the_debt_of_time

Harry rushed to her side and drew her quickly into his arms. "Hermione, we've
talked about this," he said, pressing his forehead against hers.
"I want him back. I want.. ." She took in small gasps of air as she struggled to
breathe. "I want my brother."
"Aren't I your brother?"
Hermione gave a small smile and nodded but then continued to cry.
His wand was in one hand, the other had been clenched into a tight fist, and he
struggled to move as he whispered, "I don't know how to help you."
"That's not true, son," a voice said from behind him.
Harry turned and looked up to see the image of his father staring down at him, a
look of pain in his eyes as he focused on Hermione. Harry swallowed hard and looked
down in his hand, opening it to reveal the Resurrection Stone that he had kept secret from
everyone.
"You've held onto it this long for a reason," James said. "You lied about dropping
it for a reason. It's okay. She needs this, and then you can both let go."
Harry acknowledged his father's words and reached out for Hermione's hand,
slipping the stone into her palm.
She looked up, surprised. "Harry?"
He swallowed nervously. "I... I kept the stone. I'm so sorry, but I... I was weak,
and I couldn't let it go. But I think I need to let it go, Hermione. I have a family. You're my
family. You, Ginny, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Teddy, Ron... and apparently Malfoy," he
added, slightly annoyed. "I have a family, and I need to let go of the ones I've lost." He
turned the Resurrection Stone in her hand. "I think you need to let go, too."
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked up to see James standing beside Harry.
"Jamie?"
James smiled crookedly at her and knelt down in front of her. "Hey, baby sister.
Why's your face all wet?"
She burst into a fresh set of sobs. "Jamie, I'm so sorry!"
He reached out as if to wipe away her tears, but his hand never connected with her
face. "I know, but you don't have to be."
She shook her head. "I let you die. I didn't tell you about Peter.. ."