Hello, my lovely reviewers. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. Thank you for the suggestions: loli-ophelia-potter, lil joker 1989, and Guest. I took them all into consideration. -Des

I don't own Harry Potter. Severus, why can't you belong to me?

Italics is thoughts

Okay, here it is:

Chapter 3

Harry finally sat to eat his meager breakfast after serving the entire household amid the complaints from Hermione. She claimed that the food was too salty and some of it was burnt.

"We'll be leaving for Diagon Alley in 15 minutes everyone." Hermione announced after getting bored of Harry's unresponsiveness.

"Diagon Alley?" Harry asked Mrs Granger, confused.

"We're going to look for the wedding attire, dear. Do you have to get new dress robes as well?"

Harry nodded.

"Hurry and eat, we don't want to be caught in the mid-morning rush. It's terribly crowded in Diagon this time of year. It's the marriage season you know."

Harry nodded and proceeded to shovel as much food as he could into his mouth. Hermione caught sight of him.

"Harry, don't eat so fast. It's disgusting!" she exclaimed.

Harry swallowed his mouthful.

"Sorry." he said indifferently, looking pointedly at Ron who was stuffing his face next to her. She ignored the look and cooed at Ron. Cooed at him! Harry turned away angrily. How could she love that pig? At least Harry never ate everything edible he saw as if he wouldn't see another dawn. Harry didn't feel hungry anymore, he retreated to his room. Hermione didn't notice until it was time to leave and he was keeping them back.

*At Diagon Alley*

The party of Grangers plus Harry and Ron walked into Madam Malkins' Robe store. Harry was one of the first people to get measured and fitted into his new Coal Black dress robes. Harry refused to wear any other colour, he was mourning the loss of his mate after all. Hermione was too distracted by the various sketches of wedding robes Madam Malkin had given her to notice the colour of the robes Harry had picked.

When he was back in the clothing he had entered the alley with he turned to Hermione and the sketches on the table in front of her. One of the robes caught his eye. It was modeled after a muggle dress. It was a white sleeveless, body hugging dress that flared out at the hip into a soft poof of satin that ended at the ankles. A belt of celtic design around the waist finished the beautiful look.

Harry took the sketch from the table.

"'Mione, this one is beautiful, it would look wonderful on you." Harry complimented.

Hermione glared at him, snatched the parchment from his hands and tore it into pieces, she didn't even look at it. Harry's shoulders drooped.

"Harry why don't you go do something else while we finish up here?" she asked in a sugary sweet voice.

Translation: Go away.

Harry sighed and left the stuffy robe shop. Finally, he could breath some fresh air without that monster around. Why is she being so mean? It's not like I want her to be my mate, why can't she just be nice for once?

Harry wandered around the Alley for a while, going into many of the stores to kill time so his mate wouldn't be angry with him for turning up too early. There was nothing in the bookstore that interested him, he admired the new racing broom in the Quidditch store for a while but eventually got bored and moved onto another shop. Harry found himself in a little jewel store tucked away in a corner of the street.

Glass cases lined the walls, they were filled with pretty jewelry on display; chains with pendants, bracelets, rings, ear-rings. There was even a glass case filled with gems that were shaped into mini sculptures by some type of magic.

"Can I help you sir?" the blonde-haired shopkeeper asked.

"No, thank you. I'm just browsing."

Harry went from display to display looking for something that would look good on his mate. Something caught him attention. It was a small rectangular shaped pendant made of glass, on the inside a flower was preserved by a spell.

"Excuse me, can I see this for a moment?" Harry asked the salesgirl.

"Sure." She open the case and gave him the pendent that was suspended on a silver chain. Harry held it up to the light and examined it.

"This is a cherry blossom?" Harry inquired.

"Yes sir."

"It's perfect, I'll take it."

Harry smiled happily as he exited the store clutching the velvet box tightly in his pocket.

