Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own anything, ectera, ectera.

Author's Note: Just, for the record. During the weekend, it's easier to pump out chapters. So the updates might slow down a bit, but hopefully they won;t be any more then two or three days apart. Also, Hermione seems out of sorts and I guess OOC, and that's simply how she's gonna be written in this chapter and possibly the next chapter. I think (which this can change, at any given point) THat I'm going to have some HR/R in Day 4 or 5. And there will be MUCHO H/HR in either Day 5 or 6. Day 3 and 4 will probably be more family orientated. Harry trying to figure Hermione out, while she tries to figure out what happened. And for some of the "magical" details, I took a bit of creative license and somewhat made it my own.

Thank you to everyone who's read and reviewed. I hope you enjoy. Happy Readings.

--

I've made up me mind, don't need to think it over, if I'm wrong I am right
Don't need to look no further, this ain't lust, I know this is love
If I tell the world, I'll never say enough cause it was not said to you
And that's exactly what I need to do
If I end up with you should I give up?
Or should I just keep chasing pavements, even if it leads no where,
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place should I leave it there.
Should I give up 0r should I just keep chasing pavements, even if it leads nowhere?
I build myself up and fly around in circles
Waiting as my heart drops and my back begins to tingle
Finally could this be it or should I give up?
Or should I just keep chasing pavements? Even if it leads nowhere.

--

Chasing Pavements

--

--

She rolled over, slipping into a cold area of the bed. With a shiver she rolled back into the spot she had been laying, and brought her legs up to her stomach. It was never fun waking up by yourself.

But at least she knew that everything had been a dream. Ron would be making coffee, which she didn't drink, and they would leave for work at separate times. All was as it should have been.

With a yawn and a small stretch, brown eyes opened, focusing on blue walls and white trims. She shut them and placed her hands over her face. Even slower then before, she reopened her eyes and moved away her hands. Blue walls and white trims.

She rolled over and noticed that Harry's side of the bed was empty, and the curtains were drawn over the huge bay window that took up most of the wall.

A groan escaped her throat, she rolled over and propped herself into a sitting position.

"Harry?" She waited a minute. "Harry?" He still didn't answer, prompting her to stand up. She turned and looked at the clock, it was almost eight.

Meaning he had left for work. Meaning she was half an hour late. Without even thinking she dove into the bathroom, rushing through her routine. She ran back out into the bedroom, racing towards the closet, flicking her wrist until she had the section she wanted. The closet door stayed open as she rushed back towards the bathroom. She froze as a glowing piece of paper on her nightstand caught her attention.

It was a letter in Harry's penmanship.

'Good Morning beautiful. I figured it be best to let you sleep in. Yesterday you weren't feeling so well and a little extra sleep is never harmful. I fed and changed Hunter, he dozed back off as I was leaving. You'll probably wake up the same time as him. You two have a lovely day, and I'll try to be home early. And love, relax.'

She stared down at the paper and then looked around the room. It was only in slight chaos, an easy cleaning spell would probably work. Not that this was what was important. No, what was important was, she was still married to Harry. Not only that, Harry loved her and they had three beautiful children. Ron was married to Luna. And apparently she didn't have to go into work.

What was truly important, in all honesty, was she didn't remember any of these things.

The note found itself back on her night stand and with a flick of her wrist, the room was placed back into order. She sighed and turned, making her way out of the bed room to the nursery.

Hunter was wrapped snuggly in his crib. His chubby face was peaceful with sleep. Hermione leaned down and gently brushed some black hair from his face. A smile formed on her lips as her fingers felt the warmth of his skin.

It had been many a year since she had been so close to a baby. And, Merlin, was he beautiful. He could give his father a run for his money. Not that Lily and Sirius were nothing. Hermione had a feeling that, in person, the two kids would probably knock her to her feet.

She'd have to admit, Harry and her made beautiful children.

Turning to walk out of the room, a picture on the dresser caught her attention. It was taken with a wizard's camera because the figures moved. She lifted it up and stared at Harry and herself in a hospital room. She was laying in a bed, a tiny newborn wrapped securely in her arms. Harry was sitting on the bed, slightly behind her, his arms around her and a giant smile on his face A giant smile was on both of their faces, for that matter.

