My Dying Breath

"Draco!" I've been hit in the back, and I can feel a sharp pain spread throughout my weak, fatigued body as I call out your name. My legs crumple under me, and I fall onto the battlefield. We're in the middle of what is assumed to be the final battle of the war. Either Harry or Voldemort will walk away but not both. Massive casualties have devastated both sides, but more people have joined the Order than the Death Eaters. You included. When you repented after Dumbledore's death, that was when I fell in love with you. And now it seems our love will come to an end; I don't know how much longer I'll last. Please hurry.

Hold on to me, Love.

You know I can't stay long.

I see you running towards me, and I know it'll all be okay, if only for a little while. You drop down by my side and scoop my limp body into your strong, protective arms. Here I know I am safe; here I know no more harm will come to me; you won't allow it. I see your terror-stricken eyes, and I weakly smile up at you.

"I love you; I want you to know that." You shake your head before pulling me closer. I can't tell if you heard me; did I even say it aloud? Am I fading that quickly?

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid.

Can you hear me?

Can you feel me in your arms?

I draw another breath shakily. Slowly I exhale. I'm going to miss you so much. I think back on our brief history. Even though it has been surrounded by turmoil, the time I have spent with you has been some of the happiest of my life. In my memories, we are safe; no harm can come to us. We are safe and happy and at peace, far, far away from this Hell that is our reality. ...It won't be our reality much longer. All I hope is that when I leave this world, I won't forget you. All I want is my memories of you to be safe within me for all eternity, until you join me and we can once again make more memories together.

Holding my last breath,

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you.

I can feel myself slipping further away. Everything is starting to get lighter, fainter. Is this the light everyone speaks of? It's not so much a light as a lack of color, fading until nothing but pure white remains, or at least so it seems it will be. I won't last much longer.

Sweet raptured light,

It ends here tonight.

Do you remember when we first got together, that time in the forest? It was winter of what was supposed to be our seventh year, although instead of going back to Hogwarts, you, I, and many of our fellow classmates joined the war effort. We got separated from the rest of the Order and were now stuck in a remote part of a forest near where Voldemort was last seen. Everything was covered in snow. We found a big rock beside a large, hollowed-out tree and sat down side by side, but it was so cold that you got behind me and wrapped your cloak around both of us. I snuggled back into you, sharing my body warmth with you. We just sat there on the rock, talking, until we finally shared our first kiss. After a bit, some of the Order came back to retrieve us. We followed them and joined up with everyone else. That has always been one of my favorite memories of us. You were so vulnerable, so fragile, just like everyone else in the freezing cold, yet you were still trying to protect me.

I'll miss the winter,

A world of fragile things.

I wonder if Heaven will resemble that forest. Everything covered in white, the rock, the tree, the delicate icicles hanging everywhere. I'll be waiting for you. Look for me at our rock. Come find me, Draco. Come save me again.

Look for me in the White Forest,

Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me).

I must have been speaking out loud because you're pulling me closer to your strong chest. "No, don't speak. Save your strength. You'll be okay. Everything will be alright." I feel a drop hit my cheek. It's a tear. You, the man who shows virtually no emotion, are crying. Crying for me.

I know you hear me;

I can taste it in your tears.

I draw a breath, one of my last in fact. In all my memories of you, I have not once seen you cry. You've finally completely opened up to me. I just wish it hadn't taken so long. I breathe in again. "I love you."

Holding my last breath,

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you.

I know I've just taken my last breath. My field of vision is now completely filled with white. I faintly hear you through your tears say, "I love you, too." And then...nothing.

Sweet raptured light,

It ends here tonight.

It's been months since my death, but it still plagues you. You lie down in our bed, your bed now, and close your eyes, wishing that we could somehow be together again. But you know the truth. I'm not there.

Closing your eyes to disappear,

You pray your dreams will leave you here,

But still you wake and know the truth;

No one's there.

Don't worry about me; I'm okay. But I'm alone. I still love you. I still miss you. Draco, I'm waiting. Waiting for the day I will once again see you. Goodnight, Draco. You close your eyes as your exhaustion overtakes you.

Say goodnight.

Don't be afraid.

Calling me, calling me as you fade to black.

You drift into the calming blackness of sleep, and a single tear rolls down your cheek. "Hermione..."