The Morning After

Harry woke up with a bad headache. His eyes fluttered open and scanned his surroundings. He was in his bunk in the tent, that much he can detect without his glasses. He tried to remember what had happened before he blacked out.

The last thing he saw was the Stunning spell hit him before he slipped into unconsciousness. But then as he regained his memories of last night, a sudden thought occurred in his mind.

Where was Hermione?

He bolted upright in his bed and made his head pound. He clutched his head in pain as he laid back in his bed. He saw a blur on his bedside that looked like his glasses which made him reach for it. He was right. He put on his glasses and sat upright, this time, slowly.

He scanned his surroundings once again and found that no one but him was in the tent. He sighed and rubbed his eyes behind his glasses.

He should have seen this coming. He never should have believed that Hermione was ever going to stay with him. He should never had let his hopes up. But then again, why would she? He should never have let her come with him. He made her life a living hell for the past few years, at least in his point of view.

Of course she'd choose Ron over him. He was right after all. This was all his fault. He wished again that he should have died when he was still a baby.

If it weren't for him, all his loved ones should never have suffered for him. His parents, Sirius, Moody, and Dumbledore should have been alive today if not for them trying to protect him when he brought nothing but hell to them.

All the people he cared about never should have suffered if it weren't for him. The stupid war never should have started if it weren't for Voldemort trying to kill him.

All of the things that happened in his life was all his fault.

As he thought about all this, he doesn't notice a figure enter the tent.

...

Hermione has been picking berries out in the forest while Harry was still out cold. He's been that way for two days. She could still remember that night so clearly. Then again, she remembers everything so clearly.

As she drags Harry inside the tent, she saw the jet of red light hit him square at the back which rendered Harry unconscious. She cast the same spell towards Ron but was too late as he Apparated quickly. She guessed he Apparated to the Burrow.

She can't believe Ron would do that to his best friend! No matter how old he gets, he'll always be immature. Even his table manners are unacceptable. Typical Ron.

How could she ever like a git like Ron? Harry is a much better option.

She shook her head to erase that last thought. How could she think like that about her best friend? He's in love with Ginny, or so she assumed. But everyone knows they are together.

As she picked the last berry and threw it in the basket beside her, she stood up and dusted her pants. She rubbed her arms to warm herself from the frosty air. She picked up the basket and trudged towards the tent.

As she entered, she notices Harry already awake and in deep thought. She quietly places the basket on a table nearby and walks towards Harry.

Harry hears footsteps and he snaps his head to where the sound came from. His eyes widened in shock and relief. Standing before him was Hermione. She had a smile on her face as she gazes back at his emerald eyes.

She walks towards him faster and hugs him. Harry was surprised by the physical contact before regaining his composure and realizing he needed a hug. He hugged her back with all his mucked up strength, burying his head on her shoulder.

They stay that way for a few moments before Hermione pulls away first.

"You okay?" she asks.

He nods.

"H-How long have I been out?" he asks in a raspy voice.

She sits down on the bed beside him and brushes a strand of hair out of her face.

"Two days," she said, biting her lip.

"W-what?"

"Ron sent a really strong Stunning spell on you. I can't believe he pulled that off but he made you unconscious for two days."

Harry hung his head.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, puzzled.

"What for?" she asked.

"For everything. Ron was right. I dragged both of you in this mess when this is my problem."

"It's not, Harry. You're my best friend. Your problems become my problems. End of story."

Harry's heart felt like being stabbed multiple times at the mention of 'best friend'. That was all he could attain. Being her best friend. He wished he was something more than a best friend but, sadly, it wasn't meant to be. He'll die soon anyway. What's the point?

"Harry?"

He looked at her again, her face expressing worry.

"Sorry. I spaced out," he said.

Hermione nodded.

"Get some rest," she said quietly before trying to stand up.

Harry grabs her wrist before she could leave. Hermione looked back at him.

"Why didn't you go with Ron?" he asked.

Hermione's eyes widened at the question before sighing.

"I felt I needed to help you through this quest. Like I said, you're my best friend," she said.

"But I thought you had feelings for Ron?"

"I did. But that was before our fight."

Harry nodded and took off his glasses, placing them at his bedside.

"Good night, Hermione," he said.

He lay down on his pillow and buried himself under his blanket. He falls asleep before he could even notice Hermione giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"Sweet dreams, Harry," she whispers.