Her eyes watched as picture Harry kissed her and Hunter, his smile growing every second. Picture Hermione was just as happy, kissing Hunter, rocking Hunter, and then, giving Harry a full blown kiss. Brown eyes stared down at the couple in the picture as they kissed, her hand reaching up to touch his face, Hunter still wrapped in her arms.

Placing the photo down, she shook her head and looked back to make sure Hunter was still sleeping. She left quietly, making her way down the stairs.

She couldn't believe how beautiful the house was. Not that her and Ron's house was anything to sweep under the carpet, but this house was just grand. High ceilings and lots of light.

The kitchen was a wall of windows, with beautiful brown counters and a small round table. The silver tea kettle was sitting on the stove, waiting to be heated.

Without using magic, a flick of the wrist, Hermione walked over to the stove and manually turned it on. She leaned back on her heels and looked around, she wasn't sure where everything was. She had looked around briefly yesterday, but the thought of tea had not been a very prominent thought.

Walking over to the opposite counter, she grabbed a cup and a tea bag, opting for instant tea rather then leaves. Putting the bag in the cup, she looked up and noticed a calendar right by the doorway.

Harry's name was written on ever Monday, just as her name was written on every Friday. It hit Hermione that she and Harry stayed home on these days, each getting a three day weekend, and only having to leave Hunter with Mrs. Carville three days versus five.

She had to admit, they were on target. She had been home with Rose for the first two years, but then they had Molly. Ginny had been a stay at home mother permanently, cleaning and cooking, raising her three children.

A thought seemed to cross her mind. Had she stayed home with Lily or Sirius? She had deduced that Hunter was a surprise, he was a full eleven years after Sirius. He was either a very big surprise, or she had wanted another child.

Lily and Sirius, the smile on her face widened. She knew those were Harry's names, that they were what he had left of his family. There was no way she would have not allowed him to name their children after his parents and godfather. Hunter, however, was not one of Harry's names. Actually, it was a name she had always liked. Rose and Hugo had been Ron's names, and they had decided that they had only wanted two children. But Hunter, Hunter was one of her names.

The tea kettle's whistle interrupted her thoughts and she jumped up. She flicked her wrist immediately stopping the noise and shutting the gas off. Her hand found her forehead.

Walking over to the stove, she poured the water into the cup. Something moved, making her look up, only to stare at the pictures on the wall near the other entrance to the kitchen. It was the pictures of the three children, each from their first birthdays. Lily Ann, Sirius James, and Hunter Thomas, three Potter legacies.

Brown eyes closed and she took a sip of her tea, allowing the hot liquid salvation to course through her body. This was short lived as a cry erupted through the house, causing Hermione, not only to spill her tea but almost drop the cup. A hand flew to her chest and she took a deep breath. It was an echo spell, something she had used with Rose and Hugo, it was a good back up system in case you forgot the baby monitor.

She debated for half a second whether to clean up the mess with magic, or wait until she had Hunter settled. The ongoing cry of her son made her take a deep breath and leave the mess, rushing towards the nursery.

There was more important things then a bit of spilled tea.

--

Hunter ran past the kitchen into the family room, giggling with his arms stretched in front of him. Behind him, a smile plastered on her face, was an out of breath Hermione. It was almost twelve o'clock, what Hermione had assumed would be Hunter's nap time, she was apparently very wrong.

They had been running around for, what felt like days to Hermione, only a couple of hours. Hunter had eaten the silver dollar pancakes and eggs Hermione had cooked; spilt milk all over the floor and kitchen table; somehow managed to break the gate leading to the library/formal living room, and had empted one of the cabinets; and had bit Hermione for not picking him up right away.

Ah, early childhood, energy and an abundant amount of teething.

Taking the easy way out, Hermione had cleaned and fixed everything with a swish of her wand. She had to keep up with Hunter, who was obviously taking after Harry in the mischief department.

He giggled as Hermione almost toppled over one of the toys that had been left out from their earlier invasion on the family room. She stood up and gave him a devilish smile, making his giggle erupt even louder. He rushed past her, trying to win some ridiculous race that she didn't even know about.

"AH HA!" Hermione scooped him into her arms, his laughter tickling her ears. "I've got you! Now, you need to have a bath and then a good nap." Hunter made a face and then smiled brightly, shaking his head. An eruption of babble rushed from his lips, every once and a while stopping to look at Hermione's face. "Oh, really?"

