Disclaimer: I don't own anything related, even in the slightest bit, to Harry Potter.
The Tears of Doom
Chapter 7
Harry smiled as he slipped the warm, glowing feather into his pocket. He turned around when he saw Ron and Ginny staring at him with incredulous looks.
"What?" Harry asked, slightly defensively.
"Harry… you're a… you're a…" Stammered Ginny, apparently unable to say exactly what Harry was.
"Murderer." Finished Ron. The three syllables seemed to tremble in the air and become louder and louder.
"I just… I just… I just wanted to kill the people who hurt Hermione." Harry said.
"What do you mean?"
"Those were the people who killed Hermione's younger brother, Hector, just for the fun of it… Didn't she ever tell you?" Harry said.
Both of the Weasleys shook their head.
"Hermione was almost killed by them too. Luckily, Dumbledore was there to pick her up to Hogwarts. So, he managed to intervene."
"We've got to get back to Abie now, to give him the feather. Let's go, Ginny." Harry said, proffering his arm to her.
Ginny hesitated slightly but linked her arms with his after awhile.
In a flash, they were back at the old, run-down building of Rowena's Nest, Number 2.
Abie pulled open the door before Harry could knock on it.
"I'm very pleased, Harry. You move much faster than I expected."
"Here is the feather, Abie." Said Harry, handing it over.
"Ah…" A strange look crossed Abie's face as he took the feather but it was gone the next instant.
"The Feather of Honesty. This displays the images of the person and his honesty or lack thereof. Very well done, Harry." Abie smiled and patted his shoulder.
The moment, Abie's hand made contact with Harry's shoulder, Abie flinched and wrenched his hand away. The surface which touched Harry had become burned.
"Harry." Abie grasped his hand and looked at Harry sternly. "You have killed, have you not?"
"Yes." Replied Harry, feeling it was pointless to lie.
Abie sighed. "Let me guess. You killed because you wanted to avenge her, right?"
"Something like that, yeah." Harry nodded.
"Because of that, she will never ever remember you, even if she wakes up." Abie said, solemnly.
"What?!" Exclaimed Harry, leaning forwards.
"When a killer touches the feather, the owner of the feather will not have memory of the killer when she wakes up even if they were best friends." Explained Abie.
Harry buried his face in his hands and sighed. "So be it." He said after awhile. "As long as Hermione wakes up, I will be happy enough."
"Very well." Said Abie. He pulled out his wand and twirled in. There was a blinding flash in the room.
Next moment, Hermione was lying on the carpeted floor.
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry cried out at the same time. Harry reached towards her and held her hand.
Abie bent down and put the pink feather upon Hermione's forehead, while whispering an arcane incantation.
In another flash of light, the feather sunk into Hermione's head.
Her chest started to rise and fall with breath. Her eyes fluttered and opened. Her hazel eyes rested upon Harry's green ones.
Harry smiled at her and said "Hi, Hermione."
Hermione continued to stare at Harry as she stood up. "Who are you?" She finally said.
"I… I'm Harry… Don't you remember me?" pain and hurt in his voice.
"No, I'm sorry." Hermione looked around and saw Ron and Ginny.
"Ron! Ginny!" she exclaimed.
"What happened to me? All I remember was being at the graveyard with you two and… and… 1 more person… Then I got hit by a spell…" Said Hermione, shaking her head confusedly.
Abie was still whispering incantations. When he was done, the feathery wings on Hermione's back vanished.
Hermione looked around at Abie. "Dumbledore!" she exclaimed, pointing at him.
"That's right." He smiled. "Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus' twin"
"Oh…" Comprehension dawned on Hermione's face.
"You're ill, Hermione. And this young man here" He gestured towards Harry. "will help you to get better." Abie smiled kindly at her, eyes twinkling over his half-moon glasses.
"Oh…" said Hermione again, looking at Harry. "I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"
Is this how it's supposed to end? Am I just supposed to be erased from her memory forever? Has she forgotten everything that happened with me? If only I had not killed those people… If… There are so many 'If' in this life…
Ginny was sobbing quietly into her robes.
With what seemed like a great effort, Harry looked back at Hermione and smiled. "I'm Harry… Harry Potter…"
"Nice to meet you, Harry." Said Hermione as they shook hands.
Ginny flung herself onto Harry, hugging him. "Why, Harry? Why still choose her when she has forgotten all about you? I'm right here, aren't I?" wailed Ginny, sobbing uncontrollably.
Harry stroked Ginny's red hair and whispered into her ear, "It's because… I love her, I guess… Hermione and I have been through so much together… It's hard to not fall for someone who you fight trolls with… or risk your life with… Do you understand, Ginny?"
Ginny nodded as she pulled away from Harry. She stood next to Ron who put an arm around her, whispering words of comfort to his sister.
"Harry…" Abie said gently. "You only have 3 days left… I suggest you quicken your pace a little." Harry nodded and checked his watch. It was already 3am.
"C'mon guys… Lets go home…" Harry said quietly. "I'll see you when I get the next feather, Abie."
All four of them Apparated back to Godric's Hollow where Elva rushed to greet them.
"Hermione! You're okay!" She exclaimed.
Harry caught Elva's eye and shook his head.
"Oh…" Elva said. "Well, come on in! I made supper."
After dinner, Harry insisted that Hermione go to bed as she was still feeling weak.
"She can't remember me, Elva… She never will…" said Harry sadly when he returned to the living room.
"Don't be sad, Harry… I'm sure she will have feelings for you again in no time at all."
Occasionally, Harry would catch Ginny's eyes but she would look away…
Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Harry went to bed to put an end to the longest day of his life…
End of Chapter 7
Author's note: Wow… No reviews at all for the previous chapter.. . Think I made a wrong choice reviving this story… Never mind… I'll forge ahead!