Chapter 79 - Level 46 - Back in England... (1/2)
Another sunny day, but why does it feel so heartbreaking again. Maybe because day to come back home is coming, oh so closer. Maybe because every time she sits on the train she remembers him. Maybe because every time she comes back home, she sees his things, reminding her how she... killed him. Maybe... Maybe...
*Pa*
A sound of one tear dropping on the stone floor. But it didn't end. It was just a trigger for a silent cry of a young girl.
*Pa* *Pa* *Pa*
Tears kept streaming down her cheeks.
”...mione...”
'Hm?'
”Hermione!”
The girl finally collected herself and tried to wipe away her own tears. Then she turned towards her only friend left, putting on her brightest smile.
”Yes, Harry. What is it?”
He didn't reply and continued gazing at her.
*Sigh*
”Were you crying again?”
”I...” Hermione wanted to lie first, but after a few seconds of silence, she finally replied, ”I did...”
Silence returned, until Harry hugged her tightly, bringing her some warmth. Standing in the light clothes at the top of the Astronomy tower was probably a bad idea, even in the middle of June.
”Thanks, Harry.”
”Maybe we can visit his grave together, this anniversary?”
”Really? Would Dursleys let you out?”
”Well, even if they wouldn't, I won't be asking. This Summer, Sirius will finally finish all the documents. So, I can spend the second half of the vacation with him. He should be more understanding of the situation.” after which he sheepishly smiled.
”Wouldn't you have problems afterward?” she asked worryingly.
”Naah, don't worry. And speaking truthfully... I feel like I really should visit him more often. After all, I...”
However, Harry was interrupted:
”Stop! We talked about it before. It wasn't your fault.”
”Listen, Hermione... I am grateful to you, but the truth is I killed the person, I called a friend. No... Not just killed him. I betrayed him... and betrayed you, by making him think it was you, who told them.” The more he talked, the harder it was to continue. Every word was coming harder than the one before. His fists were clenching, so hard, nails dug deep into his skin.
Even his eyes started moistening.
”Stop, or we'll both end up crying together,” Granger said trying to loosen up the conversation, which apparently helped because both of them smiled.
”Summer does bring sad memories, huh?”
”How are you, overall? Do Snape's lessons of Occlumency effective? Were you able to block your mind from him?”
On that Harry frowned.
”No. I just...”
*Sigh*
”You still have them? Nightmares I mean.”
”Now, not really.”
”But not because of the lessons?”
”No... but also yes. It's hard to explain. Recently they became less vivid, but the problem is...”
”You think it's a calm before the storm,” the girl finished for him.