"Skyfall"
A/N: Please listen to Adele's song: Skyfall while you read. Composers: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins / Paul Richard Epworth
All lyrics within the fic are property of © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
The protective dome over Hogwarts began to crack. It was a miracle that it had managed to stand so many dark curses and the relentless bashing of the giants and their clubs. You could hear it breaking as if it was made of thick glass. Professors, students, and members of the order braced for impact. They knew the battle would escalate quickly as soon as they were no longer behind the wards. Crazed Death Eaters were ready to massacre anyone in their way to get what they wanted: chaos, destruction, and death. It didn't have to be in any particular order. Inhale… Exhale, Harry reminded himself how to breathe.
This is the end
Hold your breath and count to ten
Feel the earth move and then
Hear my heart burst again
Harry staggered out of the headmaster's office. It was a miracle that his feet managed to hold him up. He felt as if a thousand bludgers had been cursed to attack him from all directions for hours. Every inch of his body hurt. He had heard dying didn't hurt. Perhaps you were supposed to feel a lot of pain before you actually did die. But how would people know if it hurt? He was the only person he knew who had survived dying. Harry held on to the wall as he tried to make himself breathe slowly. Oxygen burned down his parched throat. He could see the distant multicolored glow of curses and protective spells alike. Out of nowhere, Professor McGonagall was in front of him, shaking him by the shoulders, and he was so startled that his wand went up against her jaw immediately, a curse on the tip of his tongue.
"What can we do to help you, Harry?" She asked in the most pained voice he had ever heard from her. The professor hadn't even been scared that he would attack her. All she could care about was that her lion appeared as a living, breathing ghost. His eyes were entirely devoid of hope or fight. Harry was sure he looked like a dead man walking, which he was. That the professor had used his first name was not lost on him. He tried to stand up straighter and forced himself to look her in the eyes, "Fight, as hard as you can, for as long as you can… I have to go."
"Go? Where?" Minerva asked with dread.
"I think you know…" he replied in a whisper and looked away.
Her eyes widened and filled with tears. "NO. Harry, you can't. I forbid it. There has to be another way."
"There isn't. It must be this way. Please… Professor just… Be there for her. She will need you," Harry gave Minerva a hug that only made the professor more certain that he was quite literally walking to his death.
"She will kill him. She will scorch the entire planet once she finds out what you did," Minerva replied hugging him back just as fiercely.
"Don't let her come after me. Tie her down, knock her out, whatever you have to do," Harry begged. "Keep her safe."
"Harry-" Minerva began.
"Promise me, Professor. Consider this a dying man's wish. This is my last will," he pleaded.
Minerva replied in a broken voice, "I promise. I understand you want to keep her safe," her eyes were swimming with unshed tears.
"It's not just that. If she… If I see her… I… I don't think I will be able to do this," Harry's voice broke.
"You love her," she replied. It wasn't a question.
He nodded. "I will not have her throw her life away for someone who is doomed. When all of this is over, tell her that all I want is for her to be happy and succeed in everything she wants to do… T-Tell her I'll be watching over her… Over every one of you."
A sob broke through his lips, but before Minerva could reply or hold him back, Harry kissed her forehead and rushed downstairs throwing spells as he went.
"Albus, I really hope you are burning in hell… Please forgive me, Lily and James. I failed you, but I will not fail your son," the professor whispered and ran towards the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
This is the end
Hold your breath and count to ten
Feel the earth move and then
Hear my heart burst again
Ronald Weasley lay bruised and moaning in pain, sprawled on the floor as many birds attacked him nonstop. His nose was broken and bleeding profusely. McGonagall didn't even try to help him. She was sure he deserved it. Ever since news reached her that the young man had abandoned her favorite cubs, he couldn't fall lower in her esteem.
"Where is Hermione? What did you do?"
"She's bloody mental," Ron replied. "I just kissed her."
The professor lifted a brow, "Without her consent?"
"What is that?" He babbled.
"Where is she!?"
"With Harry, I guess," Ron's head fell.
The professor snapped. "You useless idiot!" She then sent sparks in the air and left in a hurry
A nurse elf popped into the bathroom and took him away.
Hermione ran as she threw curses at cloaked figures in all directions. She knew she was possibly killing or maiming people, even older Slytherins, but she did not care. All she cared about now was the blur that was a disillusioned Harry running away while Neville and Luna covered him expertly. He could have been wearing the invisibility cloak and she would have been able to tell he was moving past her. They were attuned to each other. Dread made adrenaline pump through her veins to such a degree that she thought she would have a heart attack any moment now.
