The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

Goodbyes

"I apologize Carson, for putting you and Harry in unnecessary peril." Dumbledore said, as he walked into the hospital wing that morning. Carson was furious. Dumbledore had walked in here, after putting them through three deadly tasks, plus Carson dying and coming back to life, just to say a simple sorry like it was no big deal?

Harry had given him the whole story about everything. He knew what Voldemort had done to him and the entire story. He knew he was a pawn, to get to Harry. But Carson promised to protect Harry more now, Voldemort was never going to get him. Not if Carson Marshall had any say in it.

"Sorry?! Sorry is not going to cut it! You could've done something! You're Dumbledore! You could've found a way to get us out of it in the first place! But you didn't! You chose to give us up as bait! You knew things were bad after the second task, but you kept the tournament going! You knew something bad was going to happen and you let it!"

"I apologize Mr. Marshall, if I had known what was going to happen last night, I would've cancelled the tournament."

"No, you wouldn't have! You would've given us up like bait! You convinced everyone nothing was wrong, when in reality, everything was!" Carson shouted, Hermione watching the whole encounter. She had found this side of Carson very attractive. And of course, Hermione was also furious with Dumbledore for letting her boyfriend nearly die.

"You Albus Dumbledore, are nothing but a manipulative coward and a liar." Carson said, getting up and leaving. Hermione quickly rushed after him since he was not allowed to leave yet. He just needed a quick check by Madam Pomfrey.

Carson's next visitors were his parents. "Carson! Are you alright?" Steven asked, as he ran over to his son's bed, Hermione stepping away. She thought it would be best to let them have their family moment. The parents hugged their son tightly, as he hugged them back.

"What happened?" Mary asked, as Steven greeted Hermione. It was really a shame how his parents were going to meet his girlfriend.

"I'm fine now. Madame Pomfrey said just some dreamless sleep potion for a bit, and I'd be good to go. By the way, mum, dad, this is my girlfriend Hermione!"

"So, you're the Hermione he talks about. Carson writes to us about you all the time! From what we've heard you're the smartest witch he knows! And I'm his mother. You can call me Mary." Mary said, hugging Hermione, who awkwardly hugged back.

"And I'm Steven. Pleasure to meet you Hermione. It's not the most ideal way, as we were hoping to meet you this summer at our house, but this is fine too." Steven said, shaking Hermione's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you two as well. Carson's told me a lot about you."

As they talked, Carson was cleared to go, and they made their way to say farewell to everyone. Carson met up with Viktor and Fleur.

"I'm glad your okay Carson. Write to me." Viktor said, hugging Carson before he left.

"I will Viktor. Good luck with quidditch."

"Goodbye Carson, thank you for saving me and my sister. Please write to me, I'm hoping to improve my English and get a job here!" Fleur said, kissing his cheeks, Hermione glaring at her.

"I will Fleur. Good luck."

"Your English is already really good." Ron commented, but Fleur paid no mind to it.

The students left, as the four Gryffindors made their way to watch them leave.

"Everything's going to change now isn't it?" Hermione asked, everyone nodding.

"Do you think we'll ever have a quiet year here at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, connecting Carson's hand with hers.

"Nope."

"Definitely not."

"Never."

"Well, everything will be okay if we all have each other."

"Of course, 'Mione. Just as smart as always." Carson said, pecking her cheek.

"Just once, once. I would like to have a quiet year here at Hogwarts." Ron commented, Carson speaking up.

"Well, that's a bit boring isn't it? What's life without a few dragons?"

"Normal. It isn't easy being your friend Harry, sometimes you too Carson."

"Try being me."

"Try dying and coming back to life. Lot's more painful than you would think." Carson joked, as Hermione punched his arm. She wasn't ready to talk about that again.

"We'll have to leave here eventually you know. For good. Best enjoy it while we can. Dragons and all." Hermione said, her voice faltering.

"Together." Harry reassured, as the group laughed.

The four looked out to see the other school's leaving, as they all shared a smile. This was the moment, everything changed, and things only were getting harder. If only they knew what next year would be bringing.