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Pain, it came in waves. Tidal waves of pure agony, followed by split seconds of bliss as those waves crested on the shore of her brain. With each wave of pain, Hermione sunk farther into her unconsciousness. It is there she made a few pivotal discoveries. They say when you die, your life flashes before your eyes. Well, Hermione can certainly attest to that.
Inside her comatose state, Hermione was in a dream. In this dream, she sat on the grass, her hands gently caressing the vibrant blades. Pain was nonexistent in this dream, which was why she remained. Every once in a while, she could hear the wind whisper, "Wake up, Hermione." The first time she tried to respond, but that is when she discovered the monstrous pain that threatened her tranquility. However, the wind was getting loud and it seemed as though the pain was seeping into her dream.
Hermione laid down in the grass and closed her eyes. The sun beat down on her face, pleasantly warm. She felt the pain first in her toes, then it moved up her legs.
Is this death? She wondered briefly. Her brain seemed to be wiped clean-a blank, white slate left. Desperately she tried to gather up her thoughts but they were absent. Nevertheless, with each increment of pain, she regained a thought.
Then, as suddenly as the dream had begun, the pain rolled over her entire body, inside and out burning with fiery abandon. The grass disappeared and she swam into darkness. Gone was the dream, replaced, instead, by memories. Her life was flashing before her eyes.
July in Chicago was almost unbearable. The city was overrun with the unique scent of bus exhaust, Lake Michigan, and sunscreen. Hermione left her small home on the north side of the city to meet with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She had been residing in the United States for about one month and so far, Hermione loved it. The city was fun and exciting, her job was demanding but equally rewarding, and she already had a few close friends.
One of whom was with Hermione to meet the gang. Her name was Cameron Harding. Cameron had brown hair a piercing blue eyes, coupled with her killer personality.. She giggled a lot and could make anyone feel comfortable. She too was a witch and had studied at the Salem School of Sorcery.
"Hermione, over here!" A voice called through the slightly crowded Italian restaurant.
Hermione lifted herself up on her tiptoes, hard to do at seven months pregnant, and saw Harry waving to her. She grinned and waved back, then held up a finger. Hermione turned around and saw Cameron standing near the bar, chatting with a cute bartender.
"Cam, c'mon," Hermione sighed, tugging on her friends elbow.
"Hermione, he was freakin' hot," laughed Cameron, flicking her caramel brown hair behind her shoulder. Her navy blue eyes danced with delight. When they first met, outside Hermione's brownstone, Cameron's accent had caused Hermione to start giggling like mad.
Hermione and Cameron weaved through the tables, until they found the right one. Hermione sunk into the seat and rubbed her swollen belly. "Guys, this is Cameron Harding. Cam, this Harry Potter , Ron Weasley, and his sister Ginny."
The groups exchanged firm handshakes and genuine smiles. Hermione took a sip of her water and rubbed her belly. Her ankles were extremely swollen and he back ached.
"How the baby, Hermione?" asked Ginny, wiping her mouth on a cloth napkin.
Cameron looked up from her lasagna, intrigued. She was just as excited for the baby as Hermione was, already claiming that she would be the child's surrogate aunt. Cam resided in the brownstone just next to Hermione's so she had easy access to the girl.
"The baby is kicking up a storm," said Hermione. She grinned, but felt a twitch in her lower back. The pain was sudden and violent, temporarily taking her vision.
"Are you okay?" Cameron asked worriedly. Just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone. Hermione grinned fakely.
"I'm fine, don't worry. How are Arthur and Molly?" Hermione quickly diverted the conversation from her.
After lunch, the three guests went to their hotel to rest up. Hermione also went back to her brownstone, where she napped in her sea of blue silk and feather pillows. She was lulled to sleep by the sound of a roaring train and cars honking. Hermione woke up four hours later to Cam shaking her comforter.
"Mione, c'mon get up. You have to start cooking." She chirped, bouncing on the bed.
Hermione moaned and rolled over. Pregnancy was making her exhausted. She pushed herself out of bed and felt that stabbing pain again. This time it was worse, and she collapsed to the floor...right on her belly.
"Hermione!" Cameron shrieked, lunging for her best friend.
She was quaking when Cameron gathered her up. "Please be okay," She whispered frantically, holding her distended stomach. There was no kick that always occurred when Hermione's hands brushed against the skin.
"Cam," Hermione choked, looking up. Her eyes were wide with terror.
