“Harry-” The bags under his eyes worried him, they’d been on their own for weeks now and she could tell it was starting to take its toll on him. I can’t pull your heart together Harry. She thought gently, some days it felt like the darkness surrounding them was overwhelming; threatening to suffocate them before they could finish their mission. “You’re still wearing the Horcrux.”
She knew what it had done to Ron, and that darkness threatened to extinguish the light in Harry. The idea of it made her want to sob, the melancholy atmosphere wasn't helping. She had tried her best to get some light in here, but this fucking tent was always so fucking dark. Irritation threatened to rear its ugly head when he didn’t answer her.
They’d spent the day on the run, looking for another Horcrux, which meant they were both hot and tired. “Are you Hungry Harry?” She asked.
Again, there was no answer.
I’m losing him Hermione thought miserably, the light in his eyes was going out with each passing day. It’s not like she was much better, the person that looked her in the mirror was someone she didn’t recognize. They’d carry this for the rest of their lives, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to take. “I’m going to make dinner.” she finally declared.
Harry still didn’t respond.
----
Harry had to wonder if this was what it was like to suffocate. He knew that it would lessen if he took the damn thing off, but if he did that meant Hermione would have to wear it… His entire body felt weighed down, however, Hermione had suffered enough, so instead he chose to suffer in silence.
Maybe she’d be okay if he kept her at arm's length.
I’m not strong enough for this. Harry thought miserably as the bushy-haired witch tried to get something out of him. Like a moth to a flame, he found himself following her into the kitchen area of the tent, a look of longing in his eyes. He wanted her, he shouldn’t want her but Merlin’s beard was she the only thing keeping him going.
Take the Horcrux off.
In his mind, it was so simple, but he didn’t say anything. Their eyes locked and whatever foolish pride he had left crumbled at the worried look in her eye. Hermione had sacrificed so much for him and here he was keeping her at arm's length to protect her.
His heart was overruling his mind.
----
This was your choice, Hermione thought bitterly, You let it in…The defeatist attitude wasn’t exactly a surprise, things had felt hopeless for days. Harry was succumbing to the Horcrux and it felt like there was nothing she could do. The witch had considered just taking it off him, but unless he willingly took the damn thing off then it wouldn’t mean anything. He’d just put it right back on.
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
Uncomfortable silence filled the room and Hermione briefly wondered if she would ever be able to pick up all the pieces. They’d fit together once upon a time, she could still remember how they’d all fit together just last year. “Harry I wish you’d take that thing off.”
Green eyes met brown and, as if not in control of her own body, Hermione walked over and gently took the locket in her hand. “I know what’s it doing to you, Harry… You can’t shoulder this all on your own.”
---
“You can’t shoulder this all on your own.” Hermione’s words echoed in his head and his mouth opened to deliver one of a dozen different retorts, but none of them would come forward. It wasn’t the first time the boy who lived wished that he could distance himself from her, it would be so much easier if he didn’t care so bloody much.
“Help me take it off,” Harry whispered.
An unreadable expression crossed her features before she nodded and unclasped the locket from him. It felt like a weight had been lifted not just from his shoulders but his soul, and he could breathe properly for the first time since Ron had left.
“Hermione-”
But she had already gone back into the kitchen.
----
The duo ate in a more comfortable silence and Harry had to admit he felt a lot better without the Horcrux on. Green eyes glanced over at his friend and then the locket on the table; he had put it there after she had taken it off… Maybe he should have done that from the get-go.
Hermione glanced up at him, “Your savior complex is going to get you killed you know.” she muttered quietly before turning away.
Any response currently escaped him, instead, he just walked over to see what was happening on the radio- it was his special hell in a way, listening to his friends suffering while he stayed on the run… But he needed to know.
The radio show he usually listened to was not on, however, instead, music filled the tent and he walked over to Hermione, offering her his hand… He could still make this right.
----
Harry Potter and his bloody hero complex was going to be the death of both of them. He would die trying to save everyone and she would die trying to save them. They had an almost unhealthy dependency on each other, she was rational enough to realize this but not rational enough to care.
Looking up at the hand offered to her the young woman frowned, “Harry…” But he seemingly didn’t hear her or didn’t care. Were they going to do this now? After a moment she just sighed and took his hand in resignation, but that quickly turned into a smile as they swayed to the music; for the first time in days her eyes shone with happiness; Brown eyes met Green and for a moment her breath caught in her throat.
Maybe the pieces still fit.