A/N: Finally I had time to write new chapters for all you guys to read. I hope you like this new chapter for Not Yet Forgotten (I'm still thinking of a better title). Thanks to the people who reviewed this and I hope you'd be able to read and like this next one. To my first few reviewers, thanks for reviewing and credits will be at the end of the fic. Thanks a lot and I hope you enjoy!
By the way to all who complained about the museum-mausoleum thing- I know it's supposed to be mausoleum but I can't change it yet because of computer problems. I'd start using mausoleum now, so just pretend I did with the previous chapter as well. I hope I cleared that up…
Chapter 2: Still Believing
The warm sunlight shadowed her pale face as her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes widening, she looked around at the place she spent her night in. She was like a butterfly free from her cocoon, looking around an unfamiliar place. I have been watching her all night, her gentle breathing calming my soul. I just stood there, waiting patiently for her next move, as she stands up and fixed mum's flowers.
Hermione's attention was diverted to the stained glass window as faint taps were heard. Going out of the mausoleum, she saw Hedwig, with her white wings flapping soundly, very eager to see her.
"Hedwig, what are you doing here?" she asked quite amused. Hedwig just cooed.
" I can't believe you followed all the way here, to Harry." She added, as she extended her arm to let the owl rest. At that moment, a purr was heard as something passed Hermione's feet.
"Crookshanks! You came too?" she laughed not believing what she saw.
"I can't believe you missed me so much…" She commented.
"How can they not?" I asked loudly. Then I forgot I was dead and unable to get in touch with anyone. But I didn't care.
"You're charming and caring and lovely and beautiful. How can anyone not miss you?" I asked, hoping she would answer back. Instead she just continued to pat Hedwig's head and stroke Crookshanks back, as if nothing happened. Maybe in her side, nothing really happened, but to me, it meant a lot. How can she not, hear me? She felt me, she came last night! It was a miracle! But now it was like nothing was happening all over again. It's like this connection I had with her last night was gone. And suddenly I was filled with heat. I felt anger rush in me. But I didn't do anything. It just came and went, and it left in the form of tears. I never knew that I can still cry. Not in this kind of life, I shouldn't be, but I am. And maybe it's better that way. But it was still unfair. Nothing was ever fair. She never really felt me at all, maybe it was just coincidence, maybe…
"Don't push it Harry." A voice echoed. It was dad. Mum was beside her, worried about me again. My dad's face was emotionless, yet I can feel his concern for me and for the woman I love.
"She felt you dear. Believe it! But don't be too selfish." My mother explained.
"She will hear you, believe us. Just give her room and time and the freedom to." I sat on the corner looking at her through the open door, murmuring at the two animals. Then, I saw Hedwig look at me.
It was as if my heart was satisfied with hope again as Hedwig's head tilted to the side, not removing her eyes off me, as if asking me what I was doing sitting by the corner. She can actually see me. I moved to the side, her eyes followed me. I ran up front, she still had her eyes on me. I danced and jumped around. She probably got tired of watching me and called to her friend, Crookshanks. They both looked at me and I knew then and there that they can communicate with each other as they looked at me once more.
"Hedwig, you've got to help me talk to Herm, alright?" Hedwig wasn't looking at me anymore. It was as if she was hearing nothing again.
"Look I know you can hear me, both of you. And it's very important that you help me get to talk to Herm! Now!" I started to shout at them and beg.
"I promise you…" I started.
"Promise them what Harry?" my father butted in again. "What can you give them in exchange for Hermione? You really think you can give them something? Harry you must remember you are dead. You cannot talk to them and expect a reply. You can't hug them and expect to be hugged back. You must know your limitations Harry. You..are…dead-"
"I am not dead, dad! At least I believe I am not. If you and mum think that I am dead, I know I'm not. Because I am still in Hermione's heart. And as long as I'm in there I'm never going to be dead!" I knew dad would go away. He floated through the window and left mum and me inside. Mum was nearly in tears.
"Harry-" she started. I looked away.
"Harry, you know that your father doesn't really think you are dead. It's just that he wants you to know your limitations. And he wants you to be patient about Hermione. It's not going to work if you try to make her hear you. She must do it in her own pace. Even Hedwig and Crookshanks know that. Don't ever think that she will never feel you. Because she always does." My mum, in a loving motherly way hugged me from behind, as I was still faced away from her. I held her hand and turned around.
"Look at her Harry. See how happy she is? Whenever you need her, you don't need words. You don't need to tell her anything, she doesn't need to hear you or see you or feel you. She would just remember and everything wrong will go away. Whenever you need her, just go to her and look at her. That's all the both of you need." I looked at Hermione, following my mother's advice. She was still talking to Crookshanks and Hedwig, laughing and petting them. And mum was right. I felt so light and free.
I never really thought this would really happen to me. So much has happened today and there was an outburst of so much emotion.
"You know what? I think we should be heading home now. Ginny might be calling any minute." Hermione carried Crookshanks as Hedwig flew to her shoulder. She looked at my new dwelling place and whispered, "Bye Harry. I'll see you next time."
I didn't follow her after she left. I just sat in my corner and thought. I thought about how important it is for me if I was able to contact Hermione, my confidant, my strength, my love. And I thought if it was really necessary. I don't know much about these deep questions of mine, but I'm hoping they get answered soon. Meanwhile, I'll just be sitting here, and waiting.
It always played in my mind how Hermione talked to me, just before she left the cemetery. I'll see you next time. I never thought it would have a double meaning to it. I knew what see meant. It meant visit, I'll visit you next time. But part of me insisted that it meant something else. To see, a sight, I wanted it to mean that Hermione will actually see me. Maybe that's what she meant. But then again, maybe not.
Whatever she meant, it will never be erased in my heart, if I still have one, that I will never be forgotten. At least not by her. And that was enough, actually more than enough for me. So I would still be here. Still hoping that she will be able to feel me, then hear me, then see me, then touch me. I am still believing that that time will come, when I'll be able to hold her again, and kiss the lips I've been longing to kiss, which passed by my spirit everytime I tried. I still believe I'll be alive.
A/N: Well, it's a little short now, but I hope that it is satisfying. I hope you guys liked it, and I don't know if you really cried and got all aching inside with this fic, and I also don't know if I'd be happy or not, but if you did cry, well, good for the both of us. Good for you that you found a nice fic and good for me that it was enjoyed by one. Here are reviewers I'd like to thank:
SleepieCareBear: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you liked this too.
Soul of darkness: I don't think I need to tell you anything..
Slayer: I know it gets pushed. But oh well that's life in ffnet…
Lala: here's another chapter. I hope you like this either way