Disclaimer: I am not, nor could I ever wish to be, the magnificent JKR. The characters and concepts of this work herein are entirely the property of JKR and her publishers. I don't own rights, claim rights, or anything of the sort. You cannot sue me O.O Thank you. Enjoy.
Hermione and Harry held hands as they saw a cease in the battle. They couldn't have been gone long enough for the battle to already be done. But, of course, it couldn't be done until either Harry or Voldemort were dead. Possibly even both of them. Likely both of them. She scanned the Great Hall as they entered. Ron was travelling to her left and asking if they recognized any of the bodies in the hall. Harry shook his head, which caused Ron to sigh with relief. Not recognizing them could mean it wasn't anyone they knew. Unfortunately, that euphoria did not last long.
About fifteen feet away as a sobbing set of Weasley siblings, and perhaps a mortified set of parents beneath the huddling group of red-headed family members. Hermione gasped before Ron had a chance to register what they could possibly be so upset about. Even Harry understood more quickly than their friend had. When he did, though, he bolted to be with the rest of his family. Hermione looked closely and took notice of everyone who was visible. From what she could tell the only three missing were Percy, Fred, and George. Ginny was the first to pull away from the crowd, stepping aside to hug Neville and Luna, who were both shaking their heads sadly.
It was time for Hermione to face the facts as the bodies of their dead friends lie around them. The battle had only ensued for little more than an hour, and already so many people they knew were gone. Hermione even saw Tonks and Lupin in a far corner being laid down by Kingsley on a bench. She had never seen him so humble and soft. He pushed the hair from Tonk's eyes, and brushed the dirt from Lupin's cheeks. Hermione's gut clenched realizing that it was time to admit what was inevitable. She pivoted her body so that she may be face-to-face with Harry.
"You're going to die, Harry. You're a horcrux too." Hermione's hand bolted to her mouth as she tried to suppress the tears that were lurking behind the words. It was almost refreshing to have finally said it aloud to him, knowing now that she wouldn't have to pretend that it wasn't going to happen. Admitting it was going to help take the tension of its impending presence away, at least somewhat.
Harry did not frown or tear up. In fact, he grinned at her and put his hands over her cheeks. He leaned in to peck her lips innocently, not unlike their first kiss in the library when she studied for the N.E.W.T.s what seemed like ages ago. She felt the same love she did for him then in that moment. Her stomach fluttered and again the baby moved. She moved his hands to her belly, letting him have the opportunity to at least one chance to have a parental experience.
"I finally understood that last night. I am not scared, though. I think we've all known for a long time in the backs of our mind that it would come to this. I wouldn't change it for the world, though, Mione. I'll die a happy man. I won't have a thing to worry about. You'll birth my child and raise it in a happy home with Ron, and our baby will know the sacrifice I made. I can leave this world with a smile knowing that." Hermione felt a movement again, and Harry's hands on her tummy trembled slightly. She met his gaze and saw the passion in his eyes. They laced their fingers together.
Harry was inching towards Hermione for another romantic French kiss, much like the ones they had been sharing off and on throughout the evening. However, just as their noses brushed Neville approached rather lively and started talking to them. He sounded less pleasant, and it comforted Hermione just a little bit.
"Fred's gone. Tonks, and Lupin too. Colin Creevey. I even saw Finnigan with a nasty injury. Oliver Wood, you remember him? He's beaten up too. It's a bloody mess." He wasn't speaking in happiness of the deaths, but rather to distract himself of the possibility of anyone else dying. There would be another wave of fighting, undoubtedly. Hermione tugged at her ears, Harry's hand drooping over her shoulder and swatting for her to quit it. She looked over the people, most people only bloodied, and maybe a total of ten to fifteen people dead. It was a large loss in her mind, but she knew it was nothing compared to what had lead up to this ultimate battle. Her focus again rest upon the grouped Weasley family.
Ginny was consoling Fleur and Bill, who were both sobbing much more than she. Hermione knew Ginny would be just as hurt as Geroge would be in the future. She was very close to the twins. Hermione could hardly imagine her coping well in the months succeeding the war. George still lay next to his twin's body, shrilling at the top of his lungs. Molly and Arthur held each other next to their son, while the rest simply spoke to friends. Ron, though, was against a wall with Luna in front of him. She was wiping his face clean of dirt with a water filled goblet and the edge of her school robes. His eyes, even from the distance, were red and puffy. But, somehow, he managed to smile at her. Hermione could imagine Luna's big blue eyes gawking at Ron as their mourned uniquely and as one. She was forced to see another truth.
When Harry died, Ron wouldn't be there for her because his heart now belonged to Luna Lovegood.
Harry picks up Hermione in his arms and twirls her half around before returning her feet to the ground. She struggles to breath for a moment, the butterflies of her love for her husband taking over. She felt momentarily numb before their lips clashed against each other. This time they kissed because they were thankful. They did not care who saw or who may judge them. All they cared about was enjoying their moments together, for they would soon be far too few.
Neville began clapping when they took their faces apart from each other. Hermione subtly pushed hair from her eyes, pretending not to be slightly embarrassed by his open recognition of their relationship. Soon after it seemed as though several people were putting smiles on their faces, being thankful that they still had each other among the living, and that they still had something to fight for. Hermione even saw a laughing Lavender Brown alongside Cho Chang and other individuals who had probably grouped together by accident. There really was plenty to be happy for.
"Defenders of Hogwarts, I ask that you lend me your ear…"
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