I do not own Harry Potter. This is my own idea. All rights are reserved
to JK Rowling
I would like to apologize for the long wait. As I mentioned before I had computer problems then got side tracked with different things over the summer. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I appreciate all the reviews I have received, they are the reason I am posting this chapter. I'm not sure if this will be the end of the story or not. I guess it really depends on if people want to know more.
Chapter 11: Tears of Joy
The walk through the corridors to the Gryffindor common room was eerily quiet and seemed to be taking an eternity. No one spoke for the sheer fact that they could not come up with anything to say. When they had turned the corner that would place them in the hallway the common room entrance was located, Harry accidentally walked through Nearly Headless Nick. Ron was able to stop just short of doing the same thing.
"Well, tonight has certainly turned out to be splendid!" The resident Gryffindor ghost beamed. "First I get to see Hermione again, and now Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasleys." He floated along the front of the group, eyeing each person. His gaze lingered on Fred and George. "I do hope you will not be playing any pranks on me this evening. I don't want it to be ruined." He gave the twins a quick wink and they winked back at their favorite spirit.
"You saw Hermione?" Ron queried, his voice soft and full of enthusiasm. He was not really looking at the ghost, but it was more like he was looking through him, as he was deep in his own world.
"Yes I did, lad!" Sir Nicholas replied. "She was on her way to the common room to meet you when our paths crossed. She looks marvelous, I might add." He was looking between the curious faces. "Now hurry along. Never keep a lady waiting!"
The Weasleys, Harry, Sirius and the Grangers continued on and in no time discovered that they were standing before the fat lady. She was still wearing the pink silk dress that all of them remembered her having worn in their time at Hogwarts. Hearts were beating ferociously behind their ribs and their breathing was loud and irregular. Ron and Harry appeared to have stopped breathing altogether in anticipation of seeing Hermione again. The fat lady broke the tension when her eyes ceased movement and she promptly fainted.
Angelina was attempting to rouse the woman while the rest of the group was discussing the reason the fat lady might have for passing out. After a few minutes Angelina successfully revived the woman who groggily returned to her post. Penelope asked, "Are you alright?"
Even though she was just a 'picture' she looked pale and frightened, they even thought she might faint again. The woman placed her hand on her brow and replied, "I'm fine dear," she paused. "I just wish I would never have to see that man again," she said while she pointed at Sirius.
All eyes turned to Sirius who looked very uncomfortable. He cleared his throat before responding, "I don't know how many times I have to apologize for cutting up your portrait before you'll forgive me?" He seemed impatient. "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you." Running his hand through his black hair he finished, "We are in a bit of a hurry, if you don't mind?"
Looking fairly less ashen and avoiding the gaze of Sirius she spoke once more, "Password?"
Mr. Weasley stepped forward to reply. "Animagus," he stated. The portrait swung forward revealing the familiar opening to the common room. Harry was the first to enter with Ron close at his heels. Harry caught sight of the witch asleep in the armchair in front of the fireplace and hastily stopped in his tracks causing Ron to collide with his back.
"Harry, what the bloody," Ron started but abruptly lost the ability to speak as his eyes moved from the shocked face of his best friend to the small figure swallowed up in the large chair. Although he knew he was there to visit her, the reality of it did not sink in until she was in his sight. She looked beautiful and peaceful as she silently slept, unaware of their presence. Her legs were curled up under her body, her head was leaning back and slightly to the right against the backrest and her slim arms were crossed over her middle. Her hair was in the begins of changing from the elegant curls that were draped lightly over her shoulders to the bushy mass that he loved so much caused by rubbing against the back of the chair. She was wearing the most magnificent set of blue robes he had ever seen, they were even more stunning than the set she wore to the Yule Ball in their fourth year of school. Then again, it might have just been the fact that it was the first time he had seen her in a year. Either way, he never thought she looked better.
As the two made their way over to Hermione, with the rest of the family following close behind, Ron's eyes began to mist over. He could smell the sweet aroma permeating from her body; she smelled like the beach. Breathing her scent deeply for a few moments he stood there reflecting on how this past year had been so wrong. There was no doubt in his mind that he was meant to spend his life with Hermione and there was nothing that could convince him otherwise. Snapping out of his reverie Ron's hand slowly made its way to her shoulder but before he could make contact he pulled it sharply back. Thinking things through he decided that whispering to her would be a better way for her to wake up instead of to forceful shaking. He leaned close to her ear and softly uttered, "Hermione."
