Author's Note: Hey! I wanted to post this chapter with ch. 7, but I was in
a rush to upload it since I was leaving for Mexico (left Friday and
returned Wednesday) and I forgot it. Hope it isn't too bad. Thanks so much
for all the wonderful reviews! I got more than I asked for and more than I
expected! And to you guys who worry about me causing Hermione to go insane:
Don't worry -- it'll all work out ; )
Ron Is Mine: Hi! Thanks so much for your review! I loved it! You asked me if I could name Ron and Lavender's baby Erin. That's a cute name, I'll think about it! I haven't decided if I want it to be a boy or a girl (though I wouldn't tell you guys even if I knew), but either way, I like that name. Thanks again!
I also don't know how to 'write' an Irish accent so please bear with me and just imagine him speaking in that accent, okay? And Duffy means "dark; black."
Please review! :: Twisted*Angel :::
P.S. For those of you who are wondering: Lavender is 2 months pregnant.
Chapter Eight * Bye Bye Dreams *
Harry made his way through the spacious living room, picking up leftover plates and cups. He tried to be as quiet as possible, hoping Hermione was catching up on her sleep upstairs.
After the guests had left, including Clara and Marie (who seemed lost in thought), Harry had made Hermione go and take a nap while he, Ron, and Lavender cleaned up. Well, just him and Ron since Ron wouldn't let Lavender lift anything, much to her annoyance.
Washing the dishes and making sure the kitchen was spotless, he went upstairs and crept into their bedroom. He frowned when he found the bed empty. Trying not to panic, he went down the hall checking each room until it hit him and he headed back downstairs. Opening the library door quietly, a soft smile lit up his face.
Hermione was laying on her stomach on the large, fluffy, white carpet in front of the fireplace. Her arms were crossed on top of her favorite book, her head nestled in the hole her arms made.
"Come on, love," he whispered as he levitated her off the ground and into his arms. He hugged her close, her arms going instinctively around his neck and her head resting on his chest. He distinguished the fire with just a few words and headed back upstairs, placing her under the covers. He carefully undressed her and got her into her pajamas.
"Harry?" she mumbled as he tucked the sheets and comforter under her chin.
"It's me, hon. Do you need anything?"
She turned on her side and mumbled something incoherent.
"What?" Harry sat next to her, leaning close to hear.
"Kitty," she muttered.
"Kitty?"
"My kitty. Ron has it."
Harry smiled. "Okay, love, we'll get it tomorrow," he doubted she would remember any of this in the morning. Hermione didn't respond and soon he heard her even breathing. He smoothed her hair away from her face and smiled lovingly as he gazed at her. At least the dark circles under her eyes were barely visible.
A loud hoot came from the window, startling him. "Quiet, Hedwig," he told the beautiful bird as he let her in. She hooted ever so softly and stuck out her leg. He untied the letter, sat on the edge of the bed, and unconsciously laced his fingers through Hermione's, who's arm was resting on her side.
Harry:
Captured a D.E. Come ASAP.
- Lupin
He stood up quickly, throwing the letter in the trash where it disintegrated. Bending down to kiss Hermione gently on her lips, he whispered, "Love you," before walking out of the room and shutting the door quietly behind him. He jogged down the stairs and grabbed a coat on the way out, making sure the door was locked.
"Wow, you're fast," Remus joked as Harry burst into the building.
"Where is he?"
Hermione stepped into the bright white light that shined in the middle of the old and dingy building. Shading her eyes, she looked around her but found nothing but emptiness. Cold and lonely emptiness. Hermione had always hated being alone. Not the type of alone that we all need once in a while when the world seems to be closing in on us but the alone that seeps into your soul and leaves you feeling empty.
"Hello?" she called out, turning around in a circle.
"Aren't you a bit ashamed of yourself? Showing up after all you did?"
Hermione spun around looking for the source of the voice that caused goosebumps to appear on her arms and the hairs on the back of her neck to stick up. "W-who's there?"
"Don't you know who I am, Hermione?" this time the body accompanied the voice making Hermione gasp.
"Anthony!"
"Here in the flesh," he replied, smirking. "I'm shocked you can even show your face."
"What? Why shouldn't I? And what have you done with Harry?"
Anthony shook his head. "I haven't done anything with your precious Harry, my dear mudblood. Don't you know? You killed him. I guess love doesn't conquer all," he sneered with an icy chuckle.
"What? No! I don't know what you're talking about! I would never ... I don't ..."
"Oh, but you do. He confided in you, trusted you with his life. And what do you do? You rat him out to Voldemort himself. What will the world do without their precious Hero?" he asked, a vicious smile curling his lips.
