Okay guys…sorry it took so long but it's been a pretty couple of crazy weeks. My mom turned 60 couple of weeks ago so we had a huge family thing, everyone in town, plus fourth of July and I went on vacation for awhile. I've been writing bits here and there so I was able to finish it, but I had to shorten it a lot since I was on a time crunch, but I did the best I can. And if I have time this week, or even the rest of the day. I will try and post a little Epilogue at the end, but for now this ones done. Hope you guys enjoyed this story and I hope the seventh book will end as satisfactory as we all hope. Thanks so much for all the support you've given me throughout the years of my writing. I can't tell you how much fun it's been! Love you all and H/Hr forever!!
~HM
Chapter 6
The hours ticked by slowly for Hermione even though she made sure to keep herself busy. She helped Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen, talking to her, trying to keep her mind, and her own, off of what was going on outside the safety of the house.
She helped the Healers mostly, making herself useful whenever she was needed. Ginny, who was training to be a Healer, followed the Head Healer's lead. Hermione couldn't help but be impressed by the young American, Riley Smith. She was good at what she did. Always calm, even under pressure and handled her patients very well. Hermione watched her tend to a very inured Italian Auror, making him smile even though he didn't speak a lick of English. She wasn't quite as good with healthy people, relationships weren't exactly always easy with her, but she had a gift and took her work very seriously. Hermione couldn't help but admire her.
It was late afternoon when Hermione was able to pull herself away, escaping through the backdoor for some air. The backyard was fenced off and protected as well, but she could still hear the sounds of battle in the distance. It was shy of four o'clock in the afternoon, but the sky was dark as midnight and the Dark Mark was imprinted high above. It still gave her chills every time she saw it.
As far as the war against Death Eaters and Aurors went, the good side was far more superior. The prisoner holding room was more crowded than the hospital room, but there were still many casualties, some even fatal.
But Harry was still alive. She knew in her heart he was still alive, and also knew that when the dark clouds parted and the Death Mark faded, Harry would have accomplished his destiny and finally rid the world of Voldemort.
"Ugh!"
Hermione jumped when the back door swung open with an angry howl, then could only stare when a very disgruntled looking Riley stormed out. She was muttering curses one after another, but stopped short when she spotted her.
"Oh." Riley shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans. "Sorry. Didn't know you were out here Hermione."
"No problem." She gave her a concerned smile. "You okay?"
"No," Riley scowled. "My stupid Healers shoved me out. Said I need a break, I don't need a stupid break, that's the last thing I need. Need to keep busy. And last time I checked, I was the Head Healer."
Hermione smiled on the inside, fully knowing she wasn't really mad at them. "There just worried about you."
Riley shrugged with discomfort. "Yeah. Well. I'm not use to people worrying about me. Been on my own all my life, worked hard to become the best Healer I could be. Then I get hand picked by the Minister of Magic to be a part of this…a huge break for me. I come overseas and next thing you know, I'm making friends, people actually care for me and one person was even stupid enough to fall in love with me."
Hermione sighed dreamily, knowing fully who she was talking about. "Rogan."
"Yes, Rogan, the stupid Irish bastard." Riley let out a shaky breath. "Ever since he laid eyes on me, he wouldn't leave me alone."
Riley stalked over and plopped herself on the back steps, still scowling. Hermione joined her, wanting to keep her talking so she wouldn't think about her Rogan out there risking his life. "How did he finally break you?"
Riley winced. "Jeez, don't say it like that, you make me sound like a damn horse."
Hermione choked back a laugh. "Sorry."
Riley sighed in defeat as she ran her hands through her short choppy brown hair. "But that's exactly what the bastard did."
"You call him 'bastard' an awful lot."
Riley grinned. "I say it with great affection. It's one of his favorite bet names."
"I see. Well…how did he win you over?" Hermione asked again, putting in a better way.
"It started ruing our stay at Hogwarts, when all the Aurors and Healers were training. He affected me right away, more than anyone had ever done in the past. Scared the hell out of me so I tried my best to stay away. Well, Rogan's a very persistent man when he wants something, obviously, the man came from nothing and with just his brains and gut made a fortune in Rogan Industries, he practically owns half of Ireland."
"I heard he has a house in every country," Hermione said.
Riley snorted. "Hell if I know, but that wouldn't surprise me. Anyway, he dragged me into a broom closet one day on my way to the hospital wing and kissed the life out of me. It was at that moment I knew I couldn't deny the physical part of the relationship. He was too good at the kissing, too good with his hands for me to turn away from him. So we had sex. Lots and lots of crazy monkey sex."
