Before Tomorrow

Before tomorrow

Harry, Ron and Hermione projected an air of being eerily calm. It was only the subconscious wringing of their hands and shaking of their legs that betrayed how they truly felt.

They were sitting on the floor of the Gryffindor common room, keeping warm by the fire. They hadn't spoken in a while, for what could there possibly be left to say at this stage, other than everything and nothing.

Professor McGonagall had left them a few hours previous. At first she was reluctant to leave them alone, but, as Harry pointed out, they were probably safer tonight than any other night in their seven years at Hogwarts. She eventually nodded at this comment and gave them each an awkward hug before leaving them alone together.

Not long after McGonagall's departure, Remus Lupin entered the common room. He sat with them for a few minutes, telling his three former students how proud of them he was. When Remus was about to start talking of tomorrow, Ron cut him off with a feeble joke about how they were putting into practice what he taught them and how their result tomorrow would reflect directly upon his teaching skills.

Remus, along with Harry and Hermione, smiled weakly at Ron's noble attempt at levity. He then embraced them all, which was strangely less uncomfortable than it was with McGonagall, before wishing them luck and saying with all sincerity that he would see them tomorrow night.

Time was trickling by slowly as the three teens sat in silence, each of them having a million thoughts going through their head.

Hermione was mentally going through every book she had ever read, trying to think of any more spells or charms that might help tomorrow. Her mind was reaching out to every spell she had ever heard of and she even tried to think about all the theory behind magic, in case she could improvise a new spell or charm that could help Harry.

Ron's mind was fighting an internal battle. All he could do was think of the thousand different possible outcomes of tomorrow. He didn't want to think about tomorrow yet, but his mind kept going there, showing him all the good ways and all the bad ways tomorrow could end.

Harry was doing a mental checklist of everything he had done to put his affairs in order. He had completed his last will and testament a fortnight ago. One third of his money was to go to Ron, one third to Hermione, while the other third was to be split between various parties; Remus Lupin, the Weasley family, Hagrid and Hogwarts. Harry laughed a sardonic laugh - how many other seventeen year olds had to worry about making sure their will was up to date and in order?

Harry shifted in his spot. He had to say it, even though he knew what the response would be. "It's not too late you know. To change your mind."

Hermione and Ron looked over at him. They had been startled at his breaking of their shared silence and shocked about what he was trying to get them to do.

"No," Ron told him emphatically.

"Never," added Hermione seriously.

Harry nodded reluctantly. They couldn't blame him for trying, could they?

Now that their treasured silence had been broken, they felt the need to continue talking. There was precious little time left, and as much as each of them wanted to pretend tonight was no different than any other night, and that tomorrow was just a normal day, they couldn't do it.

"Are you scared?" Ron asked.

Harry wanted to lie but found the truth escaping his lips. "Terrified."

Hermione stood and started wandering aimlessly around the common room. Harry and Ron watched her from their position on the floor. She appeared to be getting more and more agitated with every step she took, until she eventually turned and asked, "does anyone else feel like they are crawling out of their skin?"

Harry and Ron didn't respond. Hermione started pacing and when she began speaking again, her voice had a high pitched quality and her words ran together. "God, I feel like I'm going insane. I can't just sit there anymore. I have to do something. What can we do? Chess, Exploding Snap, I don't care ... I need to kill some time... I can't just sit here.... I'm going to the library."

She headed for the door but Harry got to her first and in one fluid motion, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a comforting hug. He rubbed his hands in soothing circles over her back, which, like the rest of her body, was beginning to tremble.

"I'm sorry Harry," came her muffled voice from where her head was buried in the crook of his neck.

"It's okay," he reassured her. "We all go a little crazy sometimes."

"But now is hardly the time to go crazy."

"Are you kidding? Now is the perfect time to go crazy. Better now than tomorrow. And considering what we're about to do, I would be shocked if one of us didn't go a little crazy."

Hermione was still shaking in Harry's arms and he could feel her grasping at his jumper.

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

Harry released his arms from around her and lifted her chin. He caressed her cheek lightly as they stared into each others eyes. He smiled slightly. "You don't have to apologise for being human."

