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They found me, at dawn, under Harry's body. I was unconscious, and knew nothing of what had happened. There was no trace of Voldemort. In the cold grey dawn, Ron carried me home, and Hagrid, weeping all the way, carried Harry's limp body back to Hogwarts.

I woke just in time to see them lay him out on the bed, his eyes open, his breath gone, those lips that had kissed me only last night blue and cold, the laughter gone out of his face.

I didn't cry. I just stood by his bed, and Ron beside me, until Dumbledore came.

"He was right." I said.

"Right?" Dumbledore asked.

"It was because of me he was out there. It's because he loved me that he died, protecting me. He was supposed to save us from Voldemort, and instead, he's dead, and its because of me."

Dumbledore looked up, surprised at the bitterness in my tone.

"My dear," he said gently, "Harry was never the one that was fated to lead us against the Dark Forces. You were."

"No, that's not right.." I began..

"A muggle-born witch so powerful she could do any spell every written, even some I cannot do? Someone who can turn back time at 13? Who already leads an army at 17? You, my dear, are powerful, and good, and you are the one destined to lead us, not poor Harry."

"Then what was that all about? Why did Harry survive? Why did he have the scar?" I cried.

"For you." Dumbledore said gently. "He was born to protect you, and to pass on his most powerful gift to you. You were born to be hidden, until the time was right. The time was right now, and no-one is sorrier than I that it had to begin with Harry's death." He stroked the black hair -unnaturally tidy now- gently. "He was a son to me. A brilliant, innocent, mysterious, challenging son, and I was proud of him" Dumbledore murmured, his voice full of tears.

"What gift? "I said through my tears. "I don't understand."

"Hermione..haven't you seen your face?" Ron asked, shocked.

"I haven't really had time to look in the mirror." I snapped. Ron took me by the hand, and led me over to the mirror on the wall. I stared into it for a second, seeing only my own face, drawn and darkened by grief. Then Ron reached up, and pushed my heavy hair aside from my cheek.

Running down it was a jagged scar.

I traced the dark ridge of the scar with my trembling finger.

"How?" I breathed.

"Harry loved you so much he died for you, protecting you." Ron said, his voice full of unbroken sobs. "Just like his mother died for him. Voldemort tried the Avada Kedrava curse on you, but it rebounded on him, and just left you the scar."

"The greatest gift Harry had to give..."

"Was love." I finished Dumbledore's sentence.

"You are now protected against Voldemort, by the power of Harry's love." Dumbledore said. "Just like Harry, your scar will always warn you of Voldemort's presence, of the presence of any evil. He has finally passed on his legacy to you, who was always destined to hold it."

They left me there, standing in front of the mirror. And as I watched, touching my scar, I saw him, just for a second. He appeared, a shadow in the glass, looking at me with eyes glowing with such love, I can never forget it.

"Remember, Hermione." He said, in a whisper so soft it never stirred the air, "I will never NEVER leave you alone."

And as he reached out, and faded, I felt his last touch, soft against my scar.
THE END