"Forest of Dean. I came here once with Mom and Dad. That was years ago. It's just how I remember it. The trees, the river, everything. Like nothing's changed; not true of course. Everything's changed. If I brought them back here now, they'd probably not recognize any of it. Not the trees, not the river... not even me. Maybe we should just stay here, Harry. Grow old."
.
The steady rise and fall of Hermione Jane Granger's chest told Harry James Potter that she was fast asleep. For the past 48 years, he's learned that the only way to know if she was already asleep was through the steady rhythm of her breathing. He pulled her closer to his body, his hands firmly tight around her waist. He brought his free hand to her face and caressed it, his cold fingertips making her flinch.
He recalled how she looked like 48 years ago, in his arms and in the exact same place. He recalled her mousse brown hair, how their curls seemed to have a mind's of its' own, sometimes tamed and others not so. He recalled the way she slept in his arms those nights she couldn't sleep, those days she couldn't move, those days she was disabled. He remembered the feel of her body against him, the coldness of her cheeks, the redness of her lips. He remembered them all even though 48 years has passed.
She was now 65 years old and yet Harry couldn't have found her more beautiful. Her cream complexion skin was masked with signs of aging, the lines under her eyes and mouth bringing her features down. Parts of her hair have already turned gray, yet others still a honey colored brown. Her hands, as he took it into his, were not as soft as before. Instead, they were marked with battle scars.
"Darling." He whispered affectionately in her ears. She opened her eyes slowly, her eyes fixing on his the moment she does. "How can you look so beautiful dear?"
She smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling with happiness. "Why did you bring me here, Harry?"
"You wanted to grow old here, Hermione." He reminded her. "You wanted to stay here with me and grow old."
She chuckled at the memory. "We were kids, Harry. Barely 20."
"And look at you now."
She gave him a quirky smile and closed her eyes. "Look at me now. I'm old."
"You're beautiful, Hermione." He whispered. "You've never looked better. Time isn't our friend you know. We could keep hiding, on and on and on but death would find us soon."
She frowned. "I know that, Harry."
He held both of her hands firmly, kissing her fingers. "Then grow old with me, Hermione. Grow old with me here."
.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: A small drabble. I was watching Deathly Hollows today and I just adored that scene in The Forest of Dean. Had me thinking what if Harry and Hermione did stay there? What if they did grow old there? Anyways, just needed to write something I guess. Hoho. No times for spell check whatsoever so just ignore if there's errors yes? xx