Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

Chapter Eighteen: Missing You

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She pulled herself to a sitting position and saw Harry and Ron attempting to sleep while sitting in chairs. She was touched that they had literally stayed by her side, but then she was reminded of why she passed out in the first place. Oliver, her love, had died, and she had witnessed it.

Dumbledore knocked gently on the door. "Miss Granger, may I come in?"

"Of course, sir." Dumbledore placed a silencing charm around the boys so the talking wouldn't awaken them.

"Miss Granger, I am very sorry about what happened to Mr. Wood," Dumbledore began, looking very grave.

Hermione nodded, holding back tears. "Thank you, professor."

"I do have some good news, however, that may bring you some hope. Mr. Wood is not dead, but he has suffered quite an ordeal. His chances of survival are quite low, but nevertheless it is possible that he will recover. Miss Granger, your friends mentioned that you dove in front of him, protecting him from a third of the Avada Kedavra curse. What amazes me is that you two are not dead. Would you care to explain how that is even possible?"

Hermione's heart lightened considerably when Dumbledore said that there was a chance that Oliver could recover, but her heart became heavy again when she realized that it was highly unlikely that this would happen.

"The reason for my survival and... Oliver's is simple. Ron gave me this locket, which can reflect curses or lessen their effects. When Voldemort's curse was about to strike Oliver, I jumped in front of him, taking most of the curse as you said, which was lessened considerably by my locket. Oliver got hit with a few sparks of the curse, so I suppose that's why he's badly hurt, but not dead as you said."

Dumbledore nodded understandingly. "That explains a lot. It is incredibly fortunate that you three came across that locket, or else- well, I don't even want to think about what could have happened." He stood up and walked over to the door and turned to Hermione and noticed how she was still distraught over Oliver. "Miss Granger, remember that a little faith can go a long way."

Hermione nodded and said goodbye to the headmaster. As if right on cue, Madame Pomfrey walked hurriedly into the hospital wing and began mixing a new potion for Oliver. "Ah, Miss Granger, you're awake. How are you feeling, dear?"

"Health-wise? I feel fine," Hermione responded, trying to hold back tears.

Concerned, Madame Pomfrey turned to Hermione. "Are you sure you're all right, dear?"

Hermione nodded slowly. "Yes, thank you Madame Pomfrey. Um, can I go get some fresh air? I feel fine now."

Madame Pomfrey raised an eyebrow. "Since you're feeling okay, I suppose," she said, a bit unsure.

Hermione thanked her and prepared to leave. Right before she walked out the door, Hermione asked," Madame Pomfrey, will Oliver survive?"

Madame Pomfrey sighed. "At this stage, I do not know. Check back in a week, dear."

Hermione nodded and left. She ran through the castle, crying, and ignoring the stares as she ran. She couldn't take it anymore. Oliver was basically dead, her parents were dead, and though she was alive, she couldn't help feeling like her soul had died along with them.

"Hermione, wait!" Ron called as he watched a slightly bushy-haired girl running through the corridors.

"Just let her go, Ron. She needs some time alone," Harry said wisely.

All Hermione could think about was the cruelty of life. It was bad enough that she had thought Oliver died, but now she received the news that there's a very small chance that he could survive. She was glad that he at least had a chance, but his chance of surviving was so small that he was as good as dead. That little bit of hope hanging in front of her was like life's way of laughing at her misfortune.

Hermione headed out of the castle and began jogging to the edge of the shores (A/N: the shores of the place where the first years use boats to get to Hogwarts). She stared at the ocean, watching the waves gradually rise, and then come crashing down when they reached the shore. "It's just like life," Hermione whispered to herself," One minute life allows you to build up success and happiness, and the next, you find all of your success and happiness come crashing down, becoming failure and misery."

The wind continued to blow harshly, the coldness biting her cheeks. She shivered violently and pulled out her journal from her bag. Hermione knew that there was a good chance Oliver wouldn't recover, and that she might as well face the fact that he would never return. Although his absence brought her great pain, she never wanted to forget him, but at the same time, just thinking of him made her smile. Hermione decided to immortalize her memory of him by writing about him in her journal. After pausing a moment, she began writing:

(A/N: This poem I wrote is slightly altered from the original version I wrote, to fit the story. Please don't skip this. It took forever to write)

The wind ruffles my hair

I stare at the ocean

A tear rolls down my cheek

How could I reject you?

How could I've been so weak?

You gave me sixteen roses

On my sixteenth birthday

You gave up Quidditch for a week

Just to show your love for me

But I ignored every kind word

Every hug, and every kiss

Now I regret my stupidity

But I cannot change this

As I gaze at the ocean

I can't help but think of you

How you made me feel special

When it was just us two

But I was afraid of you

Afraid that I was falling in love too soon

But now I know true love has no bounds

I wish I had this revelation

When you were still around

Now you're gone

Time is up

I will no longer see

The passion in your eyes

Or see you chase after the Quidditch Cup

You will no longer be

On this earth

But that doesn't mean

My memories of you

Don't fill me with mirth

Just before you shut your eyes

You cupped my face with your hands

And said," I've always been your biggest fan."

I stared at you with surprise

Now knowing what to say

Emotions surged through me

No guy has ever made me feel this way

Once you got my attention

You brushed a tear from my eye

And what you said afterwards

I will remember until the day I die

OLIVER:

I'll treasure you always

You mean more to me

Than any words can convey

I can't help but worship you

As the goddess that you are

During my darkest hours

Hermione, you were my shining star

My only reason to live was to be with you

And admire your beauty, intelligence and charm

All I ever wanted was to be loved by you

And hold you forever in your arms

But you do not feel the same

I can't change your feelings

All I ask is for you to promise me

That you will find a guy

Who truly loves you

As much as I do

HERMIONE:

Your skin became ice

Your eyes snapped shut

I shouldn't have thought twice

About telling you how much I care

Though my bravery ran away

My feelings for you have never swayed

I can't keep my promise

About finding a guy who

Will love me as much as you do

Because your love is unique

And I can never love any guy

As much as I love you

Hermione wiped away her tears as she closed her journal. She stood up and brushed the sand off of her uniform, as she stared at the ocean, remembering Oliver, her true love, and best friend.

A/N: All right, for posting 2 chapters, I expect 8 reviews. 4 additional reviews will allow you to see the conclusion of this story. I promise that you guys will be satisfied with the ending! In your reviews, I'd appreciate it if you also comment on the poem. I wrote the poem ages ago, but it was incredibly hard for me to write it since I'm not really an emotional person, believe it or not. (I prefer logic to emotion) Thank you to all my lovely reviewers in advance. You guys rock!