Remembrance of a Friend

REMEMBRANCE OF A FRIEND

The leaves cracked and crunched beneath her feet. The cold crisp autumn breeze blew lightly adding to the dim atmosphere. Sunshine was hidden on this day that brought horrid memories and nothing but sadness. Where was the comfort and hope that was always brought when a beloved one dies? But that was of course not it she realized. She had not only loved him, she had been in love with him.

It was this uneventful day that brought her back among those she had left. She wished not to return and at the least not for this occasion.

"H-Hermione?" a voice called into the wind. "Is that you?"

Bending her head up from its tilted position Hermione stared into the startling green eyes of her friend. Her eyes wandered up to his most recognizable lightning bolt scar and then to his frigid black hair that never seemed to settle. It had been five long years, but no matter, Harry Potter still looked like that innocent laughing boy she had always taken him to be.

"It really is you Hermione, where've you been for five years?" But instead of waiting for an answer he pulled her into an embrace, which she gladly excepted.

"It has been long hasn't it Harry?" Hermione didn't need an answer, for The Boy Who Lived was crying on her shoulders. Those around began noticing the sight and gaped in awe at Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ginny Weasley squeaked with admiration. Harry slowly pulled away and allowed Ginny's bombarding hug.

Hermione began sobbing as she was cast from arms to arms not caring who was hugging her. She had missed them, all of them, why had she never come back?

Then Hermione remembered, she had run away. Far away that night. Memories began invading her mind. And for the first time in five years she let it come

~

"Hermione, can I talk to you?" the boy asked leading her into the garden.

"Wasn't it beautiful, graduation?" Hermione questioned still in a gaze.

"Yes, wonderful," he had replied. "Hermione, Harry actually said something that sparked my mind tonight."

"That's a change," Hermione managed a giggle.

"Yes," the boy said chuckling at the remark. "But he made me realize something I guess I've known all along."

"What would that be?" Hermione was feeling nervous now at the way the boy was acting.

"That I love you Hermione." The boy hesitated then hastily continued, "It doesn't matter how much we bicker or disagree, and the truth is you have a knack every time you say something that makes me realize it."

Hermione was speechless, something very not like her, for awhile before the boy took her hands and stared into her eyes. Then he did something so unexpected it was pure shock. He bent over and kissed her. So surprised was Hermione, she had run. She didn't know her true feelings she didn't have time to think. Hermione ran, and hid successfully for five long years.

~

Hermione smiled and then began to cry at the memory. Ron.

"Herm?" Harry Potter now questioned at the silence, then tear of his dear friend.

"I'm here now Harry, and I always will be," she smiled and took her place at the gathering.

Hermione wandered over to the open casket. She held her breath as in taking a daring leap to even glance. And then at first sight she was tempted to stare for minutes. Those eyes. This is the last time she would ever see those friendly eyes. Those loving caring eyes that never changed even as he did-

She turned abruptly as someone tapped her lightly on the shoulder. And there they were. Those eyes she had just been looking at and describing. But it couldn't be the same eyes. But then she drifted from the secretive, sparkling, malicious eyes to the broad grin to the red flaming hair. Ron.

"Ron!?" Hermione gasped not bothering to keep her voice down. Harry rushed into the small room followed by a small crowd.

"Ron?" Harry rubbed his eyes believing they had just deceived him.

"How?" asked Hermione gawking from the live to dead Ron.

"Watch you'll see in a minute," Ron replied pointing to the casket. And sure enough after a minute, passing like a lifetime, the face changed.

"Snape?" Hermione almost sobbed.

"Drank enough Polyjuice potion to last up until this moment," Ron almost chuckled at this. Staring considerably long at Hermione's expression he seemed up for the explanation.

"Snape thought he had killed me," (there was a considerable gasp at this). "See, we got in a fight when I came to him. I was looking for you Hermione and I knew that Snape knew where you were."

"Ron, no one knew where I was," Hermione said brushing her hand through his untamed hair.

"Snape did somehow, but when I confronted him he wouldn't tell so we dueled. He thought he had killed me but I was only knocked unconscious," he chuckled. "For a couple weeks. Snape drank the Polyjuice potion and snuck out pretending to be me," Ron continued on. "Little did he know there were some unhappy people after me."

"Why?" Harry intervened.

"I got them a bit upset when I black-mailed them into telling me how to find Snape. Well Snape had killed them all off. Well, all except one who was nearing death every moment. He killed Snape before he went, and when they found the body, well it did look like me," he chuckled again as though it were a joke.

Harry wondered over spinning Ron around and embracing him which broke Hermione and Ron's contact. Ron had told the whole story to everyone staring into her eyes. Ron turned around what seemed like ages later.

"Hermione..." Ron looked sincere and caring.

"Oh Ron!" Hermione was up in tears. She threw her arms around his neck and before she knew it he was kissing her. And Hermione kissed back ever so tenderly not having a care in the world. This time she would not run. She had her love right in front of her the whole time. She had made a mistake and realized it too late. The second chance was staring her in the eyes and she would do anything but mess up again. She was here now, and she always will be.