She stirred somewhat in her sleep when he spoke, moaning softly. "I believe you, Ron!" she said shyly, closing her lids even tighter. His breath caught at the same time the rest of the room gasped. He rapidly stood straight, taking an involuntary step backwards as what she uttered had time to sink into his mind. She had been dreaming, dreaming about him; remembering him! 'Is it possible?' he thought. 'That she has her memory back!' This was all more than he could handle and he turned to look at Harry for some support only to find that Harry was just as taken-aback as him.
Harry watched as Hermione's body jerked at the gasps and her eyes fluttered open. The haziness disappeared after she blinked a few times and slowly shifted her gaze from face to face, no recognition apparent. He saw her swallow and her eyes lock with his own. Her lips turned upward into a telltale smile. "You must be Harry," she said with complete calm as if she did not have a care in the world. He returned her smile but was disappointed that although she knew his name she only did because of the description she had been given.
"I am," he replied. "It is great to see you, Hermione!" He could no longer take just standing there, gaping at the woman he considered his best friend, his best friend that had gone missing one year ago. Harry rushed forward engulfing Hermione in a hug that removed her from her seated position, swinging her in circles in the air. "I've missed you!" he mumbled into her now bushy locks. She did not respond. He set her onto her feet, gave her a kiss on the cheek and stepped back. He was glad to see that she was still grinning broadly and the redness of her rosy cheeks was beginning to intensify.
Her gaze drifted off of Harry and onto the girl standing next to him. She had blazing hair and a piercing stare. This was one of the teenagers that were present in the dream from which she just woke. She was the one who had consoled Harry while he was lying on the floor in agony. The only difference being that she no longer appeared to be a young sixteen but she was instead somewhere around twenty. "This is Ginny," Harry declared. "She is your best girl friend." Hermione smiled at the witch who was eyeing her every move. Ginny guardedly ambled towards her friend, gingerly placing her arms around the young woman. Hermione felt droplets hitting her shoulders and she realized that Ginny was crying. Even though she hardly knew the person she was embracing, she felt like she could tell Ginny anything.
"You look wonderful, Hermione!" Ginny cried. Her chest was heaving more and more as the sobs overtook her body. Hermione did not know how to respond so she remained silent. Although she had just seen this girl in her dream she did not remember anything about her or their friendship. She simply hugged the girl in return and tried to cease her crying.
When Ginny had released her from the embrace Hermione observed two identical wizards with flaming red hair to her right. Harry noticing where she was looking informed her of the identity of the two. "These are Fred and George, practical jokers to the end, and their wives Angelina and Alicia. They were all at Hogwarts with us."
Hermione nodded and decided the mood needed to be lightened. Feeling that if she repeated something Dumbledore told her about the twins then the people in the room might feel more comfortable. "So these are the two who give phony spells to people," she smirked. It worked; the twins snickered and squashed her into a Hermione sandwich. She could not help giggling at the situation and she could hear the rest of the people laughing as well. When the twins had freed her from between them, both simultaneously giving her a kiss on opposite cheeks, Angelina and Alicia then took their turns greeting their old housemate. Both the witches had broad smiles across their face and commented on how good Hermione looked before returning to their husbands' sides.
Her eyes drifted to the people standing behind the twins' wives. There were three more redheaded men who appeared older than the ones she previously met. As her eyes fell on more and more fiery haired men she wondered when it would turn out to be Ron. With them were three women, one with long, curly hair, the second was blonde and quite attractive, and the third was tall with short, brown hair. Harry presented them to her, "These blokes are Bill, Percy and Charlie. Penelope is married to Percy, Fleur to Bill and Hailie is Charlie's girlfriend."
Her heart sunk. 'Maybe Ron did not come,' she thought. 'Maybe he found someone else to love, it has been a year after all.' Hermione said hi but did not recall, nor had she been told, anything about them. They each gave her a genuine smile and a quick embrace.
Harry continued, "I'd like to introduce you to my Godfather." He motioned to the older black-haired wizard on his other side. His eyes seemed to reveal that he had seen things that no person should. They made him look older than did his physical appearance.
Hermione interrupted him, "Sirius." She remembered Dumbledore telling her the name of Harry's godfather. He was the black-haired wizard from her most recent dream.
