Written for round 3 of the quidditch league fanfiction competition

Chaser 2 from Pride of Portree

Main prompt: Eos 'Goddess of the Dawn' [Greek]: Write a story set at the break of dawn.

Additional prompts: [trope] huddling for warmth, [setting] starry night, [relationship type] best friends.

Disclaimer: *This was written based on the movie scenes*


Breaking Dawn

I used to think of me as the moon and him as the sun, reflecting its light on all of us so that we could shine. Together we had agreed to support our best friend in his everlasting duty to keep himself and everyone else alive. But he had left me alone with the earth. The light that kept us both going had forsaken us so abruptly that we barely managed to stay upright as the unforeseen nightfall fell down upon us.

Dusk

The time just before the night when the daylight has almost gone, but it's not completely dark, yet.

I'd been sensing that something wasn't right for a while. He'd been quieter and more withdrawn than usual, constantly sending weird looks our way. The dark magic of the Horcrux was making us all doubtful and discouraged, but chances were he might've been more vulnerable.

I followed him for a while, screaming his name and begging him to come back, but he never stopped to listen. When I reached the border of the protective enchantments I had no choice but to turn around and give up.

The leaves rustled underneath my feet and the wind bit at my cold cheeks. After informing Harry that he really had left us, I changed into my warmest sweater and took over Ron's night watch as it was my turn after him according to our schedule. I rested my head on my knees and pulled the oversized sleeves down over my cold hands, huddling for warmth. The only light that left was the beautiful celestial bodies covering the night sky.

I slowly let the unthinkable sink in, that he was gone; our best friend had abandoned us.

Night

The time from dusk to dawn when no sunlight is visible.

We stayed in the same spot for a few days in case he would return, but somewhere in the back of our heads there was always a voice saying he wouldn't. The voice was right. After a couple of days we had to move the tent to a new spot. Before apparating, I made sure to tie my light purple scarf around a pine tree.

Without our corner piece, our best friend, our sunlight; we were barely getting by. The darkness was enveloping us, manipulating our being. As it was only Harry and me rotating between wearing the locket; the Horcrux was affecting us heavier than before. The evil piece of jewelry was trying to split our team apart and we couldn't go more than a few hours regaining our senses before it was back around our neck, whispering lies in our head that would soon enough become truths.

Dawn

The first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise.

The light coming from the church windows paired with the song of the choir were hinting of it being Christmas Eve. There was something special about the moment, almost magical. A warmth spread through my body regardless of the cold winter air. and for the first time in a long time I felt hopeful.

oOoOo

Ron woke to the sound of a familiar voice whispering his name. Hermione. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and searched for her in the darkness of the pub. Instinctively he clicked the deluminator which had become a bit of a bored habit ever since he got it. That was when he spotted it; a light floating out of the deluminator and straight through his chest. Ron. Her voice sounded again.

Somehow he knew that the tiny bolt of light would guide him and take him where he needed to go, so he disapparated.

Sunrise

The time in the morning when the sun first appears in the sky.

Hermione awoke by a distant voice calling her name.

"Hermione," the voice called once again, it was Harry, sounding very urgent

She sat up in bed and stood up, yawning rather loudly before pulling the tent flap aside.

"Is everything alright?" I asked him.

"It's fine, more than fine actually," he answered, to my surprise, smiling slightly.

I frowned and looked up to see him, slightly hunched over, but grinning happily. "Hey," he said.

I was filled with so many different emotions; happiness, anger and– suddenly I was grabbing his bag and throwing it at him. Words coming from months of built up anger and hurt came out of my mouth as I threw dirt and leaves at him. I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down as he explained himself and told us all about what happened with the deluminator.

The next few days, weeks and months he tried to reach me, make me forgive him, but I kept up with my tough facade. He didn't deserve my forgiveness. Not after abandoning his best friends in such a difficult time. Not after making us feel that level of hurt and despair, robbing us of what little light we had left.

Harry forgave him instantly which only made him think he was deserving of my forgiveness as well. He saved Harry's life and destroyed the Horcrux, showing up out of nowhere like some noble hero. But that still didn't erase his past actions and their consequences, it would take some time before I could even consider forgiving him.

Though deep down inside I had really missed my best friend. He brought with him the feeling of security and warmth that I hadn't truly felt since before he left. Besides, he was being extra sweet to me just to regain my approval and my facade was slowly melting.

Daylight

The natural light of the day.

During the torture, his voice drowned out all other sound, making my own screams mixed with Bellatrix's evil laughter seem far away. He saved me from the darkness threatening to overtake my consciousness.

One night at shell cottage I had a particularly bad dream where none of my friends were able to save me from going insane, getting overpowered by the darkness. When I woke up, he was there. Speaking to me softly and reassuringly, calming me down.

"I forgive you." I whispered hoarsely. "You are the light after all."