I don't know what's going on – but I guess I've had some sort of breakthrough, because I can't seem to stop writing this right now! – Igraine7

Memories of happier times

Cedric was still lying on the hospital bed with the love of his life sleeping quietly in his arms. She was holding onto him tightly as though she were afraid to lose him. Cedric rested his chin on her head and hummed a familiar song – which flooded his mind with memories of this past years Yule Ball.

Hermione had a gifted voice, and sang at every dance the school had since her third year. She introduced muggle-songs to their world, which everyone actually enjoyed immensely. Not two months ago, she was on the platform in the middle of the Great Hall, surrounded by students and staff who were applauding as she finished singing "Because The Night." Cedric thought this was the last song she was going to sing of the evening before The Weird Sisters started their set, but the lights suddenly dimmed. Hermione conjured a chair and was handed her acoustic guitar. Cedric looked up curiously and their eyes met, Hermione's lips were curled into a sly smile as she said: "This is my Christmas present to my soul mate."

There was a collective "Oooooooo" around the Great Hall as those around Cedric whistled and slapped him on the back. He smiled as he looked but up Hermione, as though they were the only 2 in the room. "You had me from the moment I first saw you, and I knew that things would never be the same. You said you have waited your whole life for me, and I give the rest of my life to you. Thank you for being my other half, my soul-mate, my lover, my best friend." Hermione didn't mean to say the word 'lover', it came out by accident – and she blushed cherry-red as whistles and catcalls and cheering circulated around everyone except the staff – whose expressions ranged from shocked, to embarrassed, to uncomfortable, amused, and…sad. Minerva McGonnagall for reasons beyond her comprehension, felt her heart sink a little as she got an involuntary visual. She didn't expect this from Hermione – no one did!…but she didn't know why it bothered her so much.

When the cheers died down, Hermione began to play her guitar softly before singing "Feels Like Home" by Edwina Hayes.

She cleared her throat, closed her eyes, and in the most heartfelt voice began:

"Something in your eyes makes me want to lose myself,

Makes me want to lose myself – in your eyes.

There's something in your voice – makes my heart beat fast,

Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life.

If you knew how lonely my life has been,

And how long I've been so alone –

If you knew how I wanted someone to come along,

And change my life the way you've done,

It feels like home to me,

Feels like home to me –

Feels like I'm all the way back where I come from.

It feels like home to me,

Feels like home to me –

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong.

A window breaks down a long dark street,

And a siren wails in the night.

But I'm all right, cuz I have you here with me,

And I can almost see –

Through the dark, there is light.

If you knew how much this moment means to me,

And how long I've waited for your touch,

If you knew how happy you are making me,

I never thought that I'd love anyone so much.

It feels like home to me,

Feels like home to me –

Feels like I'm all the way back where I come from.

It feels like home to me,

Feels like home to me –

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong,

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."

She slowly strummed the last few chords as she opened her eyes up towards the sky (well, to the ceiling which was bewitched to look like a snowy evening). There was something about music that went right through Hermione's very soul – anyone who ever saw her sing could see that. Her dreamy eyes looked lost in the feeling of it until the Great Hall erupted in thunderous applause – students and staff where whistling and cheering. They clapped even louder when Hermione left the platform and Cedric hugged her around the waste – lifting her body off the ground he spun her around as they kissed, looking deep into each other's eyes – each other's souls. No one at Hogwart's loved as fiercely as Hermione and Cedric, and everyone knew it. It radiated off their very beings when they were together, as though they were one.

The clapping slowly died down and Minerva found herself wiping tears away – it was a beautiful song, and Hermione sang it beautifully. She clapped loudly when she finished, but clapped more half-hearted when she saw Hermione and Cedric embrace. She didn't quite know why her stomach lurched – but she attributed it to the display of public affection. The rest of the staff looked only slightly uncomfortable, blushing at their passionate kiss, but Minerva felt very uncomfortable. It was because their actions were inappropriate – Hermione was a Gryffindor and should be acting like one in an appropriate fashion….yes, that must be it. The loud ruckus of The Weird Sisters snapped her out of it as Albus said, "Minerva you looked flushed, everything alright, dear?" He asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"Fine Albus, just warm in here – maybe some punch?" she suggested as they made their way to the punch bowl. Everything going on in the Great Hall went completely unnoticed by Hermione and Cedric of course – as far as they were concerned, they were the only ones in the room.

