Goodbye Forever
Hermione looked up from her diary. Her mind was made up. Lavender and Parvati had left for dinner and she was all alone in the dormitory. Everything was perfect. Now if only she could muster up enough courage. She went to look in the mirror, it seemed to take forever as she dragged herself to it.
"Child! What in the world? You have to clean yourself up! Fix that HAIR!!"
"Shut up you old hag!" Hermione didn't expect an answer but she could see what the mirror meant. Her cheeks were tear streaked, her hair was sticking out from all over and it was greasy because she hadn't taken a shower in three days. She did this so everyone would avoid her but it turned out no one cared because they all thought that she was stressing about the NEWT's. She just needed to be alone.
She went into the bathroom that she shared with Lavender and Parvati. She turned the shower on. If she was going to do this she was at least going to be clean. She went to her trunk and took out her black dressy cloak. She had bought it a day ago at Hogsmeade. They were used for very elegant bridesmaids. She used all of the money that she had saved up for going on a trip to America. About £100 She had exchanged it for Galleons and such at Gringott's but she didn't care. She didn't need to go to New York. This was more important. She took out a black peasant shirt and a black school skirt. Then she took out her knee high leather black boots that Ron loved so much.
She laid these things on the bed and she started to cry again. She trudged into the bathroom and undressed. She got in slowly making sure the water was warm. She put on her Harry's favorite shampoo. The one that smelled like green apple. She tried to hurry but there was no rush. She knew that Lavender and Parvati were going to go and visit with Seamus and Dean in the Forbidden Forest as a date. Ron and Harry would think she was studying. She got as clean as she could in half and hour. Got out and dried herself up. Their was a long mirror in which she could see all of herself in the bathroom. She dropped the towel.
"No wonder, I'm so ugly! The only person who's ever looked twice at me is Neville. Oh yeah and Viktor but he's dead." She said this to herself although she was thinking that she wish she had Ron's attention like she had Neville's but she didn't dare ask him out again. It was too humiliating in 5th year and it would definitely not go over with him now. She longed to kiss him but he thought of her as his sister. Harry never loved her either but that didn't matter now. She didn't want to start crying again now that her face was finally clean. Especially this naked.
She walked into her room and took out her wand. She magicked a lock on the dormitory door. Just then Hedwig came to sit on her dormitory window. Just in time. Hermione put on that lotion that Ron liked, the one she got a Muggle shop called Victoria's Secret. It was called Endless Love. She put on her clothes. Even her underwear was black. She put on the cloak but did not tie it. She put on the boots and took out the quill that she had used for her letters. She took out six pieces of parchment.
On the first she wrote:
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know that what I'm going to do is stupid but you don't understand, No one understands. Do not blame yourselves, or Ron or Harry. It is neither of their faults. I have failed you, Ron, Harry, Dumbledore, and myself. I didn't know what else to do. I am so sorry. I was tired of being myself and this is my only way. I know that I'm being a coward and I agree but that is me. I don't want to try and live up to everyone's expectations! Or even mine. I love you so much. I am so sorry. I know this is selfish, but I couldn't think of anything else. I love you, I love you, I love you!!! Please keep my room as it is, but first I want you to look under my pillow. I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your daughter,
Hermione
She folded up the letter and let her tears fall on it as she wrote the address and another owl flew in. Then another and another, now their were four. One of them was an Eagle owl which belonged to her next recipient. Then she took out the next piece of parchment out. This was to Draco Malfoy.
Dear Draco,
I am gonna give you what you have always wanted.. It looks like Mudblood Granger won't be around to ruin your days any longer. I'm sorry about your father and how he died. I am sorry for all the pain that I caused you. I know this will sound weird and unexpected but after Voldemort was defeated in our sixth year, I realized how much I actually cared about you. I would've wanted to be your friend but I guess even after your father's death you didn't want to have to deal with MY KIND even though you protected and spied for us. I'm sorry you felt that way. I love you, Draco.
Goodbye Forever.
