A New Beginning (Harry & Hermione from "Harry Potter")

The Dream

Harry sat outside the tent and watched the forest for hours. He was furious but much more hurt. His best friend had left them all alone when they needed each other the most. Ron's words were echoing in his mind continuously: "You have no family!"

"You all right, Harry?"

When Harry turned around, he saw Hermione standing beside him.

"I didn't know you were still awake," he replied.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep. You know, because of..."

She couldn't finish her sentence. After a few minutes of silence, she sat next to Harry.

"Look Harry," she said, holding his hand. "I know he will come back. I just know. He cannot leave us like this."

"How Hermione? He went into the forest. He got out of the protection shield. It would be a miracle for him to be still alive!" Harry bursted out. "He was the family I never had. I just can't believe he did this to me!"

Hermione put her head on his shoulder and Harry put his head on her head. They stood there for a few minutes without talking. He was breathing heavily, trying to relax.

"Maybe I could be the family you never had," said Hermione, suddenly. Hermione, then, lifted her head up to see his face.

"I know you feel really bad, but I'm still here for you," she continued, looking at his eyes and wiping the tears off his face.

Hermione's eyes slowly dropped from Harry's eyes towards his lips. She, then, started getting closer. Harry understood what she was going to do. He didn't move. The closer she came, the more he wanted her to kiss him. He closed his eyes and was now waiting for her lips to touch his.

"Harry! Are you asleep?"

Harry opened his eyes. When he looked up, he saw Hermione standing in front of him, her arms crossed.

"Hermione? But you were-"

"Didn't you want to keep the guard tonight? I thought you could stay awake but apparently you cannot! Go inside and sleep, then. I will watch the forest."

Harry couldn't open his mouth to say something. He stood up, looking at Hermione with shock, and went back into the tent.

Oh my god, he thought. How... Was it a dream? I mean, Hermione and I were going to... I just can't...

He looked at Hermione through the sheets of the tent. She didn't seem as tough as she was a few minutes ago. He saw tears running through her face. He could understand what she was feeling; he himself was crying just a few minutes ago in his dream.

Lying down on his bed, Harry couldn't help but think of what had just happened. It was just a dream, he thought. It didn't mean anything.