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dark_granger

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Tucking the keys into the pocket of her jeans, Darcy hated that this was goodbye. "Where is Loki?"
"He's watching Eira and packing up my flat, so I can say goodbye," Hermione replied, feeling her stomach lurch. "He sends his regards, of course."
Darcy laughed and shook her head. "Sounds about right. I hope to run into him again someday. Be sure to tell him goodbye for me too."
"I promise to let him know." The two women lapsed into silence, both not quite sure what to say next. Goodbyes were hard, and this one was proving no different. Clearing her throat, Hermione said, "I am going to miss you, Darcy. You always knew just how to cheer me up when I was feeling down about something."
"You're just going to miss my rendition of Shake Ya Tail Feather," Darcy quipped, starting to dance right there in the yard.
Laughing so hard she felt tears spring to her eyes, Hermione conceded. "That's exactly it. I'll never forget that one."
"What have I missed?" Jane asked as she and Thor joined them in the yard. "Oh, you're not doing goodbyes without us, are you?"
"Darcy was just giving an encore of her Shake Ya Tailfeather dance from Asgard." As Hermione explained this, Darcy grabbed hold of Jane and tried to get her to join in as well.
The scientist tugged away but laughed all the same. "How could we ever forget that?" Still chuckling, she ran a hand through her hair. "My mom said some people are coming to look at the house tomorrow. It looks like Darcy and I are officially out of here as of tonight."
"The end of an era," Darcy mused, her smile falling slightly.
"It's going to be okay, though," Jane said, clearly choked up with emotion. "We've got an exciting new adventure to dive into, and so do Hermione and Thor."
"That's true," Hermione replied quietly. She met Thor's eyes, and they shared a private smile. She was going away to Jotunheim, where she would quite possibly never see Darcy and Jane ever again. Thor would be staying on Earth, but he had the remaining Asgardians to take care of in New Asgard.
"Jane," Thor said, staring down into her eyes and breaking the silence. "I wish you all the best, and I hope our paths cross again someday."
Blushing, Jane nodded. "I hope so too. Be careful out there, you know? Doctor Strange said he can still fix Mjolnir if you want, but who knows where he's gone off to now."
"I will seek him out if needed," Thor replied and then dropped a kiss to her cheek and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I will be safe in New Asgard for the time being." Turning to Darcy, he smiled. "Do not get into too much trouble."
"Who, me?" Darcy teased, waving away his words. "Never." More seriously, she said, "I'll miss you too, Big Guy. Make sure to come and find us in South Africa if you get bored of Norway."
"We shall see what happens. For now, I must visit with my brother," Thor said, letting go of Jane's shoulder and nodding at Darcy. "Then, I will return to New Asgard. Hermione, I will see you soon."
"Okay," the witch told Thor as he made his way to their usual teleportation point. "Be safe and tell Heimdall, Bruce, and Lady Sif I said hello."
Thor nodded, gave Jane one more meaningful look, and then he was whisked away in an explosion of colour. When it was quiet once more, Hermione turned back to her two friends, knowing the moment of their departure was at hand.
"I'll never forget you, Hermione Granger," Jane said, shaking her head slowly. "That day, you waltzed right up to our table in the coffee shop and all but demanded to be my intern. Maybe if you ever pop back to Earth, you can come to research astrophysics with me some more."
"Yeah," Darcy chimed in, throwing an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "You can put that fancy degree of yours to good use."
"That's always a thought," Hermione said before tugging Jane over so the three of them could all hug one another together. "I don't know what the future holds, but having you two as friends has made these past two years some of the best of my life."
"Even though we almost died like ten times?" Darcy asked, tilting her head at Hermione.
"Yes," Hermione said with a laugh. "Even though we almost died "like ten times." I will miss our girls" nights."
"Me too," Jane and Darcy reciprocated before they all slowly dropped their arms. It was certainly telling that none of them quite knew what to say or do next.
"Well," Darcy began rubbing the back of her neck, "I guess we ought to go and find a flight out of here. Everything is ready to be sent to storage, right?"
"Everything is all set," Jane answered, glancing back at the house. "We just have our suitcases and other miscellaneous items to take with us. How many more days before you leave, Hermione?"
"Five," she replied. "Just a few more things to wrap up before we leave for good."
"I hope it goes well," Jane said and then started to back away. "Be safe too."
"You also," Hermione said, watching as Jane and Darcy prepared to move on with their lives. "And Darcy, make sure she has fun every once in a while."
