Title: Harry Potter and the Year of Realizations

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts wasn't the best. Will his sixth be any better? He thinks it might be, but what's going on with Hermione, and what about these confusing feelings he has? A story with angst, drama, mystery, and of course, romance.

Disclaimer: I...don't...own...Harry. THERE I SAID IT! What do you want from me?

OMG, I'm sorry this was SO late. That was the worst writers block I've ever had. I hope you'll forgive me. Please don't hate me!

3 Michelle 3

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Missing

PREVIOUSLY:

Harry's mouth opened and closed a few times but then remained shut. "Hello, Harry." He eyes flicked toward Hermione. "You've got a good girl there, Harry, don't let her go." Lily said smiling down on both of them. They blushed. "Harry, I so wish I could have been there watching you grow up. I'm sorry for leaving you with my sister, but she's just, well, she has some problems with herself. I'm so proud of everything you've done, Harry. I love you." Harry managed to whisper 'I love you' before she again, drifted away. Another form and another form whisked by until one was thrown out of the portal across the room. Harry was standing there, a grin on his face and in a sort of trance.

Hermione rushed to the other side of the room as the white light disappeared into nothingness. "Harry?" Harry heard Hermione ask. Harry turned around to find himself face to face with his godfather.

Harry felt a little dizzy as he grabbed his godfather around the middle and gave him a hug that would make a certain Mrs. Weasley very proud. Hermione watched as Harry and Sirius started talking and were soon in deep conversation. Has Harry forgotten what else happened tonight... does he even care? Silent tears were again flowing down her cheeks. Harry whipped around. "Hermione?" He asked, concerned. But Hermione had already rushed out the door.

Hermione ran through the halls. As she rounded a corner she ran straight into Dumbledore. "Ah, Miss Granger, I was waiting to talk to you. Everything went smoothly, I presume?" Hermione nodded. "Yes, sorry about your father. I was waiting until later to use this but I think it shall prove useful now." Hermione looked up at Dumbledore, confused. "Yes, here it is." He said after rummaging around in his robes. He pulled out a vile with a white and black liquid. ((A/N No, not gray, it's both white and black))

He handed it to Hermione. "It will allow you to be away from Harry for two days. You can go and be with your mom...and your dad." He added. "Drink it just before you leave. I'll make a portkey and send it to your room. After you finish packing just grab hold and it will send you to the hospital your father is in." He said and with a swish of his cloak his was gone. Hermione sighed and made her way to her room to pack.

Harrys' eyes scanned the room for her but no sign showed she was there. He looked up at Sirius who gave him a sad look and mouthed 'go' giving Harry permission to leave him and go to find Hermione. Harry ran out the door running through the halls like mad. He rounded the last corner for their common room.

Hermione finished packing and heard someone come into the common room. "Dobby" She said as she turned around. Dobby laid the key on the desk beside her. "It's set to go when you touch it, ma'am." Dobby said, bowing. He ran out the door just in time to run into Harry.

Harry ran up the stairs and into Dobby. "Sorry" He muttered as he helped Dobby up. "It's quite alright, s..." Harry gave him a look. "Harry." Dobby finished. Harry smiled. "Have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked urgently. Dobby nodded and pointed to the common room. Harry nodded. "Thanks, Dobby." He said as her muttered the password and clambered in the room. He looked up just as Hermione grabbed the key and she disappeared into thin air. Harry ran to the spot Hermione was standing just to seconds ago. He snapped out of his trance and ran all the way back to Dumbledores' office.

Hermione felt a pull at the back of her navel as she traveled to the hospital. She landed with a thud in the woman's lavatories. She shifted her wait, set her suitcase down, smoothed down her clothes and picked back up her suitcase. She made her way to the service desk and asked the nurse where William Grangers' room was. "394" She said pointing down a toga colored hall. Why are the walls always toga colored? Hermione asked herself.

Harry heard a voice in his head ask 'Why are the walls always toga colored?' He recognized the voice as Hermiones' and stopped in the middle of the hall. Hermione? He asked. Yes? Hermione asked him in reply. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Where are you? Why did you run out like that? Harry asked her quickly. Well...I'm in London at the hospital, and I ran out because... Hermione stopped. What? Harry asked, concerned. It's nothing. She said quickly and quietly.

Harry decided to let it go... she'd tell him eventually. As long as she was okay. Just as long as you're okay. He said smiling. He could've sworn he'd heard someone murmur 'miss you' but he just shrugged and headed out to look for Sirius.

