Chapter Eight
Hermione awoke in a cold sweat, her breathing ragged. She threw off the covers, snatched her robe, and flew from the dormitory.
She had to see if he was alive. The dream was too real, and it spooked her too much. She reached the common room, and yanked the boys' dormitory door open, and ran up the stairs, not caring that she was becoming out of breath.
Reaching the top of the stairs, where the boys' door loomed in front of her, she pressed a hand to her heart and stomach, trying to calm down.
Her dream was vivid, and disgustingly so. She'd been wandering in the forest, for no reason in particular, when she came to a clearing. It looked like a beautiful spot, with trees all around and a sparkling pond in the middle, lilies floating gracefully around on the surface. But it turned suddenly dark as she spotted a floating object in the water of the now dank waters of the pond. She remembered inching toward the water's edge, and then becoming sick when she found it to be a hand. It was gray, and lifeless, the fingers curled as if it was beckoning her to join it. She felt her heart pounding against her ribs, and it was the only thing she heard as her eyes followed the arm up to a body. A dead body. She remembered biting back a scream as she saw Harry's green eyes staring back at her, dead and lifeless, and wide in silent surprise.
His dead, gray face swam in front of her face as she braced herself against the stone wall in front of the door. She knew it was a dream. What was she doing here? He was probably peacefully asleep in his bed, having good dreams, unlike her. Taking a deep breath, but still feeling uneasy, she made her way back downstairs. She only went a few steps before the door opened behind her.
She spun around, to see Harry in his PJs, standing in the doorway.
"Hermione?"
Without a word, she rushed back up and threw her arms around his neck, clinging for dear life.
"Hermione. What's the matter?"
Tears burned her eyes as Harry stepped onto the landing, and closed the door behind him.
"Hermione?" Worry filled him as he heard her sobs. He wrapped his arms around her.
"It was so awful," she cried.
"What was, love? Come on now, calm down."
He gently sat down on the top step; bringing her down next to him.
"Oh God." She sobbed into his shoulder as he held her, and rocked her gently from side to side.
Once her quiet sobs had subsided, he said gently, "Are you ready to tell me now?"
She looked up at him, her face wet with tears, and it nearly broke his heart to see her so pale and sad.
"I had a horrible nightmare Harry."
"What happened that's got you so upset over it?" He rubbed a hand up and down her forearm, hoping it would calm her.
"You were dead." She said simply, a few more tears leaking out, "I found you dead in a pond in the forest. You were dead." She buried her face in his shoulder.
"It was only a dream, you're okay. I'm here. I'm alive. It's alright." He held her as she continued.
"You don't understand Harry. It was so real. So real." She whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. He lifted her chin to look at her, and he saw in her eyes how much this nightmare had actually scared her. Terrified her. Her bloodshot eyes stared back at him, in an almost pleading manner.
With his thumbs, he wiped away the remaining tears. "It's okay now, I'm here."
And thank God for it, she thought. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"I was so scared Harry."
"I know. It's okay." He just held her, and rocked her.
"Thank God it was only a nightmare." She said, pulling back.
"You made it seem like more than just a nightmare, love." He brushed a stray hair back from her wet face.
She gave him a watery smile and sat back from him, sniffling.
"So where were you off to?" She asked, sniffling again.
"Actually, I couldn't sleep." But he wasn't going to tell her it was because he couldn't stop thinking about her.
They talked for a while, enjoying the quiet. A few minutes later, they decided to go back to their appropriate dorms, and maybe talk more in the morning.
"Thanks Harry, for dealing with my stupid hysteria." She smiled, getting up from the step.
"It's alright Hermione. Don't hesitate to ever come to me if you need anything, alright?" He tucked her hair behind her ears.
Her stomach tightened, and she smiled up at him. And then she saw his scar, and looking into his eyes for a glance, she reached up and brushed the hair away from it, so it was clearly visible. And she felt suddenly relaxed. She could feel his eyes watching her.
Lightly, she ran a finger down his scar, wondering how he could have lived through all the suffering he'd been through. She felt a tug of sympathy for the baby that was left with no one to love him and care for him like he deserved. Like any child deserved. She got on her tiptoes and kissed his scar softly, wishing she could make all his past pain go away. But knowing she couldn't, she decided she'd love him. She would love him, as he deserved.
Accepting that you're in love in your heart is easier than actually saying it out loud, she decided.
Coming back down on her feet, she touched her lips to his.
As he watched her delicate eyes skim his face and scar, his stomach twisted. He took her hand from his cheek and kissed the palm. Three words suddenly tumbled into his head, but he stopped them before they tumbled out of his mouth.
He rested his brow against hers, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he found her eyes staring right back, a smile playing on her lips. He kissed those lips softy, and then her forehead.
"We should be getting back to our own dorms, don't you think? We don't wanna get caught." He whispered.
"Mhm."
He kissed her one last time and murmured, "Good-Night."
"Night," She hugged him quickly, and heading down the stairs she turned back and smiled up at him.
Oh dear Merlin, what the bloody hell had she gotten herself into? What was she going to do now?
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