Chapter 8: Return
Hermione woke up again to the same scene; the picture, the window, the sun rays peeking through, the ceiling, and so on. She got up ready for the weekend. She dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans and made her way downstairs with a substantial book.
She spent the next three hours reading. Then Ron burst through, panting. He looked at Hermione with alarm in his eyes which caused alarm to coarse through her entire body as she stood at his entrance, "What's wrong, Ron?" As Hermione finished her question Ginny walked in and surveyed the scene with the same alarm in her eyes that Hermione possessed.
"I….saw… I mean I think… out in the forest…" Hermione's heart stopped as he uttered the last word with three pants for air, "…Harry" It took one millisecond for Hermione to run out of the common room towards the patch of forest in view of Ron's window. She faintly heard Ginny and Ron panting behind her and didn't notice the curious glances she received from students as she ran frantically outside the doors of the school. She was just coming down the last hill to the many trees when she saw a crouched figure.
The man seemed to be in pain. He supported himself on his knees and right arm while his left arm clutched his stomach. I couldn't see his face for his head was bent down in agony. She saw jet black hair. She ran faster. Ron just saw this man and thought he was Harry. They had the same skin tone and black hair. The man whimper and Hermione pushed her feet even faster as she faintly heard Ginny's footsteps slowly catch up with her.
Another whimper emulated form the man as Hermione was only feet away from the man. His right arm gave into his weight and he collapsed. Hermione gasped as she finally got a good at his face for he rolled onto his back.
"Harry."
(Harry's POV)
I could not believe what was happening. A few months ago I had fallen in love with my best friend and most beautiful woman in the world and life couldn't be better. Now I was frantically running through the forbidden forest. I had left on my search for Voldemort weeks ago and he had led me back to my school. He had killed Dumbledore and now he was on his way to invade Hogwarts.
I ran with all the strength I had. I could hear Voldemort try to invade my mind and use my thoughts to manipulate me to be of some benefit to him. But I wouldn't let him in. I did the same thing I had done in 5th year to fight him off; I thought of happy memories. I thought of my friends. I thought of how annoying yet entertaining it was to watch Hermione and Ron fight before they dated. I remembered what a thrill it was to ride a broom and chase the golden snitch. I remembered how accomplished and confident I felt when I had caught the golden winged ball and won the championship game for Gryffindor.
Then I thought of Hermione. I thought of how beautiful she looked at the ball. How beautiful she looked everyday. I remembered how motherly and protective she could get and how my problems affected her and how much she wanted to help me through every single one of them. I thought of her smile, laugh. I heard that laugh that I love echo through my mind and memories flashed through my mind of the good times we had before and after we fell in love. I thought of the feeling I would get around her and whenever I was near her or when I kissed her. I thought of kissing her at this moment as I clutched my stomach and reached the border of the forest leading to the grass of Hogwarts.
I had finally run out of breathe and I doubled over in pain. I heard whispers in my head and knew that Voldemort was growing nearer. I had to get out of hear. I reached to my injury to take one moment to examine the cut I'd gotten from our last fight but collapsed as I felt the increasing pain of my skull being ripped in half. It felt like years before I heard the faint calling of my name. It sounded so familiar but I didn't have the strength to look up. I let go of myself and fell face flat into the dirt and I heard the shrill scream come from the girl who had found me.
I moaned in my continuing agony as she turned me over on my back. I heard her breath catch in her throat and I opened my eyes to my beautiful Hermione and saw that she was crying. I wanted so badly to reach out and stroke the tears away and make her smile but I lost all strength in my body. I moaned again without meaning too and heard her whimper at my obvious pain. She was whispering things like 'it'll be alright' and 'I love you'. I wanted to scream that I loved her too but I couldn't find my voice.
Then I blacked out.
OK I know it's really short but I'll update soon. Now I have a little proposition for you. I have been arguing with my cousin on which couple is best so I decided to let you vote.
Dramione (Draco/Hermione)???
Harmony (Harry/Hermione)????
Ronione (Ron/Hermione)?????
Which one is best in your opinion? I'll vote too but won't reveal my vote until the end. I will post two more chapters and reveal the results in chapter 10. I hope that gives you enough time.
On the other hand, REVIEW!! I love your reviews. Tell me what you want to see!!! DO IT NOW!! C'MON