As it should have been told:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with Harry Potter. I am not making a profit from this story or anything like that. Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling. This particular layout for the characters is mine.

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, how would you survive? Would you find love? Peace? Hope? What is there that makes the world carry on in spite of itself? Story inspired by Jayu's bonfire challenge on Portkey.

A/N: I am currently looking for a beta, if anyone is interested, please email me! Thank you to Teganni and Delirious aka Captain Obvious for reviewing.

Challenge requirements: "On a midsummer night, in the light of the flaming fire, their eyes met. This is their story, as it should be told"

Specifications:
-Au universe - no magic, no Voldie, not a single wizard affiliated member

-H/Hr only couple

-No Neville/Ron/Ginny/Draco/Luna, any other friend

-Everything takes place in the night, always with light of the fire

As It Should Have Been Told- I've got friends…

The time had come around again. The storyteller was really beginning to enjoy himself. He knew that there was nothing quite that sparked people's interest like the story of the Sleepers to re-awaken interest in their nearly forgotten past.

It was approximately an hour until dusk, and that would give him plenty of time to start the story of Lucy, Angel of the Deep. "She was young, not nearly as powerful as she would eventually become. She had been left with no friends, no family, and no neighbors when the time of abandonment came…"

Lucy reached out and took Hermione's extended hand. She didn't know what had happened, but she remembered being alone. And, this nice lady was offering to help her. She let herself be pulled out from behind the bookcase, a ragged teddy bear in her hand.

"Are you okay?" The nice lady asked her.

Lucy bit her lip and nodded. She couldn't say her name, so she just kept quiet. The man who was holding a bag smiled at her. She couldn't help but smile back. Maybe things would be okay after all.

When the nice lady had gotten her out into the open long enough, she introduced Lucy to the man. He extended his hand to her, and said "My name is Harry; it's a pleasure to meet you!" He sounded so happy that she couldn't help but smile back.

At this point, Hermione noticed Lucy's little bear. "Is that your bear?" At Lucy's nod, she continued. "Can I hold him?" Hermione got down on her knees so that she was at eye level with the little girl.

Lucy was so excited! No one had ever wanted to hold her bear before. She moved her arm and let Hermione hold him. "You know, I had a bear like this when I was a little girl too. Mine was named Erica. What's yours named?"

The little girl smiled, "He's Bird."

"No way, that's such a silly name for a strong bear like this! I think you're kidding me." Hermione pulled the bear away and looked at him. Lucy was scared, what if the nice lady wasn't so nice?

"I am serious! His name is Bird! Give him back, now!" Lucy extended her hands, giving the universal gesture of 'give it to me'. Hermione smiled and handed him over.

"I think you're right. When you're holding him, he looks like a Bird." Hermione smiled when Lucy sighed with relief at having her bear back. "I'm nineteen; how old are you?"

Lucy's eyes got really big when Hermione said her age. "You're nineteen? I thought you were closer to me. I'm four." She extended her hand with her four fingers up.

Harry couldn't help but grin. He'd never seen Hermione like this before.

"Whoa, you're four? I don't believe it. You just don't look that old to me."

Lucy grinned. The nice lady really was nice, and Harry was obviously nice too. "Uhmm…you said something about getting something to eat…"

Hermione stood back up. "So I did." She extended her hand to Lucy, and Hermione started to lead her away. However, Lucy dug in and wouldn't budge.

"What's wrong?"

Lucy handed the bear to Hermione and extended the hand back to Harry. "Isn't he coming too?"

Harry looked at Hermione helplessly. He had never had a child act like this around him.

Hermione chuckled, "Of course he's coming with us." She gestured with her head for Harry to grab the girl's hand. He shrugged. There was obviously no way he could hold the books and her hand.

Suddenly, Harry had a solution to his dilemma. "Give me a sec." He ran off to give his books to Ms. Smith.

He reached her, panting. "Will you please take these back to the camp for me and Hermione?" At her questioning look, he continued. "Hermione and I found a little girl hiding out in the library. She probably hasn't had anything to eat for a few days, and we want to take her to Amy to get some food. Then, we're going to have Chester look at her."

Ms. Smith nodded. "Of course I will dear. Now, go on. That little girl needs help."

Harry nodded and made his way back to Hermione and Lucy. "Ms. Smith is going to take the books. So, I can go with you two." He spoke quickly, letting it all out before he had a chance to think.

Lucy just nodded and grabbed his hand. Hermione sighed with relief and led them out of the library.

It was a pleasant walk back to the camp. Hermione couldn't help but overhear other people talking. "There she is again, a little, lost soul underneath her wing again." Or, "She always finds the new people, why can't I do it just once?" Basically, it was just a bunch of people whining. She rolled her eyes and barreled on through.

Lucy was so excited. She had a new family, and they were going to be wonderful!

The Storyteller smiled at the end of the Angel's sentence. He coughed. "I need a drink before I continue."

A/N: I know this is really short, but I wanted to end it on Lucy's thoughts. I'll have the next chapter up during the weekend (at the latest!) Please read and review!