I own nothing of Harry Potter, only my love of the story and its characters. I listen to music for inspiration and had "My Heart is Broken" playing on repeat as I wrote this chapter, just love how hauntingly beautiful it is.

(My heart is broken – Song by Evanescence - Synthesis)

"I pull away to face the pain

I close my eyes and drift away

Over the fear that I will never find

A way to heal my soul

And I will wander 'til the end of time

Torn away from you"

"My heart is broken

Sweet sleep, my dark angel

Deliver us from sorrow's hold

Or from my hard heart"

"I can't go on living this way

But I can't go back the way I came

Shamed of this fear that I will never find

A way to heal my soul

And I will wonder 'til the end of time

Half a life without you"

My body trembles, tears begin coursing down my face. I try frantically swiping them away, but they stubbornly continue their decent raining down onto the pages of my book. I glance down and watch the tiny drops blurring the words. Reaching out to wipe the drops away I notice a single word smear under my thumb…Always. Intense grief descends upon me, I can't stop it, I shake with it, it engulfs me like water bursting forth from a dam - why can't I stop? I'm captured by the intensity of my emotions and throw myself into its mercy from which I quickly realize there will be none. My heart is shattered.

In this moment I feel wrecked, I can't help worrying I may be broken inside. How can I allow myself to be so destroyed by a man I don't know – a man that isn't even real? I scream internally "IT'S NOT REAL!", desperate to stop my irrational sorrow.

Slamming the book closed I toss it to the floor, panicked by my inability to prevent the sobs washing over my body. I look around in alarm for an escape, my breathing is becoming erratic and burns painfully against my chest, I can't help wondering if I can die from the grief ripping through my soul.

My brain is screaming at me to gain control, surging up from my seat on the couch, I push my hands forcefully to the sides of my head pulling my hair slightly from my scalp. I can't contain my anguish any longer, and a tormented cry escapes my lips "WHY!?" the single word bounces uselessly throughout the room. I fall to my knees, weakened by the raw power of emotions I have just released.

I try to force a numbness to run over me, no longer wanting to feel anything. I invite the hollowness to invade my broken heart, but it continues to silently cry, refusing my attempts to ignore the void I've torn through it.

I slowly reach out pulling the book into my lap, tracing my fingers over the words etched into the title of the book cover "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows". I draw it closer into my chest wrapping my arms tightly around it. It helps to anchor me through the uncertain storm of my misery, preventing me from drifting into it once again.

I stare vacantly at the flames crackling softly within my fireplace. Leaning back against the couch I question my extreme reaction over the death of a fictional man. He felt real, everything just felt so real, and I physically ached for him in those final moments. He never had a chance to find happiness having sacrificed his life for the "greater good", knowing only loss and suffering for most of his life – it was just so painfully unfair and sad. Feeling the familiar sting prickling behind my eyes, I lay down on the floor curling into a protective ball. I close my eyes as silent tears trickle over my cheeks, and began to fervently whisper my deepest wishes over and over again "I wish I could give him happiness, I wish I could show him love". Soon my eyes grow very heavy and everything darkens, sleep has come to claim my exhausted mind and body taking me into the sweet oblivion of nothingness.

I awake with a groan, my body protesting as I roll over and stretch my sore muscles. Why does everything ache, the pounding in my head causes me to utter another soft groan of protest. I slowly reach up to rub my tired eyes open, squinting as the sunlight from the window temporarily blinds me. I begin to take in my surroundings, the first thing that becomes apparently clear is I'm no longer laying on the floor of my living room. I'm in a large open room with a high arched ceiling. There are rows of beds neatly lined up along the walls draped in white sheets. My mind whirls with shock and confusion "Oh my God, this is a hospital, am I sick? Dying?" a slight panic begins to rise within me and I clasp my blankets tightly to my chest attempting to shield myself somehow.

A loud banging at the other end of the room grabs my attention, I watch as the large double doors swing open. Then I know I'm either still asleep or I've gone crazy because there could be no other explanation for the man slowly walking towards me. His long purple robes sweep the ground as he comes closer, eyes shining brightly from behind his moon shaped glasses. His long beard tucked neatly into his belt but strangely was not as gray as I would have imagined. His voice is whisper soft as he approaches, "Ah my dear, you are neither sleeping nor crazy. I fear you've somehow found yourself in a most peculiar situation. Allow me to properly introduce myself, although I think perhaps you already know who I am", he adds with a small smile before continuing with his introduction, "Albus Dumbledore at your service, and may I ask for your name?" Still in shock I stutter out my name, "E E Everly Q Q uinn, sir."

"Miss Everly Quinn I'm honored to make your acquaintance." His eyes twinkling even brighter if possible.