Love,
Hermione
As she got ready to write another, another owl flew in. It was Pigwidgeon. Pig was so funny, he didn't seem that he understood, neither did the other owls but Pig looked at her strangely. She took out the next piece of parchment. This was to Dumbledore and the whole school.
Dear Professor Dumbledore, Staff and Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
I am sorry to disappoint everyone. I am sorry. I love every single one of you. To Professor McGonagall- You are my mentor. You have inspired me to do so much! All of your teaching did not go to waste, it will always be carried in my heart. To Hagrid- I loved everything about you. You were caring and energetic. So sentimental. I loved your love for animals. You will always be loved by every one. To Professor Sprout- my favorite thing in your class other than how much it built me up for potions was getting to know such a quaint and humble person as yourself. I also learned many things from you. Keep Neville in mind for any hands on things you have to do. To Professor Snape- as much as it seemed that I hated you I did not. I have always felt so much gratitude towards you. Every one is lucky to have you in their life. I learned so much from you as well. You will never be forgotten in Hogwarts, A History or in the Wizarding Worlds History. You were such a key part in everything that happened last year. I love you. Professor Lupin- Defense Against the Dark Arts was never so much fun. You are the most open teacher and such a great friend to Harry Ron and I. Also Sirius. To Professor Black- Take care of Harry like Mr and Mrs, Potter wanted you to. You are great as the ass. Defense Against the Dark Arts. Watch out Professor Lupin! To every one else I have not mentioned and to the students I love you all. I know that this was the best way to go. I love you all!
Goodbye Forever.
Love,
Hermione
She looked it over and realized as she cried a little harder that it sounded more like a Valedictorian or Most Magical Student in Seven(Hogwart's sort of Valedictorian)speech. She was already chosen as the MMSIS but she couldn't face any one. She took out another piece of parchment. Before she started to write in it she took out a different kind of ink. It was dark blue instead of black. She didn't want to seem that morbid. She took out her Vanilla body spray that was running out, she used that the most. She sprayed it on the paper and sniffed it. She sprayed it again. Finally she took out the quill and dipped into the ink. This is was for Harry. Oh how he loved that smell. He told her so the day they defeated Voldemort and he hugged her, crying.
Dearest Harry,
I am so sorry that I will cause you this pain, but you don't know what it is like to be me. You and Ginny are like the brother and sister I never had. Don't tell her I told you that. I have been called a Mudblood. At first that didn't bother me but then it became all of me. I WAS my label, I had BECOME my label. I wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed and I gave it all away just to have something to hold on to but I couldn't control myself. Take care of yourself and Ron. Take care of Ginny, she loves you so much. She is in love with you, and I have noticed that you have been looking at her differently. Tell Sirius the following:
Dear Sirius,
take care of Harry and don't let him mess up too much(LOL) but any way, take care of Drusilla. I know that she loves you very much, and I think that Mrs. Drusilla Black has great news for you! Hmm, I wonder what it could be???
Back to Harry:
Please take care of yourself. You are worth so much more than me, I know I won't be missed all that much, I mean I'm not being missed now right? Right. I love you Harry, you were my best friend. You and Ron. I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your friend forever,
Hermione
Hermione read this over and wiped her tears before they messed up her face. Before she did it she would wash her face and put on the make up that Ginny had given her for her fifth year Christmas present. She remembered since her fifth year and Ginny's fourth they had become best girl friends. The four of them now did things together. She took out the rainbow ink she had gotten on her birthday by Ginny and dipped her quill in it. She began to write.
Dearest Ginny,
I don't know what to say except you are my best girl friend, oh screw that, you ARE my best friend, You were the only person I could confide in with my "boy" problems. When I needed help getting over Ron you helped me so much more than I would've thought. You should be a therapist of some sort. You always listened and gave the right advice. Take my advice for a change and BE with Harry. I'm sure he loves you. I've seen the way he looks at you. The way I looked at Ron since our fifth year. I know that in your first year you thought you messed things up between you and Harry, but if anything I think that he valued you more. I know that this will seem abrupt, but it isn't. I have been moping around for too long. I think its time I gave my depression and myself a permanent rest. How morbid is that? I know but it's the truth. I am so tired of this phony life I live. You and Harry will make beautiful babies. I'm just playing, or am I? Ok well I have so much more to say but I can't quite put it into words. I love you Ginny. You are the sister(or brother for that matter!)that I never had.