"How did you know?" Sirius questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Hermione grinned, "Dumbledore told me about you when he was explaining the sketches I draw." Sirius cocked an eyebrow, not sure how to interpret the meaning of her reply. He had no clue why anything she would draw, or remember, would have anything to do with him. Shaking off his thoughts he gave Hermione a small hug. When he had released her, she looked back to Harry to carry on with the introductions.
"These two," he pointed to the people to Sirius's left, "are Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They are like our second family." They beamed at the girl they loved as if she were their own daughter. She looked almost identical to what she looked like a year ago, the only change being that she looked slimmer than she had been prior to her disappearance. They thought that had to be natural with the stress of not knowing your own identity. Mrs. Weasley was weeping as she embraced the witch. Mr. Weasley patted her back consolingly when he had his turn, more for his own benefit than hers, wanting to feel her to be sure she was real.
Suddenly two people made their way to the front of the group. The man was not tall but he was certainly not small either, with short brown, wavy hair. The woman with him was the same height as she was and had bushy chestnut hair similar to her own. The instant she laid eyes on them she knew without a doubt that these two had to be her parents. Her mom's eyes glazed over as she approached her daughter. "Her-r-mione?" she queried; having to be certain it was her child. A simple nod was all she needed and within a matter of seconds there was no way to distinguish between them as they were intertwined so completely. Her father placed an arm over each of the two most important women in his life, finishing off the family hug. Hermione sobbed softly, not because she had missed her parents, but because the people hugging her so tightly meant nothing to the young woman. She did not remember the good times they had when she was little, the fascinating trips and vacations they took, the activities they did together or the special holidays they had spent with each other. There was just nothing to draw from. Although that was true, she felt a warm place in her heart because they seemed to care about her a great deal. All of this began to take its toll on the young witch.
Unexpectedly she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. She spun out of the embrace of her parents only to find herself in the arms of a tall wizard. They encircled her waist making her feel warm inside and completely safe. They were the same ones from the dream she loved so much; these were Ron's arms. She allowed her own arms to surround his neck, resting them daintily on his shoulders and her head on his muscular chest. Her body fit with his so perfectly that she felt as if they could have been specifically made for each other. She breathed in his scent to discover he smelled of baby powder. This confused her because she had no idea why he would be anywhere near baby powder. "Ron!" she murmured into his torso. She felt him inhale deeply before taking a step back, removing the warmth from her body. She realized that she was staring into the misty eyes of the wizard she supposedly loved. Although he was smiling, the happiness did not appear to reach his eyes. They were full of longing, an aching for her to say she remembered him.
"Y-you remember m-me?" he stuttered. Her heart soared as he spoke. She did not want to disappoint him but although she recognized his arms, his smile, his voice, she did not recall anything about their past together.
"I, er," she knew that she had to say this the right way. She could hear the people behind her moving around as they exited the common room but she did not take the time to look; she was too focused on the tousle-haired redhead. Harry still remained at her side, they were the only three left in the immense circular room. Both men were looking at her intently. She directed her eyes to the floor. "My dreams are the only times I remember anything about my past, and even then it is unclear. I tend to be a spectator, watching what occurred. I sometimes have a particular dream about a boy who places his hands over my eyes and I spin around to find his arms around me tightly. He had red hair but I never saw a face," she paused and glanced up Ron's way for a split second. She knew only too well that he was the fiery boy that stole her heart. "Almost every night I dream about the attack that cost me my memories." Breathing became difficult for her but she continued on anyway. "But just a little while ago I had a vivid dream about this room. We were here with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape. I recognized Sirius and Ginny as being two of the three other people that were there. The only one I can't put a name to is a pale, blonde boy," she paused and a smile formed over her lips. "I finally saw your faces!" she said with tremendous enthusiasm.
She did not know whether to continue or to let them have the chance to speak. She could feel the tension in the air and decided to break the silence that was deafening. "Dumbledore told me the significance of the drawings I have been doing and that the majority of them pertain to the two of you. He said that I sketch broomsticks and lightning bolts because of Harry." She lifted her eyes to Harry's and noticed that he was grinning; she assumed she said something right. "And that the tiny owl and knight piece that I draw has to do with Ron." Hermione switched her gaze from Harry to Ron. He was also smiling broadly. She had only one question on her mind at that moment, "What happens now?"
The boys exchanged mystified glances. They had not discussed what they would talk to Hermione about when they were left alone. Most of the time in Dumbledore's office was occupied with deciding who would stay behind. Finally, the wizards knew they had to respond soon so Harry replied. "Now," he hesitated, "we get to know each other again!"