"NO! You're lying! I would never do that! Ever! I know what you're trying to do. I know about your Dream Charm!" Hermione stopped, gasping. She had never before been able to defend herself in these nightmares. They had trapped her in a world where she was alone and not being able to help herself, let alone any one else. They had never let her escape the fear and dread until they had caused her to go mad. Now she had the power to not only speak out but wake up also. She used this to her advantage.
"You're not real! This isn't real! It's a nightmare and I'll just wake up to find Harry's arms around me!" she screamed, walking as close to him as she dared.
Anthony seemed stunned for a moment then regained his composer. "I am real, Hermione. I invade your thoughts and take a hold of your worst fears making them seem real. Pretty soon, you'll go crazy and everything you have ever known will seem lost."
"Liar! I will not let you control me anymore, Anthony! I've had enough! Aren't you done torturing me? Haven't I gone through enough?"
"That's what you think. The worst is yet to come," he sneered, but as he fought to control the nightmare that had gone haywire, he began to shimmer.
"No! That's what you think. I'm not afraid of you and I won't let you take over my life!" she continued to shout, noticing with satisfaction that Anthony was fast disappearing, rage etched throughout his face.
"AAAGH! This isn't the end, mudblood! I'll get you one day! You better watch your back!" with that he let out a raging scream and burst into pieces of light.
"Well, if it isn't The Harry Potter. Pleasure to finally meet you," the Death Eater drawled, his Irish accent dripping with sarcasm.
Harry held himself from smashing the scum's face against the wall. This wasn't about him. It was about protecting Hermione and, of course, the wizarding world.
"So, you're Duffy Ashby. Well, at least you fit the meaning of it," Harry said, smirking. Draco would have been proud.
The Death Eater seemed much younger than Harry, maybe in his late teens, but looked much older with thinning hair, dirty and unkempt, ratty robes hanging off his bony body, gnarled hands curled into fists.
Ashby scowled showing yellow, rotten teeth. He gave Harry a glare but couldn't respond. Harry doubted the Death Eater even knew what his own name meant.
"That's what I thought," he said, lacing his fingers in front of him and stepping closer to Ashby. "Now," he continued, "you're going to tell me where you're precious Master is hiding his hideous face and we won't hurt you too bad."
"Never," he growled, spitting at Harry's feet.
"That wasn't a question it was a demand," Harry growled back, pushing his face closer to the young, uneducated wizard. Voldemort must have been running out of supporters. Good, Harry thought.
"You're also going to tell me where Parzatti is. I'm sure he isn't too far from Voldemort, the way he kisses up to the Dark Lord you'd think he was trying to steal the position."
"You'll never find them until they want to be found. Especially not before Parzatti has had his way with your filthy mudblood," Duffy sneered, an evil smile curling his thin lips.
Harry pressed his face so close to Ashby's that their noses were only inches apart. "Say anything about Dr. Granger and you'll wish we had killed you," Harry growled, his voice taking on an edge that his friends would never have approved of.
"Uh, Chief?" Remus, who had been standing outside the prison door, tapped Harry on the shoulder using formality in front of the prisoner. "My team has found something," he whispered.
"I'm going to leave you to your thoughts now, Duffy ," Harry said, stressing the man's name. "And when I return, I expect to get all the information we need out of you."
"You won't get nothin'!" Duffy hollered at Harry's retreating back.
"That's what you think!" Harry called back over his shoulder and let the heavy metal door clang shut behind him.
Hermione was startled awake, the inhuman scream still ringing in her ears and the burst of light flashing before her eyes. She rubbed at her eyes, taking deep breaths. Sweat dripped off of her in large droplets but she was not trembling as she would have been if it had been just the regular nightmare.
Pulling back the covers, she got out and padded to the restroom, already aware that Harry was not in bed. She changed into other pajamas and splashed cold water on her face.
Going back into bed she turned on her side and buried her face in Harry's pillow, inhaling his scent. Finally lifting up for air she rested her cheek on the pillow and hugged it close. Noticing the small note on the dresser, she reached for it and smiled. He would never leave without telling her. That's My Harry, she thought, never wants to worry me.
Love,
I'm so sorry I'm not laying next to you but Remus sent an urgent message and I had to go. I'll tell you all about it in the morning since I know you'll read this before I get home because those bloody nightmares won't leave you alone. I wish I could be there to comfort you but remember I'm thinking of you right at this moment (when do I ever stop thinking about you). I'll be there as soon as I can. You'll wake up with my arms around you, promise. Love you always, My 'Mione.
