Forever Beyond Good-Bye

By: ImaBedHeadWriter

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or any of the other character's involved in J.K Rowling's magically wonderful stories.

Chapter Two: The Slamming of Lows

As soon as he awoke the next morning Harry realized he'd just stirred up a lot more trouble than he'd meant to. After all, it had never crossed his mind to not return home the night before. He'd simply been so exhausted that he'd fallen asleep. He'd fallen asleep outside, under the peaceful brightly lit sky.

He stood to his feet taking a few deep breaths. As much as he hated it, he knew it would be best if he went home and explained what happened. He squinted as he looked off into the distance. Unlike the day before today looked to be a beautiful day. The sun was shinning bright, and Harry hoped his day would be the same way.

He hadn't wondered off far, so he knew nobody had come looking for him. If anyone had even tried they could've easily found him. Although he was now dry, Harry knew without looking he was a mess. Stiff from the way he'd slept, Harry began the short walk back in the direction he'd run from the night before.

As the house came into view, Harry felt himself breathing more heavily with each step he took. It wasn't Remus being upset he ran off that he was worried about, it was the fear that Ron had told Remus his plans for what was now this evening. But as he became nearer to the house, he felt an eerie silence.

His mind debated the feeling. A bigger half of him told him he was being stupid. This was his home, and anyone inside was apart of his family. But the other half reminded him of a conversation he'd had with Remus just after the war had ended. Remus had told him it wasn't completely over. Voldemort's followers were still alive. Hidden, but alive. And when given the chance, Harry would be their number one target.

He reached inside his pocket for his wand. Just a precaution, he reminded himself. Footsteps could be heard in the distance and he quickly tired to place where they came from. His mind froze. The footsteps had come from behind him.

Harry bit his lip as he slowly turned around. His wand outstretched, Harry's heart jumped at what he saw before him.

"Harry Potter", Harry heard a recognizable voice, "You didn't think we were gone did you?"

Harry quickly tried to put on a brave face. Dumbledore's words flashed through his mind, Fear is a weakness that can be spotted from a mile away.

"How nice of you to visit me Lucius, but next time call first I'm rather busy", Harry tried to ignore the line of death eaters before him, "Have a great day though"

"Crucio!" Harry heard Malfoy yell. But it was too late, Harry had been out of training for months and at this moment it seemed everything he learned had flooded out of his mind.

He screamed with pain as he fell to the floor. Physically he hadn't experienced such pain in months which made it ten times worse.

"HARRY MOVE!"

Harry looked up as he felt another spell take effect on his body. But he didn't have to look to recognize the voice behind him.

"Today's your lucky day Harry Potter", Malfoy seemed to notice the same thing Harry had moments ago heard, "We only come with a warning. You may have killed Lord Voldemort, but it doesn't mean it's over. And if you ever want to see Sirius Black alive again, when the time comes you'll surrender your life"

Harry shut his eyes as he laid his head down on the ground. The death eaters had disappeared. He felt arms grab him and pull him into a sitting position.

"Harry", Remus Lupin kept his hands on Harry's shoulders, "Are you alright?"

"He's just a little shaken up", Arthur Weasley explained, "Let's get him inside"

Harry felt the two men lift him from the ground. His head was pounding. He'd just heard the one thing he'd been waiting months to hear. Sirius was alive. The thought of it being true made the pounding in his head worse.

Harry shook his head as if coming out of a trance. Arthur and Remus both sat on either side of Harry, waiting for him to speak.

Harry said the one thing that came to his mind, "Well…now do you believe me?"

************

Days later, it was no longer Harry acting out of character. Even though they had new hopes of Sirius being alive, they still have no idea where to even begin searching for him. Harry found himself unwelcome at the meetings that had now begun to be held. Nobody wanted him involved. Nobody wanted to further as it seemed, corrupt his mind. And for the first time in about a year, nightmares seemed to again be a regular part of Harry's life.

"Harry", Remus spoke from the doorway, "Harry wake up your dreaming"

Harry's eyes snapped open. There was fear in his eyes, but a new fear. A fear he'd never felt before.

"I'm fine", Harry turned so he was no longer facing Remus, "I didn't mean to wake you up--"

"I was already up", Remus pointed to the nearest clock, "And you have to get up anyway"

Harry slammed his head back down on his pillow. The last thing he felt like doing that morning was going to quiddich practice. He'd slept maybe thirty minutes that night and quiddich practice at this moment seemed like the biggest chore in the world.

"Alright", Harry whispered softly, "I'll be down in a minute"

Harry willed himself to stand to his feet as he heard Remus shut the door behind him. He knew exactly how worthless he was going to be at practice today, and that didn't make getting up any easier. Eventually he dragged himself downstairs.

