A/N: I've decided to continue this story as well… It won't be fair that What's held Within is the only fic I have that is progressing, wouldn't it? If all goes well, I could be posting a new chapter to What's Snow Like, which have garnered a good amount of reviews thanks guys.

Anyways, I hope that you guys would review and enjoy this chapter. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Never was, never will be mine.

Ear of the Heart

By Prowess

I've been trying for days, yet they've chosen to ignore me.

Those pets I called my friends, Hedwig and Crookshanks weren't responding anymore, though I know they can see me. Maybe dad was right.

Was I being too selfish?

Of course not! All I ever wanted and will ever want, is for Hermione to touch me, to see me, to feel me like how I want her too. Maybe, I have to let go, but there is just a part of me that says I have to hold on, a part of me demands to live again, because I deserve to. A part of me says that to hold on is what I have to do. Or maybe that is just the part of me that lives in dreams and fantasies, the part that never gets a hold of reality. I don't know. I am confused, but one thing is certain.

Hermione, I won't ever let go.

"Hedwig, don't go flying off again, alright? You are safer here. I'm just going to buy some food. We are all out of peanut butter can you believe?" I heard you say, your voice like a siren's song, luring me, controlling me. I sighed, watching you fix your auburn hair, wrapping your sweater tighter around your slim body, grabbing the keys and gently closing the door.

Now was my chance. I walked over to Crookshanks and sat in front of him.

"Crookshanks," I whispered, trying to be as nice as I could, though I was filled with impatience. "Hey, it's Harry remember? Your friend? Hermione's friend?" I asked, trying to establish a good connection towards the animal. He looked at me, the slits in his eyes staring straight at me. He purred, and my heart skipped a beat. Was that his answer? I questioned myself.

He purred again, but it didn't sound like a good purr. It sounded like he was being sarcastic. When I realized it, he lazily swished his tail as he turned away, walking towards the window. I almost cursed, but I knew that if I did, the cat won't participate the more. Inhaling deep breaths to control my anger, I moved towards Hedwig, who was by the sofa.

"Hey Hedwig, remember me?" I asked again.

She hooted, as her head turned to look at me, her wide eyes looking at mine. At least she was more cooperative. I guess our friendship was strong after all.

"Good girl, Hedwig," I answered. "Are you willing to help me?" I inquired again, hoping to take a step forward, towards my mission. She hooted again, but then turned away.

"No Hedwig, don't turn away, please…" I pleaded. It was obvious that she refused. But I will be persistent.

"Please, Hedwig, you have to help me. What do I have to do to make you say yes?" Of course she couldn't answer, but a voice echoed in my head.

Why…

It went. I was shocked, where did it come from, then I saw her looking at me…

Was she asking me why?

I wasn't able to answer. Why? I thought about it, why did I want to see Hermione again? Is it just for personal gain? Or is it something else…

"Because," I started, "I love her with all my heart, with all my body, with all my soul…" I ended looking at myself. I used to say that to her, whenever we had one of those nights, wherein it was just the two of us, and we'd be in the roof of her apartment, and we were just admiring the stars. Look at me, I'm a soul. And I still love her like I used to.

I guess my declaration of love proved to be true after all. Even if it is all I had left, Hermione,
I love you with all my soul.

Then I heard a growl from behind me…Crookshanks seemed to disagree. No way, it wasn't a lie, it was true! Why would I be in so much trouble trying to talk to you if it weren't!

I knew he was angry, but I didn't know he would attack. His back was curved, his tail was straight, it looked as if he would lunge at me, although, a thought kept appearing in my mind…

Was he able to touch me?

He jerked towards me, as I was unable to anything but accept his attack, then just when I thought he hit me, he passed through, a shocked expression on both our faces. But as he was falling down, I felt him…His fur brushed against me, and then I had an idea. I looked at the two animals as they seemingly argued about Hedwig's reaction to me. Hedwig was flapping her wings, and she seemed disgusted at Crookshanks. Well at least Hedwig remained loyal to me…

I quietly moved towards the cat, whose arched back faced me. Slowly, I extended my arms, and gently positioned my four fingers underneath Crookshank's coat, and applied a little pressure in my thumbs, which were on his back. His growling stopped, and I felt the heat rush to me as I realized that…

Yes, I can carry him.

I was immensely happy. There was hope. It was definitely a good start, and a good way to boost my self confidence. I never thought that I can hold Hermione again, or at the least have the chance

to. 

I started pulling him up, higher and higher, being careful not to lose my concentration. Just as I was about to let him down, gently as I could, the door burst open.

"Crookshanks! What happened?!?" my siren cried, as my heart twisted into a knot upon seeing her again. She laid her two grocery bags on the counter, as I felt the pressure on my fingers decreasing. Suddenly Crookshanks fell from my ghostly grasp, straight to the floor. Of course he was able to cushion himself, it wasn't so high up, but he immediately turned around and readied his attacking position. Of course, Hermione knew what it meant. Maybe, I was scared, but deep inside…

I knew that was what I wanted. Why?

Because she could recognize me.

"Who's there?" she inquired the air. Looking around for some sign, an invisibility cloak perhaps, or a shadow. I'm here, Hermione. Feel me.

"Come out!" She screamed. "Fight me!" She took her wand, which she kept in a cabinet by her door.

"I'm not here to fight!" I blurted. Crookshanks looked at me as if he was warning me. If I can hold him, it means he can equally attack me. He showed his teeth as a warning, but I didn't care. "I'm here for you Hermione!"

Just then, Crookshanks lunged towards me, on my neck. He was trying to bite me, but I can't feel anything. Still, out of surprise, I winced and tried to get him off me. Hedwig came flying trying to bite Crookshanks off with her beak. Hermione saw the scene the weirdest. Hedwig was biting Crookshanks who was attacking no one.

