Hi all- sorry for the delay. All I have to say is finals are evil! Thanks to all the reviews I love them all!! Also I know one reader requested more from Ginny and Dudley, well you will have some more in this chapter and in later chapters. But I do have to say this is a harry/Hermione fic. and the main focus is their relationship, not others. Just be patient and there will be more from Dudley, I don't know about the rest, their fate had not be decided yet.
Harry and Hermione slowly awoke. They both fluttered their eyes open and looked at each other, both unsure of what to say. Harry pulled Hermione closer to him and buried his head into her shoulder.
"I'm sure you had your reasons not to," he said pulling away from her embrace and sitting up on the bed.
"I wanted to Harry," she said sitting up as well and turning to face him. "You have to believe that I wanted to tell you the first time I had a dream with your mum, but there was so much going on when it happen that I didn't want to burden you with that as well."
"How would that put an addition burden on me Hermione? Its my mum, I had the right to know you had dreams with her." he said taking a deep breath. "When did they start?"
Hermione closed her eyes and turned her face away from him. "The first time was during first year. I didn't know who she was then, I just though it was someone my subconscious made up, and they stopped after first year. But then during fourth year they started again." she said opening her eyes and turned back to look at Harry who was now looking out the window. "Harry I wanted to tell you. I've tried so many times, but the words never seem to be there when I did. I'm sorry."
Harry took another deep breath and turned back to look at her. "I wish you would have told me."
"I wish I would of too. Don't be mad, Harry."
"Its not that I am mad at you, but jealous that you've spent more time with my mum than I have," he said grabbing her hand and entwining it with his.
"I wish that you could have more time with her, and your father. If there was a way I could give all the time I've had with her to you I would."
Harry gave her a small smile. He couldn't stay upset at her, he knew it wasn't her fault. He just wished that he could have some more time with them. "I know. What do you talk about? What is she like?"
Hermione smiled at him, leaned over, and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. "She was a wonderful woman, she reminds me of my mum. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is very understanding. She really helped me with dealing with being different from a lot of the other students around here. She went thought being called a mudblood too." Harry winced at the term, he hated that would and hated it even more because people used it to judge Hermione for something she had no control over. "She was able to talk with me and let me know that being who I am is not a bad thing and to embrace who I am."
"That's why you never want to talk about it with me? Because you've talked about it with my mum."
"It is," she said, scooting closer to him.
Harry wrapped his arm about her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "I wish you would have talked to me about it."
Hermione smiled at him. "What am I going to do with you Harry? Always running to help me." Hermione pulled their entwined hands to her lips and kissed his hand.
"You can't always help when you want to Harry. That was one of the times. I would have loved to talk to you about it, but you wouldn't have understood. You don't know what its like to be looked down on because of who your parent are or aren't. People hate me before they get to know me. There is a whole group of people out there who want to kill me because I'm not pure blood," she said, letting a few tears fall down her face.
"Hermione, I am sorry you've had to go through all of that. I had no idea it hurt you so much."
"I don' let them see it does. I've had six years of walking down the halls and hearing them whisper about me and call me names. I've even gotten owl post from people at school saying horrible things to me."
Harry pulled Hermione closer to him. "You won't have to go though it alone anymore Hermione. I am here for you. You can talk to me, I may not understand completely, but I don't know how it feels to be hated for who you are. The group of people who want to kill you also want to kill me."
"I know. But if you weren' the-boy-who-lived you wouldn't be as much of a target as I am."
"I would, because I would still be right by your side," he said and placed his lips to hers.
Hermione pulled away from the kiss and looked down at the bed cover. She heard the voices again and it pained her to know that these screams where meant for Harry and not her.
Harry placed a finger under her chin and raised her head. "What's wrong love?" he asked.
Tears began to form in Hermione eyes, as he looked him. "The voices," she whispered.
Harry pulled her close to him. "I will find a way to make them stop," he whispered into her ear.
Hermione began to openly cry now. "I don't think you can," she said in between sobs. "Your mum told me why I can hear them," she said and pulled her body closer to him.
"What did she say 'Mione?" he asked desperately, wanting to know what she said so he could make it all stop.
