Disclaimer: I still don't own it. Oh well.
A/N: Even more of a bitter sweet feeling. I don't think I will make a third part even though someday…perhaps. LOL Just not now. The song is "Close to Crazy" by Reba McEntire. I just love her tv show. Ok enough babbling here's the fic!
2009....
I still reach for you,
In the middle of my dreams each night,
But my arms come up empty every time.
And lately I talk to your memory
More than I should.
If I could just forget the past I would.
'Cause this missing you ,
Ain't doing me no good.
Harry screamed "Nooo!!" into the empty church but no one could hear him. Harry picked up Hermione's head and rested it on his chest. He then began sobbing into her hair not wanting to believe that she was gone. After staying like this for what seemed like hours, Harry picked up Hermione's limp body and carried it back to where the old book lay. Once again he put a single finger to the spine of the book and was sent off but Hermione's body wasn't in his arms anymore. Only when he came to a stop he discovered he wasn't at the 7th years girls dormitory. He ws walking on clouds and there was a golden fence with a entrance that when opened gave off a bright blinding light. Harry squinted his eyes to see through and saw Hermione standing there in her wedding dress only now she had wings. "Hermione?" he asked in a shaking voice.
"Come to me Harry," she said.
Harry took a step forward but was unsure if he would fall straight through the clouds because they could not hold his weight.
"Come to me Harry," she said repeating herself. He nodded and took a another step forward, his suspicion had been correct; he fell through the clouds.
"Hermione!" he screamed reaching his hand out.
"Wake up," she said in a high pitched voice. In fact it didn't even sound like Hermione, it sounded more like a child.
"Come on wake up Uncle Harry," said a little flaming red haired girl. He immediately reconised her as Ron and Lavender's youngest daughter; Sara Weasly.
"Okay I'm up, I'm up," said Harry sitting up in his bed at the Weasly house. For the past 12 years Ron had kindly alowed him to live with him and his wife. He paid pleanty of rent of course but he still felt so out of place. He had never found peace after Hermione's death. 'I still miss her' thought Harry trying to wake up.
"Mum says if you don't hurry up then you can't have breakfast," said Sara tugging on his arm.
"I say if you don't get out so I can change I'll tickle you," said Harry tickling Sara's stomache so she was giggling.
"Okay I give," she squealed. "Do you still miss her?" she asked.
"For a little girl you know too much," said Harry wondering if he had been talking in his sleep.
"I listen to everyone, even Uncle Percy," said Sara scrunching up her face like she had a bad taste in her mouth.
"I think you're the only one and you better just hurry up downstairs," said Harry shooing her from the room and shuting the door. He went and sat on his bed and looked up to the ceiling. "Oh Hermione how I wish you were here. Everyday I see Ron and Lavender with their children laughing and playing. If only we would have had that chance. I am worried about Sara though, she knows more then she should for a five year old. She almost reminds me of you," said Harry sighing.
~***~
After watching her Uncle shut his door, Sara happily came to the table and sat next to her sisters Catrina and Marie while Carl sat on the other side of the table next to their Dad. "Uncle Harry will be down soon Mum," said Sara looking on as her Mum moved about the kitchen making brerakfast. "I think he's been dreaming about her again," said Sara bravely. She knew her Mum and Dad didn't like it that she knew so much because they have always tried hard to keep that subject as far from the kids as possible.
"Are you four done?" asked Lavender staring at them.
They all could tell their Mum was mad and just nodded their heads. Then one by one all of them walked out of the kitchen. Carl was last and grabbed a couple pieces of toast with butter. Once in the hall way he passed them to Sara. "Here, I know you didn't eat," he said going up to his own room.
~***~
"Ron this has gone on long enough. As I guess you could say "fond" of Harry that I am, he needs to find someone," said Lavender frowning staring at her husband and waiting for him to make up another excuse on Harry's behalf.
"It only feels like yesterday Lav," said Ron who had run dry of reasons because of the excuses he had made for Harry over the years.
"Speaking of yesterday," said Lavender taking a seat across from Ron. "I talked to a friend of mine from Hogwarts. She too is single and is looking for someone too..," was all Lavender could say before Harry walked in the room.
"Why do you two always shut up when I walk in?" said Harry laughing and taking a peek at the bacon that was cooking on the stove. "Someone to do what?" asked Harry wondering if it was something he could do.'I always seem to be making up excuses to take my mind off her lately,' thought Harry fumbling a hot piece of toast.
"Well," began Lavender but this time Ron cut her off.
"Lav here has someone she thinks you should go on a date with," said Ron being as blunt about the situation as possible.
Harry choked when he heard Ron say the word 'date'. Not because he hadn't considered it but he never wanted to be unfaithfull to Hermione's memory. "I don't think so," said Harry trying to be plain and simple about the whole subject and hoping it would be dropped. He was not that lucky.