I would like to apologize for the long wait. As I mentioned before I had computer problems then got side tracked with different things over the summer. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I appreciate all the reviews I have received, they are the reason I am posting this chapter. I'm not sure if this will be the end of the story or not. I guess it really depends on if people want to know more.
Chapter 11: Tears of Joy
The walk through the corridors to the Gryffindor common room was eerily quiet and seemed to be taking an eternity. No one spoke for the sheer fact that they could not come up with anything to say. When they had turned the corner that would place them in the hallway the common room entrance was located, Harry accidentally walked through Nearly Headless Nick. Ron was able to stop just short of doing the same thing.
"Well, tonight has certainly turned out to be splendid!" The resident Gryffindor ghost beamed. "First I get to see Hermione again, and now Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasleys." He floated along the front of the group, eyeing each person. His gaze lingered on Fred and George. "I do hope you will not be playing any pranks on me this evening. I don't want it to be ruined." He gave the twins a quick wink and they winked back at their favorite spirit.
"You saw Hermione?" Ron queried, his voice soft and full of enthusiasm. He was not really looking at the ghost, but it was more like he was looking through him, as he was deep in his own world.
"Yes I did, lad!" Sir Nicholas replied. "She was on her way to the common room to meet you when our paths crossed. She looks marvelous, I might add." He was looking between the curious faces. "Now hurry along. Never keep a lady waiting!"
The Weasleys, Harry, Sirius and the Grangers continued on and in no time discovered that they were standing before the fat lady. She was still wearing the pink silk dress that all of them remembered her having worn in their time at Hogwarts. Hearts were beating ferociously behind their ribs and their breathing was loud and irregular. Ron and Harry appeared to have stopped breathing altogether in anticipation of seeing Hermione again. The fat lady broke the tension when her eyes ceased movement and she promptly fainted.
Angelina was attempting to rouse the woman while the rest of the group was discussing the reason the fat lady might have for passing out. After a few minutes Angelina successfully revived the woman who groggily returned to her post. Penelope asked, "Are you alright?"
Even though she was just a 'picture' she looked pale and frightened, they even thought she might faint again. The woman placed her hand on her brow and replied, "I'm fine dear," she paused. "I just wish I would never have to see that man again," she said while she pointed at Sirius.
All eyes turned to Sirius who looked very uncomfortable. He cleared his throat before responding, "I don't know how many times I have to apologize for cutting up your portrait before you'll forgive me?" He seemed impatient. "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you." Running his hand through his black hair he finished, "We are in a bit of a hurry, if you don't mind?"
Looking fairly less ashen and avoiding the gaze of Sirius she spoke once more, "Password?"
Mr. Weasley stepped forward to reply. "Animagus," he stated. The portrait swung forward revealing the familiar opening to the common room. Harry was the first to enter with Ron close at his heels. Harry caught sight of the witch asleep in the armchair in front of the fireplace and hastily stopped in his tracks causing Ron to collide with his back.
"Harry, what the bloody," Ron started but abruptly lost the ability to speak as his eyes moved from the shocked face of his best friend to the small figure swallowed up in the large chair. Although he knew he was there to visit her, the reality of it did not sink in until she was in his sight. She looked beautiful and peaceful as she silently slept, unaware of their presence. Her legs were curled up under her body, her head was leaning back and slightly to the right against the backrest and her slim arms were crossed over her middle. Her hair was in the begins of changing from the elegant curls that were draped lightly over her shoulders to the bushy mass that he loved so much caused by rubbing against the back of the chair. She was wearing the most magnificent set of blue robes he had ever seen, they were even more stunning than the set she wore to the Yule Ball in their fourth year of school. Then again, it might have just been the fact that it was the first time he had seen her in a year. Either way, he never thought she looked better.
As the two made their way over to Hermione, with the rest of the family following close behind, Ron's eyes began to mist over. He could smell the sweet aroma permeating from her body; she smelled like the beach. Breathing her scent deeply for a few moments he stood there reflecting on how this past year had been so wrong. There was no doubt in his mind that he was meant to spend his life with Hermione and there was nothing that could convince him otherwise. Snapping out of his reverie Ron's hand slowly made its way to her shoulder but before he could make contact he pulled it sharply back. Thinking things through he decided that whispering to her would be a better way for her to wake up instead of to forceful shaking. He leaned close to her ear and softly uttered, "Hermione."