"You got it," Darcy said, fake saluting as Jane rolled her eyes. "Now, go on before I tackle you and keep you here forever. Check-in from time to time!"
"I'll do my best," Hermione said, moving toward the apparation point. "I'll miss you! Bye!"
"Bye!" Darcy and Jane shouted before disappearing into the house for the last time.
Hermione watched them go, her heart aching more than ever. As she apparated back to her flat, Hermione thought of what she had to do tomorrow. Her next goodbye would be the hardest one yet.
Four Days Remaining on Earth
Twilight was falling as Hermione wandered up the cobblestone pathway. It felt like a decade had passed since she last stepped foot on these grounds. In reality, it was barely over a year since Draco's funeral. So much had changed since then, Hermione included. Hermione saw the little family graveyard ahead as the pathway turned, and she steadied herself for arrival.
Outside the gate, she paused, unsure if she could bear to step inside to say goodbye. She needed to do something, but it felt like something was holding her back still. The love she had for Loki was overwhelming, and she wouldn't give it up for anything, but there was always that inkling of what if in the back of her mind when it came to Draco. Now was no different, except that the point was moot. Draco was dead.
Finding her Gryffindor courage within, Hermione moved forward, making her way toward Draco's final resting place. When she stood in front of his grave, she placed the single red rose in the vase that was there. A rose that held so many memories of a time long ago... The scent of rose petals and the taste of Pepper Imps rose to Hermione's senses, and she was forced to close her eyes. Recalling those happy memories gave her the strength she needed, and she opened her eyes.
"Once upon a time, I thought that you and I were going to be together forever," Hermione said to Draco's grave. She laughed then, briefly. "Oh, how naive I was back then. We were so young despite everything we'd been through. The war may have hardened us for working at the Ministry, but it did nothing to prepare us for this kind of heartbreak."
Wrapping her arms around her middle, Hermione tried to protect herself from the onslaught of feelings. "I know that you said you were ready for death, but I wasn't ready, Draco." She had come to Malfoy Manor alone, leaving Eira with Loki as she came to say a final goodbye to Draco. At first, she hadn't even thought it was a good idea to go here, but Loki insisted. Draco was a large part of her past and the person she was today.
"I came here for many reasons, but most of all, I came to say goodbye. I'm not ready for that yet..." Hugging herself tighter, Hermione willed the tears not to come, but they were already forming. "That last time we saw one another, you asked me to forgive you... I know you heard me, but I need to repeat it. I forgive you. I forgive you for staying with Astoria and for never coming to me. You did the right thing even though it broke both of our hearts."
"We were far from perfect," Hermione continued, now dropping to her knees in front of the grave. Placing both hands on the cool stone, she bowed her head and let the tears fall freely. "But I loved you, Draco. I loved you with all of my heart. You were my reason for living and fighting for what I believed in during those dark times. All the teardrops I cried and teacups I collected were like bricks and mortar for the life I built for myself and so many others who couldn't be with the one they loved."
The early spring breeze blew through the small graveyard, drying the tears on Hermione's cheeks. It was almost as if Draco was there, wiping them away for her. It gave her some strength to imagine him there. Ultimately, Hermione could sit here talking to Draco all night, but she had packing to do and plans to finalize. Her life was waiting for her, and she couldn't put it on hold any longer.
"I have to go now," she told the grave, renewed tears streaming down her cheeks. "But I need you to know one thing... You were not a coward... I have never thought that of you, and I never will. You sacrificed your life for mine and so many others. For that and many other reasons, I will always love you, Draco. Always." Lifting her head, she said, "Goodbye."
Hermione wiped at her tear-stained cheeks and pushed to her feet. With a final glance at the grave, she turned and began the long walk from the grounds. She was sure that Astoria watched from one of the upper windows, as probably did Narcissa, but that didn't matter. She hadn't come here to make amends with either of them; she had come to say goodbye to one of the most significant, most influential people in her life.
There were three days remaining of her time here on Earth, and despite what the tears on her cheeks indicated, the hardest goodbyes were yet to come.
Three Days Remaining on Earth
Ginny was washing the dinner dishes when she saw Hermione appear in the backyard. Drying her hands on a towel, she shouted through to the living room where she knew Harry was reading. "Harry! Hermione is here." Then, she met Hermione at the backdoor, pulling her inside and wrapping her in an enormous hug.