Hermione laughed. "Sounds fabulous. Especially with him. Your Rogan is one fine specimen of a man."
"Don't I know it," she said with a groan. "Don't tell him that though it'll go to his head. Where was I?"
"Monkey sex."
"Oh. Right. Well, I was determined to keep it strictly physical. No emotions, nothing binding and thought we for were on the same page so I didn't see it coming. The man was sneaky. Subtlety slipping in sweeter kisses and softer touches here and there. I knew I was losing the battle and when he had me exactly where he wanted, he went for the kill, using his secret weapon."
"Which was?"
"Gaelic. The man started whispering to me in Gaelic while we made love and I turned into such a softie."
"Oh, that's so romantic."
Riley sniffed back tears. "I'm getting sloppy just thinking about it. Last night…he was whispering something to me in Gaelic, kissing me all over my face…then, he whispered, Mo Chroi as he kissed me right here."
Hermione saw where she pointed to her chest and her eyes softened. "My heart."
Riley smiled. "Yes. My heart. I didn't know what that meant, I had to ask, then I got all sloppy…no one's ever touched me the way he does Inside and out." She sighed then pulled out a chain from under her shirt where a humongous diamond ring dangled from it. "Then he proposed."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Holy crap!" She grabbed her hand that held the diamond and yanked it forward. "That's the most gorgeous ring I've ever seen."
"Yeah," Riley swooned over the ring. "I can't wear it while I work, it can get in the way, so he got the chain for me. He did good."
"I'll say."
"Somewhere in the middle of getting sloppy I said yes." She sniffed again. "I really do love the bastard."
"It's obvious you do."
"I must love him if I'm agreeing to marry a man with the last name O'Riley."
Hermione blinked a moment, then busted out laughing. "Riley O'Riley."
"Yeah," she muttered letting out a laugh. Riley Smith O'Riley, but it's still embarrassing."
Hermione giggled putting an arm around her. "I know you don't like making friends, but you just made another one."
Riley gave her a little smile. "Yeah…I guess I did."
Hermione gave her a little squeeze. "Rogan's going to be fine…I've had the pleasure of fighting with him once, a few months back. Watched the guy take out half a dozen Death Eaters and two Trolls before I could blink."
Riley chuckled. "Yeah, the man's good. At everything. It's just maddening…waiting here, while he's out there. I feel so helpless."
"Yes. I know what you mean."
Riley looked at her, then sighed. "Yes, you do, don't you? You and Harry…you're really good friends, right?"
Hermione blushed. "Yes…well…as of last night…a bit more than just friends."
Riley's brows lifted. "Yeah? You two banging each other now? That's nice."
Hermione once again let out a laugh. "Oh Riley, you do have a way with words."
She grinned. "That's what Rogan says. It's one of the reasons he's crazy about me. Keep him on his toes he says. Why…just the other day, I…"
Riley's words were abruptly cut off when the world started to shake. Riley's hand found it's way to Hermione's, gripping tight as they shot to their feet. The ground trembled beneath them, the once slight breeze, now felt like a whirlwind of tornadoes, slapping at them at every angle. They looked upward to see dark and light merging, thunder struck as beams of light were breaking through the dark mist.
"It's happening," Hermione whispered. "Harry…"
She closed her eyes as she murmured encouragement's of love and strength to him, wishing desperately she was there with him. I love you, Harry. I love you, I love you, I love you. You can do this. You're stronger. You have love, so much love inside you.
"Hermione, look!" Riley exclaimed nudging her. "I…I think he's winning. The light…it's so much brighter."
Hermione looked up in pure awe as the dark clouds were rolling away. "The Dark Mark. It's melting…withering
away."
"He's doing it, Hermione!" she exclaimed squeezing her hand and then let out a whoop. "You're man's kicking his ass!"
Hermione could only look up in awe as she watched the light getting brighter and brighter, until they were blinded with it, squinting and turning away from the massive rays surrounding them. Then the light dimmed and the gush of wind faded, until a light breeze remained. Hermione blinked in her surroundings, looking up to see something she hadn't seen in months. A blue sky. Not a single cloud was anywhere insight and the sun shone brightly, with its beams bathing her skin.
It was over. After all the years of fear, death and worry, the war was over and Harry had triumphed. The Dark Lord was no more. The two of them stayed that way for awhile, both looking completely bewildered. It was the sound of someone apparating that both drew them out of their daze.
"To the front of the house," Riley said taking Hermione's hands and pulling her to the gate. "The Aurors are coming back. Maybe Harry's with them." And Rogan.