He leaned across and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Hermione closed her eyes and felt her anxiety leave her as his lips touched her skin.

Harry pulled back so he could look into her eyes, hoping she could see his sincerity. "Okay?"

She nodded mutely, giving him a small smile in thanks. They walked back to rejoin Ron, who had been watching their exchange in silence, and sat back down on the floor. Hermione threw Ron an apologetic look and he reached over and patted her hand affectionately. Harry smiled at this silent communication between his two, normally very verbal, best friends.

"So, what can we do to pass the time?" Ron asked. "I mean, we can't just sit here all night."

"Well, what would we be doing on any other Wednesday night?" asked Hermione.

"Ron and I would be playing chess or talking quidditch, while you sat with us, doing your homework and nagging us to do ours."

Ron laughed. "Is it just me, or did you just describe how we spent our entire lives?"

Harry grinned but Hermione frowned at her friends. "Nagging?"

"Well," amended Harry, "maybe not 'nagging' us, more like 'enthusiastically encouraging' us."

The three friends laughed together, but quickly descended back into silence, their conversation at a dead end. They knew they couldn't spend tonight playing games or talking about things that had no consequence, not with tomorrow looming large over their heads.

Ron lay down on his back, resting his head on his palms. He looked across to Harry, who was leaning against the couch, and then to Hermione, who was sitting on the floor between them. He felt a sudden ache in his heart as he looked at the faces of his friends.

An indeterminable amount of time passed while Ron decided whether or not he should say what he was thinking. He was sure his friends knew already, but he wanted, he needed to make sure. But his conversation could open the floodgates between all three of them, and he didn't know if Harry and Hermione would appreciate that.

But in the end, he knew he had to tell them, just in case tomorrow didn't go as they planned.

"Hey," he began, getting their attention. He sat up and scooted a bit closer to his friends. "I just wanted to say ... just wanted to make sure you knew..." Ron stumbled over his words while Harry and Hermione looked at him intently. "I'm really sorry for all those stupid fights we've had over the years and all the times we ... all the times I didn't talk to you. It seems so stupid now and if I had one regret, it would be all that time our friendship lost. I just thought you should know ... you know ... before ..."

Hermione reached across and took his hand, smiling at him through her misty eyes. And in that moment, there was a new kind of peace between them.

Harry caught Ron's eyes, and although no words were spoken, Harry told Ron that everything was okay between them.

Hermione released Ron's hand. "Well, I'm sorry too. I was stubborn and unyielding. I was more concerned with the rules than doing what was right. I cared more about my pride than our friendship. I was wrong ... and stupid. Our friendship is..." She looked between her two friends, searching for the right words. "It's the most important thing in my life."

Ron wiped away the solitary tear that was streaking down Hermione's cheek, giving her a weak smile. Harry shifted forward so he was sitting next to Hermione and he placed his hand on her knee.

Hermione turned to Harry and saw a pained and distant look on his face. She turned to Ron who shrugged at her unspoken question. They continued to look at Harry, who was staring at the floor.

"Listen," Harry said eventually, his voice serious. "I want you to promise me-"

"Harry, don't," Hermione interrupted, gripping his hand where it still rested on her leg, not wanting to hear this. "Everything will be fine."

"Hermione, please let me finish," Harry implored and she nodded her consent, though she looked like she was steeling herself for the worst. "Tomorrow ... I will defeat him. I will," he reiterated, with more conviction than he felt. "But there is a high probability that I will die in the process. If this happens, I want the two of you to live long and happy lives."

Harry paused, but Ron and Hermione didn't comment, because they knew he wasn't finished.

"There's a reason I'm fighting tomorrow," Harry continued. "It's not because of this stupid scar on my forehead. And it's not to save the lives of all those innocent witches and wizards out there. It's to save you. You two are my family. I'm fighting tomorrow to save the world, for you. So please promise me that you will live long, quiet, happy lives, whether I survive to share them with you or not."

Stunned silence followed Harry's request.

Eventually, Ron answered him. "No."

Harry was about to object but Ron got in first. "No, Harry. Hermione and I will not promise you that because it's not even an option, okay? Tomorrow will come. You will fight. You will win. And in fifty years time, the three of us will be sitting together in our rocking chairs on the porch of our retirement home and we'll think back to this conversation and laugh together."