"She said that.... That... oh Harry! Voldemort is using the voices to make you weak, but some are being channeled to me instead."
Harry was shocked. "How?" was all he could think of saying.
Hermione looked at him with tear in her eyes and grabbed the pendant hanging around his neck. " Because of this" she said and tightened her grasp around it. " We are connected by his Harry."
"Ron has one in addition, why isn't he hearing them?" he said, not wanting to believe that because of him she was in pain.
Hermione let out a sigh. "I'm not sure, but I think it is because we have a special bond," she said and removed her hand from the pendant and placed it over his heart.
Harry looked down at her hand then up at her and smiled weakly. "Its all my fault," he said and got up from the bed and walked over to the window.
Hermione looked at him and sighed. "No, it's not Harry," she said and walked over next to him. "I will not have you blaming yourself for something that neither of us have control over."
Harry continued to stare out the window. He saw several first years enjoying the sunny fall day as well as several couples walking around the lake. They all knew the end was near, but that didn't stop them from enjoying what time they had left. He knew most of them would not make it though the final battle and wished they didn't have to go through with it.
"Harry it will be okay. I wish they didn't have go through it either. I wish none of us did, but once its over we can start our life together," she said, walking in front of him and wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest.
Harry looked down at her and placed a kiss on the top of her head and returned his gaze to the window just in time to see the first snow flake fall from the sky.
"Snow," he whispered, as he watched the flakes dance their way down to the ground.
Hermione lifted her head from Harry chest and looked out the window. She quickly turned her head away and felt Harry's hands brush up and down her hair.
"It will be okay, Love. I won't let them hurt you."
Hermione barried her face deeper in to his chest and let the tears come. She knew the snow meant the battle would be soon, she just hoped she could get the voiced to stop so she could help when the time came.
Out in the Common Room. Right after Harry and Hermione awoke from their dreams
Ron flipped thought the book Dumbeldore gave them for a second time when Luna and Ginny came to join him.
Ron smiled at the two as they joined him on the couch.
"Wheres Harry and Hermione?" Ginny asked
"In there room," Ron said, putting the book down on the table next to him. "He wanted to talk to her about whats going on with her," he said putting his arm around Luna.
"Good," Luna said. "She hasn't been her self in a while."
"I know. You should of seen her today walking around the Great Hall like a zombie. I'm surprised she even found a gown. Her mum kept trying to get her attention, but it was like she was in a different world," Ginny said.
"She's been like that for a long time," Ron said, wanting to change the subject.
"So how come I can't see the dresses you two got?"
Luna smiled at him. "It's a surprise."
"Oh, come on! Can't I have just a little peek?"
"Ronald, will you stop, you will just have to wait two weeks to see it," Luna said, picking up a book from the table and began to read it; upside down.
Ron looked at his girlfriend and noticed the book she was reading, the one Dumbeldore have given him about the pendants. He almost took it away from her, but decided it wouldn't hurt to let her read it and turned his attention to Ginny.
"So, are you going to the ball with Krum?"
Ginny rolled his eyes at him. "Honestly Ron, don't you ever hear anything? I am no longer with him. Haven't been for weeks," she said, as Crookshanks jumped into her lap.
Ron went into full big brother mode "Really? What happened? Did he hurt you? Cause if he did..."
Ron never got to finish the statement, for Ginny interrupted him. "No, he didn't hurt me Ron," she said with a smile. "We were not meant for each other. He was to controlling. Always wanting to know where I was and who I was with," she said, remembering the fights they had about it. "He didn't want me to fight either. He hated that I was in the DA, and training with Madam Pomfrey. He wouldn't let me be me."
Ron was furious. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have talked to him, all thought I do agree with not letting you fight. I don't like it Ginny, but I know I can't stop you," he said, as he watched Luna change positions on the couch to where she now had the feet hanging over the back of the couch and her head dangling over the edge. Ron smiled at her and she continued to happily read to book upside down and now backward.
Ginny smiled at Luna then at Ron. "Mum doesn't like it either, but I have to help. I can't let you, Harry, and Hermione go out there while I sit in the castle. I won't do it."
"I know Ginny," he said not sure of what else to say.
"So who are you going with?" he asked.