Cedric recalled the feeling of Hermione in his arms that day. How she sang to him from the depths of her soul, conveying her love for him in the best way she knew how. They were still staring into each other's eyes when Snape walked over to them and said with a sneer, "What a very Hemione-esque way for you to draw attention to yourself Miss. Granger. Typical." He then continued on, "Please see that you and Mr. Diggory remain in plain sight this evening, won't you?" He said in a tone of voice that made Hermione and Cedric burst out laughing as he stormed away.

Cedric chuckled as he recalled the memory. He hummed the sweet melody to his sleeping love and noticed a small smile across her lips. He continued humming quietly as thoughts raced through his head. Would she ever look at him or hold him with the same fiery passion that flowed between their bodies that night? Would she still love him like she did then? He marveled at how some things in life could be altered forever in such a short time. How a person's choices could change everything about the future in an instant. He wondered if she would ever be brave enough to sing again. Cedric raged at the idea that her father potentially altered their future together forever, but raged even more at the idea that he may have altered the way music made her feel. Cedric knew the healing power music had, especially over Hermione. Other than Cedric himself, music is what got Hermione through her mother's death. It killed Cedric to think that her father may have shattered Hermione's confidence to sing. Cedric vowed that he would damn well make sure that Hermione would get on-stage again. He would make sure she knew how much everyone loved hearing her – how her voice lifted people's spirits and touched them. He knew that after all the destruction her father caused, that was going to be one of the cracks that needed to be healed the fastest. Music helped Hermione heal, and Cedric was going to give it back to her if it was lost.

Cedric continued humming their song. Feeling how fast her body began to relax in his arms, he realized this song was now her lullaby. He soon dozed off, both of them completely asleep - still holding onto each other tightly.

It was at this moment that Minerva McGonnagall, along with Molly and Arthur, finished discussing with the Weasley children and Harry what had occurred, and how their household has expanded.

The room was silent for a moment while the Weasley children took everything in.

"God, poor Hermione." Harry said quietly. The rest of the room nodded, some looking at their hands so as not to show the tears they had in their eyes.

Fred and George were sad, but also angry. Their fists were clenched as they went through a list of their more unpleasant inventions, trying to determine which ones would be best to use on Mr. Granger. After all these years, Molly and Arthur could predict what was going on in the twins' minds.

"I know you are angry, but trust me when I say that Mr. Granger is being sufficiently dealt with." Arthur Weasley said to his sons in a cautionary voice, "do not, I repeat do NOT attempt to do anything to get yourselves into trouble."

No one noticed Albus Dumbledore was now in the room until they heard him say, "Mr. Granger has been dealt with, along with his 'friends' I am happy to report."

Jumping in surprise at his sudden presence Minerva asked herself 'How does he do that?'

In a slightly annoyed voice, Minerva asked "I trust everything went according to plan, Albus?"

"More than according to plan, I should dare say." He replied with a chuckle. "I didn't even have to lift a finger."

The room looked at him curiously as he continued, "Let's just say it would be wise to never insult or disrespect women in the presence of Nymphadora Tonks."

There was a collective chuckle around the room as they could only imagine what Tonks did to those 'men'.

Fred let out a low whistle as he said "Whoa, I bet the house in pieces."

"You are not far off, Mr. Weasley. They have been 'dealt with', and their memories obliviated of Hermione's existence. She is officially a Weasley in every sense of the word." Albus said happily.

Molly and Arthur were only slightly concerned at first at how their children would react to another sibling, but those fears vanished as the kids exchanged smiles of approval.

"Oh my God!" cried Ginny.