If Harry hadn't been so startled by Ron's declaration he would have smiled at the imagery this statement had conjured in his head. All he could do was turn to Hermione and hope she would agree with him, though he had a feeling he was grasping at straws. This was confirmed when Hermione finally spoke.

"No Harry. I can't promise you that." She paused, then added, almost apologetically, "I agree with Ron."

Harry exhaled loudly. A trace of a smile crossed his face as he looked at his friends. "Of all the times for you two to actually agree on anything..."

Hermione smiled. Ron grinned. "Well, better late than never."

All three smiles faded at the hidden implication of what Ron had said.

"I mean-"

"It's okay Ron," Hermione reassured him. "We know what you meant."

The clock on the fireplace mantle chimed. It was midnight.

"It's getting late. Maybe we should turn in," Harry suggested.

Ron nodded, resigned to the fact that there was nothing more that could be done tonight.

Harry stood and Ron soon followed. Ron offered his hand to Hermione but she didn't see it, as she was staring at her hands as though they were the most interesting things in the world.

"Hermione?" Ron questioned. She looked up at him. "Come on, it's time to go to bed."

She continued to stare at him, then reluctantly accepted his hand and he helped her off the floor.

The three friends stood together in silence. Hermione looked from Ron to Harry, a slightly panicked look in her eyes. When she started chewing on her bottom lip, the two boys knew something was wrong.

"What is it?" Ron asked gently, placing a hand on her arm.

Hermione continued to look between her two friends. "Don't leave me," she almost pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ron sighed, pulling her into a warm hug. He looked at Harry over Hermione's shoulder and he was wearing the sort of sad expression Ron was sure matched his own. Ron raised an eyebrow at Harry, who nodded in response.

"Of course we won't leave you," Ron reassured Hermione.

The two friends released each other. Ron took Hermione's hand and led her to the couch. "Wait here a minute," he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

Hermione sat while Ron walked back to Harry, then the two boys took a few more steps away from Hermione so they could talk in private.

"Well?" Ron asked in a quiet voice.

Harry glanced back to Hermione. She was sitting with her head in her hands. "She doesn't want us to leave her. So we stay with her. Simple as that. But in all honesty, I would feel better if we all stayed together too. Wanna be able to keep an eye on both of you."

Ron gave Harry a sharp look. "I thought we were safer tonight than any other night?"

"We are. But you know me..."

"Yeah, I do. You're starting to sound like Moody. Constant vigilance!"

Harry laughed. "Well, he did have a point, didn't he?"

"S'pose he did. So, what are we gonna do about the sleeping arrangements?"

Harry looked around the common room, his eyes lingering slightly on Hermione. "I have an idea." He walked over to her. "Hermione, why don't you go upstairs for a bit? Go have a bath or something, it will help you relax."

"But what-"

"Don't worry, we've got it covered. Go on."

Hermione nodded and headed slowly upstairs. She felt suddenly drained. She gripped the banister, needing all the help she could get just to make it up the stairs.

She went to the bathroom and had a nice, hot bath. Immersing herself deep into the water, she started to feel the tension in her body slowly ebbing away.

After a good half hour, she finally climbed out of the bath. She headed back to her bedroom, for it truly was 'hers' as she hadn't shared it with anyone in weeks, and she changed into her pyjamas.

Hermione headed back downstairs. When she reached the landing, she saw how Harry and Ron had solved the question of their sleeping arrangements.

The common room was completely transformed. They had pushed the couches and chairs to the corners of the room. In front of the fireplace was a large mattress. Actually, it was a huge mattress. It already had three pillows and three blankets arranged over it but there was more than enough room. It probably could have slept five people comfortably.

Harry and Ron were standing at the foot of the mattress, both already in their pyjamas. They were in the middle of a conversation, and didn't hear Hermione as she made her way down the stairs.

"Harry," Ron was saying warningly.

"Ron, please," Harry replied, his face serious.

Ron sighed, as if he was doing something against his better judgement. "Okay. I promise."

A look of relief crossed Harry's face. "Thanks brother."

