All Aboard the HMS Harmony! by Marauding Moonbabe

Rating: PG13
Genres: Drama, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 20/03/2006
Last Updated: 03/04/2006
Status: In Progress

Posted for my great friend Kristen, aka Mrs. Radcliffe! A series of unrelated one shots that
will send you through a range of emotions, from sadness to jubilation. Get ready to go All Aboard
the HMS Harmony!




1. ~All I Ask of You~
---------------------

All I Ask of You

Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s flat was dead quiet. Only the sounds of Ron’s snores could be heard.
Harry, who had trouble sleeping for the past couple of nights was awake, just thinking and watching
the fire crackle in front of him. Hermione was tossing and turning in her bed from the same
nightmare she had been having for months now. The night was still and so was the flat.

*No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.*

Harry continued to watch the fire crackle and he sighed. He didn’t know what these feelings
were. He didn’t know if it was love or just hormones. It bothered him that every time Hermione
walked in a room, he would feel like his stomach was being ripped out of him. She was just his
friend and nothing more. He knew that. He was just trying to convince himself.

He heard a floorboard creak and spun around in the armchair he was sitting in. Hermione was
there in a bright yellow nightgown holding her cat, Crookshanks. The look in her eyes was familiar.
He remembered that wide eyed look when she had bad dreams. Holding out his arms to her, she ran
into him, sobbing.

“It’s okay, Hermione. I’m here.”

*Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .*

The dream had been haunting her all night so far. The same thing for many nights. Harry in the
final battle being killed by Voldemort, with nothing left of him but dust. It haunted her so much
because for the past two years, she knew she had so many feeling for Harry that it would be
impossible for her to live without him. Gripping his black nightshirt with her fist, she stopped
her crying and looked up at him.

“I’m sorry, Harry. It was just -”

“I know.” he said interrupting her.

*Say you love me
every waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .*

All she wanted right now was to kiss Harry with every passion inside her body. That wouldn’t do.
She couldn’t break their bond as friends. It would be horrible to bear if she did and they never
spoke again. Raising her face to his she whispered to him.

“Why are you awake?”

“Oh. Just can’t sleep. I’ve been thinking.”

“That’s a nice change.”

Harry hit her arm slightly and they smiled at each other. This moment was being logged into his
memory forever. A slight romantic moment with Hermione Jane Granger. He couldn’t help but smiling
to himself.

*Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .*

“Harry……I had that dream again.”

“I know.” was all he said.

Hermione began to watch the fire along with Harry. The sexual tension between them was growing
as the minutes passed. Not one of them touched each other, both afraid they would both go haywire.
Instead, Harry stroked her hair while she just stared at the fire.

*Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .*

“I wish my dreams would stop.” she said.

“Maybe they will with time. Or maybe they are trying to tell you something.”

“Maybe they are.”

Digging her head in his chest she inhaled, smelling him. It was strange for her to do, but she
couldn’t help but smiling at his scent. He smelt like peppermint.

*All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .*

“Harry?”

“Yes.”

“Were you thinking about a girl? Someone you like?”

At this he kind of had that feeling again. The one where his stomach is being ripped out. He
didn’t want to tell her but if he didn’t, he may never get another chance. Taking a very deep
breath he started to tell her when she smiled.

“I knew it.” she said before he even got in a word.

He huffed and she smiled. This was one of the best moments in her life. She knew he had been
thinking about her. Feeling her heat swell she looked him in the eyes.

“Was it me?”

He nodded and smiled at her.

*Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Let me lead you
from your solitude . . .

Say you need me
with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Hermione,
that's all I ask
of you . . .*

“Was it good thoughts?”

He nodded again and he pulled her close to him. When they weren’t very far apart he whispered to
her.

“Very, very good thoughts.”

Feeling her head begin to get dizzy she moved her face towards his, almost breaking the boundary
to his lips.

*Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .*

*Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .*

Before she could stop herself she spit out those words. The words that would break their
friendship forever. She wanted this more than anything but maybe Harry didn’t. But it was to late.
She had already said it.

“Say you love me.” she said.

“You know I do…”

*Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . .*

Before it could be stopped they both hit each others lips, smashing the boundary. It was so full
of passion that Hermione had fallen back unto the couch with Harry on top of her. This was making
them both do cartwheels in their brains. When they pulled apart they smiled and lifted up, watching
the fire once more.

*Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .*





2. Crawlin Back to You
----------------------

Crawling Back To You ~ Mrs. Radcliffe

The room was silent and the fire blazing. It was very warm under the small blanket I was covered
in. The phone call I had just received, well received about one week ago, was driving me into
insanity. Harry, who had loved me for years, five years to be exact, had broken up with me. I
cuddled up in the blanket more and sat my eyes on the orange fire. My apartment grew even more
silent, if it was possible. Not even a wind could be heard from outside. It was peaceful.

As it got dark outside it got hot in the room, and I threw the blanket over onto the couch. I
pulled my legs to my chest and hugged them, trying to not fall asleep. It tried not to sleep
anymore. Horrors of my never waking up made me stay awake. Then, out of nowhere, a faint *tap*
hit my ears. Then it sounded again. *tap.* I began to get aggravated and got up and looked out
the window. I growled at the sight.

I opened the window and screamed at him, even though it was almost nine.

“Go away, you stupid house-elf!”

Harry laughed at that, but I sighed. Couldn’t he ever be serious. I slammed down the window and
strutted over the lounge chair, picking my book up off the tiny table.

Then a huge noise sounded through my apartment. A banging of some sort. I got up quietly and tip
toed to my door, which was rattling almost of it’s hinges. I grew frightened and watched it as it
shook more. Then it stopped and I heard a voice.

“Please, Hermione, let me in. We need to talk!” it screamed. Again, I groaned.

“Never! After what you did to me, you deserve to be out there in that blistering coldness!” I
said in a very harsh tone.

A silence filled my apartment and I relaxed. Until I heard crying from the other end of the
door. I kneeled against it listening to Harry sob. It was like nothing I had ever experienced.
Grown men crying, especially Harry, almost made my heart break into four pieces.

“Please Hermione, open the door. I swear I will never do anything like that again.”

I didn’t answer him or even make a gesture to open the door. I couldn’t even move. He was wrong.
He wouldn’t change. I knew it. I was, after all, the smartest witch of my age. Then, the door began
rattling again. He was banging on my door again. I almost flung open the door but didn’t. He was
going to suffer for what he had put me through.

“Hermione……..OPEN THE DOOR!” he screamed. I shook from the tone of his voice. He had never used
that tone with me. And frankly, it scared me. Harry never used that tone unless he was yelling at
Ron. I gently got up from the floor and waited for the door to stop rattling. It did soon enough,
and I gently opened the door. Harry lay on the porch on his hands and knees. It looked like he had
been bowing to someone. I kneeled down and looked at him.

His emerald eyes were no longer glistening. The showed pure hatred with either me or himself.
His shirt was covered in blood and I began to realize why. From beating the door so hard his hands
were covered in blood. His jeans were splattered with red too. I just realized how desperately he
had wanted in. He had beat himself up just to prove something to me. It made my heart skip a
beat.

“Harry……I’m so sorry. Look what I’ve done to you.”

I picked up his hands and put them to my heart, letting him feel my heartbeat. His eyes began to
get that sparkle again. I thought about smiling but decided against it.

“Hermione…….does this mean….I’m forgiven?”

I didn’t take any second chances.

“Yes, Harry, your forgiven.”

He smiled and a smile pulled at my lips too. I instantly thought that his smile should be
banned. No one’s smile should make a girl’s heart flutter the way his does mine. It was simply
unbearable. After thinking for a couple of minutes I lead Harry inside my apartment. He sat on the
couch in my living room. I got some hot chocolate and gave him a mug. Then, I sat next to him.

