Sunrise-By Norah Jones
Surprise, surprise couldn't find it your eyes
But I'm sure it's written all over my face
Surprise, surprise, never something I could hide
When I see we've made through another day
And I say hoo-oo, hoo-oo, hoo-oo
Do you…
Now the night's thrown its cover down for me again
Oooo I love sunrise…it's the only way to bring me back
Hoo-oo, hoo-oo, hoo-oo
Secrets
Chapter Five:
Sunrise
Come sunrise it was all over. His body was slumped over the cold jagged stone, red from the robe drenched in his own blood. His eyelids felt too heavy, but he forced them open and slowly raised his head.
Struggling to raise his arm from the ground, his fingers stumbled in attempt to pick up his wand, which rolled a few feet away from him. He sent red sparks into the air, signaling for help, and let his head and arm slump back. It would only take minutes for the Order to see the sparks and fly over, shipping him and the others off to St. Mungo's.
He smiled as her face popped into his mind. She looked angelic, sitting on the couch, a tear trickling down her cheek.
You might not come back…you might not come back…
Now it was all over, and he would be coming home to her. Just as he had promised.
Only five minutes later he heard the landing of several brooms and the padding of heavy combat boots rushing toward him. He opened up his eyes and looked up into the smiling face of Tonks.
"'Ello, Harry! Thank god you're safe! But look at who's the new hero, eh? Nice job, champ…let's ship you off to your awaiting ward."
He felt several pairs of strong arms picking him up and carrying him to a floating stretcher, tied to several brooms.
"Take him as fast as you can…he needs attention as fast as possible," he heard a familiar voice call out.
Someone opened up his hand and dropped a foil-wrapped package into his hand—chocolate.
"See you later, Professor Lupin," Harry said hoarsely, smiling at the graying man.
"Take care of yourself, Harry," Lupin said, giving the witches and wizards a signal to go.
And suddenly, it all went black.
She rushed through the wards, hoping the concealment would hide her identity well. Tonks had helped her, only after crushing her in a hug.
"Oh, Hermione…why'd you leave? Ol' Dumbledore wouldn't have thrown you out! Not after your parents died…never after that!"
She had only nodded through the tears of seeing an old friend.
But now she ran through the halls of St. Mungo's, looking for the visitor check-in. Finally, after a quarter of an hour searching, she found it in a dark secluded corner.
She ran breathlessly up to the receptionist and gasped,
"Ashley…Lohan…I'm here to…see Harry Potter…"
The receptionist looked up at her while blowing a bubble of gum and popping it.
"Yeah…Harry Potter? Lemme check the list…"
The receptionist bent over to grab a seven-foot-long piece of parchment and scanned it.
"Yepp…you're on the list…go on in. Third corridor take a right, three wards down. It'll be on your left."
"Thanks," Hermione gasped, running away down the corridor.
She busted into the private ward, completely breathless. Luckily, only Dumbledore sat by Harry's bed, holding the unconscious young man's hand.
He turned his head slowly, and eyed her over his half-moon spectacles.
"Hello, Hermione."
She stood perfectly still, almost crying at the sight of the man who had been a father to her since her parents died in sixth year.
"Professor Dumbledore…"
"Shush…come sit," he said, summoning a plush recliner next to his stiff chair.
Hermione happily collapsed into the soft fabric.
"You've worried many students by your sudden disappearance, Miss Lohan," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"I had to leave, sir…I didn't want Ron to know…"
"I understand…Mister Weasley has not taken to your disappearance…and Mr. Potter has been 'dawdling' during his classes, as Professor McGonagall so kindly puts it."
Hermione couldn't hold it in anymore, and erupted into tears. Dumbledore stood quietly and embraced her.
"Shush, Hermione…he will be fine…I promise. He is getting the best care possible."
Hermione's sobs subsided into hiccups, and Dumbledore resumed his place. There were a few moments of silence, and then,
"Do you suppose, perhaps, that you have the wrong father?" Dumbledore said quietly.
Hermione nodded.
"Everyday I wish it wasn't Ron…everyday I wish it were him instead."
Dumbledore patted her hand awkwardly and stood.
"It will all work out, Hermione. And now, I take my leave and leave you with Mr. Potter. I suggest you take off the concealment charm for now. Good day, Ms. Lohan."
With that, Dumbledore left the room.
She took off the concealment charm and took her position by his side, perched on the edge of the hospital bed. She took his hand in his and gave it a small squeeze, letting him know he was there.
When he awoke it was growing light outside and there was a throbbing pain in his head. He groaned quietly, and attempted shift around in the hospital bed, but felt a weight on the edge of his bed. He slowly sat up right, and leaned over towards the body sprawled by him. Dark auburn curls fell over the blanket, and a pale hand held his, holding it tightly.
He almost gasped aloud as he realized who it was. She was finally here to see him.
Hermione.
He pushed away the curls from her face and stroked it gently, until Hermione stirred in her sleep, and slowly sat upright. She turned to him, and he heard her gasp. He saw her reach out her hand and the next moment it was on his skin, touching his cheek.
"Harry…" she said quietly.
He knew she was on the brink of tears, and turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand.
"Hermione."
He heard her give in to the sobs, and he took her into his arms, letting her cry into his shoulder.
He turned his head and kissed away her tears, and when her sobs subsided into hiccups he kissed her gently, and shifted her onto his lap.
"Look," he said, gesturing out the window.
The sun peeked over the edge of distant trees and landed on her face, giving her red eyes a sparkle and her skin a warm glow.
"I love the sunrise," she said softly, leaning against him.
He nodded.
"It's the only way to bring me back."