Title: Somebody Out There (14/15)
Author: silverphoenix
Rating: T
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: In the middle of a war, there are going to be casualties. This is inevitable. When two people lose their friends, they come to realise that death is not the end of happiness.


SOMEBODY OUT THERE
Part Fourteen: For You

Sunlight peeked almost cautiously through the curtains, as though afraid to disturb the couple in the bedroom. Hermione gazed up at Blaise, a sleepy, sated smile on her face. "Morning," she whispered.

"Morning," he echoed, savouring the feel of her bare skin against his.

She moved away from him, stretching. Still smiling, she said, "I never thought that I could love someone as much as I do you right now."

Blaise was about to reply when an owl fluttered through the open window, nearly becoming tangled in the curtains and spoiling the mood entirely. Both froze when they saw that it was a Ministry owl. "Blaise…" Hermione whispered, her eyes wide as she saw the colour envelope that it was carrying; black.

He nodded. "I see it." He quickly plucked the envelope from the owl and it left. There was no time for a relaxed morning in bed, enjoying each other's company as they processed the night's events. Instead, it was, "Where are my robes?" and, "Have you seen my wand?"

Word had been received from a spy among the ranks that Death Eaters were planning to attack Diagon Alley. All Aurors and those in training were to report immediately to the Ministry.

Their briefing was short, clipped, panicked. Nymphadora Tonks kept changing her hair colour through nervousness, first red, then blue, finally settling on a Union Jack before she made her locks black.

Blaise pulled Hermione to one side before they were about to leave for Diagon Alley. "Hermione, this isn't romantic and it isn't how I'd want this to happen, but we both know this is the big one, don't we? The one which we might not be coming back from?"

She nodded, not entirely sure what Blaise was saying to her, but understanding the sentiment. This was the end of it. They would either win or lose this war against Voldemort today, and there was a chance that either, or both, of them would die.

"Marry me."

"What?"

"I spent a long time pretending that I didn't notice that you were right in front of me, and I don't want to lose you, Hermione. Say you'll marry me, Hermione, make a promise that you'll come back to me; that you're there for me."

She stared stonily at him. "I'm there for you, no matter what."

"Do you love me?"

"Yes, Blaise. Of course I do, but this is just…" She took a ragged breath, the look in his eyes telling her that he was entirely serious with his proposal. If she were to follow her first instinct, she would being saying 'yes' a dozen times over, but, she reminded herself, practicality comes first. "After," she said quietly.

"What?"

Hermione looked up at him, willing herself not to cry. "You are the light that shines the way for me, Blaise. Ask me afterwards. When we both come back." She paused, biting her lip. "Give us both something to come back for."

He smiled and kissed her. She Disapparated.