Slowly, I opened my eyes.. Wait.. I did? Well, yeah I guess but I'm not quite sure. Everything was white and I thought I'd gone blind. Then I remembered what happened. The graveyard, the pain, Voldemort and ALAS! The killing curse. I was dead. But surprisingly, I wasn't sad or angry. I felt..Happy. I knew I died in a noble cause. I died protecting those I love. I wondered what happened to Cedric and Harry.
I walked further ahead and noticed that I was wearing a white dress that falls up to my knees. I was walking barefoot but the heat from the sun isn't painful. Or was it the sun? That moment I can no longer distinguish what's what. Then I saw two pairs of wide open arms, as if beckoning me to come closer. At first I thought it was Cedric and Harry but as the distance between me and them shortened, I realized it was not them. It was a fair woman and a tall man with jet black, untidy hair. They were both beaming at me and there were something in their smiles that seems familiar. Then it hit me.
"Welcome, Hermione. We're very glad to finally meet you." Mr. Potter said.
"Erm..uhh" I was lost for words. I was seeing Harry's parents. DEAD parents. And that could only mean one thing.
"There's no need for small talk, dear. Come join us." Mrs. Potter invited.
As the three of us walked together across the wide, white, open space, I finally gathered the courage to speak. "So.. Am I...dead?"
Mr. Potter chuckled, which reminds me of Harry, and said "We will come to that, Hermione. For now, aren't you wondering what happened last night?"
"I do." I answered meekly.
"Then, if that's the case, we will show you." Both of them said, gesturing at a small well that I haven't noticed. I walked up to it and looked in. It was like watching a movie..
As the blast of green light hit me, I saw a flash of white barrier-like substance envelop me and the boys. There was a surprised expression on Voldemort's face as the killing curse rebounded to him and his minions. They slowly crumpled to dust and were blown away by the wind.
"Nooooo!!!" The Dark Lord screamed before he ended up like the death eaters.
Both Cedric and Harry were thrown away by the impact as well as me. I watched as my tattered body flew and landed a few meters ahead with blood trickling from my forehead. The boys lay motionless for a few minutes before finally crawling towards my limp body.
"She's gone." Cedric declared.
"No..No this isn't true.." Harry said, refusing to believe before bringing 'me' close to him. He buried his face on my shoulder and cried.
Cedric put an arm around his shoulder and comforted him but to no avail. He himself looked in distress and he failed to hide it. A few minutes later, he said "Let's go. We will bring her body back."
Refusing to let go of 'me' Harry ordered "Cedric grab her hand." After Cedric did so, Harry summoned the Portkey and the three of us were gone.
I backed away from the well and turned to the Potters. "So.. Am I really dead?"
"Dear, I don't think so. No." Mrs. Potter told me.
"B-but.." I started.
"Do you want to live or not?" Mr. Potter asked firmly.
"O-of course I do."
"Then you should live the life you deserve, Hermione. You've spent almost every single day helping our son out of his troubles and trying to keep him alive. We are eternally grateful to you. So now, you really are worthy to live a good life.." Mr. Potter said.
"But Sir.. There's still one question that bothers me."
"And that is?"
"Who put Harry's name on the Goblet of Fire? If it was Voldemort, how did he do it?"
They stared at each other before facing me and saying something that is plenty unbelievable "We did. We put his name on the Goblet."
"Wh-what?!" I exclaimed.
"We knew what the dark Lord was planning and we decided it was time to end it all. We knew you'd help him defeat Voldemort and it seems that we were right." Mrs. Potter said.
"Yes, that is true, Hermione. We are truly sorry for being a bother to you and such. But it was the only way we could think of. If we let him escape one more time, he would have grown stronger. See? Now he is defeated and gone. Forever."
That moment, I realized that they were right. He needed to be stopped as soon as possible and they did a noble thing to do. Risking the life of their son for the sake of humanity.. I smiled and said "You're right. Now I understand. And it's really okay with me. It is Harry who should live a good life. He's been almost hunted down every single day. He deserves to be happy."
"And he can only be happy with you." Mr. Potter smirked.
"James!" Mrs. Potter said, nudging his husband.
"What do you mean?" I asked honestly confused.
Mrs. Potter took a deep breath and told me. "Hermione, you’re of age. But I can't understand how you seem so naive about Harry's feelings for you."