Soon we just sat, enjoying each others company. We didn’t even talk. Our empty mugs sat on the
coffee table forgotten. I lay on Harry’s lap, him stroking my hair. Then, I lifted my head and
looked at him.

“Why were you on your hands and knees Harry?”

“Because I needed you so desperately I was crawling to you.”

I laughed at that and lifted my head closer to his. We were barely an inch apart and we spoke to
me so that I could fell his hot breath making my face warm.

“Love ya.” he said.

“Love you too.”

Then I put my lips to his, catching him completely off guard.





3. ~Does He Love You?~
----------------------

Does He Love You?

All along the grounds, no one could hear a sound as a huge group of people stared at the two
girls in front of them. One of them had already made a move towards the other one. As they sat and
stared at each other, full of hatred, two boys came running up behind the crowd, screaming one of
the girls names.

“HERMIONE!! WHAT IN THE BLOODY HECK ARE YOU DOING?!”

One of the girls, who was fairly short and had frizzy brown hair, swirled her head around,
facing them.

“Shut up! I’m trying to do something.”

She glanced back at the other girl. Her fiery red hair was shining in the moonlight and her eyes
were blazing. They were about to have a very heated argument.

“Give me three reasons, Ginny.” Hermione stated quite clearly.

Putting her hands on her hips, Ginny glared at her. As the huge crowd watched, Harry and Ron,
who were glancing open-mouthed, only could wonder what this whole thing was about.

“Well, for starters,” Ginny started, “he asked me out way before he even thought of you. Second,
he sure acts like he likes me better. Need I go on?”

Hermione nodded her head. Harry just mentally hit himself. They were fighting over *him*.
Ginny took one look at Harry, then back at Hermione with a smile.

“Thirdly, I’m sure as heck a lot prettier than you.”

In a flash, Hermione was lunging at Ginny, knocking them over and sent them wrestling on the
ground. They were biting, scratching, and kicking each other with everything they had. When Harry
almost couldn’t take it anymore, they stopped, but started yelling at each other.

“BUT DOES HE LOVE YOU?” Hermione screamed.

Ginny froze and just watched. Hermione was crying now, falling to her knees and sobbing.

“Does he think of you when he’s holding me? Does he whisper all his fantasies to you? Does he
even love you like he’s been loving me?”

Harry’s heart dropped at those words. No one knew Hermione as the romantic type. She was right
though. For the past weeks, Harry had been very interested in Hermione. Just they way she walked
made him swoon. But as she lay cuddled up on the ground crying her eyes out, something inside him
made him crack, and he lost it.

“HERMIONE!! I’M HERE, HERMIONE!! Please stop crying.”

He ran up and gathered her in his arms. She sobbed even more in his arms and as Ginny stood near
them, she was glaring but at the same time, had a little faith in her eyes added with
disappointment.

“I guess your right,” Ginny stated, “Besides, I should have known it all along. It was always
there. I just never saw it.”

As she ushered everyone away from the scene, Harry moved closer to Hermione, whispering to her
softly.

“It’s okay Hermione. I’m here. I don’t want Ginny anymore so don’t worry. I need you Hermione,
so much that it probably would scare you if I told you. So please, stop crying.”

Her crying began to cease and she looked up at him. With so many tears in her eyes they looked
black. Letting them roll down her face, she spilled at words.

“Do you really love me? And have you been coming to me at night because you want me? Because if
all you needed was a friend, I can be that too.”

“Yes, Hermione. I love you.”

Pulling her up off the ground, he balanced her on his chest, holding her off the ground and
before she even knew it, his lips were pressed against hers making her whole day worthwhile.





4. ~In a Second~
----------------

In A Second ~ Mrs. Radcliffe

As the sun rose above the horizon Hermione just stared. Stared at nothing, and stared at
everything. She was going through so much lately that she didn’t know what to do. Harry had died in
the final battle and Hermione had broke down into hot tears.

