Reason to Love

DonovanPotter

Rating: PG
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 15/12/2005
Last Updated: 15/12/2005
Status: completed

A sequel to 'Reason to Stay' (though it isn't necessary to read that first). The Final Battle is over but at what price? Will the future that Harry and Hermione began survive? Maybe...

Chapters

1. untitled

1. untitled

A/N – yeah, this is kind of a sequel to ‘Reason to Stay’. My next post will be a chaptered story but wanted to get this one out of the way first. Hope you enjoy.

Reason to Love

It was over. It was finally over. Harry wearily lifted his head up and looked at the crumpled form of Voldemort just meters away. Every part of his body ached and he could feel the wetness of sweat, or maybe even blood, through his hair. It had been a hard fight, a long fight, but now it was over. Gathering himself up into a sitting position, and then a kneeling position, he realised he couldn’t move his wand arm – tentatively he looked down and saw it was covered in blood up to the elbow. Startled, it took him a few moments before he realised the blood wasn’t all his. Some of it was Voldemorts.

Slowly and painfully, he made his way over to his enemy’s body, making sure he was in fact dead even though there was Godric Gryffindor’s sword sticking out from the Dark Lord’s chest. Satisfied, Harry sat back on his haunches and allowed himself a smile. He had done it. He had saved the world. Lord Voldemort was no more. It was over.

Looking around him, he registered where he was and that he was alone. The Riddle estate had become the scene for the Last Battle and from the lack of sounds, it seemed the fighting was over. Harry had won the war, but at what cost? Suddenly the weariness from the fight left him as he remembered yesterday, the conversation with Hermione and, more clearly, the wonderful intense kissing session that took place after it. He needed to find her, to make sure she was alright. And the others too, he needed to find his friends.

Forcing himself to his feet, Harry tugged the sword out of Voldemorts body, looking down on the deformed shape with something like pity. The beast had been a man once, had tried to live forever and now lay cold and dead in the ruins of the family home, alone. It was sad really. But that was all the emotion he could spare for his nemesis as he bent down and awkwardly wiped the blood off the sword with Voldemorts robes before removing the wand that lay loosely in the bony, pale hand and breaking it in two. Harry then put a full body bind on his enemy, just in case, and finally turned his back on the thing that had been such a huge part of his life for so long, his past, and instead turned his attention onto finding his future. Hermione was out there somewhere.

With huge effort, he staggered out of the upper floor room and onto the landing still carrying the sword and broken wand. Looking down the stairwell onto the entrance hall directly below he saw the aftermath of one of the many battles he knew had taken place. With relief he saw Remus and Tonks moving about the bodies, many unrecognisable to Harry from his vantage point. Professor McGonagall too seemed to be unharmed, but was attending an unconscious Weasley twin, with the still conscious twin helping her. Harry scanned for more red hair and the familiar mop of unruly brown curls, seeing neither amongst the five or so bodies in the hall way.

“Remus,” he called out, waving briefly to show where he was when they all turned to the sound of his voice, “Voldemort is dead. Someone needs to come and deal with him.” Harry smiled with relief along with everyone else, but internally he was worried. Where were the others? Remus was quickly at his side drawing him into an exuberant hug but pulled back when he felt Harry stiffen and wince.

“Are you okay?” Remus asked worriedly, his eyes frantically searching Harry’s.

“I’ll live,” Harry replied, “where is Ron and Hermione?”

“We’re looking…”

“What do you mean, ‘we’re looking’?” Harry barked, “you can’t find them?”

“Harry, calm down…”

“I need to find Hermione…”

“You’re in no state Harry. We need to get you to St Mungo’s…”

“Get your hands off of me,” Harry growled as Remus tried to guide him away from the banister, “I need to find Hermione. I’m not letting her down again.” Remus backed back a bit in shock, releasing Harry immediately. Letting the Gryffindor heirloom drop to the floor with a noisy clang (Voldemort’s wand however was still clutched in his otherwise useless hand), Harry went to go down the stairs but instead stumbled with weariness. He felt Lupin reach out to him with a steady grasp, making him sway back to his spot on the top of the stairs.

