It was in the wee hours of the morning.
The sun was shining through the fluffy white clouds overhead. The birds chirped to one another. The temperature was fair, neither too warm nor too chilly. It was all perfect. Amongst her, the muggles within the neighborhood were waking up. Some were leaving for the day to their jobs. Others were planning nothing more than to lounge around.
They had no idea what went on during the night.
No clue what was lost in order to be saved.
Hermione stood on the front porch, her hand aching to ring the doorbell but physically unable to. It felt wrong of her to be here. She didn't deserve to. Not after abruptly announcing she was going to leave on what he soon learned was their last night together.
"Randy," Hermione cut in, pulling her face away from him. He was still cupping her cheeks, caressing them with his thumbs. She looked him in the eyes with a pleading sort of look to her.
Concern crossed his features. He scooted closer. "What's wrong?" His voice was soft.
She didn't know how to tell him.
"Do you remember how I told you about the war with You-Know-Who?" They were in the security of his bedroom down in the basement. But if life had taught her anything, it was that they were never alone. So she whispered.
"Yeah," he nodded, expression turning serious. "What about it?'
She got up, turning her back to him. She felt his eyes boring into her back. She didn't know how to face him.
"Hermione," he sounded anxious now. "What is it?"
The only noise that was hard was the tick tock of the clock.
"I have to leave," She admitted.
"Leave?" Randy repeated.
She was at a loss at what to say now. "We have to destroy the horcruxes if we want to defeat him. I have to go. I'm sorry."
"And it has to be you?" Randy got up as well.
"I'm sorry," she felt him grasp her hand. "Harry and Ron need me. And even if I decided to stay behind, I'd be putting you and your family in danger."
"There's got to be some other way, right?" Randy was desperate. "Somebody else that can go for you?"
"I'm sorry," Her head dropped. "I have to. They know me. They've...they've seen me. I'm planning on relocating my parents until everything's safe and-" her voice cracked. This was the first she'd spoken of it out loud. "I'm going to wipe their memories of me."
She was brought into a tight hug. Randy's arms were around her. He whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry."
"I just want you to be safe," she exhaled when they were apart and she was held at arm's length.
Randy took her by the chin, capturing her lips into a long, passionate kiss that she didn't know she needed. "Come back to me," he said quietly when it was over.
She could only nod.
Would he want to see her? She doubted it. Were they even still together? Or was her leaving some sign that it was all over? He'd had nearly a year to decide.
She was taken out of her thoughts by the front door opening. Mark was there, utterly surprised by her reappearance. He'd gotten taller and his hair was darker. "Hermione," he said when he found his words. "Crap, what happened to you?"
She'd stayed at the ruined castle for some time; holding on to Ron as he sobbed horrifically into her shoulder. Feeling numb as she watched George and Percy cling to each other for dear life. Fred's body was laid to rest with the others that had fallen, until it was time to bury him properly.
It was Harry who suggested she go see Randy. She didn't think of showering or changing her clothes beforehand.
"Is Randy here?" She asked instead of answering the question.
Mark gave her a strange look but allowed her to step aside to get in. "He's downstairs. Randy ! Come here!" He called for him, unintentionally setting off a knot in her stomach. He then turned to her, saying. "It's really you. Mom and Dad were wondering what happened to you. Randy wouldn't tell us anything. Brad figured you guys broke up."
She feigned a smile. "I've been a bit...busy."
"Did Randy know that? You should've seen him; he was moping around here for weeks. Randy!" Mark rolled his eyes when he got no answer. "Must be ignoring me. You'll have to go down there."
"Are you sure your parents won't mind?" She asked and then added when he raised his eyebrows at her, "It's just that it's been a while since I've been down there."
"They're not home," Mark smirked. "Mom made Dad go with her to see family."
"Oh," she said.
"No one will hear you guys if you get a little...frisky with each other."
She grimaced. "I can assure you nothing of the kind will happen."
"Suit yourself," he shrugged and turned on his heels, going back upstairs. Just leaving her there.
Her legs felt enormous heavy walking over to the basement door. Her stomach felt like it had a huge weight inside, making her terribly nauseated. It was completely ridiculous, considering what she'd just gone through.
Her shoes thudded against the stairs and soon a voice that she hadn't heard in months was calling out to her-not knowing it was her. "Mark, I swear if you don't leave me alone, your head's going in the toilet."
When Hermione was at the bottom, she carefully opened the sliding door, feeling her heart speed up a little.
"Mark, what did I just-" Randy abruptly trailed off, eyes widening at the sight of her.
"I'm not Mark," she gave him a smile. "I hope you aren't too disappointed."
The next thing she knew, she was backed up against a wall with Randy kissing her. When they parted for air, she got to look in his eyes for the first time in a long time. He leaned his forehead against hers, basking in this moment.
"It's you," he mumbled. "It's really you. I...are you okay? You look-"
"I know," she nodded.
"Is he...is that...You-Know-Who dead?"
"He's gone," she whispered, smiling at him. "He's finally gone. Harry's done it."
"And you," he pointed out, pressing his lips to the corner of her mouth. "Mmm, I missed you. I missed you so much, Hermione."
"I've missed you, too," She truly had; the sound of his voice, the touch of his skin. She'd missed all of that.
"Don't leave me again," he said softly.
She intertwined their fingers.
"Never," she promised.
I wrote this in an hour. I hope you guys like it!