Storybook Return

By: Gemin16               

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, besides no money is gained from me writing this story, so lawyers have no reason to haunt me. But all new characters do belong to me.

A/N: Yeah! Twenty reviews! I'm so glad everyone liked the first chapter of the sequel, the first two chapters are always the hardest for me to do, so I really appreciate the feedback.

Special thanks to:

Hermione Starise: You really like it? Hehe, I'm the type who's always criticizing their own writing style but if you like it so much then I guess I'm doing something right.

SuMoSiD: Gee thanks for the offer but I have a betareader.

Ferggirl99: I figured I leave the chapter off with something like that, I'm glad you love it. Also please survive, there's more to come. The poem doesn't really make too much sense because well, it doesn't, I guess. What it does is leave you clues about what's to come and what characters will be involved. During the story you can refer back to the poem and see what I mean.

Lordoftherats: Your question will be answered in this chapter. Hehe…. And as for the chapter being late, well being a student is a pain in the ass isn't it? Exams were over with today, so now that I'm finished I decided to celebrate with this chapter's uploading!

R/Hr Fan: Me good at poetry? Never really thought of that, but I'm glad you enjoyed the poem (although no one ever seems to understand it). I love your enthusiasm, it always makes me laugh.

Drama Pricess87, eva, Claire, flowerchild, Zoe McAuthor, Angare-3434, FuFu Bunny: Here's the next chapter.

Hyperly Mad: Hehe, your welcome. Yes I know there were two chapter nines. One was a warped chapter nine and the other was the actual chapter nine all brought to you by a midnight cupcake.

Lamia G: I'm glad you liked the first story and I decided to add in Dudley just for a laugh. BTW Hermione is about nineteen and half in this story.

Xodox: Bummer….still I wouldn't mind paying a visit to Tatooine, I'm sure email could exist. J

Lirawen: Well we do learn about her life back at home as the story moves on, and as always the first chapter is the hardest to write (for me anyways). Thank you for the commentary.

Blade: Thank you.

Gillian: (Authoress looks around) The happiness is scaring me but I'm glad that you feel that way.

Eden: Come back to me with that question towards the end of this story.

Chapter 2: Lullaby

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"Hermione!" For most likely the third time that day Hermione found herself in a hug, this time in Ginny's hold.  It felt good to see them all again.

After the intimate in the woods with Ron, he led her back to Hogsmeade, seeing that it was late in the afternoon. In doing so, she had found out how much had happened since she left. Much to her surprise, only four and half years had passed since she left, making her wonder how exactly that was possible. But in the end that really didn't matter.

Hogsmeade as a whole hadn't changed at all. The city wasn't any the less big or small but she did notice that everyone was more cheerful and more expressive than she had seen before. It was most likely because they went so long without the threat of Voldemort around or any of his Death Eaters. Not only that but the fact that spring had just started seemed to bring everyone out of their winter oppression. Flowers were everywhere, witches and wizards starting out new flower gardens. Of course she also noticed that strange banners were hung everywhere. It wasn't time for the Yule Festival she was sure of it, that appeared around mid-fall. She decided she would ask about it later.

Everyone had changed as well. Hermione had also learned that Ron had become an Auror for the Ministry, while Harry seemed to become famous for what he was good at, Quidditch. Ginny was looking for a profession but in the process of searching, she was working at Madame Malkin's for the time. Lisa worked for the entertainment burrow at the Ministry, while it seemed everyone else was the same. Or at least that's what Ron had told her. Hermione decided that she would be the judge of that.

Hermione returned the hug back to Ginny. "I'm so glad to see you again."

Ginny just beamed. "How long are you staying this time?" Ron listened in as Hermione answered.

"To be honest, I don't know how long. When its time I suppose."

"Well I hope its not anytime soon," Ginny said in an excited voice.

"Why?"

"Well because-"

"Hermione?"

***

A woman stopped to wipe her brow as she walked along a path. "How much longer do we have?"

A man walking along side of her, smiled. "Only a few more hours and then we should be able to meet him, Cerisa. The danger in Feris is gone so I'm sure we'll be able to get there without a worry."

