It's the Heart that Matters
pick a star on the dark horizon
and follow the light
you'll come back when it's over
no need to say goodbye
-The Call, Regina Spektor
Hermione was afraid for Harry. She would never admit it to him, though. It was hard enough to admit to herself. But as she stared into the cold skies, she knew… she knew she was afraid for the boy who had taken her by the hand and led her to the second star on the right.
It wasn't that she wanted to think about ending… but she was losing so much all so fast. Her parents, Ron… even Hogwarts seemed so distant; a mere figment of a far flung fairy tale that she had closed the page on years before and was slowly forgetting. She fell apart whenever she thought of… of having to say goodbye to Harry, too.
Before this war, she had never appreciated how much she had to lose.
She had never appreciated how much she didn't ever want to be alone.
So when the night is cold and dark, in the forgotten hollow of Hermione's mind, she speaks the unspeakable: she does not want to be the first to die. She hopes that when she dies, Ron, or Harry, or someone will be there, waiting... just waiting to take her hand and lead her into the stars. But they would never have to wait long. So soon would she follow, she would be sure of that. They would never have to be alone again.
But when the skies are not so cold, and the night is not so dark, Hermione wraps her arms around her first friend and remembers how it felt when Dumbledore carried him out of the trapdoor, small but alive…
And in that moment, it is that same hope that she clings to, the hope that is as loud and strong as the heart beneath Harry's skin…
It is in that moment, that Hermione prays that Harry will be there to lead them all straight on 'til morning.