She jumped over a section of the wall that had been blown up. Minerva killed two giants with a powerful barrage of blasting curses to the head as she rushed after her favorite student. The professor did not want to scream her pupil's name because that would make her more of a target and it would be a stretch that she would hear her at all. It did not matter that her old legs were protesting or that she had just taken a stunning spell to her chest less than an hour ago. She was a woman on a mission, and she would not let her cub down.
Harry nodded at Neville and Luna in gratitude. Kreacher popped into the scene right next to Harry and handed him his invisibility cloak.
"Master, we stand behind you," the elf nodded as he threw the cloak over Harry. "You will need this."
Harry's eyes widened as hundreds of pops sounded around the school as every able-bodied elf in the school joined the battle. The faces of the Death Eaters would have been comical in different circumstances. They were insulted to fight "the help." But "the help" had many scores to settle. The cruelty, the punishments, every time they had to degrade themselves or hurt themselves because of their unfair masters… It was payback time. The Order, the students, the professors… everyone on the light side let out a jubilant yell. They were exhausted and this was exactly the boost of hope they needed.
"Thank you, Kreacher. Thank them all," Harry nodded from under the cloak and took off. As he ran, tears fell down his dirty cheeks. He kept seeing flashes of a future that would never happen now. He saw their past too. Harry saw them growing up together. He saw their wedding… their kids. He saw himself and Hermione aging in a home full of love and learning and family. No. That is not for you. Let go of the fantasy.
For this is the end
I've drowned and dreamt this moment
So overdue I owe them
Swept away, I'm stolen
Harry stopped next to a tree to catch his breath and wipe his face. He felt more than heard or saw someone was after him. No Death Eaters were trailing him. Who-
A hand wrapped around his ankle and pulled hard, making him fall forward. He fell and a curse went through the spot his head had been a second before. Hermione. Hermione was lying on her back next to the spot where he fell. Someone was running towards them. Harry jumped over Hermione and covered them both with the cloak. Hermione silenced him immediately. Neither moved.
"I just saw the mudblood! I swear! If we get her, Potter will come for her," Nott junior exclaimed
"Keep looking! She can't be far," Draco replied with a huff. He waited until Nott turned around and stupefied him, bound him, and erased his memories for added protection. The blond went to the tree by which he could have sworn he saw something move. He whispered, "Potter, I don't know if you or Granger are here. Look at me, talking to a tree… I just want to help. I can swear that on my magic."
Hermione petrified him from under the cloak. Draco fell, completely stiff. She whispered, "We don't trust you."
"Please," Draco moaned between tightly closed frozen lips.
"If you want to help, go to the castle. They need you," Harry whispered. He ended the petrification.
Hermione got out from under the cloak and did so many spells in such rapid succession that Harry felt dizzy. They were encased by a magical orb. Potentially, to keep them safe if any enemies saw them, but right now, he was more scared of Hermione than of Voldemort himself. The witch helped Harry up only to slap him with all her strength, making him stagger. "You asshole!" She hit his chest. "How dare you leave me behind?!" She hit his stomach. "How dare you walk willingly into your death without me?!" She started punching his chest repeatedly. "Because that is what you are doing, isn't it? You and your saving people thing!"
Harry grabbed Hermione in a hug to force her to stop hitting him. He looked at Draco briefly who pushed a "I got you" with his eyes. The Slytherin somehow understood that Harry needed someone to hold Hermione back. He would try if it cost him his life. This was the only way to end the bloodshed. Harry used all his strength in wandless magic to vanish Hermione's spell work and defrost Malfoy.
"Draco," Harry grunted as he paralyzed and bound Hermione wandlessly. Her eyes filled with angry tears. "Hermione, I hope you will forgive me one day," Harry caressed her right cheek and kissed her left. "I wish it didn't have to be this way. But there is no other choice. I have to go."
The sound that escaped Hermione's closed lips was between a furious growl and a pained howl. She could feel her heart squeezing painfully.
Draco's eyes widened. He had caught Hermione and was keeping her upright. "You are insane," he said. The man was going to seek out Voldemort willingly. "He will kill you, Potter."
"Professor, don't," Harry asked. "He's trying to help," Harry said when he saw a winded McGonagall pointing her wand at Malfoy. Turning to Draco, he said, "That's the idea."