- Harry
Hermione didn't think it was possible but she loved him a little more just than. He somehow always knew when she needed him, and though he couldn't be there with her now, he had still helped more than he knew.
Crushing the note to her chest, she pulled the covers around her and let her eyes fall shut.
What did you find?" Harry asked when Remus had sat down.
Remus pulled out a manila file and pulled out some sheets. "Remember the Dream Charm we had spotted?"
"Of course."
"Well, this seems a bit unusual, but it stopped. While you were with the prisoner, one of my men reported that the charm was removed about a half hour after you arrived. It's unusual because Damien didn't trace the counterspell from the Forbidden Forest. It came from your house, Harry."
"What? But that doesn't seem possible, does it?"
"It doesn't seem possible but it is. We didn't track any Dark Forces around your place, or anywhere near there for that matter, but the spell was stopped from your house, and Damien swears this information is correct."
"But the spell can only be removed by the person who cast it, and if Voldemort or Parzatti didn't do it, then who?"
"Hermione."
"Hermione?"
"Somehow, while she was having another nightmare, the spell went haywire and she could have taken advantage of the change in the dream. She must have broken the spell somehow."
"This means she won't have any nightmares, right?" he asked, unable to control himself.
Remus nodded with a large grin. "The origin of the spell has been recorded?" though Harry was more than happy, he was also worried. Was there a side effect of the spell that they didn't know about?
"Yes, not the exact location, mind you, but once we get the needed information out of Ashby, we'll be able to locate Voldemort and his crew."
"Do you think I could finish ..."
"I'm sure Ashby won't mind sleeping in his cell and being questioned tomorrow. You go check with Hermione," Remus answered without hearing the question.
Harry smiled and they both stood up. Heading back to the dungeons, Harry entered the cell.
"You again, eh?" Duffy mumbled, cursing under his breath.
"It's your lucky night, Ashby. I have other matters to attend to so you're off the hook for now," Harry told the prisoner. "You can expect me tomorrow morning, though."
"Oh yippee."
Harry unlocked the door and dragged himself inside, hanging his coat up. Stifling a yawn, he jogged up the stairs and entered his bedroom. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Hermione sleeping peacefully on his side of the bed. He smiled sadly, realizing how terrified she must have been to have moved to his side. Hermione wasn't one to move around a lot while sleeping.
Changing into pajamas, he climbed into bed and pulled Hermione closer to him. She shifted and her head ended up on his chest. He gently ran his fingers through her hair, careful not to wake her.
Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head. "Love you forever," he whispered, before letting sleep over come him and dreams of Hermione filled his head.
Ron Is Mine: Hi! Thanks so much for your review! I loved it! You asked me if I could name Ron and Lavender's baby Erin. That's a cute name, I'll think about it! I haven't decided if I want it to be a boy or a girl (though I wouldn't tell you guys even if I knew), but either way, I like that name. Thanks again!
I also don't know how to 'write' an Irish accent so please bear with me and just imagine him speaking in that accent, okay? And Duffy means "dark; black."
Please review! :: Twisted*Angel :::
P.S. For those of you who are wondering: Lavender is 2 months pregnant.
Chapter Eight * Bye Bye Dreams *
Harry made his way through the spacious living room, picking up leftover plates and cups. He tried to be as quiet as possible, hoping Hermione was catching up on her sleep upstairs.
After the guests had left, including Clara and Marie (who seemed lost in thought), Harry had made Hermione go and take a nap while he, Ron, and Lavender cleaned up. Well, just him and Ron since Ron wouldn't let Lavender lift anything, much to her annoyance.
Washing the dishes and making sure the kitchen was spotless, he went upstairs and crept into their bedroom. He frowned when he found the bed empty. Trying not to panic, he went down the hall checking each room until it hit him and he headed back downstairs. Opening the library door quietly, a soft smile lit up his face.
Hermione was laying on her stomach on the large, fluffy, white carpet in front of the fireplace. Her arms were crossed on top of her favorite book, her head nestled in the hole her arms made.
"Come on, love," he whispered as he levitated her off the ground and into his arms. He hugged her close, her arms going instinctively around his neck and her head resting on his chest. He distinguished the fire with just a few words and headed back upstairs, placing her under the covers. He carefully undressed her and got her into her pajamas.
"Harry?" she mumbled as he tucked the sheets and comforter under her chin.
"It's me, hon. Do you need anything?"
She turned on her side and mumbled something incoherent.
"What?" Harry sat next to her, leaning close to hear.
"Kitty," she muttered.
"Kitty?"
"My kitty. Ron has it."