Finally Crookshanks let go. I was exhausted from being surprised, surprisingly, and so I sat down.

Hermione was the only one that couldn't understand the matter. It was then that I asked myself what the purpose of me knowing that I can touch Crookshanks. Was it because I wanted to touch Hermione, to feel her? Or was it because I wanted her to feel me? I got my answer a couple of seconds later.

"Is Harry here?" she asked her pets.

"Yes! I'm here!" I screamed, my heart feeling like it's in the end of a cliff, choosing to fall or to hold on. Crookshanks made weird noise, obviously because of defeat. I was able to make him react so that Hermione can notice me.

I saw her flutter her eyelids,  her chocolate crystals eyes being hidden from view. I stood a few feet from her, looking at her searching for me. She took a deep breath, and I felt that she doubted what she was going to say, but she continued anyway.

"I know this might be stupid, but, Harry….

….are you here?"

I smiled as if it was the happiest thing I ever heard. Maybe it was. It was a sign that my efforts did not and will not go to waste.

Maybe she will not hear me, so I decided to just keep quiet and let her take me in. Understand, Hermione, that I will always be here…I thought, not bothering to utter a single word. Instead, I let her feel me, feel my heart, even if I'm unsure I still have one. I feel that I have a heart, my emotions tell me I do, and if I didn't, maybe I'm not here anymore, not trying to have you again, like I used to. Listen with the ear of your heart, Hermione, listen…

She breathed again, her eyes lightly closed.

Do you remember everytime I would go into battle, you would always hold me back…

"Yes," she whispered, the corners of her eyes, pooling with tears, "I remember.."

I would tell you. That no matter what happens…I will come back to you, even if I'm in the other side of the world, even if I lost my memory, even if I was brainwashed or forced to align myself to

"Voldemort," you ended softly, tears streaming down, creating rivers in your face. You do remember the man I killed, and the man who took me away from you.

I never thought it would truly happen, me dying, even if I considered it as an option for me. I never thought that I would die that soon, but I guess, Death never chooses whom he will take with him and who he will leave to live. But I was chosen, and I am terribly sorry for that. However, I'm not intending to break my promise. No matter what happens, I will come back to you. Even if I'm on the other side of the world, even if I lost my memory, even if I was brainwashed or forced to align myself to Voldemort… and even if I'm dead. I will come back to you Hermione, please wait for me.

"Who says I ceased from waiting? I'll die waiting for you, knowing that when I take my last breath, I will see you when I open my eyes. But I know you will keep that promise. Harry, are you near me?"

Yes…

"Then show me…"she whispered with so much longing.

I walked up to you and held my transparent hands on your cheek. Then I knelt down and kissed you lips.

No, it wasn't romantic, it wasn't fierce, it was just a kiss. Her lips pressed on mine. A kiss filled with promise, and assurance. She tried to hold on to me, even if I was letting go. But even she knew that things must come to a close. I parted from her. Hermione's tears never stopped falling, and her eyelids still kept her precious orbs from view.

I looked around to see neither Hedwig nor Crookshanks around. I couldn't help but smile.

Thanks you guys. I guess I owe you lots.

"Harry…" she whispered again, her voice filled with curiosity.

Hmmm? I replied…

"I felt you with the ear of my heart. I listened with my heart. And I heard you."

Thank you for staying strong…

"And thank you for keeping your promise." She replied. "I know that my waiting will not be wasted. Someone like you wouldn't let me down."

That is only because someone like you can't be turned down. Her heart brought more tears to her eyes, such overwhelming emotion being released from her heart.

"I'm glad…" she started again, "That I can hear your voice again."

I'm glad you can hear me…But now, maybe we should end this…You need your rest.


"I don't care, Harry, don't leave me."

Who said I will?

A/N: That's the end of it. I hope you liked it. I really like writing this chapter. I'm excited on getting it posted. If you were wondering how Harry could hold Crookshanks and vice versa, I have no idea, what came over me, but I guess it was because of Harry's love for Hermione, his desire for him to feel her. She did too, as seen from the kiss, etc. Just hold on, more will be coming, if you keep on reviewing. Also, I'm starting to realize the depth of this story. It's not just about Harry trying to return to the human world, but also the fight occurring among himself, telling him if he truly deserves to be with Hermione or if he is just being selfish. More of that in the next chapters. Anywho, I hope you tell me what you think. This chapter is a bit bittersweet, don't you think? At least Harry was able to kiss Hermione.

What I'm trying to just say is, please review! Hope you do! And I want to thank all who reviewed the previous chapter, namely…

SleepieCareBear            - I'm glad you liked it even if it puts you in a weird state of mind. Yeah, I know, the previous chapter wasn't much, but I hope you enjoy reading this. It's a bit more "dramatic" I guess…Thanks!

Angelgirl-thanks!

IAM the Pest- Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have read this while listening to sad songs. Thanks for reading What's Snow Like!

Wraith- I know, Harry is in a really bad state, but so is Hermione. However, hopefully things won't be like that in real life…

Allie- thanks for reviewing. Better be in good terms with your brother. Life is short.

All Mighty Terrestrial- Yeah, I know. I guess I wanted to come up with an angst fic that doesn't cover those clichés and this one was what I got. I like the originality of it too, I mean, being different from all the other angst fics.

Sybs- thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it.

For the thing below, I guess that's a cliffhanger…will she see him? Scroll down and read to understand what I'm saying.

"I know. I was just making sure." You replied, still keeping your eyes closed.

Why don't you open your eyes?

"Because, I may not see you when I do. Will I see you Harry? Will I?"

I smiled and closed my eyes.