"Boy don't we look awake", Remus handed Harry a glass, "Drink this, it might help"

Harry stretched his arm out grabbing the glass, "Remind me again why you won't make me a sleeping potion?"

"Because its not healthy to take those every night", Remus handed Harry a jacket, "Harry….did you sleep at all?"

"You mean between the nightmares?", Harry accidentally snapped, "Sorry its just…I'm tired and I can't sleep. Why me?"

"I'll let you take a potion when you get home", Remus tried to calm Harry down, "but remember…its only three a week"

A look of relief appeared on Harry's tired face. He waved goodbye to Remus as he set out for another day at work.

*********

"Alright guys that's it for today!", Brandon Johannon looked from one team member to the next. But his eyes were focused on Harry, "Except for you"

Harry took a deep breath as he reluctantly watched the rest of his teammates scatter from the room. He knew the practice had gone exactly as he had planned it too, and now he was going to hear all about it.

"Sit down", Brandon motioned to Harry, "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you Harry"

Harry interrupted before Brandon could speak. "Look I know I wasn't good out there today but…."

Brandon shook his head, "Harry it wasn't just today….you've been lapsing all week. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to play you in Friday's game"

Harry's eyes widened, "But---I know I can do better. I can!"

"I have to do what's best for the team. And I feel what's best for the team right now is for you to take a breather", Brandon tried to gently explain, "Prove me wrong. Prove to me that you deserve to be back in your starting position"

Harry bit his lip as he stood from the bench, "I guess I'd better go then"

"Don't look so down", Brandon patted Harry on the back, "We all have our off weeks"

"Yeah", Harry whispered to himself, "If only my weeks weren't a lifetime"

Harry heard Brandon question what he had said, but Harry ignored him. At the moment he was furious with himself as he stormed into the locker room. He slammed open his locker ignoring the looks from his teammates.

"Everything okay Harry?", Oliver Wood took a seat near Harry's locker.

Harry shrugged half ignoring Oliver. He quickly tossed his things in the bag ready to make a quick exit. But he soon shut his eyes with frustration as he heard a voice behind him.

"Harry?", Oliver grabbed Harry's arm, "What is going on?"

"I can't do this anymore", Harry shook his head, "It's all coming back again….and I can't handle it again. I can't and I won't"

Oliver studied Harry with confusion, "What are you saying? You're quitting the team just because you had an off day? That hardly seems wise….its nothing to be upset about"

"You wouldn't understand", Harry shook his head again, "I shouldn't be here. Do you think Sirius would sit around like this? Waiting for me to come home by some freak chance? No, he'd be out there risking his life to find me. And I should be doing the same"

"Don't be stupid", Oliver shook his head, "That's insane. You don't even know where to look for him"

Harry stared at Oliver for a moment. Thoughts were racing through his head. But finally a look of determination appeared across his face, "Then I guess I'd better start right away"

"Well….", Oliver began, "if your ready to put aside the past…I think we both know someone who would be a great help to you"

Harry's expression again changed, "Don't even think about it! That is the last person I would ask to help me. If Hermione Granger was the last person on earth who could help me I still wouldn't ask her"

Oliver's eyes were now fixed on Harry's. He seemed to be debating whether or not he should tell Harry something. He finally spoke, "What if I told you that same Hermione might know where your godfather is"

***********

After much tossing and turning over the topic, Harry knew exactly what he had to do. He had to suck in his pride and go to the one person he hated the most. He'd rehearsed in his mind dozens of times exactly what he planned on saying. But somehow as he stood on the from porch to Hermione Granger's house, every line slipped out of him mind.

His mind and his hand again debated whether or not to ring the doorbell. After all, this was Hermione. The same Hermione that that torn his heart to pieces. And as he stood in the doorway his mind flashed back to an evening of what was now so long ago:

*Flashback*

"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?", Harry Potter knelt before the women before him.

Hermione immediately burst to tears, "Harry….oh Harry…"

"Take your time", Harry laughed grabbing onto Hermione's hand, "I'll wait forever for you Hermione"

"Harry…there's no easy way to say this. I came here tonight with the intentions of telling you…", Hermione Granger swallowed hard, tears pouring down her face, "Harry…I've met someone else"

Harry froze. His face turned pale, and his jaw dropped partially open. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Hermione stepped forward putting her arms around Harry, "I never wanted to hurt you Harry. Never. I didn't know you were going to….going to propose tonight"

Harry pulled away semi regaining his thoughts. Anger had quickly hit.

"Who", Harry snapped harshly stepping in the opposite direction from Hermione. It was hardly a question, but a command.

Hermione shook her head brushing away tears, "You don't know him…Harry please don't make this any harder…"

A small smile appeared on Harry's face, "Harder? I propose to you, and you tell me you've met another man. And you expect me to take this lightly?"

Harry took a step toward the door. Hermione put a hand on his shoulder. Harry froze, but refused to turn around.

