Author's Note: Just something I though about a few days ago.

Disclaimer: I don't' own any of the characters of this fic.

I cradled her fragile body in my arms, trying to shield her from the atrocity that was the world. At that moment, everything seemed to fall apart for her, as if her entire world crumbled to pieces because of that single moment in time.

His figure lay lifeless on the ground as Harry cried on his corpse, refusing to move even as Dumbledore pulled him away. A crowd began to gather to the scene, covering up whatever was there. As this continued, a single thought resided in my mind: Cedric Diggory was dead.

Hermione began to tremble in my arms, and I felt her heart pounding on her chest as I pulled her even closer to me. I knew how much she wanted to run there and hold him close, even for one last time. It must be hard for her, knowing how much that person meant to her, or knowing how much she meant to that person…and it must be especially hard for her to know both.

She sobbed through gritted teeth, just keeping her head down, unmoving. Unlike all the other girls who screamed at the highest tones of their voices(most especially Cho Chan, who was known to have some relationship with Diggory), she stayed still.

Although hardly anyone noticed, there was really something between the two— Cedric and Hermione, I mean. They have a special bond. It was no more than love, but it was no less that mere friendship; and it did not lie somewhere in between, either. It was special—undetermined, maybe. No one understood, and I bet my life that neither did they. It was like, somehow, what they had was too beautiful, too true…to be real. Like the world could only tolerate a little love at a time.

I ran a hand through her hair, whispering words of encouragement: Harry is still alive…it's okay… it'll be alright…soon, it will all be over. Although I said all this, I doubted myself. I understood what it was like to lose someone you love, and learn to let go…I have experienced that at least once, and only once, in my life; I, however, did not understand what it's like to lose someone forever, when there is a lifetime of things to discover...I did not know what it is like to have all the forces in the world to come crashing down on you, like it's sole purpose is to torment you.

Would you believe in a perfect life? I wouldn't. But I do believe in a perfect moment. This was one of them.

I breathed in the moment, smelling the sweet scent of her hair. I held her tight, not wanting to let her go. I wouldn't want this moment to pass. I know it sounds cruelly selfish, but I did not feel as much pity as I should have. I wanted things to stay this way, no matter how much would go to waste. I'd learned to let her go, learned to forget…because I wanted her to be happy, even if that meant not being with me; and now, it's all coming back…all the waiting, all the letting go. Maybe this was fate's way of saying it's my turn, at last.

Forget Cedric Diggory. Forget the triwizard tournament. Forget anything and everything that had nothing to do with this one moment. It's ours, and no one else's.

I just hope that now, just as I have, she would learn to let go and love again.


Author's Note: Wow. I don't like this very much, but it looks nice. I was going to make it longer, but… nah…Please review!!!!!!!!!!