"What?" Molly asked, alarmed.

"I just realized something…I finally have a sister!"

Molly Weasley jokingly rolled her eyes at her youngest and chuckled.

"When can we see her?" Harry asked quietly.

"Not for a couple of days, I think" Albus said. "She has been through quite an ordeal and is in need of rest and healing. We are attempting to have her reconnect with Mr. Diggory, and do not want to overwhelm her. You may send her messages if you wish and we will let her know that you are all thinking of her and sending positive energy her way."

"Oh God, Cedric, I didn't even think." George said, "How is he taking this?" Concern washed over the kids. They knew how much Hermione and Cedric loved each other, but would what's happened change things? Would he stick around, would she even WANT him around?

"This has truly been a test of true love and compassion, but a test they have both passed. He has vowed to never leave her and he is with her right now. Miss. Weasley wants him close and if I am not mistaken, when we left she was sleeping in his arms?" Albus said, looking to Minerva for confirmation. She nodded solemnly, with her characteristic stern-looking face. Minerva thought she saw a question forming in Albus's eyes, and though she disregarded it, she couldn't help but flashback to seeing how passionate Hermione and Cedric were together at the Yule ball. One of her Gryffindors, her mentee, her cub – head over heels in love. Why was it bothering her so much? She pushed the question from her mind, telling herself that she was just disappointed that not just a Gryffindor, but Hermione – would make such an overt and public display of their love. Inappropriate, she attempted to convince herself.

"Well," Dumbledore said, "It has been a long night for everyone, and I think it is time for you to return to your dormitories. I want to impress upon each of you how important Hermione's privacy is right now. It is up to her if she wants to share what has happened to anyone else, and I trust you all to respect that. I do not want to start hearing rumors amongst other students about Hermione's situation in ANY WAY – not about what happened to her, and not about her now being a Weasley. It would raise too many questions and put undue stress upon Hermione – delaying her chance to heal. I trust that you will all respect that?"

"Of course." The Weasley children said collectively. "We could never do that to Hermione. She's family, and we protect our family." George said firmly. The other kids nodded in agreement. A tear came to Molly's eye as he said this. It showed the strength and bond that their family had – the values that she and Arthur chose to instill upon them from the very start. They knew Hermione's secret would be safe with them. If only she knew that her family wasn't the ones she needed to be worried about.

The children filed out, and Dumbledore said, "Molly, Arthur, if you would like to stay, I will lead you to one of the guest quarters by the hospital wing which we provide to families whose children are in the infirmary for a length of time."

"Thank you, Albus, how kind." Molly said. "I think it's important that we remain close by for awhile." She looked to her husband who nodded in agreement. The three filed out, leaving Minerva behind in her office. She sat at her desk for a moment, then without thinking, she made for the hospital wing, feeling the need to check on Hermione. "I'm just going because I am head of Gryffindor house and am responsible for my students there." She told herself, but still remembered how Hermione sobbed into her shoulder earlier in the day when Minerva promised that she would be there for her and cared for her. She chalked her feelings up to "I made her a promise, and I keep my promises. Plus she is my Gryffindor cub. I owe it to my favorite student and mentee to be strong for her." Yes, that was it.

She entered the infirmary, and saw that Madame Pomfrey had darkened the room, the only light was coming from the lamp at her desk and a few dim ones around the room in case Hermione or Cedric needed to get up without hurting themselves in the dark. Minerva noticed the curtains still up – separating the back half of the infirmary from the front – affording Hermione the maximum amount of privacy from any other student who needed to see Madame Pomfrey.

"Poppy" Minerva said, as she walked over to her desk.

Poppy looked up from the repeat diagnostics she just performed on Hermione.

"Oh good evening Minerva, I trust everything went well?"

"Yes, Granger and his cohorts have been, well, 'handled' I should say, and the Weasley children are excited to have a new addition to their clan." Minerva said.

"Oh that's wonderful news, Hermione could use all she can get right now."

"How is she?" Minerva asked, eyeing the curtains.

