Rain slashed through the dirty, barely paved streets of the small, fragile town. The air smelled foul outside: like smelly, sweaty farm pigs and other simple farm animals. But inside, where she was, it was nothing but warm and a safe feeling washed over the building. She shivered: she deserved none of this: none of this comfort, none of this luxury... after what she did.

Tears swelled in her eyes as she remembered. She hugged herself tightly as she looked outside the window: the hard rain, dropping on the ground like small, yet powerful stones. She then forced herself to turn around to look around the room: the walls were pure, snow white. The floor was covered by a magnificent carpet, with dark velvety colors such as royal indigo blue and deep sea green. As she put her head up, she saw several small lamps brightening the room with its enchanting light. She didn't want to see anything else but... but she forced herself to turn to the direction of...

There he was...

In the center of the medium-sized room, there was a twin-sized bed, with pearl white sheets, covers and pillows. It was very much alike to hospital beds. She cringed at the thought: in fact, in one way or two, she was in a hospital. Technically, it was the nurse's home: although it could have become a hospital anyway. She sighed deeply. The sweet, gentle woman was ever so nice to let them stay in her house. She even wondered how a wonderful house, even a mansion considering the size, could be situated in this invisible, stinky town with no name.

She then returned her attention to the bed... and the victim in it. Tears rolled down her face as she glanced at him. His jet-black hair was as messy as usual, but his skin was paler, and he was lying motionless beneath the covers. The nurse had removed his glasses and had put them on the dresser, with a bouquet of fresh white roses for good health. After much hesitation, she managed to touch his scar underneath his cold, still hair.

It almost feels metallic, she thought sadly to herself. So cold, so lifeless... Her eyes locked with his unconscious, semi-closed ones. However, instead of that brilliant shining emerald green color she often saw in them when he was happy and excited, they were pure, dull gray, representing only death and beyond. She sobbed at that awful thought.

Suddenly, she looked away. She couldn't bare to think of the past, of why he was like this. She wished she could just go back in time and never... never let herself be influenced by those dark creatures that made her hurt him so badly... physically and emotionally. But she couldn't blame the shadows that barely existed: she could only blame herself.

She was selfish, mean and cruel... even evil maybe... to only think of herself and do that horrible thing to him. She tried to grasped every happy moment they had together... when none of this ever started...

" Hermione, you were always useful and kind to me... for that, I appreciate our friendship!"

" Do you really mean those words?"

He just laughed: this pleasant, truthful laugh with plenty of life and happiness.

" Do you think I'll ever lie to you, one of my best friends who knew me since... since the day I arrived here?"

She shook her head, feeling dumb to even doubt him. Of course he appreciates our friendship, she thought to herself. And I would never, ever doubt that he would lie...

She was wrong though. She never knew how these thoughts ever came to her... but before long...

Stop torturing yourself Hermione and get a grip! She pondered harshly, trying to erase those awful times that followed. Every time those memories started to flash back into her mind, she kept reminding herself of the things he said before... before he ended up in this horrifying condition.

" I just want you to be happy Hermione..."

Abruptly, she started to shake violently. He was so brave, so courageous to... to sacrifice himself for her! And her... she deserved none of that! He shouldn't have done it to such a repulsive girl who was a despicable excuse for a witch! A human being even! She had lied to him... and to herself!

She remembered the day when they both swore to each other that, no matter what, they would always be side-by-side, trusting each other with their life! Of course, he never broke his word but... her...

" I did! I broke my word and his heart!" she cried furiously to herself.

She once again looked at his expressionless face. How did he feel, those last few minutes before his eyes lost its glimmer? How did it feel to tell the girl who had destroyed your spirit that you only wished for her to be happy? He was nice, caring, always happy and encouraging. He had trusted her with everything: his life, his soul and... His heart. And she had destroyed all of three of them! Now... She couldn't bare to say it but she did.

" Now, his life is gone, his soul is forever lost and his heart is broken," she told herself, frowning deeply, " And all because of a Miss Hermione Granger!"

There was a time after this when she just wanted to die. To join him in the underworld and to apologize. Maybe she had thought of suicide, but the nurse had convinced her that he wouldn't be happy if she did that. She sighed once again. She turned to look at the picture-perfect white roses. She touched one of the roses' petals and said:

" Please make sure he will be all right: it isn't his time to die..." she murmured. " Oh please, God... if you can hear me... don't take him... take me if you have to!"

She never really believed in the Bible, but now... she didn't know what to believe in. She bit her lips as she gazed at him again, before taking one of his pale, cold, lifeless hands and whispering sadly:

" I'm so sorry..."