Cerisa crossed her arms. "Apparating would have been much faster and more convenient. The meeting will take place in less than three days and we'll need time to rest, Brian."

Another man, who had been staying out of the other two's conversation, suddenly spoke. "With the risk of mist pockets, it would have been too risky. We can't afford to miss this opportunity."

Brian nodded. "He's absolutely right. Besides, I thought you love taking the scenic routes?"

"I do," Cerisa said. "But when you're in a hurry, one should get there the quickest way."

"And the safest," Brian included.

"But what about her?"

"We can risk it. You know as well as I that she wouldn't pull a stunt without us around to see it."

The woman crossed her arms. "Whatever you say. It's just that I have a feeling that something will happen"

"Another one of your premonitions?" the laconic man asked.

She punched him in the arm. "Don't poke fun at my predictions, Ramone. I haven't gone wrong yet."

***

"Lisa?!"

"Hermione! You're back." She ran up to her friend and greeted her. "You're really here!"

"Hermione?" She turned to look behind Lisa and saw the other male that she had missed for the longest time. Harry.

Although there was something disturbing about what she saw.

Sitting calmly in Harry's arms sat a baby girl no older than a year old, holding onto Harry's glasses. She had large hazel eyes and shiny black hair pulled into two small spiky pigtails. She seemed perfectly content as she tried to pull apart Harry's spectacles.

She looked back at Lisa and she noticed that the she was holding what seemed to be a baby's bag. Hermione blinked in shock. She suspected that both people liked each other, she saw herself how well they got along the last time she was visiting. Yes, she was expecting changes but not changes this big, especially when both people were only twenty years old. "Is she?" she asked Lisa.

Lisa saw the look on Hermione's face and looked at Harry and then at the baby and then at herself holding the bag. She swiftly held her hands up and started shaking her head. "No! No! It's not what you think!" she said turning the deepest shade of red. Harry, who finally took his glasses back, also was quickly denying it turning red in the process. Of course the burst of lauighter coming from Ron and Ginny didn't' help at all.

"She's not ours, honestly! I bumped into Harry while he was babysitting, and just decided to help him," Lisa quickly explained, while giving Ron a dirty look for his laughing.

"Babysitting?"

"Uh I guess I should introduce you to my newest family member," Harry said, his face getting back to normal color. "This is Katarina. I guess you can say she's my cousin."

"How?" Last time Hermione checked, neither of Harry's parents had any siblings.

"She's Sirius's daughter."

"Daughter?!"

Ron nodded. "He got married about three years ago this summer."

"To who?"

"Rosaline," Ginny told her with a broad grin.

That surprised her. "Really?"

"Yeah, they did," Harry said giving Katarina to Lisa to hold. "We were heading over to his house when we saw you and Ron."

"Why don't you come with us, I know they would want to see you the first day your back," Lisa said as they walked.

Hermione nodded and followed them to Sirius's house. She was glad that she could see her close friends again. Lisa, Harry, and Ginny. Now that they weren't talking, Hermione could finally get a good look at her friends and see how much they changed. Harry, like Ron, had grown slightly taller and more muscular than before, she suspected it was from the Quidditch training that he was being put through. His hair was still a messy black that sat like a mop on top of his head that hid the lightning shaped scar. He snorted as he took back his glasses from Katarina, who was about to break them apart. Lisa giggled and Ginny played with her hands. Katarina just giggled, preoccupied from the glasses.

Now that she knew who the parents were, Hermione could clearly see the resemblance in the little girl. Katarina had obviously inherited her father's hair color along with a few of his facial features. On the other hand it was clear that she had inherited her mother's eyes, a beautiful hazel color and full of innocence. She watched as Ginny tickled her, making her giggle in delight. Something about that giggle seems familiar, she thought to herself as she watched.

***

After his marriage, Sirius had decided to move himself into a larger house, leaving the old one to Remus and Harry. It was located in the rural area of Hogsmeade and was a simple house with four bedrooms, making it extremely comfortable for the new family.

Long since departing with Lisa and Ginny, Harry took out a key form his pocket and opened the door. He walked inside motioning for the others to follow him. He dropped the baby bag on the floor and looked into the hallway. "Rosaline, are you home?"

