DON'T HURT ME!!! I cannot apologize enough for completely ignoring this story! My life has been in a complete twister with the moving and the packing, it's just all very very hectic. Well on the plane to Hawaii ill try and write a chapter and I'm going to get one down now! SORRY SOOO MANY TIMES OVER!! And for anyone just starting this story that those WONDERFUL reviewers who attacked my conscience and reminded me I have a story to write!!
Oh and another side note, I am working on two other stories and trying to slightly re-do some of these chapters. One of my stories, Harry Potter and the Sliver Mirror is a series of crossovers but my progress on it is well....to quote JK Rowling "though I am still at the stage where I have a large and complicated chart propped on the desk in front of me to remind me what happens where, how, to whom and which bits of crucial information need to be slipped into which innocent-looking chapters." My other story, Hero is a HG/SB fic, with a BtVS/AtS crossover. Please allow me a little leeway giving my time for all my other stories to be update.
Now on with the long delayed chapter!!
Hermione stood teasingly at the top of the stairs, a long forgotten smile adorning her lips. The affect was almost instantaneous brightening the space around her. At the same time Ron and Harry skidded around to corner wanting to apologize before she left, but only proceeded to knock them all down the stairs. Hermione luckily collapsed into the waiting arms of Legolas, while Harry toppled onto Ginny. Ron, feeling extremely forlorn when he saw this, had no one. Ginny remained indifferent to the accident, considering Harry was fumbling slightly detangling himself from her and resembled a sun burnt tomato.
Hermione comfortably settled in Legolas's arm to the chance to observe her ever loveable friends. Would she really be able to leave them? Yes. Of Course. But the question still remained, would she ever see them again. This world was so different from her home land. True, she was raised among the Elves of this world, but like the elves of Arda, she felt the pull of that world calling to her like the pull of the ocean would call to her in a very short time. She sighed softly her smile reseeding into a pensive frown. Her parents, they were safe, but they to were ignorant to the dangers of Middle Earth. Would she ever see any of them again?
Breaking free of her thoughts she lingered only a little bit more in the comfort of her lover's arms before pulling lose and walking away from the chatting group. Her actions caught stares from all that knew of her relationship. Hermione instinctively knew that what she did hurt him, but she continued walking. Her feet leading towards her mentor for so many years office. She knocked and a sharp "Come In" followed moment after. She pushed open the door and asked timidly, "Professor?"
Professor McGonagall head shot up from the piece of parchment she was looking over, a slight look of surprise etched over her aged features. Her shoulders slumped ever so much, as to reclaim a look of loss. After shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts she addressed her student. "Miss Granger, what can I do for you?" Hermione shook a little at the familiarity of her words.
"I'm sorry to bother you professor, I just wanted to talk but if you're busy..." She let the sentence hang and moved to exit the room.
"I'm not busy, and I was wanting to talk to you to." The professor stopped Hermione with her words. Hermione turned from the door and looked into her teachers face.
"I just, I don't---"
"Having second thoughts?"
Hermione nodded dumbly as McGonagall, moved from behind her desk to comfort her.
"It's just; it's so wonderful to see them again. It's all I wished and prayed for. For them to come and take me back. But now." She trailed off looking up to the once hardened eyes. "The war there," she started feebly," It's awful. So much worse then here, so much pain and death. The chances of me surviving are very low. I- I don't want to die. I'm only 134." She saw her teachers head recoil slightly in surprise. "Sorry," Said Hermione a bit sheepishly. "To elves that is only a teenager's year."
"It's quite alright Miss Granger. "Minerva placed a frail hand on her star pupils shoulder. "I can't say I'm ready to let you go. I can't say that Hogwarts will remain the same. You changed so many people's lives here. But now, it is your destiny to go. So you must. Do not cry child." She said softly at the sight of tears traveling down her face. "You will return to us. Don't doubt your gifts. What you know will keep you safe."
Hermione's head turned up and she smiled gratefully. "Thank you Professor. For everything." She reached over and gave her Professor a hug. One that wished the solemnest goodbyes.
The now re-united fellowship stood out in front of the school, Hermione steeping forward slightly to say good bye to her friends. Strangely only Ginny was there. But again Harry and Ron caught her with out a moment to spare.
"We're-"Ron panted, "Were coming too." A soft look passed over Hermione's face as she lifted both her hands to the Boys faces.
"I am sorry my friends. Forgive me." Hermione started to sing softly in elvish effectively putting them both to sleep. "I will let no harm come to you." She stood after kissing both their foreheads as a sign of goodbye. Then she addressed Ginny. "Goodbye Ginevera Weasley. Follow if you must. Good wishes to you all." She turned and mounted her horse not letting herself a last look at the life behind.
Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape burst thought the doors for one last look at the girl they had tried to guide. Minerva let out a small sob, effectively silencing it with her hand while Professor Snape scowled as usual. Dumbledore mealy looked on and said,
"The fates be with you. Good luck princess."
Authors Notes: So....horrible? My muse took an extended Vacation and hasn't returned so this is kind of jumbled.....I'll probably end up fixing it anyways. Reviews are what guilt tripped me into updating, so review and i'll write again!