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Hermione was scared. She felt like panting but did her best to stay quiet. She was hiding in a closet in an old rundown shop in Diagon Alley. The reason was because the Death Eaters had attacked the street while Hermione had been shopping for supplies, supplies she needed for the Horcrux Hunt.
It had been a year since the Hunt for Voldemort's Horcruxes began. Nearly a year ago, Ron had left her and Harry to return home to his parents. They never saw him again, though they heard news from time to time of his well being. A few months later, Harry unknowingly activated the taboo on Voldemort's name. Snatchers and Death Eaters attacked and Harry and Hermione were forced to run for their lives.
The couple - who had admitted their shared feelings and kissed for the first time only a week before - fought as hard as they could against the enemy. A spell hit Hermione's leg, shattering her bones and forcing her on the ground. Harry stood over her to protect her but it was too late. Before she could warn him, a spell cut off his left arm. Hermione still remembered seeing the blood pour out of the wound and Harry's heart-wrenching scream of pain. Before Hermione could jump up to go help him, Harry threw a small object at her. The moment it hit her, she was whisked away, activating the secret portkey.
It was the last time Hermione saw him alive. She never heard of him ever again either. She took comfort in it knowing Voldemort would have told everyone had Harry been killed. However, the missing presence of the man she loved make her heart ache more times than once.
Hermione snapped out of her thoughts and froze when she suddenly heard the door of the shop open. By the sound of it, a man wearing heavy boots just entered. Through the very thin crack between the door of the closet and the wall, Hermione looked at the newcomer. He wore the usual Death Eater regalia with one exception: his mask was black instead of white. She could also see that his left hand looked like it was made of metal. If it wasn't for the slim figure of the man, she would have believed him to be Peter Pettigrew.
"I know you're here." said the man. She stifled a gasp of fear. The voice felt familiar, though she could not place it. It was dark and emotionless, however. Almost robotic.
The man began slowly walking across the shop, listening for the trace of her presence. Hermione knew she would not be able to escape without being noticed. Her only option was to fight and hope for the best.
When the Death Eater walked in front of the closet and froze, Hermione knew she had been discovered. Not waiting for him to make the first move, she used a blasting hex on the door, unhinging it and sending it flying in the man. She then jumped out and kicked him in the chest.
The Death Eater fell down on the ground in surprise but quickly stood back up. He and Hermione immediately began trading spells of all sort - be it light or dark.
"You'll never take me alive." Hermione hissed before using another blasting hex on a table, sending it flying in the man. The Death Eater quickly redirected it but it was too late to block or dodge Hermione's next spell, which hit the man right in the face. The mask took the brunt of the spell, shattering in pieces. The pieces fell on the ground, leaving the face of the man uncovered. Hermione let out a gasp.
Because, under the mask was the frustrated face of Harry Potter, her boyfriend. The man who was fighting her and who seemed wanted nothing more than her death was the man who had told her he loved her with all of his heart only months ago. Hermione's heart broke, not understanding how it happened.
"Harry?" she asked faintly.
The frustration on Harry's face let place to confusion. "Who is Harry?" he asked in his emotionless voice.
Hermione's eyes widened as she finally understood what had happened the last time she saw Harry. When he sacrificed their only portkey to let her escape, Harry was left behind to be captured. If he did not remember his own name, then it meant he had been brainwashed.
"You are Harry." she said.
"I'm not Harry." he returned. "I am the Asset. I receive missions from my Lord and accomplish them as best I can."
"What happen if you fail?" Hermione asked, feeling her throat constrict.
"My Lord show me the errors of my way." he simply said. Hermione understood immediately what it meant. Torture - maybe even death.
"And what is your mission?" she whispered.
Harry stared at her right in the eyes. His own eyes which were once full of life and love were now devoid of any emotion - just like his voice. Then, he gave his answer.
"To kill you." he said.
A tear fell down Hermione's cheek. "So be it." she said. She dropped her wand just as Harry raised his. "Kill me, if that is what you want, Harry. All I want is for you to be safe and happy." She suddenly chocked emotionally. "If killing me keep you safe, then I sacrifice myself for you. Just know... just know that I love you, Harry, and I always will." she finished, finally allowing her tears to freely leak out of her eyes.
Harry kept his wand pointed at her. Hermione did not flinch away, keeping her eyes on his. She waited for her death, wishing she could have had more time to help Harry. But, no spell came out. For the first time since they crossed paths once more, Hermione saw emotions form on her beloved's face. Anger, fear and desperation all appeared, amalgamating into the face of someone fighting himself. His arm was trembling more and more.
And, suddenly, he released his wand. It dropped on the floor to join Hermione's. Harry was panting and blinking in confusion. Then, his eyes found hers and Hermione saw , recognition, shock and love reflected in them.
"H-Hermione?" he gasped. Hermione gasped as well. He remembered?
"Harry?" she asked.
"Hermione!" he repeated, this time with more certainty. And, for once, he sounded like the Harry she knew and loved, not a robotic machine. Hermione grinned as her heart swelled.
"Harry!" she squealed, running toward him. The two found themselves in a strong embrace as both remembered each other and the love they shared.
"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." he cried in her shoulder. Hermione simply rubbed his back.
"It's okay, Harry. It's okay. I'm here with you. I'm never leaving you again."
And everything would be okay, because Hermione and Harry were finally reunited. As she had realised in the previous few months, the situation could be desperate yet she would still feel hopeful as long as Harry was with her. And now, he was.