DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, tho I wish I did. I did not create them, nor did I write the song by Lifehouse.
Everything
Hermione slowly walked along the halls of Hogwarts, tears silently falling from her chocolate brown eyes. She didn't bother to wipe the silver streams from her cheekbones, staring at an empty space in front of her. So many things had changed, she didn't know where she was anymore.
Find me here. Speak to me. I want to feel you. I need to hear you. You are the light that is leading me to the place where I find peace again. You are the strength that keeps me walking. You are the hope that keeps me trusting.
She remembered smiles, whispers, calming words, telling her that she was wanted, appreciated. She grasped at a memory floating around in her mind, willing it to the surface so that she could return once more to the place where she thought she had found herself.
*****
I love you, Hermione. With all my heart and soul. I don't care what happens to my father. It's you alone that is keeping me fighting against him and his Death Eaters.
Draco, I don't know what to say. I...
he said, gently placing fingers to her lips. You don't have to say anything. Please, just let me love you.
I love you too, Draco, Hermione whispered just before he softly kissed her.
*****
You are the life to my soul, you are my purpose, you are everything. And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Hermione momentarily closed her eyes, and started the descent to the Gryffindor wing of Hogwarts. Wearily climbing the stairs, she barely noticed the concerned looks that all Hogwarts students were giving her; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hugglepuff, Ravenclaw - they all felt a deep respect for their Head Girl, if nothing else.
Distractedly muttering Quidditch Alfabour, Hermione stepped into the Gryffindor common room and let herself sit by the fire, yet the crackling flames would not warm the chill in her heart.
Grasping at another memory, Hermione let herself be drawn into the past.
*****
Draco, please promise me that you won't go to fight your father. You know that you can't go up against him by yourself! Hermione said, keeping her arms firmly wrapped around him.
Hermione, can't you see? He won't be expecting me to challenge him. I'll take him by surprise! I know what I'm doing.
Hermione sighed. It's just that I love you so much. Now that I've finally realised how much you mean to me, I don't want to lose you, like I've already lost Harry and Ron. Draco, you're the only one that I've got left!
Draco softly kissed Hermione on her chestnut hair. I will come back, Mione. I love you, forever.
*****
You calm the storms. You give me rest. You hold me in your hands. You won't let me fall. You still my heart and you take my breath away. Would you take me in? Would you take me deeper now?
A single tear escaped from Hermione's eyes, forming a silver track down to her chin. Unconsciously wiping it away, her eyes remained unfocused as they unseeingly settled on the face opposite her. Somebody with soft red hair handed her a handkerchief, and then dabbed at the watery corners of Hermione's eyes. Hermione didn't feel the comforting arm of Ginny Weasely around her shoulders, and didn't hear the words of comfort that Ginny whispered in her ear. She was already back to where her heart still was.
*****
NO!! Draco! I love you! Don't leave me! Hermione cried to the battered young man she held in her arms.
Hermione... I'm so sorry... Draco slowly whispered, his breathing becoming more shallow with every passing minute.
No, no, shush... It will be okay, Draco, it will be okay. It has to be!
No, Draco said, struggling to smile at his lover's face, It's time for me to go. I love you. Forever. I always did, I think.
Oh, Draco, Draco.... I always loved you too, Hermione whispered, stroking the matted and bloodied blonde hair of the keeper of her heart, knowing that her heart was breaking with every breath that Draco was taking.
Just, please... Hold me,
Hermione slowly rocked Draco back and forth in her arms, stroking his air, and willing all of her love for him into their final embrace. She listened to his breathing become more shallow as time passed, and watched his closed eyelids. Gradually Draco's breaths came more slowly until he opened his eyes, looked straight into Hermione's, smiled, and said , his last breath coming out in a contented sigh.
Hermione closed Draco's eyes, and held him.
*****
Cause you're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything. You're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
Hermione opened her eyes and saw that Ginny was holding something in her arms. She blankly looked at the tiny bundle, not recognising what it was.
Hermione? Chloe was crying. I think she missed you.
Hermione wordlessly held out her arms for her baby daughter, sadly smiling down into the beautiful face that had Draco's icy blue eyes. So wide and innocent, Hermione thought.
As she rocked the infant to sleep, Hermione remembered the sad joy that she had felt when she gave birth to Chloe seven months after Draco had passed away and the war against Voldemort had been won. She wished with all her heart that Draco had been by her side as their daughter was born, although she knew that he was always with her, in her heart.
Looking down at her beautiful daughter, Hermione remembered the Muggle song that Draco had played for her just before he told her that he loved her for the very first time.
Cause you're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything. You're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
Hermione wept as she hummed the melody to her sleeping daughter, surrounded by the other 7th years of the Grynffindor house, with Ginny watching on, tears streaming down her own face.
Cause you're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything. You're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything.