Epilogue: Hold me
They stood at the edge of Malfoy manor, watching as the flames slowly wrapped the sheet.
If I'd been told I'd be crying at Draco's funeral, Harry thought, wrapping his arms harder around Hermione, I'd have committed them to St. Mungos.
But here we are…
"Undoubtedly we all had our…misgivings about Draco," Ron's voice quivered. "And it was only in the end that the barriers of his past and upbringing were defeated. He was raised to be the next Dark Lord…and yet it was his death, his sacrifice in the end that helped to defeat the last of evil. That," he glanced at Gwen. "And someone who finally was able to bring out his humanity."
"I always…was a snarky…bastard…" his breath came in gasps. "But…you showed me that…there were beautiful things…in the world. I…never had much faith…in life…before. But now…"
"You should relax," Gwen's eyes were frantic. "Quiet."
"You…really think I'm going to make…it?" He tried to laugh, the painful instinct rippling through his chest.
"Of course I do," I want you to, she thought. You have to. You've sacrificed too much.
"That's you…" he coughed. "That's why… you're beautiful…" His hand softly brushed her cheek. "Not untouched…but…enduring. Pure."
Hermione was crying softly into Harry's chest. It wasn't meant to be like this. There was enough loss here, enough mourning to come. Not after Draco had changed to this degree, he couldn't, she thought, whispered, breathed.
In response Harry could only hold her tighter. There was no way to comfort her, anybody at this point. He could only hope his touch was enough…
"Draco…" she whispered. "Do it for me."
"Merlin," he closed his eyes. "You know… I want to… But I-"
"Look, Malfoy," Ron tried to growl, remembering how he used to feel about the Slytherin. "Can't you see she loves you? It'd be too much to die now. So you can't. You'd take away her whole world."
"Sorry, Weasel." A thin smile played across his face, which passed quickly. "Gwen..."
"Yes?" It was close. Merlin, there was Shadow in his face
"I… need this." With great exertion, he crossed the barrier between their faces.
It wasn't a brotherly kiss, but it wasn't a kiss between lovers either. It was a good-bye, an apology, and he had been gone before it was over…
"I'm not going to ask if you are all right," Ron said. Everyone else had left as the embers of the fire slowly died. "But I'm going to let you know, if you ever need anything-"
"Hold me?" Her voice was small.
He strode the small step between them and took her into his arms. Merlin, this felt so right, even if it was wrong. Even if Draco was wrong- and she belonged to the ashes, as he knew she did- he allowed the feeling of her warmth spread through him.
The silence was better than any words.
A/N: debating a sequel!