“Let me help you Harry,” Remus soothed, “we have an idea where they were last and have people searching. I’ll take you there, okay?” Harry nodded, leaning onto the elder wizard heavily, his mind wanting to rush off to where ever he needed to go, yet his body wanting to just lay down and sleep for a long, long time. Seeing Tonks coming up the stairs, he gave her a weak smile as she and two other Auror’s walked pass them and into Voldemort’s room pausing to give both Harry and Remus separate hugs on her way, deftly removing the broken shards of yew from Harry’s hand. As she continued on the booming voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt came from the entrance way, drawing his attention back downstairs.

“Remus?” Remus poked his head over the banister and looked down, getting the Auror’s attention, “we’ve found the kids.”

“Where?”

“In the basement.” There was an urgency in Shacklebolt’s voice that Harry didn’t like and he gave a worried look to Remus, who looked just as concerned.

“Hang on to me Harry,” he said briskly, “the anti-apparation wards are gone with Voldemort. We’ll apparate there, it will be quicker.” Not arguing, Harry retained his grip on Remus and felt the unnerving sensation of being squeezed sinewy tight before being released into a dull darkness punctuated with various Auror wands as they searched the carnage that filled the basement of the Riddle estate.

Harry released himself from Remus and looked around at the mess. Luna and Ginny was against one wall, Luna helping Ginny stop blood flowing from a wound in her scalp. Neville had his wand aimed at a Death Eater, Bellatrix’s husband, Bellatrix herself in a pile at Neville’s feet looking quite dead. Harry didn’t pause and continued to search the ruins until he saw them slouched against the wall farthest from where he stood.

“No,” he groaned as he made his way towards the fallen figures of his friends, ignoring all else. His head began to swim with the realisation that Voldemort may still have taken away his life. Reaching them, he looked at Ron first and seeing the small rise and fall of his chest, let out a sigh of relief. Though pale and with an obvious broken arm he was at least alive.

He then turned to Hermione who lay only a few steps away. Her hair had been pulled back into a pony tail but was now slick with blood from an angry wound on the back of the head where she had obviously hit the wall. With shaking hands, Harry reached over to her throat trying to find a pulse. Panicking when he couldn’t feel the rhythmic flow of blood, he release of little cry of relief when a sign of life finally found his fingers. She was alive. Just.

“Harry,” Remus said softly behind him, “Harry, we need to get you and them to St Mungo’s.”

“I’ll take Hermione…”

“I’m not sure you’re in any state to…”

“I’ll take Hermione,” – it wasn’t debatable and in an instant Harry was gone to reappear in the busy entrance hall of the wizarding hospital. Tonks, McGonagall and Shacklebolt were already there and seemingly overseeing the arrivals of the wounded from the Final Battle. The introduction of Harry and the comatose Hermione put the place into a furore where Hermione was whisked away in one direction while Harry was taken into another. Given some potions that made him feel better Harry ignored the instruction that he should be bed rested to regain his strength. As soon as his arm was dressed and the gash on his forehead mended, he headed back to the private waiting area that was the domain to the Order members and their families.

Seeing Ron sitting, talking seriously to Ginny and Neville with Luna looking dreamingly on, Charlie hovering close by talking to Bill, Harry strode over to the group. The conversation stopped pretty much straight away as Ron rose unsteadily to his feet, leaning a bit onto also the standing Ginny.

“You alright?” Harry asked his friend.

“Yeah,” Ron replied, sinking back down into the chair, “they wanted me to stay in bed but…”

“Same. Glad you’re okay.”

