Author's Note: Hey, me again! Here's the sequel to Untold Dreams. ** IF YOU
HAVE NOT READ UNTOLD DREAMS, I SUGGEST YOU DO SO BEFORE READING THIS ONE,
BECAUSE THERE ARE REFERENCES TO PAST HAPPENINGS THAT MIGHT CONFUSE YOU. *
Here are a few things you'll need to know before you begin reading: Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all 20 years old, H/H are not married but still engaged, R/L are engaged and soon to be married, they all live together. Hermione is a world-known doctor at St. Mungos, Ron is a famous Quidditch player for his favorite team the Chudley Cannons, Lavender is a nurse at St. Mungos, and Harry is an Auror. Well, I hope you all enjoy this as much as you did Untold Dreams! Please review and enjoy!
Luv, Twisted*Angel
Chapter One *Out of Hiding*
Harry looked up as the door to his office opened and closed, smiling when his mentor came into view. "Hey, Remus! Do you have a report?" he asked, smiling widely.
Remus Lupin smiled down at the boy he had adopted as a son after Sirius' death. Though his smile was genuine, it was short lived. "Yes, and it's not good," Lupin replied, sitting down heavily in the large chair in front of Harry's desk.
Though Harry could always sense if something was wrong with Hermione (and he was sensing nothing now), his heart began to beat faster at Remus' words. "Hermione's ...."
"She's fine." Everyone knew Harry and Hermione had that special connection of knowing when the other was in trouble or hurting, but Lupin had to reassure him anyway. He smiled slightly as he thought of the love those two shared. Though he was much older than Harry, he had never known such love but was open for it. "So are the Weasley's and Granger's," he added on pretense.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and sat up in his seat, leaning his arms on his desk. "What's the bad news?"
"Anthony Parzatti has been spotted around Hogsmead and Knockturn Alley. From all the reports I have received, it doesn't seem to me that he has done anything wrong but I wouldn't put it past him to surprise us. Especially since Voldemort and himself haven't been heard from for three years."
His green eyes narrowed in anger at the mention of the name and old memories came flooding back. It didn't surprise Harry that Anthony wasn't dead, he knew that he hadn't succeeded in killing him or Voldemort, for which he still harbored guilty feelings. "I knew that bastard would show up someday," Harry commented, harshly. "Any news on old Voldie? I'm sure he's ready to make his existence known also."
Remus shook his head. "No, but we have been keeping a look out for him, as well as watching Parzatti's every move. Is there anything you would like us to do in the matter?"
"Yes, I want to have a weekly report on my desk about their whereabouts and actions. Also, try to track down where he's staying and if he's making any acquaintances. If you find anything even remotely suspicious let me know," Harry told him, becoming all business.
Remus nodded and stood up. As he was heading out the door, he heard Harry sigh heavily and his chair creaked as he fell back against it. He turned around to see Harry with his head in his hands. "Harry? What's the matter? Besides the obvious, of course," he asked his friend, sitting back down on the chair he had just gotten out of.
Harry looked up, his usual bright eyes dark. "What am I going to do? Hermione will be absolutely crushed but I have to tell her. She has to know," he replied, turning his head so he was looking out the window, rays of sunlight flooding his face. "She still has those nightmares. Not as often, of course, but I hear her crying in her sleep and then she wakes up shaking. I know it's not something that she can recover from but I want to help her, yet I feel so hopeless. If Parzatti hurts her again, I think I might do something that could land me in Azkaban," Harry confided, speaking softly.
"Harry," Remus said his name loudly so he would turn around to face him. "Hermione is a strong individual and though it will take some time for her to forget about everything that has happened, she will recover. You do help her, believe me I know. You may not know this but I asked her a couple of weeks ago how she was doing and she admitted about the nightmares but she said, and I quote, 'Harry has been wonderful, though. I don't know what I would have done without him.' See? You have done more than just help her."
A sad smile crept onto his face but he turned away from Remus and shook his head. "It's all my fault. I failed to protect her in the beginning, then when he came back, I failed to keep him away from her. What will happen now? If I could have just finished him off when I had the chance he wouldn't be back," Harry said.
Remus shook his head and sighed, Harry could be so stubborn at times. "Listen to me. It wasn't your fault in the beginning and it's not your fault now. There was nothing you could do and everyone agrees with me; especially Hermione. She doesn't blame you, Harry, she blames herself. More than anything, she believes that if it weren't for you she would have been dead. Now stop blaming yourself for everything because it will get you nowhere. Besides, you have some of your best men looking out for him. The last place he'll get to is near Hermione."
