Chapter Three: The Bond of Friendship
A/N: I promise this story will get more interesting. Right now, I'm still building the story. Sorry my dear readers- no Oliver in this chapter, but he will be in Chapter 5. How do I know this? Well, because I've written the entire story already. Ahem, anyway, onto the story.
Harry and Ron stared at her in shock while Hermione tried to hold back her tears. She would never again hear her mother's gentle voice, or hear her father's infectious laugh. Both of them were just memories now, nothing more.
"When my parents... died, I felt like it was just me against the whole world. I felt like a tiny fish lost in the vast ocean. I know that you and Ron are still here, but it isn't the same. I've lost my parents and they'll be gone forever. I just don't know what to do at this point. This isn't like some silly school assignment where I can just go to the library and search for an answer. My parents are dead and there is no book or spell that change this. For the first time in my life, I feel like I've lost all control." Hermione began to sob harder, wishing that all of this was a nightmare and that she would wake up suddenly to be comforted by her parents.
"Shh... It's okay, Hermione. Just let it all out," Harry whispered as Hermione continued to sob on his shoulder. Ron patted her back, unable to comprehend the fact that his parents, too, would eventually die.
"This also made me realize that life can end in a single instant. You don't have time to say goodbye or reflect back on your life; you just... die," Hermione choked out, trying to quiet her tears," The reason why I'm dreading the day when you two study abroad is that I'm afraid you'll never come back. You two have been my best friends for the longest time, and I can't bear the thought of losing you. I'm afraid you'll both face Voldemort and end up like my parents, or that I will die without seeing you guys again. I'm afraid that I'll never have the chance to say goodbye."
"Oh, Hermione, don't worry. Harry and I aren't going anywhere. We probably didn't even get accepted, and we are certainly not going to let some deformed, psychopathic wizard defeat us."
Hermione gave Ron a weak smile, trying to make the best of a terrible situation. Under other circumstances she would've laughed, but right now she felt like she couldn't even give a genuine smile. Harry looked at Hermione with pity. He knew exactly what she was going through. He had also lost both of his parents to Voldemort, and had the same fear of losing everyone he cared about.
"Hermione, I know what you're going through. I've always had the same fears of being alone, as you do. But how I get through each day while carrying these burdens is to cherish every moment I have. Just enjoy the simple things in life like the warmth of sunshine on your back, the cool wind upon your cheek. The unique beauty of a sunset, and most of all, treasure the preciousness of friendship and love. Don't fear death, Hermione. Instead, enjoy life."
Harry wiped away a stray tear on Hermione's cheek. "Your parents are no longer on this earth, but they are still with you; they're smiling down at you this very moment, proud to have the most amazing human being as their daughter. It's true they are dead and this can't be changed, but your memories of them will live on forever, and not even Voldemort can change this."
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione threw herself onto Harry, sobbing on his shoulder. She tried desperately to believe every word he said, but for some reason, she still felt alone. I just have to give it some time. Things will eventually get better...I hope.
Nevertheless, she felt very touched by Harry's kind words, and still could not comprehend how he managed to endure the loss of his parents. Harry never had the opportunity to tell anyone how he was feeling, or have anyone tell him everything would be okay. He got through his life without the love and support of a family (A/N: Dursleys don't really count as family), and on top of that, he alone was responsible for destroying Voldemort. Harry was literally carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders. How he managed to deal with all of this and still come out smiling completely baffled Hermione.
Ron took a step closer towards Hermione. "And, Hermione, I know that I can't possibly understand the pain you're going through, but you can always talk to me. I don't care if I have to stay awake every night for the rest of my life. I'll do whatever it takes to help you feel better, even if that means reading you Hogwarts, A History a thousand times."
More tears filled Hermione's eyes. Whenever Ron said he would read an actual textbook for you that didn't concern Quidditch, you definitely knew he cared. "That is the sweetest thing you have ever said to me, Ron!" To Ron's surprise, Hermione practically tackled and kissed him on the cheek. Noticing that Ron was turning blue from the lack of oxygen, Hermione backed away and smiled at her friends with adoration in her eyes.
"Thank you, both of you, for putting up with me. Your friendship means more to me than you could possibly know."
A/N: Sorry if that was a bit dull. Read and review, please!
