Haunted Memories

-Chapter Five-

A Short Letter

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters within J.K. Rowling's story.

Hermione followed the students as they headed towards Hogsmeade. Just as she turned to face Professor Adigios, a fifth year student ran up to her, panting slightly.

"Professor! Professor Granger!"

Hermione frowned and looked at the young boy standing in front of her. He had a letter clutched in his hand. "What is it, Mr. Norrington?" Suspicion filled her as all the possibilities of what could be in the letter swam through her head. She sighed inwardly. The war had changed her. She was uncomfortable with anything out of the ordinary and she was very suspicious of anything that seemed foreign.

The boy tried to smile as the Professor narrowed her eyes at him, as if ready to take off house points. "Oh Professor, Headmistress McGonagall has instructed me to deliver this letter to you immediately. She seemed very excited and said that you must have it as soon as possible. I was rather lucky to have caught up to you."

Hermione smiled and tried to calm the rambling student. "It's fine. Thank you very much Mr. Norrington. Could you please tell the Headmistress that I have received the letter." Glancing at the letter in her hands, she realized that it was Harry's handwriting and her smile grew wider. "Oh, and 5 points to Gryffindor for your promptness."

The young boy smiled and nodded to the professors before heading back towards the castle. Hermione's fingers shook slightly with anxiousness and excitement.

"I take it, you've been waiting for that letter?"

Hermione looked up surprised as she saw Professor Adigios look at her with a huge smile on his face. "News from a friend?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she caught onto the tone that her colleague had used for a 'friend'. She shook her head. "Not the kind that you think, Samuel."

Samuel Adigios laughed. "Whatever you say, Hermione."

Hermione shook her head and smiled brightly. "I'm not kidding."

Finally past the non-apparition shields, Hermione turned towards Professor Slughorn and Professor Adigios. "Well gentlemen, I'll be seeing you back at the castle then."

Both men nodded slightly and waved as Hermione disappeared out of sight.

Dear Hermione,

It's been a while since I've sent word of any kind. Please forgive me, I know I promised I would write to you as soon as I settled down. To tell you the truth, I've just been putting it off for some time. It's not that I don't want to write to you, but everything has been so hectic and I've been moving so many times, that I didn't know if I should give you word of that or until I have a definite address for you to send to me.

By the way, how's everything back at Hogwarts? Have you had any more troublesome students? I remember when I was preparing to leave that you had been planning on staying at giving detention to that, 'Potter-Clone Melvin'. Did you? Did he outgrow that horrible hobby of his, or is he still sporting a fake scar on his forehead? Oh, forgot to mention, that I've decided to put a glamour spell on my scar. Everyone would gasp when they see it. I couldn't really finish my meal right with them all gaping as I just sat there, now could I? Of course, there are still some who recognize me, but they don't stare as often as when my scar was apparent.

I've decided to settle down in Muggle Canada for a while. It's a rather cool country. Of all the magic folks that I've encountered, these people give me less hassle. I can finally settle down and live a relatively normal life. Please stop by sometime Hermione, and visit. I miss you. Tell Remus and Professor McGonagall not to worry. Oh yeah, how's Remus and Tonks? Married Yet? Having kids yet?

Well gotta go, Hedwig's fussing. I'll promise to write more often.

Harry.

Hermione smiled as she read the letter once more. Tucking it safely into the pocket of her robes, she walked more briskly towards the house where Remus and Tonks had settled down in. The two story white washed building was very Muggle in appearance, but when she rang the door bell, Hermione couldn't help but laugh as the doorbell squeaked than quacked out the song to 'Old McDonald'.

Before the song could end, Hermione found herself face to face with Remus, who immediately took her into his arms and hugged her warmly. "Oh Hermione! We were expecting you an hour or two ago. What took you so long?"

Tonks appeared at the door sporting a bright orange hair do with red flowers sprouting out of the back of a long braid. Her eyes were a dark amber color and went well with her maroon robe.

"Hermione!" shrieked the woman as she pushed Remus aside and gave Hermione a hug as well.

Struggling to breathe, Hermione laughed as Remus picked himself up off the carpet and stood aside for the two women to enter the house.

As they settled down to a cup of tea and some biscuits, Hermione showed them the letter and discussed a possible date to visit Harry. An while later, Hermione found herself happily helping Tonks with a few muggle related affairs and to give a few valuable opinions on how to deal with them. It wasn't long before she found herself feeling hungry, but just in time Remus appeared at the doorway announcing that lunch was being served.

Over lunch, Hermione felt much better and more relaxed than she had been for the better part of her month. Tonks talked about 'girl' related issues which sent Remus running off in the opposite direction. Hermione rolled her eyes as Remus scoffed that he had something to do in the library. Before long though, Hermione found herself heading towards the library as well, leaving Tonks to wonder, about the merits of having a muggle bra versus a wizards' tight fitting, uplifting version.

"Ah Hermione. I see she has tired you out with all her talk." Chuckled Remus.

He sat on a comfortable looking couch in the corner of the room. A window let in the bright afternoon light. Across from the couch was a small coffee table, piled high with assorted books and a tea set. Remus motioned for Hermione to take a seat next to him.

"What are you reading, Remus?"

"Oh nothing out of the ordinary, a few books on wizard's chess, some on cooking and defensive spells. What I'm really looking forward to is a book I had ordered on shield charms, new and improved. They come quite in handy."

Hermione grinned as she transfigured a spare piece of parchment into a cushion and hugged it to herself. She didn't say anything but just looked through the available books, deep in thought. Remus noticed her silence and looked at her with curiosity.

"Hermione, is there something bothering you? How is everything going? How are you feeling?"

Hermione frowned and pushed a stray hair out of her face before settling more comfortably on the couch. "Nothing's wrong, Remus. Honestly."

He shook his head as he looked at her more closely. "Something's bothering you."

She stared off into the distance, hearing Tonks sing along to the radio in the kitchen. "I've been thinking…" Suddenly she looked at Remus and blurted out, "What do you think about me, Remus? What kind of a person do you think I am?"

Remus looked taken aback. He waited a moment before saying, "I think you're a fine young woman, intelligent with a caring heart and a wonderful friend. You are brave and willing to do anything to fight for what you believe in. Now tell me what's on your mind."

Hermione sighed. "It's just that, sometimes, I feel like I can't do anything for anyone. I've been having those dreams again Remus. I think I'm going mad."