"I'm in the kitchen, Harry. I'll be right there."

"Ma!" Katarina squirmed around in Harry's arm at the sound of her mother's voice. "Ma! Ma!"

"Is that my little girl, I hear?"  Rosaline asked as she entered the foyer. She laughed as she took Katarina from Harry and hugged her. "And were we a good little girl for our cousin?" Katarina giggled in response. Rosaline looked at Harry and saw the two figures behind him. "Oh you brought Ron with you, who's the other girl?"

"It's been a few years," Hermione started.

It took Rosaline a few seconds but then her eyes grew wide with surprise. "Hermione! I'm so glad to see you again. Don't just stand there, all of you come in please." All of them entered the house and followed Rosaline into the kitchen.

"Hermione, you must tell me how you've been all these years," she said eagerly as she served them all tea. "It's been so long since we've last seen you. How have you been?"

"I've been well," Hermione said. "What about you? A lot has changed since we've last seen each other. Especially with her," Hermione said looking over towards Katarina, who was now discovering that Crookshank's ears were connected to his head. Surprisingly the cat stood still as she tugged and pulled, giggling the entire way. Rosaline relieved him by picking up the little girl and telling her "no" softly.

"Well then I guess you know what happened then," she said with a laugh. They all heard a knocking at the door. "Excuse me. Hermione, here, you can hold her." She handed Katarina to Hermione and went to go answer the front door. Hermione stared at the baby sitting in her lap. She gave her an awkward smile, in which the Katarina only looked at her with a look of awe about her face.

But that only lasted a few seconds.

As if in slow motion Katarina's face contorted from curiosity to either fear or discomfort, Hermione couldn't really tell, and started to cry. Hermione winced as the wail reached her ears. She tired to comfort the girl but tried as she might, it failed.

"Here let me take her," Ron said. "She doesn't like strangers very much and she doesn't mind me at all." He lifted the girl off of Hermione's lap and held her for a moment. "It's okay, Rina, it was only 'Mione." He smiled at her as he lifted her up in the air.

She only cried harder.

Hermione smirked. "You were saying-"

"Oh hush up," Ron mumbled through the cries. He tried to calm her down but the girl just kept on crying waving her arms around.

"Maybe she wants to be put down, Ron," Harry suggested.

"You take her then." Ron handed Katarina to Harry. In less than a few seconds she stopped crying all together and giggled as she pulled at Harry's glasses. Hermione laughed as Ron mumbled something under his breath and Harry smiled as he let her play with his glasses.

"Looks like you have a way with kids," Hermione observed as she watched Harry entertain her.

"That's because he's had enough experience," a voice said walking into the kitchen.

Katarina turned around and shouted out, "Da!"

Sirius, followed by Remus and Rosaline, picked up his daughter from Harry and gave her a kiss. "Good to see you again, Hermione," he said afterwards. He looked at the others. "Ron, aren't you do for your shift soon?"

Ron looked up at the clock. "Shit," he mumbled. "Moody is going to kill me if I'm late. I'll see you lot later. Bye Hermione, I'll meet up with you again tomorrow okay?"

She nodded as she watched Ron run out the door, hearing it slam in the background.

"How was work?" Rosaline asked her husband and Remus.

"Crowded and too loud. Everyone is running a muck to get everything set and ready. Aurors everywhere, foreigners arriving from all over the place, I'll just be glad when this is all over. "

"Set and ready for what?" Hermione asked.

***

"Milady, our reports have shown that the last of the other trio has returned."

A young woman with dark curls surrounding her face looked up at the man who had spoken to her. "And?"

He looked nervous as he heard her sharp reply. "We-we- um- just thought you wanted to know, Milady-"

"And where is she?"

"We-we don't know, Milady. Someone spotted her in the streets walking with the other two."

Her blue eyes blazed into his as her voice grew down to a dangerously low level. "We'll find out where she is and then come and tell me!"

The man stood straight. "Yes, Milady!" He walked off into another room.

A young man with straw colored hair, who sat next to her, leaned over and whispered to her with a smile. "You seem to be a little snappy lately, aye Sandra?"

