Remember, Believe
Harry smiled crookedly down at the tiny, white bundle in his arms. A small fist waved in the air and a finger grabbed onto his thumb. His daughter's bright green eyes looked up into his, as if a mirror image of his own.
"She's so beautiful," murmured Hermione, stroking the girl's arm. "I bet she'll have bright red hair, just like Ginny."
Harry grinned and touched her cheek. His daughter, his very own daughter. She lay perfectly still in his arms, her eyelids drooping slightly.
"I guess I'd better give her back to Ginny," Harry whispered. Hermione smiled and nodded, her eyes shining with tears.
The door banged open and Ron burst in, his red hair wild from the run. He was panting from the run, but he grinned up at Harry. "How's Ginny? How's the baby? What's happened? What've I missed?"
"Ginny's resting," Harry said quietly. "And my daughter - oh, she's so beautiful." Harry grinned as Ron took the little bundle into his own arms, his breathing becoming slow and easy.
"She's got your eyes, Harry." He grinned suddenly. "And she's going to have the Weasley hair," he laughed, touching the top of her head.
Harry smiled faintly and turned away from them. Ginny was resting peacefully, her eyes closed and a smile on her face, her long red hair cascading down her shoulders. He smiled affectionately at his wife and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Ginny stirred and her eyes opened. "She's gorgeous, isn't she?" Ginny whispered.
Harry nodded slightly. "Ron's holding her now." Ginny smiled and motioned for Harry to let him in.
Ron walked in slowly, still staring at his niece. He glanced up at Ginny and smiled in congratulation at her. He passed the small girl to Harry and bent down to kiss his sister.
"She's soI don't knowperfect," he said quietly, looking fondly at the girl in Harry's arms.
"I know," whispered Ginny. After a pause, she asked, "Do we have a name for her yet?"
Harry looked up and Ron smiled fleetingly. He looked so much like he'd done when they were at Hogwarts: haphazard jet-black hair, sparkling green eyes, and a lightning bolt scar flashing down across his forehead, souvenir of the Dark Lord.
"What were you thinking of?" asked Ron to Ginny.
"WellLily, you know, for Harry's mum" began Ginny slowly. Harry shook his head slightly.
"I don't think that'd work. I don't know, but that name would just remind me too much of my mum" he said. Ron looked back to Ginny.
"Kerith," she said softly.
"Sienna," Harry continued.
"Rose."
"Mercury." Ron snorted at this, but Ginny glared at him.
Hermione wandered in, a book opened in her hands and her eyes fixed on the text. She barely looked up at them as she walked.
Ron sighed. "Do you really have to read right now, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up, a sour expression on her face. "I'm looking for names," she said to Harry and Ginny, ignoring the glare that Ron was shooting her.
"Helen?" Ginny suggested timidly. Harry smiled quickly at her but shot Ron and Hermione a warning glance.
Hermione paced back and forth in the room, a frown on her face. "Something, something" she muttered as she flipped page after page.
"Athena? No" Hermione sighed in frustration. All of a sudden, a bright look of dawning crossed her face and she stopped pacing. The book closed with a small snap and she turned excitedly to Harry and Ginny.
"Rhiannon," she whispered. Ginny began to smile and Harry was grinning. Ron was standing in the corner, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Rhiannon," whispered Ginny. "Rhiannon Potter. Rhia."
"That's a wonderful name," said Harry. "How did you ever come up with it? Was it in that book?"
"No," said Hermione, shaking her head. "I don't knowit just came to me." She shrugged and smiled. "Still, I think it fits her."
"Perfectly," laughed Ginny.
"Absolutely," said Harry.
Ron just leaned farther back and glared at Hermione. She smiled softly at him and walked over, slipping an arm around his waist. "Come on," she whispered in his ear. "Let's have some fun. For old times' sake."
Ron looked from Harry, to Ginny, to Hermione. Finally, he nodded and a slow smile crept across his face. "Rhiannon Potter. I like it."
Hermione smiled at Harry and Ginny. Little Rhia was asleep in Ginny's arms and Ron bent over to look at his niece. The sun seemed to shine brighter outside of their window.
"Here," said Hermione suddenly, reaching into the bag slung over her shoulder. She pulled out four bottles of butterbeer and handed one to each of them. "Butterbeer."
Harry took his hesitantly and grinned at the memories. The three of them - four when Ginny was along - used to have butterbeer in Hogsmeade while they were at Hogwarts. That seemed so long ago
"I propose a toast," began Ron, in all seriousness. "To Rhiannon Potter." They all smiled and Harry could see a tear glistening in the corner of his eye.
