Thanks to Gryffindor620, orangutangirl, and Yami Yuugi Lover AKA Kiyo for their reviews. It's so much easier to get out the next chapter when you get reviews. So, once again, thanks so much!

A/N- This chapter earns the story a rated R, at least I think so. Enjoy if you wish to, or skimp on the last three chapters if you like. Your choice, as always. Nothings all that graphic, so I don't think it will be a problem.

Disclaimer: Ok, I'll make this sweet and simple and to the point. I do not own any of these familiar characters that we all love (if you don't love 'em or at least love to hate 'em, what are you doing reading this??) although I'd love to own at least one of these characters.**suggestive grin** Once again; I do not own any of these characters, they belong to JKR. Please don't sue me.

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In her dreams, the air danced in a song, singing of a lost moon. A soothing hand was at her brow, smoothing her hair. The air was warm and fragrant, the room full of bright colors.

"Like a moon lost in a cloud." A lovely voice sang, bringing comfort and safe, happy dreams. The soft, gentle hand the side of her face, resting lightly on her neck. "Looking for the stars, not even knowing, just what life will bring."

Then the hand fisted around her throat, closing of her air, making her eyes go wide with shock and pain. A bitter odor filled the air, and the temperate dropped until her tears froze on her lashes. The world turned gray at the edges, making her dizzy. The same voice sang on, sending shivers down her spine, and hurling her towards nightmares.

"You feel so lost, you feel so alone. Like a moon lost in the cloud, not even knowing."

One last gasp, one last tear. Then the world around her went dark and burst into flames.

~~~~**~~~~

Hermione woke, her body shuddering violently, her eyes wide and wild, her breathing unstable. A dream. No, a nightmare. But only a nightmare. Nothing else.

But it wasn't like the others. The ones with the strange colorful mists or the ones of feral blood---the ones that left her weak with the disgust and the wanting.

This dream---no, nightmare---seemed almost like a memory, a pleasant one. Then something had crept in and taken over.

She trembled once more, and then decided to go see if Draco was awake. But the common room was empty, and the light in his room off. So she walked through the door connecting to the Gryffindors common room, only to find it silent as well. Sighing, she turned back to go to her room, when someone clasped a hand to her shoulder.

Lights exploded in her mind, bright and playful. Sounds and scents rushed to her senses. Emotions, all so wild, so contrary, filled her to the brim. Then the pain came. Her lungs collapsed, leaving her gasping and weak. Her skin slithered and crawled, her legs went to Jell-O. She didn't feel the ground hit her knees, nor did she hear the panicked scream that rang out. She heard only her own dying breaths and the mad, wild laugh that seemed to touch her. Dazzling colors and stunning shapes rushed forward, crashing into her. Then the world spun once more, and was black.

~~~~**~~~~

Harry brought his lips back to Hermione's, and stroked her back. Her fingers were laced in his hair, and their kisses were heating up. Then she screamed. He reached for her, but she fell through his fingers, and went over the edge. She was gone, but the scream went on and on and on . . .

It took Harry a few minutes to realize that he wasn't dreaming anymore and someone was, in reality, screaming. His heart pounding, he jumped from his bed, and dashed out the room. In the common room, he made out two figures with red hair. Three more people were running up behind him. Harry squinted his eyes, and when the light came on, he remembered his glasses were upstairs.

"Damn."

"Here, mate." Harry couldn't make out more than dark hair, but took his glasses. Blinking and thanking Dean, he turned. Ron was there, and Ginny too. They were standing over someone. Glimpsing dark brown curls, he ran forward, the end of his dream standing out sharply in his mind.

Hermione was propped up against the wall, her face pale, and her lips trembling. Her eyes were open, and when Harry crouched down in front of her, he saw that her eyes were wide and blank, seeming to look through him, and stare at some unknown horror.

"Hermione." Harry whispered. "Hermione! Wake up," He said again, trying desperately to keep the panic out of his voice. He let out a relived breath when she lifted a hand, but then stopped when she reached out for something he couldn't see. Her eyes were scared and alone, and she was trapped in a world different from his own. He was helpless. If he didn't hurry, she would leave him forever, and be entrapped in this nightmare of her mind. "Hermione." He murmured into her hair as he gathered her up. "Come back to me."