"Geeze, Gin," Hermione mumbled into her friend's hair. She would miss these breathtaking hugs. "You're going to suffocate me."
The redheaded witch laughed but eased her hold on the brunette. "Stop being so dramatic. Come inside and have some tea."
"Tea sounds lovely," Hermione replied as she moved into the kitchen, shutting the door behind her.
"I take it you're here to say goodbye and all that," Ginny said as she set about making tea.
Settling down at the kitchen table, Hermione asked, "How did you know?"
Ginny set aside the kettle, waved her wand so the tea would make itself, and came over to sit with her friend. Reaching across the table, she took Hermione's hand in hers and squeezed. "I may never have been one of your best friends, but you have always been one of mine. I know you better than you think, and I can see that sad look in your eye that you used to get back during your research days. You're ready to flee, but at least this time, you're making rounds instead of disappearing altogether."
Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There were tears in her eyes when she again looked at Ginny. "I think a part of me was always jealous of you, Gin. Maybe that is why I never let myself get as close to you as I did with Ron and Harry."
"Jealous?" Ginny cocked her head in confusion. "What did I have that made you feel that way?"
"A family," Hermione said, feeling ashamed. "I wanted so badly to be able to have children, and you were able to. I regret it now, but I stayed away a lot when the kids were little because I was so envious. I could have been a better aunt and godmother, but I always chose my feelings over them."
"I wish I had known," Ginny said quietly, glancing away from Hermione as she thought. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, but when she lifted her gaze again, she tried to smile. "I do... I would have tried harder to be a better friend."
"Ginny," Hermione said, smiling now. "You were and are one of my very dear friends. Despite the past, you have been here for me just as much as the others. I'll never be able to thank you enough for keeping my hospital stays out of the papers."
"You knew about that?" Ginny asked, eyes wide but a smile playing at her lips.
Hermione laughed. "Of course I knew. Otherwise, the papers would have had a field day with me and my meltdowns. I'm so grateful to you."
"Well," Ginny said, slightly embarrassed at being found out. "I wanted to make sure you were happy in any way that I could. Those gits at the papers didn't need to know about your issues. It was private." Taking a deep breath, she added, "You're going to come back now and then, right?"
"Yeah," Hermione answered even though she knew it might be less than she was letting Ginny believe. "I couldn't leave you all behind forever."
"Okay good, because I don't think Harry and Ron will be able to survive without you here," Ginny said, finally pulling her hand away from Hermione. "They act all tough, but they love you more than they say. Plus, you were always the brain. If you go away for too long, they might go and do something stupid."
"I guess that's true," Hermione agreed, knowing fully well that Harry and Ron did fine without her also. They were both intelligent in their own regards. "I'm going to miss you. I'm going to miss this... Coming over for dinners and having tea. I won't know anyone on Jotunheim."
"I'll miss you too." Ginny looked to the ceiling, blinking rapidly. "You'll make some new friends, I'm sure Jotunheim will be great, and Eira will get to be with her father."
"I'm not too sure the Frost Giants are friendly, but I am hoping to help Loki keep peace with the other realms," Hermione said, pulling a face. "A new adventure for us both."
"Whatever you get up to, Hermione Granger," Ginny said thoughtfully, "you will do an excellent job at it. I have no doubts about that."
Smiling at her friend, Hermione hoped that Ginny was right. Moving so far away was going to be difficult, and the new roles she would have to take on would certainly keep her busy. There was also the whole issue of raising her magical, half-Jotun daughter and making sure she grew up happy and safe. Thankfully, Hermione had years and years of watching Ginny to take inspiration from.
"Hey, "Mione." Both Ginny and Hermione glanced toward the doorway to find Harry standing there watching. He nodded his head toward the door. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
Suddenly, Hermione felt like she was going to burst into tears. Ginny patted her hand and got up from the table to tend to the tea that none of them would ever drink. Sending Harry a nod, she said, "Sure," before standing and joining Harry at the door. Turning to Ginny, she said, "I'll see you around."
"You too," Ginny said, her eyes glossy. "See you later."
Nodding again, Hermione let Harry lead her outside and down the side path. A moment later, they emerged onto the main street of Godric's Hollow; it was a path they had walked together many times over the years. The first time was when they were barely more than children trying to stop a mad wizard. Thinking of that fateful Christmas, Hermione felt teary-eyed once more, knowing this was the last time in a long time that she would walk with her friend.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't always there for you," Harry said quietly after they were a good ways from the house.
