Before I start: PLUG! (myself) Please also check out my two new stories, Surviving Without You and Turning. Amazingly, Turning doesn't even MENTION Hermione or Ron... it's a Peter Pettigrew fic. Please read and review!


To my reviewers: You guys are so good to me! I ask for ideas and help, and you guys just rallied right up and gave great suggestions! I've started to implement some of them, and I plan on going further. You guys give me the inspiration to write, you give me a reason to be creative. It makes me feel wonderful to know that people like my writing so much that they'll contribute to the work as a whole so that it continues. I want you all to know just how much I appreciate it, I really do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Also.. just in case anyone wanted to know... I think I passed my AP English exam (which I was positive I would fail, before going into the test)! Yay!

sgquill: You've been a great constant reviewer, and your kind words and help with the story are something I truly appreciate. Thanks you.

ice blue: Thank you too, for your constant (and consistent!) reviews about the story.

Princess Sam: Luckily, just having all of this positive feedback and suggestions actually kicked me into gear… or maybe it was my couple of hours of The Princess Bride I was able to read today ;)

Indus: I have to say, I think you're one of the reviewers who's contributed most to the writing of this story without actually writing it. You have wonderful ideas and you give great feedback to me, and I really do appreciate it. And, although I haven't reviewed your stories, I have read them all, and I think you're a great writer. Next time I have the time, I will most definitely review your stories too.

Tamashii, TaMara R, : Thank you very much.. I know I didn't email you, but just from the reviews on the board I was able to move through another chapter, and the enjoyment of writing it hasn't diminished at all. I probably will contact you in the future for help though, if you don't mind ;)

Annabelle G: Didn't Poe do a poem about a woman named Annabelle-Lee? I was a child and she was a child,/In this kingdom by the sea;/But we loved with a love that was more then love-/I and my Annabel lee;/With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven/Coveted her and me. Anyway… You've also been one of the most helpful reviewers I have… I can never say enough about you guys, all of you, you know? Having support like that... it's wonderful.


Please enjoy, everyone. Credit goes to Indus and Annabelle G for suggesting the bulk of this chapter. And as always - please review, good, bad, or otherwise! (And I own nothing)








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Awake, Lady
Chapter Six: The Girl who Never Grew Up



The last few days had been bliss. Neither Ron nor Hermione had allowed the outside world to penetrate their reverie, their recent re-discovery of each other.

This would explain why Harry had a damned hard time getting them to answer the door. He had to knock for a full three minutes before Ron, bleary eyed and shirtless, had finally appeared at the door. He knew someone had to be home – Ron still had a few days of vacation till Robbie expected him in, he knew. Since Harry's office was just down the hall, Harry talked to him every day – and even if he was out in the field, Ron had him come over to the house, or they went out at night. Harry had been starting to worry about his best friend. Oh, he was no fool –Hermione was back, and of course Ron would want to dedicate his time to her. But, Harry thought as he pounded on the door, he was her best friend too, and he missed her just as much (not in the same way, granted) as Ron.

When he heard a series of click behind the door, Harry stepped back and crossed his arms, and look of irritation taking over his features. Ron smiled sheepishly at his childhood friend.

"Oy mate. Uh… how's Ginny?"

Harry rolled his eyes and pushed past his friend, moving into the house. "Your sister is fine. Not as if you've checked in the last few days. Every time I tried to call through the fireplace, I didn't get an answer. Ginny apparated over here two nights ago, but she came right back and wouldn't tell me what was going on at the house."

Ron reddened and put up his hands in defense. "Hey, I'm sorry, I've just been occupied the past few days." A look of excitement crossed his face, making him appear boyish – though in truth, some of Ron's childlike features had never really left, like the freckles scattered across his nose. Ron gestured to his bare neck, grinning at Harry. It took a moment to click, then Harry's mouth slackened.

"You… did she… she… you…" Harry suddenly whooped, jumping up and down, slapping his best friend on the back. He bolted towards the living room yelling Hermione's name. Hermione ran into the room, confusion and panic on her face. "What's wrong? What's wrong?" she yelled.

She calmed down when she saw the grin on Harry's face, and squeaked as he picked her up by the waist and spun her around in his arms, just as he had done with Xandie a few days ago. Now she was merely confused, not panicked, and she held Harry around the neck as he spun her.

Unfortunately for Hermione's prudishness, when he finally put her down, she remembered what she was wearing – or not wearing, it could be said. She yelped and bent over, trying to conceal the amount of leg Ron's old t-shirt was showing, then bounded up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, she yelled down the banister "I'll be right back down, alright?"

Harry grinned and turned to Ron, his face turning smug. "So that's why the two of you haven't bothered to visit or talk to me or Ginny lately."

Ron nodded peevishly. "Yeah yeah… wait, what was that you said about Ginny?"

"Oh, she came over a few nights ago to see how you two were doing. Wanted to invite you over for an early dinner, you know?" Harry's eyes narrowed in false anger. "I can only guess what she saw."

Ron's face turned a furious red, and he immediately changed the topic. "So… Ginny's been staying with mum and dad then? If she hasn't been over here for the last few days…"

"Oh, she was here, but only for a few minutes. Went straight to her room and back, she said. She brought enough clothes for a week over to my place."

"Your place?"

Harry smiled nervously. "Well, actually…"

Ron threw up his hands in disgust that was only partially mock. "Forget it," he said, "I don't even want to think about it."

Hermione's voice interrupted them. "Think about what, Ron?" She had returned from upstairs in a pair of jeans, still wearing the shirt that had been such a cause for embarrassment.

