Authors Note:
Authors Note:

Disclaimer: The characters Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and various others are characters directly from Joanne Kathleen Rowling's fabulous books 'Harry Potter'. Other characters such as Maxa, Richard, Maxa's friends, and some others are my own creation. Also, the beginning to chapter one is a bit confusing and hopefully you will figure it out…if not feel free to review and ask me. Hint: It's told by multiple characters and changes without warning. And please keep in mind that this first chapter will mainly be back round information…all the stuff about heaven is mainly back round…so you'll understand the rest.

Through Love and Life

Chapter 1

            Her name was Hermione and she was the definition of beauty. Her eyes laughed when she was happy, and her smile could make you happy for days on end. She was gentle, and caring, yet strong and wise. Her laugh made you feel warm and pleasant. And she was Harry's.

            But this wasn't right. For how could such an unworthy man deserve such a treasure? How could a mortal, such as Harry, understand the true beauty Hermione had. Impossible. Simply impossible.

            But Harry did know it. And every day he puzzled over why the lovely Miss. Granger choose him. For love. That was the answer. She saw in him everything she'd ever want or need, and miracosly he had chosen her. She loved the way he looked at her so gently and caring. And how his touch warmed her from head to toe. And yet this wonderful man had chosen simple, and plain her.  

            But he loved her too...he loved her more than the sun and moon. And he had to have her...And wanting is a powerful weapon.

So he schemed, day in day out. He had to be hers…but there were rules…too many…

            In Heaven they lived. People that is…there were angels, guardians, and the ld's (living dead). The Angels were either directly related to the Apostles, or had gone through years of schooling to achieve that level and the powers that came with it. The guardians were directly born in heaven but were sons or daughters of LDs. They watched and protected mortals. And the LDs were members of Heaven who were simply mortals that died. Once in heaven LDs could remarry, or get jobs, or if school age return to school. Of course the young ones were always immediately adopted.

            The schools of course were different. The classes were things such as Luke, Genesis, Romans, ects. And then you had one class, which was your major. These were classes such as 'Angel Healing' or 'Warrior Angels' or if you had no desire to become and angel 'basic cooking'. Of course there were many more.

            The Guardians are the main subject of our story however…at least one of them. Claude Richard. Guardians have rules but they also have pleasures and treats. The main one is this:

Sometimes while watching over your assigned mortal you find yourself head over heels for them. So a year before there death (you know these things of course) you are aloud to start communicating with them in their dreams. Then the moment when they shall die you pause time and ask them if they will come live with you in the kingdom of Heaven. If they agree you may take there souls a minute early and they will become a sort of extra-concentrated spirit. If they refuse you just let them die naturally.

He schemed. And finally it came to him. Sudden death. Oh yes the records said the fair beauty Hermione had bout 50 more years but he had to have her. Now. So that night he began…Soon she would be his!

            "Harry!" Hermione sobbed. "I think I'm going nuts!"

            "Sweety calm down" Harry whispered stroking her hand. "You must tell me more…you say it's like ghosts…talking in your dreams?"

            "Yes! But he says he wants me…but I don't know what he means…and it scares me! Harry they want to take me from you!"

            "Who!" Harry said alarmed

            "Them! I don't know Harry! Help!"

            Hermione cried day in and out. She knew she was in trouble but from what she didn't know. Yet every night she dreamed this terror and every day she become more and more jittery.

            And Harry, too, became nervous; for he too was starting to believe something wanted his Miss. Granger. But they couldn't have her. Never!

            Every night he came, and every night she said no. No, she wouldn't go with him, death or not. But he broke the rules…in oh so many ways. He told her she had 2moths then death would come, so eh might as well live and love him. But she was faithful-faithful but scared...she told him she'd wait for Harry forever if she must. But he broke the rules as I said, for Hermione was no sooner to die than God himself. And she said no.

            But he wouldn't have that. He became quickly enraged. He decided that fateful night that if he couldn't have Hermione none would…none.

            So he descended to earth and drew out a gun…he shot. His eyes light up as it sank deep into Harry. His eyes danced with pleasure. But then he saw his fateful mistake. It wasn't Harry the bullet sank into. It was his beloved, Hermione. She fell to the ground, and he saw his plan backfire but he quickly acted. He paused time…

            "Come with me now! You have no choose live with me! You'll love me! Its that or death!"

"Never, I swear Never!"

"You stupid women! He can never love you like I can!"

            And with one swift movement her soul was swept away. She refused but he didn't care. He'd have her one way or another. And besides, he'd already broken so many rules what was one more?

            The months passed slowly, and Hermione fell deeper, and deeper into despair. She may be bound to him now but her spirit and love remained with Harry. But how much longer could she stand this? This daily routine of the evil man asking her to marry him…when would this nightmare end??

            And he waited. He new eventually she would come to love him, and he'd just have to wait. Little did he know Hermione was on to something.