He was just passing the Apothecary on his way back to the robe shop when his world started to sway. Harry leaned again the nearest wall, breathing deeply and hoping that this dizzy spell would pass soon. This had been happening quite often too him over the last few years.

Just as his vision was turning black Harry took a deep breath and froze. An intoxicating smell had caught his attention, it was a mix of herbs, chocolate, spice and a musky scent that Harry couldn't identify. It was familiar, Harry had noticed this aroma while he was at Hogwarts. He'd always wanted to find out who it belonged to. Harry turned curiously in the direction that the smell came from, it was coming from the Apothecary.

Harry's hand was on the door handle in seconds, he was turning the knob.

The bell above the door was ringing.

One step on the threshold.

Harry's heart was pounding so hard, he was surprised that it hadn't broken through his chest yet.

"Harry!"

He turned around, startled. It was Hermione. Harry sighed in frustration.

Go away, I'm sick of seeing your face.

"Come on, we're leaving."

Go without me, I want to see who that essence belongs too.

"Harry, come here now!" Hermione ordered sternly.

Harry looked back at the door. Harry was torn between the almost overwhelming urge to go in the Apothecary and the pain that was beginning to strengthen as he disobeyed Hermione. Harry was confused and irritated.

"Harry." There was a clear threat in her voice. Harry's Creature whined. Something was wrong here, he just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Lead the way." Harry said quietly and Hermione stalked off in a huff. Harry followed at a sedated pace, glancing back every once in a while. What had just happened?

It was late evening by the time the group of people got back to the Granger's house. They ate dinner quickly (the food was prepared by the chef) and retired to the living room.

Mrs. Granger went to bed early, she was tired after the day's excitement.

"Tomorrow is Aunt Jane's birthday." Gemma said excitedly. "Are we having a party for her?"

"Of course Gem! Oh, I can't wait! There'll be music and party food and presents!" Rachel squealed happily.

"And don't forget the booze! There won't be a single sober person in the room by the next morning." Chris joined in the planning.

"Children, I don't think Jane would like anything too fancy. How about a simple dinner party, with soft music and wine?" Jack, Hermione's father, asked.

Gemma nodded in agreement, Rachel pouted and Chris sulked. Thus was the beginning of a long and tiresome argument.

In the end it was decided that a small dinner party would be held the following evening. Ron and Hermione left for bed and Harry excused himself after an appropriate amount of time.

As Harry passed Hermione's room he fiddled with the small box in his coat pocket. Should he give it to her now? Harry stood in nervous contemplation for what seemed like hours but was in fact mere seconds.

Decision made, he knocked on the door. When no reply came he repeated his actions.

"Go Away!" Hermione shouted through the closed door. Harry shrugged non-concernedly, placed the velvet box outside her door and continued on his way.

He'd just walked into his room when the ache in his chest intensified into an unbearable bolt of pain that shocked his entire body. His knees buckled and Harry stumbled to the bed.

What's going on?

He collapsed as another wave of pain crashed into his body. On his way down his head smashed into one of the bedposts. Harry's Creature keened as the blood rushed out of the open gash on his head and the pain assaulted his body. Suddenly he knew, this was it, Hermione had given herself to Ron.

But why am I not dead yet?

The tears welled in Harry's eyes as his head throbbed and his vision darkened, he tried to get up but he was too weak. Harry hadn't had any physical contact with his mate today. He was having difficulty drawing breath.

Hermione...

A tear made it's way down Harry's face and his eyes slid closed.

I'm trapped.

"Go Away!" Hermione's voice echoed in his head.

Yes! I can leave.

Harry clenched his eyes and tried to thought of his mate kept shattering his thinking process. Harry gathered his magic and focused.

Pop! Harry disappeared from the Granger household.

Save me. This was Harry's last thought as he hit solid ground and lost his hold on consciousness.

TBC

AN: Thank goodness I met my deadline. I hope you enjoyed the story. Drop me a review, they help feed my plot bunnies.

Tell me, what would you guys like to see in this story? And who do you think was in the Apothecary?

-Des