"She is a very fast runner," the professor explained in between pants, taking hold of the young witch's waist. Turning to Draco she admonished, "Cut your hair! You look like your father! I could have killed you."
Draco nodded in a daze. Potter was going to volunteer to be killed.
Hermione was fighting the paralysis hard. Before Harry left again, she managed to throw it off with pure anger straight from her core. This pushed Draco and McGonagall away and they fell on their bums. Draco immediately went to help the professor up.
"You don't walk away from me, Harry Potter," she insisted. Her wand now pointed at him.
"I have to." I don't want to, he thought. But what I want has never truly mattered. He turned to look at her and shook his head. More tears leaking down. Her face transformed and twisted into one of such pain and agony he had to look away.
"I'll go with you," she said and then held onto him tighter than ever. A distant pained scream from Voldemort meant he felt a Horcrux die. Nagini was finally gone. Harry's scar throbbed with his nemesis' fury, but he felt a sliver of hope now that Neville had fulfilled his promise. He hoped Nev was okay.
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
Harry allowed himself five seconds to bask in Hermione's embrace and then pushed her towards Draco and McGonagall. "No. This world needs you to improve. Hold her!" both the old woman and the young wizard grabbed Hermione with an iron grip. "He's going to be mortal soon. Then anyone can kill him."
"Harry no! Let go of me!" Hermione begged, struggling against the stronghold.
"Thank you… for everything," he mouthed to Hermione, wrapping the cloak around him, and running again.
"The Boy Who Lived has finally come to die," Voldemort said in an ironic tone of voice. His minions howled in laughter as Harry calmly took off his cloak and hung it from a low-hanging branch.
Hagrid's face was bruised and swollen, his body was in chains, and he looked very hurt. "Harry, no!"
"Let's get this over with, Tom. Spare me the overly verbose villain speech, will you? I am tired" Harry replied, forcing himself not to look at Hagrid. He put his wand in his pant pocket and pulled off his jacket, throwing it on the ground next to him.
"What are you doing?" Voldemort frowned, instantly suspicious.
"You said that if they gave you Harry Potter you would call off your troops," Harry explained. "Well, I am giving you Harry Potter, Tom. I want you to see that I am hiding no weapons. Call them off!"
"I am a man of my word, Harry Potter," Voldemort grabbed Bellatrix and touched her dark mark. "Come and watch me kill Potter," he whispered into the woman's wrist. The witch looked deliriously happy to be selected to transmit the message.
Many apparition sounds were heard around. The clearing was soon full of people chanting "Kill him!"
"Any last words?"
Harry nodded. "Actually, yes. I have some last words if you don't mind, Tom," the young wizard was all politeness. Voldemort frowned but waved him off to continue. "Look at the lot of you. How many years and how many failures did it take all of you to help your leader capture and kill a teenager. For shame... I had to come deliver myself because you are terrible at your job," Harry chuckled. Many Death Eaters raised their wands in anger, but Voldemort stopped them. "NO! He is mine!" the madman growled.
Harry continued, "You should be ashamed to follow Tom Riddle. Your master is nothing but a coward who is going to kill an unarmed teenager because he is a mediocre wizard and a self-absorbed psychopath with a narcissus complex, and a chip in his half-blood shoulders to boot. You all need to choose better idols," Harry chuckled. He closed his eyes and smiled. His last thought was Hermione holding him tight. I love you Hermione… forever.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Riddle screamed.
Harry fell in slow motion. His arms were still wide open, and his face was smiling and peaceful. As soon as he hit the ground, rain started to pour as if the heavens themselves were mourning Harry's death. Voldemort fell to his knees as Harry landed on the mossy ground. Riddle had never felt so weak since he regained his body.
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
At skyfall
That skyfall
Hermione too fell to her knees as McGonagall and Draco dragged her up to the castle against her will. They thought she had been hit by an errant spell, and went on the defensive, but her heart had just given her the worst, most painful squeeze of her life. She let out a scream that made the two people with her get goosebumps all over. It was a scream of raw pain, but it was a scream of vengeance too. Harry was dead. Hermione could not feel him at all, not even an echo of him, and she went numb.
She heard McGonagall call her name. Draco attempted to shake her to get her attention. He even called her Hermione instead of Granger, but she was too far gone to respond. Hermione swayed on her feet, so Draco picked her up in his arms. Her last thought was how generations of pure-blood Malfoys must be rolling over in their graves to see their little prince and heir physically carrying a mudblood.
