Harry's Spiral

He sank to his knees and knelt over Hermione. The fear in her eyes was slowly replaced by recognition.

“Harry…” Her voice fluttered, she was still in deep shock but, miraculously, her soft eyes focussed on him. Not through or beyond him, but straight at his face. “Harry… there’s so much…”

“I know, I would have loved you Hermione, with all my life I would have loved you… And now you know.” They slowly became aware of the faces peering from behind curtains and around doors. It would soon be time to move on, Harry could feel it in the air, the sky no longer resisted him.

“Don’t go… not now you’ve told me. I can’t let you die again.” She reached up to place a hand alongside his face. Her fingers passed through him effortlessly. “Be whole Harry… be whole!”

“I’ve had my chance… I don’t know if I saved the world, things are strange, blurry, but I saved you. And that’s enough for me.” Tears began to form in her eyes.

“I love you Harry.” He leant to brush his lips over hers, his embrace cold and electric.

“I love you too. Now smile for me.” They stood slowly and walked to the pavement.

Hermione’s neighbours looked on. They watched the bookish girl-next-door hobble to the curb, a mixture of grief and happiness playing across her face. They didn’t see the boy, with his black hair beginning to stir about him of it’s own accord. They didn’t see as he faded in and out of existence like a stuttering flame, gently stroking a translucent hand down Hermione’s shivering body. They could see her though, they watched as she reached into the air to touch the invisible. Some muttered “Poor dear, she’s still in shock,” others said, “She’s had the sense knocked out of her.” None of them would understand the enormity of the ending unfolding in front of them… something that wasn’t meant to be seen, witnessed or understood.

“You saved my life.” Hermione called. Harry smiled tenderly and his green eyes sparkled between appearing and disappearing. “I love you Harry.” A breeze began to whirl around them, the gaps between him being there were getting longer. He mouthed something to her, she managed to make out ‘you too’ on his lips. “Don’t forget me Harry!” He was fading, “Harry!” fading… “Harry.” fading…

As he blinked out he felt a rush, a tenderness and love for Hermione he never knew he could experience. He was one with every tear, every flicker of her shimmering brown eyes, every hope and every aspiration… and she would get them, deserve them and yes, she would live.

The End.