A/N: Thanks to everyone for your feedback-it's really appreciated. All your reviews mean so much, especially now.
"So what have you got?"
Hermione blinked. "Wha… what?"
Harry stepped away, an impassive look on his face. Hermione felt a chill descend on the room and she bit her lip, watching him worriedly.
"The books," he said. "Have you found anything?"
"Oh… I…" Hermione flushed, internally cursing her stuttering. "Yes, I… here…"
She gestured uselessly at the stack of books piled next to her. Harry picked a few of them up. Hermione fidgeted, twisting her belt loop around in her fingers.
"Harry…"
"Hmm?"
"Do you…" she hesitated. "Never mind." She took a breath. "Did you find something?"
"I dunno," Harry said. He held up a leather-bound book.
Hermione held out a hand. Harry passed her the book. There were tiny bubbles in the binding and she rubbed her thumb over the surface in interest.
"I think it's a diary," Harry said. "The pages are blank, of course."
"Do you think this was Dumbledore's?"
"Maybe," Harry said. "His Portrait seemed awfully excited when I picked it up."
"Then it's as good a place as any to start," Hermione said.
"Yeah."
Harry didn't ask for the journal back. Hermione shrunk it with the other books, touched that he trusted her to find out how to uncover the writing-if there was any.
"Let's find Ron and take off," Harry said. "I don't much fancy being here any longer than I have to."
"What about…"
"The horcrux?" Harry said. "Yeah-I'm sure it's around here somewhere. I just don't know where." He paused. "We'll find it. And soon."
They walked out of the library, following the light ignited by Harry's wand. Hermione held fast to his arm as they shuffled along, fear making her eyes dart nervously around her.
"Where is he?" Hermione asked. "Do you think anything's happened?"
"I'm sure he's fine," Harry said. They paused at the bottom of the staircase, each of them glancing upwards. The Gryffindor common room. It was hard to believe she would never be back there-studying, watching Harry and Ron play Wizard's Chess.
Harry looked thoughtful and Hermione cut her eyes away, feeling with certainty that his mind was dwelling on Ginny. She bit her lip, despair swelling in her chest. It was different than the anger she'd felt over Ron and Lavender. Even then, she'd been certain of Ron's feelings for her.
Suddenly feeling daring, she tugged Harry around to face her and leaned up to give him a quick kiss. He was smiling as she pulled away and Hermione felt a twinge of victory. Harry was with her now, her, Hermione, and not Ginny. That's what mattered.
They continued on in search of Ron.
***
They found Ron outside on the castle steps, elbows propped up on his knees. His hair blew around his forehead in the wind, leaving Hermione to remark that he was in need of a haircut.
Ron gave a smile and stood up. Tension arose between them, but Hermione did her best to push it away.
They Apparated back to the Leaky Cauldron where they discussed the location of the remaining Horcruxes.
"The trouble is," Ron said, munching on a Chocolate Frog, "even if we do destroy them all, You-Know-Who is still the most powerful wizard in the world."
"Let's worry about that when the time comes," Hermione said. "Who knows how long it will take to destroy all the horcruxes?"
"Ron's got a point, you know," Harry said, raising a mug of Butterbeer. "I could very well be six feet under by that time."
"Don't say that!" Hermione said sharply. "Harry, we must stay optimistic."
"Optimistic…" Harry trailed off, his eyes alighting with excitement. "Do you still have Dumbledore's diary?"
"Yes, of course," Hermione said, shuffling around in her pockets. She set it back to its original size and handed it to him.
"Dumbledore left behind a diary?" Ron said thickly, still chewing. He swallowed. "Seems a bit reckless of him, don't you think? What if a Death Eater got his hands on it?"
"He wouldn't be able to open it," Harry said with a sly grin. "Do you know… when I entered Dumbledore's office, his Portrait asked me how I got in. I told him I used the password." Harry pointed the tip of his wand at the journal. "Acid pops!"
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look, but the book fell open onto Harry's lap, its pages filled with dark scrawl.
Hermione gasped. "A dark wizard… they would never-"
"Think to use something so light humoured, yeah," Harry said, grinning.
Harry scanned the pages of the journal and burst into laughter.
"What?" Ron demanded.
"He's completely mental," Harry said. "It really is a diary. Listen to this: Today I rose on the wrong side of the bed-it's been affecting my gait all day, I suspect. I fear my left knee will never be the same again. Minerva was quite unsympathetic-that old cook. Fawkes looks a little green. Must be the hot weather, he never did much like it."
Harry's eyes were shining as he flipped pages. Good, thought Hermione, smiling, he deserves this, even if nothing about the horcruxes comes of it.
***
Hermione kept the first watch that night. She couldn't describe the feelings she felt watching Harry and Ron sleeping. She held her wand tightly, something fiercely protective blooming in her chest. She vowed not to let anything disturb their rest.
How strange life could be, she mused. Two boys saved her life from a troll when she was eleven, entangling her life with theirs forever.
She watched the rise and fall of Ron's chest; his posture so relaxed in slumber. His arm was thrown casually over his forehead and deep breaths escaped his mouth. Harry appeared strained, even in sleep. His forehead was lined in a deep frown.
Hermione left her perch by the window and dropped to her knees beside the bed. She touched Harry's face gently, willing him to remain asleep. She smoothed her palm down his cheek, his skin warm under her hand.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the scar on his forehead. A small smile tugged at his mouth, but he did not wake up.
"Sleep well," Hermione said, standing up.
I'll make sure you stay safe, she added silently.
She climbed back into the window seat, noting with satisfaction that Harry's face looked more restful.
She wished she could convince herself that these feelings for Harry were new. In reality, she knew they'd long been bubbling inside her. She took a deep breath and glanced out the window. The streets were dark and empty.
With the confusion of her sixth-year behind her, Hermione could look at her two boys sleeping side by side and feel a current of love and affection sweep through her.
How she'd like to see a Death Eater threaten them now.