McGonagall apparated the three of them as she saw with dread how the Death Eaters joined forces to create the biggest, most terrifying Morsmorde she had ever seen over the Forbidden Forest. The bastards added fireworks that made the grounds glow in Avada Kedavra green. Minerva closed her eyes and allowed herself a few seconds to feel the all-consuming pain of losing Harry, but she gave him her word that she would keep Hermione safe.
Minerva rushed them both to the Great Hall where a dusty and bloodied Madam Pomfrey gave Hermione three different vials as soon as Draco placed her carefully on a table. Many people looked ready to curse him -Ron and Ginny in particular- but one look from McGonagall had them all go back to what they were doing. Voldemort had fulfilled his word. Harry went to him, so he called back his minions. Suddenly Tom Riddle's horrible cold voice was heard all around them. People froze.
"You have lost the war. I will give you an hour to gather your dead and attend to your injured. Then, I will come to negotiate the terms of your surrender," he said slowly.
An irate Ginny hobbled toward Hermione with an angry scowl. "Where is he?!"
Hermione was far away. She did not reply. She could not even cry. Some losses are too big for tears. Did Ginny not feel him die? Ginny was going to shake her, or maybe even curse her, but Draco stepped in front of Hermione protectively, his wand ready. "Don't touch her!"
"What the fuck are you even doing here, Death Eater? I want to speak to her!"
"I am protecting Hermione like Potter wanted me to. You or anyone else who wants to harm her will have to kill me first. Walk away Red. You don't spend months with terrorists invading your home without learning a thing or two," Draco replied with a snarl.
"Where's Harry!?" Ginny pushed Draco and tried to scratch Hermione's face, only to have the Slytherin twist her arm behind her back and throw her to the ground. She screamed a bunch of expletives.
"I warned you, Weasley," he growled.
"He went to finish this Ginevra," Hermione whispered.
"You let him go!? To die!? You useless bitch!" Ginny grunted as she got up slowly.
Every conversation came to a halt instantaneously. Several gasps were heard. Hermione's furious expression was a sight to behold.
"Hermione," Minerva began, trying to avoid a massive blowup.
But the young woman downed the uncapped vials that Malfoy handed her in one gulp. He helped her up. She nodded at him gratefully as he helped her to stand on the table. She did a sonorous. "This isn't over. I do not want to hear one word about giving up. We will not surrender! We will not allow him to win."
"Harry is dead, isn't he?!" Ginny screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks. She tried to jump towards the table only to have Bill pull her back forcefully.
"Harry wanted us to fight. He died for each and every one of you. He died for me too. We honor him by fighting, by rebelling, by refusing to accept defeat. We have bled and lost too much to become his servants and playthings. Those of you who do not want to fight, flee while the hour is still not up. Those of you who thank Harry for his sacrifice follow me. Ginevra, I did not let him go there to die because it wasn't my decision to make. It was Harry's. I tried to stop him, but he was steadfast in his conviction. As for you, if you ever try to attack me again, I will leave the room holding your severed head up by the hair. You have been warned."
Ginny blanched and moved away. She couldn't believe he was dead. He wouldn't have done that.
Hermione walked away to the yard, Draco and Minerva, following a step behind. They didn't even turn to see who would follow. They were willing and able to do this on their own. Filius' hand found Minerva's and squeezed. She squeezed back. She didn't doubt him for a moment. Luna and Neville ran after them immediately. A devastated Remus was partially held up by his wife as they followed Hermione. Bill reached them and placed Moony's other arm around his neck. Fleur trailed behind them with her sister Gabrielle and their injured father.
"Are you okay, Neville?" Hermione asked as she saw the bloodied sword of Gryffindor in his hold.
"Yes. I almost didn't make it, but Nagini is dead," he replied with a nod. He was covered in bruises and cuts.
"Good. That only leaves him," Hermione turned to the others. Most of the people in the Hall had followed her to the courtyard. "Thank you for your support. Now, when he comes to gloat, and he will, he has to die. I don't care what we have to do. I don't care if we use the darkest spells. I don't care if Merlin himself looks down on us with judgment and scorn. I will scorch this entire planet before they get away with murdering him!"
"I agree. There can be no mercy. No more defensive anything. We go full offensive mode. We are with you, Hermione. Most of us have to distract his minions to buy you time," Bill offered.
"Thank you, Bill. I appreciate that. Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, will you help me kill that bastard?" Hermione asked, her eyes full of hatred and determination.
