her head.

"Well, glad that's out of the way," Ron said with a sigh.

"Oh, come in here Ron," Y/N laughed.

"On it,"

Ron, the tallest of them all, wrapped them up in his Weasley hug and the three of them were nothing but happy again, at that moment.

Y/N wished that happiness would last forever.

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The walk back to Harry and Hermione's camp was heavy with unspoken emotions.

Harry watched as Y/N walked, almost mesmerizingly. There was so much he wanted to say to her and ask her.

He still didn't know what she's been through these few months. Didn't think if it was worth reminding her.

All the questions and concerns were for later.

He simply wanted her to feel love and safety, protect her at all costs.

He didn't know exactly where to start, so he simply held onto her hand and kept on planting kisses on her head.

Y/N was smiling, glancing between Ron, who walked ahead of them, the ground, and Harry.

He was one of those things that made her speechless in the best way possible.

"-I mean, I really did that," Ron kept on going, not looking back at them for a second. "One moment it was the scariest thing ever, then- I don't know what got into me- but I just stabbed it."

"Another Horcrux out of the way, then," Y/N said with an exhausted sigh. "Four more to go."

Harry squeezed her hand, trying to tell her not to worry about it right now.

Y/N looked up at him and winked, smiling warmly at him with her Y/N Scamander smile.

Harry sighed as he was greeted with the familiar feathery feeling in his stomach.

He didn't feel like he deserved her smile, nor her hand-holding. She'd been alone all those months because of him.

Ron continued to blabber ahead of them about the Horcrux he's just demolished, talking to himself more than anything.

"Harry... you don't reckon it could've been Dumbledore?" Y/N suddenly said.

"Dumbledore what?"

"Could the patronus you saw be Dumbledore's?" Y/N knew it was obviously impossible, but anything was possible with Dumbledore. Harry looked confused.

"I thought you cast it," he said with a frown. "Isn't your patronus a doe?"

"What... no!" Y/N immediately grew wary. "I mean yeah, my patronus is a doe... but that wasn't me, Harry. I was asleep."

They fell into a confused silence.

Y/N wasn't there to see the patronus, but she was sure no one could ever mistake a patronus for something else.

A patronus can't be created without a caster. That only meant one thing.

They weren't alone.

"What have I dragged you into?" Harry shook his head, sighing in exhaustion.

"A pretty exciting life, to be honest," Y/N shrugged, "Crucial... and extremely dangerous, but it's one I'd like to keep."

"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled, his face still and thoughtful. "I'm sorry for putting you in that- whatever you went through... I know I don't have the right to say this, but I promise I'll make sure you're safe with me."

"I'm not scared, Harry," Y/N clarified, shaking her head as though he'd just recited a dad joke. "I'm with you."

The rest of the walk was pure silence. Not awkward, nervous silence, but beautiful and peaceful silence... apart from Ron's voice, of course.

"Just this left, Ron," said Harry, finally, gesturing towards the sound of rushing water.

"Oh- alright... um..." Ron suddenly became nervous. He slowed down a bit and Y/N and Harry finally caught up with him.

"What's wrong?" Y/N asked the Weasley.

"Nothing- nothing's wrong," Ron said swiftly. "Just... well, what's Hermione been saying about me, Harry?"

"Ron, don't be stupid, she'll be more than delighted to see you." Harry rolled his eyes. "Go on,"

Ron looked hesitantly at him, then gathered up his courage and took in a deep breath, before continuing forwards confidently.

Y/N and Harry grinned at each other and followed him close behind. Y/N missed this.

With a wave of his wand, by the river ahead of them, Harry took down the protection charms and enchantments, revealing a single tent and a dead bonfire.

That was why Y/N and Ron couldn't find them all this time.

"You know what-" Ron abruptly stopped in his tracks, causing Y/N and Harry to crash right into him. "You two can... lead the way. Hermione'll be more relieved to see you, Y/N."

"Fine, fine," Harry said grimly and walked past him, still clutching Y/N's hand. "You'll see..."

Just as Harry was walking towards the tent, the flaps were rolled open.

He stopped, as Hermione stepped out of it. Her look of confusion was almost amusing to Y/N.

