A/N: Hello, everyone! Welcome! Before you start reading, please beware that this story does NOT follow canon. I state this in the summary, but apparently, it wasn't clear enough, or people keep ignoring it. You cannot assume that everything up to this point in my story happened in the same way it did in the books. As such, characters may not know things they did in canon, and relationships and other details may be very different. -Lux-

Chapter 1: Our Trio's Down to Two

The first time you see snow is magical. Tiny bits of ice falling in slow motion make things look brighter than they are. Even the bitter cold feels good and inspiring. When you have been stuck in a tattered tent with little food and no heating, surrounded by a couple of feet of snow in all directions, it becomes lackluster and starts to feel like quicksand trying to swallow you whole. The weather was grueling. No matter how many heating charms, the tent was always drafty and cold. It was difficult to keep the fireplace on, and even the blue flames in their jars were starting to get smaller each time they were cast.

It had been a month since Ronald left. Hermione was cried out. Right now, she was on the final hour of her watch. No matter how hard she tried to read, she couldn't concentrate. Ronald was such a horrible person! While Harry thought she was sad, she was just frustrated. She wanted to curse the git. How could he say that to Harry about him having no parents? How dare he blame Harry for their slow progress when all he did was sit around and complain? Hermione wasn't the type of person that cried easily when unhappy, but frustration could make her bawl. How dare he blame Harry for things that were beyond his control? None of them had planned well ahead for food and basic needs. If it hadn't been for her planning, they wouldn't even have clothes or basic potions. And then he had the gall to suggest Harry and her were… involved.

Harry had always been a gentleman to her. In all the years they had been friends, he had appreciated her intelligence, respected her choices, and protected her from everyone. Harry actually cared about her. She could tell from the way he actually listened to her and paid attention. He valued her ideas and her ability to strategize and plan. Ronald thought she was nagging and worried about nothing. Harry showed her how much he cared by ensuring she rested more and forcing her to eat when she was worried about how little food they had left. All Ron wanted was to eat more and to get in her pants. The redhead had been awfully insistent the weeks before he left, even with his splinched shoulder. Harry was always there for her when she was homesick and worried about her parents. Ron never asked about them, not even once. It was like, to him, the Grangers didn't matter because they weren't magical.

The entrance of the tent split open, and Harry came out. His hair was as unkempt as always, his eyes sad and fearful. Ever since Ron left, she would find him looking at her with those emotions. The sadness she understood. Harry had lost his best friend. Fear was also understandable as the weight of the world was on his young shoulders and every week, their escapes from the snatchers were more difficult. She stood up without a word and took the locket from his neck. Hermione dreaded that thing. It made her feel stupid, useless, inefficient, and pathetic. It kept whispering that her parents wouldn't miss her. That she should have done that a long time ago. It spoke about Harry wishing she had left instead of Ron. But it affected Harry worse than her, she could tell.

Harry sighed as she put the locket on. He took a few steps toward their favorite tree. Harry sat precisely where her body had been to take advantage of the body heat that lingered. Hermione waited until he got comfortable, and she put on the covers she had already warmed up over him, making sure to tuck it around his legs. He smiled with gratitude. She gave him her wand and went inside. How she wished she had packed more food! All they had for tonight was a can of baked beans and a few chips. She set out to prepare it as best she could. Harry had left her a cup of tea, made how she liked it. She sighed, not knowing how to feel. What he used on her tea was the last of the cream and sugar. Hermione decided to enjoy it rather than to tell him off. They needed to go foraging soon.

Hermione cooked the beans and put them under a warming charm. The chips were a bit stale. She hoped Harry wouldn't mind. Once she made another kettle of tea and kept it warm, she grabbed her copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard. The answer had to be there. Why was death so important? She read it every day, looking for anagrams, puzzles, and hidden messages, but nothing came up. She lost track of time, but then Harry came in.

"Hermione… We need to talk," he said, his voice little more than a whisper. He stood before her, offering her his hand, and the brunette felt a cold chill go down her spine. This was it. Harry was going to kick her out. They weren't advancing with the quest, so she was useless to him. She bit her lower lip to keep herself quiet. Harry wasn't one to make decisions quickly, but when he did make up his mind, he wouldn't go back on it. Her friend was not one to initiate conversations about emotional stuff. For him to take the initiative for this was surprising. She took his hand and stood resignedly.

As he walked towards their dining table, Hermione grabbed her beaded bag and placed it around her wrist just in case. If he kicked her out, she would not know what to do or where to go. Heaven knew where her parents were now. She had no one but Harry.

"I-I've been trying to avoid this conversation," Harry sighed as she sat down. He avoided her eyes. That couldn't be good.

Hermione looked down to prevent him from seeing her teary eyes. It was the end.

"I know I'll never recover once this happens, but… You mean too much for me just to drag this on," Harry squeezed her hand.