She blinked once, then her brown eyes focused on his green ones. "Harry?"

He let out a strangled laugh, and crushed her to his chest. He turned to grin at Ron. "She's okay!"

"Yeah," Ron stepped forward and ran a hand through Hermione's hair. "What happened?"

Hermione shivered once, and stared at Ginny. "I," she stumbled, tried again. "I had a nightmare. I must have sleepwalked."

Ginny and the others seemed to accept this, but Ron looked at her doubtfully. "Are you sure, 'Mione?" Although her heart warmed at the use of her nickname, her head remained cool. "Yes, of course I sure." She spoke with just enough know-it-all in her voice to be convincing. "Okay, then."

"I'm gonna sleep on Hermione's couch. I'll see you guys in the morning." He and Hermione left the room, ignoring the catcalls from Dean.

The door shut behind them, and standing in the center of Hermione's living area, the two just stood and stared at each other. Hermione finally broke the silence, saying, "You know, you don't have to sleep on the couch."

Harry shrugged. "I'd rather stay here, then go back up to the dormitory."

Hermione bite her lip. "You could come up to my room with me." His green eyes stared at her for a long moment, making her uneasy, before he nodded.

Hand in hand, they walked up the stairs in silence, each with their own thoughts.

Harry was worried. About her, and what was going on around her. He loved her more then he thought possible. He wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted a family with her, children, a home, and happiness.

Hermione was cold, and she felt empty. The nightmare---for surely, it was a nightmare---left her hollow. Then she looked at Harry, and a pleasant warmth rose over her skin. I love him, she thought.

They stood, holding hands, in front of her bed, just looking at each other.

I love her, he thought. "I can sleep on the floor if you want."

I love him, she thought, and I'm ready. "Harry," Her voice was soft, and her eyes molten. "Come to bed with me."

His eyes shoot up to hers, sharp and focused. After a moment he asked hesitantly, "Are you sure, Hermione? I can wait if it would make you happy." He lifted a hand to her cheek. "I just want you to be happy."

She smiled. "Oh, I am happy, Harry. And I'm sure." His quick green eyes studied hers for another long moment, then he nodded. His arms encircled his waist, bringing her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck, nervous and excited. When he took her deeper with his kisses she whispered against his lips, "It's you. It's always been you." Her lips raced across his face, placing light butterfly kisses everywhere. "I want to be with you, and no one else. I want to give myself to you, and no one else."

He whispered into her hair, "You have to be sure. I love you." Hermione pulled back slightly to smile. "Harry. I've always been sure." She stepped away from him, but only to take his hand. It was she who led him to her bed, she who pulled back the covers. Watching him, she reached down and grasped them hem of her nightshirt. When he saw her hands tremble, he said softly, stepping forward. "Your afraid."

Her lips curved into a smile. "A little."

"I'll be careful with you, 'Mione."

"I know." She dropped her hands, when he reached to pull of her nightshirt himself. "I love you, Harry."

He took her lips again as he peeled cotton away. "I love you."

The single speck of fear inside her vanished with his words. "I know."

He lowered her to the bed, hands stroking, lips melding. He shed his shirt and his pajama pants. His hands lingered on her thighs as he slid her pajama pants off. Their mouths skimmed, caressed, and nibbled. "Harry," she murmured, then gasped as his mouth, hot and hungry, found her breast. She arched under him as her pleasure began to rise. When his fingers cupped her, the wave of pleasure hit her, making her cry out, a long, throaty sound that made him feel invincible. She opened for him, and made him tremble. Blood raged, need pounded. He saw her face flicker with the first pangs on shock. Not wanting to cause her pain, he ran kisses across her face, her neck. "I love you. I love you, Hermione."

Even as she fisted her hands in his hair, biting back tears, the pain was replaced by warmth. "Oh," Her breath came out on a sigh. Her lips roamed his neck, and she began to move under him. Rising, she took him deeper, and falling, drawing him down with her. The warmth turned to heat, as their bodies grew slick. His hands streaked across her body, he buried his face in her hair, and they rode high on that velvet wave, and until both fell off the other side, clinging, and shuddering with what they brought each other.

Afterwards, they lay together, limbs tangled, and dreamt together, when dawn was just a jagged edge in the distance.