She looked tired, her under eyes dark and her bushy hair all over the place.

She looked at Harry and was about to open her mouth to speak, but then she saw Y/N.

Hermione squealed, her hands jumping to her mouth.

It was unlike Hermione to be so careless, but at that moment, she didn't even consider if Y/N was a Death Eater in disguise. She dashed forwards with no hesitation.

Y/N beamed as the girl threw her arms around her and embraced her tightly, almost knocking Y/N off her feet.

"You came back! Oh, Y/N, you came back and you're alright!" Hermione exclaimed into her ear.

Y/N couldn't help but laugh as she squeezed her best friend back.

"I've missed you, Hermy." she smiled, patting Hermione on the back.

"I can't believe this!" Hermione exclaimed in disbelief. "What happened? Are you alright? God, I'm so glad you're alright! Y/N!"

"And look who tagged along..."

Y/N stepped aside and gestured dramatically towards the redhead behind her.

Ron was grinning from ear to ear, his hair still damp against his head.

Hermione pulled away from Y/N and her look of delight and confusion was wiped away, once she spotted Ron.

Her brown eyes grew wide before they narrowed.

"Hey," Ron said cheerfully.

Hermione stared for a second, as though she was considering something life-changing. Then, she strode towards Ron in huge, striking steps.

Ron was so ready and excited to be greeted by the hug Hermione gave to Y/N... but the hug never came.

"You-!" Hermione shoved him, hard, and he stumbled back a few steps. Harry and Y/N gasped. "Complete- arse, Ronald Weasley!"

Y/N and Harry gaped in shock at the scene in front of them.

Hermione grabbed a handful of dried leaves on the floor and thrust them at Ron, who backed away, terrified.

"You show up here after weeks!" She shrieked. "And you say 'hey'?"

She glared at him, making sure he was aware of how upset he'd made her. It baffled Y/N how quick Hermione can go from being delighted to throwing leaves. Ron gulped.

Hermione whirled back at Harry and Y/N, who jumped slightly.

"Where's my wand, Harry?" she snapped at him. "Where's my wand?"

"I dunno," Harry said quickly, backing away.

"Harry Potter, you give me my wand-!"

"I dunno, I don't have it-!"

"Alright," Y/N laughed nervously, grabbing Hermione and holding her back from attacking either of them. Hermione thrashed in her arms. "Mione, calm..."

"How come he's got you're wand?" Ron questioned, and Y/N could tell he regretted asking immediately.

"Nevermind why he's got my wand!" Hermione snapped, still struggling in Y/N's arms. "Y/N, let go-!"

"Oh, I think not,"

"I know, Hermione," Ron said, "I'm sorry, I'm really-"

"Oh, you're sorry?" Hermione scoffed. She laughed a high-pitched, out-of-control sound. Ron looked at Harry for help, but Harry merely grimaced his helplessness. "I'll teach you how to be sorry-! Y/N, let- me- go,"

"Promise me you won't hurt poor Runil Waslib,"

"That's not fair!"

"Promise me, Hermione."

"No!"

"Then you aren't going anywhere." Y/N gave her a look.

Hermione scowled back, but muttered an exasperated 'fine!'

Y/N slowly loosened her grip around her and let go, though she had her wand out and ready to cast a Shield Charm. Harry still looked alarmed and Ron didn't dare move a muscle.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, staring at the sword in Ron's hand, forgetting to sound intimidating. Gryffindor's sword gleamed in the morning sunlight.

Ron gulped again and held up the destroyed locket in his other hand. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"You destroyed it," she said faintly, then, gained back her Angry Hermione voice. "And how is it you just happen to have the sword of Gryffindor?"

"It's a long story," said Y/N, speaking up for the speechless Ron and Harry.

"Oh, I'll be hearing your story," said Hermione, accusingly, at Y/N, though her voice was gentler. It seemed like both she and Harry were really cautious with Y/N's feelings.

She then turned back to Ron, looked at the sword, the locket, then back at Ron, and threw him a nasty look.

"Don't think this changes anything!"

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It took them hours of talking, asking and answering, for Harry, Y/N, Ron, and Hermione to be satisfied with each other's story.

Ron went first, telling them about the locations he traveled to, and the Snatchers he encountered.