Goodbye Forever.
Love your sister in spirit,
Hermione
Then she took out the red ink. Before she wrote this last one she rolled the others up and tied with ribbons she once used in her hair. She took out the black head band that she had worn so many school days and put it on. She fixed her hair so that it was still curly, but they were ringlets and they weren't frizzy. Then she sat down at the desk she had so often used to write in her journal. She took her journal out, wrapped in brown paper, put Ron, Harry and Ginny's name on it and kissed it as tears dropped on it. She unrolled the empty piece of parchment and began to write. She audibly wept and wept.
My dearest Ron,
I sometimes wonder why I never gave up on you. I am still wondering why. You were never anything but a good friend to me, and yet I couldn't keep thinking that. When you thought I was joking in fifth year, I took it to the heart I shouldn't have, but I did. It isn't your fault you didn't know I was serious, I mean we had been friends for so long, I thought maybe it was best. We would most likely be better friends any way, right? Right! Thank you for my birthday present this year. All those sugar quills and chocolate frogs came in handy. No, I haven't eaten them all, they are under my bed if you would like them. You were my savior, my hero, my best friend. I love you both as a friend and more. Please don't feel the cause of this. It wasn't your fault I love you. This was only part of the pain. Again, I want to say that I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your loving friend,
Hermione
At last, all of the letters were done. She put make up on gently and carefully. She did it naturally. She rechecked herself in the mirror and let out a tear when the mirror complimented her. She tied the parchment on to Hedwig along with Ron and Harry's letters. She tied Ginny's letter to Pig, Draco's letter to his eagle owl, her parent's letter to one of the school owls, and Dumbledore's letter to the other school owl's. She kissed Hedwig and Pig goodbye and told them to deliver it as quickly as possible. She laid on her bed, took out her wand and magicked the lock away. She prayed to God to forgive her and slowly raised her wand.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!!!" she yelled through weeping, a green light shown and downstairs every one stopped moving as they heard a distant shriek in pain.
Everyone looked around and just went right on studying for their NEWT's and OWL's. The others were downstairs in the castle grounds because they were younger and finals were over for them. Then Hedwig and Pig came in through the windows. Ron, Harry and Ginny were sitting together, studying. They turned their heads towards the two owls and grabbed the letters and Ron grabbed the package. He opened it as Ginny and Harry stared.
He read aloud, "My Journal." He turned red and then looked up at the confused expressions. "This is Hermione's. I wonder why she gave this to us. Let's open our letters."
~~**~~**~~
"Draco, isn't that your owl?" Snape looked down at Malfoy and walked out of the common room. There were only a few Slytherins left after Voldemort's defeat and Snape had just come to say that Goyle had been captured. Pansy eyed him curiously. He went to his owl, gave him a treat and grabbed the letter.
~~**~~**~~
"Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, a letter has arrived for you." Mrs. Granger got up and took the yellow parchment envelope from their new dental assistant Roger who was looking oddly at the envelope.
"Oh its from Hermione dear! We haven't heard from her in TWO weeks! What a relief, I thought she had forgotten about us." She handed the envelope to her husband who started to open it.
~~**~~**~~
"Here you go Fawkes. Oh why don't you just hurry up and die again?" Professor Dumbledore was feeding Fawkes when a school owl came in. It had an envelope. Dumbledore grabbed it and started to open it.
~~**~~**~~
Ron looked up from is letter confused and with a bewildered expression on his face. "Hermione? She couldn't have-I mean she, wait the scream, NO!!!" Ron yelled as he started up the dormitory stairs. He ran into Hermione's room, he didn't even notice Ginny and Harry yelling behind him.
"HERMIONE!!! NO!!!" He knelt behind her bed and touched her face. He started to cry. "No, Hermione, oh Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, why, why, WHY?!?!?"