Her parents didn’t know what to do. Seeing her in this nervous breakdown was heart breaking but
they didn’t know of her love for Harry. Hermione had done so many things to herself it was
indescribable. Slit her wrists, pulled guns to her head, used unforgivable curses on herself. It
was crazy and she knew it, but she loved Harry more than anyone knew. That’s what drove her into
insanity.

*Don’t know where you are
Wish I just could near you
I would sail oceans
To get a glimpse of how you feel
You’re all the things I’m looking for
Everything and so much more*

On Sunday Hermione’s parents went to church and she stayed at home. She couldn’t face the church
or the people in it. She walked to the park and sat down on a swing, slightly pushing herself
forward. She kicked a rock beneath her and sighed feeling her eyes sting. She wanted to cry but she
couldn’t. She had to be strong for Harry. She loved him more than anyone could describe or write in
a book. Hermione had always been able to turn to a book for her problems, but this time no book
helped at all.

The sun rose high in the sky and it signaled noon. Hermione rose up and began to walk back home.
She met her parents at the door and waved a hello. They waved back but gazed at her, wishing they
knew what they could do. But, they couldn’t do anything. Hermione was untouchable.

*What I think, you are just perfect
Could it be, that I am worth it
Is this thing an open door
Walk right through to something more
You and me
My life would change in a second
In a second*

When she walked in her room, Hermione noticed a snowy owl on her bed. She ran for it, knowing
who owned it. Then she stopped. How could Harry send her a letter? He was dead. She snatched the
letter and almost opened it, then didn’t. She let Hedwig out then ran outside, hoping she knew what
was there.

Hermione ran outside and looked around, hastily. Nothing. Nothing but air, trees, and…..wait. A
figure stood alone near the end of the street. It was lost. She could tell. She yelled at the mass
and it turned to reveal someone she was dying to see.

*Don’t know how you feel}
Seem to keep it to yourself
Would you climb mountains
To show me this is something real
You’re all the things I’m looking for
Everything and so much more*

His green eyes sparkled in the sun and Hermione’s heart fell. Her true love, who was supposed to
be dead, stood at the end of the street. She ran for him and dropped the letter which was still in
her hand. He held out his hands to her and welcomed her into his arms. Then, for the first time in
months, she spoke.

“Harry……..How?”

He pulled from her hug and looked into her brown eyes. He felt so complete to hold her in his
arms. It had been a while since he had held Hermione in a tight embrace.

“I came for you.”

“Oh Harry.”

Hermione threw her arms around him and sobbed onto his shoulder. He just held her waist and
pulled her close. She soaked his sweater with tears and he didn’t care. He came for Hermione and he
finally had her. He wasn’t letting her go.

“But…..I thought you died?”

“That’s what they thought. I made it alive. Voldemort is gone.”

Hermione jumped into Harry’s arms and he spun her around in circles. For the past months all
they had wanted was to hold each other. They had finally gotten it.

*What I think, you are just perfect
Could it be, that I am worth it
Is this thing an open door
Walk right through to something more
You and me
My life would change in a second
In a second*

Harry let her go and placed his hands in hers. He had came to let his feelings go. He was going
to do it.

“Hermione,” He began, “when I was on that battle field all I could think about was you. I knew
that without you I wouldn’t be able to go on. I need you Hermione. More than you could ever
know.”

Hermione tried not to let tears fall but it was impossible. As they fell Harry reached up to her
face and wiped them away with his thumb. Then Hermione placed her hand on his while he cupped her
face. She looked into his eyes and instantly knew what she wanted for forever. His love.

Hermione got on her tip toes and pressed her lips to his, causing them both brain explosions.
Their heads went off and as the kissed the world spun and the stars fell. The didn’t care. All they
wanted was each other.

*Could it be, could it be
You and me, you and me
Do I see, do I see
Clearly*

“Hermione do you think we are….you know?”