"Please don't kick me out!" Hermione blurted this as her eyes filled with tears.

Harry looked at her and blinked repeatedly. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I know I haven't done m-much for you, that I r-ruined your wand, and that we keep hitting d-dead ends, but I don't want to leave! I promised we would do this together, and I am n-not breaking that p-promise!" Hermione began to sob, covering her face with her hands. Harry went around the table and removed the locket. He threw it far away from his friend. Then Harry did something that Hermione was not expecting. Slowly and tenderly, he lifted her up in his arms, worrying at how light she was, and placed her on her bed.

"Mione, I wasn't going to kick you out," Harry said as he took off her shoes. She lay down with too many questions on her mind. Harry removed her thin, slightly damp socks, changed them for thick woolly dry socks, and did a warming charm on them as he put them on her feet. She struggled to get her jacket off, so he helped her. Harry covered her from head to toe and kissed her forehead lovingly. She could have sworn she felt two drops reach her forehead.

"Harry, what-?"

He was kneeling beside her bed. His head rested on her hand; he was holding it as if it was a lifeline. Hermione felt more drops fall on her hand. Her heath constricted painfully. Harry's face turned up to her. His eyes were red, teary, and haunted. Hermione moved her covers and pulled him in. Harry seemed doubtful, but her hand on his cheek strengthened his resolve. He kicked off his shoes and joined her. They lay down next to each other, looking up at the canvas ceiling. It was a bit awkward yet comforting.

Hermione turned towards Harry and curled up against his side. She expected him to react negatively: tense up, scoot away, maybe pat her back clumsily. Instead, Harry pulled her closer and shielded them both from the cold with the thick covers.

"I don't ever want you to leave… m-me. But I think you should really c-consider whether you want to stay. Mione… I… We don't even have f-food. Snatchers could raid this p-place anytime. I can't keep you safe… You… You sacrificed your family for me… I-I didn't deserve that. Ron was right to leave… I have no idea what I'm d-doing. I am playing hero to a society that doesn't give a f-fuck about me. I was put in this horrible position because D-Dumbledore thought I was too young to know the bloody truth, but I was old enough to d-die trying to figure it out... But I'll be d-damned if you die with me. I will not allow it," Harry whispered all of this, and Hermione felt his very heart pulling away from her. She wouldn't allow that.

With a strength she didn't even think she had anymore, she maneuvered them in a way that left Harry's head lying on her chest. His arms were around her waist, and her legs were on each side of him. Harry looked up, seemingly too aware of the fact that this position made her breasts his pillow.

"I'm s-sorry-" he began.

"Don't be," she said, putting his head back. "How long have you been brewing that speech?"

"Since he left," Harry sighed. He couldn't remember ever feeling safer or more comfortable.

Hermione sighed, "Harry… I knew all that could go wrong when I chose to come here. So did he, by the way. I ran him through at least one hundred different scenarios and their potential consequences, each more harrowing than the next. You can't keep me safe, but no one else could either. I would be in danger no matter where I was. You deserve every sacrifice I make. The wizarding world doesn't deserve what we have forsaken, and you are right. Dumbledore was very irresponsible and unfair. He took advantage of the fact that your parents were gone to do what he thought was best… And he never had your best interests at heart," Hermione ran her fingers through his hair.

"Mione… You should go before they find me," Harry whispered. "They will find me. Soon."

"I am not leaving. Either we stay and fight, or we flee and probably get killed far away," Hermione replied resolutely. "You need to finally get it through your head. We are in this together. Whatever happens to us, we will face together."

"No, Hermione… You should track down your parents. Flee with them," he offered.

"No. If I do that, Snake-face and his minions will track down my magical signature. My parents are safer without me," Hermione said softly.

"They must miss you like crazy… not to mention that they definitely hate my guts for putting you at risk," Harry sighed.

"They don't," Hermione didn't want to tell her friends at the beginning of the war the extent of what she had done. However, she felt that someone else needed to know the truth, and Merlin knew if they would ever see other people ever again.

"Why would you think that?" Harry tensed.

"I… I erased myself from their memories."

Harry lifted his head with a gasp. "You did what?!"

"It was the only way to truly cut ties with them… They wouldn't have left without me if they knew how dire things were. I erased myself from their lives, you see? I don't exist in their memories or pictures. What I did… Harry… My parents think they never had any children… They aren't even the Grangers anymore. They are the Wilkins now," Hermione confessed. "UK ex-pats who relocated to Australia for work."

Harry gaped at his friend. He pulled one arm from under her to hold his head up. The wizard never had an inkling of the depth of her sacrifice. She had no family anymore. From what he remembered about mind magic, once you erase such old memories, there's no way to get them back. Hermione had given up her parents forever. As an orphan, his mind struggled to comprehend why she would ever do that. He stared at her, feeling guilt consume his soul. There were tears in her eyes, but her countenance was resolute.

