Sorry, sorry, sorry….I will never leave it at a cliffhanger again!! You are all so mean…. Just kidding…but I really am sorry. Thanks for the great reviews! Here is the final chapter….
Chapter nine.
Everyone watched in stunned silence as Harry Potter, the man who defeated the dark lord slipped away.
Hermione put her head in her hands and cried. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to live. They were going to have a family and live in Godric's Hollow, happily ever after.
The two men who had pulled her away from Harry let go. The two who held Ron let go as well. Tears streamed down everyone's face, the Weasleys, Remus Lupin and Headmistress McGonagall. Not one said a word.
Then, there was a small beep and Hermione thought she imagined it, but another followed and another, slowly and irregularly.
She looked up slowly. The heart rate monitor was beeping. Slowly it rose to a steady pulse and there was a small cough.
The medi wizards that surrounded them rushed in as Harry's eyes fluttered open.
"Harry?" Hermione said, trying to wrestle her way through.
"He's alright," one of the medi wizards said, "He's going to be fine."
Everyone seemed to sigh with relief and the medi wizards stepped back. Harry came into view.
"I'm hungry," Harry said to Ron.
Ron laughed as tears spilled down his cheeks.
Harry tried to lift his head from the pillow, but struggled, "How long have I been out?" He gave up and laid his head back down.
"Three months," Mr. Weasley said, taking a spot beside his son.
"To think, we almost let you go," Mrs. Weasley said, leaning in, hugging Harry tightly.
"Don't you remember this past week, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly, she reached down to touch Harry's cheek as she had so many times, but he turned away, confused and her fingertips barely grazed his cheek.
"I don't remember anything," Harry said, he turned to Remus, "What's going on?"
"What's the last thing you remember, Harry?" Remus asked.
Harry thought for a long time, "I…I…remember…the battle. The final fight. I killed Voldemort and then it all went dark."
Hermione looked down at him. He didn't remember anything of the last week. Of course he didn't. It wasn't Harry, just his spirit. Hermione let go of the side of Harry's bed and backed away. She wanted to run. It couldn't be true. Everything she did, everything she learned and it was all a waste. She turned and left without another look back.
"Harry, you don't remember Hermione?" Ron asked, looking after Hermione's retreating frame.
"Of course I know her. She's one of my best friends," Harry said.
"She's been here, everyday with you. Everyday from morning till night," Ron explained.
"I'm sorry, Ron. I don't understand."
"You will soon, Harry," Ron smiled, "I'm glad you're okay."
X X X
Harry spent the next three days drinking potions to revive his strength and going through test after test to ensure he would fully recover. They even tested to make sure his magical abilities were up to par.
"I believe you have fully recovered, Mr. Potter," Remus said from the ground. He was out of breath after their duel.
Harry smiled.
"And I think you are ready to be discharged," the medi wizard laughed.
Harry looked overjoyed. Hermione hadn't been in to see him at all and Ron didn't know where to find her. He told him about their break up, but didn't go any further into detail. He was with Luna now.
Ron was there to accompany Harry back to Grimmauld Place.
"Looks as though Hermione cleaned up," Ron observed.
"You still haven't seen her?" Harry asked.
"No. I just hope she's not drinking still."
"What?" Harry snapped, dropping his bag with a loud thud in the entrance hallway.
Ron turned to Harry, "Listen. Hermione took it pretty hard with you gone and we couldn't control her."
"She was drinking?" Harry asked, "Why?"
"She was tormented by guilt. She missed you. She was afraid you wouldn't get to live your life, get the family you wanted. Take your pick. I've never seen her like that," Ron explained, "She needs you Harry. Something happened this past week that I can't explain. Only she knows."
Harry thought long and hard. Finally he came to the conclusion that he had no clue as to what happened that past week. He was in a coma. His mind was a blank. All he remembered was Voldemort. He saved Hermione, he threw the `Avada Kedavra' and then he woke up in the hospital three months later.
"I don't know what happened. I don't understand," Harry said as a knock came at the door.
Harry opened it and Luna walked in.
"I'm glad to see you in human form, Harry," Luna smiled.
Harry gave her a small smile, "Thanks Luna."
"I don't mean to leave you alone, Harry, but Luna and I have plans," Ron said and threw an arm around Luna's shoulders.
"No problem. I'm going out to look for Hermione. Are you sure her letter said she was fine?"
"Yes. She owled me this morning and said that she was okay, but needed some space."
"And you're not worried?"
Ron shrugged, "No. You'll see soon. She needs you."
Harry straightened up, "Then I'll find her."
Ron and Luna smiled at each other and left. Harry didn't even bother to unpack. He took out his wand. "Accio firebolt." There was nothing like flying while looking for someone.
He kicked off the ground and when he was high in the air, he spun in a slow circle trying to decide which way to go. He closed his eyes and let the wind ruffle his already messy hair. A wave of feeling washed over him and he decided to go to Godric's Hollow.
While he was flying, he thought of Hermione. Only one person in the world knew his true feelings for Hermione and perhaps now that they weren't together anymore, he could act on them. It was obvious that Hermione cared for him. Maybe she could love him.
He landed in the yard of his parent's cottage wearing a completely shocked expression. It was there in front of him completed, just as he wanted.
"The company must have started anyways," Harry said aloud to no one. He walked slowly up the front steps and opened the door, taking it all in. The inside was just as shocking. There was furniture, appliances, books and pictures. He walked around the entire house. Everything was in its place and everything was wonderful. In the master bedroom, he looked out the window towards the back of the house. His tire swing that he wanted was hanging from the large oak tree and oblivious to his presence, Hermione sat on the swing resting her head over her arms. She looked like an angel with her long dusty pink skirt and jean jacket. Harry watched her wipe a tear from her face and wondered why she was crying. He took the stairs down two at a time and ran out the back door. He bolted to a stop just five feet from her.
"Harry?" she said, surprised. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes again, "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Harry said.
"Didn't Ron show you the letter? I'm fine," she forced a smile.
"Did you do all this?" Harry asked, motioning to the house.
"We've had this conversation before," Hermione said, sullenly. She got up out of the tire and started to walk away.
"Please tell me what I did," Harry pleaded, "Why are you so angry with me?"
Hermione turned to him, her eyes glistening, "You really don't remember?"
"No," Harry said.
Hermione came to stand right in front of him. She reached up slowly to rest her hand on his face, to touch him as she longed to do while he was in spirit. She sighed lightly when her fingers made contact. A light tingling ran down her arm.
Harry felt his whole face tingle at her touch. Suddenly a million thoughts raced through his mind and he drew in a sharp breath. He saw Hermione make the same motion she was now at Hogwarts, in some darkened alley, at the Riddle House, alone together in bed at Grimmauld Place. He saw her say she loved him. He told her he loved her. It explained everything. Their love kept him alive. He had felt it. It encircled them when the killing curse had struck him.
"I had the most amazing dream," Harry whispered.
"A dream?" Hermione said. She brought her other hand up to his face. She ran her hands through his hair, inching closer to his face.
"It wasn't a dream, was it?" Harry asked, quietly. She was so close to him, all he had to do was close the gap. She shook her head and he closed that distance, their lips crashing together. Never before had either felt this way, it was apparent in their kiss.
Reluctantly, Harry pulled away needing air, "Marry me," he said, breathlessly, "We don't need to date, I know you, and I love you."
"I love you too, Harry," Hermione whispered, "I will marry you."
Harry smiled and kissed her again.
THE END
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