Chapter Text
Harry and Hermione sat in solemn silence on the Hogwarts express at the end of their fourth year. After all the events that transpired they felt as though all the joy had been sucked out of them, leaving them as empty husks as if a dementor had caught up to them. Ron was in a carriage with his family and offered them to join but they both declined. Close as they were, they understood when there was time for just blood family.
Hermione was rapidly thinking of any way to pull Harry from his depressive state, as of late it seemed as if he had just shut down and for good reason. Wrapping her arms around herself in a poor imitation of a hug the “brightest witch of her age” could come up with nothing. Pressing her hands tighter against her sides, Hermione felt a faint crumple of parchment and immediately cursed herself for not thinking of it before. The list! She thought, it was something she had started carrying around with her when she after the ball and she was eternally grateful to have it on her now.
“Harry…,” She started a little scratchily, her voice rough from slight disuse. “will you come sit by me?”
Harry looked up startled and a little confused but eventually nodded his head and moved over to her side of the carriage. Hermione motioned him to sit closer and began to explain why she called him over.
“I know this might not be the time but I thought it might be nice to…you know…look at something that might make your thoughts happy for a little while. It really isn’t in the steps of grief, I don’t think and I’m not sure if it’s entirely appropriate given the circumstances and…” Hermione stopped as she felt a hand on her knee and turned to look at Harry with wide eyes. Harry had a small smile lightly dancing across his features as if it wasn’t sure it wanted to stay but Hermione would take it as a win.
“Hermione, I’m sure it’s fine. I could use a distraction right now.” Harry stated quietly. Hermione flashed him a brittle smile and pulled the crumpled parchment from her pocket. It was Harry’s turn for the wide eyes as he recognized the slip of parchment in his girlfriend’s hand.
“Hermione, is that..?” He cut himself off and glanced up to her face to see her nod. She opened her mouth as if to say something but instead just held out the list for Harry to take. With shaking hands he slowly unfolded it, his mind flying back to the last time he had done so back in second year. Looking down he skipped past the first few he had already read with a genuine smile, not noticing Hermione’s relieved one and her suspiciously wet eyes.
#5. Help him study. Harry stifled a laugh at this one, only Hermione would think to win over a man with education.
#6. Stay by his side and never be influenced by those rumor mongers. Harry felt his own eyes tear up at this one because he was reminded of Hermione’s steadfast acceptance of all of him, good and bad. He knew she was loyal to the bone and would never need a reminder, he was so lucky to have her.
#7. Love him. Even if he never feels the same, Harry deserves love. Harry felt tears slip down his cheeks while reading this last line. Hermione had moved closer, arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I stopped there because I had been reading about magic and numbers and thought seven might bring good luck to the list. I guess it worked.” Harry turned to her as she finished and hugged her tight to him. It was a little awkward but neither of them would change a thing as both of them needed a little comfort right now. Leaning back just far enough in order to kiss his girlfriend and not being able to tell where her tears began and his ended Harry couldn’t believe he could call this amazing woman his own. She always knew what to do. Placing the list in his own pocket Harry gave Hermione a look, trying to say everything that he couldn’t articulate. Hermione just graced him with a soft smile, understanding perfectly. Leaning back even farther in order to lean against the window of the train car, Harry situated himself and Hermione until she was practically laying on top of him, her ear over his heart listening to it beat.
A while later they hadn’t changed positions when Ron entered the car. He sat down on the same side as them with a small smile as he looked at the couple. He placed a hand on Harry’s ankle as it was closest to him and he needed the contact. The three looked at each other and knew that no matter what happened the three of them would get through it. Just like they always did.