"-I grabbed his wand, Disarmed the bloke holding mine, and Disapparated. I didn't do it so well. Splinched myself." Ron held up his right hand to show two missing fingernails. "Lost my fingernails."

"Gosh, what a gripping story," Hermione said in the lofty voice. "You must have been simply terrified. Meanwhile, we went to Godric's Hollow and, let's think, what happened there, Harry?"

"Well..."

"Oh yes, You-Know-Who's snake turned up, it nearly killed both of us, and then You-Know-Who himself arrived and missed us by about a second."

"Excuse me?" Y/N frowned.

"What?" Ron said, gaping from her to Harry, but Hermione ignored him.

"Imagine losing fingernails, Harry!" Hermione tutted. "That really puts our suffering into perspective, doesn't it?"

"So," Y/N quickly cut in. "What happened at Godric's Hollow?"

Harry looked more than welcome fill her in.

He told her about how Bathilda lured them into her house, transformed into Nagini the snake, and how he broke his wand. Hermione was practically choking Ron with her gaze the whole time he spoke.

Y/N went last with her story, and went longest, for they all forced her to tell them every little detail.

And she told them everything, of course, except for Sebastian Dumbledore's true identity.

From the reason she let go of Harry, that day, to her repetitive routine while staying at Hog's Head.

She very much hated the look of pity they gave her.

"Don't look at me like that, Hermione," Y/N said with a sigh. "I didn't have it hard at all. You all were out there- risking your lives every day... It was unfair of me, to stay in such a safe place for so long, and you know it."

"No, we don't know it," Hermione said with a frown. "We thought you were tortured, Y/N... we thought they starved you and hurt you... we're beyond thankful that you're safe. You don't have to feel bad."

Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.

"It's good to have you back," added Harry, and his hand found hers under the table.

"It's good to be back," Y/N smiled faintly.

She loved them. Every single face in the room. With all her heart.

There was no use being upset. She should just be thankful her friends were all alright.

"So," Hermione finally said, smiling, looking between Y/N and Harry knowingly. "I'm off to prepare breakfast... clear my mind from all that information."

"And I thought you're mind could carry endless knowledge," Y/N grinned at her, cocking an eyebrow. Hermione shoved her playfully and got up from her seat.

"I'll help you," Ron said brightly, standing up too. Hermione glared at him. "Er- I won't help you... I'll fill up our water bottles."

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"It's funny isn't it?" Y/N smiled dreamily, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were in love... Oh wait- I do know better... they are in love."

Harry chuckled and it was music to Y/N's ears. Good music.

They were lying on her bed, tucked under her blanket. Harry had his arms wrapped around her, hugging her to himself like she was a stuffed animal.

Y/N and Ron had movies their things to Harry and Hermione's camp.

She had dismissed herself to go take a nap, for she was woken up way too early, but didn't complain when Harry joined her in her bed.

Somehow, the bed she's been sleeping in for the past weeks felt immensely more comfortable with Harry in it.

"You can go out and help Ron and Hermione if you want," she told him, as Harry rubbed her back comfortingly. "I'll be OK here,"

"I'm not going anywhere," Harry smiled, kissing her on the forehead. "Plus, you're right. They're in love. I don't want to interrupt that."

He looked down at her and his heart warmed up when he saw her smiling against his chest.

Her smile... he hadn't been able to pull away from the sight of it since she came back.

Her heart was beating softly and Harry could sense the soft grip in her embrace.

It was as if she was trying to tell him not to let go in the most modest way possible.

"Y/N, I promise not to put you in that type of danger again," Harry reassured her, patting her head tenderly. "I can't imagine a world without you in it."

For some odd reason, instead of saying it back, Y/N's smile settled into a frown. His words hung over her like a sleep paralysis demon.

'I can't imagine a world without you in it.'

But you have to imagine, Harry... If it came to that, you have to live in a world without me, and you'll have to accept it.

Don't say what you'll regret later, Harry...

"Harry-"

"Don't say what I think you're going to say." Harry cut her off darkly.

He knew her just as much as she knew him.

"If it really came to that-"

"I won't let it happen," snapped Harry. Y/N could sense the bitterness in his voice without looking at him. "It won't come to that. I'll protect you with my life, I'll find you if you get lost. I promise."

