Chapter 62 – Blurred Dreams

Hermione made her way through the dark woods, trying hard to navigate her way, while the trees seemed to imprison her with their branches. She was panting and cold rain hit her, while her breath fogged in front of her with each exhale.

She tried to run, but it felt like she had to tread water, her legs were heavy and the wind pressed against her, thwarting her movement forward.

There wasn't much she could see, the trees blocked most of the moonlight, so it reached neither her, nor the ground.

Somewhere further she was sure there had to be a clearing. She just had to push forward until she found it. The woods couldn't be endless.

When she finally made her way out of the looming trees into the clearing, what felt like hours later, she found herself in front of a field, covered with withered flowers. The rain came down even harder here, mixed with hailstones. Her hair clung to her skin and clothes and the hailstone that hit her hurt, but she walked out of the woods, feeling lethargic and all run down.

The air smelled of rain and the last lingering fragrance of herbs. Looking around Hermione tried to spot something, anything that helped her. She couldn't stop here, no matter how much it hurt, she had to go on. On the horizon the sun was not yet visible, but the darkness had already faded.

When she saw it, a pain suddenly hit her, making her heart clutch, while she shook and failed to stand upright. She wanted to scream, but it felt like she couldn't make a sound at all, her mouth tapped shut. The pain ricochetted off her chest, moving through her whole body, bringing tears to her eyes.

Just as she started to drift out of consciousness someone moved towards her. A hand reached out and stroke her hair aside, but her vision was blurred and the person remained unrecognizable to her.

Hermione tried to reach out, but didn't have the energy to do so. Another hand wrapped around her own and she felt calmness and happiness settle over her. It was a warm and tingling sensation that warded off the cold rain, while the bodies above and next to her shielded her from the harsh wind and most of the hailstones. She could make out the faint shine of the rising sun on the horizon.

Hermione woke up in her bed, panting, and sat up with a startle, her heart beating wildly, while the sun breached the clouded sky outside and it's first rays hit her. The dream had been vivid and she still felt cold, but the hands that had touched her lingered as a phantom touch upon her hair and hand.

Getting up with mixed feelings Hermione went to take a scorching hot shower, while she tried to figure out whom she had seen in her dream, but the figures remained blurred.

XxX

Ex-Minister up to something?

Many want to know what our dear Ex-Minister, Hermione Granger, is up to these days. Hardly anyone has seen her, including her peers from the Ministry. So I asked around for you, dear Readers, if anyone knew about her secret lover.

Of course no one wanted to talk badly about her, but some agreed that her divorce was long in the making. More than once a row could be witnessed between her and her lovely ex-husband Ronald Weasley. The poor sod was talked over at home most of the time, eking out a miserable existence in the shadow of his wife. So it's good news for all single ladies out there that he is available again. He could be quite the catch once he's over his grief. Let's all wish the best for him, now that he's free again.

Hermione Granger herself stays hidden for now, most likely ashamed of herself. The rumours about her health get worse, but no information could be found at St. Mungo's, nor was she seen there. That brings the question of what kind of illness has befallen her. Not even her own children seem to know. They had to spend a lonely Christmas without their parents, as Miss Granger – yes she changed her name back to her maiden one – was nowhere to be found and Mr. Weasley worked at his brother's shop to provide for his family.

I will keep looking into this and have an update for you soon dear Reader, stay tuned!

Rita Skeeter

AN: A short chapter, but there will be a second one in a day or two ;)