Hermione watched Harry and Ron hug each other. Not one of those 'pat on the back, minimal physical contact' hugs, but a genuine, warm, loving embrace. As they released each other, Hermione reached the floor and they turned to her.

"What are you talking about?" she asked lightly.

"Nothing," Harry replied in a rush, a slightly guilty look on his face.

She turned to Ron, who shook his head at her. "So," Ron said, clapping his hands together. "What do you think?" He stepped back, indicating the common room around them.

Hermione looked around the room, her expression pensive, as if she was seriously considering their work. She then turned back to her friends. "It's perfect. Though I do have to wonder whose idea it was to have a single large mattress."

Ron and Harry exchanged a look, their eyes twinkling.

"Well," Harry began. "The original plan was to have three mattresses, obviously. But after we dragged the first mattress downstairs-"

"We figured it was easier to just enlarge this one, rather than bring two more downstairs," Ron finished.

Hermione laughed at her friends. "Lazy!"

Harry put on a face of mock hurt while Ron shrugged. "Yeah, but what are you gonna do?"

Hermione smiled, then moved over to the makeshift bed and climbed under the blanket in the middle of the mattress. Ron walked over and claimed the blanket to Hermione's right.

Harry detoured around the mattress and crouched in front of the fireplace. He took his wand from where it was resting at the head of the mattress and pointed it at the fire. He muttered a spell and the flames died down, so the room was no longer illuminated so brightly, it was now merely covered in a soft glow.

Harry climbed under the remaining blanket, took off his glasses and lay down. "Goodnight," he said.

"Goodnight," Hermione and Ron replied in unison.

Harry closed his eyes, though he knew the odds of him falling asleep were pretty much non-existent.

No one spoke for a while and Harry hoped this meant his friends had fallen asleep. He opened his eyes and ventured a look at them. They were both awake; Ron staring at the ceiling while Hermione was lying on her stomach, resting her chin on her folded arms.

Harry sighed. "Are you at least going to try and get some sleep?"

Ron and Hermione turned to him.

"I still can't believe it's come to this," Ron said.

"Me neither," Hermione agreed, rolling over so she was lying on her back. "Do you remember the first day we met?"

"Of course," Harry replied, wondering at the sudden change of topic. Ron nodded mutely.

"Would you have ever thought, that day on the train, that we would end up here?"

Ron laughed a short laugh. "Never in a million years."

Harry remained silent. He could never tell his friends that in this moment, he wished they had never met on the Hogwarts Express, that they had never fought that troll. Because, if they hadn't, then right now Ron and Hermione would be far away from here. They would be safe. And they wouldn't be going with him tomorrow, into the jaws of hell.

Harry sleepily rubbed at his face. There was no point going down this road. For in his heart, Harry knew that even if the three of them had not met on the train or had there been no troll incident, they would still be best friends. He knew with every fibre of his being that they were meant to be together. And in all honesty, he was glad to have them by his side.

Time crept slowly by. Harry heard the clock chime again, indicating it was two am.

Harry looked across at his friends once more. Ron was sleeping. Hermione had her eyes closed but Harry saw she was still awake, as she was twirling her hair around her index finger.

The hours passed in silence, uninterrupted save for the occasional snore from Ron or the sound of Hermione shifting to get comfortable. Harry spent his time lying on his back, staring at the ceiling. In all the years he had spent at Hogwarts, Harry had barely looked at the ceiling of the Gryffindor common room. Now he had it memorised.

At around four am, Harry heard the first deliberate noise for hours.

"Harry," Hermione whispered. "You awake?"

"Yeah," he replied in a hushed voice.

Hermione shifted closer to Harry so they could talk without fear of waking Ron, dragging her pillow and blanket with her. "I can't believe he's asleep."

Turning his head to face Hermione, Harry replied, "he's lucky. I wish I could sleep."

"Me too."

They fell into silence but kept their eyes locked onto each other. As their eyes had adjusted to the light around them they could see each other clearly, despite the fact the room was still quite dim.

After a while, Harry closed his eyes, even though he still wasn't tired. Hermione watched him for the longest time before she spoke again.

"Hey Harry," she whispered.

"Hmm?" he replied, indicating he was still awake, though he kept his eyes closed.

