Bound by a kiss
Chapter 4
"Hermione," the mist clouding her mind, cleared instantly when she heard the beautiful voice tinted in a distinctive French accent.
"Fleur," Hermione rushed to the gorgeous woman and enveloped her into a hug. The two have grown closer after the war. Being friends with Fleur had given Hermione an opportunity at a normal friendship, which she missed all throughout her school.
Fleur looked exactly like Hermione remembered. Is it possible that she's back in her own world? "It is good to see you too, Ma Cherie." Fleur returned Hermione's greeting. She then drew back and gave Hermione, a once over, accompanied by an appreciating smile. "You came."
The statement stumped Hermione. She blinked her eyes and looked around. She was standing in front of the doors of a grand building and the place didn't look familiar. "What?"
"The reunion, Hermione. I was thinking you may not come," Fleur replied looping her hand through Hermione's and guided her inside the large doors jabbering away various details.
Hermione's eyes grew into wide as she took in the scene around her. The building looked festive and bright and people were tottering around in normal muggle wear. No, this wasn't her home and she wouldn't find her Harry here. Once again she was stuck in another universe.
"Well, well. What do we have here? Finally, out resident bookworm has returned." A soft and contained voice interrupted Fleur's chatter and Hermione turned to the person, she never expected to see again.
"Professor Snape," she whispered her wide eyes glued to his demanding presence. But he did something at the same time that caused her eyes to comically pop out.
"Hermione. It's nice to see you," Snape said with a very warm smile, coming closer to the pair. He looked so different from what she remembered. His hooked nose didn't look odd but gave him an aristocratic appearance and his long black hair was flowing gracefully.
"It is only Severus, Hermione. But why you are calling him Professor? He was only a few years senior to us," Fleur said greeting Snape.
"Apparently, I did teach her some things," Snape winked at Hermione and gave her a hug.
Hermione stood there dumbstruck, at a total loss of words. Snape was hugging her like an old friend and probably something more. She worried her lower lip and searched for any words that could make her presence in that universe, sensible. "How are you, Severus?" She chimed with the sweetest smile she could muster.
"Great, indeed. I have recently received the patent to that formula we discussed last time," Snape said proudly.
Hermione's interest piqued. That definitely sounded very fascinating. Apparently, Professor Snape wherever he was, had a penchant towards Chemistry or its equivalent.
"Fine. Do not tell us normal people, what it is," Fleur said with an exasperated expression and gave him a nudge on Snape's shoulder. "Where is Mrs. Snape, today?"
Hermione sighed happily. Severus Snape had received the much-deserved happy ending at least in this Universe. She wondered who she was.
"Don't let her hear you say that," Snape chuckled. "Tonks is busy today."
Hermione took a big gulp and whispered, "Tonks, that was unexpected." Something flashed in her mind and she turned to Fleur. "Where's Bill?"
A dreamy smile flashed her beautiful face. "He's detained on an assignment as usual. This secret spy business is getting on my nerves. But he'll be returning tonight," She said twirling the gold band on her ring finger. But while Hermione looked on, she saw the smile on her face falter turning into a grimace. "They are here."
Hermione turned following Fleur's line of sight, and her heart soared. Though he wasn't facing her, she could identify him anywhere. Tears brimmed her eyes as he looked around himself nervously, giving Hermione a hope that he might be her soulmate.
"Of course, they would be. When did they ever miss the chance to antagonize our Hermione," Severus' voice mimicked the venom, she saw in her potion's class. "Bloody Potter and his gang. Strutting around like this place belongs to them."
"I still cannot believe that git is Bill's brother," Fleur said and then Hermione noticed the man she was supposed to marry, standing beside Harry.
"Merlin, Ron," Hermione gasped drawing the attention of the supposed group. Hermione couldn't believe her own eyes. It wasn't just Harry and Ron. Neville's presence didn't surprise her much, but the blond who was a bane to her existence was laughing jovially his arm wrapped around none other than Pansy Parkinson.
As their eyes landed on Hermione, Ron wide grin's slowly turned feral and they started moving towards her. But Hermione was in no position to register Ron's or anybody else's reaction. Her eyes remained on Harry and she knew he was her Harry. His eyes misted and Hermione's heart melted looking at the pure emotion in those emerald eyes. His gaze was soft, gentle and filled with so much love that she just wanted to run into his arms. She would've if he hadn't shaken his head subtly throwing an alarming look at his friends.
Fleur and Snape muttered something and Hermione's attention turned to them.
"Don't turn away, Hermione. Don't give them that chance," Snape said flanking her side.
Fleur, in the same way, took her other side. "I do not believe they still do this to you."
Hermione became confused. Why are they protecting her? This was Harry and Ron for Merlin's sake. She might have been worried about Draco Malfoy, but the ferret wouldn't dare to do anything in front of Harry and Ron.