"Now who's talking?" Mr. Potter chuckled.
"Please tell me directly, I cannot understand." I said.
She smiled and continued "Our son loves you Hermione. He really does. But we feel that you should be the one to decide who to choose. It's beyond our control."
"Harry loves me? Well of course as a sister and such. But really, loves me as in loves me more than that? Oh no.. no no.. That’s not possible" I said, unbelieving.
Once again, they gestured towards the well and I looked at it for the second time.
There was a scene during our first year. The time when I was locked inside a bathroom with a troll.
"Mate, we gotta save her!" Harry exclaimed.
"But why? She's an insufferable know-it-all. She isn't even our friend." Ron said, dismissively.
"Fine, if you don't want to, I will go and rescue her myself."
Then the scene dissolved and changed into another. This time it was on our second year. The time when I was petrified.
It showed Harry staying beside me. He was crying and holding my hands with his. I noticed that it might be late because there were stars outside the window.
"Hermione.. Don't worry. I'll find a way to get you back and I promise that I'll have revenge.. Please Hermione, don't go.."
The scene shifted once again and it showed Ron and Harry. I remember that it was when I've eavesdropped on them during their detention.
"Come on mate, tell me..Is it Luna?? I won't get mad if it's Ginny.. I'd love to have you as an in-law. But is it Cho?? Hermione?? Who?? tell me!!!" Ron said, tugging Harry's arm.
"Bloody Hell! Fine, It's Hermione! I like Hermione. Happy?" Harry exclaimed and walking away as far as he can.
Ron stood there frozen before catching up with him "Ha! I knew it!! You lover boy!! You do fancy our little friend here!"
Another shift and it was only a quick one.
Harry was standing outside Snape's office and I heard laughter. I realized it was me and Cedric during our detention. A sigh escaped from my friend's lips as he walked away, obviously crushed.
The next change was in the common room with Harry and Ron.
"You gotta make a move!" Ron exclaimed.
"But I told you, she likes Diggory! How can I match up with that?" Harry said, exasperated.
Ron brightened and said "Then you have to make her want you! Jealousy always works.."
"Jealousy? With whom will she be jealous? Ginny? Nah, they're like sisters! Cho? She knows I'm over Cho.. Who? It needs to be someone new.." Harry said, somewhat agreeing with the plan.
Suddenly, Neville came and said "Hey Ron. Luna's looking for you."
Mischief danced through Ron's eyes "Bingo!"
The next scene looked oddly familiar. It was Luna and Harry talking under the tree. It was the time when Luna asked to talk with Harry privately.
"So you wanna talk? About what?" Harry said, kicking a pebble.
"Erm.. I've thought about it long and hard. About your plan and Ron.. I can see how much you like Hermione so, even if it's somehow bad, but if you think this will work out.. Then I'm in." Luna said.
"Really?! Y-you'll pretend?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Yes.. But remember I'll just pretend. Because Harry.. I.." Luna started.. "I've always liked Cedric Diggory."
I was expecting for more but all I saw was my reflection. I backed away and approached the Potters.
"Seen your proof dear?" Mrs. Potter said.
"So he does fancy me... and he did try to ask me to the ball but.."
"But he made a promise to Diggory.." Mr. Potter finished.
"What do I do now?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Follow this." Mrs. Potter said pointing at my heart. "It will never fail you. In fact, it saved you from death. You, Harry and Cedric's love for each other defeated Voldemort. If there's power greater than him, it is love."
"Hermione, as much as we want you to stay, you'll be running out of time. You gotta go back now." Mr. Potter said, urgently.
"Go where?" I asked.
"Back to Hogwarts. To make a decision I've made years ago. Something which I have no regrets. In choosing who to love. My best Friend.." Mrs. Potter said, stopping. "Or my first love." Then looking at her husband.
"Snape.." That was the last thing I muttered before they both smiled and waved at me.
"Tell Harry how much we love him! We'll be looking out for both of you. And may you make a decision which you won't regret too.. Goodbye dear." Mrs. Potter finished, beaming at me.
I feel myself fading. They waved at me and I did so too before finally, I was gone. Gone to make a choice between my first love, Cedric and my best friend who turned out to have been in love with me the whole time...