Hermione whispered in his ear, "Don't go Harry….please"

But Harry kept walking. He walked as long and far as he could. When he finally stood in front of his best friend's house he leaned against the doorway. He felt his knees give out as he slid to a sitting position. Tears rushed down his face.

"Harry?"

Harry heard Ron kneel down beside him. Ron knew Harry was going to propose to Hermione that very evening. Seeing Harry on the ground tearfully, came as a surprise.

"Harry what's wrong? Where's Hermione?", Ron forced his friend to look in his direction.

Harry banged his head on the front door, "Hermione finally found someone better than me"

*End Of Flashback*

Harry shook his head running a hand through his hair. This was the last place he wanted to be. It was the same place he'd proposed to Hermione. The same place his life had changed forever.

When he'd finally worked up the courage, Harry rang the doorbell. He held his breath silently wishing Hermione wasn't home. He cursed himself for wishing it, but he couldn't help it. But it wasn't Hermione who appeared in the doorway.

"Can I help you?"

Harry smiled slyly knowing exactly who the man at the door was, "Are you Hermione Granger's husband?"

The man nodded, "Fiance…but can I help you?"

Harry extended his arm, "Harry Potter, Hermione's ex-boyfriend. Is she around?"

This time the head shake when the opposite way, "Not to talk to an ex-boyfriend she isn't"

"Nice accent", Harry nodded at the man in front of him, "Too bad you'll loose it in a few weeks after living here. You must be the American guy Hermione turned me down for huh?"

The man stepped to close the door, "Excuse me but I'm going to have to ask you to leave Larry"

Harry shook his head, "It's Harry. Harry Potter. The boy who saved the world….you may have hear of me"

"Justin? Who's at the door?", Hermione's voice came through the door.

"Some guy…says he's an ex-boyfriend of yours. Names Harry Potter", Justin spoke through the door.

"Harry?", Hermione stepped past the taller man, "Harry what on earth are you doing here?"

"Apparently mingling with your first choice", Harry yawned, "Excuse me but…Oliver sent me"

Hermione nodded seeming to understand, "Come inside then…we should talk"

Harry's eyes widened, "You want me to come in….there? I still have nightmares about this place. You know Justin was it? Well anyway , Justin, this is the exact place that Hermione and me spent a few nights. She's got a nice bed doesn't she?"

Hermione glared at Harry, "Perhaps it would be a good idea to talk somewhere else"

Harry smiled at Hermione, "On second thoughts, I think this will be just fine"

**************

"Nobody has heard anything about or from Sirius since now correct?", Hermione sat on the couch across from Harry a notepad in her hand.

"That would be correct", Harry found his eyes wondering around the room.

"That only confirms my research", Hermione muttered to herself, "Harry what I'm going to tell you…it's going to be a shock to you"

Harry rolled his eyes, "More shocking then what you've done with this place since I was last here? Guess you got tired of looking at pictures of the two of us"

"Harry I need you to listen", Hermione slammed her notepad shut, "This is important"

Harry shrugged, "Right, I'm listening"

"I have reason to believe Sirius is alive", Hermione began, "But there's more…Harry…if everything I've researched is correct. If all my theories are correct…."

"Just spit it out", Harry stared at Hermione.

Hermione paused for a moment, "Harry…your parents are alive"

Harry blinked. It took a moment for his mind to comprehend what Hermione had just told him.

"Is this your idea of some sick joke?", Harry stood to his feet, "Haven't you done enough to me? I should've known not to come here"

"HARRY", Hermione grabbed the back of his shirt, "You're going to listen to me…so just sit back down!"

Harry shook his head furiously stepping back toward the front door, "No. I shouldn't have come here in the first place. You'd think I was the one who hurt you the way you act! Look Hermione, I'll respect the fact that your getting married to Mr. America over there but…I don't ever want to hear you make another sick joke about my parents being alive. You have a heart somewhere in there…for once in your life use it"

"And you!", Hermione shouted, "Have a brain in there…and if you'll only listen to me I can explain myself! You wouldn't listen to me then…and you won't listen to me now"

Harry once again found himself shaking his head in disagreement, "Just take your snotty little attitude and your rich boyfriend and go back to wherever that hell you met him"

"Just get out", Hermione whispered softly, "You say I've changed? Look at yourself Harry…look what your doing to yourself. This isn't you…this isn't the Harry we all love. You've been so wrapped up with trying to find Sirius…that you've lost yourself. Yes, I know I hurt you. Yes, I know I'm the last person you want to hear this from but Harry…find yourself before it's too late"

Hermione's eyes stayed locked on Harry as she watched him angrily storm out of the house. Even after he disappeared, she stared off in the distance for a moment. She'd been so sure using Oliver to get Harry to talk to her would work. But still, she knew exactly what she needed to do now. It was now her turn to do exactly what Harry had just done. It was time to return face to face to the one person who could still save Harry Potter from making the mistake of his life. The question wasn't whether or not she was ready, but whether that person would listen when the time came.