Harry smiled. "Okay, love, we'll get it tomorrow," he doubted she would remember any of this in the morning. Hermione didn't respond and soon he heard her even breathing. He smoothed her hair away from her face and smiled lovingly as he gazed at her. At least the dark circles under her eyes were barely visible.
A loud hoot came from the window, startling him. "Quiet, Hedwig," he told the beautiful bird as he let her in. She hooted ever so softly and stuck out her leg. He untied the letter, sat on the edge of the bed, and unconsciously laced his fingers through Hermione's, who's arm was resting on her side.
Harry:
Captured a D.E. Come ASAP.
- Lupin
He stood up quickly, throwing the letter in the trash where it disintegrated. Bending down to kiss Hermione gently on her lips, he whispered, "Love you," before walking out of the room and shutting the door quietly behind him. He jogged down the stairs and grabbed a coat on the way out, making sure the door was locked.
"Wow, you're fast," Remus joked as Harry burst into the building.
"Where is he?"
Hermione stepped into the bright white light that shined in the middle of the old and dingy building. Shading her eyes, she looked around her but found nothing but emptiness. Cold and lonely emptiness. Hermione had always hated being alone. Not the type of alone that we all need once in a while when the world seems to be closing in on us but the alone that seeps into your soul and leaves you feeling empty.
"Hello?" she called out, turning around in a circle.
"Aren't you a bit ashamed of yourself? Showing up after all you did?"
Hermione spun around looking for the source of the voice that caused goosebumps to appear on her arms and the hairs on the back of her neck to stick up. "W-who's there?"
"Don't you know who I am, Hermione?" this time the body accompanied the voice making Hermione gasp.
"Anthony!"
"Here in the flesh," he replied, smirking. "I'm shocked you can even show your face."
"What? Why shouldn't I? And what have you done with Harry?"
Anthony shook his head. "I haven't done anything with your precious Harry, my dear mudblood. Don't you know? You killed him. I guess love doesn't conquer all," he sneered with an icy chuckle.
"What? No! I don't know what you're talking about! I would never ... I don't ..."
"Oh, but you do. He confided in you, trusted you with his life. And what do you do? You rat him out to Voldemort himself. What will the world do without their precious Hero?" he asked, a vicious smile curling his lips.
"NO! You're lying! I would never do that! Ever! I know what you're trying to do. I know about your Dream Charm!" Hermione stopped, gasping. She had never before been able to defend herself in these nightmares. They had trapped her in a world where she was alone and not being able to help herself, let alone any one else. They had never let her escape the fear and dread until they had caused her to go mad. Now she had the power to not only speak out but wake up also. She used this to her advantage.
"You're not real! This isn't real! It's a nightmare and I'll just wake up to find Harry's arms around me!" she screamed, walking as close to him as she dared.
Anthony seemed stunned for a moment then regained his composer. "I am real, Hermione. I invade your thoughts and take a hold of your worst fears making them seem real. Pretty soon, you'll go crazy and everything you have ever known will seem lost."
"Liar! I will not let you control me anymore, Anthony! I've had enough! Aren't you done torturing me? Haven't I gone through enough?"
"That's what you think. The worst is yet to come," he sneered, but as he fought to control the nightmare that had gone haywire, he began to shimmer.
"No! That's what you think. I'm not afraid of you and I won't let you take over my life!" she continued to shout, noticing with satisfaction that Anthony was fast disappearing, rage etched throughout his face.
"AAAGH! This isn't the end, mudblood! I'll get you one day! You better watch your back!" with that he let out a raging scream and burst into pieces of light.
"Well, if it isn't The Harry Potter. Pleasure to finally meet you," the Death Eater drawled, his Irish accent dripping with sarcasm.
Harry held himself from smashing the scum's face against the wall. This wasn't about him. It was about protecting Hermione and, of course, the wizarding world.
"So, you're Duffy Ashby. Well, at least you fit the meaning of it," Harry said, smirking. Draco would have been proud.
The Death Eater seemed much younger than Harry, maybe in his late teens, but looked much older with thinning hair, dirty and unkempt, ratty robes hanging off his bony body, gnarled hands curled into fists.
Ashby scowled showing yellow, rotten teeth. He gave Harry a glare but couldn't respond. Harry doubted the Death Eater even knew what his own name meant.
"That's what I thought," he said, lacing his fingers in front of him and stepping closer to Ashby. "Now," he continued, "you're going to tell me where you're precious Master is hiding his hideous face and we won't hurt you too bad."
"Never," he growled, spitting at Harry's feet.
"That wasn't a question it was a demand," Harry growled back, pushing his face closer to the young, uneducated wizard. Voldemort must have been running out of supporters. Good, Harry thought.
