Chapter 23
Shadows
December 1997, Harry and Ron's time. Hermione is still in 1975.
He heard a rustling behind him; it was Harry.
" 'Lo," Ron mumbled, not wanting to talk.
"Hello," Harry replied, just as unemotionally. There were no words. Both missed Hermione. Especially Ron. His heart was dying each day he spent without her. He knew where she was; Dumbledore had told them the instant she fell off that broom. It was still so mysterious to him.
"So she's back in 1975?" Ron clarified. He and Harry stood in Dumbledore's office, stricken from watching Hermione literally fall from the sky and disappear.
"Yes," Dumbledore replied wearily. "She is in 1975 to complete a mission."
"What sort of mission?" Ron asked, a bit more demanding than was necessary.
"That is for her to tell you when she returns."
"And when will that be?"
"One year."
"One year?!?" cried Harry.
"Yes."
For the first time Harry realized the year and its implications.. "1975. When my parents. .."
"Yes," Dumbledore said gently. "When your parents were still at Hogwarts."
This seemed to mollify Harry, but not Ron. "Will she be all right?" he asked urgently.
"She will be just fine," Dumbledore assured him.
"I'm wondering where Hermione's spending her Christmas," Ron confessed to Harry as they stood by the lake.
"With my parents, I'll bet," Harry told him, his heart lightening at the thought of his parents being friends with Hermione.
"I just. . .I want her home," Ron said, more to himself than to Harry.
Harry nodded. There was a void in their lives. No Hermione to prod them about their studies, to feed them useless information, to guide them. For Ron, no Hermione to love him.
Ginny appeared behind them. She slipped an arm around Harry and looked at Ron. "You miss her, don't you?" she asked Ron.
The redness of Ron's eyes answered her question.
"That would be a yes." she surmised. "Ron, don't be so down. We know she's all right. She with Harry's parents and Lupin and Sirius. She's safe. She'll be home so soon. And then you can be with her again." Her words comforted him, but if he only knew who Hermione would spend her Christmas with. . .
"I just don't understand what this 'mission' is, and why Hermione has to do it," Ron persisted.
"Neither do I. But if anyone can do it, it'll be Hermione. That's probably why it chose her."
"Who's it?" Ron asked.
"Fate," Ginny whispered.
They stared into the deep lake for a long time, none of them uttering a word. Their grief, coupled with the mysteriousness of the situation was a lot to chew on. All three of them had their theories on what the mission was. Harry deeply hoped it had to do with Lily and James. Ginny wondered whether Hermione had to save Sirius. Ron guessed it had to do with the rise of Voldemort. All three guesses, while close, were far from the truth. After a while it grew cold and Harry and Ginny decided to go inside.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
"I'll stay a bit longer." Ron waved them off. He glanced at the lake again. It seemed to be his imagination, but it seemed like two figures were in the lake. The figures were silhouettes of a man and a woman. They were swirls of black. Beyond time, beyond logic.
But perhaps it was only a shadow.
My beloved reviewers: MeenyrocksI must do a shout-out to you. Your story's so great! And I miss your reviews. I hope you'll review again. And update soon! Moony's Angel thanks! I know I can count on you. If I need a self-esteem boost I read your reviews. imogenhm thanks for reading this far! Thank you. My beta helped me with the chapter. Disneydoll0424 They really are. Doesn't it seem like the people who have the least in common are the most compatible? Cybeleflame Keep reading and you will find out. This Christmas will bring lots of happy times with them, I assure you. Riffinton hi ole buddy! Since chapter 1! Sugar rushes and all. Whatever happened to that guy? Oh, angst is coming, and very soon. I adore angst. In the Depp End hehe, great name! Grima Wormtongue, I don't think is as bad as everyone's made him to be. He loved Eowyn. Hiril NarwainSwoon, eh? Hehe. Don't you just love Sirius? He makes Hermione swoon too. Thank you for reading. Fallen Angel of Hell Another one who's been with me since chapter 1. Did you know when I first read your name I thought, "there's someone whose respect I'd like to earn." 'Cause your name was kinda intimidating to me. Thanks for sticking with me. Rane2920072HA! I was able to type the numbers in your name without looking! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. magic sparkle 1 hello! You're likin' my story, huh? thanks! Willow 'Black Rose' Edra NO, YOU MAY NOT STOP REVIEWING! I've already lost some reviewers, I don't want to lose you! You, who have been with me since the beginning. Heck, you even recruited your friends to read this! So the answer's no! I LOVE your reviews! But if you did stop I would not stop reviewing your story. Please don't stop. pyroprincess4rmeverwood The coldness is like the movies. You know, how sometimes women in movies wake up in full makeup? With no explanation? The cold in this story is like that. Unexplainable, but you just go with it. ShellRae007 Yes, I am going to talk about the werewolf thing, it'll be poignant in a later chapter. I hope this one answered your questions. Thanks! Puffy Marshmallow Will review your story as soon as I can! Thank you for all the positive reviews you always give me. You don't know how much I appreciate it. ElenwenDutari *waves* how's the poster? I know it fell off your door. Kind of an omen, maybe? I hope you liked this one; I know how much you love Ron. auditoriumnazi *frantically checks fic* where did I misspell Sirius? I checked the chapter over and over. I couldn't find it. It's driving me nuts, please tell me so I can fix it! And shoot my beta! (Lol j/k Naomi) siriusness Yes it's very fitting. Sirius really shines; he's so vital and vibrant, just what our girl needs. Thanks ! elfgurl Ah, good questions. I promise you'll get all those answers very soon. The lie will come up again. siriusforeva I like Sirius! Wouldn't he be a cool guy to date? You know, once his head deflated and all ;) allison g. yes, I love how JK uses names that correspond w/the characters' personalities. It fits Sirius perfectly. Sirius+Hermione 4ever Heck yes, they are forever! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. QOA thank you girl! i really need your support. I know you'll be with me through this. Again, thank you, all of you. Please review; it makes my day.