The way it should be

A/N: Hey guys after reading the book 6, I was disappointed in a way with the way it turned out. So I decided just to write my version of what would happen afterwards. I hope that you guys enjoy it.

The way it should be.

Book 6 spoilers

By: Heaven85

Harry Potter had spent the last four months searching for the horcruxes that remained. They had come close to finding a couple of them but the magics protecting them were too strong. That was when Hermione suggested that they return to Hogwarts once she had found out that it had re-opened. She thought that it was best that they got their training from members of the Order or at the very least continue their studies and learn more complicated and powerful magic from the professors at Hogwarts. She had also reminded him that Professor Dumbledore also had some trouble with the last horcrux so he shouldn't be surprised that he would be having problems as well. That somehow convinced him and now he has been back at Hogwarts taking advanced classes and having some private training for the last few months.

Things have been getting back to normal. The trio was back together again and it just felt great. It gave him a sense of happiness to know that they would always be there for him no matter what happens. It also gave him a sense of sadness knowing that Ron and Hermione would be in danger because of him. Just then he heard some footsteps behind him and smiled as he saw Hermione.

“Hey, how are you?” Hermione asked softly.

“As good as things can be,” Harry answered with a slight smile.

“What are you thinking about?” Hermione asked.

“About the last year and the last few months,” He replied.

She moved closer towards him and asked, “Ginny?”

“I actually haven't thought about her that much really. Quite surprising actually,” Harry replied.

“And what's going on between the two of you?” Hermione prompted him.

“Not much. I mean I like her and I really do care about her but I don't think that it will work out between us,” he explained.

“Why not?” she asked.

“The time that Ginny and I spent together was great. It was normal and I loved it but it wasn't real. The feelings were there but what we had in a way wasn't real. I was trying so hard to be normal and have a normal life and when I was with her I could pretend to be someone else. And after everything that happened I know that I can't do that anymore and I don't want to do that anymore,” Harry explained.

Hermione sighed and moved closer to him and asked, “Are you really okay with this?”

“What about you and Ron?” he asked quietly.

“Ron and I? There isn't much to tell. I know that from the way I acted last year that it would seem like whether or not Ron and I got together meant everything to me but now I don't think that we would work out either,” she replied.

Harry looked up and asked, “Why?”

“I mean you know that I care about Ron a lot and I really do like him. He's a great person but we're just too different. And I don't really feel that way about him. I don't really know why I acted the way I did. No, actually I do,” Hermione answered.

“Go on,” he encouraged her.

Hermione tucked her knees under and chin and continued, “ I've known for quite a while that Ron had feelings for me and I always felt comfort in that. I mean it felt great to have someone waiting for me in case I don't ever find that special someone. And when I found out about Lavender, I just flipped because I realized that he might not always be waiting for me and you had Ginny and everything. I wanted somebody too.”

“I know the feeling,” he added.

“And, now it doesn't really matter anymore, it's the last thing on my mind right now,” she replied.

“That part of my life seemed to have happened a really long time ago and right now and your friendship means the world to me,” Harry answered.

“Your friendship means a lot to me too Harry. You mean a lot to me,” Hermione said softly.

“I just want you to know that I am so very happy to both you and Ron are here with me right now. I mean I didn't want you to but I'm glad now that you are because I don't know how I could have gotten through everything without you guys,” Harry answered.

“You're never gonna have to find out. There's no other place I'd rather be,” she answered sincerely.

“Really? I mean this is really dangerous and you could get killed,” he answered.

Hermione moved and sat right in front of Harry and said, “Of course I mean it Harry, if I wasn't here with you I would be worried sick about you and I wouldn't be able to get any work done.”

“You would always get your work done,” Harry replied.

“Maybe but I still wouldn't be able to do a good job on it,” she answered grudgingly.

“Would you have listened to me if I didn't let you come?” he asked.

“First of all, Harry, you don't make your decisions for me and no I wouldn't have listened because I choose to be here Harry just like you do,” Hermione answered.

“Why?” Harry inquired.

