Beautiful Dreamer

Chapter 8

Strange Mail

"There are no words to describe a person like Hermione Anne Granger. If there are, there are too many. She was a major part of my life and an inspiration. When I wanted to give up, she'd never let me. When I wanted to hand in the towel, she'd glue it to my hand. She was intelligent, smart, and a beautiful young witch and I'm better because of her. She was my best friend, and I'm gonna miss her like hell," Ron choked on this last word, but was otherwise almost tear free for the moment, but Harry knew that the moment he stepped down from the podium he was going to be bawling like a baby. Ron turned toward Hermione's open casket and said more quietly, "Good bye, Hermione..."

He stepped down from the platform and sat in the front row next to his mother, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and Ginny, who was likewise crying. He nodded to Harry. Harry stood up slowly and walked to the platform. He climbed the steps and turned to face the crowd. His heart was pounding so hard. He was surprised by this, he was sure that it had broken. He suddenly wanted to be anywhere in the world but here. Sirius had asked Harry to do this, and he couldn't really refuse. He gave a brief glance in the direction of Sirius, who was sitting front row also with Margaret. Margaret gave him a watery smile and he cleared his throat.

"There are many things in life that bring us joy. Some are kind words, kind actions, and unfailing friendship. Hermione was all of these things, but so much more than that. The things that often bring us joy are surprising treasures that we discover during our day: like a galleon in an old jacket pocket, or a box of chocolates that lay forgotten in a pantry for you to stumble across. For me, Hermione was my surprising treasure," Harry took a moment to take a drink of water and wipe at his eyes and then resumed, "As a child, I was never shown the love of a parent, being deprived of them at a young age. I went to Hogwarts a scared and scarred little kid and she became one of the best friends that I've ever had. I grew to respect her, then to like her, and eventually, to love her. She was the first person to ever love me and for that I'm eternally... grateful," he choked again and looked down at the podium. He took a steadying breath and continued, "There were so many times that I wanted it all to end. There were so many times that I hated everyone in the world. So many times..." He trailed off. "There were so many times that I hit rock bottom. But she gave me hope. She lighted up my life and I had hope for this world because she was in it. She was my inspiration... If only there were ten of her in the world I'm sure that poverty and pain would be a thing of the past. I wish everyone could have their very own Hermione. But they can't. I was lucky enough to have one. She was my friend, my own personal angel. She was my first true love..." he turned to look at her casket, "and I'm sure my last. Goodbye, Hermione Anne Granger, may you finally rest in peace."

As he stepped down from the stage and everyone lined up to walk past her casket, a song began to play. Harry had requested it. It was their song. When he heard "Because You Loved Me" in the background he thought back to all the times that she'd pulled him through. It became too much to take. He crossed the church and burst into the open air.

It was rather refreshing, the cold air against his skin, and he sat down on the stone steps and inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes and leaned against a pillar. He didn't even bother to wipe the tears away.

The door behind him opened. He thought that it would be Ron who had come, but heard the groan of grown man sitting next to him. It was Sirius. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder and Harry turned to find another tear-stained face.

"I loved her, Sirius."

Sirius smiled a very watery smile and mumbled, "I know you did, Harry, I know..."

The rest of the time they spent sitting in silence, but that silence was more consoling than any words could have been.

_-_

Harry returned to Hogwarts the next day. The following weeks were a living hell for him. There was no place in the castle that didn't hold some sort of memory. He and Ron had been excused from classes for the time being and Ron and Harry went their separate ways during the day. Harry went to the Library mostly, and sat in what was "Hermione's spot". The other students were sympathetic. Malfoy couldn't remember anything about the night that Hermione had died, except that he'd woken up on the floor the next day. The teachers assumed that he'd passed out from worry. Harry didn't know what to believe anymore. Harry had lost all hope, that is, until one day.

_-_

Harry was sitting in the common room. All the other Gryffindors had skittered up stairs like they always did now around him. He was used to it. Harry stared deep into the fire.

He was broken out of his reverie by a tapping on the window. He rose suddenly, startled by the noise, and ran to the window. An owl was fluttering just outside. Harry let it in. It flopped in the window and landed on the table, nearly knocking over a candle. Harry cursed and tried to take off the parchment from its leg. What on earth is an owl doing delivering mail at this hour?! He thought wildly. As soon as the parchment came free the bird took off again.

Harry looked down at the paper and unrolled it. It was addressed to him in an unfamiliar hand. He opened it and read it and dropped it in shock. He picked it up and read it again. It consisted of only two lines.

Hermione is alive. Wait for further contact.

It was signed "A Friend". Harry gawked at the page, but found himself believing what it said. Without another moment's hesitation he bounded up the stairs to show Ron the strange piece of mail.