A/N: This story has been getting some hate, but the love it's getting balances it out.
I wrote this for those who enjoy it anyway.
So, carry on.
This is a turning point in the story. After this part, the groveling and the intensive details on how to find the cure will follow.
I already have a few details of the ending I envision in my mind but the journey to get there is still quite long.
I imagine this to be slightly longer than The Potter Bride in terms of word count.
I'll post one chapter soon before I'll focus on the latter and Seven Years of Loving and Loathing.
After all the drama and angst from this story, I'm thinking of writing something as funny as Seducing Hermione soon.
For readers who enjoy heavy drama and can't wait for the conclusion of this story, then I recommend my finished fic, Incomplete.
P.S. I still need beta readers. Having a lot of on-going fics is crazy!
My Cheating Heart
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Eight: His Ace
"I am sorry, Harry. But I just don't love you anymore"
That one line from Hermione has been going on and on in Harry Potter's head ever since dinner ended. The way her chocolate brown eyes were filled with such honesty and sadness, he could tell that she meant that statement. It hurt so much that she no longer loved him. She used to be the one person who never abandoned him. Why am I such a fucked-up idiot that I screwed over the best thing that's ever happened in my life?
"Accio resurrection stone", he whispered to the empty bedroom as he raised a hand. A few seconds later, the second hallow floated towards him. He turned the resurrection stone three times in his hand and thought about his departed daughter.
"Hi, daddy!", the spirit of a little girl with curly raven-hair, emerald green eyes, and Hermione's face happily greeted him.
"Hello, Viola Lily!", he smiled at the spirit.
"I saw you talking to mummy awhile ago", the spirit informed him.
"You look just like the first time I saw her on the Hogwarts Express during my first year. You too are so alike, except for the hair color and the eyes, of course. Is this how you're supposed to look like if only you were still here with us?", he said sadly.
"Yeah, I guess so, daddy. At least that's what Mister Death said", she giggled. It was such a beautiful sound but it brings such sadness straight to his heart.
"What else does Mister Death say?", he playfully asked. Viola Lily was so full of spunk that reminded him of the young Hermione he first met at Hogwarts.
"Well Mister Death says that if you want to meet my little brother and little sister you must win my mummy back", Viola Lily said in a sing-song voice.
"Your mummy does not love me anymore, baby", he said sadly.
"I know that daddy. I heard you two talking after all! But does that mean that you will give up?", even Hermione's bossy know-it-all attitude was inherited by their daughter.
"Of course not, baby. It's just I know I do not deserve her. I hurt your mummy so much. And it was my fault that you died", he now had tears in his eyes.
"Well, Mister Death said that I was not meant to be with you", Viola stated.
"What does that mean?", he asked tearfully.
"I don't know, Mister Death is weird. He just told me that I was born to just live very shortly this time around. When I asked if time could be changed, he just smirked. He's annoying like that", Viola huffed and he chuckled.
"You know, your mother used to do that a lot. Huff at me when I do something stupid", he told the spirit.
"Well, I was looking at your experiences at Hogwarts with grandma, grandpa, and Sirius. And daddy, you did a lot of stupid things", his daughter said cheekily.
"You are your mother's daughter", he commented sadly.
"I know! Isn't mum awesome? She'll be able to heal those children, I'm sure. Mister Death is a big fan of mum, even if he says that she saves so many people who should just die already", she chuckled.
"You do know that your mother gives her best every single day because of her love for you, right?"
"Oh, I do know that, daddy! It saddens me that she still blames herself so much. If only I can tell her how proud I am of her", his daughter said sadly.
"I am so sorry for what I did to you baby. If only I can turn back time, I would", he sobbed.
"Oh, I asked Mister Death about that. He says it's possible but you can't do it. He thinks mum can figure out how to do it since he says that she's the smartest person he's ever seen since Rowena Ravenclaw", Viola Lily remarked.
"Death said Hermione can figure out a way to power a long-term time-turner?", he asked.
"Of course! Mister Death says mum's awesome like that! Although, he did remark that mum lacks the power to pull the thing off. I asked him what thing and he just laughed at me. Mister Death is so annoying sometimes", she snorted.
"Do you understand what you're telling me, baby? Did you just tell me I can sort things out by turning back time?", he was very serious now.
