Hey hey! I'm baaaaccckk! Well, as much as you can be. Pathetic thing you know, when you forget the storyline of YOUR OWN STORY! Heh, sorry about the delay anyways, but as with all fan fiction writers, real life tends to get in the way. That and I am sooo lazy. -D And even though looking back at my previous chapters makes me want to take the proverbial permanent marker and scratch them all out, I am still updating. At the insistence of the reviewers! All of whom I think are half out of your mind for wanting an update. Review responses are at the bottom of the chapter! This might be kind of short, but at least I'm trying? Right? Right?

An Open Eternity

The unpleasant tear and jerk of time and dimension displacement jerked Hermione, not unlike the sensation of traveling by a rather uncomfortable portkey. Closing her eyes tightly she tried to block out memories of her friends who she had left behind- friends who she might never see again. When the fresh air and unfamiliar sunlight washed upon her face, she let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Peering at her surroundings she determined that they were in Rohan, a place very much unchanged from where she left it. After examining the area around her she gazed at her companions, all who were looking at her with concerned expressions plastered over their faces.

"I'm fine." She said blankly to the air, answering their silent question.

"Really. Let's go." Hermione turned to Gandalf made a motion to go. A piercing whistle from Gandalf later and a quick introduction to her new horse the made for Rohan.

At Gimli's and her insistence the foursome made camp that night, sheltered not on the open fields but there none the less. After a scant meal Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf slept while Hermione kept first watch. Perched on a large rock over looking the camp on one side and the rolling plains on the other, Hermione lay flat on her back ears perked for unusual sounds while her mind wandered. Thinking of the wizard who had requested her presents here, she frowned in her little knowledge of him. She had left before they had found him strangely, but yet he knew of her. Of course, she had heard tales and knew of him vaguely but still. Her thoughts broke when Legolas approached her. Ignoring him, she continued to gaze at the twinkling stars and tried to keep the silence as it was. Unfortunately, Legolas was not thinking the same thing.

"Are they not beautiful?" His voice was breathy and awe struck. She nodded absent mindedly until; even for her the silence became awkward and thick.

"I-I'm going to bed. Can you take over watch?" He frowned at the out of character thing to do but agreed anyway. He made to kiss her goodnight, but the witch turned her head slightly so all his mouth caught was her cheek.

"Goodnight." Exhaling when down and tucked in neatly in her bed roll did she ponder upon her feelings just then. It was not that she did not love him, or was it? At Hogwarts she was overjoyed to see him and everyone, a way out from the meticulous days of plotting and research the war had plagued her with. She was not meant to be behind the scenes, her heart was on the battle field. She longed for her old life, and they seemed to grant it. But when she was here, his touch seemed not as warm nor as loving as it had over the summer. Perhaps it was just a summer fling?

Shaking her head to free herself of the ill thoughts, she gave in to the lull of sleep and shut her eyes unknown to her the watchful eyes which watched over her, and the thoughts that were filled of her.

Groaning, Harry woke to the harsh light he recognized as coming in from the Hospital Wing windows. Wait. Hospital Wing? As his mind raced to recall details of what had happened, it was not until he caught the sympathetic look of the Headmaster and rage filled face of Ron did he remember.

"Where is Hermione?" the panic in his voice made its self evident as it crossed his sleep laden tongue. Ron's face contorted from a look of fury to a look of pain.

"She's- she's gone, mate."

Ah! Okay so still sort of short, but anyway.

Rock and Sarcasm- Thanks so much! It means a lot to me that you like it! And not really in the range of soon, but here's that update!

LotR-PotC-HP-Firefly-Nmbr1Fan- Well we'll see if they're on their way or not!

Stargazer Starluver- Thank you! I actually really need to fix, like, all of the story but hey, what can I say?

Maggie36- I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks!

Power2Carebears- Wink's who knows, maybe a little Weasley spices is just what we need in the mix!

We Hate Piggieears32- Even though this is going to sound a little off- by leaving that review for me, on a story that has been reviewed by said author, who you know actually left a real review, aren't you doing exactly what she did to you? And I'm wasting my breath because your not even going to read this are you?

Aarien Star- Theyyy're upppppp!

Rytayna- Hey! Whadda know? A chapter! Hope you enjoy it!

Slygriff­- We don't know if Hermione's even going to make it out of Middle Earth! Hopefully she will… who knows?

moonlight and starlight- I'm glad you like the end! Thank you so much!

Lanhar- I'm pleased that you like this story! Thank so much for the review!

JeSsEmCcArTnEyRuLeZ- Here it is!

Sorry if i missed anyone! I just looked on the site so...yeah.

REVIEW! They guilt me into writing!