"To Rhiannon Potter," the four chorused, sipping the butterbeer.
Hermione glanced at Ron. He was looking fondly at the little girl asleep on the bed, her green eyes shielded from the world at the moment.
"Sirius!" Harry shouted as he knocked on the door of his godfather's house on the edge of the woods. Two faces appeared in the doorway - Sirius Black's and Remus Lupin's.
"Harry!" exclaimed Sirius, opening the door to invite him in.
Harry stepped in and sat down on the couch, unable to wipe the smile off of his face. "I have a daughter," he said finally, smiling even more broadly at the words.
"Congratulations!" said Sirius, a smile on his face now too. "Where is she?"
"That's wonderful, Harry," said Remus quietly, grinning softly. Harry smiled back at both of them.
"She and Ginny are still at the hospital, but they're coming home today." Harry's bright green eyes gleamed at the thought of his daughter. He already couldn't wait to get back to her.
"Have you decided on a name for her?" asked Sirius, leaning forward. Since his name had been cleared from the murder of Peter Pettigrew and thirteen other Muggles, he had filled out and his hair was cropped much shorter than before.
"Yes," murmured Harry, a great pride swelling in his chest. "Rhiannon."
The response from Sirius and Remus was something that Harry couldn't have ever predicted. They glanced at one another, but didn't speak a word.
Harry frowned. "What? What's wrong with that name?" he asked, his spirits dimming slightly.
Sirius lowered his eyes to the ground and sighed. He spoke in a rough, quiet voice that Harry had never heard before. "Rhiannon is the most beautiful name in the world," Sirius murmured.
"Then why - ?"
"Rhiannon Drelle was in the same years as us," murmured Sirius, unblinking. He bit his lip. "She was" he faltered. Sirius shook his head and stood up, disappearing into the kitchen.
Harry glanced quickly up at Remus. He sighed and stood up as well. "I think it's best that Sirius tells you, but now's not the time," he said quietly.
Harry frowned, but he nodded and stood up as well. "Well, I'm eager to hear this tale that makes Sirius walk away, but I suppose you're right. I'll get back to Rhia now," he sighed. "I just don't see what's wrong with her nameit seemed so perfect"
"It is," Remus assured Harry quickly. As Harry's fingers touched the door knob, Remus murmured softly, "Too perfect."
Harry hesitated, deciding whether to pretend he hadn't heard or not. Finally, he decided against further questioning and stepped outside into the bright sunlight, shaking his head in frustration.
When Harry stepped into his house, he grinned widely as he took off his coat. Ginny was lying on the couch with little Rhia in her arms. She smiled fleetingly at him and Harry bent over to kiss her. She looked so beautiful, lying there.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, studying Harry's face. He sighed and sat down beside her, his hands in his lap.
"Sirius and Remus knew someone named Rhiannon. Apparently, it's a complicated storySirius couldn't seem to talk about it. He walked away," said Harry.
"Sirius walked away?" said Ginny, raising her eyebrows. "I've never seen him do that before."
"I know," sighed Harry. "That's why I think it's something really important. And I've got the inkling that it has something to do with Voldemort."
Ginny nodded slowly, playing with Rhia's fingers. "That makes sense."
There was a soft knock on the door and Harry got up to open it. His eyebrows rose in surprise. "Hermione," he said. "Come in."
"Thanks," she muttered in relief, stepping inside and smiling fondly at Ginny and Rhia. "I've just been to see Sirius." At the quizzical looks from Harry and Ginny, Hermione waved her hand absentmindedly. "He has a book I wanted," she explained hurriedly. "Anyway, he looked really tense about something. Do you have any idea about what's going on?"
Harry glanced at Ginny and then back to Hermione. "Actually, I do. I was just over there and I told him Rhia's name. He and Remus knew someone in their year called Rhiannon - Sirius couldn't finish the story."
Hermione frowned, puzzled. "Couldn't finish?"
"He walked away." Harry sat back down again and reached his pocket for the familiar touch of his wand.
"This has to be serious," Hermione sighed, leaning against the door frame. "On a brighter subject, how is the little girl doing?"
"Wonderful," responded Ginny. "She's so sweet and peaceful." She gazed down at Rhia fondly and touched her tiny fingers.
Sirius sat on the couch, his hands folded in his lap and a mug of tea steaming on the table beside him. He tried to clear his throat, but he shook his head.
"Of all names" he murmured. Remus reached out.
"Remember, Sirius. Sometimes it's better to remember rather than forget. Remember her long, red hair, remember her warm brown eyes"
"Stop it!" cried Sirius, trying to stand up. Remus pushed him back down with amazing strength.
