41
Hermione, Draco, and Harry stared silently at the end of the hallway, at the place where Ron and Percy had vanished down moments before.
We'll never see Ron from the other reality alive again, was this the last time we would see Ron alive in this one? This must be unimaginably hard for Hermione. I may be at odds with Ron, and he is an utter ass, but he is her friend, and he has been her friend for such a long time, and now she is facing the possibility that she might lose him twice in one day, Draco thought, and then he remembered Ron's final words to him. But if he does return — if we do see him again… does that mean I will have to kill him myself?
Thunder echoed from outside the school, though he knew the only storm outside was the battle raging around them.
Draco put his hand on Hermione's shoulder, hoping it would provide even the slightest of comfort. She reached back, resting her hand atop his.
I can't believe how much I have come to care about you, Draco thought. If you will have me, I want to be with you. As much as I don't want Ron to jeopardize that, I also don't want to see you suffer from Ron's dying again. I just really wish it was the Ron from the other reality. He, at least, approved of us. I liked that version of Ron better, but I'll do my best to tolerate this version if it makes you happy.
"We need to find out where Voldemort is," Hermione finally said as she turned to Harry, her voice sounding strained, "because he'll have that snake with him — one of his horcruxes. We kill the snake, destroy the diadem, and end Voldemort once and for all."
"Yeah, that was the plan," Harry said bluntly.
"Well then, do it, Harry — look inside him! Look inside Voldemort and find out where he is!" Hermione ordered.
"I've been trying, okay?" Harry countered. "It's just been difficult with all that's been happening."
"What do you mean?" Draco asked.
"I mean the distractions," Harry complained, "the battle raging around us, Fred dying, Ron's — reasonable — new blood feud with you, Malfoy, and whatever bizarre hell is going on between the two of you."
Harry's eyes darted back and forth between Draco and Hermione.
"Well if you'd like to know the details—" Draco began.
"What's going on is that Draco is a changed person — a better person, and you should give him a chance — Ron… should also give him a chance," Hermione insisted. Draco began to wonder if Hermione wasn't ready to admit the details to her friends of exactly how she came about to realizing that he had changed.
Sorry that I've been away so long! I've been super busy with work and putting the final touches on my next book, set to be released in the next month. Wanted to give you guys a little something to show my appreciation for your patience and continuing to follow my story; you guys are awesome. I'll try to get some more out soon! The adventure continues! :)
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Author's Note: Thank you for checking out my work! Some of my published books are free to read now with Kindle Unlimited. If you find yourself enjoying my style of writing, then check out my profile to access my original published works, available via my website:
www . vinnwinters . com.