Harry turned back around to face him and smiled genuinely for the first time throughout their conversation. "I know. I guess I should stop drowning in guilt if I want to live long enough to marry Hermione, huh? Well, I should get back to sorting out these files if I want to get home earlier enough to tell her."
Remus nodded and stood up, getting ready to leave.
"Remus? Thanks," Harry told him with a smile before burying his head in pages upon pages of paper.
"Any time, Harry," he whispered before shutting the door softly behind him.
Hermione smiled as she parked her car in the drive way and got out. Walking up the steps to her house, she shifted her heavy pile of books to her left arm as she unlocked the front door and stumbled inside.
"I'm home!" she cried, dropping the heavy load on the nearest chair with a sigh.
"In here!" came Ron's deep voice from somewhere in the kitchen.
A wonderful aroma filled the air and Hermione's stomach growled in protest. She followed her nose into the kitchen and found Ron cooking one of her favorite dishes: lasagna. Much to the surprise of Harry, Hermione, and Lavender, Ron had turned into an excellent cook (thanks to Mrs. Weasley, no doubt) and they had appointed him 'chef of the house.'
"Mmm, that smells delicious," she told him as he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She plopped down on the chair and sighed again, glad to be home.
"Rough day at work?" Ron asked, sitting in the chair across from her.
"Yes. It just amazes me how cruel some parents can be. I won't ever understand how a mother and father can abandon their child," Hermione answered, then continued to explain herself at Ron's confused yet knowing look. "A little girl, Clara, was found near the back of the hospital today, all alone. She was starving, the poor kid, and filthy. She seemed so frightened. I had to coax her to let me examine her for any injuries because she didn't want me to touch her. I can't even imagine what she's been through."
"Where is she now?" he asked, shaking his head sadly. People could be so cruel.
"At the hospital. I'm making her spend the night there so we can test for any diseases and then she'll probably be sent to foster care. I really don't want to see her go there but what can I do? It was so funny the way her eyes almost popped out of her head when I mentioned you and Harry. She seemed so excited that I invited her over on Saturday," she said, obviously taken with the little girl.
Ron smiled at his best friend, wondering how she could have such a big heart with all the things that had happened to her. That was another thing her and Harry had in common. "How old is she?"
"She's six and turning seven in September, only two months away," she answered without hesitation.
"You seem excited. She stole your heart, didn't she?"
"She could steal anyone's heart. Just wait till you see her, she's beautiful. She has long, light brown hair that falls down almost to her waist and these large blue eyes that hold so much sadness, it brings tears to your eyes. She's so sweet, too! I don't know how anyone could leave her. I love her already and I've only just met her!" Hermione's eyes were shining with excitement as she talked animatedly about Clara.
"I can't wait! She sounds like something, all right," Ron commented, enjoying how happy talking about this little girl was making her.
"Oh, she is. I can't wait till Harry meets her, he'll love her!" she exclaimed, making Ron laugh. "Speaking of Harry, where is he? He usually comes home early on Tuesdays."
"He called in and told me to tell you that he might be a little late and not to wait up for him even though he knows you will and that he loves you," Ron told her. "Lavender still at the hospital?" Ron loved that his best friend and his fiance worked in the same hospital, it was easier to track down information that way.
"Yeah, she got held up. A mother rushed her newborn baby to the hospital because she panicked when her baby started to hiccup. It's quite funny the way new parents panic at every little thing. Quite cute, actually," she said with a laugh. "She's probably still trying to calm the mother down," Hermione told him, standing up. She disappeared for a moment and then came back into sight with an armful of books.
"What are those for?" Ron asked her, not the least bit shocked. "We have a library, remember?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know Ron. These are mine but I wanted to do some research at work. Jeez ... anything else?"
Ron laughed. "Yeah, if you make Clara into a bookworm, I think you'll be the only person who could be with her. You know how irritable those bookworms are," Ron laughed causing Hermione to snort at his joke.
"Ha, ha, ha. Aren't we the jokester. The next Eddie Murphy, you are," Hermione told him, enjoying the look of confusion on her friend's face as he tried to figure out who she just referred him to.
Hermione laughed and headed up the stairs, picturing Ron standing in the middle of the kitchen, scratching his head in confusion.
Harry unlocked the door and entered the silent house quietly. He had gotten off work later than expected and didn't want to wake everyone.
"Hey, hon," he heard a whisper as he passed the large leather couch in the living room. Startled he whipped around only to see a sleepy Hermione yawning up at him.
"I told you not to wait up for me," he laughed, sitting down next to her.
Hermione nodded and curled up next to him. "I know, but do I ever listen?"
Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth seep into him. As she yawned again, he stood up and bent to pick her up. "Come on, love, time to go to bed," as he lifted her into his arms, she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest.
"Here we go," Harry said, as he gently placed her on the bed. She curled up on her side and watched as Harry wore his pajama bottoms. Though it was dark in the room, Hermione could tell something wasn't right. When he had first gotten home, his usual light green eyes were darker and his smile wasn't as bright as usual.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked him, as he got into bed. He lay on his back for a moment before answering then turned towards her.
"I, um, received bad news today at work," Harry began, clearing his throat. He didn't know why this was so difficult for him to say, especially to Hermione, but he knew if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have had this much trouble telling them about Anthony.
"What happened?" she asked, sitting up in bed. The only other time he had such a hard time telling her something was back in their seventh year when Harry had told her both Anthony and Voldemort weren't dead like they were supposed to be.
"Well ..."
"Harry just tell me."
He took a deep breath and took her hands in his. "Okay ... Remus told me today that Parzatti was spotted in Hogsmead and Knockturn Alley. He said that he didn't look like he was up to anything but he would get men to watch his every move. I'm sorry, 'Mione."
Harry was expecting her to be sad, mad, or at least start to cry but her calm expression and the single word that followed surprised him. "Oh," was all she said.
"'Mione, love, are you okay?" he asked her, looking for any sign that she was holding back so he wouldn't feel bad. He found nothing.
"I'm fine, Harry."
"Talk to me, then. Please? I'm worried ..."
Hermione sighed and scooted closer to him, so she was leaning against his chest. "Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly all right. I knew this could happen, everyone knew Anthony wasn't dead. That's why I'm not surprised. And you can wipe that guilty look off your face because it's not your fault," she told him, even though she couldn't see his face.
Harry grinned down at her. "How'd you know?" he asked her.
"I've known you for ten years. I know every expression and feeling you have, love. So you might as well get used to it."
He laughed and was about to say something when Hermione cut him off, her voice holding excitement he only heard back in their Hogwart's days when she would find important information from her closest friend, the book.
"She's adorable, Harry. Her name's Clara and she's six ..." Hermione went on to tell Harry what she had told Ron.
By the time they fell asleep in each other's arms, the sun was just about to start a new day.
A.N.2: Hope you enjoyed that chapter. Keep track of Clara, because I'm not done with her. Also, I know 3 years seems like a really long time to be engaged but I wanted them to be older when they got married. But don't worry, they'll get married soon : )
Please review!
Here are a few things you'll need to know before you begin reading: Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all 20 years old, H/H are not married but still engaged, R/L are engaged and soon to be married, they all live together. Hermione is a world-known doctor at St. Mungos, Ron is a famous Quidditch player for his favorite team the Chudley Cannons, Lavender is a nurse at St. Mungos, and Harry is an Auror. Well, I hope you all enjoy this as much as you did Untold Dreams! Please review and enjoy!
Luv, Twisted*Angel
Chapter One *Out of Hiding*
Harry looked up as the door to his office opened and closed, smiling when his mentor came into view. "Hey, Remus! Do you have a report?" he asked, smiling widely.
Remus Lupin smiled down at the boy he had adopted as a son after Sirius' death. Though his smile was genuine, it was short lived. "Yes, and it's not good," Lupin replied, sitting down heavily in the large chair in front of Harry's desk.
Though Harry could always sense if something was wrong with Hermione (and he was sensing nothing now), his heart began to beat faster at Remus' words. "Hermione's ...."
"She's fine." Everyone knew Harry and Hermione had that special connection of knowing when the other was in trouble or hurting, but Lupin had to reassure him anyway. He smiled slightly as he thought of the love those two shared. Though he was much older than Harry, he had never known such love but was open for it. "So are the Weasley's and Granger's," he added on pretense.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and sat up in his seat, leaning his arms on his desk. "What's the bad news?"
"Anthony Parzatti has been spotted around Hogsmead and Knockturn Alley. From all the reports I have received, it doesn't seem to me that he has done anything wrong but I wouldn't put it past him to surprise us. Especially since Voldemort and himself haven't been heard from for three years."
His green eyes narrowed in anger at the mention of the name and old memories came flooding back. It didn't surprise Harry that Anthony wasn't dead, he knew that he hadn't succeeded in killing him or Voldemort, for which he still harbored guilty feelings. "I knew that bastard would show up someday," Harry commented, harshly. "Any news on old Voldie? I'm sure he's ready to make his existence known also."
Remus shook his head. "No, but we have been keeping a look out for him, as well as watching Parzatti's every move. Is there anything you would like us to do in the matter?"