Luna looked up from the book and smiled. "She doesn't know yet," she said and returned to the book.
"What does she mean?" he asked, looking at his girlfriend and then at his sister.
Ginny glared at Luna. "I've had two people ask me."
"Who?" Ron asked, getting more curious about whom these two guys where, so he and Harry could interrogate them before the ball.
"Well, one is Dudley and the other is Draco Malfoy," she said, mumbling the last part, afraid of how he would react.
"Dudley and who?" he asked, not wanting to believe who he though the other person was. His sister wouldn't consider Malfoy would she?
Ginny took a deep breath. "Malfoy."
Ron's eye grew wide. "I can't believe you are considering going with him!"
"Ron, he's changed," she said simply.
"I don't buy his act. He was born a death eater and will die one. Think of all the horrible things he's said about our family, Ginny! In addition, about Harry and Hermione. Think about what his father did to you your first year!"
"I know, Ron," Ginny said closing her eyes and rubbing her temples. "I've though about it all. I don't know what I am going to do. I don't know if he has changed, but I am just thinking about it."
"Go with Dudley," Ron said and turned his attention to the fire. "He's nice and I know Harry would like him to go to the ball."
The three sat in silence for along time, each thinking about what was to come when Harry and Hermione came out of their room, hand in hand.
Ron looked up at them and gave a weak smile. "Is everything okay?"
"It will be. We have need to read the book some more and find out a few things, but I think it will be okay." Harry said smiling at Hermione.
"Good." Ron said looking at the two. "Why don't we all go down from dinner then we can take a look at the book again." he said looking at Luna.
"I hope its okay that she is reading it for a while. She rather took it off the table. I don't think she even knows what she is doing, reading it upside down and backwards." Ron said to Hermione and Harry.
"Its fine. I showed it to Ginny a few weeks ago and she didn't understand any of it." Hermione though
"You three are talking to each other again aren't you?" Ginny asked
"Sorry Gin." Hermione said walking over to her and picking up her large ginger cat from her friends lap.
"Its okay." she said shrugging her shoulders.
"How did you know we where? Did the pendants glow again? I though we stopped that." Harry asked her.
"No they didn't glow. I could tell. Ron gets a funny look on his face when he does it." Ginny said with a laugh.
Ron turned bright red "Come on no its time for dinner." he said as he helped Luna off the couch.
The four laughed at Ron as they made their way out of the common room and down to the Great Hall.
After dinner Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Luna returned to the common room.
"Did you see the snow?" Ron asked the three
"We saw it before dinner." Harry said pulling Hermione closer to him on the couch.
"It's almost time then, right?" Ron asked looking at Luna who was back to reading the book upside down.
"Thets what our dreams all said." Hermione said who was also looking at Luna. "Luna? How can you read upside down?"
Luna looked up from the book and smiled. "Its something my mum taught me when I was younger. She would read sentences backwards and try to see if there was any new meanings to it." she said looked at Hermione, she could tell she was about to ask how she did it so Luna decided to save her the trouble. "You don't concentrate on the letters, but the words and the meaning of them. Sometimes when you read things backwards they will give you a different meaning, but most times, it just makes no sense. After my mum died my dad and I would make a game out of it. We would read different books or magazine articles and see who could find the most off the wall sentence or who could find the most double meaning sentences." she said with a smile.
"Well the explains why you are reading backwards, but why upside down?"
Luna blushed slightly. "My dad. When I was upset when I was younger he would try to make me laugh by reading upside down, one day while he was doing it he solved this riddle my grandfather; his dad gave him when he was younger. So when I don't understand something, or if I guess need a pick me up I read upside down, or backwards, or both." she said and turned her attention back to the book.
Hermione's head was overwhelmed with the though of what Luna was doing. Maybe if she read the book backwards she could find out more about the pendants and why she was hearing the voices, and why it seamed her powers where blocked. She needed to get the book, but Luna looked so happy reading it.
"You want me to get the book back for you?" Ron asked.
"I don't want to be rude, but I would love it back. I really want to try out what Luna was talking about, it may help."
"Mione you need to rest, can't it wait for tomorrow?" Harry asked.
"Hes right, I know I just asked if you wanted the book back but you do need to rest." Ron said.
