So the last trailer for Part 2 was released today, and I saw this shot of Ron and Hermione clutching at each other as (I can only assume) Nagini closes in on them. I LOVED IT. So I took a break from writing my Harry/Ginny to write this brief one-shot on that scene. Obviously I don't know exactly what happens, so please bear with the parts I had to add lib based on photos I've seen ! Hope you enjoy it!
Running. That's all we can do is run. Hermione's mere steps behind me, and as I throw curse after curse over my shoulder at the wretched snake, I catch glimpses of her tear stained face full of concentration as she no doubt is trying to think up a strong enough spell to help us escape.
My lungs feel ready to burst, and I blindly reach behind me for her hand as we round the corner and bound down the stairs. We cast spells in unison now, trying not to trip and stumble. I hear her ragged breath and I know neither she nor I will last much longer.
Whether by luck or by a serious unfortunate event, Hermione and I trip over rubble, falling backwards to the ground. The rest is nice but the impending doom of the snake literally snapping at our heels makes the both us curl up as far away from it.
I feel Hermione lean into me, a sob escaping her as I wrap my arms tight around her.
'This is it...' is all I think as I clamp my eyes closed, hold on to my Hermione and wait for the inevitable.
When I was little, Dad had a ministry friend over for dinner, and he talked about how once on the job, his whole life flashed before his eyes. At the time, I had no idea what he meant. How could your whole life flash by in a moment? But now, laying here waiting to die, I finally understand what the bloke meant.
Memories danced across my eyelids, all littered with her smile and her eyes twinkling, her voice, the feel of her hand, the angry pitch of her voice, her tears that were always my fault. Hermione is my life; she was my past, my present, and if I am lucky, I'll make her my future.
Through my memories of her, he pops up. Always there when I need him, regardless of whether I actually ask him to be. Never the one to mention how poor I am, never giving a second thought to chasing a mysterious dog into an abandoned shack to save me. I owe him my life. If I am to die right here, it is for Harry Potter.
And just as I am coming to terms with never being able to see my best friend again, and relishing that my last few breaths will be spent next to Hermione, holding her, I realize the most important fact; I'm not dead.
I pry my eyes open and find that there is no snake. I catch the sight of it's tail slithering around the rubble, away from us and towards another.
"Hermione..." I whisper. Her eyes are still shut, and she weaves her fingers tighter into my shirt.
"Hermione, we're alive." I whisper again, prodding her slightly with my hand. Her eyes slide open, and when she sees that we are, indeed, safe, she let's out a shaky breath and tries to stand. I follow suit quickly, reaching out and grabbing her hand as I do. I don't like the coldness of my hand without hers. She takes it gratefully, and looks over her shoulder.
"We've got to find Harry," she says, pulling me away from our near death site.
If she had said that a few months ago, my whole being would have flared with jealousy. I probably would have left her alone. But I know now what I failed to know then; Hermione would follow me wherever I went, and I would do her the same. So I follow her.
I follow her because, in all her Hermione fashion, she is absolutely right.
Not sure I like the ending, or even the middle, but I really wanted to get this out so I'm sorry if you found this disappointing! I look forward to reviews, regardless, so thanks for reading!