Hunter let out another babble, placing his head on her shoulder.

Hermione walked into the kitchen, grabbing the bottle she had made him. She walked up the stairs and opened the middle door, right of the staircase. Earlier, when she went looking for towels, she had found out that the middle door was the bathroom, Lily's room was to the far end of the hall, and Sirius' room was closest to hers.

She realized this simply because Lily's room was a mint green, with posters of some hot young wizard band and lots of plants. Sirius' room was a tan paint, with posters of quidditch players, action figures, and a bookshelf filled from top to bottom with all different types of books.

One of the good parts of Hunter being so energetic was she had the opportunity to see the house, quickly learning where everything was. Merlin bless her photographic memory.

She stepped into the bathroom, breathing in the scent of lavender and vanilla, a scent that was magically enhanced to keep the bathroom smelling fresh. There was a large old fashion tub, that had a modern shower attachment. With Hunter still in her arms, she squatted down and started filling the tub, adjusting the temperature so it was suitable for the baby.

Hunter was giggling and trying to pull her hair from the messy bun it was in. A smile graced her lips, slowly pulling him away. His green eyes stared at her, a blank expression on his face.

"Come on little man, I know you want to play in the water." She tweaked his nose, earning a bright smile and a high laugh. Hermione laughed and began undressing him, turning the water off and sticking her hand in it to check the temperature. Satisfied that it was not too hot, she gently placed Hunter in the shallow water.

He began splashing around, the water hitting the tub, and spotting Hermione's tank top. She smiled as she took a wash cloth and the baby bath soap that was sitting on a small shelf near the tub. Hunter was splashing and laughing, his hands trying to grab the water.

The bath was short, only because Hermione was feeling tired herself. She gently rinsed the rest of the bubbles and soap off of Hunter and wrapped him in a soft towel. His eyes were half shut, which brought a soft smile to Hermione's face.

She dressed him in a diaper and a tee-shirt, giving him his bottle as he laid down. There was no smile or giggle, only his breath adjusting to a rhythmic pattern. Hermione quickly left the room, shutting the door as quietly as possible.

Shaking her head, a smile gracing her lips, she walked into her bedroom, the clock on the nightstand read twelve forty five. This gave her until about two thirty, maybe three to relax and rejuvenate herself.

She walked into the bathroom and undressed herself, stepping into the large shower. She closed the glass door and turned on the water as hot as her body could handle. Which, in retrospect, must have been quite hot because she noticed her pearly skin was turning redder by the minute.

This did not bother her.

The water cascading over her, gave her mind some clarity. Running after Hunter, while very good because it kept her mind busy, was only delaying the inevitable.

Harry Potter. First class Auror. Good father. Loving Husband. Perfection.

Of course he had his faults, as all men do, but here he was, Hermione's husband. Husband. Obviously, this was not a dream. She would have woken up from it long ago. That and the fact she tripped up the stairs, banging her knee and feeling the sharp pain.

So, if this wasn't a dream, then what was Ron?

First in her class, youngest to start on the Magical Law Enforcement council, and able to read a thousand page book and memorize it basically word for word, she could not figure out what the bloody hell was going on. Maybe it was a bad dream. Maybe she took a nasty spill and bumped her head.

How did she make it to bed that night however? And who forgets their life and creates a new one? You're suppose to fall, get a concussion, and forget everything. No, not Hermione. She not only forgot everything, but created a whole other life.

The water shifted from hot to cold, making Hermione jump back and shriek slightly. Her hand laid over her upper chest, her breath trying to even out. This whole anxious thing, was not working out for her.

She grabbed the bar of soap from the ceramic shelf and quickly ran it over her body. The shampoo smelt like the ocean, and filled the entire bathroom. She breathed in deeply, allowing the cool water to run over her.

Steam rose off her skin, floating up to the ceiling. She stared at it and leaned against the tiled wall, the shower hitting the floor almost violently. Her hands covered her face.

She loved Ron. Ron had been there through everything. Of course they had their disagreements, and they had a few blow outs, but then what married couple didn't. It wouldn't have mattered if she knew what was the story behind Harry.

All she could focus on was the story she shared with Ron.