Hermione sighed "You people are right, but you can't stop me from reading it tomorrow. "
"We won't, I want to help you. We can go down to the library and work on it after I go and see Dumbeldore after breakfast". Harry said
"What do you have to talk to him about?" Ron asked just as ginny can running in to the room.
Harry was never happier to see Ginny, he didn't want Ron, or Hermione to know he was going to make his will, just in case.
"Ginny! Whats wrong?" Ron asked
"I can't believe I was going to go with him!" she said pacing back and forth in front of the fire.
"With who?" Hermione asked
"What did Mallory do?" Ron asked jumping up from his chair.
"Malfoy!" Harry and Hermione said together.
Ginny glared at the two "Yes. I WAS going to go with him, but not anymore."
"What happen?" Luna asked setting the book down on the table next to her. Hermione eyed the book, but knew she did need the rest and wanted to know what Malfoy did.
"I went to find him after dinner and tell him I would go with him. Well I found him in the library. We started talking and I told him I would go to the ball with him. He smiled and thanked me, but said he found someone else to go with because I wanited to long. Can you believe him?"
"Yes I can." Luna said. "He asked you over a month ago. You can't expect him to wait for you to decide."
"It's for the best you didn't go with him. Think what mum and dad would say." Ron said. "Besides that means you can go with Dudley now."
"Dudley asked you too?" Harry said
"He did. Just this morning." Ginny said looking at him.
"I didn't know he could go."
"Hermione's mum asked Dumbeldore if he could. She though it would be nice if he could get out and do something, he doesn't leave the room much."
Harry felt bad for his cousin. He still felt it was his fault he had to be at Hogwarts, and that his parents where not alive anymore.
Ron looked at Harry adn could tell what he was feelings. "It's not your fault Harry." he said. " Don't feel guilty. There was no way you could have knows Percy would do what he did. It was no one fault but his," he said looking at his sister. "It took both of us a long time to get over what he has done to both of your families, we felt guilty for so long. We've talked about it a lot and Luna helped up realize that it wasn't our fault, we have no control over him and as far as we are concerned he is not our brother."
"Ron right, Hes not our brother. You are." Ginny said
Harry stared at the two red heads in front of him. He was speechless. He looked over at Hermione and Luna who both had huge grins on their faces and tears in their eyes. Harry smiled at them and looked back at Ron and Ginny.
Ginny smiled and wrapped her arms around Harry and pulled him in to a brotherly hug. Ron stood there for a moment watching the two before he joined them. The three stayed there for a brief moment before Ron then Ginny pulled away when they heard the a door close.
Harry looked over to see Dudley standing in the hallway near his and Hermione bedroom door.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything. I just needed to get out of there for awhile." Dudley said
"No it's fine." Harry said with a smile.
"Hello Ginny." Dudley said with a smile
"Hi Dudley."
Harry walked over to Hermione and wrapped his arm around her waist. "We are going to go talk to Lupin and Mrs. Granger. We will be back in awhile." he said and left the room hoping Ron and Luna would get the hint and leave Dudley and Ginny alone.
"Right. Well Luna and I are going to the library to work on some homework." He said and pulled Luna across the room and out the portage hole.
Ginny and Dudley looked at each other and laughed.
"Well that was subtle." Ginny said
"I guess my cousin and your brother don't really know the art of it." he said and sat down on a chair next to Ginny.
Ginny smiled at him, she was amazed of the transformation he had made since he first came here a few months ago. He almost half the size of what he use to be, and was no longer afraid of magic. She knew Harry was happy he finally changed his view on it, and talked to Dobby about not giving Dudley as much to eat.
"Ginny about what I asked you today, you don't have to go with me. I know someone else asked you, Drake was it?"
"Draco. He did asked me, but I am not going with him. He found someone else to go with," she said trying not to sound very disappointed.
"Oh. Sorry."
"Its okay, I guess it is for the best, I know my family would be upset if I went with him, and we don't know for sure if he has really changed or if it is all an act."
"Well I don't know what he was like before or now. But if he is in that club
Harry started then he must have changed. From what I understand you can't be in it if you are not loyal to Dumbeldore."
