CHAPTER 25- HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED, HARRY POTTER RIGHTS ARE J.K. ROWLING'S AND WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT.

THIS FAN FICTION IS A BRANCH OFF FROM THE YULE BALL, AND EXCERCISING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

WELL, IT'S WIND DOWN TIME NOW. FINAL TWO CHAPTERS. LET'S FINISH IT OFF WITH A BANG! THEN I CAN START WRITING ANOTHER STORY WHICH I'VE BEEN PLANNING. BUT MORE ON THAT AFTER I FINISH THE FINAL CHAPTER. LET'S BEGIN!

"Today, we acknowledge two terrible losses." Dumbledore said, as he stood in between two coffins. "The untimely deaths of Cedric Diggory and Ronald Weasley are tragic to the school, especially to have been murdered by such an evil force of magic. To anyone who did not witness the terrible events of two nights ago, these two boys were killed, by Lord Voldemort. They both died protecting others, and, in extension, everyone in the Wizarding community."

Some small whimpers were heard from within the audience, mainly from younger students as they remembered the events of two nights ago, a day that will most likely stay with them for the rest of their lives. Harry and Hermione held each other's hands, but couldn't look at each other. Ron, had lived the last months of his life bewitched by a Death Eater, and died in a last-minute breakthrough to protect Harry and Hermione. They were eternally grateful, but also extremely upset.

"We have to remember two boys who were kind, caring, had many friends who they loved."

The service continued, and after it had ended Harry went missing. He couldn't be found inside the Castle. Hermione took the search outside, and found the scruffy-haired teenager skimming stones by the Black Lake.

Hermione stood there for a while, watching as Harry was so focused on the Lake. She felt so sorry for him. He never wanted anyone to die for him, and certainly not Ron.

'This will affect him forever.' Hermione thought, as she tilted her head to the side slightly, her eyes still fixed on her boyfriend. 'I've got to make him better.'

Hermione walked closer, unnoticed by Harry, who continued skimming stones. She stopped when standing right next to him.

"Do you remember when we first kissed on the stairs to the dormitories?" Harry said, which shocked Hermione, because she didn't know he knew she was there.

She smiled as the memory returned to her. "Those were the days." She took his hand into hers, caressing it gently. She looked at Harry, and the torment could be seen in his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it Harry?" Hermione asked, soothingly.

Hermione thought that Harry would react violently, and start shouting violently at her, for even mentioning the event.

To her upmost surprise, he replied; "Yes."

"Well, let's talk." Hermione said, happy that Harry was finally able to open up about things like this.

"I'm just so tired of everyone dying for me, Hermione. Everyone sacrifices themselves for me just because of something that happened to me, which I had no control over when I was a year old. Hardly anyone knows me, or understands me, but they would all willingly throw themselves in front of me. You could've been killed, Hermione, as could Dumbledore, and Ron and Cedric…" Harry shivered slightly, he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing could come out.

"Harry, I understand." Hermione said, making eye contact with her boyfriend. "You hate being The-Boy-Who-Lived, and I can see why. Publicity is certainly not your style. But Ron and Cedric, they knew you, they trusted you. You were friends with both of them. This is what the power of friendship is, Harry. I would instantly take your place if you had to die, because I love you, and nothing could ever change that."

The two broke down in tears, hugging and holding each other close. This was a rare moment in which they had time to themselves, and nobody at all knew what the pair were doing. They were alone, isolated from the world, for now.

"Harry… can I ask you something?" Hermione said.

Harry wiped tears from his eyes, then Hermione's. "Anything Hermione. Ask away."

"I simply can't let you go back to those appalling excuses of an Aunt and Uncle this summer. Could you come and stay with me? We could do everything together! Homework, relax… grieve."

Harry smiled, and looked lovingly into his girlfriend's eyes before planting a kiss on her lips. "I'd love that Hermione."

Hermione squealed in delight. He best friend, and boyfriend would stay with her for the summer, and hopefully, forever.

TO BE CONTINUED

YOUTUBE: /channel/UCeHzFNYSe3qwQBOMgboP6QA? (make sure to add YouTube address)

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER! I WON'T BE CONTINUING IT INTO THE SUMMER, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE FUTURE PLANS FOR A HARRY AND HERMIONE SUMMER FIC. ANYTHING I HAVE WRITTEN (SUCH AS CHARMS, SPELLS OR CURSES) MAY BE INCORRECT OR BE WRONG FOR CERTAIN FUNCTIONS. SOME FACTS MAY ALSO BE INCORRECT. DON'T BLAME ME. I'M NOT A GENIUS.