Author's Note: Here is the second part of my first romantic story. You need to have read the first part in order to understand this part. This one is a bit longer. I think this part is pretty strange, but then again I wrote it! As usual, I don't own the characters in here- J.K. Rowling does. I don't own the song, The Prince You Charmed, either- that belongs to Youngstown and they belong to Hollywood Records. Review- no flames, don't sue, Constructive criticism welcome- please!
* Sunrise *
The wakes were horrible. It was closed casket- of course- and there were hundreds of people crying. People that knew Harry, people who didn't know Harry, it didn't matter, they were all crying. I, for one of the first times in years, saw my old school friends. The only problem with this picture was that every one of them was upset. I was being comforted by many who knew my past and I saw many students looking at me strangely. Why wouldn't they just leave me alone? I knew I had a lot to explain when I got back but I wasn't worried about that. I went home that day feeling much older than 24. I felt about 50. I think tragedy does that to you.
The minute I got to my room, I feel asleep. I couldn't hold my head up anymore. I had the worst dreams ever that night. All included Voldemort. In one, Lord Voldemort had taken over the world because no one was alive that could defeat him. Everyone I knew and loved was dead. In another, I was the only one alive after a war and I was walking through oblivion. Harry was in the last one. He was fighting Voldemort and then…there was nothing. I had woken up, sweating and breathing really hard.
The next morning was worse than the first. Because I had had a horrible night sleep with the dreams, I got up late. So, I rushed around and skipped breakfast all together. However, I did get to the funeral on time. The funeral was very similar to the wakes. The only difference was that I didn't cry as much. I think I was cried out- in public. I got through my speech surprisingly well. Ron did well also and we both finished with tears in our eyes. We went out to dinner with some of our old school friends and it was like old times. I laughed a few times and it felt good. That night I learned an important lesson. I learned you can only paint with the colors you are given. I was given a couple bright colors and a couple dull. I was determined to make the best of them-.
The next two days, Saturday and Sunday, were spent in my room. I wasn't ready to face the world yet. When Monday came, I was ready though. My eyes were pretty puffy, I had cried all weekend. But I was ready.
At breakfast, I walked in with the other teachers and immediately it got a little quieter. I was actually getting used to it by now. I knew it was because of me-I was a teacher, did they honestly think I was that dense? I didn't say anything, instead sat down with the teachers and began to eat. I wasn't going to give my explanations here, it wasn't the time nor the place.
My first class was, ironically, the Gryffindor first years. It seemed fit that they were the first ones to get my explanations since this whole problem started while I was teaching them. I waited for everyone to settle into their seats and get quiet. That took quite a while because I didn't tell them to be silent. If they wanted to get an explanation, they would have to be quiet. It was that simple.
Finally, the class was silent. Every single pair of eyes was on me and I knew it. I took a deep breath and started. "Class, I'm sure all of you would like an explanation for my recent behavior. Last Monday Harry Potter died. You were all here when I got the Daily Prophet. I was shocked. Then that night, at dinner, I came in late and you all saw me break down and start sobbing. You must've seen that the other teachers were upset, of course, who wouldn't be? Yet, I was the only one who came to dinner a mess, late because I had been spending the previous hours sobbing on my bed. Then I start crying again, in front of you all. I've heard the rumors that have been going around, trying to explain my behavior. Let me tell you right now, I am not Lord Voldemort, nor would I ever have the intention to kill Harry."
I could tell I had everyone of the kids attention. Even little Bobby Walenger, the one who never pays attention in any class and is always in detention because of that fact, was looking at me with his eyes wide open.
"Like I said, I would never in a million years try to kill Harry. See-" I stopped in mid sentence. I had been drowned out by some loud noise. Listening more closely, I realized the noise was music.
I've heard time and time again,
How all things fall apart,
How nothing lasts forever,
Well, they're wrong,
Cause through the thick and thin and the nights that seemed so long,
You were there without a worry,
You stood strong.
I gasped. Why would anyone play that? Why would anyone play it so loud? Didn't they know that that song caused me to have a rush of memoirs and caused me to have a lot of grief? Didn't they know that the song playing now was special to me, it was like a secret buried in one of the deepest and darkest chambers of my heart? Why, now, of all times was it being played? I narrowed my eyes and smiled a very cruel smile. Whoever was playing that song was going to be caught- I was coming to get them. However was playing this sick and twisted joke wasn't going to get away, I would see to that. I ran out of the room, leaving a class of worried and confused first years behind me. Not knowing what to do, they followed me. The song was blaring in my head, I could hardly think straight. Determined, I ran to through the corridors like I was running a marathon. And I was- a marathon of love.