Cameron tucked her brown hair behind her ears fearfully. "Okay, it's going to be okay. Come on, we'll go to the hospital. Everything's going to be fine."
Cameron held Hermione's elbow tightly and guided her to her car parked on the curb. Cam drove carefully, amazed by the lack of traffic. They were almost to the hospital, it was within sight, when Hermione felt another ripple of pain.
"Ah!" She screamed, clutching her abdomen. Then she felt the wetness soak the bottom of her skirt. Fear pumped through her veins when she caught sight of the crimson. Darkness consumed Hermione once more as she was propelled out of the memory.
Her memories fast forwarded to about one year later. Hermione was sitting at a kitchen table, her eyes heavy. She leaned her cheek against her palm and stared at the murky tea in her mug. It was chilled now, and she sighed. Hermione tapped it with her wand and it warmed instantly.
Across the home, Hermione heard a baby wail. Nathan Hunter was almost one year old but he still had trouble making it through the night. Hermione blamed herself, because she coddled him. That was why she up; Hermione knew Nathan woke up at two every morning. It was quarter to three and he was late. Hermione walked up the winding staircase and down the short hallway to Nathans room, right across from her own.
"Hi sweetie," cooed Hermione, lifting up the small infant. At eleven months and two weeks, he was still quite small albeit chubby. He was just small, but ever as precocious.
"Mmmma," gurgled the infant, his fat fists flying.
Hermione plucked him out of the crib and moved to the rocking chair. She pushed her feet back and forth, falling into the careful movement. Hermione stared at the beautiful infant in her arms and realized that no matter what happened, she would always have him and he would always have her. The fatigue rolled over her body in waves just as she recalled Nathan's birth.
He had been born early, at just seven months. His lungs were not entirely developed, but he had all ten toes and fingers. He was her little miracle baby. Hermione sat with him, for as many hours of the day. For all of her life, Hermione couldn't stand not having something to do. She was very driven and preferred to spend her time being productive, but Nathan completely changed that.
Once more, her memories shifted. Hermione was sitting on her backyard porch, Cameron Harding beside her. She was sipping on a glass of wine, while Nathan ran around with two other little children. They were Cam's niece and nephew.
"I can't believe he's four," sighed Hermione. She took another sip and felt the crimson liquid wash over her palate. "Wasn't it just yesterday that I was in the hospital, ready to give birth?"
Cam laughed and rolled her shoulders back. "Now I'm getting married and you're..."
"Happy," Hermione interjected quickly. "I"m happy, Cam, really. Nate and I have a good life here right now. But I have to tell you something..."
Cameron sat up and slid a left over party hat from the birthday party earlier in the day. She leaned her chin into her hand, her blue eyes wide. "Ooh, tell me, tell me!"
Hermione rolled her eyes but she continued to smile. "Well, Harry sent me a letter with Nathan's gift. Basically he said that a position opened up in the English Ministry, and that Kinglsey wants me to take it. Apparently he already spoke to my boss about it and the transfer was approved."
She glanced over to her son, who was still playing tag, then back to Cam. Her best friend looked puzzled. "But, the wedding?" She muttered bemusedly.
Hermione reached over and placed her hand over Cameron's and grinned. "Oh you're not getting rid of me yet, Cam. I talked to both boss and Kingsley, I'm not leaving til at the very earliest March."
"But what about Steven?" asked Cameron calmly.
Hermione paused and faltered. Steven. "I haven't told him yet."
Suddenly, the pain invaded the memories. It was deep, inflicting, and all consuming. Briefly, Hermione wondered if this was the 'big bang' before her ultimate end; death. Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by the steady sound of beeping, dripping, and voices.
"She's waking up," Someone announced.
"Really this time? Because you've been saying that for twelve hours," A cold voice snapped.
"Mama?"
Hermione struggled against the pain, fighting and willing it to stop. The prickling sensation reached her eyelids and forced them open. She gasped as a white light filled her senses, before dissipating. Hermione looked around frantically and took in the scene around her. There was the most important thing in her life, sitting on her bed.
"Mama!" Nathan cheered, lunging forward and hugging her tightly.
A/N: Wowza, sorry I took so long to update. I've got 1.5 days left of la escuela. I took today off, which enabled me to write the rest of this lovely chapter. It was kinda of a glimpse into Hermione's Chicago life. I'm thinking of inviting Cameron to London. Hmm, what do you all think?
And who the heck is Steven?
Give me your thoughts!