“How ‘bout you mate? You look like…”

“I’m fine.” Harry knew his words weren’t mirrored in his eyes and saw his worry reflected by Ron. There was a member of the trio missing and it didn’t feel right. Harry tried to ignore the rising panic inside of him as he turned to the rest of the group, knowing he had to find out about everyone else before concentrating on Hermione. Seeing a whole looking Luna and Neville, he turned to Ginny and saw the shine of tears in her eyes – he felt his panic rise into indescribable fear.

“What is it?” he asked urgently, “what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Harry,” Ginny replied, “just knocked around a bit. We…he…”

“Percy was killed,” Charlie put in gently, resting a hand on his sister’s shoulder, “and Fred’s in a pretty bad way.”

“Fred?” Harry questioned, mainly to himself as he began to remember some of the stunts the twins had pulled over the years and couldn’t quite imagine him being anything but full of life. Pulling himself out of his reverie, he looked back at Ginny and drew her into a hug, feeling her body shake with her tears. After a few moments, she pulled away from him letting him look at the withdrawn faces of the Weasley brothers.

“I’m so sorry,” Harry managed to say, “about Percy and…and Fred.” He went silent as once again his thoughts went to Hermione – he turned to Ron, “have you heard anything about Hermione?”

“No,” Ron shook his head, “they won’t tell us anything. Harry, what if…?”

“She is going to be fine,” Harry interrupted, “she has to be fine.” Turning to look around the room, he searched for anyone who could tell him what was happening with Hermione. Spotting a mediwitch talking to Professor McGonagall, Harry made a beeline to the pair, Ron trailing in his wake, being helped by a resolute Ginny with Luna and Neville close behind. But Harry didn’t notice them and instead interrupted the deep conversation taking place in front of him.

“Where is Hermione?” he asked harshly, “I want to see Hermione.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible Mr Potter,” Professor McGonagall replied in her usual brisk manner, “Miss Granger is being seen to by…”

“Why? What’s wrong with her?” he interrupted, “I need to know what’s wrong with her now!”

“Harry,” Harry turned towards the calm voice of Remus, who was walking towards him, “we need to talk. Perhaps you four should join us.” Finding that breathing was becoming more and more difficult as his fear escalated, Harry didn’t protest as he followed Remus into an empty room, his friends closely behind. Unconsciously Ron came and stood by his side with the others grouped behind them – together Harry and Ron faced Remus and a Healer, knowing that together they would be stronger for whatever news coming their way.

“Right, well, I’m Healer Gower,” the Healer began, “and I’ve been looking after Miss Granger…”

“Where is she?” Harry asked.

“Is she okay?” Ron asked at the same time, making the Healer raise his hands in protest.

“Miss Granger is in a private room not far from here and regarding her status – we’re not entirely sure…”

“What do you mean, ‘not entirely sure’?” Harry spat, “can’t you just use some spells and fix whatever’s wrong with her? How can you not be sure?”

“Things aren’t always that easy Mr Potter. She has been struck with a curse that has seem have to reacted to a previous spell. The two have bonded and it’s taking us a bit longer than usual to understand the true nature of the outcome. Unfortunately Professor Snape is no longer available to assist with a counter-potion…”

“Snape! You think Snape would’ve helped?” Harry shouted, his fear manifesting into an anger that he didn’t really want to control, “even if that bastard was still alive, I wouldn’t have let him touch Hermione!”

“He was a very talented potions master…”

“He was a murderer and a git,” Ron interrupted, scowling, “there must be another way.”

“Well, yes, there is,” Healer Gower continued, a bit taken back by Harry’s outburst, “but it’s taking a bit longer than usual to find it. We are confident that in time, a very short amount of time, we will be able to find a counter-curse or potion. Unfortunately that isn’t our only concern.” With this comment, the elderly Healer shot an easy glance at Harry as if waiting for another outburst – he wasn’t mistaken.

“You have more concerns than an unknown spell?” Harry yelled, “bloody hell, what else can there be? If you don’t tell me what’s wrong with her…”

“Harry, calm down,” Remus interrupted, trying to diffuse the situation, “yelling at Healer Gower isn’t helping.” Harry just glared at the two adults, but kept his mouth shut. Nervously the Healer continued.

