Love Everlasting

Love Everlasting

By: isntantkarma

Hermione stood on the balcony, looking out at the picturesque back gardens of the rented ballroom, where small faerie lights flickered around the finely carved marble spindles and fancy hedges. Hermione sighed as she thought how romantic this scene would be if she wasn’t so alone. Harry was locked in the Ministry of Magic, as usual, fulfilling his obligation of being an Auror, being questioned about the recent attacks on Muggles in London.

“I knew he would have ended up in this business when Lupin owled him with his concerns of the Dark activities in London,” She thought with a frown. She wouldn’t have even come if it weren’t for the pleading tone in Lavender’s voice. She had gotten engaged to Neville Longbottom, and her rather well off parents decided that this occasion couldn’t slip by with out a formal ball.

“Hermione, please come! I lived in the same room with you for seven years. I want you to be at my engagement party.”

“Lav, I’m sorry…it’s Harry. He won’t be due back from London for another week. I would feel odd going with out him.”

“Oh come now, Hermione. You are one of the most self-sufficient women I know. You are allowed out with out him. I know you are worried about him; we all are, but he won’t be anymore safe if you are brooding at home or at my party.”

Hermione sighed. She had been doing that to frequently. “I know Lavender. Don’t worry, I be at your party.” She offered up a small smile, hoping to convince her she was really looking forward to getting dressed up in a poofy gown, fussing with her bushy hair, and trying to make small talk with people she really didn’t like.

Lavender smiled brightly and hugged Hermione. “Thank you so much! It really means a lot to me that you are coming. I know this will mean a lot to Neville as well. Remember the party starts at 7:00!” Lavender apperated out with a ‘pop’. Hermione sighed again and put he head in her hands.

Ron had been kind enough to escort her, but now he was off working his Weasley ‘charm’ with one of Lavender’s pretty American cousins. Ginny and Malfoy had left a little less than two hours into the party with a sparkle in their eyes. Hermione didn’t need to ask where they were off to. So here she was, alone and lonely at a party full of the most beautiful and prosperous people in wizarding Britain, and no one noticed she was missing

Hermione let a little lop-sided smile form on her lips as somewhere a clock struck twelve. The swing band stopped playing somewhat abruptly and someone inside announced the there would be a Filibusters Firework display in the back garden in ten minutes. The crowd of semi-tipsy twenty-something’s let up a cheer and began to filter out of the grande ballroom, pushing Hermione against the hard marble balustrade. Hermione frowned and waited for the queue to move on.

Soon a chamber quartet in a quaint gazebo surrounded by deep red roses began to tune up as someone with a Sornus charm on their voice said, “In celebration of Miss Lavender Brown and Mister Neville Longbottom’s engagement, the family of Miss Brown would like to present ‘Love Everlasting‘, a tribute to Lavender and Neville!”

The crowd cheered as the chamber quartet began to play a slow and romantic song. Hermione felt her heart sink even lower. She watched the display sadly, a small tear rolling down her cheek, her arms longing to hold Harry.

“He should be sharing this with me. He should be here,” She thought, and suddenly felt a familiar hand on top of hers.

“Please don’t cry, Hermione,” his voice whispered in her ear.

Hermione gasped and turned to see her lover fill her vision. Harry smiled at her and cupped her cheek in his hand.

“You look beautiful,” Harry said. He pulled her close and kissed her softly, his eyes shut tightly.

Hermione pulled away and smiled at him. “I can’t believe you’ve come.”

Harry took her gloved hand and brought it up to his lips. “I’m glad I did.”

Hermione turned to the firework display, and watched as one exploded into a shower of tiny red hearts that fell on the crowd below. Harry smiled lightly and watched the colored lights explode and reflect on Hermione’s face, and knew she was perfect.