A/N
-This has been bouncing around in my head for a couple of years now. And I could never come up with more. Sorry to disappoint. I own nothing but my twist on JK's work.-
All around them were the bodies of the Defenders of Hogwarts and Death Eaters alike. All lifeless, all for nothing. Fred and George trying to hold Mrs, Weasley together as she mourned the loss of her husband and youngest son.
Neville, for all of his bravery, couldn't keep the heart-wrenching sobs at bay as he held his grandmother's lifeless body. Bellatrix's knife still in her chest.
McGonagall, thank Merlin she only lost an arm, trying to stop Remus from mauling Grayback's body. It wouldn't bring Tonks back.
So many others, too many.
Hermione knew what she had to do. The pile of ash that had once been the Dark Lord still smoldering, as Harry lay there, emerald eyes locked with her chocolate ones, she knew. It wasn't truly over, not yet.
"Hermione?"
Hearing her name coming from her best friend nearly broke her resolve. Why did his voice have to be so small?
"Hermione, please, before it's too late!", Harry pleaded with her. They knew this was going to happen, how could they not. Harry, the last horcrux, had to die. But why did it have to be her?
"No, Harry, please!", she sobbed. "There has to be another way! There's always another way!"
"There's no time, I can feel him getting stronger. Hermione, please, you have to! " Harry all but screamed now. His emerald eyes starting to darken.
Leaning forward to press a light kiss on his forehead, her wand tip at his temple, she whispered four words. The last of which would split her soul and haunt her until the day she died.
"I love you, Harry...Reducto."