"Surprisingly well," Poppy replied – pointing to the diagnostic sheets, "She is responding extremely well to the potions, and her healing is going much faster than I ever would have anticipated. It just shows how strong she is, a true Gryffindor through and through."

"That she is." Minerva said in a distracted voice – her gaze still fixed on the curtains.

"You can see her if you like, but try not to wake her." Poppy said, returning to her work.

Minerva walked up to the curtains, pushing one aside – she stopped at the bottom of Hermione's bed. She was curled up in Cedric's arms, they were holding onto each other tightly.

"Cedric." Minerva said quietly, attempting to wake him without waking Hermione.

"Hmmm?" He replied sleepily, barely waking up.

"It is time you went back to your dormitory." Minerva told him quietly.

It took Cedric a moment or two to fully wake up, but when he did, he said "But I told her I wouldn't leave her."

"I understand that, but students may start asking questions if you do not return to your house this evening." Minerva replied.

Cedric shrugged his shoulders, closed his eyes and pulled Hermione closer – "Eh, just make something up." He said, trying to drift back to sleep.

How dare he challenge my authority, Minerva thought. "I said, NOW Mr. Diggory." Minerva didn't realize how loud she spoke until Hermione jolted out of her sleep in a panic. Minerva watched with sadness as Hermione scanned every inch of the room, fear in her eyes, shrinking into herself as she drew her knees to her chest.

"Shh, shh, shh. Calm down Hermione. You are safe, you are still in Hogwarts." Minerva reassured her quickly.

As Hermione oriented herself, her breathing returned to normal and she asked "what time is it?" while rubbing her eyes.

"Very late." Minerva replied. "We need Mr. Diggory to return to his room now."

"NO!" Hermione cried out in panic, "NO!" she said again, holding Cedric closer. "I need him HERE!"

Minerva was shocked and angry for a moment since she was not used to being spoken to like that by a student. She forgot herself for a moment and let how she would typically react to this situation take hold.

"Please compose yourself and respect my order Miss Granger." Minerva knew she made a huge mistake the moment the words left her lips. This was not 'any another student'. This was Hermione, her mentee, her star pupil, her favorite pupil. Her cub who has been through the ringer and back, in need of the love and support they all promised – and Minerva just raised her voice to her. Cedric looked at Minerva wide-eyed, in disbelief. His shocked rendered him speechless, but Hermione wasn't.

"I am NOT Miss. Granger." Hermione said scathingly. "I am Miss. Weasley."

Minerva didn't even realize she made that mistake, for she has been calling her Miss. Granger for the past 6 years. She would have to get used to calling her "Weasley" when not in the presence of other students.

"Oh God, Hermione, I am so sorry, I didn't think." Minerva said quickly, reaching for Hermione's hand.

Hermione jerked away from her touch, as though she were made of fire. "And Cedric is not going anywhere." She said defiantly, as her eyes bore angrily into her mentor's. Minerva was taken aback, Hermione had never spoken to her like that before – or anyone else for that matter, and she never looked at her that way either. Minerva felt as though she were slapped in the face. She never thought she would hear Hermione speak to her with such contempt. Her eyes filled with sadness as she backed away and rushed out of the room.

Hermione sat up and held her head in her hands. She didn't mean to speak to Minerva that way – just like with what Minerva said to her a moment ago - it was a knee-jerk reaction. Hermione was startled out of her sleep – fearing she was going to be hurt, but knowing Cedric would protect her – that was where her thoughts were upon waking. She was really only half awake when she looked at and spoke to her beloved professor/mentor in such a way she never would have if she were fully aware. She didn't realize that the person reaching for her hand after demanding respect was Minerva until after the fact.

"Shit." Hermione said under her breath, "Professor, wait!" She called out, but it was too late – Minerva McGonnagall had already run out of the room – tears in her eyes, heart beating fast.

Hmmmmm…..some potential twists in the story? =D

Please review! I do love hearing what you think! Thanks for the suggestions I received so far!