She stepped out of the shower, wrapping one of the soft towels around her body. The scent of the ocean lingering in the steam filled space. Rolling her eyes, she opened the door and stepped into her bedroom, relieving in the cold air that hit her.

Sighing, she crossed over the room to the closet, her wrist flicking to find her comfortable clothes. Just as she was passing her formal dresses, two hands fell over her shoulders.

Her whole body tensed as she froze, the hands moving from her shoulders down her arms, moving over her wrists and then curving over her hips, squeezing them as the person pressed against her back. She could feel hot breath on her neck. Her body was so tense that she thought her heart had stopped beating.

"Hello love." Her body eased slightly as she recognized his voice, but she still stood rigid as his lips traced her neck to her collar bone, his arms moving to circle her lower stomach, and his chin finally coming to rest on her shoulder.

"Harry? What are you doing home?" She didn't move, her eyes focused on the closest. It couldn't be any later then one thirty, the earliest he would have come home would have been six thirty.

Harry pulled away from her, his hands gliding over the towel that was wrapped around her.

"We always come home and meet each other for lunch on Mondays and Fridays." She grimaced and turned around, her arms crossing over her chest in a secure fashion.

"Oh, Harry, I didn't make lunch, I'm so sorry. Hunter took forever to tire himself out and it slipped my mind." Harry stared at her, he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, eyes which were currently watching her with mild confusion.

"That's ok darling. I'll go and whip something up." He leaned forward, to kiss her on the lips, only Hermione leaned back, directing Harry's lips to kiss her on the top of her head instead. He moved away from her, hurt evident in his eyes. "You get dressed and I'll meet you downstairs."

Hermione nodded, watching as he turned, his hand running through his messy hair. She looked at the ceiling, glaring openly to whatever was up there ruining her life.

--

The scent of sauce and chicken had floated upstairs, her stomach roaring in anticipation. She made her way down the stairs, entering the kitchen with a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. Harry looked up and smirked at her, holding up a plate of chicken cutlets with a curry gravy.

"I used magic to whip it up. I know you really don't like us using magic in the house, but I figured you wouldn't mind since we were pressed for time."

Hermione stared at him blankly. "You're ok with not using magic around the house?"

Harry's smirk fell, being replaced with straight lips. He took two large steps toward her, placing his hand on her forehead. "Well of course. I mean, I was raised in the Muggle world as well Hermione. Besides, we haven't used much magic around the houses since we moved in together at the age of eighteen." He removed his hand, finding her head perfectly cool to the touch. His eyes stayed on her however, watching to see if she made any sudden movements.

"I--" Hermione shut her mouth. She had pressed Ron since they got married to keep the magic to a minimum, simply because as wonderful as magic was, it was ultimately a crutch. Of course they could use magic, but it wasn't always necessary. And especially after Rose was born, she wanted to give the kids a semi-similar childhood as she had. Even though Ron tried, he was too stubborn and set in his ways. Magic had become everyone's crutch in the Weasley household.

Harry being raised by his aunt and uncle, Hermione guessed, gave him the means to understand where she was coming from.

Without speaking, Hermione gently took a plate and walked over to the table, Harry hot on her heels. They both sat down, Hermione's eyes staring at the food and Harry's eyes on her.

He cleared his throat and began cutting his chicken. "Are you sure you're ok? Should we call Dr. Horne ?"

She stared down at her plate, random thoughts rolling around in her chaotic mind. Being the brightest witch was not helping her at this moment in time.

"Harry, do you think about what it be like to live a different life? Like, as if you had married Ginny?" She looked up, Harry was bent over his plate, fork frozen in mid air. He looked over his glasses, green crashing into brown.

Slowly, he placed his fork down and sat up straight, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He cleared his throat and stared at her.

"Not really, considering how it ended. I mean, as much as I loved Ginny, her and I were just not going to last. She didn't even want to move to Grimmauld Place so I could renovate it." He's glaze lowered, his eyes moving around the kitchen. "You were the only one who really wanted to be with me. Even Ron only came to Sirius' home because you two were in the beginnings of your relationship." He shrugged, his eyes meeting Hermione's once again.

Her brain began wrapping around this information. She had never lived at Grimmauld Place. She remembered Harry saying he was going back there, to settle things and take a break. Ginny hadn't gone, no one had gone. It had been just Harry.

