Fears: Part 2

Harry sat upright. He could feel his heart pounding hard in his chest. He gasped for breath. He felt like he was suffocating in pain.

"Harry?" a familiar voice said from the door.

His heart beat harder in his chest. "Hermione?" he said confusedly, turning to the door. "What are you doing here? You need to leave. You're not safe."

"Harry, I've never been safe since I found out I'm a witch. I'm a muggleborn, and more than that, I'm your best friend," Hermione said, walking over to Harry.

"How did you find me?" Harry asked.

"I saw your note, and I knew I had to see you. I couldn't let you walk out of my life forever without trying to stop you," Hermione told him as she sat down next to him. "I nearly had to hex Stan to make him tell me where you went."

"I don't want you here," Harry told her. "I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I need to be here, Harry. I want to know the truth," Hermione told him, grabbing his hand.

Hermione leaned forward and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

Harry's mind raced. 'This is the last thing I expected.'

Hermione slowly pulled away, staring into Harry's eyes.

"Harry, I think I love you," she whispered.

Harry could feel his heart melt at those words. He pulled Hermione toward him. She buried her face in his chest.

Harry ran his fingers through her hair. "Hermione, you have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words..."

Harry and Hermione sat alone in the Department of Mysteries, wrapped in each other's arms, waiting for the other to say something.

"Harry, can we go back to your Aunt and Uncle's house?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.

"No, Hermione," Harry answer, sounding very serious. "I want to end it. I have to."

"Harry, I'm scared," Hermione whimpered.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her.

"Harry Potter," a cold voice hissed.

"Harry, I love-"

"Quiet!" Harry snapped at Hermione.

"Harry, what-"

"Shh," Harry said. "I thought I heard something."

Hermione immediately silenced herself and listened.

"Famous Harry Potter," the voice hissed again.

"Did you hear that?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Hear what?"

Harry stood up and pulled Hermione to her feet. "Hermione, get out of here," he ordered her.

"Why?"

"He's here," Harry said shortly.

"Harry, I won't leave you," she said, holding onto his arm tightly.

"Hermione, I don't want to lose you," Harry said. "Go back to the Dursleys and send an owl to Dumbledore. Tell him that Voldemort and I are in the Department of Mysteries.

"I'll be okay,' Harry added, staring into Hermione's tear-filled eyes.

"I love-"

"Shh..." Harry said calmly. "Don't say I love you. We'll see each other again."

"Promise me that you will come back for me," Hermione ordered him.

"I promise," he said, kissing her on the lips. "Now, go."

Harry watched as Hermione, the woman he loved, the woman who loved him, ran through the doorway.