Harry answered before Ron could. "About how bad you two have been the past few days." Hermione froze at the bottom of the stairs, the blood rushing into her face.

"We… did a lot of reading, and shopping and stuff. Yes, stuff." She nodded dumbly, still beet red. "Lots to catch up on and-"

Harry rolled his eyes. "I was talking about not being social. What were you talking about?" He smirked infuriatingly.

Hermione looked to Ron, who simply smiled and shrugged, enjoying her discomfort.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." She squawked. "What was it you were so excited about a minute ago?"

Deciding to no longer tease, Harry smiled affably and gestured to her left hand. "Congratulations, that's what I was so excited about. If it means what I think it does, at least."

Hermione smiled a bit dreamily. "Something like that. We still haven't discussed details much."

Ron moved to Hermione's side, sliding an arm around her waist. "You two look like you want to talk, eh?" he said. "I'm going to take a shower, be back down in about a quarter of an hour." He turned and ran up the stairs, taking them three at a time.

Hermione's blush had begun to fade, and she swatted Harry on the arm. "You prat. I can't believe you teased me like that!"

She moved towards the kitchen. "Do you want some tea? I think Ron said that there's some leftover muffins in the breadbox, too…"




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Ron couldn't help but smile and he hopped down the stairs. Life, he decided, was definitely good. The girl he loved was back, and he'd finally have his happily ever after. After all, he thought, grinning to himself, the heroes in storybooks always have a happily ever after, and if he, Harry, and Hermione weren't heroes, he didn't know who was.

This may be why, upon entering the kitchen, it was such a shock for him to see Hermione sitting in Harry's lap, face buried in his neck. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed.

Now, seven years can do a lot to a man – and so it was with Ron. Had this happened eight years ago, Ron would have been at their side and pulled Hermione out of Harry's lap, quick as a whip, then beat the hell out of his best friend. Having grown over the years, he would diffuse this situation a bit differently.

He would give Harry a five second head start, he decided as he moved into the kitchen.

"What the he-" He stopped short of the embracing pair, his inertia pulling his torso a bit further then the rest of his body. Hermione had turned to face him, and what he saw made him lose all of the furious ideas that had engulfed him for the last few moments.

Hermione drew a few sharp, gasping breaths. "I-I-I-I" was all she could manage. Her body shuddered and she launched herself into Ron's arms. Frightened, he pulled her into the living room, depositing her on the couch. Harry moved beside them, concern on his face.

"Ron, she started crying… said she was scared this morning when I came in … Ron, I think she's hyperventilating!"

Hermione's face was streaked with tears, and she was gasping, though no breath was drawn. Ron leveled his face with hers, pulling her attention to him as they locked eyes.

"Hermione, look at me. Calm down. Breathe slow." She shook her head, gasping. Ron held her tightly, feeling her shake beneath his touch.

"Harry - Harry, what's that charm Flitwick taught us for panic attacks and the like?"

Harry shook his head, feeling lost and helpless. "S something… s something!"

Hermione struggled against her body, forcing her vocal chords. "Sss—ed-d-d-otis" she managed.

Harry aimed his wand at his friend. "Sedotis!" he yelled. Hermione's body went limp and still on the couch, and after a short pause, she drew a deep, strong breath. With Ron and Harry's help, she sat up straight on the couch. Harry pulled a handkerchief out of his cloak pocket and began gently wiping her face. Ron, meanwhile, looped his arms around her shoulders and was making the same soothing noise he remembered his mother made for him when he had nightmares, one hand in her hair.

"Shhh, it's ok, darling. Shh… shhh…"

Harry made to move away, but Ron stopped him. "Don't go anywhere, mate, alright?"

Harry nodded. "I was just going to get her some water… Aquis Compleo, Accio glass. A glass of water floated through the open kitchen door and into Harry's hand. He moved it to Hermione's mouth, and helped her take a short sip. After drinking, she leaned her head on the back of the couch, hiccupping twice before she spoke.

"I'm sorry… so sorry. I've been… the last few days, I've kind of pushed e-everything back… to the back of my mind, you know? I thought I've been handling it well… like an adult…I've always been the adult one, and I thought, I thought, oh… oh, I don't know what I thought." Hermione bent over, her arms across her knees, and put her head onto them. She was breathing slowly, but they could tell she was crying.

Ron and Harry looked at each other over Hermione's form. Blue eyes bore into green, both active with concern. Ron shifted his glance to Hermione, the back up and Harry. Harry shook his head, baffled.

Another long, labored breath, and Hermione sat back up. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, attempting to totally compose herself.

"I didn't want to think about… about all of this. You know?" She searched her friend's faces, the pupils of her large chocolate eyes dilated slightly. "Then all of a sudden, today, when Harry came in… the noise." Her voice rose from a whisper. "You remember what it was like, back then – any noise like that was trouble. If you heard noise in the na-na-night, yelling, you knew… you knew something was wrong." Again, her voice rose with every word. "It was only a half a year ago, god damn it, not eight and a half years! My parents did not die the long ago! Voldemort isn't dead to me, this isn't acceptable! I cant remember, I need to know!" She was yelling now. "This has not happened, I will not tolerate this, I will not!" Suddenly, it was as if the life went out of her. She pulled her knees to her chest, resting her forehead on them, defeated.

"I'm still a child. I'm a child in a world I can't control." She whispered.







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Oh... there's the drama! :) Bet ya'll thought I'd never get to it, huh?