"Then I promise, as well."

"What?"

"I promise I'll protect you at all costs." Y/N said coolly, "Even if it costs me my own life."

Harry fell silent. His hand stopped moving down her hair.

"Don't act so surprised," Y/N looked up at his face. "If it's anyone who needs protection, it's you, Harry Potter. And not only because you're the Chosen One... it's because I can't imagine a world without you in it either."

Just as she did, Harry's expression became grim. Y/N didn't have to look up to know it.

"Now, it's only fair if you won't say what I think you're going to say..."

"Y/N, this is different."

"No, it's not." Y/N frowned at him. "It's not different. I'm allowed to die for you too."

"You don't understand," Harry's voice became heavy and almost hysteric.

"I understand quite perfectly, thank you very much-"

"I was meant to die, Y/N. From the very start. The Killing Curse hit me when I was a toddler. I'm in a prophecy about death. You are-"

"-in that prophecy as well," Y/N pointed out. Harry closed his eyes and shook his head, burying his face in her hair. "It's only fair, Harry. I'm not letting anything happen to you."

"Don't say what you'll regret later."

At that, Y/N pulled away from his embrace. But just enough so she could meet his eyes, fully.

Harry stared back at her, stubborn and determined. His hand was still resting on the small of her back.

At that moment, looking at the person they loved most, they both saw their own feelings reflected in each other's eyes.

They were fighting to prove the same point.

"Listen, these past few months have practically killed me in my own bed, Y/N," said Harry.

He slowly brought up a hand and cupped the side of her face. Y/N just couldn't find the courage to pull away.

"It's been hard for me as well," she whispered.

"I know... you probably even had it worse," Harry said sadly, running his thumb across her cheek. "I- I wanted to avoid saying this, but... it has to be said."

"Only you get to decide that," Y/N shrugged.

"And I'm deciding to say it..." Harry sighed, shaking his head slightly. "If something ever happened to me, you have to move on and be the strong person you are."

"It's easy for you to say," Y/N glared at him, but Harry held her firmly.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you know that?"

"Well that definitely makes it hurt less," Y/N said grimly, trying to look away from him.

"Y/N, I'm not joking," said Harry, "I already made you suffer enough, there's no need for me to cause you more trouble from the grave."

"You don't have to worry, because it won't happen." Y/N said firmly.

"I know," Harry gave her a gentle squeeze. "You know I'm usually optimistic. But I just want to be sure you know the right thing to do."

"There's no such thing as the right thing to do," Y/N smiled weakly. "It's just the heroic thing to do. And I'm not heroic like you. I'm not worried either, because I already promised you I won't let anything-"

"I don't want it to come to that either, Y/N, trust me," Harry half laughed. "I want to be with you forever. I want to make you feel like the special person you are... I want to see a white veil in your hair..."

"Harry..." Y/N blinked at him.

He smiled softly, knowingly, and gently lowered his lips on hers, sending a rush of relief through her. Typical Harry.

"I know," he said, when he pulled away. "I don't want you to be more stressed than you already are... just know that I'll rest better knowing you're happy."

Y/N didn't reply. She was so convinced that nothing would happen to Harry that she needn't to worry about that. After all, he's The Boy Who Loved.

"OK?"

"OK..."

"Good," Harry nodded, "Now... how about a good night's sleep?"

Y/N stared at him for a second, his stunning eyes and his peacefully set face, and slowly nodded.

Harry gave her a warm smile and leaned into her, closer than ever. Their lips met again, and they both realized, that was much needed.

Y/N closed her eyes and sunk into his kiss, feeling his hand in her hair and his breath calm and steady.

She laid back down on her bed- or perhaps Harry lowered her down- either way, she felt slightly more relaxed, as he trailed feathery kisses on her lips, jaw, and down her neck. His presence felt like gasps of fresh air.

He planted a final kiss at the top of her head and grinned down at her with his assuring, but slightly mischievous smile.

"Harry... can you at least stay with me here- until I fall asleep?" Y/N asked quietly. "You don't have to, of course. I just feel like-"

"I got you, Y/N," said Harry, "You know I'll be with you until I can't."