Ginny smiled at him and noticed for the first time how at ease she was around him; unlike with Draco she was always so jumpy and unsure of what she should do. "I guess you are right."
Dudley smiled at her. "Ginny, I know you wanted to go with Draco, but well I think we could have a good time at the ball, and well I would really like to go, especially with you." he said as his face began to turn the color of Ron's hair.
"I would like that." she said with a smile.
Harry and Hermione walked into the sitting room where The Wesley's, Dudley, Mrs. Granger, and Lupin where all sharing.
"Harry why are we hear? I think Dudley wanted to talk to you."
"No love, he wanted to talk to Ginny, besides we have to tell your mum and Lupin what my parents said." he said and grabbed her hand as they walked down the hallway to Lupin's room.
"Why don't I get him and you get your mum and we can get them back to the sitting room?"
"Harry I don't know if I should tell mum what dad said in front of Lupin. Its kind of personal."
"I know, but I have a feeling it has to do with him as well. You've seen the way they are with each other."
"True." she said. She hated that he was right, but she hated it even more that she knew her mum did have feelings for Lupin, but was to afraid to act on them because of her father.
She felt Harry squeeze her hand. "It will be okay. Lupin will take care of her. I don't expect anything will happen for a long time, but they both need to know."
"I don't like it, but if you think its for the best that I guess I will go along with It." she said and kissed his in the check. "I am warning you now Potter, if this doesn't turn out well it is all your fault."
Harry smiled. "It will be fine love." he said and turned to knock on Lupin's door while Hermione made her way farther down the hallway to her mum's door.
Ten minutes later the four were all seated in the sitting room and Harry and Hermione where telling the two about the dream.
"It was the best flying experience I've had flying." Harry said. "It was so real!"
"You should have seen them zipping in and out of the goal post chasing each other." Hermione said with a smile.
"I'm so glad you two got to do that, it was all James ever wanted to do. I know he couldn't wait to get you your own broom." Lupin said with a smile.
"Dad's up there too mum." Hermione said turning to her.
Hermione's mummed smiled. "I knew he would be. Did you see him dear?"
"No. But he is watching over us, and will be there with me in the battle, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Potter."
"He loved you very much dear."
"I know. He told the Potter's something that I am suppose to tell you," she said letting out a deep breath
"What is it?"
Hermione grabbed her mum's hand and looked and Harry. He smiled telling her it would be okay. "He said that he will always love you and wants you to be happy, and that it will be okay to love again."
Hermione's mum smiled and let tears fall down her face. She grabbed Hermione in her arms and helps her tightly for along time before letting her go.
"He was such a wonderful man, it's just like him to say that."
"Your okay with that? You're not mad that I told you this in front of Harry and Lupin?"
"No I am not." She said. "Did you think I would be?"
"Well yes I did. But Harry didn't think so, he was the one who talked me into it."
Mrs. Granger smiled at Harry. "He was right. Remus and I have become good friends these last few months and I know that I would eventually tell him what Daniel said, so its for the best that he knows now."
Harry smiled. "You should listen to me more often Mione, I know what I am talking about."
Lupin laughed. "Merlin you sounded just like your father, always trying to boost his ego."
Harry smiled. "Thank you. When I saw him I finally understood why people say we look a like. He told me something I was suppose to tell you as well."
Lupin scooted the edge of his seat. "What is it?" he said eager to hear from his best friend.
"Its time. I hope you know what that means."
Lupin smiled. "I do."
"Well are you going to tell me?" he asked.
Lupin smiled. "Do you two have plans the day of the ball?"
"I don't." Harry said looking at Hermione.
"I was going to spend the day with mum getting ready, but I think mum will
Understand if I change plans." she said looking at her.
"Well Elizabeth is more that welcome to join us if she wants."
She smiled. "That would be lovely. But where will we be going?"
"I will tell you later. Harry, Hermione I think it is time you went to bed."
"Not until I find out where we are going and what my father meant."
"Harry I would love to tell you, but it is a surprise. You will have to wait two weeks to find out."
"But....."
"Harry! Lets go before he decides to not take us. Good nite Mum, Lupin."
Hermione said as she dragged Harry from the room and back into their room.
.