"I know what you are thinking. Don't. I did that of my own free will. I didn't do it just for you. I did it to try to protect them," she said, caressing his cheek and wiping his own tears away. He hadn't realized he was crying again. He couldn't stop all the feelings that were starting to overwhelm him.

Scenes from their many years of friendship went through his mind. Hermione setting Snape on fire for tampering with his broom. Hermione helping him get to the stone. Hermione solving the riddle about the basilisk. Hermione giving him his first-ever hug. Hermione helping him free Sirius and Buckbeak. Hermione believing him that he didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire. Hermione's hands covered in pustules thanks to Skeeter's slander. Hermione falling down in the Department of Mysteries. Hermione trying to make him smile after Sirius died. Hermione keeping prying eyes away from him. Hermione fighting people to preserve his privacy. Hermione helping him end things civilly with Ginny. Hermione saving his life countless times. Hermione eating less so he and Ron could eat a bit more. Hermione taking over double watches when he had nightmares. Hermione choosing him over Ron…

"You are the most incredible human being I have had the privilege of meeting. I feel unworthy of being your friend. Truly… I know I don't say it much, but I love you. So damn much," Harry sighed as she gave him a watery smile, "I could never thank you enough. But I am so grateful to have you in my life."

"I love you too, Harry," she kissed his forehead.

After this, Harry put his face back on her chest and listening to her steady heartbeat and feeling her calm breathing, he fell asleep. For the first time in months, neither teen had any bad dreams. When Harry woke, he felt happier and lighter than he had for a really long time. They had apparently shifted in their sleep. He was now Hermione's little spoon. Her arm was around him, her legs intertwined with his. Harry moved ever so slowly to extricate himself from her arms. He really wanted to stay in bed cozy with her, but Hermione deserved to sleep in. She deserved everything.

He made a decision. Harry grabbed a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill and wrote a letter.

Ragnok

Account Manager

Gringotts

Esteemed Mr. Ragnok, please read my magical signature. I cannot put my name in writing, but I am sure you have ways of knowing who I am. I didn't have a chance to do this properly due to the war; however, this is my last will and testament. I am of sound mind and under no compulsions as I write this. I want to leave everything I own to Hermione Jean Granger. This includes all gold, properties, investments, and titles (if any). She has given me more than I deserve all my life. She has sacrificed too much for me. This is my way to thank her and make sure she and any future children she may have will not struggle in any way. You have my permission to show her this letter after I die. That could happen any moment now. I have added a drop of my blood on the parchment so you can identify me.

P.S. Hermione, I love you. I am sorry I wasn't good enough to finish this before you lost them. Please forgive me and be happy. That's all I want for you. Thank you… for everything. Please remember me. I will do my best to watch over you.

Harry never really tried to find out about his finances. He didn't care about money. However, the wizard was sure that Hermione would make sure everything went where it should. As he made tea, he realized the beans they didn't eat had gone bad, and they had no more food left. They would need to forage. He took a few sips of the tasteless tea and grabbed a knife to go out and find something they could eat. There was an echoey pop in the living room. Harry was so shocked by what he saw that his teacup fell and shattered.

Hermione woke with a start, the sound of a cup breaking, a grunt, and muted whispers. She took her wand and moved slowly towards the makeshift kitchen, ready to kill to protect Harry. What she saw surprised her, but in a good way. She gasped and covered her mouth with

"Dobby?!" she asked teary-eyed.

"Missy Grangey!" the elf looked like he wanted to hug her. Hermione opened her arms, and that was all the invitation that the little elf needed. She squeezed him hard.

"I am so happy to see you, Dobby!"

"So am I, but he could have been followed!" Harry whisper shouted.

"I is about to tell Master Harry-" the elf's eyes widened.

Hermione gasped. "Dobby! You did that and didn't tell Harry?"

"He did what?!"

"He bound himself to you," Hermione said with a small smile.

"I is sorry, Master. I should have been asking first. But I is just wanting to help Harry Potter and his Mione," Dobby spoke quickly pulled his ears harshly.

"Whoa! Dobby! Calm down! Don't pull your ears!" Harry said hurriedly. "Please explain what you did and how is it that you are so sure no one followed you. Also, don't call me Master. Call me Harry."

Dobby looked like he was about to burst into tears. Hermione's hand on his shoulder calmed him so he could explain. "When I was working at Hogwartsy, my magic is dying slowly… I is needing a master. I remembered Harry Potter was being most kind to Dobby. I is realizing I didn't really want to be free. I was just wanting a kind master… Dobby went to Lord and Lady Potter's graves to ask for permission first. Dobby thinks they is saying yes because the Potter crest is appearing, and Dobby's pillowcase is being changed for this beautiful uniform, sir."