Ron walked out of the hospital wing and headed for the dormitories before curfew and decided to turn in early. Ginny and Draco? He asked himself. He shrugged. If they wanted to try it out, he guessed it was okay, but if he hurt her, ever, he would not mind using a certain unforgivable curse on him. And maybe a few select hexes to a part of him he might miss...

Ginny sighed as Ron left the room. "Do you think he really doesn't mind?" she asked, sounding a little concerned. "I think so...would you break up with me is he did?" He asked, mock sarcasm, but a hint of uneasiness could be detected in his voice. "Well, he is my brother..." Ginny started and then laughed out loud at the look on Dracos' face. He is so great. If I had my way he'd never leave... Ginny thought to herself wistfully. She snapped out her trace and saw a pair of silver gray eyes staring at her. "What?" She asked playfully. "What were you thinking about?" He asked, cocking his head to one side. Ginny smirked at him. "Oh, it's a very complicated story." She said flirtatiously, pulling him into a kiss.

Harry wound his way around corner after corner until he got to Dumbledores' office. He muttered 'password' and the gargoyle jumped aside, allowing him entrance. Harry ran up the stairs and found Sirius staring out the window. "Sirius?" Harry asked slowly. Sirius jumped a little when Harry spoke. "Sorry, I was just getting used to the quiet." He said tiredly. Harry realized this immediately. "Maybe you should get some sleep; we'll have plenty of time to talk in the morning..." Harry said, a smile on his face. Sirius nodded. "You can have my bed for tonight...as long as you like actually. I'll sleep on the floor." Harry said, thinking sleeping in Hermiones' bed would be difficult...as he was already starting to miss her...

Ron trudged to the common room. Noting the two fifth years making out on the couch. He rolled his eyes and climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitories. He quickly got dressed down and slipped into bed. He yawned sleepily and fell into a deep slumber...not to be disturbed by dreams.

Hermione made her way down the hall and to her fathers' room. She walked in and was greeted by her mothers muffled sobs. Hermione dropped her suitcase and ran to her. Thinking that it had something to do with her fathers' condition. "Mom? Mom, what is it?" Hermione asked hurriedly. Mrs. Granger sat up a little more. "It's nothing, sweetie, you shouldn't be here...you should be at school..." Her mother stated absently. "What do you MEAN I shouldn't BE here?" Hermione yelled. "This is MY father!" She yelled again, bringing her mom to tears.

Hermione put her head in her hands. "Oh, mom, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean..." Hermione whispered. "It's just... I'm a little stressed and..." She trailed off. "I WAS GOING TO DIVORCE HIM!!!" Hermiones' mother screamed. Mrs. Grangers' eyes got wide and she brought her hand to her mouth. Hermione sank to her knees beside the chair. "What?" She asked slowly, but her voice only came out as a faint whisper.

Sirius walked to Harry and Hermiones' common room and muttered the password. He walked in and was amazed by this room. He immediately knew which bed was Harrys'. It would be hard to miss. Exactly half the room was spick and span, organized and maybe a little too neat... And half the room had clothes thrown every which-way and there were papers and broken quills on the floor. He smiled. Gets more and more like his father every day... He thought to himself. He clambered into bed and fell into a deep sleep. Not to be awakened by nightmares for the first time in 16 years.

Ginny waved to Draco enthusiastically as he walked out the door. He turned and she blew him a kiss. He smirked and walked out the door. The second he got out the door he leaned his back against the door. He had a dreamy look on his face and he slid down the wall until he was squatted down outside the hospital wing door. Draco in love? Hmmmmm.....

Harry stared out the window for a few minutes then turned his heel and walked out the door. He made it to the common room and made his way in. Sirius's sleeping form lie on Harrys' bed peacefully sleeping. Harry glanced to Hermiones' side of the room, which was clean and neat like always. He smiled but felt a pang of sadness in his heart wishing she was here. His eyes scanned the rest of the room quickly until he caught sight of his out-of-the-blue guitar in the corner of the room.

Harry grabbed it and also his parchments and a quill. He turned to walk up to the balcony when he remembered the book and grabbed that too. He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway so he made his way up to the balcony. It was a peaceful night and it couldn't possible be more beautiful. The moon was just a silver sliver in the dark blue sky. It was surrounded by the brightest stars Harry thought he'd ever seen. He smiled and pulled out his songs and his lesson book.