She stared down at a piece of parchment as she began to write.

Dear Christopher:

I'm the last person you want to hear from, this I realize. But I'm not writing about myself. Harry needs you now more then ever. I've spoken with Remus, and I know he tries his hardest but it's not enough. Harry trusts you, and that's why I need your help. We need to talk face to face, and I know since you care for Harry you'll forget about our past. There's only one way to save Sirius, and I'll tell your right now that I know how to save more then just Sirius Black. But this requires Harry's help. Help that Harry isn't willing to give to me. Please write back as soon as possible.

Hermione Granger

****@*********@***

A message from the creator:

Cool Beans! That all I can really say I guess! I was completely amazed and surprised by the number of reviews I received for my first chapter ever. Now I was probably fortunate because I had AngelDusterBuster spreading the word for me, but she still assured me many of the reviewers weren't hers. Twenty-Four reviews….you peoples sure did pull your end of the bargain!

The fate was in your hands, and I'm pleased to inform you that I will be continuing this story until it is complete. But as the title states…now that you've reviewed we are all forever beyond goodbye! (Wow was that corny or what?)

I'd also like to thank everyone for supporting AngelDusterBuster even though she isn't able to update. Once she's back, she'll be better then ever. Good things come for those who wait! (Another cornball statement).

When I was writing this chapter, Kelly's new song Low was in my head. Dunno if that affected my writing or not but…I was almost temped to stick some lyrics in. Instead I'll post some here:

Everybody's talking
But they don't say a thing
They look at me with sad eyes
But I don't want the sympathy
Its cool you didn't want me
Sometimes you can't go back
Buy why'd you have to go and make a mess like that
Well I just have to say
Before I let go

Have you ever been low?
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so?
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know?
Were you left out in the cold?
What you did was low

No I don't need your number
There's nothing left to say
Except I never though it'd hurt this much to be sane (?)
My friends are outside waiting
I've gotta go

I walk out of this darkness
With no sense of regret
And I go with a clear conscience
We both know that you can't say that

Pretty relevant to Harry's feelings for Hermione eh? Just thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

Thank you so much for your support through these times. We all need to escape from reality every once in a while, and I hope that when you read my story you can do just that.

Nikki AkA ImaBedHeadWriter

*************

Interaction Time:

Sarahpeach- You're good! Of course I had to change it just for you….just kidding! Thank so much for your kind words. It means a lot to me that you and everyone else took the time out of your lives to let me know exactly what you think.

SweetPnut731- Thanks for helping Tina and I with the editing! Neither of us are aces at it as you have learned….oh and since you've already read this by now thanks for editing chapter two as well!

Esperanza- J Thank You! I know everyone, including me probably expected it to be a bomb. It's like oh geeze AngelDusterBuster's trying to be nice to her lil ol friend….

Aimee Breuker- I think the update speed is going to stay about the same…until school gets out in June that is. Right now everything's pretty hectic. My goal was to get this out before April 21st (which would've been a month) so I'm pretty happy to have it out this soon!

Hi- Hi Hi! Sorry…couldn't resist. I'm really glad that ya enjoyed yourself.

Ascafeniel- An AngelDusterBuster fan! Cool beans! I know she sent out an email today…if you were on her mailing list you should've got it. I'm pretty sure she described briefly exactly what's happening with her. But I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Harrystwin- Thank You! Boy I'm sure saying that a lot….but I love having to thank people for telling me good things like that!

BexPotter- I suppose I could create some sort of mailing list…if there interest that is. I'll write you down though if that happens! Thank you so much….I try to put my all into it and I'm glad you noticed.

Dani- Hmmm…well now you have to wait for chapter three don't ya? Sorry!

Someone- Thank ya! You're all being so cool about my first chapter…and I love that!

Padfoot- Aww…don't worry Sirius is still alive en kicking somewhere!

Someone Reading- Nice name by the way. And I don't think It'll be Sirius or Remus….at least not just yet. I think they hold to much importance to the books yet. Don't slash? Hahah don't worry about that one, it's not gunna happen.

P.P- Yeah I'm waiting to be yelled at for making Harry seem like a jerk to Hermione. It had to be done…I apologize for the poor guys actions. But thank you so much!

KaceyRat- I'm thinking it's going to be a once a month thing…but hey this was more then once a month so you never know what's going to happen. I don't think Sirius would hold a grudge to anyone for believing he was well…not alive.

An angels reflection- Haha well I hope this helps a bit!

Kat- Glad to hear….guess that means I better start writing!

Wanna see your name here? And WHO wouldn't? All you have to do is review just like this kind people above have. The more reviews the quicker the update!