A/N: I don´t own anything, exept for the plot. The end was inspired by a scene from "The O.C."…if you watch it, you might know which one.

One last dance

She knew. Of course she knew, even though he didn´t tell her. Long before he did, she knew that the only way to destroy Voldemort was if he sacrifced himself. He didn´t tell her, but she knew. And she understood that he couldn´t bear the thought and just wanted to end it. She knew that it would happen tomorrow. It was the last day of their time at Hogwarts and the Ball for the 7th years would take place in the evening.

She knew that he had decided to finish it right away and that he only completed their last year after he found out a few days ago so that no one would realize that he was gone. And as she sat there with her gown beside her, she knew that there was nothing she could do. A single tear ran down her cheek as she put on her dress.

She felt weird, walking down the marble staircase with girls in their dresses next to her who didn´t knew or cared that this was his last evening. It all seemed surreal, Dumbledore´s speech, the opening dance...she did not dance but kept looking for him. She wasn´t worried though, she knew that he wouldn´t leave without saying goodbye.

And as the last song began to play, she felt his hand on her shoulder. As she looked at him, she could tell that he was aware of her knowing. He knew, but he didn´t mention it and neither did she. It was like their understanding for each other was deeper than words. Without him asking, she nodded and followed him onto the dancefloor.

As they danced, his one hand in hers, his other hand around her waist, she said: "I just want you to know...I understand why you have to do this." "Thanks", he replyed, smiling weakly. Hermione continued, her eyes watering: "But I wish you didn´t have to". Quickly, she buried her head in his shoulder - she didn´t wanted him to see her cry. But even though she was so afraid of what her life would be like without him, she accepted it. She accepted the fact of losing him, of him dying, because there was nothing that she could do. She knew that this had to happen, that there was no other way. He sighed and said slowly: "Me too". Hermione held onto him even tigher and took a deep, steading breath: "I love you".