"Ron! Calm down!" Ginny's voice came. "Here let me see, she can't be--"
"CALM DOWN??? HOW can I CALM DOWN when my BEST FRIEND is lying here DEAD!! Do you understand? DEAD!!!"
Harry went over to feel her pulse but it was no use, there was none. "Oh Hermione, how could you? HOW COULD YOU??" He hit one of the four posters and glared at himself in Hermione's mirror. "Get someone Ron."
"No! I'm staying here with her."
"Oh one of you go–please I can't bear to leave her side!"Ginny said in between sobs.
"No need, I'm here," Dumbledore glided from the door to Hermione's bed. "Oh no. This has never happened before. I–don't know–," Harry put a hand on his shoulder. It was so unlike Dumbledore to not have anything to say. His eyes were tearing up but before he could cry he stood up. He was Ron's same height so he was able to look into his eyes and he could see that his pain was the same if not worse than the others. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Weasley, please follow me. We need to alert a few people."
Ron was alone with Hermione for the first time in weeks. He didn't want this to be real, but the harsh reality finally hit him when he kissed her and she didn't wake up. He picked up her hand, kissed it and then just let it drop. "No, not you, Hermione, any one but you." He wept and cried for what seemed forever when he finally got the courage to leave, but just for a moment. He had to get out. He went back to his room, quietly so people would think he still wanted to be alone with Hermione. He sat on his bed and reached for his bureau door. He opened quietly so that no one would hear him and got out a little ring box. He opened it and closed it seeing that it was not empty. He crept back to the room.
"Hermione? I know that you can't possibly hear me but if there is a slight chance that you ARE still–alive, then I want you to know that I was being immature in our fifth year. I love you Hermione and so here–," he grabbed her hand and slipped on an engagement ring. It was platinum and had just one small diamond. "I saved up since last year, I even got a job over the summer. I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!!!" He screamed in between sobs. Then Dumbledore came in and put a hand on Ron's shoulder. That scared Ron and he flinched. "Get off of me! Leave me alone!!"
Hermione looked up from her diary. Her mind was made up. Lavender and Parvati had left for dinner and she was all alone in the dormitory. Everything was perfect. Now if only she could muster up enough courage. She went to look in the mirror, it seemed to take forever as she dragged herself to it.
"Child! What in the world? You have to clean yourself up! Fix that HAIR!!"
"Shut up you old hag!" Hermione didn't expect an answer but she could see what the mirror meant. Her cheeks were tear streaked, her hair was sticking out from all over and it was greasy because she hadn't taken a shower in three days. She did this so everyone would avoid her but it turned out no one cared because they all thought that she was stressing about the NEWT's. She just needed to be alone.
She went into the bathroom that she shared with Lavender and Parvati. She turned the shower on. If she was going to do this she was at least going to be clean. She went to her trunk and took out her black dressy cloak. She had bought it a day ago at Hogsmeade. They were used for very elegant bridesmaids. She used all of the money that she had saved up for going on a trip to America. About £100 She had exchanged it for Galleons and such at Gringott's but she didn't care. She didn't need to go to New York. This was more important. She took out a black peasant shirt and a black school skirt. Then she took out her knee high leather black boots that Ron loved so much.
She laid these things on the bed and she started to cry again. She trudged into the bathroom and undressed. She got in slowly making sure the water was warm. She put on her Harry's favorite shampoo. The one that smelled like green apple. She tried to hurry but there was no rush. She knew that Lavender and Parvati were going to go and visit with Seamus and Dean in the Forbidden Forest as a date. Ron and Harry would think she was studying. She got as clean as she could in half and hour. Got out and dried herself up. Their was a long mirror in which she could see all of herself in the bathroom. She dropped the towel.
"No wonder, I'm so ugly! The only person who's ever looked twice at me is Neville. Oh yeah and Viktor but he's dead." She said this to herself although she was thinking that she wish she had Ron's attention like she had Neville's but she didn't dare ask him out again. It was too humiliating in 5th year and it would definitely not go over with him now. She longed to kiss him but he thought of her as his sister. Harry never loved her either but that didn't matter now. She didn't want to start crying again now that her face was finally clean. Especially this naked.
