J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and the Harry Potter universe. The plot is
mine, so please ask before posting to any other website. Thanks, enjoy,
and please review.
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Paying Tribute
Chapter 3: The Lessons of Courage
"Harry is... was, one of my best friends."
Hermione was at the podium, her eyes red and puffy. She felt like throwing up, but by God she was going to get through this.
"He was one of the first wizards I'd ever met. I remember feeling a bit under whelmed by him at first, but I was so full of myself in those days. He was unpretentious, unfailingly polite. Of course, Ron and I didn't know what we were in for. Being Harry's best friends for the last seven years has been dangerous at times.
"What Harry has given me is a real sense of purpose. It took me a long time to realize that having book smarts and being the first to raise your hand in class wasn't what life is about. You have to grow into yourself, constantly learning, relishing every step of the journey.
"He also showed me that bravery and courage aren't defined by actions and words, they're defined by what's in your mind, and in your heart. Harry never stood up to Voldemort all those times just to avenge his parents; he did it because it was right."
Talking so frankly about Harry caused Hermione to face her own feelings. She finished quickly, before her emotions overwhelmed her.
"Harry, you and Ron and I have had so much fun together these last seven years. I love you."
Hermione stood up straight and quickly walked off the stage. The crowd watched, enraptured as she made it all the way back to Ron before collapsing into his waiting arms.
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"Voldemort!" Harry poured all the hatred he could muster into his voice. "Why can't you just run off and die?"
"Ahh, Harry, I've often wondered the same thing about you. I need for you to die so that I can have all my powers returned to me, and grasp what should be mine. Today, I will take that final step." Voldemort swiveled his head to the left to scrutinize Ron, then to the right to size up Hermione. "I will allow your friends to live, if you surrender to me now."
Ron bellowed "Never!" at the top of his lungs.
Hermione added, "We'd sooner die than leave Harry to you."
Smiling, Harry felt energized by his friends' loyalty. "Same plan, guys?"
"Yeah," Ron answered. Hermione gave them both a firm nod.
Harry spun to face Voldemort, bringing his wand up to the ready. "Expelliarmus!" he cried, as the three of them moved in, wands waving, to challenge Voldemort.
***
Paying Tribute
Chapter 3: The Lessons of Courage
"Harry is... was, one of my best friends."
Hermione was at the podium, her eyes red and puffy. She felt like throwing up, but by God she was going to get through this.
"He was one of the first wizards I'd ever met. I remember feeling a bit under whelmed by him at first, but I was so full of myself in those days. He was unpretentious, unfailingly polite. Of course, Ron and I didn't know what we were in for. Being Harry's best friends for the last seven years has been dangerous at times.
"What Harry has given me is a real sense of purpose. It took me a long time to realize that having book smarts and being the first to raise your hand in class wasn't what life is about. You have to grow into yourself, constantly learning, relishing every step of the journey.
"He also showed me that bravery and courage aren't defined by actions and words, they're defined by what's in your mind, and in your heart. Harry never stood up to Voldemort all those times just to avenge his parents; he did it because it was right."
Talking so frankly about Harry caused Hermione to face her own feelings. She finished quickly, before her emotions overwhelmed her.
"Harry, you and Ron and I have had so much fun together these last seven years. I love you."
Hermione stood up straight and quickly walked off the stage. The crowd watched, enraptured as she made it all the way back to Ron before collapsing into his waiting arms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Voldemort!" Harry poured all the hatred he could muster into his voice. "Why can't you just run off and die?"
"Ahh, Harry, I've often wondered the same thing about you. I need for you to die so that I can have all my powers returned to me, and grasp what should be mine. Today, I will take that final step." Voldemort swiveled his head to the left to scrutinize Ron, then to the right to size up Hermione. "I will allow your friends to live, if you surrender to me now."
Ron bellowed "Never!" at the top of his lungs.
Hermione added, "We'd sooner die than leave Harry to you."
Smiling, Harry felt energized by his friends' loyalty. "Same plan, guys?"
"Yeah," Ron answered. Hermione gave them both a firm nod.
Harry spun to face Voldemort, bringing his wand up to the ready. "Expelliarmus!" he cried, as the three of them moved in, wands waving, to challenge Voldemort.