You've got the key to my heart,
Right here in my arms,
I'll keep you safe and warm,
And you'll never have to worry,
Never want for nothing,
Cause I'm, I'm the prince you charmed.
I was almost at my dorm when I paused. I had to get rid of the rush of thoughts that had just confused me. I had to know what I was going to do when I got to my room. I couldn't just walk in without a plan. First of all, I was going to find out who the person who played the song was. They were going to get fired or expelled, I would see to that. Second, I would find out how they had the knowledge to play the CD player so loud. The other teachers and I had the knowledge but no one else had learned that yet. It was a very advanced spell that included enchanting a Muggle object (the CD player). Third, I would turn off the song and go back to my classroom and continue on with my explanation. Right. It wasn't that easy. The person in my room was probably Voldemort but it didn't matter. I was going to find him.
It seems so long ago,
That my world was upside down,
When my life was filled with tears and the skies were gray
But then you came around,
I never felt love so profound,
I never knew that happiness could feel this way.
I marched up to the entrance of my dorm and shouted my password- Hogwarts (OK, I know I'm not original)- and climbed in. I ran up the narrow staircase that led to my dormitory. I could hear my students clambering in after me but I didn't have to patience, nor the time, to turn around and tell them to leave. I arrived in my room with little breath, prepared to face whoever was there. All I could hear was the song.
You've got the key to my heart,
Right here in my arms,
I'll keep you safe and warm,
And you'll never have to worry,
Never want for nothing,
Cause I'm, I'm the prince you charmed.
I was standing in the little living room of my room. This is where the CD player was located. I didn't move to the CD player, instead I stood in the center of the living room with my hands on my hips. I felt like a first year. The real first years were all standing behind me waiting for me to make a move. They didn't have to wait long.
"OK, who ever is in here is UNAUTHORIZED and will be removed from this room forever. And if I have any say in what your future is, I will have you expelled if you are a student and fired if you are a teacher! Show yourself now!" I shouted in my most strict voice, knowing I sounded like a madman. There was no answer.
I'll shout it out to the heavens,
Thank God for your love, all the things that you do.
You've got the key to my heart,
Right here in my arms,
I'll keep you safe and warm,
And you'll never have to worry
Never want for nothing
Because I'm, I'm the prince you charmed.
The song ended and I was still standing there. The person certainly was thoughtful; I'd give them that. They had put the CD onto repeat. The song started again. I knew the person was still in there, there was no way for the person to escape. If he/she had done so earlier, I would have seen them. There was only one way to my room and I took the path. The only person I knew that had an Invisibility Cloak was Harry but he would never use it again.
I walked into my bedroom and saw no one. I walked into the small bathroom but no one was there either. I walked out again to the living room and saw my students standing there, confused. Clearly, they thought I had lost my mind. I was beginning to believe that too.
Suddenly, I felt hands cover my eyes. I gasped and spun around. No one was there. Then, I felt the hands over my eyes again and this time it was my students who gasped. I heard someone say something along the lines of 'There are hands but no body!' I stood there with the hands on my eyes, waiting for them to go down to my throat. I wasn't going to waste my time struggling now when I was sure the mysterious person was Voldemort and he had drawn me with the song to kill me. I would struggle later, when I was in more danger. I suppose it was stupid of me not to twist and try to get out of the grasp that bound me but I was still confused and energy less. I seemed to have no energy anymore, ever since Harry died.
More gasps came from behind me; I could see nothing because of the hands. The gasps became whispers and I could hear the first years speaking. "Look, a body but no head!' 'Who is holding Professor Granger?' 'Should we get help?' 'Why isn't she struggling?' were some of the whispers. I wanted to say something but, for some reason, couldn't. Seconds later came 'There's his head!' 'Who is it?'
Then the body with the head no one could recognize spoke. "I should have known that you wouldn't struggle Hermione. You always were brave. You haven't changed a bit. I've missed you so much, you know. Have you missed me as much as I missed you?" came the breathy, familiar voice.
I think you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for my response. The students were all wondering who was the person who missed me was and the man who was preventing me from seeing was wondering if I had missed him. I almost laughed out loud. What a stupid question!