Sandra smiled. "Of course I am, our plan will come into action soon. For you see, your three are already here in Hogsmeade and my three are on their way now. Once the time is right then we can put our plan into action. But first we need to play a few games with them"

"And then we can get our desired revenge."

Sandra smiled. "I can't wait till we begin. And please don't call me Sandra, call me bye my old name."

The man smiled. "Of course, Morgan."

***

"Every year or so, all the major cities in this area hold a number of conferences dealing with the numerous ministries and every time it happens it occurs in a different city. They talk about new proposals, any new occurrences, and many other topics that they find important. In the end of the conference they end up having these huge tournaments of different sports just to make it interesting and bring prosperity to the town. This time it's Hogsmeade turn which is why you see all the decorations and things hanging around," Sirius explained as Rosaline served dinner to them all.

"I see," Hermione said. "I've also noticed that people seem so much brighter than before. It's because You-Know-Who is gone, right?"

"We'll yes, but it seems like he's returning," Remus said.

"Returning?" Hermione asked, shocked. She knew he was dead; she was the one who helped kill him after all. That memory was still engraved into her mind. She even got nightmares from it.

"Well, it seems someone has returned to make us remember him. After his downfall, a stream of Death Eaters came into the light, some surrendered, many caught. We haven't had much of a problem with any of them in the past three years but then in the past four weeks we've had problems all of a sudden."

"All around Hogsmeade, strange magical creatures had been released, dangerous ones too. Even worse is that there has been a strange dark figure appearing every time, releasing the dark mark. Before anyone had time to see who it was, they disappear."

"A Death Eater?"

"Most likely," Harry said taking a bite of chicken. "But not too many people are worrying about it. Most are too busy wondering who will win the Quidditch match."

"Let me guess, that's been on your mind too?" Hermione asked wryly.

"Well I am playing in it," Harry told her. "It's the highlight of the conference."

Hermione frowned. "For you it is, but it sounds like it's really serious. What they decide could affect the whole future of this world. You should act serious about this instead of worrying about a Quidditch match. There must be a reason why a Death Eater is showing up around this time."

Harry sighed. "I'd figure you would say something like that." The adults laughed.

"Bye the way, Hermione, where are you going to stay?" Rosaline asked.

"I was going to go over to the ministry and see if I could stay at my old room, Dumbledore did say that if I ever did manage to come back, I was always welcomed back at the castle. But since they're busy with this conference, it's obvious they won't have the room for me."

"We do have an extra guest room, if you want to use it. Besides, I doubt you would be able to rest with all the commotion that's going about," Rosaline told her. Sirius nodded in agreement.

"I would like that. Thank you," she responded.

"Meowr." Everyone looked towards the door to see Crookshanks scratching at it.

"Oh alright, I'll let you out," Hermione said standing up.

"Don't worry I'll let him out, it's about time Harry and me head home," Remus said standing up. "Thank you for dinner, Rosaline."

"Yeah, I have early morning practice. "I'll see you tomorrow, Hermione and you too squirt," Harry said rubbing Katarina on the head, she responded with a giant yawn.

"Time for you to go to bed, missy," Rosaline said picking her daughter up from her chair. Hermione watched as Harry and Remus left, letting Crookshanks out. She wondered why her cat had the sudden urge to leave, he had never done it before.

*

"How did you come up with Katarina for a name?" Hermione asked as she followed Rosaline upstairs.

"Well Kitrina was already taken," Rosaline said looking at Hermione.

Name your kid after me!

Hermione blushed. "He told you about that?"

"Actually, we were with Harry when she came to visit him and she told us herself. I was joking about that. Actually we named her after Sirius' mother. It does sound similar to Kitrina doesn't it?" She led Hermione to a room at the beginning of the hall and opened a door for her. "Here's the guest room, please make yourself comfortable. If you need anything I'll be in the next room, putting the baby to sleep." Katarina gave a giant yawn as if she was trying to protest but her mother swiftly entered the other room, leaving Hermione to set up her things.

