THE LEAVES – CHAPTER NINE
The war continued after Harry 'died' despite the promises that Voldemort had made. Hermione was fighting stronger than ever after the news of Fred's health. She felt a new lease of life inside her and she knew that she needed to get back safe to the Great Hall by morning.
The light was starting to rise by four on May 2nd and the sun was projecting beams across the final battle between Voldemort and Harry. The excitement and tension levels in the room were incredible as everyone crowded around to watch Voldemort be ended once and for all. The moment that they had all been waiting for occurred then. Harry had done it. Voldemort was gone.
The cheers that went up were immense. Hermione and Ron pushed forwards and enveloped Harry into their arms as the three took their first moments of freedom from oppression. Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears again and as she looked up, she noticed Ron and Harry were crying as well. None of them could believe it. They were finally allowed to go home and become children again and after growing up so quickly that was exactly what they needed. They all stood with tears pouring down their faces at the prospect of a free life.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. I couldn't have done any of this without you," Harry kept repeating to which Ron was replying: "It's all okay, it's over and we can go home. None of us are hurt. You did what needed to be done." Hermione was too overwhelmed with pride at her two best friends to be able to say anything. She pulled her sleeves down over her hands and pushed herself further into both of their bodies. Before her hands released her sleeves, Ron pushed them back gently, smiling with sorrow. They may have survived the war, but not without a few scars.
Everyone was walking away and letting them have their moments, returning to their families and doing the same. The Hall was filled with happiness and the clean-up began almost immediately afterwards. People were using spells to push rubble aside and regain pathways to and from common rooms. Others were fixing windows and replacing doors. Hermione pushed herself to join in but as she did Ron pulled her back.
"No. Not now. Go and rest." He smiled at her "You can't do everything 'Mione,"
"It's okay. Honestly, Ron, I've got this," She smiled reassuringly. Then two arms wrapped around her waist and a voice in her ear went "Take a break, Hermione. You've been looking after us for the past 10 months. You deserve a break."
"But, Harry, I— "
"I don't care, 'Mione. Rest is needed for all of us and that's exactly what we'll have. C'mon, I'll get Kreacher to bring us some food."
Harry wrapped his left arm around Hermione's shoulders and Ron wrapped his right arm around her as well. The three wandered off towards the Gryffindor tower in an attempt to get some sleep after the eventful few nights they had all endured. Hermione just hoped she could rest knowing now that Fred was just through the wall after George had moved him up to his old bed. She pressed her hand against the wall and remembered the leaves. My God, she loved the leaves.