Across the Universe by fudgie Rating: PG13 Genres: Angst, Romance Relationships: Harry & Hermione Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5 Published: 05/12/2005 Last Updated: 05/12/2005 Status: Completed Sometimes, a few moments is enough. WARNING: major character death 1. Across the Universe ---------------------- **Across the Universe** *Words are flying out like* *endless rain into a paper cup* *They slither while they pass* *They slip away across the universe* *Pools of sorrow waves of joy* *are drifting thorough my open mind* *Possessing and caressing me* *Jai guru deva om* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Images of broken light which* *dance before me like a million eyes* *That call me on and on across the universe* *Thoughts meander like a* *restless wind inside a letter box* *they tumble blindly as* *they make their way across the universe* *Jai guru deva om* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Sounds of laughter shades of life* *are ringing through my open ears* *exciting and inviting me* *Limitless undying love which* *shines around me like a million suns* *It calls me on and on across the universe* *Jai guru deva om* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Nothing's gonna change my world* *Jai guru deva* *Jai guru deva* -The Beatles -~-~-~-~- “Can’t one of you do something for her!” Harry yelled. “You’re *wizards,* and you can’t do anything to save her?” He hastily wiped at his eyes as tears began to well up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Potter. We’re doing all that we can.” “WELL, IT’S NOT ENOUGH!” he screamed, punching a wall. He grasped his hand in pain, he didn’t need any thing else to deal with, not now--- and then it was fine. Back to normal. “You can do that, fix my hand. Just like that, a wave of your wand. But you can’t save my wife,” stated Harry in simple disbelief. “Mr. Potter, this is a rare occurrence; it’s only happened once before, with your former mentor, actually… but we’ve never been able to invent a spell to prevent this from happening, or to cure the person it is happening to.” “W---what, you mean Dumbledore…?” What the *hell.* Dumbledore died of *birth complications?* That was news. “Yes. Dumbledore’s mother died in giving birth to him---we’ve theorized it was his immense blood magic count; his mother’s body was too weak to handle it.” Oh, well. That made more sense. But, did that mean..? “So…are you saying that Jaina is going to---” Harry swallowed, “Jaina’s going to be as powerful as Dumbledore?” “More or less, yes,” replied the Healer with a small, almost sad smile. “But…that still doesn’t solve the problem of Hermione…” “Yes, well, you best go talk to her now. Make use of the time you do have with her.” Harry nodded and numbly walked out of Healer Tyro’s office and into the maternity ward of Saint Mungo‘s. He saw Hermione sitting on a bed, hand on her stomach, her face clearly showing the pain she was going through. “Harry,” she said without opening her eyes. They had grown close enough---fallen in love enough, to almost read each other’s minds. To be able to sense each other come into a room without even looking up. To know what the other was going to say before they said it. “Harry. I know.” “No. No you bloody well *don’t* know, Hermione! You’re going to leave me here all *alone* and I’m going to have to raise a child more powerful than bloody *Dumbledore* on my *own*, and I…I just can’t do it! I can’t do it without you. I can’t live without you. I can‘t *breathe* without you.” He was now sitting down on the bed with her, her hands in his. “Yes, you can. And you will. You have to. For yourself, and for our child. Harry---look at me,” she reached out and brushed his face gently with her hand, tilting his head up to look her in the eyes. “Harry. I do not want you to stop living just because I do---I need you to live. If not for Jaina, then for *me*. And you can do it. I know you can. You‘re strong.” “H---how can you remain so calm? Hermione, you’re going to *die*. And I’m… I’m not. *I* was the one supposed to die. I’m the one who looked death straight in the eye dozens of times. My chances should be worn out by now! You haven’t--- having a baby isn’t supposed to be dangerous! You were supposed to be safe---I was supposed to keep you safe!” Tears were streaming down his face, and he was breathing heavily. Hermione pulled his head closer to her and ran her fingers through his hair, quietly comforting him. “Harry. You *did* keep me safe. And what’s happening to me--- it is not your fault. It isn’t Jaina’s fault. It it's not anyone’s fault. It’s just something that happened, and you’re going to deal with it like you deal with everything else. You’re strong---you will go forward, you’ll keep living, and you’ll be a wonderful father. I know it---and I think you know it, too.” -~-~-~- “*Harry*!" she moaned as another contraction came. “Owww, Hermione, you’re going to break my hand,” he smiled at her reassuringly. “Just a bit more..” “There you go, Hermione," said Healer Tyro. "I think one more push will do it…” And it did. The screaming of a newborn child rang throughout the room, and both Harry and Hermione were beaming. The Healer muttered a quick spell, and set the crying child in her mother’s arms. Tears gleamed in Hermione’s eyes. Life was too cruel---here was her perfect, beautiful baby girl…and she’d only be with her for a few moments. Her daughter would never know her; she’d never get to see Jaina walk, to hear her first words---she'd never get to teach her how to read... Harry gently squeezed Hermione's hand, "She's so beautiful...Hermione, we *made* her. We brought her into this world." He was staring at his wife and daughter with a half-bemused, half-astonished expression on his face. “Well, actually, I did most of that,” Hermione said with a shaky laugh. She had to be calm. Had to be brave. Jaina Madeline Potter was born on September 4th, 2002, at 6:26pm. Hermione Jane Potter died moments later. -~-~-~-~- **A/N:** yeah. So. First fic I've posted here. D: I'd appreciate comments/criticism and any other form of review. (don’t kill me ;-;)