"Remember her, Sirius. That's all the advice I can give you." Remus released Sirius's shoulder and stood up, grabbing his coat and tossing it over his shoulders. "I'll be gone for a little while. I'm going to visit Harry and Ginny."
"Fine," muttered Sirius, staring into the distance as if not focusing on anything at all. Remus sighed as he closed the door behind him and hurried down the steps.
Sirius sighed and closed his eyes, leaning back into the warm comfort of the couch. Remember No, it was too painful to remember. Remember her long, red hair He gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on the mug until his knuckles turned white. Remember her warm, brown eyesremember.
He stood up and placed the empty mug on the kitchen counter, reaching into the back of a cupboard and pulling out a piece of plyboard. Sirius stared at the tiny hook and the small, silver key dangling from it.
Remember Sirius snatched the key from the hook and replaced the piece of plyboard, closing the cupboard door quietly. Each step was forced as he flicked on the lamp in the den and knelt down beside the small table.
He pulled open a drawer at the bottom and picked up a dusty shoebox. Sirius closed his eyes again, willing himself to pick it up. Finally, he took it out of the drawer and pushed it closed with shaking fingers.
The silver key found its own way into the lock and the box clicked open. Hot tears pricked at the corners of Sirius's eyes as he stared down at the contents of the box. Newspaper clippings and moving photographs met his glance. He caught sight of Rhia smiling mischievously at him beneath a scrap of newspaper that had been shakily cut out.
Sirius picked it up, his eyes following the words and darting to the picture in the corner. The Daily Prophet hadn't made a big deal out of it, really. Just a small clip in the corner of the newspaper stating that Rhiannon Drelle had disappeared from Hogwarts. But it had been much more than that to Sirius.
Remember
He tossed the clipping to the ground and picked up a photograph of her and the four marauders. Sirius smiled as she waved furiously at him with the hand that had been previously resting on Sirius's shoulder. There was a picture of her alone, gazing into the distance, her hair blowing in the soft breeze.
Sirius picked up the last photograph, the one that had been thrust to the bottom of the box. It had been his favorite picture of her and he used to stare at it for hours. Rhia was standing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, dressed for the ball that night, her red hair plaited down her back. She looked so graceful, so willowy.
As he stared at the photograph, his mouth slightly open, she turned and smiled warmly at him. He felt tears well up in his eyes again, but this time, he didn't bother trying to hold them back. They rolled down his cheeks, but he somehow didn't want to stop the flow of memories anymore. They were like sweet music in his ears.
Remus stepped quietly in the door. His eyes scanned the living room for Sirius as he hung his coat up. He walked softly into the den and paused in the doorway, his mouth open.
Sirius was surrounded by photographs and newspaper clippings on the floor and tears were cascading down his cheeks. A smile came to Remus's lips as he watched Sirius sort through the pictures and clips about Rhia.
Remus had known Rhia as well. So had all of the marauders. But Sirius had been the closest to her. Remus had a feeling that Sirius had almost been deeper in love with Rhia than James had been with Lily. It was hard to tell because Rhia had disappeared at the end of their seventh year. No one knew where, and no one knew how. Just that she was gone.
"She was gorgeous, wasn't she?" Sirius murmured. Remus started slightly. He hadn't known that Sirius had been aware of his presence.
"Rhia was more beautiful than any woman I've ever met," Remus said softly. "I don't blame you for falling love with her."
"I only wish I'd realized it before now. The pain was in that - willing to accept that I was - and still am - in love with her," Sirius whispered hoarsely.
"She still could be alive," said Remus.
Sirius shook his head and muttered bitterly, "No. If she was aliveoh, it's been too long, Remus." Another tear found a path down his cheek.
"There's always hope," called Remus over his shoulder as he turned from the den. Sirius had overcome that barrier, but Remus knew that there was much more to it than that. At least now he knew that he was in love with her.
Hermione dropped her quill as she walked away from Harry's, her mind cluttered with thoughts. She made a small sound of frustration as she bent to pick it up.
"Well, well. If it isn't Granger," came a voice that Hermione never thought she would hear again. She smiled slowly as she stood up.
"And Mr. Malfoy, the white ferret," she replied smoothly. Draco's eyes widened slightly at the sight of her as she stood up. "What are you doing here?"
He sneered at her. "Nothing I'd tell you. Why are you still around here?" he asked.
"Visiting Harry, Ron, and Ginny. You know, I don't live here. I'm just staying for a while so I can see Rhia," retorted Hermione sharply.