"Everly do you know how you came to be here?" Unable to find my voice, I shake my head no. He simply nods and I get the feeling he wasn't asking for his knowledge, but to ascertain what I knew. I focus as he continues "I was quite surprised by your sudden appearance, it was rather… unexpected, especially considering the protection wards surrounding Hogwarts. They are exceptionally powerful, and one cannot simply appear within these walls without…injury."

I stare up at him with a look of bewilderment, he's surprised by my appearance, I'm fucking stunned. Based on what he just said I'm literally laying in a bed at Hogwarts talking to Albus freaking Dumbledore. Despite his earlier assurance I'm pretty sure I've lost my damn mind.

Staring into his eyes I can see he now looks amused and I'm now beginning to suspect he knows what I'm thinking." Are you Legilimensing me?" I ask with wide eyes.

A full Cheshire grin spreads across his face, "Sorry, I must admit to being guilty of snooping within your mind a little, I'm skilled in the art of legilimency and find it useful to identify potential threats."

I can't help but feel insulted "I'm not a threat and I really don't want you…uh…snooping through my mind."

He continues to speak to me with his wide smile, as if he didn't just say he's been reading my mind. "Yes, well I had to be sure you weren't here to cause harm, and I can see now this is something altogether different."

I watch as he pulls over a chair to sit beside my bed. I can feel my heart hammering as I build up the courage to ask him the same question he posed to me a few minutes ago, "how did I get here?"

He peers back at me, his face now serious. "have you heard of soulmates?" I nod my head in the affirmative and silently wonder what direction he's headed with this.

Leaning forward in his chair he continues, "Soulmates can be used to describe a strong love between two people, but it's much more than just shared love. It's a connection of two souls joining perfectly in mind, body, and soul. It's extremely rare for someone to actually find their true other half, but if the connection is exceptionally powerful it can create a magical force so strong it will bring the two souls together and nothing can stop them from finding each other."

Placing his hand on my shoulder he looks at me with gentle concern. Apprehension races through me, "are you telling me my soulmate brought me here?"

Slowly pulling his hand away from my shoulder he sighs. "I wish the answer was that simple. I've never heard of a soulmate bond powerful enough to stretch through space, time, and apparently other dimensions."

Trying to remain calm I ask. "Will I know who he is? Will he know me?" I immediately begin thinking of the man I mourned over last night and I can feel tears building behind my eyes as I wait for his response.

Speaking softly, he answers. "Most people don't immediately recognize or acknowledge the connection they're feeling. Soulmates have a very human component requiring time for feelings to develop. It's not something you can force, however, once two souls come together the bond is unbreakable, it will remain forever filled with the purest love. The strongest magic we have within us all."

Watching me curiously he asks me a question I'm not sure I'm ready to answer. "Everly, do you know who your soulmate may be?"

I quickly look down hiding my eyes not wanting to take the risk of him using legilimency on me again. I've decided to keep a certain name to myself for now. I shake my head no. He doesn't immediately say anything, and I know he can tell I'm lying. After a short time he eventually replies, "we'll figure it out in time", which sounds slightly ominous to me.

I'm starting to feel incredibly tired and my aching body is beginning to shake with the effort to remain up right. Seeing my exhaustion, he calls out for Madam Pomfrey, I watch a woman approach from the other end of the room, she's wearing a nurse's uniform right out of the middle ages complete with ankle length dress, white apron, and a nun like head covering.

She immediately begins speaking to Dumbledore in a scolding tone "Albus! can't you see this poor girl is exhausted and in no condition for lengthy visits? She's been in a coma for almost 5 days, you can't just expect her to be interrogated as soon as she awakens."

My exhaustion and pain forgotten I interrupt her. "Wait! Excuse me I've been in a coma for 5 DAYS!" My voice is starting to quiver with emotion and I whisper, "what is happening to me?"

She pats my back and gently pushes me against the pillow. "Hush now child, you shouldn't be getting yourself worked up. Everything will be fine. For now, I'm giving you a calming drought and something to help you rest." She pulls out two bottles and hands them over for me to drink. I quickly down them and cringe at the gross after taste.

Dumbledore stands and places the chair against the wall, turning back towards me he says sympathetically, "I promise we'll talk more and I'll attempt to answer all your questions." Saying good-bye to Madam Pomfrey he inclines his head towards me and turns with a swish of his purple robes quietly exiting the room.

My mind is spinning, so many thoughts, so many questions. My eyes grow insanely heavy and I know the potions are starting to take effect. It doesn't stop the silent tears from gliding down my face as I think of him…Severus Snape…my soulmate.

Chapter 2 now added. Thanks!