"You're also going to tell me where Parzatti is. I'm sure he isn't too far from Voldemort, the way he kisses up to the Dark Lord you'd think he was trying to steal the position."
"You'll never find them until they want to be found. Especially not before Parzatti has had his way with your filthy mudblood," Duffy sneered, an evil smile curling his thin lips.
Harry pressed his face so close to Ashby's that their noses were only inches apart. "Say anything about Dr. Granger and you'll wish we had killed you," Harry growled, his voice taking on an edge that his friends would never have approved of.
"Uh, Chief?" Remus, who had been standing outside the prison door, tapped Harry on the shoulder using formality in front of the prisoner. "My team has found something," he whispered.
"I'm going to leave you to your thoughts now, Duffy ," Harry said, stressing the man's name. "And when I return, I expect to get all the information we need out of you."
"You won't get nothin'!" Duffy hollered at Harry's retreating back.
"That's what you think!" Harry called back over his shoulder and let the heavy metal door clang shut behind him.
Hermione was startled awake, the inhuman scream still ringing in her ears and the burst of light flashing before her eyes. She rubbed at her eyes, taking deep breaths. Sweat dripped off of her in large droplets but she was not trembling as she would have been if it had been just the regular nightmare.
Pulling back the covers, she got out and padded to the restroom, already aware that Harry was not in bed. She changed into other pajamas and splashed cold water on her face.
Going back into bed she turned on her side and buried her face in Harry's pillow, inhaling his scent. Finally lifting up for air she rested her cheek on the pillow and hugged it close. Noticing the small note on the dresser, she reached for it and smiled. He would never leave without telling her. That's My Harry, she thought, never wants to worry me.
Love,
I'm so sorry I'm not laying next to you but Remus sent an urgent message and I had to go. I'll tell you all about it in the morning since I know you'll read this before I get home because those bloody nightmares won't leave you alone. I wish I could be there to comfort you but remember I'm thinking of you right at this moment (when do I ever stop thinking about you). I'll be there as soon as I can. You'll wake up with my arms around you, promise. Love you always, My 'Mione.
- Harry
Hermione didn't think it was possible but she loved him a little more just than. He somehow always knew when she needed him, and though he couldn't be there with her now, he had still helped more than he knew.
Crushing the note to her chest, she pulled the covers around her and let her eyes fall shut.
What did you find?" Harry asked when Remus had sat down.
Remus pulled out a manila file and pulled out some sheets. "Remember the Dream Charm we had spotted?"
"Of course."
"Well, this seems a bit unusual, but it stopped. While you were with the prisoner, one of my men reported that the charm was removed about a half hour after you arrived. It's unusual because Damien didn't trace the counterspell from the Forbidden Forest. It came from your house, Harry."
"What? But that doesn't seem possible, does it?"
"It doesn't seem possible but it is. We didn't track any Dark Forces around your place, or anywhere near there for that matter, but the spell was stopped from your house, and Damien swears this information is correct."
"But the spell can only be removed by the person who cast it, and if Voldemort or Parzatti didn't do it, then who?"
"Hermione."
"Hermione?"
"Somehow, while she was having another nightmare, the spell went haywire and she could have taken advantage of the change in the dream. She must have broken the spell somehow."
"This means she won't have any nightmares, right?" he asked, unable to control himself.
Remus nodded with a large grin. "The origin of the spell has been recorded?" though Harry was more than happy, he was also worried. Was there a side effect of the spell that they didn't know about?
"Yes, not the exact location, mind you, but once we get the needed information out of Ashby, we'll be able to locate Voldemort and his crew."
"Do you think I could finish ..."
"I'm sure Ashby won't mind sleeping in his cell and being questioned tomorrow. You go check with Hermione," Remus answered without hearing the question.
Harry smiled and they both stood up. Heading back to the dungeons, Harry entered the cell.
"You again, eh?" Duffy mumbled, cursing under his breath.
"It's your lucky night, Ashby. I have other matters to attend to so you're off the hook for now," Harry told the prisoner. "You can expect me tomorrow morning, though."
"Oh yippee."
Harry unlocked the door and dragged himself inside, hanging his coat up. Stifling a yawn, he jogged up the stairs and entered his bedroom. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Hermione sleeping peacefully on his side of the bed. He smiled sadly, realizing how terrified she must have been to have moved to his side. Hermione wasn't one to move around a lot while sleeping.
Changing into pajamas, he climbed into bed and pulled Hermione closer to him. She shifted and her head ended up on his chest. He gently ran his fingers through her hair, careful not to wake her.
Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head. "Love you forever," he whispered, before letting sleep over come him and dreams of Hermione filled his head.