"But Harry she's sweet and kind. Plus she lost her husband about six years ago so you two do have something in common," said Lavender almost pleading. She hated the way Harry would just mope around when he wasn't at work although that was rare because most of the time he was working.
"Maybe she's right," piped in Ron.
"No," answered Harry. Then he felt something bump into his chair. He turned around to see Sara standing there.
"Please Uncle Harry," said Sara. She wasn't sticking her bottom lip out but her face was filled with enough sorrow to melt anyone's heart.
"Okay I guess but if I do it, will the whole Weasly clan stop bugging me about it?" asked Harry. 'Please Hermione forgive me for this,' thought Harry to himself.
"Perfect I'll send her an owl and tell her you'd love to have dinner with her in Hogsmeade tonight," said Lavender clearly excited. At least a lot more than Harry was.
"To..tonight? What's her name?," asked Harry as Lavender was tieing a note to Hedwig's leg she had gotten out of her pocket as if she had known he would do it.
"Yes tonight and her name is Cho Chang," said Lavender letting Hedwig out the window and disapear into the morning sun.
"Oh no, I can't," said Harry clearly remembering the crush he had on Cho during some of his 3rd and his 4th year all too well.
"Too late. If you don't hurry you'll be late for work," said Lavender smiling feeling she had just helped out two of her friends more than they know.
I'm so close to crazy,
Right on the edge.
Just one step away from going insane,
But I'm not there yet.
If I could just lose my mind,
I wouldn't know you died.
But this close to crazy,
Is far from forgeting you.
Later that night....
"Do I look okay?" asked Harry wearing his new dress robes and showing Ron.
"Yeah you do. Don't be so nervous, it shows," said Ron with a slight bit of concern in his voice.
"I can't help it. This will be my first date since Hermione died," said Harry. Then he realized this was the first time he had ever said Hermione was dead. He never uttered the words before because he believed if he didn't say them it wouldn't be so true. 'I can't do this,' thought Harry even more scared then he was the moment he saw Hermione was held captive by Lord Voldemort.' I was not scared, I was mad,' thought Harry until he was snapped back to reality by Sara's voice.
"Uncle Harry. Uncle Harry. Uncle Harry!" yelled Sara until she had his attention.
"Yes Sara," said Harry looking down at her.
"I brought you this for you to give to your new girlfriend," said Sara holding up a daisy.
'My new girlfriend just does not sound right and daisies were Hermione's favorite flower. I can't hurt Sara's feelings though,' thought Harry debating with himself what to say. "Thanks but do you think you can get me one of those nice pink roses your Mum has been working so hard on to grow?" said Harry. Sara nodded happily and skipped off. "Be careful of the thorns," said Harry to Sara's retreating back.
"I don't think she's going to have time. You best be getting to that restaurant. Hogsmeade is a long flight away," commented Ron.
"Yeah I guess I'll be going. I think your mind is starting to think like Lavender's does," said Harry heading to the door with his broom in hand.
"Someone help me if I am. See you later," said Ron with a laugh as Harry walked outside and took flight in the air.
"Maybe," said Harry. He didn't take much notice that he said 'maybe' but Ron did.
Today I caught myself,
Reliving how it used to be.
At a table for two,
Just you and me.
But talking to an empty chair,
And laughing right out loud,
Turned everybody's head and left no doubt.
I'm a broken man close to breaking down
30 minutes later in Hogsmeade...
Harry opened the door to Three BroomSticks and looked around. It was surprisingly slow for a Friday night or maybe it was because he hadn't been in here since he was at Hogwarts and his mind had made him belive it was normally busier. He took a look around and quickly saw Cho sitting over at a corner booth. She was wearing beautiful midnight blue robes. 'Hermione would have looked great in those but no I can't think like that,' thought Harry to himself as he walked through the restaurant over to where she was seated.
"Hi Cho," said Harry feeling awkward.
"Hi, I ordered us some butterbeers before you came so I hope that's alright," said Cho feeling maybe she had done something wrong but she couldn't be too sure what.
They stayed there in silence until the drinks came and then Harry said, "I'm sorry that I am not too good at this. I haven't had much practice."
Cho put her hand on his and said, "It's okay, I've been there too. You never know what it would feel like until it happens to you. I don't think I'm very hungry anymore."
Harry gave her a weak smile. "Me too, let's skip dinner. I haven't seen Zonko's or Honeydukes in over 12 years, why don't we go there," he suggested.
They finished their drinks, payed the bill and went out into the snow. Harry couldn't help but stare at Cho's face as snowflakes gently fell on her. 'She is still as pretty as she was all those years ago.... no I can't think like that,' he thought to himself as they made their way through the street. He couldn't help but notice her eyes light up when she saw the latest model broom in a shop window. It was a Lighteningbolt. The fastest model yet so while she went to the ladies laboritory he ran in the store and without a second thought he bought it. After all he had the money for it, four years ago he became the minister of magic when Cornelius Fudge past away. As soon as she came back out to him he handed the broom to her.
