Mending

Ringo

Rating: G
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 05/01/2005
Last Updated: 06/01/2005
Status: completed

You would figure out how to fix the broken mirror Sirius had given you so it was in working condition. You had no grand plans in mind when you started...no plot you thought you could put the mirrors to good use with. You just wanted it fixed. It was broken because you acted on impulse, again, and something had been hurt, again. It was time to start thinking before acting. 'Merlin, Hermione would be proud,' you thought.

Chapters

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It started out as a summer project...something to occupy your time in the house full of people that either refused or were afraid to speak to you anymore. Not that you minded, particularly. The words that had come out of their mouths the first sixteen years of your life made you cherish the silence...the space that you were now given thanks to your sendoff at the train station. But the problem was the silence allowed you time to reflect...to think...to regret the choices that you had made. You had acted on emotion and Sirius was dead. And no matter how much you tried to put it out of your mind...to think about something else...the thoughts came back...wave after wave. The silence and isolation only made the voices louder. So you started the "project". You would figure out how to fix the broken mirror Sirius had given you so it was in working condition. You had no grand plans in mind when you started...no plot you thought you could put the mirrors to good use with. You just wanted it fixed. It was broken because you acted on impulse, again, and something had been hurt, again. It was time to start thinking before acting. Merlin, Hermione would be proud, you thought.

Three months later, after spending the summer researching the components needed to make the mirror magical again and actually performing the spells once back at Hogwarts, the project was complete. Remus had retrieved the other mirror from Grimmauld Place and the two now worked flawlessly. It was Hermione's idea to put additional protection charms on them so they wouldn't be broken again. The task was complete and both mirrors went into your trunk because you still hadn't come up with any grand plans for their use.

Another three months passed and it was time for Christmas break, the mirrors still safe in your trunk. Although she didn't want to, Hermione's parents insisted that she come home for the holidays and she was ready to head home on the train. As you said goodbye in the common room she wrapped you in a hug and told you to keep studying and that she was only an owl away if you needed anything. Her words struck a chord and you told her to wait as you bounded up the steps to your room to retrieve one of the mirrors. ‘Use it if you need me, all right?’ you said as you handed the mirror over. ‘Are you sure, Harry?’ she asked. ‘Who else?’ you replied without thinking. ‘I mean...who else?’ You weren't sure why she teared up but you thought it was a good thing and when she wrapped you in another hug you knew it was a good thing. She whispered ‘thank you’ in your ear and headed home for the holidays.

Three days later, on Christmas day, she used the mirror for the first time. You sprinted up the stairs when you heard your name to retrieve the mirror, excited that you had actually set things right. You talked about the gifts you had opened that morning and you thanked her for the present she had given you (So You Want To Be An Auror? Practical Tips For The Prospective Evil Thwarter). She then thanked you for your gift and told you that the mirror was the best present she had ever been given. You told her you didn't understand and she laughed and said she didn't think you would.

Two months later the mirrors had not been used again and yours was back in your trunk. While leaving class one day you noticed Hermione's mirror in her bag as she packed up her books. You asked her why she bothered to carry it around with her. She just smiled and said ‘You never know when we'll need each other. If I've learned anything since coming here it’s to expect the unexpected.’ You started carrying yours around in your bag the next day.

Four months later you were back at Privet Drive and you were crying. You had been out weeding your Aunt's garden and had seen a black shaggy dog walk by. That's it. A dog walked by and it started you crying. You didn't know what was the matter with you because you did not cry. It was only a dog. It didn't mean anything. It had been over a year and it didn't mean anything. But you cried because it did mean something. Sirius was still dead and it was still your fault. Then you heard Hermione's voice saying your name through the mirror. You tried to compose yourself and pretend that everything was fine. She told you she knew you were lying and that it was all right if you didn't want to tell her the truth. But if you did want to tell her, she wanted to listen. Maybe it was the fact that she was hundreds of miles away that made it easier to finally open up. Whatever the reason, you realized you wanted to tell her the truth. So you did.

Seven months later you were dying. You had done it...you had beaten him...but at a price. As the mediwizards tried to save you a decision was made. You started talking about the mirror. How it was in your bag, probably still where they had found you...but don't worry it won't be broken. Hermione charmed it so it wouldn't break. You told them she was good with charms. You asked them to find the mirror, say the name 'Hermione Granger' and once she appeared to tell her that 'Harry did it'. It was very important and you kept asking them until they agreed. Then you passed out.

Three days later you woke up for the first time since the battle in a room at St. Mungo's. Remus and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there, along with letters from Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. You grabbed your glasses and Hermione's letter in one motion. 'I knew you would' was all she had written. You smiled.

Two weeks later you were back at Hogwarts, lying in your bed, unable to sleep. You tried to tell yourself it was because of the dozens of potions that that maniacal Pomfrey still made you drink to build your strength back up but you knew it was a lie. You reached down for your bag and pulled out the mirror, staring at your darkened reflection. This will change everything you thought as you cast a silencing charm around your bed and said her name aloud.

Fifteen minutes later you had told her that you thought you were in love with her, that now that you could think about your future you realized that she was always in it...that she had to be in it or it wasn't a real future. And when you were done you were met with silence and a darkened mirror as it was clear the one she had been holding had been dropped. The world as you knew it had ended until you heard the footsteps coming up the stairs to your room and felt the shift in your bed when she sat down. "I knew you did," she said through tears as she leaned down to kiss you.

Many years later you were burying your wife. She had always said that her greatest fear since she met you was that she would outlive you because she didn't think her heart could take it. As much as losing her hurt, you were glad you could give her that final gift. It had been a simple funeral, befitting her taste. After the service had ended and everyone else had filed out, you stood over her, gazing at her lifeless body before the casket was closed for the final time. As you stood there you remembered Dumbledore’s response when you asked him why some wizards were able to live for such a long time. “The power of magic is an amazing thing, Harry. And while wizards can’t deny death forever, we can sometimes postpone it if we want to,” he had replied with a gleam in his eye. You remembered how he died less than a week after Voldemort’s ultimate defeat. You didn’t understand how he could live so long and die so suddenly while still in seemingly good health. Hermione had explained it for you later. “He was done, Harry…he was ready. He had fulfilled his purpose.” Even after her explanation you still didn’t really understand. You did now.

Five minutes later you knew it was time to go. You softly placed the small, square mirror you had been holding tightly throughout the service under her still hand. "Use it if you need me, all right?" you said quietly before turning and leaving. As you made your way to where your children and grandchildren were waiting you knew you would be seeing each other very soon.