Disclaimer: In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm Not J.K. Rowling so I don't own the original Harry Potter characters. I do own the plot, and any other characters you know weren't in the book. I wish that I was as talented as Ms. Rowling but seeing as I am not I'll just write a fanfic to help us struggling Harry Freaks (I mean this in the best way, it's an inside joke sorry if you take offense.) until the next book!!!

A/N: This story is a separate story, but it does have flashbacks to another story of mine called Harry Potter and The Betrayal. If you haven't read it that's okay, if you have then this takes place about 15 years later. If you know anything about my previous fics, then you know that I am a hopeless romantic, so even though this story may be about the children on the surface, they are just a top layer to the undercurrent. I am really discouraged at this moment because I know people are reading my story but they aren't reviewing... I wish you would because it helps me to figure out if the direction I am going works or not, and I don't want to have to say I need so many review to add another part, so please don't make me. Also I know that my grammar and spelling isn't the best, I don't mind flames just not about that. Flames about the story's plot are welcomed as are REVIEWS...

"It doesn't mean much,

it doesn't mean anything at all

The life I left behind me is a cold room,

I've crossed the last line

from where I can't return

where every step I took in faith betrayed me

and led me from my home" Sweet Surrender by Sarah McLachlan

Harry Potter and the Return of A Stranger

Chapter 3: Burnt Out Ends to Smoky Days

Adia closed her eyes waiting for her mind to go numb....

"Mummy, why can't I go with Lydia?" Adia asked as her mum drove their muggle car down the road.

"You'll be able to go next year, besides you and I are going shopping and then to lunch with Grandma.

"Are we going to Jekyll and Hydes?" Adia asked eagerly.

"Maybe, Lydia, do you have everything you need. If not then I'll be able to send it to later because we're here. Adia, go get one of those carts, we're running late." Hermione directed as they got out of the car.

"But mum..."

"No buts, just help me out." Hermione admonished.

They wheeled their things into King's Cross quickly as Adia stared at all the wonderful things. Muggles may not have magic but the sure did a great job of putting on the facade of it. Adia was use to all this "magic" because her family lived in a muggle/wizard part of London. Most of the neighbors were wizards and they didn't have to be to careful about their actions, but most led a fairly "normal" life.

They made their way through the crowd. Adia tagged along with her mum, looking around as they went.

"Okay, Lydia you walk over there and pretend to be looking at the map and walk through. Adia and I will follow." Lydia leaned against the wall and she went through.Hermione took the cart and motioned to Adia to follow.

"The time to surrender is now. There are evils in the world that only the chosen know about..." A man stood on a soap box preaching.

"Come along, Adia. It's rude to stare at the less fortunate." Hermione said as she paused to also stare at the man. She shook her head and dragged Adia through the barrier. Adia couldn't help but feel in awe of the wonderful train, it was scarlet. Adia looked behind her to see a beautiful wrought iron sign that said Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it.

"Now, don't forget to write me and your father, we want to know how your classes are going this year. The third year is important because you get to pick so many wonderful classes. I'm so glad you steered clear of Divination. Oh, Lydia I love you." Hermione said as she hugged Lydia.

"Are you sure I can't go with mum?" Adia asked one more time knowing the answer was no.

"Yes, I'm positive, now give your sister a hug goodbye. That's it, now hurry on the train, I don't want you to miss it." Hermione pushed Lydia toward the train. Lydia got on; only looking back to wave.

Adia and Hermione watched the train pull away,

"Oh my goodness, Adia come on we have to get going or will be late!" Hermione yelled. Adia hurried out through the wall, rushing to keep up with her mom.

"...They have pushed me to this, The LORD shall protect his flock from the wicked of Satin. He shall send those to purge the world of darkness, not only me but more..." The man looked straight at Hermione, daring her to say something. He pushed back his coat reviling a bomb. Everyone froze, shocked that this could be happening.

"Adia," Hermione whispered, "I want you to go back to the platform tell anyone who is still on it that they must stay on it."

"But mum-"

"Just go, I love you!" Hermione reached over and hugged her daughter. "Now go." Hermione said as she pushed Adia away.

Adia ran toward the barrier, looking back only to see her mum, walking toward the man. She looked so determined, Adia knew she would have to be okay. 'Wouldn't she'??????????????

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Adia wasn't the only one hoping for a numb mind that night, Harry also hoped he would be able to get through the night without seeing the dreams. There were so many dreams to choose from, ones about Hogwarts, about Voldemort, about his family, and the worst was the day Hermione died. He had tried to tell everyone they were wrong when they told him she was dead. He didn't feel the loss of a lover. He felt that any moment she would walk in the door and say she was sorry for leaving so long. Sorry, for leaving him alone with their kids. And then he would tell her that it wasn't her fault, that she was so precious he didn't want her apologizing for anything. But that was another dream, one which was a painful as all the rest.