“No doubt Harry. No doubt. I need you too Harry. Ever since the news I haven’t spoken and for
the first time in my life a book couldn’t help me. There was nothing on love.”

Harry looked at her with tears in his eyes, but he held them back. He didn’t want Hermione to
worry. The past month had been heck and he somewhat thought it was his fault. He ignored it. He
turned to Hermione and smiled.

“I love you Hermione.”

“I love you too.”

Love is indescribable. Sometimes it can make your heart swell like a balloon. Other times make
you feel sick in the stomach. Everyone has experienced love even if they don’t know it. Love is
very powerful and has different meanings. Your friends love you in a friendly way. They care for
you and will help you in problems. They love you. When your ‘in love’ you feel like nothing can
stop you when around them. You want to always be with them an never let them go. Sometimes hearts
are broken and you know you were never meant to be. It’s all happened to me. I have friends that
love me and I have had my heart broken so many times I have lost count. Guys have torn my heart to
pieces and left it on the floor. But I found someone to love, and it won’t be changing anytime
soon.

What I never told you was what the letter said. I guess you want to know. It stated:

“I came back for you….
Harry Potter.”







5. ~Incomplete~
---------------

Incomplete ~ Kristen Radcliffe

The nagging feeling in Hermione’s stomach pulled at her again. He was gone now, but she still
had never told him any of her feelings. He lay, somewhere in a coffin, unknown to Hermione. She
never even went to the funeral. She never even left the house anymore. Her soul rested indoors, so
that was where she stayed.

But even as the world revolved outside she ignored everything that went on around her. If she
had paid attention, she might have noticed all the owls coming to her window. She might have
noticed Ron’s phone calls, telling her that she needed to move on. That she had to find someone
else to love. Harry was gone, and wasn’t coming back.

Weeks went by, and Hermione sat alone in her room, watching the rain fall outside. It poured
down, crashing against the ground and the houses outside. Hermione felt like the rain was her
heart, falling, falling down deeper into madness. A knock approached her door and she turned to it,
letting them know she was inside. Her mother greeted her.

“Dear, you have a visitor.” Her mother said.

“In this weather? Who is it?”

Her mother just shrugged.

“I dunno, but he has black hair And the greenest eyes I‘ve ever seen.” she said very softly.

Those words, black hair and green eyes, drove her down the stairs. The door was closed but
Hermione could see a figure in her driveway, standing in the rain. She swung open the door,
revealing a heavy downpour and her love. Harry Potter, clothes tattered and soaking wet, stood
staring at her, like she was some kind of angel.

Hermione stepped out into the rain, soaking her immediately. Harry stood, almost as if a statue,
before her. Hot tears ran down Hermione’s face as she looked at him. He hadn’t changed at all. The
same hair. The same face, that Hermione thought was carved by angels. The same green eyes that made
her heart flutter. Those green eyes that helped her look straight into his soul.

“Hermione?” Harry asked, like he couldn’t believe his eyes.

She nodded, making her wet hair stick to her face. She stepped closer to him and unbelievably,
she slapped him hard across the face.

“You inconsiderate prat! Why? Why didn’t you write me? Do you have *any* idea how upset
I’ve been? I thought you were dead! Everyone has! How can you just come up out of the blue like
this? Harry, what is wrong with you?”

Harry looked into her deep brown eyes and almost slapped himself. Everything Hermione said was
true. But, she wasn’t finished.

“Harry, I thought you were brave? Where is that Gryffindor courage? Where is the Harry I used to
know? You have driven me into complete insanity! I thought---I thought I’d lost you.”

Harry let her begin to cry, but then pulled her close, letting her cry on his shoulder. She kept
shouting at him, nonsense words. Calling him a coward and stupid. He let her. She was right. He had
run away from everything, because he was scared. He wasn’t sure where his courage lay anymore. He
only knew where his heart was. Eventually Hermione pulled from him. She didn’t nod or anything,
just pulled from him and walked away from him, back to her front door.