"Granger, I thought you fancied Harry. I had no idea your eye was set on me," Ron winked at Hermione. His eyes then fell on his sister-in-law and he stepped back a bit muttering a polite hello to her.
"Come on, Hermione. We won't let these people ruin our reunion," Fleur tugged on Hermione's hand pulling her to the other side.
"No," Harry rushed pulling Hermione's hand.
"How dare you touch her, Potter? Isn't it enough what you have done to her?" Snape snarled pushing Harry's hand away.
"Severus, wait," said Hermione unable to move her eyes from Harry's.
"Hermione. This idiot doesn't deserve your time or attention."
"Not so fast, Severus," Draco spoke up. "We all know who started this." Draco's icy glare landed on Hermione making her cringe. "She is not the only victim."
"Come on, Draco," Pansy tugged Draco's arm her eyes politely greeting Fleur and throwing a glare at Hermione. Hermione's brain got muddled, not able to understand a single thing about their dynamic.
"I want to apologize," Harry spoke abruptly. "Will you give me a minute, Her… um, Granger."
"You don't need to," Hermione said taking his hand and giving him a pleasing smile. She pointed to a lone corner they desperately needed for a moment of privacy. She would do anything if it meant she could get out of there and it was getting very overwhelming.
Apparently, that was a very wrong move. A red blur dashed towards Harry, pushing Hermione to the ground. Ginny Weasley turned around and said with a dramatic sigh, "Oh! Didn't see you there, Granger. Yes, I know that you are hard to miss with your hair and a hideous dress." She put her hands around Harry's neck and smiled, "When Harry's around, I simply can't see anything."
If Hermione's eyes had the power, she could've burned holes into Ginny's head at the ridiculous display she put on. But Harry pushed her hands away immediately and offered his hand to Hermione. His concern for Hermione had definitely outweighed his anger for Ginny.
"Ginny, why did you do that? Apologize to Hermione," Fleur admonished her sister-in-law.
"I'm sorry, Fleur. I don't care about people who insult my boyfriend," Ginny replied haughtily tossing her hair over her shoulder. She gave a scathing look at Hermione who accepted Harry's hand and slowly got up.
"What's happening, Harry?" Hermione whispered as Harry moved closer to her.
"I don't know, just play along. I will get us out of here," Harry tried to assuage.
"Weasley," Snape growled.
"Yes, Mr. Greasy," Ron snorted.
"Well, I didn't expect anything intelligent from your pea brain, but I was referring to your sorry excuse of a sister."
"Mind your tongue," Ron growled, but Ginny cut him off.
"I can defend myself, Ron," Ginny said laying a hand on Ron's shoulder.
Harry and Hermione stared at each other, as the discussion around them got more aggressive. Their steps slowly traced backward away from the volatile group.
"Don't you think I forgot who gave that drink to Hermione that night. I can bet my whole research that it was drugged and that's how she ended in that room with Potter. If she hadn't taken that drink that photo scandal would've never taken place," Snape declared, his glances moving between Ginny and Draco. Ginny briefly met Draco's eyes and subtly shook her head.
Hermione saw that Neville was the only one, who stayed neutral. But his concentration was not on the group but on the two people who were slowly slipping out of the room.
Once they were out of sight of the group, both Harry and Hermione broke into a run. They didn't stop until they found a dimly lit alcove away from all the commotion. They stopped panting for their breaths.
"What an interesting place?" Hermione exclaimed and burst into peals of laughter.
"Sure is," Harry said joining her. It took a moment for them to gain control. Harry took her face into his palms and breathed. "It's you."
Hermione choked and nodded her head. "Harry," she whispered and pressed her lips to him. The familiar feeling of contentment washed over them as she gave into the love he poured through that gesture. She drew back and traced his face with her fingertips. "I thought I lost you."
Harry smiled and brushed the tears from her cheeks, which have finally escaped the restraints. "I told you that I would find you."
"Yes, you did," she laughed and pulled him into a hug. "You won't believe me, if I told you, where I have been."
"I think I might have an idea," Harry said nuzzling her hair.
"I have seen the tiniest, cutest and adorable toddler Harry," Hermione laughed as twin red spots appeared on Harry's cheeks. "And that's not the best part."
"What is the best part?" Harry said cocking an eyebrow.
"I saw him with Lily Potter, his mother and he was having the best childhood. He saved his tiny Hermione from Draco Malfoy," Hermione said resting her head on his chest.
Harry smiled sadly at her words. It seemed that apart from his own universe, his parents survived everywhere else. Maybe not everywhere but at least in the ones they have visited in which they were happy and alive.
"Do you want to know where I have been?" Harry said placing a finger under her chin and lifting her face so that he could look into her face. She nodded enthusiastically and Harry laughed. "It seems our Hermione had finally lost words."
"Stop it," she swatted at his chest.
Harry dragged both of them into the ground and rested his chin on top of her head. "I met a fearsome yet gentle, warrior Hermione, who stopped us from making a big mistake."
"Us?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, Ron and I."
