Hermione twirled and laughed as Harry guided her in their silly dance, to the slow tune that played on the radio. Ron had left them recently and things hadn't been looking good for a while. She didn't know what made Harry do what he was doing but she was glad anyway. What more could a girl like her ask for?
Harry, who are you thinking of right now? Are you wishing it was Ginny you're holding rightHa now as we dance? I wish I could be the reason you're smiling right now, why you feel happy and light-hearted. Hermione held on as they continued to twist and turn, wishing the moment would never end. But moments such as these would never last, she knew that. At the end of the song, she lingered for a few seconds, savouring the moment then slowly, reluctantly, she released him. "Thank you, Harry." For giving me that moment. "I'll take the first guard duty. You go and rest." She patted his hair then turned around, surreptitiously wiping off the tear that had managed to escape her.
The battle had thrown everybody in chaos, where one could hit their foe or friend. And now, the chaos that followed to reunite with loved ones, and to mourn those that have been lost.
Hermione walked over dead bodies, not seeing the faces that stared blindly ahead, as she walked towards the grounds. Her heart was filled with happiness. She had thought that Harry had died back then. Really believed it, that she almost followed him to the world beyond. Miraculously, he lived. He was alive after all, survived another Killing curse, surprised and protected everyone, giving all of them hope. And as he defeated Voldemort, she saw the great burden lift from his shoulders.
She looked behind her again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man that was their hero. He was free now. No prophecy, waiting to be completed, was hanging over his head. He didn't have to worry about responsibilities. He was free to love Ginny now, without the fear of endangering her life.
She bowed her head in tears. She had known, the moment they had won the battle, that she would have to leave. She wouldn't be able to live where every place reminded her of the only man she loved. Hermione couldn't bear the thought of seeing Ginny have what she wished so hardly for. She couldn't do that, make him choose.
The wards had during the battle, there nothing stopping her now. Giving up hope of seeing one last glimpse of him, she sent her Patronus to him and bowed. There was nothing left for her here. He deserved the best, and that would be her final gift.
Harry was looking for Hermione amongst the chaos that followed the battle. He had been worried for her. She had been acting strangely before she was separated from him by the crowd that clamoured to thank him.
He had only managed to escape the crowd and was now looking for her when her Patronus appeared before him. The otter merely stared at him as he awaited for its message. Then the otter did a strange thing, it bowed to him, seemingly hugging one of his legs before turning its back on him, walking away. It gave him one last glimpse before vanishing.
The behaviour was strange, even for a Patronus. He looked at the spot where the otter vanished when he realized what it meant. She was gone, forever.