Looking at her bag full of possessions, she did a quick and neat job of putting her things away, placing her book of spells on top. She almost felt like pinching herself. She was really here, back in the magic world, the place where her life changed forever. She couldn't quite find the words to express how she felt. Only a few hours ago she was hanging out with her friends at school, laughing, arguing about what they thought about the latest movie and now she was in what seemed like a 15th century city with flying broomsticks and huge castle in the middle. Yes, she took quite a jump between lives but she enjoyed it.

She was back with the people she loved, no matter how short or how long the visit. Although one thing was bothering her.

The passage in the story meant something, just like the last one did but she didn't understand what it meant. Obviously it was talking about someone, a number of people to be précised. But what? Hermione had to admit that she was in the dark with this one. If only she had a copy of the passage she could then analyze it further but that was going to be hard, most likely impossible. She sighed as she closed a drawer, she was only back barely one day and she was already worrying about trouble.

Deciding to let that subject wait, she left her room. On her way out she stopped by Katarina's room and watched as Rosaline tried to put the baby to sleep. She sat in a rocking chair with Katarina lying in her lap. Seeing her rock back and forth, Hermione could hear Rosaline sing something to her daughter.

"Are you lost little star? Can you find your way?

Your light is fading, can't be seen.

Are you okay?

What troubles you now?

What secrets is your heart hiding once again?

Blue skies, dark nights-

Days filled with rain.

Sunrise, sunset-

Eyes full of pain.

I can see you-read you like a book

Your tears fall swiftly down, following the brook.

Can you smile?

Even just for me?

Or is your heart to broken to fix?

Cheer up!

Wipe those tears away.

Stars can only fall once not twice.

Look what's in front of you, can't you see?

I'll show you the reasons not to be-

Sad and depressed-

Lonely but true.

Show me how brightly stars can shine!

I'll always be here, just for you.

So don't let your heart turn a darkish hue.

Between love and loss-

Good times and bad.

Don't ever let your light fade away!

Little star- I love you.

Growing flowers, fun filled games-

Leaves falling to the ground-just like rain.

Hearts connecting, love's first kiss-

Friendship's laughter, pure and true.

Can you hear the phoenix singing?

Loud and clear just like a bell's ring.

Listen.

Smile!

It's just for you.

So stop those tears and smile so bright.

He's telling you what stars must do.

Fly high in the sky and be the few,

Who guide lost souls and give them the light.

To pass by the darkest of days.

But always remember what I told you,

I'll never be far-not pass the moon.

I'll be your star, your guiding light.

To get you pass these darkest days.

Little star, I love you."

Rosaline smiled as she put her sleeping daughter in her crib. She kissed her goodnight and blew out the candle.

"That was a lovely song," Hermione told her as she exited. "Where did you learn it?"

"It's an old lullaby that's been passed down form generation to generation in many families. My mother taught it to me when I was young and I plan on passing it to Katarina when she grows older. It's a meaningful song that every parent should sing to their children."

***

"So where is he?" Ramone asked quietly as the trio sat by an old statue in the park.

"I don't know but he'll be sure to find us here. He may be an animal but he is human, and will be able to find us. Eventually," Cerisa said. "He'll have to hurry or we're going to be late and we told Dumbledore that we'd be at the castle by ten at the very most."

"I'm sure that old man could care less about the time we arrive, he's most likely enjoying hot chocolate in his study right about now, making us far from the first thing on his list to think about" Brian said with a smile. "Besides, our friend is more important now than keeping an appointment with the council leader."

"True," Cerisa said. "But he's survived this long so I'm sure he won't mind waiting a while longer."

They're conversation was interrupted by the sound of small steps coming towards them. Brain, Ramone, and Cerisa looked at the small body that stood before them.

"Hello, Gatoh."

"Meow."

***

"So you're saying that you have to be present at the meeting?" Hermione asked Ron as they walked towards the castle.

"All three of them," he sighed. "Rina, stop it!" He turned his head quickly to the left to avoid her going for his nose.

"Ma!" was all the baby would say. Hermione giggled, she never would have figured that she would become a baby sitter the minute she returned but well, Rosaline was never one to miss an opportunity, especially when she said that it would have been a great opportunity for Katarina and Hermione to know each other better. She had never really spent too much time with children as young as Katarina before, much less baby-sit them. Not even her cousins were that young. But since Ron volunteered to help her out so she was glad.