Hermione's head whipped around so she could stare at her friend. "What? You've always been there for me." Pausing in front of the local church, she added, "What about the countless times you covered for me at the Ministry? You lived with me in New York City... You-"
"I was not there nearly as often as Ron," Harry pointed out, awkwardly rubbing at the back of his head. He hated to cut her off, but he had to talk, or he would surely cry instead. "I could have done more, to be honest."
"You were starting your family, Harry," Hermione said sternly, reaching out to grab his hand. "You had your own life to worry about, not mine."
"You are a part of my life, Hermione," Harry told her, dropping her hand and continuing their walk. Resolutely, he stared forward as if the sight of Hermione would break him. They had reached the small cemetery where his parents were buried. Standing at the fence, Harry continued, "I feel like it was only these past few years where I've finally been someone solid for you to lean on during difficult times."
"Was Ron there to rescue me more often than you? Yes, probably, but you were just as pivotal a person in my life." Standing at Harry's side, she stared at the gravestones instead of her friend. "The difference between you and Ron is that he was there to bring me back from whatever bender I'd gone off on at the time. You, though, you were always my voice of reason."
"Your voice of reason?" Harry asked, looking sceptical as he twisted to stare at his longtime friend.
"It was always you telling me to get my shit together," she admitted with a grin. "You and Ron are two sides of the same coin, and I can't have one without the other."
Staring back out at where his parents were buried, Harry sighed and bowed his head. "I'm going to miss you. You've been with me since we were kids."
"You're not losing me, Harry," Hermione said, her voice barely above a whisper as she edged closer and let her head rest on Harry's shoulder. "I'm just going away for a little while to finally raise my own family. I'll be back, and when I do return, it will be like we never parted."
"Do you promise?" Harry asked without moving, too afraid to see the lie in Hermione's eyes.
Two Days Remaining on Earth
When Hermione and Loki arrived at Nott Manor, they found Blaise and Theo relaxing in the study. Blaise was making a fresh drink at the sideboard while Theo read lazily in front of the fireplace. Loki gently prodded Hermione to go forward first so they would know they had arrived. Both wizards smiled brightly at seeing the pair in the doorway.
"Hermione!" the dark-skinned man exclaimed, rushing over to wrap his friend in a warm embrace. "I was so worried about you. And you too," he told Loki with a wink.
"I take it that things went well on Jotunheim," Theo said, standing from his chair by the fire to greet his guests. "We heard from Pansy that you were back but wondered when we would get to see you, if at all."
"We had to make sure to see you before we returned to Jotunheim," Hermione told her friends.
"So it's true then," Blaise said with a frown. "You're leaving."
"I am," she admitted, "but it won't be forever."
"I'm glad you stopped by then," Theo told her, taking hold of Blaise's hand. "We both are."
Biting her lip, Hermione hesitated. She'd come here for a myriad of reasons, but Loki had also come to return something he had taken from Theo. "We wanted to say goodbye, but there were a few other things we needed to talk about too." She poked Loki in the side to get him to talk.
"This belongs to you," Loki said as he slid one hand into his slacks while giving Hermione a look for the poke in his side. When he retracted it and held his palm up for Theo to see, there was the Time-Turner that had caused so much chaos a few short months ago.
Eyeing the trinket warily, Theo reached out to take it, hesitating only slightly. "I wondered if you still had this thing," he mused, as his hands enclosed the Time-Turner. "I thought maybe you'd destroyed it after the hell we went through."
Shrugging one shoulder, Loki said, "It does not belong to me, and I fear having it in Jotunheim may only bring destruction." He took a few steps backwards and wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I will have enough to worry about with this one living there with me."
"Hey now," Hermione teased, playfully elbowing her lover. "I'll be busy with Gwyneira while you're sitting on your big fancy throne telling everyone else what to do."
Loki simply hummed in reply, but there was a bit of a smirk playing on his lips. To Theo, he asked, "What will you do with it now?"
Throwing a quick glance in Blaise's direction, he shrugged. The Time-Turner had saved his husband from death, but it had nearly destroyed not only his relationship but Hermione's as well. Messing with time was not something that he wanted to do ever again, and he felt that maybe no one else should either.
Without a word, he closed his hand into a fist and squeezed tight. The Time-Turner crunched, effectively shattering and rendering it useless. When he slowly opened his hand, the sand that had been contained in the hourglass whispered to the floor. Then, he turned over this hand and let the broken pieces follow along with it.