Hermione sat there for quite a long time. She had no more tears left to cry; instead she was just sitting on the floor of the elevator, clutching her dress.
Never, in a million years, did she ever think Harry would refuse to help her. It was his best friend that was taken! Ron was the only thing left in Harry's world. Well, Ron and Hermione.
Somehow, Hermione pulled herself up. She was sore and her eyes hurt from crying. She didn't want to go save Ron. She just wanted to settle in her bed and pull the covers over her, cutting her off from the world.
She decided against that though, Ron wouldn't be next to her. What's the point then?
The cold air stunned her. Children were running back and forth on the streets, it surprised Hermione for some reason. In all her pain, Hermione had forgotten that life goes on.
She wrapped her coat closer around her and walked down the street. Her echoing heels and fast pace made people point and stare. For the second time that night, she patted her hair over the scar.
Four blocks later, Hermione noticed she was being followed. She wasn't scared at first, she was a witch after all, and there aren't many things that scare her.
It was only after the shadow blocked the subtle spell she sent back, did she start to worry. It was a man, she could tell from his heavy footfall.
She walked faster. The man followed. She ran. So did he. Hermione screamed. Her heart was racing and she ran harder.
Her heel broke. They weren't that great of shoes anyway. Hermione bought them from Payless two weeks before. In other words: she wouldn't have cared if there weren't a psycho after her.
The man caught up to her. He slammed her into the wall, covering her mouth so she couldn't scream. Instead, Hermione bit the hand. She bit hard too. She drew blood. The man cursed and pulled away.
"Damn it Hermione!"
"Harry?" She croaked.
Harry had been following her? Harry had slammed her into the wall?
She did the only thing she could think of under the circumstances. She kicked him.
"What the hell was that for?" Harry cried, bending over to massage his hurt leg.
"For following me, slamming me into the wall and scaring the hell out of me." Hermione said simply.
"Oh."
Then it hit her. Harry was here to help. She wasn't going to be alone!
"Oh Harry!" She jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around his neck. "Thank you. I didn't want to do it alone!"
Hermione expected him to awkwardly pat her on the head and back away, but he didn't. He hugged her back; almost as if he was glad she was here.
"Hermione," He said. "I'm sorry. I'll help you. I need Ron back too."
Hermione cried. Actually she sobbed with tears running down her face and everything.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I left you, I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm sorry for everything!" Hermione said into his tear-stained shirt.
"I know, Hermione." His fingers brushed through her hair, trying to comfort her.
"Oh, my God! Hermione…"
Hermione knew. He had seen her scar. The very same scar she'd tried to hide for three years.
He put his cold fingers to it as if hoping to make it disappear. "No. This can't be real… how?"
Hermione shivered and pulled away from his comforting touch. He had to know. One way or the other, he was going to find out.
"Remember the Last day?" It was what the three had called the day when Voldemort killed everyone they loved, just because it was the last day they would ever see them again. Harry nodded. "Well... you were busy," Actually Harry was more then busy, he was running for his life. Voldemort seemed keen on blowing him to bits. "Ron was with Ginny, trying to stop the bleeding and he didn't see the death eater behind him... I got in front of him. I took the blast." Harry breathed in sharply, placing one hand on her cheek, giving her strength. "I should've died, I really should've. I don't know what happened... the next thing I knew the death eater was gone and Ron and I were unconscious. You were gone." Hermione looked up into those huge soft eyes, then looked away.
No way was she falling for Harry, absolutely NO way.
"We need to get Ron." Hermione said.
WHY WAS SHE BEING SO CALM? The love of her life was gone! He was taken away from her! WHY WASN'T SHE ON HER KNEES SOBBING?
'What's wrong with me?' She thought. 'I adore Ron with all my heart. Don't I?"
Harry was walking ahead of her. He seemed to know where he was going. Making a mental note to ask him about it later, she followed.