“Because I know you Harry. I know that what you want more than anything in this world is to be normal but aren't and you have accepted that. Because I know that you need me Harry. You need us to be there for you and I want to be able to lift some of the burden off your shoulders because I know that you put some much of the blame on yourself. After all that we have been through together, I know that we are stronger together than we are apart. And just like you Harry, after everything I have witnessed I can't turn my back on it and pretend that it never happened. I made a decision a long ago that I would always be there by your side no matter what and I haven't changed my mind,” she explained.

“You know that I really do appreciate this Hermione and that I know that you mean well no matter what I say or even if I act like I don't,” he told her.

“I know Harry,” Hermione said quietly.

“I know that there are a lot of people who think that I'm not up to this. And I sometimes wonder if I'm cut out for this myself. Can I really do this? Am I ready? Can I really face him and win?” Harry asked with a sigh.

“I'm only going to say this to you once so you better listen,” Hermione piped up.

“I'm listening,” He answered looking up.

Hermione looked at Harry and said in a very serious tone and said, “You are ready for this Harry. Everything you have accomplished up to now proves that you are. You're amazing at Defense against the Dark Arts and you were chosen for a reason Harry. There are also a lot of people out there who believe in you Harry. I've always believed that you're a great wizard Harry and that you can do this. That has never and will never change.”

“Thanks Hermione. Thank you for having faith in me. The fact that you have faith in me means so much to me. It also gives me hope that maybe I can do this because you are never wrong,” Harry stated.

Hermione just smiled in response and gave him a hug and whispered, “Then you know that you can do this don't you?”

“That means that we're going to have to find those horcruxes won't we?” He answered.

“We will Harry. I always believed that Dumbledore told you about them because he knew that you would be able to find them so I know that we will,” she assured him.

Harry merely nodded and looked off into the sky and said, “It's a beautiful night isn't it?”

“It is,” she answered simply and they sat next to each other in compatible silence.

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A/N: So here you guys go. Here is the second chapter. Thanks so much for your reviews!! Please let me know if you think I should continue.

Chapter 2:

Harry woke up early the next day in order to prepare for his classes. His attitude towards his lessons had changed drastically. Harry knew how important it was for him to concentrate on his studies in order for him to penetrate the magic protecting the horcruxes. He also knew that his life depended on him learning and mastering these spells, potions and knowledge. At the thought of potions he begin to feel his anger towards Snape creeping back into his mind. How could have Snape killed Dumbledore the way he did? He had made a silent promise to himself that if he ever met up with him again that he would pay dearly for it.

“Harry?” a soft familiar voice asked.

Harry looked up and smiled as he saw Hermione standing right in front of him.

*~*~*~*~*

Ron woke up the next morning to find Harry gone once again. Ron had noticed such a major change in his best friend's study habits as well as his attitude toward his everyday life. Harry always had a lot on his shoulders but he always had a carefree attitude towards school. He also noticed that he didn't really laugh anymore. Even at his jokes he only heard weak laughter. Now he was more serious and studious. He was up very early each morning in the library with Hermione. He was becoming more and more Hermione with every passing day. He could never be as much a book worm as Hermione but he was slowly becoming more like her. He always had been jealous of Harry and Hermione's closeness. They had always been close and could read each other's minds. He always wished that he had that connection with her. Every once in a while he would quietly watch them when they think that nobody was watching and he would see him look at her with such adoration or maybe it was love. He had also noticed the way that Hermione looked at Harry and the way she smiled at him that gave him feelings of jealousy. He didn't want to feel this way but he couldn't help himself.

Sure, Hermione had shown to him that she did care about him and somehow went crazy when he was with Lavender. He had been pretty happy that Hermione did return his romantic notions but when he thought about the whole situation truthfully whatever happened seemed almost dream like to him. To him it was like all of a sudden Hermione realized that she didn't want anybody to have him except herself.

And then when something was about to happen, nothing did. Things had basically returned to the way things were before the whole `Lavender' situation ever happened. He had tried to talk to her about it but she never seemed to want to.

*~*~*~*~

Harry and Hermione had been studying for quite a while in the library until his stomach started to growl.

Hermione giggled and suggested, “Maybe it's time we ate some breakfast?”