“Miss Granger has suffered a quite intensive head injury. She is heavily concussed with a fractured skull and severe bruising to her brain. We have stopped any further damage but unfortunately, we are unsure of what has already taken place.”

“You mean Hermione may have brain damage?” Ginny asked tentatively, breaking the silence that followed the Healer’s statement.

“Actually, we know that Miss Granger will be brain damaged, the question is how much and whether this and her other injuries will combine to be fatal.”

Harry felt himself stagger and he blindly felt out for something to steady him, numbly leaning onto Neville who guided him to one of the rooms chairs. Hermione, brain damaged? The girl who put so much emphasis on thinking and continuing her quest for knowledge - having that taken away from her? This wasn’t supposed to happen, Harry thought numbly, I’ve killed him, I’ve done what I was supposed to do. My life is supposed to get better. This isn’t fair.

“This isn’t fair,” he said out loud, looking up to see everyone looking at him, “I need to see her. Can I see her?”

“This way Mr Potter.” Standing slowly he followed the old Healer with Ron at his side. The others stayed where they were, an unspoken acknowledgement that this first meeting was between the three friends only. When they entered the room where she lay, Harry once again struggled to breath. They had shaven all her hair off and replaced it with a swath of white cotton bandages, the back already stained in red. She was deathly white and still, looking so frail and lost. Harry went to her side, not wanting to touch her in case he made things worse.

“Harry?” Ron whispered, he also staring down at her in shocked horror, “I…I can’t stay. I’ve just been told…Fred has taken a turn for the worse…” Harry tore his eyes away from Hermione and turned sadly to Ron, seeing his conflict.

“You should be with your family Ron,” he said quietly, “Hermione will understand. I’ll stay with her.” Ron just nodded and slipped out of the room when Harry returned to look at Hermione. He had never felt so helpless or so alone. Making his way to the chair that had been conjured up for him next to her bed, he sat wearily down and held his head in his hand, oblivious to all those around him. He was tired, so very tired, and all he wanted to do was sleep. But he couldn’t. Hermione was fighting for her life yet he was free and able to walk around. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be him lying in a hospital bed – its always been him lying in a hospital bed. Not this. Not now. Not when they had had only one night together. Not when he had only found out that someone in this world loved him. She can’t leave him. She can’t be taken away. She just can’t…

“Harry,” Harry looked up into the worried face of Remus, “I’ve organised a bed for you here. Its preferable that you rest, to get your strength back so will you try to get some sleep?” Harry nodded and waited for Remus to continue, “there will be limited access to this room. I thought the Weasleys, Luna, Neville, Hagrid, McGonagall, Tonks and myself…”

“What about her parents?” Harry asked, speaking finally and wishing he hadn’t when a new wave of sadness crossed Remus’s face.

“Her parents were killed in a raid that took place at the same time as our attack at the Riddle estate.”

“Oh God, no,” Harry breathed, wondering if this could get any worse.

“The Order will keep the Ministry and the press away from you all so all you need to concentrate on getting better,” Remus continued, “Harry, I want you to listen to me. What you’ve done, what you’ve been through is immense. Added to your injuries and what has happened to Hermione, well, we’re worried about you. You can’t survive on no food or sleep. And you can’t keep everything trapped inside of you. Promise me you will look after yourself, talk to us – to someone. Because I can’t lose you too, do you understand me?” Harry wanted to tell Remus the truth, that he knew sleep wasn’t going to happen any time soon – the images of him killing Voldemort too vivid to ignore. That food was the furthest thing from his mind and that if he told anyone how he felt, he would lose what little control he still had over himself. But the Maraunder looked so earnest and Harry realised he was Remus’s last link to the group of best friends that had been such a huge part of the werewolf’s life.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Harry replied finally, trying to give his old professor a reassuring smile. Remus nodded and Harry returned his attention to Hermione, once again oblivious to all around him.