She walked into her room and took out her wand. She magicked a lock on the dormitory door. Just then Hedwig came to sit on her dormitory window. Just in time. Hermione put on that lotion that Ron liked, the one she got a Muggle shop called Victoria's Secret. It was called Endless Love. She put on her clothes. Even her underwear was black. She put on the cloak but did not tie it. She put on the boots and took out the quill that she had used for her letters. She took out six pieces of parchment.
On the first she wrote:
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know that what I'm going to do is stupid but you don't understand, No one understands. Do not blame yourselves, or Ron or Harry. It is neither of their faults. I have failed you, Ron, Harry, Dumbledore, and myself. I didn't know what else to do. I am so sorry. I was tired of being myself and this is my only way. I know that I'm being a coward and I agree but that is me. I don't want to try and live up to everyone's expectations! Or even mine. I love you so much. I am so sorry. I know this is selfish, but I couldn't think of anything else. I love you, I love you, I love you!!! Please keep my room as it is, but first I want you to look under my pillow. I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your daughter,
Hermione
She folded up the letter and let her tears fall on it as she wrote the address and another owl flew in. Then another and another, now their were four. One of them was an Eagle owl which belonged to her next recipient. Then she took out the next piece of parchment out. This was to Draco Malfoy.
Dear Draco,
I am gonna give you what you have always wanted.. It looks like Mudblood Granger won't be around to ruin your days any longer. I'm sorry about your father and how he died. I am sorry for all the pain that I caused you. I know this will sound weird and unexpected but after Voldemort was defeated in our sixth year, I realized how much I actually cared about you. I would've wanted to be your friend but I guess even after your father's death you didn't want to have to deal with MY KIND even though you protected and spied for us. I'm sorry you felt that way. I love you, Draco.
Goodbye Forever.
Love,
Hermione
As she got ready to write another, another owl flew in. It was Pigwidgeon. Pig was so funny, he didn't seem that he understood, neither did the other owls but Pig looked at her strangely. She took out the next piece of parchment. This was to Dumbledore and the whole school.
Dear Professor Dumbledore, Staff and Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
I am sorry to disappoint everyone. I am sorry. I love every single one of you. To Professor McGonagall- You are my mentor. You have inspired me to do so much! All of your teaching did not go to waste, it will always be carried in my heart. To Hagrid- I loved everything about you. You were caring and energetic. So sentimental. I loved your love for animals. You will always be loved by every one. To Professor Sprout- my favorite thing in your class other than how much it built me up for potions was getting to know such a quaint and humble person as yourself. I also learned many things from you. Keep Neville in mind for any hands on things you have to do. To Professor Snape- as much as it seemed that I hated you I did not. I have always felt so much gratitude towards you. Every one is lucky to have you in their life. I learned so much from you as well. You will never be forgotten in Hogwarts, A History or in the Wizarding Worlds History. You were such a key part in everything that happened last year. I love you. Professor Lupin- Defense Against the Dark Arts was never so much fun. You are the most open teacher and such a great friend to Harry Ron and I. Also Sirius. To Professor Black- Take care of Harry like Mr and Mrs, Potter wanted you to. You are great as the ass. Defense Against the Dark Arts. Watch out Professor Lupin! To every one else I have not mentioned and to the students I love you all. I know that this was the best way to go. I love you all!
Goodbye Forever.
Love,
Hermione
She looked it over and realized as she cried a little harder that it sounded more like a Valedictorian or Most Magical Student in Seven(Hogwart's sort of Valedictorian)speech. She was already chosen as the MMSIS but she couldn't face any one. She took out another piece of parchment. Before she started to write in it she took out a different kind of ink. It was dark blue instead of black. She didn't want to seem that morbid. She took out her Vanilla body spray that was running out, she used that the most. She sprayed it on the paper and sniffed it. She sprayed it again. Finally she took out the quill and dipped into the ink. This is was for Harry. Oh how he loved that smell. He told her so the day they defeated Voldemort and he hugged her, crying.