"Yes, I want to have a weekly report on my desk about their whereabouts and actions. Also, try to track down where he's staying and if he's making any acquaintances. If you find anything even remotely suspicious let me know," Harry told him, becoming all business.
Remus nodded and stood up. As he was heading out the door, he heard Harry sigh heavily and his chair creaked as he fell back against it. He turned around to see Harry with his head in his hands. "Harry? What's the matter? Besides the obvious, of course," he asked his friend, sitting back down on the chair he had just gotten out of.
Harry looked up, his usual bright eyes dark. "What am I going to do? Hermione will be absolutely crushed but I have to tell her. She has to know," he replied, turning his head so he was looking out the window, rays of sunlight flooding his face. "She still has those nightmares. Not as often, of course, but I hear her crying in her sleep and then she wakes up shaking. I know it's not something that she can recover from but I want to help her, yet I feel so hopeless. If Parzatti hurts her again, I think I might do something that could land me in Azkaban," Harry confided, speaking softly.
"Harry," Remus said his name loudly so he would turn around to face him. "Hermione is a strong individual and though it will take some time for her to forget about everything that has happened, she will recover. You do help her, believe me I know. You may not know this but I asked her a couple of weeks ago how she was doing and she admitted about the nightmares but she said, and I quote, 'Harry has been wonderful, though. I don't know what I would have done without him.' See? You have done more than just help her."
A sad smile crept onto his face but he turned away from Remus and shook his head. "It's all my fault. I failed to protect her in the beginning, then when he came back, I failed to keep him away from her. What will happen now? If I could have just finished him off when I had the chance he wouldn't be back," Harry said.
Remus shook his head and sighed, Harry could be so stubborn at times. "Listen to me. It wasn't your fault in the beginning and it's not your fault now. There was nothing you could do and everyone agrees with me; especially Hermione. She doesn't blame you, Harry, she blames herself. More than anything, she believes that if it weren't for you she would have been dead. Now stop blaming yourself for everything because it will get you nowhere. Besides, you have some of your best men looking out for him. The last place he'll get to is near Hermione."
Harry turned back around to face him and smiled genuinely for the first time throughout their conversation. "I know. I guess I should stop drowning in guilt if I want to live long enough to marry Hermione, huh? Well, I should get back to sorting out these files if I want to get home earlier enough to tell her."
Remus nodded and stood up, getting ready to leave.
"Remus? Thanks," Harry told him with a smile before burying his head in pages upon pages of paper.
"Any time, Harry," he whispered before shutting the door softly behind him.
Hermione smiled as she parked her car in the drive way and got out. Walking up the steps to her house, she shifted her heavy pile of books to her left arm as she unlocked the front door and stumbled inside.
"I'm home!" she cried, dropping the heavy load on the nearest chair with a sigh.
"In here!" came Ron's deep voice from somewhere in the kitchen.
A wonderful aroma filled the air and Hermione's stomach growled in protest. She followed her nose into the kitchen and found Ron cooking one of her favorite dishes: lasagna. Much to the surprise of Harry, Hermione, and Lavender, Ron had turned into an excellent cook (thanks to Mrs. Weasley, no doubt) and they had appointed him 'chef of the house.'
"Mmm, that smells delicious," she told him as he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She plopped down on the chair and sighed again, glad to be home.
"Rough day at work?" Ron asked, sitting in the chair across from her.
"Yes. It just amazes me how cruel some parents can be. I won't ever understand how a mother and father can abandon their child," Hermione answered, then continued to explain herself at Ron's confused yet knowing look. "A little girl, Clara, was found near the back of the hospital today, all alone. She was starving, the poor kid, and filthy. She seemed so frightened. I had to coax her to let me examine her for any injuries because she didn't want me to touch her. I can't even imagine what she's been through."
"Where is she now?" he asked, shaking his head sadly. People could be so cruel.
"At the hospital. I'm making her spend the night there so we can test for any diseases and then she'll probably be sent to foster care. I really don't want to see her go there but what can I do? It was so funny the way her eyes almost popped out of her head when I mentioned you and Harry. She seemed so excited that I invited her over on Saturday," she said, obviously taken with the little girl.
Ron smiled at his best friend, wondering how she could have such a big heart with all the things that had happened to her. That was another thing her and Harry had in common. "How old is she?"
"She's six and turning seven in September, only two months away," she answered without hesitation.
"You seem excited. She stole your heart, didn't she?"