"Oh! Harry. What were you going to do?"
"Well, it's not important. Apparently, we are useless without your guidance in that world as well," Harry said sheepishly. "Was that the only place you were gone?"
"Yes, Harry. I guess it's the same for you," She asked. When Harry nodded Hermione put her mind into work. "So we are traveling through Universes. But who exactly is dong this to us? What is that blue light mean?" She turned to Harry and asked him. "What else did Dumbledore say to you?"
"Yes, Dumbledore. He said he was able to sense the strong bond between us, since our first year. Soulmates are very rare. According to him, ours was the first one in five hundred years." Hermione's eyes widened at the new information. Harry continued with a smile at her expressions. "Nicholas Flamel and his wife were soulmates. Dumbledore told me that he was able to forge the philosopher's stone, only after he met his wife. Soulmates are very powerful when together, but also vulnerable at the same time."
"Wow, this is a lot to take. Why didn't he tell us before?" Hermione said with a tiny pout.
"Believe me, I demanded him to answer that. He said he couldn't risk Voldemort knowing about it, then he would have a powerful weapon against us."
"That makes sense," Hermione had to agree.
"You make me powerful Hermione. Without you, I wouldn't have survived. I guess that's the reason Dumbledore always advised me to stay close to you. During our sixth year, he even asked me if something more was going on between us."
"He did not," Hermione gasped.
"I was a fool," Harry said taking her hands into his. "If I saw, how everybody saw us, I would have made you mine a long time back."
"I don't belong to anyone Mr. Potter," Hermione said with a mischievous smile. "But you are one sweet talker." She said looping her hand around his neck. "What we do now?"
"First we need to find out about this blue light and why is it doing this to us?" Harry said stroking her hair.
"The light came from us. It is a part of us. I think it wants to show us something. I wish we had an access to a library," Hermione said thinking.
"I think this is some type of College. Don't you think it will have a Library?"
"Harry, I don't think this is a Magical world. So books about Soulmates and blue glowing lights is just out of question." She said pondering about the information that would have been at her fingertips in her own Universe. Here she was stuck in some place with no access to any knowledge. She growled and stood up.
Harry immediately pulled her back and gestured her to stay silent. Then she heard the footsteps that were hurrying towards the alcove they were currently in. They pushed their bodies into the wall and took a peek.
"There you are," Neville popped in front of them. "I have been looking everywhere for you." He eyed the guilty couple, who were trading glances. "Don't worry. I always thought you two belonged with each other. Honestly speaking, this should have happened a long time back. We all know that Draco and Ginny were behind what happened that night. Draco wanted to be with Granger and we all know about Ginny's crush on you. They planned that night to squash any chance you guys might have. You didn't know about that and you blamed each other for that naked photo. I tried talking to you Harry, but you just wouldn't listen."
Harry gave a nervous glance at Hermione and reassured Neville. "I think we have sorted out our differences."
"That's good. You should come and join the party. I heard Snape's going to give a presentation," Neville said with a smile towards Hermione. "I've always admired you, Granger. I can say you've been a great inspiration to me, I mean academically."
Hermione blushed at Neville's words and gave a smiling nod.
"We will be there soon," Harry said taking Hermione's hand.
Neville moved away from the alcove with a wave and Harry turned to Hermione. "You and Snape are friends, huh?"
"I am just happy that, he found his happiness. And it doesn't hurt to get a little praise from the person who despised your very own existence," Hermione's eyes misted saying those words.
"Yes," Harry said pulling her closer. "Let's go."
"To where?"
Her question was answered immediately but not by Harry. The rumbling whirlpool beckoned them. "I don't want to be separated from you, Harry." Hermione clung to Harry.
"Hey, What are you? What are you trying to do to us?" Harry yelled at the whirlpool, holding Hermione tight to his chest.
The Whirlpool rumbled loudly, the thunder surrounding them. Hermione's fears glossed in her eyes and she shook her head clinging onto Harry.
"Please don't let me go," she cried when the whirlpool enveloped them and pulled them apart.
Her cries battered his ears and Harry tried harder to hold on to the tiny grip on her fingers. But the whirlpool was fierce as it wrenched them apart and threw them into the violent column. They closed their eyes awaiting another strange world, determination taking root in their minds to see the end of the blue malignant spirit. All the while holding onto the tiny hope to see one another very soon.
A/N: Thank you so much for the wonderful support and some really great suggestions. I welcome any marvelous ideas you wanted to share. Please read and review.
Coming to the question about whether their counterparts would remember after they leave their world. The reason for their journeys would be coming up soon and many questions would be answered then, but their counterparts retain the memories.
My special thanks to all those who reviewed: oOo SilverMoon oOo, Arnold DeVillena, starboy454, MythStar Black Dragon, the-power-of-love, Harmony4ever, Beyondthesea16, AllyBabyPebbles, Cheryl, pawsrule, Monnbeam, LuckyMascot, Scabbers1957, deli