Dearest Harry,
I am so sorry that I will cause you this pain, but you don't know what it is like to be me. You and Ginny are like the brother and sister I never had. Don't tell her I told you that. I have been called a Mudblood. At first that didn't bother me but then it became all of me. I WAS my label, I had BECOME my label. I wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed and I gave it all away just to have something to hold on to but I couldn't control myself. Take care of yourself and Ron. Take care of Ginny, she loves you so much. She is in love with you, and I have noticed that you have been looking at her differently. Tell Sirius the following:
Dear Sirius,
take care of Harry and don't let him mess up too much(LOL) but any way, take care of Drusilla. I know that she loves you very much, and I think that Mrs. Drusilla Black has great news for you! Hmm, I wonder what it could be???
Back to Harry:
Please take care of yourself. You are worth so much more than me, I know I won't be missed all that much, I mean I'm not being missed now right? Right. I love you Harry, you were my best friend. You and Ron. I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your friend forever,
Hermione
Hermione read this over and wiped her tears before they messed up her face. Before she did it she would wash her face and put on the make up that Ginny had given her for her fifth year Christmas present. She remembered since her fifth year and Ginny's fourth they had become best girl friends. The four of them now did things together. She took out the rainbow ink she had gotten on her birthday by Ginny and dipped her quill in it. She began to write.
Dearest Ginny,
I don't know what to say except you are my best girl friend, oh screw that, you ARE my best friend, You were the only person I could confide in with my "boy" problems. When I needed help getting over Ron you helped me so much more than I would've thought. You should be a therapist of some sort. You always listened and gave the right advice. Take my advice for a change and BE with Harry. I'm sure he loves you. I've seen the way he looks at you. The way I looked at Ron since our fifth year. I know that in your first year you thought you messed things up between you and Harry, but if anything I think that he valued you more. I know that this will seem abrupt, but it isn't. I have been moping around for too long. I think its time I gave my depression and myself a permanent rest. How morbid is that? I know but it's the truth. I am so tired of this phony life I live. You and Harry will make beautiful babies. I'm just playing, or am I? Ok well I have so much more to say but I can't quite put it into words. I love you Ginny. You are the sister(or brother for that matter!)that I never had.
Goodbye Forever.
Love your sister in spirit,
Hermione
Then she took out the red ink. Before she wrote this last one she rolled the others up and tied with ribbons she once used in her hair. She took out the black head band that she had worn so many school days and put it on. She fixed her hair so that it was still curly, but they were ringlets and they weren't frizzy. Then she sat down at the desk she had so often used to write in her journal. She took her journal out, wrapped in brown paper, put Ron, Harry and Ginny's name on it and kissed it as tears dropped on it. She unrolled the empty piece of parchment and began to write. She audibly wept and wept.
My dearest Ron,
I sometimes wonder why I never gave up on you. I am still wondering why. You were never anything but a good friend to me, and yet I couldn't keep thinking that. When you thought I was joking in fifth year, I took it to the heart I shouldn't have, but I did. It isn't your fault you didn't know I was serious, I mean we had been friends for so long, I thought maybe it was best. We would most likely be better friends any way, right? Right! Thank you for my birthday present this year. All those sugar quills and chocolate frogs came in handy. No, I haven't eaten them all, they are under my bed if you would like them. You were my savior, my hero, my best friend. I love you both as a friend and more. Please don't feel the cause of this. It wasn't your fault I love you. This was only part of the pain. Again, I want to say that I love you.
Goodbye Forever.
Your loving friend,
Hermione
At last, all of the letters were done. She put make up on gently and carefully. She did it naturally. She rechecked herself in the mirror and let out a tear when the mirror complimented her. She tied the parchment on to Hedwig along with Ron and Harry's letters. She tied Ginny's letter to Pig, Draco's letter to his eagle owl, her parent's letter to one of the school owls, and Dumbledore's letter to the other school owl's. She kissed Hedwig and Pig goodbye and told them to deliver it as quickly as possible. She laid on her bed, took out her wand and magicked the lock away. She prayed to God to forgive her and slowly raised her wand.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!!!" she yelled through weeping, a green light shown and downstairs every one stopped moving as they heard a distant shriek in pain.