Harry knew that blaming himself for Hermione’s condition served no purpose – but he kept doing it anyway. This was the reason he had been pushing her away, this was the reason that he was afraid to feel – because what he was feeling now was a pain that consumed him.

When she had said she was planning to leave him he knew he couldn’t live without her. And now, as she was so close to leaving him forever, the feeling of loss and regret gnawed away at him. So he sat, watching her but not touching, torturing himself to the brink of exhaustion, only succumbing to sleep when it overtook him and he had no choice.

He woke to find himself in hospital pyjama’s and tucked in bed, wondering how the hell that happened. Turning towards Hermione, he saw that his chair was now occupied by Tonks, who was sitting sedately reading The Daily Prophet.

“Hey Tonks,” he said as he sat upright, noticing that Hermione was still unmoving in the neighbouring bed.

“Wotcha Harry,” the young Auror said as she looked up from her newspaper, “you’re looking slightly more perky.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Harry replied, rubbing his eyes before putting on his glasses, “what are you doing here?”

“Well, I thought I’d catch up on my reading and thought I’d do that here. You don’t mind, do you?”

“I guess not. Any change?” Harry indicated to Hermione, ignoring the feeling of intrusion Tonk’s presence conjured.

“No.” Harry just nodded, acknowledging he had heard her.

“Where’s everyone?” he asked, both wanting and not wanting to know.

“Fred is still struggling so all the Weasley’s are there at the moment, Luna is too. Neville, Remus and Minerva are keeping the Ministry as far away from you as possible, Hagrid is – well, I don’t know where Hagrid is. Who else…”

“I think you’ve covered every one,” Harry interrupted, “Fred’s still not good then?”

“No. George is beside himself,” Tonks replied, not hiding the sadness in her voice. Harry didn’t reply, and instead got out of the bed and went over to Hermione, looking down at her small, pale face.

“Have you talked to her?” Tonks asked, barely above a whisper.

“Talk to her?” Harry questioned, “why? She can’t hear me.”

“Actually, I think she can,” Tonks replied, “Harry, she needs to know you’re here, waiting for her. She needs to know you’ll be here when she wakes up to help her no matter what. She needs a reason to stay with us.” Harry looked at Tonks sharply, shocked at that particular phrase of words.

“What made you say that?” he asked sharply, “did you guys spy on us yesterday? Were you listening in on what we were saying?”

“What? When?”

“When you locked us into that room,” he spat back, “did you hear everything?”

“No Harry, I swear,” Tonks said back, a little startled, “once we shut the door, we went back to the common room. We would never have listened in, we just knew you two had to talk and sort a few things out. Dobby told us you were kissing, but that’s all…”

“He did what?” Harry was trying hard not to shout, instead his voice an angry hiss, but knowledge that one of the most private moments of his life had been witnessed by a house elf and then re-told to his friends fuelled his anger.

“Harry, calm down,” Tonks replied sternly, “there is no need to snap at me. We did not spy on you and I for one was happy that you finally found a clue and snogged Hermione. And what ever else happened between you two remains between you two…”

“Nothing else happened,” Harry said wearily as he conjured up a second chair and sat down with a resigned slump, “we just talked, and kissed and then fell asleep. I’m sorry for snapping Tonks, I really am. It’s just that, well, that’s what Hermione said to me yesterday, that I had to give her a reason to stay. And I had. Maybe…maybe that wasn’t enough.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was going to leave. I had been so horrid to her, pushing her away because of I was afraid something like this was going to happen, that she was going to leave me. Until I convinced her to stay.”

“So you need to convince her again…”

“How? She…she told me she loved me, that she has for a while. I don’t know Tonks, I know I care for her and I know she can’t die but…” Harry’s voice trailed off as he dropped his gaze to his hands, already knowing he had shared more than he wanted to with the young witch but he couldn’t seem to stop the words coming out of his mouth, “it’s not fair. She gave me a reason to win, you know? She can’t die.” Silence hung between them as Harry fought to keep himself together. After a few moments, Tonks began to speak.