I quickly turned and looked at my 'assailant'. "Harry!" I squealed. "Harry, is that you? I've missed you like crazy, I can't-" For the second time that day I stopped in mid sentence. Actually, this time I was cut off. But not by words. For the first time in over five years, I got to kiss Harry Potter. I think it was the most passionate kiss either of us had ever experienced. All I knew was that I didn't want it to end. And it didn't-not for a while. When we finally pulled apart, I looked him in his eyes and smiled.
"Harry, I don't think you know how much I've missed you. When it was thought that you were dead, I was always crying. Ask any one of my students, they saw me last Monday. I got the newspaper and dismissed class right there. I was in my room for the next few hours, crying my eyes out. Then I went down to dinner and I was a mess- my mascara running and I looked awful. But I didn't care- you were gone. I broke down in front of every single person at Hogwarts and I have been miserable ever since. I didn't think I was ever going to be OK. I've missed you so much!" I said, all in one breath.
"Herm, I have lots to tell you but not now. Shh, it's OK. I'm here." He said as I started to cry. He held me in his arms and comforted me just like he did so many years ago. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes- but they were happy tears.
He bent to kiss me again and then again. It was really weird standing in the middle of my tiny living room, with our song blasting in the background, a bunch of my students watching us, and we were oblivious to it all. My world was spinning at these strange turn of events. I mean, how many people make out with their supposedly dead boyfriends in front of their 11-year-old students? Not many, but I was one of the few. I don't know how long we stood there, lips entwined, but it was a good while. The first years seemed bound to the scene, no one wanted to leave.
Soon I heard Professor Dumbledore coming up the stairs. He was obviously going to see what was making the racket. He broke through the wave of the first years watching the scene. He stopped short at the sight of Harry.
"Harry! Harry Potter?! Alive? It can't be! Who would have thought? The news coverage, the funerals, the doctors, all that and you are alive! What wonderful news! I'm sorry that I'm going to have to break up this, er, um, reunion but it is vital that I get the full details and report them to the Ministry." Dumbledore said.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, could I come with you? I haven't seen Harry in over five years and I don't want to leave him again. I have to hear his story." I begged. I was determined not to go back teaching. Did Dumbledore really think I was going to be able to concentrate when my boyfriend was back? He mustn't have, because he smiled and nodded.
With Harry's arm around me, I walked out of my now crowded dorm and into the equally as crowded hallway. It seemed that with the song blasting so loudly, it had attracted the attention of everyone at Hogwarts. Many gasped when they saw Harry and I didn't blame them. He was supposed to be dead, right? I even had to pinch myself to make sure I was awake. It hurt, so that meant I was awake. In Dumbledore's office, we sat. Dumbledore turned to Harry and smiled.
"You know, Harry, I can't even begin to explain how happy I am that you are alive. But I have a ton of questions to ask. How did this mix up ever take place? Why was your wand found next to the body? Whose body was that, if it wasn't yours? Why didn't you come here until today? How did you get in without anyone seeing you? Alive! What a extraordinary turn of events!"
"Wow, Professor, that sure was a lot of questions. OK, first of all, the body everyone thought was mine was really Voldemort's. I had spent the better part of five years searching for him. I found his hiding and also found a much stronger Voldemort. He hadn't resurfaced in such a while because he was biding his time and getting stronger all the while. About a week ago, we had a royal wizard's duel. I had no second, he had no second. It was more of an 'if you die than I am the greater wizard' duel. Both of our wands were protected from many dark spells. To make a long story short, I was losing badly. I summoned my last ounce of strength and said one of the oldest and most advanced spells I knew. It created a ball of fire and I threw it at him. I guess I did a good job at the spell because next thing I knew he was dead- burnt to a crisp. I blacked out then and woke up about ten hours later. Voldemort's followers had all deserted the camp. They must have seen that Voldemort wasn't there to protect them because they had all fled. Why they didn't come after me is still a mystery to me. But I do know that I was glad they didn't come after me! I was still very weak and I walked to the cave I was staying, packed up the few things I had and walked away from it all. There was no need for me to stay. I totally forgot about my wand.
