Authors Note: Howdy! Sorry for the lack of update. I've been incredibly busy with my final exams and with my job. I don't own anything and without anymore waiting here is the next chapter! I want to apologise about the delay in the posting of this chapter, I planned on having it out almost a week ago, but because of Christmas it just got too busy.
Hermione stumbled into her flat and threw herself down on the sofa. She laid there in the dark, not moving for about an hour before she finally got up and headed to the shower.
She turned the hot water on and stepped inside, letting the water beat down on her, trying to forget everything that had happened. How was she supposed to choose between her boyfriend and her best friend? There was no way she could possibly choose.
As the scalding hot beads of water rained down on her, her tears began to flow again, she leaned up against the shower wall, sobbing and it felt like time was frozen. After about an hour, she got out, dressed in her pyjamas, pulled on her bathrobe and performed a drying charm on her hair. She went straight to bed, and fell asleep almost immediately.
Hermione was once again in a strange room, she had absolutely no idea where she was. This time it appeared that she was in a study; there was a fire crackling in the fire place and there were several comfy chairs. In the corner there was a bookshelf, and a wizard's chess game set up not too far away from where she was standing.
A door opened over on the far wall, and Ron walked in. Hermione almost fell to the floor in shock.
"Ron?" Hermione asked, looking very confused.
"Hermione please sit down," Ron said as he pointed to one of the comfy armchairs.
Hermione did so, the confusion not leaving her.
"I know about what the Fates told you. I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this."
"Please tell me how I to choose, Ron. I can't live without you or Harry."
Ron ignored this comment and continued on, "How is my family doing?"
"They're good Ron, but they miss you, and Harry. We all want you both back," Hermione said. "But how can we get you both back, I need to know how."
"You can't" Ron stated simply, "I'm sorry Mione, you have to make a decision between the two of us."
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked him.
"Harry has no idea what's going on with the decision, he has no idea the Fates visited you."
"But then how do you know? I don't understand Ron."
"Hermione, the spell that hit me was called excessum iuxta."
Hermione gasped and immediately knew what had happened. Excessum iuxta was an ancient spell, and had almost the same results as Avada Kedavra; it was a spell that put the recipient as close to death as someone could get, without actually dying.
"Hermione, Harry's in limbo. He's resting in between life and death. With the spell that hit me however, I have the power to visit the afterlife and then return to my own state of limbo. That's how I found out about the decision. I wouldn't tell Harry, he can't know," he continued. "Hermione, I love you with all of my heart and soul, we had such a promising life together, such a bright future, but I want you to choose Harry when the Fates ask for your decision.
"Harry has never truly been free. When Voldemort killed his parents, Harry was sent to live with the Dursleys who treated him like a piece of dirt, and forced him to do chores all day. And then, Harry returned to the wizarding world, he was forced to take up the role of protecting its well being. Harry deserves to live Hermione; he deserves to have a future," Ron finished.
"But what about you?" Hermione wanted to know.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I promise you. I'm ready to cross over for good; I have accepted my fate, even if it's different than what it was supposed to be."
Ron kissed Hermione on the cheek. "Hermione, I love you with all of my heart and soul, but promise me, promise that you'll move on. I want you to be happy. Someday you'll get married, and have children. Don't feel guilty, because I know you will, but don't! It's time for you to wake up now, and promise me you will choose Harry."
Hermione nodded, and had began to cry again as Ron and her surroundings began to fade, and she was back in her bed.
After thinking about the promises she made to Ron, she began to reason. What if she broke her promises to Ron, and instead of making a choice between him and Harry, she gave up her life for them. That way both Harry and Ron could live long and happy lives. They would both find wonderful women to marry, and would both be able to have many children.
In fact, that is exactly what Hermione decided to do. She would sacrifice her life for that of her boyfriend and her best friend. They both deserved to be happy, and Hermione was determined that both of the boys would be, no matter the cost.
The next few days flew by in a blur, and Hermione had begun to put her affairs in order. She had written her will, and had also written a letter explaining to everyone what was to take place.
My dear friends and family,
This is extremely difficult to write to you,
and I want to apologise for not telling you
or saying goodbye in person.
Several days ago, I was visited in my sleep
by the Greek Goddesses of Destiny, the
Fates. During this visit I was informed that
I would have to make a choice between
Harry and Ron, one would live, and the other
would die.
I have therefore come to the decision that,
instead of letting one of them die
I would instead give up my own life so that
both of them could live.
I will miss you all very much, and wish you
the best for your futures.
Please tell Ron and Harry that I love
them both and will miss them very much. Tell
them that I am sorry that I could not
tell them goodbye myself.
Love with all of my heart,
Hermione Jane Granger
Hermione magically sealed the letter so that it wouldn't be opened until two days after the decision had been told to the Fates.
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