"I love you."

Harry opened his eyes. "I love you too."

He smiled and opened his arms to her. She went into them willingly. She draped her arm over his stomach, resting her hand over his heart.

Harry placed a kiss on the top of Hermione's head. She smiled, then lifted her head from it's place on his shoulder to look at Harry.

Simultaneously, the two friends inched forward and shared a sweet kiss.

Hermione pulled back slightly. She moved her hand from its place over Harry's rapidly beating heart and caressed his cheek lightly while she studied his face. He smiled at her and in reply, she kissed him with all the love and passion she felt. Harry responded with equal fervour.

When their kiss ended, Hermione returned to her position on Harry's shoulder and replaced her hand over his heart. Harry reached up and took her hand, lacing their fingers together.

They lay together in silence and after a short while, Harry knew from the steady, rhythmic breathing from the girl in his arms that she was asleep.

He smiled, grateful she could get some rest. He kissed her head once more before turning his head away from her. He looked across the common room to the large window and gazed outside. He watched the shining stars and moon, and then the eventual rising of the sun.

~*~

Hermione awoke with a start, her heart racing. The vague thoughts of her bad dream dissipated as she quickly realised she was not sleeping alone in her bedroom, she was in the common room, lying in someone's arms.

She tilted her head upwards and found Harry looking at her. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied.

After a brief pause, Hermione's brow furrowed. Her eyes then widened in realisation. "Morning!" she gasped, sitting bolt upright. Harry sat up too, his green eyes bright with concern. "It's really the morning, isn't it?" Hermione asked, turning to face him.

Harry nodded sadly.

Hermione bit her lip as a single tear streaked down her cheek. Harry lifted his hand to her cheek, wiping away her tear with his thumb before caressing her cheek with the back of his other fingers. She tried to smile to reassure him that she was okay, but her smile quickly turned into a frown.

Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione and they held onto each other tightly. When they eventually released each other, she looked at him closely. "Are you ready?"

Harry met her gaze. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Hermione turned away, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself. Her eyes fell on Ron. He was still sleeping.

"What time is it?"

"Late. Around ten."

"Did you get any sleep?" she asked, turning to look at him. But when she saw his pale face and tired eyes, she already knew the answer.

Harry shook his head in reply. He had tried to get some rest. After all, he was going to need his strength today. But every time he got close to sleep, he remembered what the morning would bring. And if today was really his last, he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his friends, even if they were asleep.

"I'm going to get us some breakfast," Harry announced, throwing the blankets off his legs and standing up.

"Want some help?"

"No, that's okay. Stay here. I'll bring back enough for all of us."

Hermione nodded and watched him put on his glasses and slip on a pair of shoes before walking out the portrait hole. She then realised she had been absent-mindedly rubbing her arms. It was quite cool in the common room, the glowing embers in the fireplace providing little light and even less warmth.

She scrambled around the bed, checking around the edges of the mattress for her wand. When she located it at the foot of the bed, she edged over to the fireplace and with a flick of the wand, the flames roared to life, giving off instant heat.

She put down her wand and turned her attention to Ron. She crawled over to him and sat cross-legged opposite him. She reached out and started prodding him on the chest, trying to wake him. There was no response. She then gripped his upper arm and intermittently shook him. Again there was no immediate response and her attention soon wandered. She became mesmerised by the flames in the fireplace opposite her and was so enthralled by the flames that she didn't see Ron open his eyes.

"Good morning Hermione."

Hermione turned her attention back to Ron. "Good morning."

Ron looked across the bed. "Where's Harry?" he asked, a slightly nervous tone in his voice.

"He went to get us some breakfast."

Ron nodded, moving his right hand from under his blanket and placing it on Hermione's hand, which was still gripping his arm. "Did you get any sleep?"

Hermione was suddenly assaulted with the image of what had happened just prior to her falling asleep. Trying not to smile at the memory, she replied, "a little."

"And Harry?"

Hermione shook her head mutely.

Ron sighed, releasing Hermione's hand and putting his arm behind his head, resting on the crook of his arm. "Poor guy."

Hermione nodded faintly in agreement. She released Ron's arm and shifted to lie down beside him. He opened his left arm to her and she accepted, using his arm as a pillow.

"Ron, can I ask you something?" she asked after they both got comfortable.

"Anything."

"What were you and Harry talking about last night?"

Ron paused, unsure whether he should answer. "I'm not sure if I should tell you."

"Ron, please. I heard you promise something. What was it?"

Ron sighed. "I promised him," he began, speaking slowly and deliberately, "that if he fell in battle, that I wouldn't try to help him, or avenge him. I promised him that I would take you and that we would run, get ourselves to safety."

Ron paused, giving Hermione a chance to have this information sink in.

"All Harry cares about is our safety, you know. And I didn't want to promise him that we would leave him, but if you had seen the desperation in his eyes when he asked me, you wouldn't have been able to refuse him either."

Hermione didn't know what to say. Harry had always been so protective but she didn't imagine this when she asked about the promise.

What was it about Harry that made him want to protect everyone? What made him want to risk everything for the safety of his friends? Hermione knew that even if she had the rest of their lives to try and figure Harry out, she would never be able to. All she knew at that moment was how much she loved him.

Hermione became aware of Ron looking at her, clearly expecting a reply to what he had told her, probably anticipating a severe talking to for agreeing to Harry's request.

"Let's just hope it never comes to that."

Ron nodded, clearly relieved not to be on the receiving end of one of Hermione's lectures.

They lay together in silence until ten minutes later, when Harry walked back through the portrait hole.

"Where's the food?" Ron asked when Harry walked into the common room empty handed.

"Oh, and a good morning to you too Ron," Harry replied with fake annoyance.

"Sorry," Ron replied, looking instantly contrite. "Good morning Harry. Where's the food?"

Harry smiled, stopping at the foot of the bed. "Dobby wanted to bring it to us. He insisted I couldn't carry enough food for all three of us back from the kitchens. I'm actually a bit worried about how much food Dobby thinks we need."

Ron and Hermione smiled. Hermione held out her hand for Harry. He smiled as he kicked off his shoes, then walked over and took her offered hand. She pulled on his hand gently and, understanding her request, he fell to his knees then released her hand and lay down, resting his head on her stomach.

The three friends lay down together in silence, Hermione idly playing with Harry's hair.

Dobby arrived ten minutes later with an array of food for the three teens. They sat up and he placed the tray of food in front of them. They gave Dobby their thanks and he left them with surprising speed.

Harry, Ron and Hermione ate in a comfortable, though slightly tense, silence. When they had stomached all they could, which wasn't much, they headed upstairs to their individual dorms to shower and dress for the day.

Harry was the first one back downstairs. He searched the surrounds of their bed and located all three wands. Holding them in his hands, he sat on the edge of the mattress, his legs involuntarily shaking with nerves. He rested his hands on his legs, unconsciously drumming his fingers on his knees.

Harry heard some movement and looked up to see Ron and Hermione heading downstairs. He smiled inwardly. Although they hadn't talked about clothing, all three of them were wearing similar outfits; simple pants, comfortable shoes and warm jumpers, with everything in dark colours.

I guess it's true what they say, Harry thought. Great minds do think alike.

Harry stood and met Ron and Hermione in the middle of the room. He glanced at the wands he held in his hand, then held them out so they rested in his flat palm.

"Are you sure?" he asked, one last time.

"Yes," Ron said earnestly, taking his wand from Harry.

"Absolutely," Hermione added, taking her own wand.

They stood together for a moment, as if unsure of what to do next.

"I love you guys, you know that right?" Harry's voice was full of uncertainty.

"We know," Hermione reassured him, close to tears.

"And we love you too," Ron said, his voice full of honesty and love. "Never forget that."

Harry nodded, trying his hardest not to succumb to the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

The three best friends embraced each other tightly, Hermione kissing Ron on his cheek and Harry lightly on his lips. They released each other slowly, giving themselves a moment to get composed.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

Hermione and Ron nodded mutely.

Harry smiled weakly at his friends, the two most important people in his life, two people who were willing to risk their lives for him.

Ron and Hermione smiled softly in reply. Then the three friends turned and walked, single file, through the portrait hole and out of the common room.