"She could steal anyone's heart. Just wait till you see her, she's beautiful. She has long, light brown hair that falls down almost to her waist and these large blue eyes that hold so much sadness, it brings tears to your eyes. She's so sweet, too! I don't know how anyone could leave her. I love her already and I've only just met her!" Hermione's eyes were shining with excitement as she talked animatedly about Clara.
"I can't wait! She sounds like something, all right," Ron commented, enjoying how happy talking about this little girl was making her.
"Oh, she is. I can't wait till Harry meets her, he'll love her!" she exclaimed, making Ron laugh. "Speaking of Harry, where is he? He usually comes home early on Tuesdays."
"He called in and told me to tell you that he might be a little late and not to wait up for him even though he knows you will and that he loves you," Ron told her. "Lavender still at the hospital?" Ron loved that his best friend and his fiance worked in the same hospital, it was easier to track down information that way.
"Yeah, she got held up. A mother rushed her newborn baby to the hospital because she panicked when her baby started to hiccup. It's quite funny the way new parents panic at every little thing. Quite cute, actually," she said with a laugh. "She's probably still trying to calm the mother down," Hermione told him, standing up. She disappeared for a moment and then came back into sight with an armful of books.
"What are those for?" Ron asked her, not the least bit shocked. "We have a library, remember?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know Ron. These are mine but I wanted to do some research at work. Jeez ... anything else?"
Ron laughed. "Yeah, if you make Clara into a bookworm, I think you'll be the only person who could be with her. You know how irritable those bookworms are," Ron laughed causing Hermione to snort at his joke.
"Ha, ha, ha. Aren't we the jokester. The next Eddie Murphy, you are," Hermione told him, enjoying the look of confusion on her friend's face as he tried to figure out who she just referred him to.
Hermione laughed and headed up the stairs, picturing Ron standing in the middle of the kitchen, scratching his head in confusion.
Harry unlocked the door and entered the silent house quietly. He had gotten off work later than expected and didn't want to wake everyone.
"Hey, hon," he heard a whisper as he passed the large leather couch in the living room. Startled he whipped around only to see a sleepy Hermione yawning up at him.
"I told you not to wait up for me," he laughed, sitting down next to her.
Hermione nodded and curled up next to him. "I know, but do I ever listen?"
Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth seep into him. As she yawned again, he stood up and bent to pick her up. "Come on, love, time to go to bed," as he lifted her into his arms, she instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest.
"Here we go," Harry said, as he gently placed her on the bed. She curled up on her side and watched as Harry wore his pajama bottoms. Though it was dark in the room, Hermione could tell something wasn't right. When he had first gotten home, his usual light green eyes were darker and his smile wasn't as bright as usual.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked him, as he got into bed. He lay on his back for a moment before answering then turned towards her.
"I, um, received bad news today at work," Harry began, clearing his throat. He didn't know why this was so difficult for him to say, especially to Hermione, but he knew if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have had this much trouble telling them about Anthony.
"What happened?" she asked, sitting up in bed. The only other time he had such a hard time telling her something was back in their seventh year when Harry had told her both Anthony and Voldemort weren't dead like they were supposed to be.
"Well ..."
"Harry just tell me."
He took a deep breath and took her hands in his. "Okay ... Remus told me today that Parzatti was spotted in Hogsmead and Knockturn Alley. He said that he didn't look like he was up to anything but he would get men to watch his every move. I'm sorry, 'Mione."
Harry was expecting her to be sad, mad, or at least start to cry but her calm expression and the single word that followed surprised him. "Oh," was all she said.
"'Mione, love, are you okay?" he asked her, looking for any sign that she was holding back so he wouldn't feel bad. He found nothing.
"I'm fine, Harry."
"Talk to me, then. Please? I'm worried ..."
Hermione sighed and scooted closer to him, so she was leaning against his chest. "Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly all right. I knew this could happen, everyone knew Anthony wasn't dead. That's why I'm not surprised. And you can wipe that guilty look off your face because it's not your fault," she told him, even though she couldn't see his face.
Harry grinned down at her. "How'd you know?" he asked her.
"I've known you for ten years. I know every expression and feeling you have, love. So you might as well get used to it."
He laughed and was about to say something when Hermione cut him off, her voice holding excitement he only heard back in their Hogwart's days when she would find important information from her closest friend, the book.
"She's adorable, Harry. Her name's Clara and she's six ..." Hermione went on to tell Harry what she had told Ron.
By the time they fell asleep in each other's arms, the sun was just about to start a new day.
A.N.2: Hope you enjoyed that chapter. Keep track of Clara, because I'm not done with her. Also, I know 3 years seems like a really long time to be engaged but I wanted them to be older when they got married. But don't worry, they'll get married soon : )
Please review!