Hermione gave him a small smile. “I hope so. I hope we're right about this.”
“I—,” Harry started to speak and then fell silent. He fidgeted with the knob on the door. “I–I'm going to try to kill him. I haven't told anyone else. But I keep thinking about the prophecy. If it's real, I have to kill him. I don't think I can fight this war again.”
Hermione stepped over and took his hand, entwining her fingers with his and staring into his eyes.
“I believe in you, Harry. I told you when you were eleven that you were a great wizard. I've never stopped believing it.”
Harry gave her a wan smile, but it faded as quickly as it appeared. He stared at her, and he seemed almost like a ghost. As though her fingers might suddenly fall through his hand.
“Hermione, I think I'm going to die today.”
Hermione stared at him. She'd never heard him say anything like that before. No matter the battle, no matter the injury, no matter the odds; Harry had always believed they'd make it to the next day.
“No!” Her voice cracked like a whip. “No. The whole Order and most of the a Resistance is going to be there—”
“Hermione—” Harry interrupted her with a firm voice. He let out a low breath and looked down at their hands. “I can feel it. I thought — for awhile I thought there would be more—” his shoulder twitched, and his lips pressed together. “—that winning would just be the beginning. But — I'm — I think you're right. You were always right. The war — is going to be all there is for me.”
Hermione felt as though she'd been struck. She gripped his hand tighter. “That's not how I meant it, Harry. That's not how I ever meant it. You cannot go to Hogwarts today with this mindset. This will work. I swear — the equations were perfect — I checked them a hundred times. We can win. You can do this. Ginny's waiting for you—”
“Hermione, stop.” Harry cut her off. “I need to say all this before I go.”
He drew a sharp breath. “I'm sorry it took me so long to believe you. I wanted you to be wrong about it all. I didn't realise how angry I was at you just because I wanted you to be wrong. I just — I don't have time to make it up to you.”
He was speaking faster and faster as though he were running out of time. As though he could see the remaining minutes of his life, and there were few.
“I know I shouldn't be here asking you for anything but — but — I want to ask you to take care of Ginny for me. In case I die.” His hold on her hand tightened more. “I don't know what's going to happen today. I want to know someone will take care of her. She can't protect herself if she's sick, but I know you'll — you'll — you'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I want to know she'll be alright, no matter what happens. I know if she's with you, she will be.”
“Harry — you'll come back.”
Irritation flashed in Harry's eyes, but before he could speak, there was a noise beyond the door.
Hermione looked up to find Ron poking his head through the door. “Harry, we've gotta go. Everyone's waiting downstairs.”
“Right. I'm coming.” Harry let go and stepped back. He gave Hermione one last look and a small salute before headed down the stairs. Hermione watched him until his head vanished from sight.
Ron lingered until Hermione looked back at him. “He alright?”
Hermione's eyes dropped away. “He wanted me to promise to take care of Ginny, in case he dies today. Ron, watch him.”
Ron's expression tightened, but he seemed unsurprised. “I will. Wherever Harry goes, I'll never be more than a few steps behind him.”
Her mouth opened before she knew what to say. “Ron. Be careful, Ron.” She reached for him. “Bring him back.”
He gave her a crooked smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He was so aged by the war. His narrow face was gaunt. His cheekbones jutted out, and his features were lined. The grey streaks in his hair had grown thicker. He looked so much older than twenty-two. Lavender's death had extinguished some of the light in him.
Hermione hadn't even known. Hadn't noticed the relationship until it was gone.
His pale blue eyes still had steel in them. “I bring him back every mission. That's my job.” He glanced towards the stairs, and Hermione could tell his mind was on the day ahead. “Take care, Mione. This one could hit hospital ward hard.”
She gave a shaky nod.
“Right. Well, they're waiting for me now.” Ron rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment and turned to leave.
Hermione stood alone in the potion cabinet, trying to remember when they had stopped hugging each other goodbye.
Chapter End Notes
Illustrations by Avendell, follow her on tumblr and instagram.
Additional Illustrations:
"Don't let this be the last time" by gabrielle.
A moment that isn't stolen by dragonlyart.
July 2003
The hours of July 1st crawled past. Hermione and the other healers stood in the foyer, watching the clock. Waiting. There was little conversation.