Entwined lives

Harry stood there in the garden in the late midnight air of April 15th staring up at the stars. His thoughts turned to Draco. How long was he going to have to wait for an answer? Was he really that hard to love?

"They say that the longer you have to wait for something the better it is."

Harry looked to his right to see Hermione standing there, arms folded, staring at the stars interestedly. "You and Ron would know. Why are you here this time Hermione?"

She smiled at him. "Why do you assume that I want something?"

"Because everytime you come to see me you either want to give me advice or you want something. Which is it this time?" He stated, smiling at the growning look of fake indignation on her face. She looked at him ready to yell, then smiled when she saw he was taking the micky.

"I want a favour." She admitted.

"Which is?"

"I want to talk to Ron. He needs it, ya know, to move on."

"What about you? Are you moving on once you see him?"

"No. I don't get that. I made a deal just after I died that I could stick around and help you out. I don't move on. I don't want to."

"When do you want to see him?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"Tomorrow morning, early, just as the sun rises. It has to be just him though, Avril can't be there, or you or Draco or Remus."

"Ok. On a not totally unrelated topic, did you know who she was when she came into this house, that she was the one you died trying to protect me from?"

"Yes. I didn't think it should come from me. I thought it was best for her to tell you."

"Thanks. Even in death you're trying to make things better and solve problems. He'll be here at sunrise."

"Thanks Harry."

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"Why did I have to get out of my nice warm bed at five in the morning? Couldn't this have waited until it was sunlight?" Ron complained to his friend as they made their way out to the garden.

"Nope. Damn it, I forgot to put out the fire in my room. Don't want to burn the house down, do I? Be right back." Harry lied, retreating back inside as Ron fumed.

"I could still be in bed with Avril you know!" He yelled.

"How's that working out for ya?"

Ron spun around to see Hermione staring at him. "You know if you were anyone else I'd be running for the hills right now." He joked. He made a move towards her and she held up her hands.

"I'm not corporeal. I just wanted to talk to you. Call it a favour from someone we know."

"Harry."

"How are you? How's it going with Avril?"

"I'm ok, me and Avril are fine."

"I know you're holding on to this feeling that maybe I'm disapointed with you but I'm not. I'm glad you're moving on Ron. I want you to be happy and I know that your happiness doesn't include me anymore. And I think that somewhere, deep down, you know that too."

"I guess. I miss you."

"I know you do. I miss you too."

"It's getting easier though, to be here without you."

"I hope so. It's time to move on Ron. Be happy with her. God knows you make her happy."

"So this is goodbye then."

"No, it's a see you later." She smiled at him. "Answer me this honestly. Do you love her?"

"Honestly? Yeah. I do love her. It's not what we had, it's very new. It's hard work, she's so hard to get to open up but she's worth it."

"Then that's all that matters, that she's worth it. She's got alot of secrets but she's definately worth it. Just a warning for the future, on an entirely different subject. Something's coming, something big. I can't tell you what but you'll know when it arrives. She'll need you most then."

"Thanks Hermione. You move on now right?"

"No. I'm not going to move on. I made a deal just after I died to stick around and watch over you all. I'll be around."

"Nice to know there's an angel watching over us all."

"Angel's a bit much. Let's just stick with friend." She stepped forwards and kissed him, slowly, taking her time. He lost himself in that kiss for a moment and then realised that Hermione wasn't Avril and that was what he wanted now. He pulled back from her. "A gift. Your family wanted you to have something. They send their love. I know that you were wishing that that kiss was Avril now. We never got our wedding kiss."

"Glad we got it eventually. I guess I really am ready to move on. I loved you Hermione."

"I loved you too." She said as she faded into nothing. Ron felt at peace.