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The next morning was wonderful... the few days after that as well.

Things were slowly becoming normal, though Hermione still seemed to be ignoring Ron, and Y/N always felt like hugging her friends whenever she woke up to them.

The day was chilly, as usual, the air outside was almost painful to breathe in. Y/N suspected it might already be New Year.

Hermione was lying on her bunk reading, while Ron pulled out his wireless and tuned it in to introduce Harry to the usual programme.

Y/N watched them in amusement, lying on her own bed with the golden compass in her hand.

"There's this one program," Ron told Harry in a low voice.

"Potterwatch," Y/N chimed in. Ron and Harry turned to her. "What an elegant name, huh," she cocked her eyebrows at Harry, who grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Indeed," Ron smirked, then turned back to Harry. "It tells the news like it really is. All the others are on You-Know-Who's side. This one's great. You need a password to tune in... Trouble is, I missed the last one."

He drummed lightly on the top of the radio with his wand, muttering random words under his breath.

For ten minutes or so, Ron tapped and muttered, Hermione turned the pages of her book, and Y/N attempted to turn Harry's hair pink from her bed without him noticing.

Finally, Hermione climbed down from her bunk.

"If it's annoying you, I'll stop!" Ron told her nervously, ceasing his tapping at once.

Hermione did not acknowledge him but approached Harry. Even he jumped slightly when she came closer.

"We need to talk," she said.

Y/N saw that she was holding The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore by Rita Skeeter.

It was a book she'd stolen from Bathilda Bagshot's house, in Godric's Hollow.

"Y/N," Hermione turned to her with a small smile. Y/N waved back at her nervously. "Would you quit trying to turn Harry's hair pink and come here for a second?"

"Snitch," Y/N mumbled, though she sniggered as Harry faced her with an offended look.

She walked over to the three of them and ruffled Harry's hair before taking a seat next to him.

"I want to go and see Xenophilius Lovegood," Hermione announced.

Y/N stared at her.

"Sorry?" Harry blinked.

"Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's father. I want to go and talk to him."

"Er... why?" Harry tried to ask as casually as possible.

"It's that mark, the mark in Beedle the Bard. Look at this!"

She thrust The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore under Harry and Y/N's unwilling eyes.

It was a photograph of the original letter that Dumbledore had written Grindelwald.

"Oh. Love letters. Feels a little wrong to read them, but don't stop me." Y/N said cheerfully, reaching out for the book.

Hermione swatted her hand away.

"The signature!" she said. "Look at the signature, Y/N!"

Y/N and Harry threw her a curious look before leaning in to read Dumbledore's signature.

He had replaced the A in Albus with a tiny version of the symbol Harry and Hermione had been so crazy about.

Apparently, they've found the same symbol on the pages of The Tales of Beedle the Bard and on a random grave at Godric's Hollow.

Y/N wasn't as invested, if she was being really honest.

"Er- what are you-?" said Ron tentatively, but Hermione quelled him with a look and turned back to Harry.

"It keeps coming up, doesn't it?" she said. "We can ask Mr Lovegood about it. He was wearing the symbol at the wedding. I'm sure this is important, Harry!"

"I dunno Hermione," Harry sighed. "I mean, we went to Godric's Hollow, and look how that turned out."

"This is different!" Hermione insisted. "A symbol that links Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Godric's Hollow? Harry, I'm sure we ought to know about this!"

Y/N wasn't going to lie, this girl was great at persuading. And she trusted Hermione more than herself.

"I think we should vote on it," said Ron, out of the blue. "Those in favor of going to see Lovegood-"

His hand flew into the air before anyone else. Y/N raised hers as well, interested.

They all turned to Hermione. Her lips quivered suspiciously as she raised her own.

"Outvoted, Harry, sorry," said Ron, clapping him on the back.

"Fine," said Harry, half amused, half irritated. "Where do the Lovegood's live, anyway? Do any of you know?"

"They're not far from my place," said Ron. "I dunno exactly where, but Mum and Dad always point toward the hills whenever they mention them. Shouldn't be hard to find."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ This chapter was a short one but we love a good wordy reunion. Can't believe we're halfway through seventh year already :')

-ScribblingQuills