Chapter 12

The Promises Fulfilled

Harry was now on the West tower of the castle. He sat down and pushed his back into a sharp corner, rain had started falling. They hid his tears, which trickled down his cheeks. He thought of their first year; saving her from a troll, third year; saving Hermione and Ron from the Dementors, fifth year; saving her from Voldemort's Death Eaters. Memories floated before his eyes, his life passed before him. He wondered, could he make the same sacrifice as his parents? Or would he let Hermione die? Harry's tears increased, was he such a coward? Did he value his own life so much that he would allow her to die? He knew how he could save her… Could he live himself if he allowed her to… his tears came faster. Perhaps it was time, time for others to step forward in the battle. But he doubted in his heart that anyone would, he had figured out Neo, he was the last Ancient One left to guard them… But he would not interfere.

He asked himself again, could he allow her to die? No, he decided, he would rather die himself, and he couldn't allow himself to kill anyone that had been a friend. Hermione had been there for him many times. To talk to, share secrets with, help with homework and other things, she had saved them in the first year from the Devil's snare. But could he spare her life for only a few months, he knew Voldemort would take over very quickly, after he died, but couldn't Dumbledore and Hermione take care of it? He wasn't that important, he didn't have delusions, another would just defeat him but he remembered his dream, Voldemort saying he was going to divide and conquer, he had done that alright. Harry didn't understand… Why, why had Voldemort imprisoned him and Hermione with the intention of allowing them to escape later? His head spun with possibilities; perhaps this was Voldemort's way to pay him back for 12 or 13 years of being a worthless spirit. Harry had to admit, it was a brilliant plan, but how had he known? How did he know that Ron liked Hermione? Harry was now freezing, but he didn't care, Hermione was lying on a warm hospital bed, dying, because he was too selfish to withdraw slowly. His anger had blindsided him, then only to come back and kick him. Harry grew angry with himself, he would sacrifice himself, but how would he accomplish this? Madam Pomfery wouldn't just allow him to. But then he remembered he had one advantage, no one knew how powerful Harry really was, he had never done anything show it, other than telling Professor Dumbledore that the castle was repaired and ripping out the portrait, he didn't know if anyone would find out that was him though. Harry turned his attention to protecting the grounds, it would be the last promise he would fulfill…

"Can you help her?" asked Dumbledore. "Yes," said Neo. "Then why don't you?" asked Dumbledore. "Because, we do not interfere, unless we have too," replied Neo. "It's worth a human life?" asked Dumbledore. "There are some things you don't know;" Neo said calmly, "There is much more at stake than one life." Neo vanished with a swish of his cloak.

Harry apparated at Hermione's bedside, "Changed your mind about finding real closure Potter?" asked Madam Pomfery in a slightly raised tone. "In a way you wouldn't understand," said Harry. Harry gave her a mental shove and locked her in her office with spell that Dumbledore could break, eventually. Then he turned to Hermione, "I fulfilled every promise to you except one… just a minute alone with you, Hermione Granger, before facing Voldemort. But that will never come to fruition anyway," Harry said to Hermione, "You are dying; so I have been released from my second promise to you… Please defeat Voldemort for me… and accept my life that you may live, I'm so sorry Hermione," Harry started to cry, "I should have been more understanding." Their necklaces connected, light shone blinding all who could watch, Harry felt his life pulsing within him, warmth and light emerge from within. He reached into her mind; he felt her slipping slowly… Harry grabbed her arm, and pulled her from the great chasm of death, his own life slipping away. Everything disappeared except Hermione, he pushed her far from the edge; "Hermione!" he yelled to her, "Forgive me." he felt as though they took part of each others' soul, then he felt himself fall off the edge, into the darkness of the abyss… "HARRY!" Hermione screamed.