Everyone looked around and just went right on studying for their NEWT's and OWL's. The others were downstairs in the castle grounds because they were younger and finals were over for them. Then Hedwig and Pig came in through the windows. Ron, Harry and Ginny were sitting together, studying. They turned their heads towards the two owls and grabbed the letters and Ron grabbed the package. He opened it as Ginny and Harry stared.
He read aloud, "My Journal." He turned red and then looked up at the confused expressions. "This is Hermione's. I wonder why she gave this to us. Let's open our letters."
~~**~~**~~
"Draco, isn't that your owl?" Snape looked down at Malfoy and walked out of the common room. There were only a few Slytherins left after Voldemort's defeat and Snape had just come to say that Goyle had been captured. Pansy eyed him curiously. He went to his owl, gave him a treat and grabbed the letter.
~~**~~**~~
"Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, a letter has arrived for you." Mrs. Granger got up and took the yellow parchment envelope from their new dental assistant Roger who was looking oddly at the envelope.
"Oh its from Hermione dear! We haven't heard from her in TWO weeks! What a relief, I thought she had forgotten about us." She handed the envelope to her husband who started to open it.
~~**~~**~~
"Here you go Fawkes. Oh why don't you just hurry up and die again?" Professor Dumbledore was feeding Fawkes when a school owl came in. It had an envelope. Dumbledore grabbed it and started to open it.
~~**~~**~~
Ron looked up from is letter confused and with a bewildered expression on his face. "Hermione? She couldn't have-I mean she, wait the scream, NO!!!" Ron yelled as he started up the dormitory stairs. He ran into Hermione's room, he didn't even notice Ginny and Harry yelling behind him.
"HERMIONE!!! NO!!!" He knelt behind her bed and touched her face. He started to cry. "No, Hermione, oh Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, why, why, WHY?!?!?"
"Ron! Calm down!" Ginny's voice came. "Here let me see, she can't be--"
"CALM DOWN??? HOW can I CALM DOWN when my BEST FRIEND is lying here DEAD!! Do you understand? DEAD!!!"
Harry went over to feel her pulse but it was no use, there was none. "Oh Hermione, how could you? HOW COULD YOU??" He hit one of the four posters and glared at himself in Hermione's mirror. "Get someone Ron."
"No! I'm staying here with her."
"Oh one of you go–please I can't bear to leave her side!"Ginny said in between sobs.
"No need, I'm here," Dumbledore glided from the door to Hermione's bed. "Oh no. This has never happened before. I–don't know–," Harry put a hand on his shoulder. It was so unlike Dumbledore to not have anything to say. His eyes were tearing up but before he could cry he stood up. He was Ron's same height so he was able to look into his eyes and he could see that his pain was the same if not worse than the others. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Weasley, please follow me. We need to alert a few people."
Ron was alone with Hermione for the first time in weeks. He didn't want this to be real, but the harsh reality finally hit him when he kissed her and she didn't wake up. He picked up her hand, kissed it and then just let it drop. "No, not you, Hermione, any one but you." He wept and cried for what seemed forever when he finally got the courage to leave, but just for a moment. He had to get out. He went back to his room, quietly so people would think he still wanted to be alone with Hermione. He sat on his bed and reached for his bureau door. He opened quietly so that no one would hear him and got out a little ring box. He opened it and closed it seeing that it was not empty. He crept back to the room.
"Hermione? I know that you can't possibly hear me but if there is a slight chance that you ARE still–alive, then I want you to know that I was being immature in our fifth year. I love you Hermione and so here–," he grabbed her hand and slipped on an engagement ring. It was platinum and had just one small diamond. "I saved up since last year, I even got a job over the summer. I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!!!" He screamed in between sobs. Then Dumbledore came in and put a hand on Ron's shoulder. That scared Ron and he flinched. "Get off of me! Leave me alone!!"