Chapter Eighty-four
Araminta hugged Harry tightly. "I think everything is right in the world, for now," she said. "My mom and dad are procreating instead of hating, we're safe from Voldemort, everyone's babies are doing fine, and I have you."
"It seems too good to be true, doesn't it?" Harry replied, kissing Araminta on the forehead.
"You shouldn't say things like that unless you're going to knock wood," Araminta teased.
Too late.
A giant, swirling vortex had opened up a few feet away. Araminta felt herself being sucked toward it.
Harry grabbed her hand and pulled. "No, I won't let you go! I'll never let you go!"
Araminta looked into the void. It felt like she was being watched from the inside as well. She shook the feeling off. Actually, now that she looked, she could see the inside of the Great Hall in the future. Blake and Selene were sitting side by side and having lunch.
"Harry, I think I have to go back, I mean forward. Forward in time. I'm not supposed to be here. I haven't been born yet. I only came back here to make sure that you would find your foretold love, and you did--we found each other."
"But we've had such a short time together!" Harry protested. "Don't leave me!"
"Harry, I have to. Please know that I love you, but I have to." Araminta's heart was breaking into a million sharp-edged pieces that were like scalpels left inside her chest after surgery. "Will you wait for me?"
Harry drew himself up bravely. "I will. I swear that I'll be true to you, Araminta, and I'll be waiting."
The two lovers kissed passionately, clinging to each other like there was no tomorrow.
Harry swiped his thumb across Araminta's lips. "I love you," he whispered forlornly.
"I know," Araminta replied touching his mouth with her fingertips. "In my heart, I've always known."
She let go of his hand and stepped backward into the abyss.