            She spent the endless days anywhere but where he was. She strolled through the gardens, waltzed through the ballrooms, and swam through the rivers. And she thought. This place was lovely. A dream come true. But how can I enjoy it without my only love?? The question floated in the air night and day. Until one day she found a way out of her misery.

            The mistresses of the castle she lived in were very kind. But  they could sometimes be quit odd. Especially Guardian Katherine. She was very wise but the knowledge wore her mind and sensibility down a bit. But she was nice, and always interesting to chat with. So it was at one of those chats that Hermione discovered a way out.

"Would you like some more tea deary?"

"Oh yes, please"

Katherine gently and swiftly refilled Hermiones cup.

"Beautiful place this is here is it not?"

"Oh, yes" Hermione answered absentmindedly.

"Funny, you don't seem to be enjoying it much my dear. You're much to young to let a treasure like this pass unnoticed."

Hermione smiled slightly holding back tears. There where so many reasons she wasn't enjoying this mystical land and she wished she could tell Katherine.

"Why is it you two haven't been married yet?"

For a brief moment Hermione nearly burst with joy. Katherine new about Harry! But then…

"Oh…you mean Master Richards and I?"

"Well of course! Whom else would I be speaking of?"

Harry, Harry you old bat! Her eyes stung with tears.

"I have no plans on marrying Master Richards today or ever!"

She immediately regretted loosing her temper like so.

"But…then…oh you young lovers confuse me so!"

Again she found herself outraged at the thought of anyone but Harry being her lover…yet she pulled herself together and calmly said…

"I am certainly not in love with Master Richards, and if you could please refrain from asking these questions I'd appreciate it." She sipped her tea, while Katherine gave her a look.

"Yes well…" She quietly searched for a new topic. "Did you hear about the girl down in Paradise?" By this Katherine was referring to a real place in Heaven-and yes you guessed it, really Paradise.

"No" Hermione said politely "Do tell"

"Well there was this young lady who was one of those extra-concentrated spirits. Lovely girl, just lovely. Anyway she was out on her roof doing some garden work, and sad to say she fell! Now as you know normally this would have no effect on a regular spirit up here but since she wasn't really dead it killed her! Of course this is a complicated matter! Instead of technically killing her it sent her right back down to earth! Imagine how her family reacted!" Katherine gave a chuckle.

Hermione giggled politely. She searched for something to say. And then the light flicked on! She understood! Joyous, joyous day!

"You say she returned to earth??"

"Yes, alive and healthy! She'll have a good 20 years ahead of her to live now…see she died of cancer but the air up here renewed her a bit!"

"Oh yes, I see" She smiled her first real smile since she'd arrived in heaven.

"Sad though. She's left 2 kids and husband up here"

Hermione tried to look sympathetic, but how could she??

"I must go! Thank you!" She said jumping up and hugging Katherine.

Katherine laughed.

"Why child what for??"

"More than you know!"

With that she bolted out the door.

            When she arrived back at the castle she had formulated a plan. It would go swiftly and in no time at all she'd be back with her love. She'd excuse herself from dinner early saying she had a headache and needed rest. Claude would ask if she needed anything and she would politely say no (no need to get his temper up when attempting escape). She would then depart to her room where she would wait and prepare till 9:00 when Claude always went to bed. Luckily his room was on the opposite end of the castle…she'd arranged it that way.

            When the time arrived she'd slip open the window and with one swift jump—her cries would be lost in the night. By the time Claude arrived in her room all he'd see was a faint mist where her spirit used to be! It was a perfect plan. Harry here I come.

            However when Hermione arrived at the dinner table that night things took an interesting twist. Master Richards sat at the head of the table smiling. He held an envelope in his hands.

"Hello Master Richards" She addressed him.

"Hello my love" He smiled.

She cringed at the words.

" Do you intend to tell me now our later what that foolish grin is for??" She snapped losing her temper.

"I think we shall wait and see"

She scoffed.

Soon there meal arrived. A lovely feast of lamb, and potatoes.

"This is a bit of a fancy meal for such an ordinary night don't you agree?"

"Oh well, my dear, we have some celebrating to do"

" And will you let me in on what we're celebrating" She asked gingerly.

"I think we shall wait"

She couldn't help lingering over those words he'd used twice this meal—we. He tried to refrain from angering her with that word that implied they were a couple, but tonight he used them casually. Something about this bothered her greatly. As the night grew later she started to worry. She decided it was time to act—He wouldn't stop her now!

"Well master I have quit a headache and I am going to retire now"

"Not quit yet my love"

She cringed again

"I received some wonderful news today from the head angel of the home affairs department."

Hermione felt queasy. All of a sudden she had no wish to find out what was in the envelope. She just wanted to go to her room and be back in Harry's arms. But now the news was coming and she couldn't stop it from coming. And she definitely wasn't prepared.

"Hermione dear," He paused and smiled "We are to have a baby!"