DISCLSIMER: I do not own any of the characters. They are the property of J. K. Rowling

I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was five years after my graduation from Hogwarts, and nearly two and a half years after my marriage to the man of my dreams. We were in a state of marital bliss.

He was wearing a blue robe that day. He wore my favorite cologne, Mary's Musk for Men, which I bought for him in Paris at the Witches' convention. His hair was as messy as usual.

I walked up to him. "Harry, will your hair ever lie flat?" I asked as I smoothed his hair.

He laughed. "I doubt it."

"Harry..."

"Yes, dear?"

"Be careful."

"Of course, 'Mione. I always am."

"I know. But being an auror is so dangerous."

A change came over his features and he kissed me. "Have I ever told you why I'm so in love with you?"

"Not recently."

"In that case, I better remind you. You never saw me as the invincible Boy-Who-Lived. You saw me as Harry."

"Harry is much more interesting than the Boy-Who-Lived."

"I love you, Hermione."

"I love you, too, Harry. Oh! Remember that Ron's coming over for dinner tonight. It's his birthday, so be on time."

"I remember. I wouldn't want to miss the Minister of Magic's birthday feast! I'll be home at 5:30 exactly. Bye."

"Bye."

He kissed me and went to work.

I spent the day writing my book, How to Get Incredibly High Scores on Your N.E.W.T.S., and getting dinner ready. At five, I changed into dress robes.

5:30 came, but Harry didn't. 5:45, still no sign. It wasn't like him to be late and not tell me. 6:00. No Harry. Ron was supposed to be here by now. Maybe the Ministry was holding him up.

6:15. Ron apparated into the living room. "There you are, Ron! Where's Harry?"

I ran over to hug my best friend. He didn't seem too happy to see me. When I got close, I saw his cheeks were tear-stained. Ron never cried.

"What's wrong, Ron?"

"Oh, Hermione, it's Harry."

"Harry? Is he hurt? Oh my gosh, I have to go see him!"

"He- He's not hurt."

"What were you worrying me about, then?"

"He's worse than that."

"What do you mean?" Even as I spoke those words, I knew what was coming. My stomach started to sink.

"Harry- Harry's dead."