AN: Character death in this chapter. Grab the tissues!!!
Chapter Twenty-Two: I'll be seeing you
(Hermione)
I heard a crash downstairs while I was towel drying my hair. I had been having thoughts about having a normal day out with Harry, the man I was swiftly falling for when the clatter from down below. Throwing my clothes on that I had brought into the bathroom with me, I grabbed my wand and made my way cautiously down the stairs. Please let it be Harry just being a git in the kitchen, I thought to myself.
I peered over the banister into the sitting room and I could see Harry lying on the ground, and Michael standing merely feet away from him with his wand pointed at him.
My heart leapt into my throat, Harry was dead. Oh my goodness, my head began to swim, and my legs became weak. I could hold myself up anymore and as a result I slid down the wall, never taking my eyes off of Michael and Harry. Tears were welling up in my eyes and threatening to spill over, until I saw movement coming from Harry. He was stirring, he wasn't dead! Suddenly I gained my lost confidence from the knowledge of Harry still being alive.
My wand clutched in my hand I flew down the stairs at Michael.
"Expelliarmus!" I shouted as his wand flew out of hand. "Accio wand!" I followed up with the summoning spell and his wand flew into my hand.
I pointed both wands at him; his face had lost the cockiness to it, and now held panic. I smiled coyly at him, loving the power I was holding over him right now. I glanced over at Harry who was pushing himself up off the floor, my heart melted at the sight of him. I returned my gaze back to Michael who was glaring at Harry now.
"Listen to me you bastard. I want you out of my home right now."
Harry had grabbed his wand off the floor and was now pointing it at Michael as well. Michael continued to smile evilly.
"Please don't make me hurt you Michael." I almost begged him. I had loved this man at one point, death eater or not.
His gaze fell on me and I felt a stab of icy cold daggers pierce my heart at his next words.
"Just like a mudblood to beg."
Suddenly I saw a flash of green tackle Michael to the ground. Harry was on top of him smashing his fist into Michaels' once beautiful face. Blood was splattering all over the place, and tears were streaming down my face. I couldn't bring myself to stop Harry, so I slid down the wall and watched as Harry mutilated this man.
When his breathing became ragged he finally stopped. His fists were covered in someone else's blood, as was his face. The deep red of the blood brought his startling green eyes to life even more, as he looked towards me.
" 'Mione, are you alright?" He asked concern etched in his face. He scooted towards me and grabbed my hand. The blood was now all over me, but I didn't care as long as Harry was near me. I nodded my head to let him know that I had heard him. Feeling quite exhausted all of a sudden I relaxed my head onto his shoulder, and examined the room.
It turns out the killing curse had barely missed Harry and it seemed to have crashed into the table behind him. There was a visible scar on the wood, as well as a single white feather. My heart began rapidly beating. I stood up automatically.
"Harry, where's Hedwig?" I began to move towards the table. Harry was instantly at my side. There was fear in his eyes as we together approached the table.
Hedwig was lying on the floor beside her perch, her wings spread out as if ready to take to the sky. Her eyes held an empty stare and her beak was opened slightly, as if in warning.
Nothing was said as Harry bent down to cradle the body of his beloved friend. I watched his face as he nuzzled Hedwigs' body to his face, tears were streaming out of his eyes and landing onto her body, soaking the feathers immediately. I could feel my own tears coming on, as he stood up, still clutching onto his bird. She had been with him since his eleventh birthday, she was much more than a bird to him, she was a friend, a beloved pet, and a confidant.
The pain was obvious if you looked into his eyes, but he was trying his hardest not to let any of it show on the outside, other than those few tears he shed for her in the beginning. He took her over to where the sheet we had made love in still lay on the floor, carefully placing her in it, he wrapped it all around her body until she was covered. He left her on the floor, and walked over to Michaels body.
"You killed my owl." He stated bluntly. "You tried to kill me, and you nearly killed Hermione. Give me a reason to keep you alive." He now had his wand pointed at Michaels decrepit body.
I could only sit back and watch, I was still in shock at the death of Hedwig, and the attempt on Harrys' life.
Harry shook his head. "No, I think I would rather see you rot in Azkaban for the rest of your life." He points his wand at Michael and says "Petrificus Totalus" the incantation for the binding spell. Michael instantly becomes stiff as a board.
Harry turns to me then, walking up to me and takes me into his arms. He doesn't weep, not one tear is shed, but he's shaking. Out of anger or sadness I do not know, but all I do is hold him close to me, and let him know that I care.
He pulls back from me and fixes his gaze on me. "I have to go now Hermione. I know I said I would be here longer, but I need to fix some things. I will be back as soon as I can." He placed a kiss on my lips and then turned to gather Hedwigs' body up in his arms. Before he reached Michaels form, I called after him.
"Harry!"
He turned to look at me, I ran to him, and crushed his body in a hug. I could feel the towel containing Hedwig between us, but I didn't care. I need to say it now.
"Harry, I love you. I have loved you. Please forgive me for all the stupidity." He placed a finger over my lips a smile creeping over his face slightly.
"I knew you loved me." He replaced his finger with his lips, his free hand traveling up my spine. Then he broke the kiss and whispered in my ear. "I love you too."
He walked over to Michael, knelt down and grabbed his hand.
"I'll be seeing you."
And then he apparated away, taking Michael and Hedwig with him. I was alone in my house once again.