"I know I didn't bring flowers or candy so I hope ths makes up for it," explained Harry.
"Thank you, you really shouldn't have," said Cho. She embraced him but only quickly, not knowing his reaction.
'I shouldn't be enjoying this,' thought Harry to himself as he returned Cho's hug.
They continued walking down the street hand in hand just enjoying having someone's company. Eventually they came to the graveyard. This was the same graveyard both Hermione and Cho's husband, Roger Davies had been buried. Cho noticed Harry looking in.
"Would you like to go in there?" she asked a bit concerned figuring he most likly hadn't come since Hermione's burial. She had come to Hermione's funeral but just stayed in the back out of everyone's way. Almost the whole school had come, Hermione had alway had more friends than she thought.
"Okay, I think I'm ready," he answered feeling her grip his hand a bit tighter as they walked in.
"Where's..er..Davies?" asked Harry not quite sure what was the best way to approach her on it.
"He's over here," she said letting go of him and crossing the graveyard until she came to stop in front of one covered in flowers. "Our 9th anniversary was last week so I sent lots of flowers here although I didn't visit him," she said.
Harry only nodded his head and read the tombstone.
Roger Christopher Davies
1979-2002
A great wizard who was a excelent Qu÷itch player and loved his son.
"You have a son?" asked Harry. He had no idea Cho was a mother.
"Yes he was born right before he died. Roger died of Cancer and he decided that if he lost the battle that Quidditch and Roger jr. had to be on his tombstone," said Cho giving a weak smile, trying hard not to cry as she so often had often had over 6 years.
"That must be rough," commented Harry not wanting to say anything inapropriate. He understood that this was a very difficult subject to discuss. He, himself rarly spoke Hermione's name aloud in front of anyone.
"Where is Hermione?" asked Cho
Harry led Cho across the graveyard to where Hermione had been buried. After only one look he began crying. 'It still hurts just as much as it did when it first happened.' he thought to himself while reading Hermione's tombstone.
Hermione Granger Potter
1980-1997
With bravery led to the downfall of the Dark Wizard,
Lord Voldemort
"I'm so sorry Harry," said Cho putting a hand on his back.
"That's all I've heard for the past 12 years," snapped Harry although he didn't mean to.
"I think I am ready to go home now," she said in a hurry.
"I shouldn't have snapped like that. I'm sorry," explained Harry.
"It's okay, really it is. I need to be getting home anyway," replied Cho.
"If you are sure," he said. He really didn't want their evening to end but saw how uncomfortable Cho had become.
"I'll see you," said Cho getting on the broom Harry had bought her and about to fly away.
"Maybe," said Harry. Once again it didn't occour to him exactly what it was he had just said.
I'm so close to crazy,
Right on the edge.
Just one step away from going insane,
But I'm not there yet.
If I could just lose my mind,
I wouldn't know you died.
But this close to crazy,
Is far from forgeting you.
Harry sat down beside Hermione's grave. He wished he could just talk to her one last time. It felt impossible for him to feel peace since he never got to tell her he loved her too.
"Why did you have to go then. Couldn't you of just stayed with me for one last minute," he said into the wind.
For a second he thought he heard a whisper saying, "Come to me Harry."
"Hermione?" asked Harry not realizing what that sounded like.
"Come to me Harry," the voice said again.
"The only way I could would be to," said Harry not finishing his sentance. 'I must be with her. I can't go through the rest of my life without her. What about Ron and Lavender? And Sara?,' he thought.
"Come to me Harry," said the voice even more urgently.
"I'm coming," whispered Harry pulling out his wand. Thoughts of his whole life played over in his mind as he stood in front of the grave. Those included memories of his parents he never recalled before, when he first found out he was a wizard, his years at hogwarts, Quidditch, falling in love, losing Hermione, feeling lost for years, watching Ron raise his children, becoming minister of magic, going on the date with Cho, and now feeling like he can't bare to live anymore.
"Come to me Harry," said the voice and what Harry saw next made him torn between crying or smiling. In front of him stood Hermione's goast.
"Yes," he said with confidence. Putting his wand to his head he whispered, "Avada Kedavra."
"Uncle Harry!" screamed Sara running as fast as she could towards him, Ron right behind her.
Try as he might Harry couldn't stop what he had just started. A flash of green light came from his wand and hit him before he could even turn to see them one last time. He felt a jolt in his stomache and began twirling almost like traveling with a portkey. Soon he was standing on clouds with Hermione holding his hand.
"You came," said Hermione smiling.