Hermione hoped Harry was standing there waiting for her, but deep down she knew he wouldn't be. She didn't believe he was dead, in her heart she firmly believed he was still alive, but he was still out there. Tired, weak, maybe even seriously hurt.
The commotion at the front of the safe house grew more crowded and louder as Aurors came out of the trees from all around, some carrying the weak and some even carrying the dead. Hermione hoped to god Harry wasn't one of them.
"Riley!" Ginny's voice rose from the crowd. "We need your help…a lot of them are hurt."
Riley quickly left Hermione to help give order, giving out calls the her fellow Healers to take the sick inside and tended to. Hermione stared at the edge of the trees for a moment, before realizing it was doing no one any good so she decided to help out where she can.
There was mostly joy around her, people laughing, crying all at the same time while hugs were exchanged and even a few kisses. Hermione smiled softly when she saw Tonks run up to Lupin, jumping him so hard that they both fell to the ground while Tonks attacked his face with her fervent kisses.
"Hermione," Riley said urgently as the crowd began to disperse. "Have you seen Rogan? I haven't seen him."
"No, but I'm sure he's fine, just…"
"Riley!"
They both turned to see Murphy, Rogan's little brother running up to her. "Murphy, where's Rogan?"
"He's fine, Riley," he assured her giving her a hug, for he started to care for her like his own sister. "He stayed behind…" He looked over at Hermione when he let her go. "To find Harry. Make sure he got back safely."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she could only nod urgently in understanding. "I wanted to go with him," he continued looking back at Riley. "But he made me come back to you…so you would know he was safe, but…Riley…Death Eaters are still out there. The smart ones…or shall I say the scared ones, Apparated as soon as they realized Voldemort's defeat, but I imagine some…that want revenge are still out there. So let's go inside and…"
"No," both Riley and Hermione said at the same time. "We're staying right here, Murphy," Riley finished for them. "They can't get through the clearing anyway, we're safe here."
"Riley." Ginny came out from inside the house, blushing a bit when her eyes fell on Murphy. "Er…the hospital wing is pretty crowded, but…under control." Ginny placed a hand on her arm, knowing who she was waiting for. "I'll only come and get you if I need you. We'll take care of everything for now."
Riley nodded as she held back her tears. "Thanks, Ginny…er…you're a good student…you'll be a great Healer, I have no doubt."
Ginny blushed with pleasure. "Thanks."
"I'll come in with you," Murphy said with an easy grin, knowing that it would make her blush. She was always doing that around him and found it rather enjoyable. He was always a sucker for redheads. "Help you out where you need it."
"Oh," she said as she tried her best to sound cool and aloof. "That…that'll be great."
Riley snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes as she watched them walk into the house. "Murphy…always the flirt."
"Yes, he is isn't he?" Hermione said remembering the times he had harmlessly flirted with her, kissing her hand and making her blush. "He's very good at it."
"All O'Riley's are I suppose."
"I want to go in there," Hermione said after awhile. "So badly, but…I promised him. Promised him I would stay here until he came home to me. He didn't say it, but…I know he meant dead or alive."
"He's not dead, Hermione," she assured her giving her an arm around her shoulder, a comforting gesture she hardly ever gave out. "He survived this. You have to believe that."
"I do believe that," she assured her with a firm nod. "But I'll rest easy once I finally see them."
"Tell me about it."
They kept quiet after that, opening their ears as they listened for the slightest noise. The time passing was killing Hermione, it seemed as if it stood still and wouldn't start again until she saw Harry emerge from the woods.
They heard a rustle to their left and Hermione took an urgent step towards it, but Riley held her back. "No wait," she whispered as she pulled out her wand. "Could be a Death Eater."
Hermione nodded, knowing she was right and pulled out her own wand as they were both ready for anything. They couldn't get any spells through to them, but they could definitely use their spells on the Death Eaters. But what emerged from the trees wasn't a Death Eater, or any kind of enemy. It was two men, one older, one very young. The young was leaning on the older man, but it was very aware that the young one was very much alive.
Both Riley and Hermione didn't fight the tears this time as they saw their men stagger into the clearing. They shouted their names and went running.
"Harry! Oh, god…"
Harry looked up just in time for him to pull away from Rogan, dropping to his knees seconds before catching her in his embrace. "Hermione," he whispered holding her tight while she wept. "I'm okay. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" she asked urgently then started to let go. "Am I hurting you?"
"No," he said pulling her back to him, although his ribs ached. "No, just let hold you. Don't let go for awhile."
"No, I won't," she murmured nuzzling her face against his neck, breathing in his scent. "I love you." She kissed his neck, then tilted her face up so she could rain kisses over her face. "Harry. I love you, I love you." She kissed her scar which felt like it was on fire, but instantly cooled against her lips. "Harry. Mo Chroi."
