Hermione sat contemplating the way the world had gone. She was glad, from a certain point of view, that Harry had not lived through the war. If he had seen what she had to do to win and defeat Voldemort without him and Neville, she was not sure she could have faced him. The guilt she felt at letting Harry down, at not telling him she loved him, at so many things still weighed on her dead and still heart.
The contract she had signed to gain the strength to defeat the Death Eaters and their leader was immutable and she understood what would happen. Fluttering her black leathery wings as she leaned forward she knew she was now a creature of darkness, no matter what, a condemned soul whose existence was to serve her masters. A black tear trickled down her cheek as she wondered if Harry would have had been stronger and more motivated to live if she had told him she loved him.
She felt the breeze pick up and ignored it. She did not have any orders yet and would enjoy what freedom she could until she received a command.
On the breeze though she detected a familiar aroma. A scent she associated with only one person. Standing on the narrow ledge she turned towards the east to see a rising star. A bright light that warmed her and did not burn like the sun did now. In the center of this nimbus of light a white feathery winged Harry Potter stood on a cloud. His hands reaching out towards her with a smile on his lips.
"Hello Hermione. I've missed you." his voice carried to her as he came ever closer.
Unthinkingly she leapt forward to embrace him. The burning sensation that seared through her caused her very essence to feel like it was going to explode. It was over in a moment and she pulled back from him. Feeling somehow different.
Seeing his smiling face looking beatifically at her she tried to say something then noticed, where there had been leather was now large golden white feathers. A tight gown of shimmering seamite adorned her with a platinum crown upon her head.
"Harry how? I signed a contract. I."
"I'll explain everything my love. We have all the time in the universe to do so now."
Hermione took his hand as the city below marveled at the shooting star display from the heavens.
