Title: When Time Stands Still. Author: SantiMonreal Pairings: Harry, Hermione and Ron.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, published in her books, borrowed by me, to release some of my mind's stress; and more importantly, I'm not making any money off this.

Summary: Harry tries to cope with the phantoms of his past. Ron deals with a future that he couldn't accept. Hermione draws bliss out of the present melancholic world.

Chapter 4: Bathed in Moonlight

A/N: In the UK, the term Fag refers to a cigarette.

Harry lay on the grass of the Dursley's back yard. The lazy afternoon was now at dusk and played with the light, causing beautiful shades of crimson and orange on its palette, the sky. The west wind blew past the trees, bringing with it the scent of dried grass from the park, causing leaves to ruffle, crickets were singing around him, telling him that the shadow of the night was descending.

He heard the television in the living room, the news was still on, Aunt Petunia was too busy making dinner in the kitchen, she didn't see Harry lying on the ground outside the window. Dudley came out of the back door. "What are you doing here?" he asked Harry, looking down at him.

"Isn't it obvious?" Harry replied flatly.

"Diddy dear!" Aunt Petunia called from inside the kitchen, "Be home before dinner!"

"Yes, mum," Dudley grunted, looking at the kitchen window. Harry sat up in case Dudley 'lost his way' and walked on him as Dudley walked to the far corner of the backyard.

"What's a the matter Dudley, afraid you're your mummy might see ickle Diddlykins with a fag in his mouth?" Harry called over to Dudley, not minding to tone down his volume.

"Shut up," Dudley said with a hint of panic in his voice. Harry stood up from where he was; Dudley was walking over to him.

"Shut it," Dudley said firmly gasping Harry's arm, which was starting to hurt.

"Why? Doesn't mummy know that her little bundle of lard smokes?" Harry replied sarcastically.

"I'm warning you, Harry, shut it!" Dudley said gripping Harry's arm harder, making his arm go pale.

"You know, I bet they don't allow smoking in the noble sport of boxing at Smelting's do they?"

At that, Dudley pushed Harry, leaving him on the ground and walked away to the front lawn and onto the sidewalk. Harry lay still on the ground, with his eyes closed for a moment there, he'd hoped to be knocked out, to escape existence from Privet drive. He wanted to wake up and find Tonks, Remus, and Mad-Eye there, to escort him back to the Burrow.

When he opened his eyes after a few minutes, he saw it, the same thing he saw a few nights back in the Astronomy tower, the summer night sky. He was lying on the grass, and reflected for the first time about how he felt for Hermione. She was the definitely one of the closest friends Harry had, but was it possible that she could be more?

Harry closed his eyes; he imagined those ginger curls brush against the side of his face. Her perfumed hair sending a thousand sensations from his cheeks to the rest of his body; his head was dizzy, just the thought of Hermione's hair against his face made his head light. He got up and walked toward the house. Aunt Petunia didn't even look up to acknowledge his presence as he entered the kitchen, and thankful for that, Harry walked up to his bedroom.

Harry was greeted by an empty cage when he got to his room; Hedwig had gone out again that night. After changing into more comfortable clothing, he went and sat on the foot of his bed, gazing out of his window, and again back at the summer sky. He saw Mrs. Figg cross the sidewalk directly below, carrying her heavy load of groceries. Her small frame walking very slowly and looking at the Dursley's house every so often; Harry knew she had been there to check on him. "I see they still think I need to be looked after," Harry muttered to himself. Before he could think of anything more on the subject, he was distracted by a white figure that was flying toward his window. Harry left the window and allowed Hedwig entrance.

Harry saw a piece of parchment attached to one of his owls' legs. Wondering who could be writing this early, he took the parchment and opened it. Recognizing the penmanship quickly, Harry smiled to himself. "Hermione," he whispered.

Harry,

Hello Harry! I received the most intriguing of books yesterday, of
very old magic, preceding even Merlin. I was reading through the
pages, and I realized that most of the simpler spells could be
performed by us, without worrying about the Ministry of Magic finding
out. The book contains mostly potions, which are herb and spice based,
and there are a few very simple incantations and charms. I've tried
some of the spells and they all worked for me.

Ron reckons I could go over to the burrow next week and you too as
soon as possible. I'm dying to see you Harry. I miss you both so much.

Hermione

Harry read the letter a few more times. It wasn't the content that made him do it; it was that when he read it, he heard Hermione's voice in his head dictating to him what she had written in the letter. He needed to see her, to hear her voice to feel her hair against his face.

Sighing, he threw the parchment on his bed and opened the window as wide as he could, trying to fill his room with the night outside. He looked at the sky, and remembered Ron's words: 'The only comfort I have is the blanket of stars overhead.' Harry thought to himself the full moon, was shinning directly at him and onto his bed highlighting the outline of the letter. "The only comfort I have is the hope that I see both you soon; the hope that hangs in my lungs is that you two will remain mine forever." Harry whispered to the stars. Harry went to lay on his bed, his head rested on something, something that smelled of strawberries and roses, it was all there in Hermione's letter, a faint trace of her. He left the parchment under his head, it was almost as if his face were buried in her hair again. The scents of Hermione's hair filled his nostrils and made his head swim, lightheaded and bathing in moonlight. Harry fell asleep in the smallest bedroom of Number Four, Privet Drive.

A/N1: this was with me for a few days now; I just was too busy to upload. Sorry!

A/N: I'm a little sad now, one of my favorite authors left AFF.net for good. I feel so bad.

Acknowledgements:

Sky?SchuylerD- I miss you! Why'd you leave? Thanks for lending me a few thoughts. I miss you! Damn it! There goes a tear!

Jennifer- Thanks! You are really the best beta there is! I mean it, your kind and patient and *ahem* a lawyer. Terrific!

Macy Gray- Thanks! I don't know just how much is going to tell her yet.

ArchChancellor- Thank you! Of course, none of that would be possible without you guys inspiring me, and of course my beta, Jennifer.

HPfreak18- Thank you! I hope this was soon enough.

Lessa Solarem- Thank you! I am trying to keep it like that, letting them remember bliss.

Oceanlight- thanks! I really appreciate it! I am trying to keep it different.

XOX- thanks! I am so flattered; I don't know what to say. I was looking for your email addy so I could let you know when you upload... Don't worry, when I do, I will personally email you, that is if you give me your addy.