The next hours were a blur. I didn't feel like me fighting. I was a completely different person. I had to be. I didn't care about the Death Eaters I killed, I had to forget that they were human.
This was a war. Emotions weren't allowed. We had to win. That was it. Period.
'Hermione watch out!' Edmund called, his sword ran someone through as he yelled. He was too good at multitasking. Part of me wanted to go to him, care for him, because I knew he couldn't like this any more then I did. But we had to set ourselves aside, our morals in a way, so that we could make a better tomorrow.
The thought made me sick, but I kept going. I blocked the hex Edmund had warned me about and set about as the emotionless killing robot once more.
And then...it was done.
It shocked me a bit how quickly the air grew silent.
'Edmund?' I said, barley above a whisper. Still, he heard me and was by my side in an instant.
'Yes love?' He asked, taking my hand.
'I-is it o-over?' I asked. Edmund gave my hand a slight squeeze before kissing the top of my head.
'Almost.' He whispered. I looked up to him confused and he gave me a sad smile, 'We need to go find Harry.'
Realization dawned on me and we were off in search of the Boy-Who-Lived.
We rushed into the Great Hall and instantly Luna was curled into my side, 'Hermione...I-I c-can't loose h-him again!'
I gently shhed the girl and held her head to my shoulder, 'You won't.'
I look to Edmund and he moves to wrap his arms around, protectively, the two of us.
Luna refused to look up, not like she could even see with all the tears in her eye though. I couldn't keep my eyes away and Edmund let his head rest against mine.
Harry and Voldomort where facing off. Just the two of them.
I closed my eyes taking a small breath, there was nothing I could do this time. This was Harry's fight and none of my book knowledgeable could possibly help him now.
I felt so stupid and useless and...well...truly worthless.
'Edmund...' I took in a sharp breath and my side erupted in pain. I barley remember falling but either way I ended up on the ground, looking up to Edmund who was kneeling next to me – his face was panic struck.
'Hermione? Come on, Hermione wake up. Come on...love come on...' I had never seen him loose control of his emotions so easily. His eyes were just filling with worry and panicked tears.
I made a move towards his hand, my world was growing fuzzy and dark and I wanted to let him know I was going to be alright but then everything went dark.
My eyes fluttered and I was aware of a touching running across my temple. My eyes didn't have to be open to figure out who it was, 'Edmund...'
I sighed and leaned into his touch before opening my eyes, 'I love you.'
'Don't. Do. That. To. Me. Again.' Edmund's eyes were hurt and angry, but there was still love in them.
I sighed and gently touched his face, 'I promise.' I turned my head to look around, all of Hogwarts was together and rejoicing, 'We won?'
Edmund nodded but remained quiet, just stroking my hair back.
'Harry?' I noticed for the first time how dry my lips were, my bottom one cracked and I could just barley taste the blood.
'Him and Luna are having some time together. Luna was so worried about you but I told her to go see Harry. She was close to hysterics when you fell and then Harry was still dueling. I barley knew what to do.' Edmund said, he sounded almost out of breath.
'What's wrong Edmund?' I asked, sitting up, he didn't sound right.
Edmund winced as I sat up, 'I think I hurt my lung I think. I don't know what I did.'
It was my turn to freak out, 'Lay down...I—I'll g-go get Madame P-Pomfrey.' I start to move but stop with a gasp, 'What's wrong with my side?' I was frantic now, I was hurt meaning I couldn't get Edmund the help he needed.
'You got stabbed by a Death Eater, they were trying to take you.' Edmund explained, pushing me to lay back down.
'I didn't see anyone though.' I said, relenting and laying down.
'They were standing about twenty feet away.' Edmund explained, pulling my shirt up to reveal the wound, 'It's not too bad though.' He replaced my shirt and gently kissed my forehead, wince again at his own pain, 'Someone hexed him then I ran him through with my sword after Luna took over looking out for you.'
I nodded, the darkness coming back and looking so comforting, if I could just be unconscious then I could wake up and everything would be—no, I had to get Edmund help.
I sat up and pushed Edmund's hand away as I stood.
'Hermione!' He snapped, obviously not wanting me to move. Luckily, he couldn't move because of his lung.
I limped a bit, feeling the knife cut with every step, but I kept going.
'M-Madame Pomfrey?' I asked Seamus, who sat holding Dean's hand. The two of them were best friends and my heart went out to them. Seamus shook his head though and I continued on my way.
'Molly!' I called. Molly Weasley turned to face me and was by my side in and instant.
'What is it dear?' She asked, moving to lift my shirt up. She let out a slight gasp.
'No...no, not me you need to look at Edmund—his lung is—'
'We need to take care of this now! Fred! George! Take Hermione to the Hospital Wing!' Molly called over her shoulder, the twins looked up and nodded.
'No!' No one was listening, how was I going to get Edmund help!, 'You need to go look at E-Edmund! Now, he's seriously hurt!'
George picked me up like I was nothing, Fred was in charge of keeping me still as I tried to get free.
'E-Edmund!' I don't know if it was a scream or a whisper but the tears came with it.
'Edmund! Oh Edmund!' I was taken from the room where my beloved lay, hurt probably worse then me.
And once again, I was useless.
XxX
I must have blacked out on the way to the hospital because I woke up in a bed, all bandaged and pain free.
Magic was amazing sometimes.
Then it dawned on me.
'Edmund!' I shot out of bed, thankful for the pain medication.
'Shh deary, he is alright, he's asleep right over there. Molly when to take care of him, that's why she had Fred and George bring you here.' Madame Pomfrey said gently, she gently pushed me back down telling me to rest.
I laid back down, but grudgingly. I wanted Edmund here not over there.
'Edmund...' I whispered, and tears were warm as they fell down my cheek.
'Hermione!' Harry came bursting in the room, breaking my train of thought, 'I came once I heard. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier there was so much going on—'
I smiled, Harry was back to his old self, 'It's fine Harry, really, how's Luna?'
'I'm great!' Luna said, coming to stand by Harry. They entwined hands and the ache to have Edmund close grew even more.
I turned my head, trying not to show my jealousy. They didn't deserve that emotion pointed towards them—they'd gone through even more then Edmund and I had!
But still, I couldn't help it.
'Oh Hermione, Edmund is fine, I promise!' Luna sat on the edge of my bed and took my hand, 'I promise!'
I smiled and closed my eyes, trying to stop them.
'It's ok to cry.' She brushed my bangs back in a loving manner, 'It's all going to be alright...I promise.'
'I know.' I sniffed a bit, and placed my hand over Luna's to reassure her, 'These are tears of joy. It's all over!'
And I knew right then and there, peace was now here to stay.
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