Ginny smiled to herself. She liked Draco very much, yes. I think I'm in love... She thought to herself as she drifted into a dreamless sleep. Not unlike her fellow classmates and others, she needed a decent night of sleep.

Hermione had stormed out of the hospital room and headed for the lobby. What had her mother been thinking?!? How could they even consider getting a DIVORCE!? She asked herself wildly. She scowled and wished that Harry was there. He would cheer her up, no doubt. She made herself comfy on a couch and flipped on the telly. She flipped through the channels. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing... She sighed and hit the 'off' button, flinging the remote across the room. She laid her head down and sighed again. She drifted off and slept peacefully until the next morning when reality would show its' ugly face.

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Sirius' eyes fluttered open as he suddenly remembered where he was. He smiled and checked the floor and Hermiones' bed. No Harry. He got up and yawned sleepily. He checked his pocket just to be sure and headed around the corner in the room. He turned around and noticed some stairs leading up to what he thought must be some sort of balcony. He slowly climbed the stone staircase and found himself at the top of a very beautiful balcony. The sun was just rising over the hill beyond the Forbidden Forrest. He looked around the bend of the balcony and found Harry sitting on the stone floor his back against the stone wall behind him.

There was a guitar leaning against the wall and papers spread all around him. The books lying beside him were marked and it looked as if he'd finished them. Sirius smiled at the peacefully sleeping form of his grandson and decided to let him sleep for another hour or so. Dumbledore had already had Dobby bring up his homework because he'd seen it downstairs on the table. He assumed Harry wouldn't have to attend his classes today and was glad. He needed to talk to him about a few things.

Ginny opened her eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light streaming in through the window. She felt 100% better and called for Madam Pomfrey but heard no reply. She called again but still no reply. She shrugged and grabbed a piece of parchment off of the table and scribbled down a note to Madam Pomfrey.

I was feeling much better and decided I'd better not miss any more classes. Sorry I didn't tell you in person but I couldn't find you.

Ginny Weasley

She laid the note down on the table and walked to the door. She turned the handle and tried to push the door open but it wouldn't budge. She pushed a little harder and then getting quite angry slammed it open as hard as she could. She heard a 'thud' outside the door and heard someone mutter 'ow!' She pushed the door halfway open, because that's as far as she could, she slithered out and suppressed a giggle as she saw what had been blocking her way. Draco was sitting on the floor rubbing the back of his head gingerly.

Hermione woke up groggily. In her half sleep she heard two nurses talking in hushed whispers. "Should we wake her up?" One asked the other. The other glanced over to Hermione and said. "Well, maybe we should just let her sleep." Hermione thanked the heavens and fell back asleep.

Ron woke up and immediately he thought what was for breakfast. He changed quickly and headed down to see. He walked into the great hall and his eyes scanned for Luna. He spotted her sitting at the end of the table and quickly joined her.

Harry woke up and rubbed his eyes. His hands felt for his glasses and he slipped them on. He glanced around himself and started gathering up the papers that were scattered about. He picked up his two books and his guitar with pride. Who wouldn't? How many people learn how to play guitar in one night? He carried them down the stairs careful in trying not to wake Sirius. He set everything down and grabbed the papers and hid them down in the bottom with his invisibility cloak.

He heard someone move behind him and spun around. Sirius smiled down on him. "Can we go for a little walk?" He asked checking his pocket again. Harry nodded and grabbed his robes and draped them over himself. They made their way out to the grounds. "Harry? When I was...gone. I saw your mother. She asked me to give this to you. I'm not sure exactly what it does, but it seems to have special powers. Here." His hand dug deep into his pocket and he produced a small leather case.

Again, I'm extremely sorry about the long wait. I hope that you'll forgive me. The next chapter will be up soon. Don't worry...

!!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! POLL ALERT !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!

What will it be, what will it be? Guesses that are correct will receive a cookie...(aka: e-email with a scene from the story.) Just remember to leave you're e-mail address. (And, no, Andrea, you can't guess, cause I already know you already know.)

Thanks for your reviews:

Thanks everyone who reviewed. It was getting difficult to answer each individual review so I'm not going to anymore. I'm really sorry, but it means longer chapters. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me.

I'm not sure when I'll get the next chapter up. Before this weekend, surly. Maybe it will be Sat. night. Probably, so not as long as before. Again, sorry for the extremely long wait.

3 Michelle 3