Then, rage spread through Harry like wildfire.

“THIS ISN’T OVER!” he shouted at her, leaving her bewildered.

The rain began to soften, and so did Hermione. He was right. This wasn’t over. Her feelings for
Harry were still very strong. But, how could she just go back to him? Like nothing had happened.
She stepped closer to him and spoke, like she was speaking to a baby. Very softly, yet
meaningful.

“Your right this isn’t over. But what can you do to let me forgive you?”

She pretty much knew the answer. He stepped to her, his green eyes red from the rain and most
likely, tears. Harry grabbed her neck and pulled her into a passionate kiss, making her almost die
from the heat. This was nothing she had ever experienced. Not with Viktor Krum, nor Ron Weasley.
This was filled with love and patience. Kindness, understanding, lust, and romance. Something only
one man could give her. Harry Potter.

They pulled apart and Hermione almost fainted. She clutched Harry’s coat and hung lazily unto
him. When she finally looked at him, he looked punch drunk, or madly in love. She went with the
second one.

“Harry, that was---was---”

She couldn’t even finish. Total shock approached her. She thought she had been in love. She knew
nothing of the sort. What she felt now was love. That feeling in the pit of her stomach, making her
want to barf everywhere. The feeling in her lips after she had kissed Harry. The way when he looked
into her eyes, her heart melted. That……was love.

“Harry---I----”

Harry lifted her chin and looked at her.

“You what, Hermione?”

“I love you.” she said.

Those words hit both of them like lightning. Harry’s eyes grew wide but he soon smiled. As for
Hermione, she began to think she was brain dead. She couldn’t think anymore. Soon, Harry blinked
away tears and spoke to her, making more tears reach them both.

“I love you too.”







6. ~Never Alone~
----------------

Never Alone – Mrs. Radcliffe

As Harry walked into the Great Hall a shiver went up his spine. Ten years he had been away from
this school. At the age of twenty-seven, Hogwarts was having a reunion. He glanced around the dance
floor to see what had changed.

Seamus and Parvarti Patil were dancing on the floor. Harry noticed a ring on Parvarti’s hand. He
smiled because he always knew it was meant to be. He turned his head to the left and saw someone he
remembered well. Ron, as tall as ever, was dancing with Luna. Her hair was pulled back into a fancy
bun and Ron’s hair was so long he could pull it into a hair tie.

Harry began to feel alone. He had no one to dance with or to share his love with. He hadn’t seen
his love in the ten years he had been away. She was off to bigger things. She probably owned a
library, after all, it would have suited her well.

The music changed to a slow song and some couples got closer and danced and people who were
alone sat down. Harry grabbed a chair and sat down along with the others. Every once in a while
someone Harry used to know would come up to him with a friendly hello. Ron eventually saw him and
they shared a manly hug. They sat and talked for a while then he said he needed to leave. He wanted
to propose to Luna tonight. So, Ron left, and Harry sulked, wishing his love was here.

On the other side of the hall, Hermione entered. Her long brown hair pulled back showing her
figure in a blue dress. Her hair had become more tame, and not so frizzy. She had grown taller and
lonely, just as Harry had. Hermione walked onto the floor and said some hello’s then took a seat by
someone she thought she remembered.

His head was in his hands but she knew his hair. It stood up on the back of his head, messy as
always. She laid her hand on his shoulder and he looked up, finally meeting his love’s eyes.

“Hi Hermione.” he said to her. He noticed her figure and hair. He looked into her eyes and saw
the same sparkle they had always had. She was smiling at him and he felt easy again.

“Hey Harry. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” He said in barely a whisper. No matter, she heard him anyway.

Harry looked at her hands and saw a ring. At once he felt grief but as he looked closer, he
realized it was his promise ring he had given her a while back. In their seventh year. Hermione
grabbed his hand and lead him outside to a balcony. The same balcony where they had shared their
first kiss and had reached second base. But, those memories were long gone in Harry’s mind.

