Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Warning: Kinda dark. Don't read this chapter if that upsets you.
Screams filled her ears as she entered the great hall. Bodies were strewn any and everywhere. There was so much blood. It sickened her; made her stomach stir. How could such a simple word as power create such destruction?
She ducked out of the way of a gruesome curse and ran to defend her peers. Curses and hexes were flying across the room. If it weren't for the deadly effect of it all, it could be considered beautiful; maybe even inspiring.
The girl paused in her dueling to take everything in again as she watched her friends, her teachers and respected elders fight. She watched them fight against those who wanted only power, who had only greed and devastation in their hearts. She watched those who meant so much to her, fall before those who cared so little. She watched Ginny get struck into a wall. She saw Neville get large gashes cut into his flesh. There were her role models, Lupin and McGonagall trying desperately to protect all these children. She watched these horrible, things kill everyone around her. She watched them do such atrocious things to such good people, with a smile on their faces; with a twinkle in their eyes.
She could do nothing to stop it. She was a prisoner in her body watching those around her fall dead. She could do nothing as Neville was struck with a Sectumsempra and died before her eyes. She could do nothing as Remus Lupin, a brilliant and gentle soul, was decapitated with his own wand. She could do NOTHING as Ginny Weasley, the closest person she had to a sister, was Crucioed so much that she killed herself.
She cried in her prison; screamed and tried with everything she had to stop this. It was useless and she was only proven correct. She watched Lord Voldemort come to stand before her. She should fear him, hate him, and be furious with him. But she didn't. She just felt sorrow and remorse for those she couldn't protect. For those she wasn't smart enough to save. She felt nothing for this man. She just watched him with empty eyes.
"You let them die. You stood there and watched these people you called friends die. You're just as bad as us, if not worse. You couldn't save them. You're just a stupid, mud-blood after all. Don't worry, I can help you. I can make you strong enough, smart enough. You may be considered human when I'm done with you. Just give me your arm and it'll all go away." The girl watched in horror as her arm raised against her will. She watched through her flowing tears as the puppeteer in her friend's deaths, branded her with his mark. "Good girl. Now watch as I erase the last of your old life. Bring in the muggles."
She girl watched as her parents were tortured and killed. She remained motionless and blank as they brought in everyone she ever loved and killed them. Inside she screamed and fought little hope. She needed to be free, she needed to fight, to try and protect them.
"The blood traitor, bring him." She let out a ragged breath as Ron Weasley, her brother, her best friend and annoying friend was dragged in by his signature red hair. His eyes fell upon her and widened in shock. He barely recognized her, with her stone cold stare and her arm glowing with her new symbol. She watched him search for her caring smile, her constantly worried eyes and the spark of knowledge she would always get.
"What are you doing here? Run! Go before they get you too!"
"She's not going anywhere blood traitor. She's with me now."
"What is he talking about? You can't be with him! He's dark and evil! You're nothing like that! Please come back to me. You're my best friend, my second sister. I need you. Please?"
The words that next fell from her mouth were ones she never thought she was capable to say.
"Please my Lord, might I be the one to take his life?"
"Of course my child." She watched as her hand took the wand presented to her. She was forced to watch as her body erased one of her dearest friends from existence; as the life seeped away from his body and left his eyes.
She felt no grief, no regret or sadness. She felt only emptiness. She felt like she was falling into a bottomless pit; never to return to him again.
Time stopped around her as the next victim entered.
"Harry?"
"What's going on? Why are you here?" His eyes fell on her marked arm. He turned cold, and hatred filled his eyes. His wandering eyes fell then upon Voldemort's wand wrapped firmly in her hand. "You've joined him. How could you do this? You've killed them all. You've taken their lives! You've become what we've always hated! You've turned into a monster." She collapsed onto her knees as his words tore her insides apart.
"No I-I didn't mean to Harry. I swear; I tried. I tried to save them Harry, I did. I wasn't strong enough. Harry you have to believe me. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." She wrapped her arms around him and cried for all the deaths she had to see. He hesitated then his arms were around her too.
"I didn't want to ever have to do this. I'm sorry you lost yourself." She had no time for the confusion to settle before she felt something pierce her back. Harry stabbed her with Sirius's pocket knife.
"Harry?" She kept her arms around him as the blood poured out of her.
"I had to. You killed them all. You killed Ron."
"Harry please. You have to believe me." His eyes were filled with such disgust and hatred she felt heart breaking as she looked in them.
"Die Hermione!"
*
Hermione sat bolt upright from the position she was sleeping in. She abruptly ran into the bathroom and spewed the contents of her stomach. After Hermione washed her mouth out she returned to the common room. The fire was still burning; the elves must've stocked it up a bit. Her eyes fell on the peaceful form laying on the couch.
His glasses were askew on his nose, the blankets were strewn across his waist and his hair was more unruly then ever. Hermione took in his moving chest and heard his soft murmurs. Tears erupted from her eyes. She watched Harry sleep; calm and alive. She contained the sobs that wracked her so as not to wake him up.
She took a seat on the edge of the couch. She took off his glasses and set them on the nearby table. Her hands brushed his hair away of their own accord and slide down to caress his strong jaw. He stirred with the contact and turned into her palm. She continued her motions until he awoke fully. She selfishly took away his sleep for comfort. She needed him to hold her and tell her everything would be alright. The lie wouldn't matter as long as he held her close and just let her cry.
As startled as he was to find her crying, Harry calmly pulled her towards him. No words we're exchanged. They didn't need to be. He knew all she needed was him to hold her, prove he was alive and still loved her. He'd had many nightmares of her death and she had done the same; just held him and let him cry.
As the sobs she had tried so hard to contain quaked her, Harry just held her close to his heart and kissed her temple; offering as much comfort as he could.
Within minutes she had fallen back asleep. Harry laid back down and positioned them comfortably. With her head on
his shoulder and his arms around her, he too fell asleep.
They both fell into a peaceful sleep knowing everything would be okay. Not now, not tomorrow, but in the future they
will be alright. Maybe just maybe, they could survive this after all.
*
Author's Note: IM SO SORRY!!! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! <3<3<3 I know I took forever but blame my teachers! The overloaded us completely! But at last summer is here and I should be able to write a bunch of chapters. We still need a title guys so please please please vote.
I have another apology … for my stupidity in giving you all hope for a new chapter that ended up being the exact same as last time. I'm so so SO sorry about that. I fully expect a good scolding through your reviews and please don't hesitate. I deserve it completely. I still love you all and I hope you feel the same - Gilksey
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