Eternal Eclipse

Chapter 10

Previously:

"Ron," she sighed a sigh of relief. Then, as if she suddenly remembered her panic, she turned in his direction. "Where's Tonks?"

"Don't worry," Ron said. Hermione's hand was still on his cheek, and she could feel him smile. "She's fine. Just resting."

Hermione smiled, overcome with relief, she leaned forward and rested her head on his chest for a moment. Ron flinched at first, then uneasily placed both his hands on her shoulders. Then, in a small voice said to her.

"Come. I want to show you something."

A piece of paper. It fluttered in the wind, that blew without much mercy. Hermione, held it, feeling the dirt that came off it, like layers of crust. It felt brittle, and old. In her mind, Hermione could almost imagine a dark-haired man, sallow and sunken, bent over this piece of paper in a dark place, filled with her own shadows.

"From… Harry?"

There was silence, but Hermione did not need an answer. She knew it had to be. She could feel the pen marks imprinted into the parchment, messy. Messy, like the way his hair brushed across his eyes, messy like his thoughts, and his smile.

"But… but how?"

She felt a hand reach around her waist, and an arm pressed lightly on her back. She didn't move, but felt relaxed in Ron's arms.

"Want me to read it?"

Hermione nodded, holding out the paper. As Ron pulled it out from her fingertips, she could feel the dust, collecting at her fingertips, and soaking into the moisture from her warm hands. Tears began to well up in her eyes, as Ron's voice, rang softly in her ears.

"Words can't express just how much I have missed you both. While the temptation of communication with you would have led to the endangerment of my mission and your safety, I had collapsed under the weight of my humanity. Rest assured, I have spent too many nights making sure this letter is untraceable, and undetectable. You are still safe.

While I wish I could reassure you both of my health and wellbeing, the burden of this journey has taken its toll on me. I have, more than ever, felt the value of your friendships and the kindness of the W- family in its absence. I could not have wished more from life, than to have met you both, on that fateful day in the Hogwarts Express. You have changed my life, more than anyone else I've known. You were my first friends.

And as you are my first friends, I feel it not only as a duty, but a need to tell you, or perhaps to warn you. I will not be returning back alive. What I am about to do is dangerous, and will end this war. But as my mother has sacrificed her life for me, I too must sacrifice myself for the protection of all those I love. I am sorry for everything, and I hope, with all my heart, that you will understand exactly what I mean when I say – I have to do this.

Please know that all of you mean the world to me, and I would not be who I am today if not for you. R-, you have been my support and my companion for all these years, and I could not have endured it all without your help. Remember what we have gone through together, and know that you are a true Gryffindor – brave and true. H-, you have endured a lifetime of suffering that I could not say I have gone through as well. You have guided me, and been there for me for all the times I have acted like an idiot, and put me back on the right path. You are, single-handedly, the most brilliant witch I know.

Now, I must ask you both a favour. Please, keep this a secret. Especially from G-. I love her, and she has made my life a beautiful life to live. But I dare not tell her that I cannot fulfil the promise I made her, and leaving her the first time, I feel I have betrayed her already. Perhaps I am already dead to her, but when the time is right, give her the letter enclosed inside. I am sorry, R-. I hope you can forgive me for what I have done, and what I am about to do.

I promise, I shall make this world a better place for all of you. "

The wind sighed around them both, and the cold of the night fell upon them as the sun's warmth dipped into time. Hermione lay on Ron's shoulder for what felt like an eternity, and like two collapsed souls, they took warmth from each other.

Even though the letter was unsigned, Hermione knew it had to be him. From the words, she could her his pride and heroism, as well as his love. But this voice, it was prominently older, and even sounded tortured. And it frightened her, to think of the trials he had to go through without her and Ron by his side.

"It just… can't be."

Ron remained quite, but Hermione could feel his breathing change, and his heartbeat race. On her cheek, tears began to roll that her not her own.

Reaching up, Hermione stroked his cheek, and felt his tears, and too began to cry again. Ron's hold on her tightened.

"I don't know… what it would be like…" He was stuttering, his whole body shook.

Hermione reached up and wiped his tears with her cold fingers, even though tears remained in hers. She wished she could see him, be there for him. And at once, she felt alone.

"I just… I feel so helpless…"Hermione whispered, as she lay her head on his chest. "I mean, what kind of friend am I if I can't do anything about this?!"

She dug her fingers into his shirt, and cried, all the frustrations and unhappiness that she had felt. She was blind, damn it! She was useless!

Then, she felt Ron hold her closer.

"I know. I feel helpless too."

At once, it was like the field began to hush. Behind them, she heard Mrs Weasley's voice call out for them, like looking for the lost sheep. Hermione didn't move from Ron's arms. She was lost, yes. But so was he.

The next few minutes were a blur. She couldn't hear anything else, as her blood rushed in her ears. And her touch, they were preoccupied with the feeling of Ron's lips on hers.

"Ron! Hermione!" Molly Weasley called, as she stood at the edge of her garden, looking out. In a short distance, she could see their silhouettes in the field. She hesitated. Behind her, Arthur Weasley approached, and slung his arm around his waist.

"Not calling them, dear?"

Molly turned to give her husband a kiss, then turned back to look out into the distance.

"Lets… go back in. Its getting cold."