Title: Armageddon HP Style
Author: Jennifer
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, or any original scenes or dialogue from the movie Armageddon.
Chapter Seven: Launch Day in Florida
Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Outside the launch site was crowded with bystanders and news reporters.
"The death of 50,000 people in Shanghai yesterday has stunned the nation…"
"A French satellite has tracked a large object in space…"
"There appears to be some project involving a space launch and drilling. We don't know any details yet, but NASA officials are hinting that there could indeed be a very serious problem. They're calling this a global killer…"
"The president will speak to all of you within the hour."
Harry walked outside to find Hermione sitting on the ground, staring up at the sky. "Hermione?" he called softly. Hermione stood up and turned to face him. "I got your note," he said. "What are ya doing out here?"
"Uh…just—just thinking," was her reply.
"Listen, Hermione. I'm sorry I got myself and Ron, and everybody else for that matter into this. I just—I don't think I did the right thing and—"
"You're wrong. I'm the one who's sorry. I guess I just didn't want you to take the risk of dying up there." Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. "And don't talk like you're not coming back. Promise me that you'll come back."
"Okay," was all he could say before becoming choked up.
"Say I promise."
He sighed. "I promise, Hermione." With that, she grabbed him and hugged him tightly. "It'll be okay."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you please bring my fiancé home with you?" She asked through her tears.
"Oh, Jesus," he whispered, smiling.
The President of the United States got up to speak. "I stand before you, not as the President of the United States, not as the leader of a country, but as a citizen of humanity.
"We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. The Bible calls this day Armageddon—the end of all things. But for once in the history of the world, a species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. Using weapons that were once used for mass destruction, we have the will, the freedom to fight this—to wage this terrible war.
"Every step up the ladder of science, everything that can be done is being called into service. For those of you traveling into the heavens, I say to you godspeed, and good luck."
"Astronauts!" the NASA official motioned for them to leave the room and walk that long walk to the shuttles.
Harry, his knees shaky, walked out to where Hermione was standing. "I'll see you in a few days, okay?" he said, hugging her and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.
Ron came out with the rest, and stopped when he saw Hermione. He caressed her cheek with his hand. (Author's Note: I love this scene!) "All my bags are packed…" he sang while smiling. "I'm ready to go…I'm standing here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say goodbye."
He lifted her into the air and swung her around. "So kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go…"
He kissed her. She giggled. "Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again," that's when Fred and George started singing.
Then everyone joined in. "Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again…"
Ron set Hermione down on her feet. "I'm marrying you," he said.
"You bet your ass you are," she laughed. She watched him walk away, and her smile faded and tears came to her eyes. Please bring them back, God. Please.
Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go…