She stirred somewhat in her sleep when he spoke, moaning softly. "I believe you, Ron!" she said shyly, closing her lids even tighter. His breath caught at the same time the rest of the room gasped. He rapidly stood straight, taking an involuntary step backwards as what she uttered had time to sink into his mind. She had been dreaming, dreaming about him; remembering him! 'Is it possible?' he thought. 'That she has her memory back!' This was all more than he could handle and he turned to look at Harry for some support only to find that Harry was just as taken-aback as him.
Harry watched as Hermione's body jerked at the gasps and her eyes fluttered open. The haziness disappeared after she blinked a few times and slowly shifted her gaze from face to face, no recognition apparent. He saw her swallow and her eyes lock with his own. Her lips turned upward into a telltale smile. "You must be Harry," she said with complete calm as if she did not have a care in the world. He returned her smile but was disappointed that although she knew his name she only did because of the description she had been given.
"I am," he replied. "It is great to see you, Hermione!" He could no longer take just standing there, gaping at the woman he considered his best friend, his best friend that had gone missing one year ago. Harry rushed forward engulfing Hermione in a hug that removed her from her seated position, swinging her in circles in the air. "I've missed you!" he mumbled into her now bushy locks. She did not respond. He set her onto her feet, gave her a kiss on the cheek and stepped back. He was glad to see that she was still grinning broadly and the redness of her rosy cheeks was beginning to intensify.
Her gaze drifted off of Harry and onto the girl standing next to him. She had blazing hair and a piercing stare. This was one of the teenagers that were present in the dream from which she just woke. She was the one who had consoled Harry while he was lying on the floor in agony. The only difference being that she no longer appeared to be a young sixteen but she was instead somewhere around twenty. "This is Ginny," Harry declared. "She is your best girl friend." Hermione smiled at the witch who was eyeing her every move. Ginny guardedly ambled towards her friend, gingerly placing her arms around the young woman. Hermione felt droplets hitting her shoulders and she realized that Ginny was crying. Even though she hardly knew the person she was embracing, she felt like she could tell Ginny anything.
"You look wonderful, Hermione!" Ginny cried. Her chest was heaving more and more as the sobs overtook her body. Hermione did not know how to respond so she remained silent. Although she had just seen this girl in her dream she did not remember anything about her or their friendship. She simply hugged the girl in return and tried to cease her crying.
When Ginny had released her from the embrace Hermione observed two identical wizards with flaming red hair to her right. Harry noticing where she was looking informed her of the identity of the two. "These are Fred and George, practical jokers to the end, and their wives Angelina and Alicia. They were all at Hogwarts with us."
Hermione nodded and decided the mood needed to be lightened. Feeling that if she repeated something Dumbledore told her about the twins then the people in the room might feel more comfortable. "So these are the two who give phony spells to people," she smirked. It worked; the twins snickered and squashed her into a Hermione sandwich. She could not help giggling at the situation and she could hear the rest of the people laughing as well. When the twins had freed her from between them, both simultaneously giving her a kiss on opposite cheeks, Angelina and Alicia then took their turns greeting their old housemate. Both the witches had broad smiles across their face and commented on how good Hermione looked before returning to their husbands' sides.
Her eyes drifted to the people standing behind the twins' wives. There were three more redheaded men who appeared older than the ones she previously met. As her eyes fell on more and more fiery haired men she wondered when it would turn out to be Ron. With them were three women, one with long, curly hair, the second was blonde and quite attractive, and the third was tall with short, brown hair. Harry presented them to her, "These blokes are Bill, Percy and Charlie. Penelope is married to Percy, Fleur to Bill and Hailie is Charlie's girlfriend."
Her heart sunk. 'Maybe Ron did not come,' she thought. 'Maybe he found someone else to love, it has been a year after all.' Hermione said hi but did not recall, nor had she been told, anything about them. They each gave her a genuine smile and a quick embrace.
Harry continued, "I'd like to introduce you to my Godfather." He motioned to the older black-haired wizard on his other side. His eyes seemed to reveal that he had seen things that no person should. They made him look older than did his physical appearance.
Hermione interrupted him, "Sirius." She remembered Dumbledore telling her the name of Harry's godfather. He was the black-haired wizard from her most recent dream.