Harry blinked several times, trying to process. "So, my family's magic accepted you? You didn't need me to do anything?" He noticed that Dobby seemed healthier and full of energy.

"No, sir. Potter House is accepting me, and now I am taller, stronger, and healthier. Dobby cannot be being followed because elf magic does not leave a trace."

Harry looked at Hermione to confirm this, and she nodded. Harry frowned.

"Is Harry Potter angry with Dobby?" the elf looked up at Harry with big, sad, expectant eyes.

"What? No, not at all, Dobby. But why are you here? You can't be safe with us."

"Well, sir… You can't be safe with yous, either. Why is you staying in a cold tent when you have so many safe properties?" the elf asked with genuine curiosity.

"What do you mean safe properties? Grimmauld Place isn't safe anymore, and the house at Godric's Hollow was never fixed. Also, those are top places that they would come look for me."

Hermione nodded in agreement.

"But Dobby means Isle Potter or Potter Castle… Harry Potter is also having an apartment in muggle London. Potter Manor is being compromised, but any others are being safe," the elf shrugged.

"I own an island and a castle?!" Harry's eyes widened. He looked at Hermione, who was just as if not more shocked than him.

"Yes, sir. Dobby is being going around and seeing the status of yous properties. That is being why Dobby is not coming right away… Dobby is making sure everything is clean, well-stocked, and ready for yous, sir," Dobby smiled with a blush.

"Hermione?" Harry didn't need to say more.

"Dobby, I have a few questions, if you don't mind," she said. The elf nodded enthusiastically, ready to answer. "Where is this island?"

"Dobby does not know the name. If yous have a world map, Dobby can be pointing."

Hermione transfigured a parchment into the map, and Dobby pointed at somewhere in the Caribbean.

"And you are absolutely sure it's safe?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, Missy Grangy. It's protected by blood wards and unplottable. Apparating there was blocked by runes ritual, and another runes ritual makes sailors sail aways. It confuses theys senses, and they be seeing a dangerous storm up ahead."

"Could you take us there?" Harry asked. If he could live with Hermione there for a few weeks, at least they would for sure have fish and coconut water, which was a lot more than they had there.

"Yes, Harry Potter, sir."

"But didn't you say apparition was blocked?"

"Humansies, not elvesies," Dobby puffed his little chest with pride. "Elvesies fuel our apparition with magic from the lay lines of the Earth. We cans be going anywhere. It is taking three pops for Dobby to get yous there though because it is being far away."

"Can you take us there right away? Pack the tent and go?" Hermione asked. "Also, are you sure I can come?"

"Of course… Potter magic likes yous very much, Missy Grangy," Dobby looked strangely at Harry and Hermione blushed.

"Should we do this?" Harry asked his friend.

"Well, at least we'll have fish, maybe coconut water, and sunlight," Hermione smiled at the prospect.

Dobby looked at them as if watching an intense tennis match. Why was his master and his Mione so skinny? Dobby left them quietly. He went to the kitchen, and all he found were stale tea leaves and ruined beans. There was nothing else. Dobby felt a painful sense of failure. While he was busy redecorating, his master was starving.

"Dobby?" Hermione asked. "We are ready."

"You is not healthy. But Dobby will be fixing that. Yous is needing lots of food!" Dobby said with a tone that reminded both teens of angry McGonagall.

"Okay," Hermione answered for both. She took Harry's hand and walked outside.

Both friends froze when they saw that about ten feet from them, Ronald Weasley stood with the deluminator. Hermione had eliminated him from the wards, so he couldn't see them. All the redhead knew was that something warded was there. He began calling their names. Hermione silencioed him. Dobby seemed ready to attack Ronald, sensing his master's deep anger, but Harry turned and raised a finger to his lips. The elf nodded. Dobby snapped his fingers, disappearing the tent, making a sound that caused Ronald to look around wildly. Snatchers appeared next to Ron. The redhead lifted his sleeve, and Hermione almost fainted with shock. There on his forearm, fresh and still reddish, was a Dark Mark.

"Well?"

"I know they are nearby… They must be," Ron said, still looking around.

"You promised to deliver us Harry Potter and the mudblood. We should have known that if you betrayed them, you would betray us," the snatcher said as two Aurors arrived via apparition. Pandemonium broke loose as they all started dueling. Ronald writhed on the floor from the Cruciatus curse.

Hermione tightened her hold on Harry, and he did the same as they hid behind a thick oak tree. Dobby pulled Harry's hand and mouthed, 'Ready?'. The teen nodded. Hermione made a wait gesture, and from where she was, she obliviated Ron with a vengeance. The last thing they needed was for him to tell people things about them. Hermione took Dobby's free hand, Harry wrapped his arm around her waist, and they vanished.

A/N: Thank you for reading! For my usual readers, I am not abandoning ToG. I just have a lot of plot bunnies that need loving too. -Lux-