"I took so long to get here because I kept stopping to rest. I was weak and had to hitchhike rides from Muggles. Plus, I didn't have my wand. Muggle were the only way I could possible get here alive. Finally I arrived at Hogwarts. Somehow, I still had my Invisibility Cloak and the door was open. I really think that you should get that lock fixed- you were worried about Voldemort coming back? Anyway, I got the password for Herm's room from the talking mirror right by the opening. I bribed it with the possibility of moving it to a place where it would be more used. Mirrors, they are so gullible if they think they will get something! So, then I saw the CD and the CD player and I got my brilliant idea. I knew that you would come down and see who was in your room. The rest is history." Harry took a deep breath and put his arm around me.
"Wow, quite a story. You are really one of the only ones who could have pulled that off. Thank you very much for everything you have done Harry- killing Voldemort! You really are one of the best wizards alive. You are going to have to repeat that story for the Ministry of Magic when they arrive, which should be any minute. Perhaps after that, you should go and get Ron? He was quite sad when you 'died'. It will be quite a big surprise to see you standing at the door, won't it?"
---------
Four exhausting hours later, Harry, Ron, the other professors and I were eating dinner in the Great Hall. Harry had been interviewed by all the wizarding newspapers and magazines known to wizards, at least that is what it seemed like. Ron and I had been interviewed also. Owls had been flying every where today and classes had been called off. All students knew about Harry and I. I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, I wasn't hiding my past, everyone knew, and I was happy. Harry was going to stay in my dorm and Ron was going to go home later tonight.
I was still getting stares from students, though now for different reasons. Now they were stares of disbelief, saying 'You were Harry Potter's girlfriend for over five years and you never said anything about it? What are you crazy?' Before the stares had said, 'Harry Potter died, it is sad but get over it. It's not like you knew him or anything!' I didn't mind at all though, in fact I ignored them.
Later that night, Harry and I sat around my living room, making up for lost time. Earlier that night he had disappeared, saying he had something to pick up. He wouldn't tell me what he got, just smiled when I asked. I think I was about to find out what it was though. He had disappeared again and came out of the bedroom with his hands behind his back.
"Close your eyes, Herm. Don't open them till I tell you to," instructed Harry. I obediently closed my eyes and waited. I heard rustling and then "Open your eyes."
Harry was on his knees and in his hands was a big, beautiful diamond ring. He took a breath and said to me, "Hermione, I love you more than anything on this planet. I would die for you, without any second thoughts. Will you marry me?"
At first, I didn't say anything. It wasn't that I was considering turning Harry down, it was more just sheer shock of the idea of marrying Harry. Realizing that Harry was getting nervous I was going to turn him down, I answered quickly. "Harry, you have no idea what this means to me. Of course I will marry you! I love you sooo much!"
A grin that could have lit up the entire Muggle island of Manhattan on the darkest night spread across Harry's face as he slipped the ring onto my finger. I think I had a smile on my face just as big as Harry's. I was to be Hermione Potter- I liked that name. I leaned against Harry, feeling more content than I had in over five years.
---------
It was six o'clock in the morning when I woke up. I rolled over in my bed and spied Harry sleeping on the small couch in the living room. What a great guy, I thought. Didn't even ask to sleep with me last night. He really is a dream come true. I went over to his sleeping figure, grinning at how cute he could be even when he was sleeping. I lightly rubbed his nose. Harry moved his head but I kept rubbing. Finally an annoyed Harry opened his eyes and put on a pout.
"Why are you waking me up that way? A shake would have done the trick," he complained.
"I know. But you are really cute when you are grumpy." I replied. At this, Harry grabbed me into a huge bear hug and started tickling me. I am a very ticklish person and shrieked very loudly. Anyone that hadn't known what was going on would have thought someone was murdering me.
Some time later, we straightened up and started to get ready for breakfast. We had some pretty big news to announce.
Six months later
"…I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." proclaimed the priest. I breathed a sigh of relief- I knew I could do this. Harry lifted my veil and kissed me as everyone clapped and whistled. We turned simultaneously and walked down the aisle hand in hand. We got showered in rice (a Muggle tradition that wizards followed for one reason or another) as we got into an elegant car that was going to transport us to Hawaii, our honeymoon spot. Harry and I were now married, I was Hermione Potter.
The car was called a limo and had been enchanted to fly and to be invisible to all non-magic people. Harry got special treatment, he was a hero after all. And I was now the hero's wife. Who would have thought?