Hermione couldn't help but smile fondly as she watched Ron interact with Katarina. She had missed him the most of all, his sardonic comments, his stupid jokes, his face, and just knowing that he was near her. It made her feel more relieved than anything. He was here, right next to her, walking with her, and trying to avoid Katarina's hand aiming for his nose.

"Waat arr uu starrinng at, Moeney?" Ron asked her, with Katarina holding his nose. He took her hand off his nose and looked at Hermione, who had a smug look on her face. He smiled. "What are you staring at?"

"Nothing," Hermione said softly walking closer to him. They stared at each other for a moment until Katarina reached over and pulled at Hermione's hair.

"Rina!"

"WAH!"

***

Sandra looked at her accomplice as she got her things ready to leave. "And what are you going to do while I'm away," she asked fastening the clip to her cloak.

The man with the straw colored hair smiled. "I'm setting up a small challenge for our group. A pre-trial, as you may call it. A chance to show them how serious we are. Do you approve?"

Sandra looked at him with a mild expression. "As long as you don't kill my three, I don't care what you do."

"Very well, I've already sent out a few minions to gather them for me."

***

"Rina, stop crying already," Ron said, trying to comfort her.

"Well what do you expect, you're the one who yelled at her," Hermione told him, taking Katarina from him. A few minutes later she stopped crying and started to play with Hermione's necklace. It felt weird holding her in her arms like that but Hermione somehow felt different. Not an awkward different but a more comfortable different. She didn't know how to explain it but that fact that she was holding a baby in her arms and Ron was right beside her, was a factor of that feeling.

Maybe.

"My, my, what a lovely picture this is."

Hermione and Ron stopped short and turned around to see none other than a grinning Harry right behind them, carrying some of his equipment from Quidditch practice. "You know with the way you two look, you could really give people the wrong idea."

Ron's faced flushed as he shot back at Harry. "Look who's talking?! You do the same thing whenever you walk with Lisa, and unlike me and Mione, Rina looks like the two of you!" Hermione couldn't help but snicker when she saw the look on Harry's face. He looked a cross between shocked, embarrassed, and perturbed.

Ron laughed as Harry walked up behind them. "That wasn't funny."

"The truth hurts doesn't it?" Hermione couldn't help but laugh but Harry continued giving Ron the sour face.

"Think about it, Harry. Makes sense doesn't it?"

"I don't see why you're so confident. We've hardly gone out for a month now."

"I don't see why not," Hermione said. "You like her a lot don't you?"

Harry pushed up his glasses. "Well yes but-"

"Like who?"

The four of them swung around yet again to see the object of discussion, Lisa, who was carrying a bag full of groceries. Harry blinked in surprised. "I thought you had work today?"

"I don't go in till later today. Change of plans thanks to the meetings. Hello, Ron, Hermione. Rosaline hired you as a babysitter, I see," she said with a laugh.

"If you want to put it that simply," Hermione answered as the group continued walking. Actually Hermione noticed that they were the only ones walking along the streets. It seemed strange but she decided to ignore it and continue her conversation with Lisa. The girls moved ahead of the guys and chatted in a separate conversation form them.

But then it came. A heavy feeling in the air that felt like someone had suddenly stuffed something into the area to make them feel heavy, forcing them to stop. Katarina stirred in Hermione's arms as Hermione looked towards Ron. "What's happening?" she asked.

"I don't know," Ron said looking around.

There was a sudden pause and then Hermione registered the shocked looks on Harry and Ron's faces, she didn't have enough time to react as two brown arms wrapped around her and Katarina. She gasped, along with Lisa, who had the same thing being done to her. A moment later she felt her body grow weak and her mind go blank.

Ron and Harry were stuck, not being able to move. They watched in horror as what looked liked two demons appearing behind the girls and grabbing them from behind. Before they could blink, the girls were gone and the air went back top being normal. As the sound of groceries hit the floor, Ron and Harry's yells filled the desolate street.

"Hermione!"

"Lisa!"

"Katarina!"