Harry climbed into his lonely bed and hoped, hoped that peace would come for them all...

"Wow! If we can pull that off on Saturday there is no way that we'll lose to Bulgaria. Now I want to run through the Dreydony Feint-"

Oliver Wood stopped as a ringing noise echoed across the field. They all looked in the general direction of Harry, who was pulling a cell phone out of his pocket. He carried one with him in case Hermione had to get a hold of him.

"Hello?" Harry answered

"Harry you must come quick! It was just on the news, I was sitting here waiting for Hermione when I saw it. Oh, Harry hurry." Harry recognized the voice of a very frantic Caroline Granger.

"Caroline, slow down. What happened?" Harry asked trying to calm his mother-in-law down.

"At Kings Cross, there was an explosion, and you know Hermione, she's never late and she's not here!"

"I'll go to Kings Cross and see what I can find. But Caroline, Platform 9 and 3/4 is safe, from anything muggle. She'll be okay." Harry hung up, "She has to be." He thought to himself

Harry looked over to Wood," Can I talk to you?"

Oliver and Harry walked a ways away from the team and Harry spoke.

"Oliver, there was a bombing at King's Cross, and well we all have families that could be there, I have to leave. Can you make the announcement?"

"Of course, go." Oliver replied, understandably.

Harry apparated to the platform and found himself in the middle of a great mass of chaotic people. He saw many familiar faces but didn't see Herm or Adia. He talked to someone who said the Hogwarts express had left before the bomb. Maybe, they left and got stuck in a muggle traffic jam. He muttered a quick spell that would take him to the car if it were in the lot. He found him standing in front of the chameleon colored car, with a licensee plate that said. MAGK US

"DAMNIT, where are you Hermione?" He yelled out his frustration.

He apparated back into the muggle part of King's Cross, maybe they were some where within, He took out his wallet and grabbed the family picture out. Luckily it wasn't one where they were moving.

"I'm looking for this woman." Harry asked frantically while stopping every muggle he could.

And every one responded with a ,"I haven't seen her." or an "I just got here, now excuse me."

Harry made his way slowly to the barricaded are. Finally he saw something he would never forget. Laying on the ground was a figment of the woman whom he loved. She was covered by a white sheet and the only way he knew it was her because of the bracelet around her wrist. It was normal all except it changed colors to the magical eye.


"Oh God, Oh God, no no, Herm-"

"Sir I'm going to have to ask you to step away from the barricade." The gruff officer said quietly.

Harry couldn't move he was rooted to the spot. The picture in his hand fell to the floor.

"Sir you uh, you dropped this. Pretty family you got there 'specially the Missus-"the officer took a second glance at the body on the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry let me get the Constable."

Harry felt as if a thousand knives were penetrating his skin, he felt as if he had taken Gilly weed and couldn't breathe.

"Sir, I hate to be blunt but is this your wife?"

"Yes, yes, she's my wife but, my daughter should be here somewhere." Harry babbled

"Sir no one saw a girl. Only her, your wife, she acted very bravely. She tried to stop the man, but well..." The constable seemed to feel the need to find his words. "Sir, we need you to formally make a statement, and now would be the best." He said as he started leading Harry towards the other side. Harry was in a state of shock and yet he knew he had to find Adia before he could do this.

Harry gently pulled away from the man.

"Sir, I need you to ID the body,"

"That BODY is my wife, who had my daughter with her. If my daughter isn't here then my first priority is finding her....

Harry woke with a start. He had learned what was a dream and what was real. It had been a long time since he had woken from a dream screaming. He got up and began to get ready to take the kids to King's Cross, it was going to be a long day.

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"MUM!" Adia yelled out as Silke tried to wake her up.

"Adia wake up, it's just a dream come one. There that's better now tell me what happened." Silke whispered as Adia's eyes focused.

"I remember, my mum, Oh I remember that day!" Adia whispered...

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The Potter's weren't the only ones haunted by nightmares that night, alone in her bed Harmony Answert tossed and turned. Dreaming an all to familiar dream, that wasn't all that familiar...

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A/N: As I said, all will be explained. Is Hermione dead, or is she alive. I will take guess on the matter, and if you guess correctly I'll put your name in my story. The only way for me to know is if you review. In the next chapter, we'll see the kids off to Hogwarts as Harry is off to....

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I lost my list but you were very encouraging. Have a good weekend everyone.