---------
"Herm, honey, I don't think you should be walking all over the place right now," exclaimed a nervous Harry. Harry wasn't normally nervous but now he had a good reason to be nervous, he was going to be a father after all. I was now nine months pregnant with our first child. The baby was due on August 27, just two days away. Harry was more protective of me than ever. I couldn't go outside, I couldn't walk around, and I couldn't even make myself something to eat, all because Harry was a very worrisome person towards the unborn. I had learned that the hard way the past couple months. But I just smiled at him and nodded. No point in arguing anymore. It took up too much energy. I didn't seem to have much energy anymore- it took a lot to keep me and my other self cool these days. Even with the air conditioning, the heat was murderous.
Five hours, extremely boring hours, later I was sick of soap operas. Harry was in the kitchen, making dinner. I was enjoying watching a man cook- it was quite funny. Harry was actually halfway decent at it, it came from all the years with the Dursley's. Suddenly a sharp pain in my stomach told me something. It was time. I cleared my throat and Harry gave me a sharp glance that said, 'Now?' He smiled when I nodded and ran to get the car. We had decided to drive Muggle style to the hospital months ago. I climbed in and we were off.
"Congratulations Mrs. Potter, you have a beautiful, healthy baby girl." said the nurse. I grinned and Harry laughed with relief. We had a baby! Harry and I had decided on names just a few days ago. For a boy, it was going to be Daniel Patrick. Boys names had been easy to figure out, we had a lot more trouble deciding on a girl's name. Finally, we settled on Callie Lynn. It was a cross between Catherine, which I wanted, and Allyson (nickname Allie), which Harry wanted. Callie looked almost exactly like Harry; she was definitely his daughter. Callie had the wild black hair that was so hard to control. She had his smile and that adorable scar! But I noticed she did have my eyes. My eyes were bright blue and Callie's were almost the same shade.
Ron was going to be the Callie's godfather Lavender the godmother. Sirius had been cleared of all charges when Harry, Ron and I were in our fifth year. He had found Pettigrew and brought him to the Ministry of Magic. There had been a trial and Sirius was declared innocent. Pettigrew was given the Dementor's Kiss. Anyway, Sirius was going to be Callie's 'grandfather', as she had no living grandparents on Harry's side.
The next few days were spent in the hospital bed with tons of visitors. Harry was almost always at the hospital with me and holding Callie. Ron, Lavender, and their clan visited, my mom and dad came to see their grandchild (I was quite surprised- they seemed to hate each other ever since the divorce but they put their differences aside for Callie and me), as did Sirius, and many of my co-workers came. Remus Lupin came by the last day I was there, as it had been a full moon the night of Callie's birth. A ton of my students came by to see me too. The term was starting in three days and many students had taken time out of their busy shopping schedules to come and see me. I was so honored that they came by. I wasn't even going to be teaching them this year; I was taking maternity leave to be with Callie. Remus was filling in for me, there had been a discovery made about a potion that made him totally safe during the full moon- even safer than the Wolfsbane potion made him. The only bad part about the potion was he still transformed. Nevertheless, the Minister of Magic, still Cornelius Fudge, agreed to let him teach.
When I was finally allowed to go home with Callie, I was met with a large banner with flashing paint that read, "Welcome home Hermione and Callie!" I looked at Harry and gave him a kiss. He was so thoughtful.
I know that I am going to have to work hard these next few months. Callie is going to keep me really busy and I am going to have to be able to keep up with her. I have a feeling that I am going to be really tired all the time. But I would never give up this life for anything. I have a loving husband and a beautiful daughter, both of whom I would die for. The best part of all this is I know Harry is alive and well. There is no more guilt about letting him leave to find Voldemort or sorrow because he might have died. Just the thought that I can live my life with him. Which is exactly what I am going to do. Because I know that I have the key to his heart- and always will.
Author's Note # 2- There you go! Pretty surprising, huh? I would never in my right mind kill off Harry! By the way, Jaxx- you figured out my plot line! That wasn't supposed to happen. I've had the idea to make the bodies be mixed up and everything for a long time- and then you come along and ruin it! J/k! But I did have the idea for a while, ever since I started writing it. Anyway, I just want to say that I'm not sure what Hermione's eye color is. I don't remember it being mentioned in any of the books, if they did state what color they are, sorry! I wanted them blue in this story, so they are. Please don't tell me that they are brown or green or orange, they are blue now, so there! :grins: Sorry, if I came off nasty there! Anyway, please fill out the box below!
* Sunrise *
Thursday, March 16, 2000