Disclaimer: We do not take credit in any part for the genius of J. K. Rowling, just the piles of wadded papers behind us.

Chapter Four

Reckoning With the Living

"Okay," Harry said confused.

"We're together," Hermione said.

"Of course you are. We're all together," Harry said.

"No Harry. Together," Hermione tried again. This time Harry's eyebrows flashed up showing his surprise that they'd been able to hide this from him. But, now that Harry thought back, it explained why Ron had acted so weird around Hermione and Harry.

"How long have you been going out?" Harry asked. He was expecting this to have just started over the break. Their answer blew him away.

"Since second year Harry," Ron said. "It was hard scheduling time for us with trying to help you beat You-Know-Who, but somehow we did it."

"And what about fourth year, and the Yule Ball?" Harry asked, trying to discredit their story in the back of his mind.

"We thought I was pregnant, and had figured that was the best way to draw attention away from Ron being the father," Hermione said, blushing from embarrassment.

"Now that was way too much information okay? I was just thinking that you guys would have trusted in telling me this. You know?"

"We would have Harry, we just didn't know how to go about it. I mean, it's not like we thought you wanted to hear about every position and style we tried with each other, but we figured you'd want to know where we both were all the time. It was just so hard. Can you forgive us for not telling you?" Ron asked.

Harry looked at the floor. He had asked for their help and assurances that they'd be there, and here they were going behind his back all this time. He was right in being justified wasn't he?

No Harry. You're not justified.

Mum?

Yeah honey. Your father and Sirius figured it would be best if I was the one to talk to you about this. Your friends have been battling with this for a long time. You really need to forgive them.

"For what, going behind my back?" Harry said aloud before he realized what he was doing.

Hermione and Ron were stunned that Harry would use such venom when talking about them. "Look Harry . . ." Ron started.

"No, Ron, I'm sorry. I was talking to my mom, and I just forgot to use my mind when I spoke. Do you want to meet her?"

"Yeah," they both said.

Can they mom?

Silence answered him at first. Yes, I believe so. Now, they'll need to have the dreamcatcher about their necks when you say the incantation. Otherwise, only you will see it.
But the dreamcatcher won't reach that far.

It will honey. This is magic we're talking about.

They came over to Harry as Harry pulled the dreamcatcher out. He pulled the band as far as he thought it could go, and just like his mom had said, it fight all of them into it. "Don't say anything," Harry said. He closed his eyes and concentrated on remembering the charm. "Lily Potter, I call you from the distant wild."

A swift wind blew threw the whole room, billowing the curtains, and knocking a Bible off of the table by the bathroom. A blue portal hole opened in front of them. Just like last time, Lily came out of the portal, dressed in a white gown, and with a warm smile. "Wow," Hermione said.

"What wow?" Ron asked.

"Can't you see her Ron? She's right there," Hermione said.

"Don't fret about the fact that he can't see me Hermione," Lily said.

"You know my name? Hermione said.

"Who are you talking to?" Ron asked.

"My mom Ron," Harry said.

"I don't see her. Where is she?"

"He won't be able to see me until one of his immediate family dies. The magic is very restrictive of who can see and speak with the dead," Lily said.

"Then how can you see her Hermione?" Harry asked.

"This is bogus," Ron huffed. Shrugging off the band, he went outside, and Hermione and Harry could hear his heavy footsteps as he stomped down the hall.

Hermione looked away from the door with tears in her eyes. "He's being jealous again. You know I have no brothers and sisters right Harry?" Hermione was having a hard time controlling her voice.

"Yeah I know that. You're an only child."

"No, I'm actually not. I was going to have a little sister, but their were complications and she died in the womb. I never even got to see her; I was eight when it happened. That's why I buried myself in books, I was running from my sadness."

"Wow. That explains why you can see my mom, and why Ron can't," Harry exclaimed.

"That's right Harry. Now Hermione knows the truth. Unfortunately, by you being able to see me, it seems as though a rift has surfaced between Ron and you, Hermione," Lily sadly said. She was after all a mother, and she knew how boys' emotions can ricochet around.

"I know. But, what can we do about it?" Hermione asked.

"Just love him as you always have Hermione. You have a great capacity to love, and he needs that. He is not really sure of himself; that's why he has never done as well in school as he could. He is very intelligent actually. But, because he doubts himself, and always sees himself as living in the shadow of his brothers, he won't try to be better than just himself. He always feels like he has to outdo them."

"That explains a lot," Harry said.

"You two should really go check on him. He's about to get into some trouble. I love you Harry," Lily said.

"I love you too mom. I release that which I have borrowed, return thou to the world to the dead," Harry said.

Another gust of wind fluttered the room again, and as Lily was drifting back she blew a kiss to Harry.

When his mom was gone, he pulled the band back from around Hermione's neck, and tucked it back under his shirt. "Wow," Hermione said. "I don't know how you can do that without balling."

"I did that last night. But, let's go check on Ron."

A/N: Can you guess what trouble Ron's getting into? We would still appreciate reviews.