Watching Him Cry

The day after the third task I happened to pass by the hospital wing late at night. I was on my way back to Gryffindor from dinner and decided to stop in and look to see how Harry was doing. I stepped into the shadows, not wishing to be seen by anyone. It was then I alone witnessed a miraculous event.

Harry was lying against the pillow, strips of moonlight falling across his already pale face. His green eyes sparkled surreally in the darkness and it took me a moment to realize he was...crying. I had never seen him break into sobs as he did now, his face hidden in his fingers. Harry had always been so brave and confidant around Ron and I that it came as a surprise to watch him cry.

As I stood watching, I could feel fourteen years' worth of pain on his shoulders. The loss of his parents, lack of being loved...he had never known real love. I remember in our second year how everyone shunned him just because he could speak Parseltongue. What loneliness he must've felt; Ron and I were the only ones who stood up for him.

I tentatively stepped out of the dark and walked across the room to his bed, where Harry cried silent tears of pain and regret. I sat down on the edge of the bed and his green eyes met mine. For the first time since I'd known him I saw fear in those eyes. He had always been courageous, but now the fear of Voldemort's return had settled on him. Yes, he was scared, but Ron and I would fight alongside him.

I reached out to touch his cheek and his eyes met mine once more. "Oh gosh, Hermione," was all he could say before he fell into my arms and sobbed on my shoulder. "I saw my mum and dad last night while Voldemort and I dueled...I'm so scared of what's going to happen in the future. If he killed you or Ron I don't know what I'd do." He paused to wipe his glistening eyes.

"Harry, there's no need to worry. Ron and I will be beside you through all of this," I whispered into the darkness. As I held him against me, I remembered the statues of men with women leaning against them. Now it was just the reverse: I was lifting Harry up. I felt much stronger than I really was and looked past Harry to the icy moon outside.

Harry lifted his head, a strange look in his eyes. "Dumbledore's right," he said fiercely. "We can't just run off and hide while Voldemort destroys those around us. We've got to fight back." His hands clenched into fists as he stared into my face, a strange light rising in his eyes.

"And we'll stand beside you all the way, Harry," I said as we looked to the sky...and the future just ahead of us, dangers, good times, unknowns, and everything in between.