“Harry, what would you do if Hermione wakes up, but is…damaged? Would you stay with her?”

“Of course I would,” Harry replied sharply, frowning at Tonks, “what do you think I am? I’m not leaving her now, not after all we’ve been through – not now, not ever.”

“Even if she isn’t all there…?”

“Yes.” He remained scowling at her while she looked calmly back at him, a smile slowly forming on her lips. Harry’s scowl deepened.

“What? What’s so funny?” he questioned.

“Nothing,” Tonks replied quickly, her smile now a grin, “well actually you and Remus should form the ‘I’m in love but will deny it because it scares the willies out of me’ club. You two are hopeless.”

“You…you think I love her…?”

“You have just committed to her even if she never wakes, or is never whole. We already know you care for her deeply and she is your best friend as you are hers. Harry, what else do you think being in love entails?”

“I…I don’t know…” he said somewhat sheepishly, “I mean, this is Hermione. Just knowing that she fancied me was weird enough, then when we kissed it was so much more than when I was with Ginny. But lo…love her?”

“Do you see your future with her?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell her,” Tonks said, suddenly standing and startling a dumbfounded Harry, “I’m going to go and see if Remus needs rescuing. Good luck Harry.” She bent and gave him a small peck on the cheek and then left, leaving Harry alone with Hermione. Gingerly standing, he looked down onto the lifeless face of the woman he loved? He still wasn’t sure. Gently taking her cold hand in his, he rubbed his thumb over its surface and felt the sting of tears come to his eyes.

“Did you hear any of that Hermione?” he asked quietly, “can you believe that I opened up to Tonks? I mean, the only person I talk like that to is you. But you’re not here. You have to come back to me Hermione, you just have to. What will I do without you? Please…” He knew he was pleading as he angrily swiped away the tears that began to fall down his face, “he’s dead, Voldemort is dead which means I’m finally free. But it would be…it would all be for nothing if I lose you. We can have a future now, a future together. Remember? Remember what I said? That I wanted to find out how to love with you and that hasn’t changed. All you need to do is come back to me…”

Seventeen years of pain finally released itself from Harry Potter. Collapsing into the empty chair between his bed and Hermione’s, he pulled his aching knees to his chin and rocked back and forth ever so slightly as he sobbed. The loss of his parents, the abuse from the Dursley’s, finding his godfather to only have him snatched away from him, standing by helpless as his mentor was killed, having the expectations of everyone shoved upon him only to have the one thing that made it all worth while straddling the boundary of this world and the next. As his sobs filled the near empty room, he hid his face into the crook of his arm that was wrapped tightly around his knees and cried until he was too tired to cry anymore.

“Harry?” Harry’s head snapped up as he heard the soft, cracked voice, unknowingly wiping his streaming eyes and nose on the sleeve of his pyjama top before unfolding himself to stand and look at Hermione. Her eyes were open but un-focusing, confusion creasing her brow.

“Hermione?” Harry whispered, uncertain if this was real.

“You…you did it?” she croaked, still not looking at him.

“We did it, we all did. He’s gone Hermione,” he replied, oblivious of the tears that kept falling.

“Are you okay?” she asked, “you’re crying…”

“I was scared that I was going to lose you…”

“Takes more than a couple of Death Eaters to get rid of me,” she said back, trying to smile, “Harry?”

“Yeah?”

“Hold my hand,” she sighed, fear tinting her voice, “I…I can’t see you.” Tears began to fall from her blank eyes as Harry’s suddenly dried up. He took her tiny hand in his own, finding his strength returning from her touch.

