Hello again everyone! I've not posted anything recently; too much stuff going on, but I managed to squeeze this out during the little time i get. I hope you enjoy it.

Death of a Friend

White

That's the first thing I saw: the harsh white of a hospital ceiling. I lay there for a moment, trying to remember what had happened.

I was running; I had to get to Hermione before the troll. I didn't know what I would do without her. As I ran, I heard her scream. I followed it, and entered the bathroom she was in just in time to see her flung into a sink.

I ran between her and the troll, trying to stop it from killing my friend, but it was in vain. I was struck by its club and sent flying into the wall, landing in a heap on the floor.

I looked to Hermione, and she tried to get up. Her arm was broken; the bone poking through her skin in a jagged fashion, causing her to fall back to the floor. She was then showered in large fragments of sink and tile that were thrown around the room.

I sat up, and looked around the hospital wing and spotted her on the bed opposite. She was covered in a white sheet, a vase of lilies on the table next to her. They were her favorites I walked over, and pulled off the sheet. There laid Hermione, her smooth skin blemished by scratches and bruises from the fight, perfectly still. Tears began to well up in my eyes, as it finally hit me.

My best friend in the world was dead.

As the sinks exploded, Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore ran in. They quickly subdued the troll, but I had already crawled to Hermione's side. She was breathing erratically, and bleeding heavily.

"Harry" she said "Thank you, for trying to save me"

"Hermione don't give up!" I cried, trying all I could to stop the bleeding "You're going to be alright! Trust me."

"Harry." She caught my hands "I'm dying. Please, say goodbye to my parents for me, tell them I always loved them." And she kissed my cheek, before laying her head in my lap, breathing her final breath.

My tears flow freely now, as I see her motionless body on the bed in front of me. I remember all the times we used to meet up by the lake, talk about the Muggle world as we threw scraps of bread to the squid. We were the outcasts; neither having any true friends other than each other. I was her rock, and she was mine, as the others shunned her for her knowledge.

I took her hand, caressing it lightly, before kissing her lightly on the forehead. "I'll miss you, 'mione. Have fun up there; say hi to my parents for me, I'll see you again soon."

I unwillingly let go of her hand, before covering her back up with the sheet once again.

I would always miss my 'mione. Always.

Reviews welcome, as always.

Tim