The Willow Tree

A.N.  This is really sad.  I'm not sure what came over me to write this.  It's really short I know and not my best fic but it will do. 

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.  All belong to J.K. Rowling. 

It was dark.  At an ungodly hour when no one should be awake and all should be asleep, one person is awake.  Harry Potter walked up to a lonely willow tree.  It looks so forlorn and forgotten at night, when in the morning, it is actually full of life.  He placed his hand in the very center of the tree and climbed the branches one by one.  Slowly, he reaches a branch with a branch big enough to sit on. 

            He gaze travels up to Hogwarts, the place where he shared so many memories, the forbidden forest, where many adventures took place, and the third tower of Hogwarts, where he will remember forever.  Harry waits there calmly, looking at the lake and the sleeping squid.  Then, a figure slowly floats his way.   

"Harry." The figure greets him.

"Hi." Is his depressed reply.

"Harry" she starts, "It's been a long time."

"Yes, it has.  Oh why did you have to go?" Harry asks sorrowfully. "I wasn't careful and you got killed.  I've been lucky enough already.  It should have been me."

"It wasn't your fault.  I chose to do what I did.  My life was in my hands as your life is in yours.  I knew that I couldn't let the Boy Who Lived die.  The rest of the Wizarding world would suffer, besides, I was the most expendable."  She replied.

"Oh Harry, I have to go, they say I've had enough time here." She cries, pointing upward.

"Goodbye Harry and have a good life."

            With that, she leaves Harry sitting alone, under a tree.  Harry thinks about what took place up in that third tower.  A battle took place.  During that battle, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had challenged Lord Voldermort and his Death Eaters.  They had won, but at a terrible price.

*Flashback*

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Harry NO!" screams Hermione, throwing herself in front of Harry.

Still, the battle continued.

"Voldermort, you will pay!" cries Harry. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

             Professor Dumbledore got there as soon as Voldermort hit the ground.  He was going to hug Harry, but stopped short when he saw the look on his face.  Harry was kneeling down where Hermione fell.  Her eyes were open.  Even in death she showed no fear.  Harry gently closed her eyes for her and held her close.  Ron stepped back to allow him his space.  Although Ron had been friends with Hermione, it was Harry whom she loved. 

*Present time*

Harry Potter slowly climbs down from the tree and sinks to the ground.  He utters one small word as tears go coursing down his cheeks.

"Hermione"

A.N.  Please REVIEW!  Tell me what you think!