dursley [h. g.]

••dursley•• || not enough words

Hermione Granger looked radiant, even in Kendra's dream. Her skin glowed in the golden sunlight, the same light bringing out the amber notes in her eyes as she stepped further into the light. It was one of the few times Kendra had seen Hermione wear a dress. It was long but still casual, the longest layers a sheer blue embroidered with little yellow flowers and sprigs of leaves that looked like they had leaped out of the meadow and immortalized themselves in the fabric. Her hair was down, her curls seeming even more defined than they had the last time Kendra had seen them, much of their frizz and bushiness having calmed with age. 

None of these were as magical as Hermione's smile, carved out of pure joy on her perfectly imperfect marble face. "Kendra?" she asked softly taking a careful step forward like she was afraid Kendra would disappear if she got too close--Kendra knew the feeling all too well. But unlike Hermione, she didn't hesitate to spring forward and wrap her arms around her girlfriend, pleased when she felt flesh and bone beneath her and not the hollow touch of nothingness before the ground kissed her instead. 

"Hermione," Kendra breathed, not wanting to let go but wanting to admire her all the same.

"I've been so worried," Hermione whispered back after a few moments, her hands clutching onto fabric on Kendra's back like if she let go, it would all disappear. Her voice wavered, trying not to break, trying to hide her tears from Kendra. But Kendra could feel the dots of moisture form at her shoulder, and she rubbed Hermione's back and let her cry because even her tears were diamonds. "Everyone keeps trying to tell me you're dead."

"I'm not, my love," Kendra replied soothingly. "I'm right here, and I always will be."

Hermione finally pulled away, the smile back on her face easily. "You are so beyond gorgeous," she finally said with a delighted sigh, pleased just to stare at Kendra in the same way that Kendra was pleased to just stare back. 

"Sit with me," Kendra offered, noticing a gazebo to her left, a bright, luscious garden surrounding it. Hermione easily followed her, taking the stone steps one at a time and helping Kendra up the steps before they sat in the two chairs inside, comfortable to be just in silence for a few moments.

"Did you really go on purpose?" Hermione finally asked, her voice soft, like she would wake the flowers if she was too loud. Kendra sighed. 

"There was something I had to do," she said, not able to make eye contact with Hermione anymore. "And now... I think I've done it, or at least enough of it that I don't have to be here anymore."

"You're still there?" Hermione asked, concerned. Kendra nodded tentatively, remembering how the last conscious memory of the place she had was on the floor, body and spirit broken. At least now, one of those had been mended. 

"As soon as I find a way to escape, I will, I promise," she said, reaching out and taking Hermione's hand in her own. "I would come and find you but..."

Hermione shook her head. "Ron already left," she said, the memory clearly still a fresh wound. "I don't want you in that sort of situation either. Go to a safe house, to the Weasleys or the Tonks or Remus' house. As much as I want you by my side at all times, I need you to be safe."

"I know," Kendra sighed, "but my task isn't finished yet. There are lives to be saved, things to be put into motion. And if Morgana doesn't get to kill Bellatrix, I think the world might set ablaze."

A dark look passed over Hermione's face, the kind where she could ruin someone's life with a glance and not even care about it. "I don't blame her," she said, her tone low. "In fact, I'd quite like to join her."

Kendra couldn't help but smile like a ditsy blonde in spite of Hermione's words. "You're so hot when you're angry, did you know?"

Hermione rolled her eyes fondly. They sat in silence for a few more moments. "Kendra... is this real or is it just a dream?"