The professors shared a look and nodded. "We will keep you safe."
Hermione shook her head, "No need. I just need you to keep me alive until I kill him. Once he falls, I don't really care what happens to me," she replied. She trusted them both with her one chance to end Riddle. "My parents are gone and so is Harry. I don't really have any reason to stay here."
"Harry loved you and he wanted you to be happy," Minerva whispered, holding one of Hermione's hands.
"He was my happiness, professor. You understand I am sure," Hermione smiled sadly. Minerva nodded, thinking of the love of her life. "All I want to do now is to finish what he started. After that, the earth can swallow me whole for all I care," Hermione whispered.
"We disagree, dear. But we understand," Filius nodded.
"Thank you. Now, everyone, get in formation. Strongest duelists in a spear shape. I will lead, with the professors behind me…"
People started to obey Hermione without a word. Each person knew their abilities and where they ranked. They would not take this loss sitting down. If that was what Voldemort was expecting, he had another thing coming.
"Narcissa, check him," Voldemort croaked. His followers rejoiced, hugging each other, and clapping for their master.
Mrs. Malfoy walked over to Harry slowly and crouched by his head. Her long hair fell like a curtain around both their faces. Her heart froze as she felt a pulse, in her softest whisper, she asked, "Is Draco okay?"
He replied with his eyes close and an equally hushed voice, "Yes."
"Will you keep him safe?"
"Yes."
Narcissa stood and pushed her hair back. "The boy is dead."
The forest got loud as the Death Eaters celebrated. Hagrid was forced to pick Harry up when the hour was through and carry him to the castle. The giant was crying so much that Harry's jumper was growing wet.
When they reached the courtyard, Ginny started to wail when she saw Harry's limp body. Hermione did not even look at his body. She couldn't. It was too painful.
"Harry Potter is dead," Voldemort relished in the words.
Skyfall is where we start
A thousand miles and poles apart
Where worlds collide and days are dark
You may have my number, you can take my name
But you'll never have my heart
"You are brave, and I am merciful… Those of you of pure blood who want to join my ranks, take a step forward, you shall be welcomed and forgiven for your youthful ignorance. Harry Potter turned his back on you. We captured him as he was fleeing the grounds."
"You fucking lying piece of shit!" Hermione's growl gave Voldemort goosebumps. "Harry delivered himself to you because you and your minions were never able to catch him. He wanted to stop the battle."
"Whatever for?"
"For this!" Every witch wizard and elf started sending their strongest, meanest spells at the Death Eaters and Voldemort, who seeing them so hurt could not believe they had any fight left in them. In the madness that ensued, Harry threw himself to the ground, vanishing the chains that were holding Hagrid as he fell and joined in the fight pushing Narcissa away from a nasty curse that Voldemort deflected.
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)
When it crumbles (when it crumbles)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Face it all together
Riddle was struggling to stay standing with two master duelists who were fighting with more than their cores, they were fighting with their hearts, with their love for Harry and Hermione. Hermione was suspended in the air as she pushed her hatred for Voldemort from her center. The only thing preventing her from getting higher up was that it would make her an easier target. When she saw Harry jump off Hagrid's arms, Voldemort became nothing more than an obstacle between her and the man she loved. Harry was fighting with such fierceness that Hermione felt reinvigorated. Voldemort started fighting back-to-back with Bellatrix. He was clearly taken aback to see Harry alive and well.
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)
When it crumbles (when it crumbles)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Face it all together
At skyfall
Harry saw Hermione fighting like a goddess and his core reached towards her. This had to end. She had to survive. Both of their magics started to form a sphere around Voldemort and Bellatrix. Voldemort fell to his knees but kept fighting, the sphere of love was growing smaller but thicker trapping him in, his skin felt like it would melt. His sudden motion left Bellatrix's back open and McGonagall and Filius sent so many spells that she fell with a pained scream, finally dead.
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Voldemort desperately tried to manipulate the fight by creating a twister around him with severe winds and throwing his meanest Fiendfyre at Hermione to distract Harry, but out of nowhere, Draco was pushing Hermione from harm's way. Filius and Minerva raised a shield of water and ice, and Harry's core sent a ray of light to the heavens, making hail start to fall over Voldemort. The evil wizard's core explodes in a wave of angry energy throwing everyone but Harry and Hermione a few feet away. Sharing a look and a smile, Harry and Hermione finally whispered an "Avada Kedavra!"