“I’m right here Hermione,” he said with a shake in his voice, “I’ll always be here. From now on.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Your head, it’s, well, I should get a Healer…”

“No!” she exclaimed, “no, don’t leave me in the dark, Harry, please…”

“Okay. We’ll wait for one to come.” He continued to stroke the back of her hand and watched for the spark to return to her now dull eyes. Her tears too, dried up but the fear that had caused them remained. They sat in a comforting silence so that when the door to the room opened, Harry turned to see who had entered. He smiled with relief as Ron tentatively entered the room a bit more steadier on his feet than the last time he saw him, but worry still shadowed his face.

“How is she?” he asked as he walked over.

“Ron?” Hermione replied causing a huge grin to break out on the redhead. Harry watched as Ron hurriedly made his way to the other side of the bed and beamed down at Hermione.

“Hey, you’re awake!” he enthused, “you had us pretty worried Hermione.”

“Ha…Harry said. How are you? Are you okay?”

“A broken arm, which was fixed in a jiffy, but other than that, pretty good,” Ron answered, “actually, I came in here to tell Harry that Fred is going to be fine…”

“Excellent Ron, that’s brilliant…”

“Fred was ill?”

“Yeah, but he’s pulled through. Hey,” Ron continued, “this is a day of it, huh? First Fred and now Hermione! Maybe now mum will stop crying…”

“Yeah, maybe,” Harry replied, his attention returning to Hermione. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ron look at him and then look at Hermione and saw a realisation cross his usually emotionally unaware friend.

“Does anyone else know you’re awake?” Ron asked a quiet Hermione.

“No, not yet. It’s only been a little while.” Ron nodded.

“How ‘bout I go get a Healer,” he said looking straight at Harry, “it may take a few moments though.” Harry understood what Ron was trying to tell him – that he had only a few more moments of alone time with Hermione before they are both swept away by Healers, friends and real life. Hermione didn’t know she no longer has parents and no-one but Harry knows that at the moment she was blind. He had the feeling that things were going to get worse before they would get better. But right here and now he had only a few moments. He nodded his acceptance to Ron who smiled back before addressing himself back to Hermione, seemingly unaware that she couldn’t see his face.

“Good to hear your voice,” he said, “and glad to have you back Hermione. See you in a minute.”

“Thanks Ron,” she replied, “I’m glad that you’re okay…”

Ron left with a knowing look and Harry was once again alone with Hermione, her hand still resting in his.

“I’m scared Harry,” she said after a little while.

“We will get through this together,” he said strongly, “whatever you have to face, we’ll face it together.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“You did it Harry…”

“We did it. You, me, Ron, everyone. I was just the one who stuck the sword through what remained of that bastards heart.”

“I knew you would.” Her words hung in the air as Harry looked at her. She looked so fragile without all her hair wildly framing her face and the strength and intelligence missing from her eyes. But he saw that her fire hadn’t been totally extinguished and every now and then a flicker of the Hermione he had grown up with crossed her pale features.

“Hermione,” he began, knowing that he only had moments to tell her what he wanted to say – what he need to say, “I…ah, I mean, will…um…”

“Harry, what is it?”

“Er…you remember before? You know, when they locked us in that room?”

“How could I forget,” she smiled.

“Well, you’ve given me a future. I have a future now and I…I want to share that with you. Will you te…teach me?” She turned her head and although Harry knew that she couldn’t see him, it felt like she was looking into his very soul. A blush crept up his face but a smile matched the one that crossed Hermione’s lips as he waited for her reply.

“Teach you what Harry?” she asked softly, knowing full well what he was asking.

“How to tell you how I really feel. How, how to…”

“I will be honoured,” she interrupted just as the door swung open and life welcomed Harry and Hermione back with open arms. Harry leant back in his chair and smiled – Harry and Hermione, he liked the sound of that. Harry and Hermione Potter. He liked the sound of that even more. Harry and Hermione for ever – that sounded just perfect.

A/N – just for the record, in my mind they live happily ever after, no matter what is wrong with Hermione. Just thought I’d let you know.