His heart trembled at her words, but didn't understand them. "What does that mean?" he asked with a small smile looking into her eyes while framing her face with his hands.
Hermione took one of his hands, kissing the inside of her palm then placed it over her heart. "It means, My Heart, Harry. And you have mine. You've always hand mine."
Completely and unbearably touched, Harry could find no words, so he showed her with a kiss. Not just any kiss, but a kiss full of love, promise and hope.
"I taught her that," Riley told her fiancé as they watched the touching scene between Harry and Hermione. "Course, she knew what it meant already, but she's freakishly smart."
Rogan smiled when he saw the look on her face. "Looks like you went and made a new friend while I was away, Ri."
She sighed. "Couldn't be helped . Hard not to like her."
"Yes, she's quite exceptional. So is Harry." Rogan turned her away from them, kissing her on the forehead. "Let's head inside, give them some privacy, and go get some privacy of our own."
She grinned. "Good idea. But I have the check my patients first, see if I need to do anything."
"Of course," he said as they made their way to the house slowly, but surely. "Did my brother make it back all right?"
"Yes, he's inside flirting with Ginny Weasley."
Rogan laughed. "Looks like things are already getting back to the way they use to be and wonderful new things are happening as well." He gave her a little squeeze before opening the door for her. "Like you, sweetie. Making friends left and right. If you're not careful you're going to make that a nasty habit."
Riley barked out a laugh. "My ass!"
Rogan sighed placing his hand over his heart. "Darling Ri," he said as he followed her inside. "I happened to be very fond of your ass."
"I heard you, you know," Harry said breathlessly as he pulled away from the kiss.
"What?" she asked still dazed from the kiss.
"I heard you," he continued as he caressed her face. "While I was dueling Voldemort, just when I felt all was lost…I heard you…your words of love, encouragement. Like you were standing right beside me."
"I…I was saying them in my mind," she told him as their foreheads touched. "Willing myself towards you with my mind the best I could, wishing you could hear them."
"I did…your words saved me. I felt ten times stronger than I ever felt, as if my whole body was recharged by some…force of power that I never felt. The power was so intense I almost felt drunk with it…empowered by it. When he was gone, I collapsed. One second I felt invincible and I was…I defeated him…but as soon as he was gone…as soon as the sun broke through the trees, I fell to my knees and the world went black."
"Oh, Harry," she said as she hugged him tightly once more.
"Rogan found me, had to do more than shake me awake. I was really out of it, very weak at first." He sighed and just continued to hold on to her. "He had to practically carry me, but I felt my energy slowly returning. I'm a little bruised, a little weak in the knees, but I'm fine. More than fine."
"I knew you would be. I was terrified, but deep down…I knew you'd be okay. Had to be okay."
He buried his face in her hair. "I couldn't have done it without you. As soon as this is all cleared, as soon as we can get away…I'm taking you somewhere. Far away from here, I don't care where. Rogan even offered one of his many houses to me any time I'd like. Good guy."
"I know. I'll go somewhere with you. Anywhere you want and we'll start our lives together. Living for not only us, but for Ron…Luna and everyone else who was lost."
"Yes," he said as the pain of losing his friend swept through him. "Yes, we will. We'll miss them, mourn them, but we'll remember them as well. They'll live through us."
Their lips met again and while they were absorbed in each other, two figures stood by the edge of the woods, but no one with a heartbeat would see them. The couple watched the young lovers embrace and could feel nothing but pure pleasure.
"It's over," Ron said with a smile as he watched his two best friends. "And they are safe. Happy."
Luna sighed as she grabbed Ron's hand that still felt like it did when they were alive. Warm and comforting. "They look happy and now they get to have a life together."
"Harry and Hermione." Ron shook his head in awe. "All this time."
"Are you surprised, Ronald?"
Ron sighed, then looked down at Luna with a smile. "I guess not. I hope they name one of their kids after me."
Luna let out a delightful laugh. "Oh Ron, you're such a sweetheart." She leaned up and kissed him lightly on the mouth. "Why don't we let them start their life together and go start our afterlife."
Ron looked over at his friends, watched them finally pull themselves up to their feet, Hermione helping Harry a little, who was still weak. It was over. His best mate, who had a horrendous life, now had the opportunity to spend the rest of his life making up for it, having the normal life he always dreamed of with Hermione. It couldn't have ended better.
"Okay, Luna," he said turning away from his friends and looking down at the wonderfully loony woman he adored and loved. "Let's go start our afterlife. Together."
THE END!!