The Prophecy
In the minutes that ticked by after the dust had settled, Harry James Potter found himself sitting at the bedside of his best friend, and the light of his life. He had fought his feelings for years, even trying to date other people, only for him to realize when it was just the two of them in a tent, right in the middle of the war, that life was too short. Harry Potter confessed to Hermione Granger that he has been in love with her for years. It was the best thing he has ever done. While Ron was gone, he and Hermione talked about what would happen with the Weasley's, and explored as much as they could with their relationship. They continued to hunt the horcruxes, they continued to camp and starve, and struggle. He had this dream that after the war ended, he and Hermione would get to be together properly. To heal together, laugh together, and to put the war behind them together. Now, he grieved. Now, the love of his life was dead. Hermione Granger, the one person that has stuck by him, was dead. His shoulders shook in silent sobs, his grip around her hand almost painful. He had prayed before, that this wasn't his fate. That all the pain that he suffered, he wouldn't have to keep suffering. He would finally get to be happy. Yet, here he sat, a part of him laid out on a cot. She's covered in blood, dirt, and grime. Even though she's gone, she still looked destressed. Like she was still searching for him in the frenzy.
"Why?" Harry whispered brokenly, tears streaming down his cheeks. "WHY?!" He howled at the rising sun. "Why did it have to be me? Why was I chosen to suffer? Why couldn't it be someone else?" He sobbed, his body giving way to the grief and exhaustion, as he slumped over Hermione's still form and sobbed into her stomach. "Why couldn't I be happy for once?"
It was then, that a gust of wind blew through the room where the deceased were placed. "Harry Potter." A voice whispered. "Harry Potter."
Slowly, Harry looked up towards the voice. To the person calling his name. Only for a figure in black robes hovered before him. The person's bony fingers were folded before them. The figure was what Harry had always thought Death to look like. "Who are you?" Harry asked, his hand gripping his wand, while the other remained in Hermione's.
"You know who I am, Harry Potter."
"Are you Death?"
"I am called many things, Death is merely one of the titles I hold." They responded. "I am here to help you, Harry Potter."
"How? There's nothing you can do for me now, everyone I love is dead." He whispered sadly, staring down at his lost love.
Death's rattled breath filled the silence, as they lifted their boney hand and placed it on Hermione's forehead. A flash of golden light appeared, and Harry watched in awe as her chest rose and fell. Soft breaths leaving her lips. Harry, unable to believe it, leaned down and pressed his ear over her heart. The steady beat was like music to his ears. He looked up at Death, a look of pure bliss appearing on his face. "Why?"
"You did not ask for the task that you had. For every horcrux that you destroyed, I am blessing you with a life that was lost. She is the first to come back. Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, Sirius Black, Fred Weasley, James and Lily Potter, will all return by end of day. They will each appear in the hospital wing, alive but unconscious. They're bodies will need time to heal. Be patient, young master." With that said, Death dissolved into thin air, leaving Harry behind with Hermione.
Frantically, Harry began to cast all sorts of healing charms onto her. He pulled out every healing potion from Hermione's bag and spelled them into her. He sat there and waited, and waited, and waited. He prayed to the god he didn't believe in, and waited for her to wake. And she did. Slowly, she stirred. Her brows furrowing together, eyes fluttering, as her lips pressed into a thin line. Then her eyes opened, locking onto the anxious green eyes.
"Harry?" She breathed.
"Hermione." He pulled her into his arms, and cradled her. He pressed a kiss to her neck as he squeezed her as hard as he dared. "You're alive. You're alive. You're alive." He muttered.
"The same could be said about you." She croaked, hugging him back as tightly as she could in her weakened state. "Where are we?"
"Later. Let's get you to Poppy so she can check you over." He whispered, shifting them so he could carry her in his arms.
"I can walk Harry." Hermione huffed.
"I'm not setting you down until your in a hospital bed. You're not leaving my sight until we both leave Hogwarts together." He swore, giving her a look. When they made it into the hallway, all hell broke loose.