"How did you know?" Sirius questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Hermione grinned, "Dumbledore told me about you when he was explaining the sketches I draw." Sirius cocked an eyebrow, not sure how to interpret the meaning of her reply. He had no clue why anything she would draw, or remember, would have anything to do with him. Shaking off his thoughts he gave Hermione a small hug. When he had released her, she looked back to Harry to carry on with the introductions.
"These two," he pointed to the people to Sirius's left, "are Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They are like our second family." They beamed at the girl they loved as if she were their own daughter. She looked almost identical to what she looked like a year ago, the only change being that she looked slimmer than she had been prior to her disappearance. They thought that had to be natural with the stress of not knowing your own identity. Mrs. Weasley was weeping as she embraced the witch. Mr. Weasley patted her back consolingly when he had his turn, more for his own benefit than hers, wanting to feel her to be sure she was real.
Suddenly two people made their way to the front of the group. The man was not tall but he was certainly not small either, with short brown, wavy hair. The woman with him was the same height as she was and had bushy chestnut hair similar to her own. The instant she laid eyes on them she knew without a doubt that these two had to be her parents. Her mom's eyes glazed over as she approached her daughter. "Her-r-mione?" she queried; having to be certain it was her child. A simple nod was all she needed and within a matter of seconds there was no way to distinguish between them as they were intertwined so completely. Her father placed an arm over each of the two most important women in his life, finishing off the family hug. Hermione sobbed softly, not because she had missed her parents, but because the people hugging her so tightly meant nothing to the young woman. She did not remember the good times they had when she was little, the fascinating trips and vacations they took, the activities they did together or the special holidays they had spent with each other. There was just nothing to draw from. Although that was true, she felt a warm place in her heart because they seemed to care about her a great deal. All of this began to take its toll on the young witch.
Unexpectedly she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. She spun out of the embrace of her parents only to find herself in the arms of a tall wizard. They encircled her waist making her feel warm inside and completely safe. They were the same ones from the dream she loved so much; these were Ron's arms. She allowed her own arms to surround his neck, resting them daintily on his shoulders and her head on his muscular chest. Her body fit with his so perfectly that she felt as if they could have been specifically made for each other. She breathed in his scent to discover he smelled of baby powder. This confused her because she had no idea why he would be anywhere near baby powder. "Ron!" she murmured into his torso. She felt him inhale deeply before taking a step back, removing the warmth from her body. She realized that she was staring into the misty eyes of the wizard she supposedly loved. Although he was smiling, the happiness did not appear to reach his eyes. They were full of longing, an aching for her to say she remembered him.
"Y-you remember m-me?" he stuttered. Her heart soared as he spoke. She did not want to disappoint him but although she recognized his arms, his smile, his voice, she did not recall anything about their past together.
"I, er," she knew that she had to say this the right way. She could hear the people behind her moving around as they exited the common room but she did not take the time to look; she was too focused on the tousle-haired redhead. Harry still remained at her side, they were the only three left in the immense circular room. Both men were looking at her intently. She directed her eyes to the floor. "My dreams are the only times I remember anything about my past, and even then it is unclear. I tend to be a spectator, watching what occurred. I sometimes have a particular dream about a boy who places his hands over my eyes and I spin around to find his arms around me tightly. He had red hair but I never saw a face," she paused and glanced up Ron's way for a split second. She knew only too well that he was the fiery boy that stole her heart. "Almost every night I dream about the attack that cost me my memories." Breathing became difficult for her but she continued on anyway. "But just a little while ago I had a vivid dream about this room. We were here with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape. I recognized Sirius and Ginny as being two of the three other people that were there. The only one I can't put a name to is a pale, blonde boy," she paused and a smile formed over her lips. "I finally saw your faces!" she said with tremendous enthusiasm.
She did not know whether to continue or to let them have the chance to speak. She could feel the tension in the air and decided to break the silence that was deafening. "Dumbledore told me the significance of the drawings I have been doing and that the majority of them pertain to the two of you. He said that I sketch broomsticks and lightning bolts because of Harry." She lifted her eyes to Harry's and noticed that he was grinning; she assumed she said something right. "And that the tiny owl and knight piece that I draw has to do with Ron." Hermione switched her gaze from Harry to Ron. He was also smiling broadly. She had only one question on her mind at that moment, "What happens now?"
The boys exchanged mystified glances. They had not discussed what they would talk to Hermione about when they were left alone. Most of the time in Dumbledore's office was occupied with deciding who would stay behind. Finally, the wizards knew they had to respond soon so Harry replied. "Now," he hesitated, "we get to know each other again!"