Chapter 10 – "And then there was a knock on the door…"
Hermione winced as she rolled over in bed. When she finally woken up, she realized it was really over. Weeks of fighting had all led up to the death of Voldemort. A shiver ran up her spine as she asked herself this question, what happened to Malfoy?
He hadn't been there when she had come back from her fainting moment, and she assumed he wasn't dead because of it. She didn't want to ask Harry, it was too awkward between them already, she guessed.
She limped downstairs to find everyone sitting together somewhere, Ron and Katie were making-out in a corner, and Ginny, Blaise, Bill, and Fleur were doing the same. Mrs.Weasley and Mr.Weasley were up at St.Mungo's visiting George.
Fred, Charlie, minus Percy (who had died), were playing chess. Fred's leg had been magically put back together, and he seemed to feel better about his predicament. He worried about George though, and was going to visit him as soon as his Mum and Dad let him leave.
Harry was sitting alone in a corner, not talking to anyone, and just staring out a window. Hermione walked over slowly and cautiously, taking a seat beside him. She pushed her soft curls out of her face and looked at him. "You alright, Harry?" she asked in a small voice. "Yeah, just thinking, I can't believe he's actually gone. It's been years, and he killed so many of those who loved me, I am so happy but it seems to good to be true."
Hermione placed her small hand on his broad shoulder. "Harry it's not! You are an amazing wizard, really. I think I've mentioned it before…" she trailed off. "In first year, down when we were retrieving the Sorcerer's Stone." Harry looked at her and smiled as they both reminisced about that night. "You faced him there too you know, you were brave. And, thanks for you know, saving my life." Hermione added with a smile playing across her face.
"Look, Hermione we need to…" Harry began, and her smile faded. She removed her hand and looked out the window. "I know… listen, I know I said I loved you, and I do… but I understand that you don't. We don't need to talk about it." She said shakily. Harry lightly moved her jaw so she was facing him, "that is the exact opposite of what I wanted to say, Hermione." She looked up and let her eyes meet his.
She smiled slightly and he leaned forward and kissed her. She sighed in relief and kissed him back as she put one of her hands on his face, and one on the back of his head. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. When they broke away, he looked at her and said, "oh, by the way, I love you too."
She laughed and she leaned against him as he draped his arm over her shoulder. She remembered how putting his arm around her shoulder was what got them here in the first place. They were about to kiss again, when there was a knock on the door.