"Mione?" She snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes focusing unto his.

"I'm just a little thoughtful. Hunter had me running around like a headless chicken." She looked down, her appetite dying away. She pushed the plate away from her, sitting her elbows on the table, so her chin could sit in her palm.

"Do you wish you had another life?" Her eyes bulged and she began rapidly shaking her head.

"Harry, please, how could you ask such a thing?" In actual reality, what he was asking was a very wise and perceptive question. Because not only was she thinking about another life, she had lived another life. A life with Harry's best friend.

"I'm sorry," He did not look very apologetic, but a coy smile formed on his lips. His green eyes lightened, alerting Hermione that he was confused. "I thought you were asking me about Ginny because you yourself was projecting."

A blank expression formed over her face as the comment calmed her earlier burst. When did Harry become so, so smart? He and Ron were about the same level, sometimes falling short of what Hermione was saying or thinking. But never did Harry or Ron come up with a psychoanalysis of Hermione.

"See, I took your advice and read something smart." He stuck out his tongue, laughter rushing into his eyes. He gave her a wink and bent over his plate, taking a large bite of his chicken.

Hermione simply stared at him. She looked away, and then at the ceiling.

"Well," Her eyes returned to the table, a small headache forming in her temples. "Someone has to do as I say. I'll fix dinner tonight, so try to be on time, please."

"I can't make any promises. We have another raid." Harry rolled his eyes. "I wanted to have Ron lead it, but Artie is sick and Luna is feeling a bit overwhelmed."

"Is Artie ok?" Hermione could guess that Artie was one of the two children Ron had with Luna, that was simple enough. She didn't know if he was older or younger, and if he was the only boy, but she could at least keep up some charade.

"It's probably just a fever. But with Hugo begging for some early magic lessons and Luna having to go on some expedition with her father all of next week, it's a bit chaotic." Harry shrugged, another piece of chicken finding his mouth.

"Hugo?" For, what felt like the thousandth time, Hermione's body tensed up.

"Yeah, he starts Hogwarts next fall." Harry let out a little chuckle, shaking his head. "He wants to know as much as possible so he doesn't fall behind."

So, a Hugo Weasley still existed. Only it wasn't hers.

"Speaking of our dear friend, I told Ron he could bring the kids over next week, save him from cooking dinner one of the nights."

Her headache was currently trying to take over her mind. Going into the light was sounding too wonderful. Trying hard not to clench her teeth, she smiled and nodded her head.

"Fantastic."

--

Hunter was sitting in his highchair, blocks currently occupying his attention span. Hermione had been rushing around for the better part of an hour, putting together the perfect dinner.

She might have been confused, angry, and a little boarder line mental, but dammit, she was going to cook a fabulous meal.

Lambs, potatoes, spinach, with Harry's favorite wine. Or, well, what she remembered being his favorite wine from her previous life.

She took a whiff of the air and smiled at herself. It was a good dinner indeed. Turning, she opened the oven taking out the hot bread she had lightly toasted. The clock over the table read a little before seven forty five. The smile widened across her face.

As she was about to place the tray of bread on the table, a bright light filled the room, making her shield her eyes and Hunter to start crying.

Harry's voice boomed across the kitchen, making Hermione look to see a large stag in her kitchen.

"I'm so sorry! The raid was a bust but we got a lead. I'm not going to be home until late. Forgive me." The voice died down and the stag bowed his head, disappearing into a million specks of light. It took a second but soon the kitchen was filled with the lights from the ceiling.

Hunter stared at the spot where the stag had been, looked at Hermione, and then started crying loudly (having stopped his tears before, upon hearing his father's voice).

Hermione was looking at the same spot. She dropped her shoulders and walked over to Hunter, squatting down slightly so she was at eye level with him in the highchair. It took all of three minutes to calm down the wobbler.

Standing back up, she walked over to the food and made a plate, placing aluminum foil over it. She dropped it in the oven and conjured a pen and paper from the other room. She scribbled a quick note, and then quickly, using a bit of magic, put away the rest of the food and cleaned up the kitchen.

She had all ready fed Hunter, and placed him in pajamas. He looked up at her, extending his arms. He was sucking on the pacifier she had left on his tray earlier.