"Rhia?" said Malfoy softly, his brow furrowing at the unfamiliar name. "Who's that?"
"Harry's daughter," replied Hermione before she thought. "Oh, right. You didn't know that he had a daughter, did you?"
Draco eyed her suspiciously before shaking his head. "Who'd he marry?"
Hermione grinned and snorted slightly. "You're really behind on this stuff, aren't you? Ginny Weasley. That was at least two years ago. Where've you been?"
Draco scowled at her. "No where. Who's your husband, then?" He folded his arms across his chest and cocked his head to the side.
Hermione blushed slightly. "No one, yet."
"Oh, so no one's going to marry you, then?" he jeered, a cruel smile playing about his lips.
"I told you, not yet, Draco," Hermione shot back angrily.
"Draco?" he asked, his eyebrows raised. "You've decided to call me by my first name, then? Not Malfoy, the white ferret, as previously?"
Hermione smiled slightly at him. "I'd prefer to know everyone - yes, that includes my enemies - by their first names. That is, if that's okay by you. And if you're going to make fun of me because I'm not married yet, then who's your lucky wife?"
This time, it was Draco's pale skin that colored slightly. "Well"
"So it didn't work out with Pansy, then?" said Hermione, her smile growing wider. Draco glared at her.
"You know I never really liked her," he said quietly.
"Yes, I think I did know that," murmured Hermione softly. "Listen, I know this may sound a little funny, but we may've changed. I mean, it's been fourteen years. Do you want to start over with dinner tomorrow night?" she said, blushing slightly.
To her surprise, Draco just stared at her for a moment and then smiled slightly. "I don't know why I'm agreeing, but sure. I can pick you up at?"
"Oh, I'm staying at the Flying Owl hotel. Do you know where that is?" said Hermione quickly, smiling.
"Yeah," replied Draco softly. "So see you at - say - six?"
"Great," murmured Hermione, turning away from him. "See you then." She strode away, a small smile blossoming on her lips. Dinner with Draco Malfoythat was one thing she'd never expected.
On her way to the Flying Owl, Hermione stopped in at Harry and Ginny's. Ron was sitting beside Ginny, playing with Rhia. The little girl was giggling as she tried to grab Ron's finger. Harry was watching his best friend and his daughter playing over the top of his book.
"Hey," said Hermione as she poked her head inside. Harry shut his book and stood up.
"Come on in, Hermione. We're just having fun with Rhia. She's so sweet," he said, walking over to Ron and watching them again.
"I'm just stopping in for a moment," Hermione said, still smiling. Harry shot her a queer look and she motioned him to the side.
"You'll never believe who I met just now," she whispered in a low voice. She noticed that Ron had stopped playing with Rhia and was listening intently to their conversation.
"Who?" asked Harry quietly, in even lower tones.
"Draco Malfoy. We're having dinner tomorrow night," whispered Hermione, a small grin curving her lips.
"Draco Malfoy?" hissed Harry. "You're having dinner with him?"
"Oh, come on, Harry. I can have my own dates, can't I?" snapped Hermione, her smile fading. She had known Harry wouldn't like it, but it was her life, wasn't it?
"Butyou remember him, don't you? You remember him calling you Mudblood and everything else horrible?" Harry said, concern edging his voice.
"I remember perfectly well. We're just starting over, okay? I can take care of myself perfectly well, Harry," said Hermione. She watched Ron turn around glare at her.
"You're going on a date with Malfoy? Are you crazy?" he said loudly.
"Ron!" exclaimed Ginny, touching his arm. "That's really not your-"
"Come on, Hermione. I thought you were smart. He's probably just trying to capture you or something. He's probably the next Dark Lord," said Ron, his voice rising.
"Why do you always have to try to protect me? What if he's changed?" replied Hermione calmly as she watched Ron.
"Do you really think he changed, Hermione? You think he's nice now, or something?" shot back Ron, standing up. His ears were turning red as his temper flared.
"Well, you've changed," murmured Hermione quietly, looking straight into his eyes. Suddenly, the color in his cheeks dropped and the corner of his mouth turned upward.
"And so have you, Hermione," he whispered quietly. She smiled fleetingly as she grabbed her cloak and headed out the door.
"I'll be back tomorrow," she called over her shoulder as she closed the door softly behind her. Ron certainly had changed - and Draco had, too. A smile curved her lips as she hurriedly strode back to the Flying Owl.
A/N: I'll probably have at least one more chapter up this weekend, somewhat depending on the number of reviews. I know the title's kind of weird, also...if you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it.