Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter world. It all belongs to the genius creator, J.K. Rowling.
"Hermione! Over here!"
Hermione opened her eyes in a mist of white.
"This must be what it's like to be surrounded by clouds."
Then she saw them. Vibrant red hair and unruly black hair on two heads racing towards her. All of a sudden, she was engulfed in a three-way bear hug, and she squealed as she burst into tears. Tears of frustration, longing, happiness and sorrow. Emotions were just poring from her small frame. Ron and Harry just held her, and let her get it out.
"I'm sorry you guys! Oh I've missed you so much! There's so much to tell you, and ask you! It'll be better than it ever was because we won't have…." Hermione began babbling as she started planning out ways to spend eternity with her family and friends.
" 'Mione! Shush! We have to talk to you before you start planning." Ron said, as he clapped a hand over her mouth. Then he grinned. "This may take awhile, so let's go have a seat." He and Harry led her over to a group of five cozy looking leather chairs arranged in a circle.
"Why are there five seats? Who else will be joining us?" she asked.
"All in good time, 'Mione," answered Harry. "First, there is much to discuss, and not as much time as you think, so will you please listen without interruptions? I promise all your questions will be answered in our talk, and if not, you can ask when we're done okay?"
"Okay, Harry." Hermione looked skeptical. "Can I at least have a notepad and something to write with to keep track of my questions?" As she finished the question, a pad and pen appeared in her lap. "Niiice.."
"You wanna go first, Ron?" asked Harry. "Or shall I?"
"I'll go. First things first, 'Mione. While I have missed you, I haven't missed you enough to warrant you being here. Harry an' I have been watching you ever since we got here. We want you to know that even though you feel alone, you never truly are. See, as long as you remember us, we will always be with you." Ron started.
"Right," continued Harry. "You are a strong witch, 'Mione. Best one we ever met. And we love you too much to let you be up here with us. We fulfilled our destiny. You still have to finish yours. You have so much to offer the world Hermione. And I promise, it will get better. You have more visitors coming, so we have to leave in a minute or so. They can answer questions too. But, we'll give you one question each before we leave."
"Well, that's not nearly as enlightening as you promised, now is it? That's a rhetorical question, and you better not count it as one put forth to either of you! Okay… well what I really want to know from you Harry, is why you died. Why did you leave me alone?" Hermione asked, again on the verge of tears.
"I figured you'd ask me that one. No, 'Mione. I did not give up. I didn't leave you alone because I wanted to be with Ron more. I am sorry I ever gave you that feeling. Truth is, Voldemort hit me with some obscure dark curse right before he died. It got through my shield simply because I couldn't hold the shield and have the power to obliterate him at the same time. The curse was painful and I think the only reason I actually died is because I was already weakened from the fighting. I did try to fight
it though 'Mione. My magic was just too depleted." Harry was looking at her with the most sorrowful expression in his emerald eyes.
"Thank you, Harry. That helps, so much more than you could ever know. Now, Ron. I really know everything about you, so let me ask you this. What do you mean you guys don't want me here?" Hermione looked into Ron's crystal blue eyes with anger.
Ron actually laughed. "Told you she'd ask me that one Harry! Seriously, 'Mione. The thing is, you would not be allowed to stay with us if you are to die. They don't allow suicides, 'Mione. And we do love you too much for you to go to what is known as Suicide Ridge. All these forlorn feelings you've been having will never go away. You would constantly throw yourself off the mountain. It is worse than hell, Hermione. We want you to grow old, have little Snapeletts, tell them stories about their Uncles Ron and Harry, write that book you've been wanting to, teach, impart some of that formidable knowledge to other people besides me, Harry, and Neville. You are a wonderful teacher, 'Mione. You will be a great mom. And you are a gem of a person. Snape knows it. He is lost without you. But, that's not for me to tell. Here come your other two visitors. One will make you an offer. Hermione, make the right decision. Use that stubborn head of yours, and make it right. I promise Harry an' me will always be with you."
Harry and Ron got up and pulled her into another three-way bear hug. "Love you." They all said at the same time. In the next instant they were gone, and she was staring at none other than Sirius Black. With him was a small girl with beautiful black curls, and eyes the color of midnight.