"Come on my little predator." She un-strapped him and lifted him into her tired arms. "You want to lay down in mommy's bed?"

Hunter looked at her and then grasped her face in his hands. His smile spread past the pacifier, his green eyes lighting up. He squeezed her cheeks together and let out a burst of happy noise.

Hermione's smile grew bigger and she gently kissed him on his nose.

"I may not remember having you, but I'm so happy that I've met you." Hunter, neither understanding or possibly caring what his mother was saying, simply grinned and began trying to pull her hair.

--

She laid against the pillows on the bed, her head had finally stopped hurting. She looked down to see the slumbering baby next to her. He was sleeping on his back, his feet kicking every once and a while. A pillow was on the other side of him, where Harry would have been sleeping.

Brown eyes looked over to Harry's nightstand and noted it was almost twelve. As tired as she might have been, she couldn't fall asleep.

What if something had happened to him?

Ron always made her worry. She was always scared that something could happen to him. What would she do without him?

It had been a long time since she had thought of Harry as the person she wouldn't know what to do without.

She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. She had started having a crush on Harry in the fourth year, during the Tri-wizard competition. He was in constant danger, which, sadly, was not even abnormal for Harry. This was somehow different. She was on constant vigilance for him. What if something happened? He could die, wizards, come of aged wizards, had died. And Harry, fourteen years old, was in no condition to go into such advanced tasks.

Of course she liked Ron as well. She had always harbored a bit of a soft spot for the red head. Harry was always just the best friend. At least until it came down to who mattered. And if Harry had died, what would she have done?

In fifth year, when he had gone through all that he had gone through, she had been so desperate to be close to him, to keep him in her sights at all times. But Ron was just as much involved as everyone else. It was common for girls to like their guy friends. But somehow she knew her situation was different.

It had always been different.

She closed her eyes, resisting the urge to cry. She fell in love with Ron as they searched for Horcruxes. Harry was in love with Ginny, there was no point to pine over someone who was constantly looking past you. Best friends or not.

The room came back into focus and she looked down at Hunter. And now, she was back to where she started at the age of fourteen. Constant vigilance for the hero. Her hero.

Distantly, she heard a 'pop' and then footsteps downstairs. Hunter hadn't stirred, which she was grateful for. The footsteps continued up the stairs and made their way to the bedroom.

The door opened and Hermione caught a bit of Harry's hair as he slowly poked his head in, eyes lit in surprise to see Hermione still up.

"Baby?" She couldn't help the chill that ran down her spine. His voice was low and rough, possibly because he was trying hard to whisper. "Why are you still up?"

Hermione looked at him and then indicated to Hunter, who fussed for a second, and then slipped back into his deep sleep.

"Was he giving you trouble?" Harry walked over to the bed, gently lifting the baby into his arms and over his shoulder.

"No," Hermione shook her head, sitting up. "I just didn't want to lay in bed by myself."

Harry smiled at her, a genuine smile. "Let me put him to bed."

She nodded her head, watching him turn and slip out of the bedroom.

Maybe she had some weird case of amnesia. Maybe she had gone completely mental. Repressed stress from twenty years ago. Honestly, her teen years were spent in high stress situations. This could all be some weird mental disorder. Some kind of post war syndrome.

"I'm so sorry about tonight. Dinner looked delicious." He gave her a small smile. He sat on the bed, leaning back, his body language was inviting her to cuddle up with him.

Hermione simply stared at him, not budging from her laying position. Harry's smile faded and he gently placed his arm in the middle of the bed.

"Hermione, please tell me what's wrong. I know you're not mad about the raid. You've been acting out of sorts for two days now."

She bit her lip and closed her eyes.

"I love you. Please tell me." Her eyes opened, and looked over at a worried Harry. What he must be thinking. Two days ago he was happily married.

Ron popped into her brain, her eyes staring in Harry's.

He sighed and got up, beginning to undress. Hermione allowed herself to watch him. His muscles perfectly defined as he removed his shirt.

"I'm going to take a shower. Get some sleep my love." He leaned over, kissing her on her forehead. Hermione held her head up, breathing in his scent. Even after a long day he still smelt sweet.

She mildly registered the shower running.

Is it cheating, if you're technically married to the man you want to have an affair with?