Forgotten Yesterday
Chapter 4: Unfortunate Reality
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters borrowed for use in this story.
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Harry apperated into a small corner of Firefly Mall. Firefly Mall was the American equivalent of Diagon Alley. No one gave him a second glance as he appeared out of nowhere. He quickly went about the business of changing his British galleons for American ones and renting a vehicle from Clem's magical motors. Modern enchanted cars always reminded him of Mr. Weasly's old ford, though the newer lines were slightly less temperamental. For old times sake he indulged in a bit of candy that he swore to himself he was going to take home to Kaity. Purchases in hard and the car in miniature form in his pocket he apperated to the city Snape said his mission was in.
The place he landed was fairly hidden and provided him enough room to resize the car and begin to drive without anyone noticing. He read the address to the magical navigation system and it began to feed him directions. It hardly seemed anytime at all before he was outside a row of small brick houses. The neighborhood was small and almost quaint in its simplicity. He strode up the small path and knocked on the door. It seemed like hours before the next door neighbor noticed he was there.
"Hello? Are you looking for Hermione?" she called.
Inside he cringed. "Yeah." Harry tried his best to sound cheerful. "I went to school with her and I was in town so I thought I'd look her up. Do you know when she'll be back?"
The older woman shook her head. "The poor dear is in the hospital again. I don't know when shell get out."
"Could you tell me which one I'd really like to visit her." He leaned on the railing.
"She's in Parkview memorial."
"Thanks." He called over his shoulder as he ran back down to the car. Inside he let the news sink in. It was Hermione. Quickly Harry got directions from the navigator and drove away. He didn't even realize it when he pulled into the parking structure. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.
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Despite his immensely nervous feeling Harry strode to the reception desk in the hospital lobby. "Excuse me."
The receptionist looked up at him slightly annoyed.
"Could you tell me what room Hermione Granger is in?"
She typed in the name and said "Room 3956." without looking up.
"Thanks."
Harry made his way to the elevators and to the third floor. The door to Hermione's room was open though the room itself was very dark. Quietly he peeked into the room. There was a chair and table and a small form lying in the bed its back to him. He took a few more steps into the room before speaking. "Hermione?" his voice was barely above a whisper.
The body slowly rolled over and focused her eyes on him. Then rolled back. "You're a dream."
"No. I'm not." Harry crossed the room and sat in the chair opposite her. "Hermione?" he asked again.
"You have to be."
"I'm real." he reached out and touched her face. Her skin was cold and pale. Everything about her spoke of sickness. Her skin, her hair that hung limp around her, her almost skeletal body.
"You left me." The was an overwhelming defeat in her voice.
"I know. I was stupid and careless. Can you ever forgive me?"
She watched him a moment. There was something so dead in her eyes as she watched him. "No. I can't." She pushed a small button and a nurse was there in an instant. She kindly but firmly escorted Harry from the room.
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Comments, Criticisms, Etc…
A/N: Another short chapter. I swear the next one will be longer.