The wind blew and Hermione’s hair waved behind her. She laid her hands on the banister and
looked out at the sky and Harry crept behind her. He wrapped his hands around her waist and laid
his head on her shoulder.

A chill went up Hermione but she ignored it. She felt at ease and had time to enjoy it. She rose
her hand and felt his face, feeling the warmth. He looked at her and she saw sadness in his green
eyes. Taking Harry by complete surprise she kissed him and took all his troubles from him.

“Hermione what was that for?” He said to her when they pulled apart.

“You just looked so upset. I thought you could use a pick me up.”

“Hermione, just seeing you made me feel better than anything in the world. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too Harry. Maybe something will come of this night.”

“Yeah maybe.” Harry said to her.

As they pulled away fireworks went off and they both laid their hands on the banister. Harry’s
hand covered Hermione’s and as they glanced out at the fireworks Harry put a reminder in his brain
to go ring shopping as soon as he could.







7. ~Poisoned Kisses~
--------------------

=Poisoned Kisses ~ Mrs. Radcliffe=

The sun began to set in Godric’s Hollow but you could not even tell. It had been pouring the
rain all day, and the sky was gray with a little bit of black. Hermione just sat on the couch,
watching Harry and Ron play chess. It had been going on since noon. This was the longest game
ever.

“Checkmate!” Ron exclaimed. Harry sighed and threw up his arms in frustration.

Harry stood up and looked at both his friends. Ron, whose hair was completely out of control,
looked at him with concern. Hermione, who had grown very beautiful since she left Hogwarts, was
doing the same.

“Guys,” Harry began, “I’m leaving to fight Voldemort, today. I know this is very short notice
but I have to leave now. If I don‘t, it will never get finished”

Hermione’s eyes grew wide.

“What? Now? You can’t!” she screamed at him. Ron winced from the noise.

“Hermione if he wants to leave, let him.” he said. Hermione couldn’t believe what she was
hearing. She looked around frantically, looking for someone to side with her. No one came. They
lived alone.

“Ron, are you crazy? Harry, you can’t leave! Not now!”

She didn’t even let them answer. She ran up the stairs and the boys heard her slam the door
behind her. Ron stood up and faced his best friend.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” Ron said very quietly.

Harry shifted his eyes to the floor.

“Yeah, I guess.”

Harry moved and went to the door, grabbing his jacket. He took one more look at Ron before
waving good-bye, not even thinking about Hermione, and stepped into the pouring rain.

He walked on the road, being careful where he walked. He didn’t want to slip and fall. His blue
sweater was clung to him because his jacket wasn’t helping in the least bit. His beige jeans soaked
at the bottom from walking in puddles. He began to hear frantic footsteps and turned around,
noticing Hermione running at breakneck speed towards him.

She stopped in front of him and grabbed his hand. Her brown eyes were bloodshot. Her pink shirt
was red from the rain and her skirt was sticking to her legs. She lifted her hand and raised it to
his face, rubbing her thumb along his cheek.

“Harry, please don’t leave. Not now.”

Harry grabbed her hand and pushed it against his face.

“I have to Hermione.” he said.

Hermione began to shiver and he held her closer, even though it wouldn’t help. They were both
soaked down to the skin. She looked up into his eyes and moved her face closer to his. Harry did
the same until their lips touched.

Harry felt a slight tingle in his lips and he moved from her. He licked his lips and a horrible
taste filled his mouth. His head began to spin, like he had drunken fire whiskey, and he fell to
the ground.

“Hermione, what did you do to me?”

Hermione rubbed her sleeve against her lips, removing lip gloss that shimmered brightly. Harry
recognized it. Poison.

“Sorry Harry, but it had to be done. I couldn’t let you leave.”

As his eyes went out of focus all he could see was Hermione crying into her hands. When he
finally passed out Hermione grabbed his hand and kissed it.

“I love you.” She whispered and picked him up, and taking him back to the house in which they
lived.