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Voldemort's face was frozen in a look of complete surprise and horror. The sphere of light had closed in on him in tandem with the unforgivable curses sent towards him. The hail continued to fall as the few Death Eaters that weren't dead or too injured to apparate left as soon as their leader's corpse touched the ground. It wasn't just that they felt weak without him, Harry Potter was perceived as immortal. They had seen him die in front of their eyes. And now he was alive and well again. It was terrifying. What else could he do? Harry and Hermione ran to each other as fast as their exhaustion allowed, hail still falling all over harshly. Ginny had been running towards Harry, but Fleur and Gabrielle restrained and silenced her.
Hermione's body molded to Harry's like it was meant to be, and Harry thought that it really was. As soon as their bodies touched, the hailing stopped. She was crying and laughing, and Harry realized that he was crying and laughing too. Harry burrowed his face into her neck and held her as tight as he could. After what felt like an eternity, they let go of each other but held hands, blissfully unaware of the loud celebration around them.
Where you go I go
What you see I see
I know I'd never be me
Without the security
Of your loving arms
Keeping me from harm
Put your hand in my hand
And we'll stand
"You came back," Hermione tried not to keep laughing but failed.
"For you," he smiled. That shut her up.
"But-"
"You wanted to go with me," Harry kissed her forehead without a care in the world that she was filthy and caked with blood.
"And I would have," she confirmed.
"I know," Harry rested his forehead against her. Hermione swayed on her feet a bit. Magical core exhaustion was catching up to her quickly.
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)
When it crumbles (when it crumbles)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Face it all together
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you. Now let's go rest before we faint here," Hermione whispered. She was not expecting to hear anything other than thank you or have an awkward staring situation.
"I love you too, so much," Harry whispered back. Hermione felt her heart melt, despite how cold her body was at the moment. "I just want our first kiss to be private."
She nodded.
Camera flashes started to light up around them. Hand in hand, once they made sure McGonagall and Flitwick were okay, they walked away slowly, Draco and Neville keeping people away from them. The Headmistress had given them the password to the Head Boy and Head Girl dorms. That area of the Gryffindor tower was mostly not damaged. They were checked in a hurry by an exhausted Madam Pomfrey. She handed them a few vials.
"Try not to die while you sleep, Mr. Potter... I know you just don't do dying apparently but make an effort. Ms. Granger, please make sure he rests. You need to sleep too."
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey. Please go get some rest yourself," Hermione smiled at the woman.
"We promise to look after each other," Harry nodded. In his mind, he added, Forever.
"Good," the matron left, closing the door behind her.
Hermione peeled off Harry's jumper and he did the same to her after hesitating for a moment and searching her eyes for permission, which she granted with a smile. All of their layers of clothes were soaked through. Harry stepped away once he was shirtless and she was still wearing her long sleeve t-shirt. She frowned so he rushed to explain.
"Hermione, you should shower first. I can wait," Harry blushed. The Head Girl bathroom had taken what looked like a bounced spell that caved in the ceiling.
"You need to shower too," she countered.
"Yeah, but-"
"Oh, come on. I'll close my eyes if you close yours," Hermione nudged Harry's right hip with her own.
Harry deliberated for a few seconds before Hermione swayed a bit again. He bent over to carry her to the bathroom. At a different time, she would have complained, but she was knackered. Lightning made him jump a bit as he walked them to the bathroom. Rain had started to fall more intensely over Hogwarts.
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)
When it crumbles (when it crumbles)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Face it all together
At skyfall
Harry sat her over the toilet and using a hand towel and warm water, he began to clean her face gently. She grabbed another towel and did the same to him. They showered together while staring into each other's eyes. They forced themselves not to look down. In any case, just helping each other with shampooing their heads and washing their backs was a lot to their hormonal selves. They found a set of clean clothes that weren't theirs or their size, but they were clean and warm. Once they dried and dressed facing away from each other, they went to bed and cuddled under the covers.
Let the sky fall
We will stand tall
At skyfall
They shared a sweet good night peck that had both teens buzzing with excitement at the beginning of this new stage of their lives. They would have to face everyone's questions and comments tomorrow, but they didn't mind because they knew whatever happened, they would stay together. Harry pulled Hermione's back flush to his chest and wrapped his arm around her waist as she tightened her hold of that arm and kissed the crook of his elbow of the arm that was serving as her pillow. Slowly, but surely, they fell into a deep slumber while staring out the window at the stormy, rainy night outside.
A/N: Thank you for reading. :) -Lux-