“I just need to read one more chapter,” Harry answered.

“At the rate you're going, you won't be done until classes begin,” she teased him.

“It's only going to take 10 more minutes,” He explained.

“Your stomach apparently can't wait,” Hermione replied as she heard another growl.

“Just a little while longer?” Harry asked.

“I never thought that I would have to drag you out of the library,” she replied while dragging him out of there.

“Well that proves that you can never say never,” he added as they headed off to breakfast.

They saw Ron at the table and said, “Hey Ron.”

Ron smiled and asked, “Finished studying?”

“As much as we could until Harry's stomach began calling him,” Hermione replied.

“Was it really loud?” Ron asked amused.

“No it wasn't,” Harry answered quickly shooting a warning glance at Hermione.

“He's gonna hear it anyways,” she replied gesturing to his stomach and as if just on cue they heard a sound coming from his stomach.

Ron laughed and handed Harry a plate.

“Very funny,” Harry grunted as he grabbed the plate and began piling food on it.

“It happens to the best of us,” Ron replied.

“You shouldn't talk Ron, we've heard your stomach growl at least a dozen times,” Hermione added with a small grin.

As if on cue Ron's stomach let out a small sound and Ron just shrugged and said, “I'm a growing boy and I need the nourishment.”

“You've said that so many times Ron. I've always wondered where all that food goes,” She teased him.

“I was thinking maybe here,” Harry replied poking Ron's stomach.

“What about you?” Ron as he tried to poke Harry.

“Enough boys, the food's getting cold,” Hermione said shaking her head.

Then the boys went to eat quickly without saying a word. Hermione watched in amusement as the food on their plates disappeared really quickly and then they grabbed even more food.

“Guys you really need to chew,” Hermione told them.

“Sorry,” Ron and Harry mumbled.

Hermione just laughed and grabbed some toast.

“So Harry, how are your lessons going?” Ron inquired.

“Pretty good. I'm getting a lot better at some of the protection spells,” Harry answered in between gulps.

Just then they heard some familiar laughter and Harry and Ron turned their heads to see Ginny talking to Lavender. Ron then turned and cleared his throat and asked, “Harry can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure, what do you want to ask me?” Harry asked cheerfully.

“I wanted to ask you about Ginny,” Ron replied.

Harry looked at Hermione shared a knowing look before she said, “Why don't you guys talk outside?”

Harry and Ron walked outside while Hermione headed back to her room.

“What did you want to know?” Harry asked nervously.

“What's going on between the two of you?” Ron asked.

“Nothing,” Harry answered truthfully.

“What happened?” Ron asked again.

“It's just not going to work out so I thought that it would be best for both of us to end it now instead of later,” Harry explained.

“You know that at first I didn't really want you to go out with Ginny because she's my sister and all and you're my best friend. But then I thought that I would at least know that you would never hurt her and I liked you better than any of her other boyfriends so I was pretty happy,” Ron replied.

“Thanks but you're not mad at me about not dating Ginny anymore are you? ” Harry asked.

“No, Ginny may be my sister but you'll always be my best mate,” Ron said shoving him lightly in the shoulder.

“So, what about you and Hermione?” Harry asked.

“I really don't know,” Ron said with a slight smile.

“How can you not know?” Harry asked.

“Well, I don't because Hermione won't talk to me,” Ron explained.

“What do you think about it?” Harry asked.

“I'm pretty happy about it. I mean after all this time, Hermione finally revealed that she had feelings for me. After a couple years of not knowing and then all of a sudden I have two girls that like me. It felt really great. I really do want this to work between us,” Ron replied.

“Have you tried asking her?” Harry suggested.

“I have but she has been avoiding me. Will you help me?” Ron asked.

“How can I help?” Harry asked nervously.

“I know that she will talk to you. Do you think that you could ask for me?” Ron inquired.

“I don't think that this is something that I could ask for you,” Harry answered.

“Well then will you just talk to her for me and see what she is thinking?” Ron pleaded.

“I could definitely try,” Harry said with a shrug.

“You're the best,” Ron said with a huge smile.

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