A Dance Through Thyme (Harry Potter)

Schließlich Part 2

Chapter 52: Schließlich

At last

Part 2

Hermione and Lily ducked their way around crumbling walls and rubble, making their way around Godric’s Hollow. At one point Lily had to frantically grab at Hermione before she toppled down a set of stairs that disintegrated beneath her feet.

It was a shame to see the village destroyed in this way, but Hermione’s mind turned to steely resolve as she and Lily made their way past the village cemetery. Once upon a time Lily herself had been lying there with her husband by her side. It was enough to make Hermione’s stomach turn.

Finally, they safely made their way to the makeshift hospital that was Bathila’s home. The door was kept ajar as people pushed in and out, bringing in the wounded.

Hermione felt the bile rise in her throat as Poppy pulled a crisp white sheet over the head of one of the victims. Immediately several bright red gashes appeared over the clean sheet as it was stained with the blood that continued to ooze out of the deceased.  His face had been so badly damaged that Hermione could not recognise who it was. A questioning glance in Poppy’s direction gave her the answer she needed.

“Benjy Fenwick,” her voice low. “It was Greyback.”

Hermione felt her grief resurface.

The thing about grief was that it never went away, yet you didn’t always know it was there. That was how it ate away at you, and damaged you. It could consume you, and you wouldn’t know until it was too late.

Looking over at Lily, she could see that her already pale face was losing even more of its colour.

“You would think it gets easier…” Lily trailed off, not able to control her voice any longer. Taking a deep breath, she continued.

“You would think it gets easier, but I’m glad that it doesn’t. It only serves to remind us of how wrong and abnormal this situation is.”

Hermione nodded trying to focus on Lily, however her attention could not help but wander around the rooms, looking for Remus. Was he one of the wounded? Was he even alive?

She took a few steps forward, surveying the scene. The lounge area was littered with bloodstained sheets. Volunteers were carrying the deceased to other rooms, a hard look of determination set on their faces.

Injured were propped up wherever they could fit – against chair legs, and on top of tables. There was even a small child nestled against a pile of books; fortunately it seemed that there were no more than a few scratches on her face. She looked no older than about eight or nine. Hermione did not even know if the child was magical, or muggle.

At that moment a rumble came from behind Hermione, and she immediately pulled her wand out in front of her, ready to face the intruder.

A sound of relief escaped her mouth as she saw Remus coming through the door. Running at him, she flung her arms around his slim frame.