"Hey! I just told you what Mister Death told me, daddy", she whined.
"Why are you telling me these things, baby?"
"You called me here daddy, so it's not my fault!", she huffed and he laughed.
"You are such a smart cheeky lady", he remarked and the spirit grinned proudly.
"Daddy, you need to get together with mummy. My little brother and little sister are so annoying. I reckon they are better off with you and mum", she sighed.
"Really? You have a brother and a sister there?", he asked.
"Yes. Mister Death separates spirits here. One for the happy dead which I belong to, one for those who will still be born, and one for the bad ones. He showed me the place where my little brother and little sister are. They can't wait to see you and mum. The only place Mister Death did not show me is the place for the bad ones. He says it's an ugly sight. He told me Mister Voldy something is there", she explained.
"Did Death show other spirits around? Or just you?", he inquired.
"Mister Death says I am the only person who he allows to cross over to the place of the spirits of those still unborn", she said proudly.
"Did he say why?"
"He just says that it's some sort of favor to you for sending Mister Voldy thingy to the bad place", she shrugged.
"Baby, I've been talking to you whenever I can since you have forgiven me. You've never told me things like these before", he remarked.
"Well, I just tell you what I can remember from Mister Death, daddy. I told you he's weird like that!", she rolled her eyes.
"What else does Mister Death say?"
"Not much. I already told you the important things. Oh! I forgot! Rowena Ravenclaw wants to tell mum that she's very proud of her many times' great-granddaughter. She brags to the spirits here when mum saves another life while Mister Death grumbles. It's so funny to watch", she laughed.
"Hermione is a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw?", he was shocked.
"Yeah. Miss Rowena says that mummy is a descendant from her squib brother. I don't even know what squib means. But Miss Rowena is so smart!", she admired the Ravenclaw foundress.
"You do know that Rowena Ravenclaw is a Hogwarts founder, right?"
"Of course, I do! She along with Mister Godric, Mister Salazar, and Miss Helga built Hogwarts", she stated.
"You met the founders?"
"Daddy! Dead people just meet each other here. Oh, and Mister Godric says that he's so disappointed in you. He told me to tell you that he can't imagine any descendant of his treating a lady so badly. Miss Rowena says that you better watch your back when you die since she's going to hex you for hurting mummy. You really should be careful, daddy. Miss Rowena can be mean when she's angry", her daughter narrated.
"Viola Lily Potter, you are having way too much fun there", he said with amusement.
"It's fun to talk to dead older people. I learn a lot from them", she shrugged.
"I can see why they are so fond of you baby", he sighed.
"So, daddy? What are you going to do about mummy?", she crossed her arms and gave him a stern look.
"I don't know baby", he sighed.
"Daddy! How could you not know? My daddy, Harry James Potter, does not give up! You remember when you first tried to talk to me and I wouldn't answer your call? And then it was grandma, grandpa, Sirius, Remus, and Nymphy who would talk to you? They gave you a good scolding, didn't they? But did you give up? No! I didn't talk to you for a year no matter how much you tried to call me; did you give up? No! So why should you give up now, daddy?", she was yelling now which was frankly so adorable. It's like a mini Hermione going on about a S.P.E.W campaign.
"I know baby but, she does not love me anymore. Frankly, I don't blame her", he sighed.
"My daddy is not a quitter! Get your act together, daddy!", she huffed angrily.
"Fine! Fine! Merlin! It's like talking to a little Hermione when I'm having one of those moods", he rolled his eyes and the spirit snorted.
"You're lucky I inherited mummy's spirit! If I were like you, I'd be all grumpy and moody right now", she said cheekily and he laughed.
"I love you Viola Lily", he said fondly.
"I would love you more daddy if you get your act together and win my mummy back", she scoffed.
"Oh alright, young lady!", he rolled his eyes.
"So? Do you have any ideas?", the spirit asked with excitement, that he could see her bouncing up and down, which in this case, is floating up and down.
"Er, no", he admitted sheepishly.
"Grandma Lily and Sirius were right! You are hopeless when it comes to women, daddy", she scoffed.
"What else do they say?"
"Well, Sirius says that if only he didn't die, he would have given you advice on how to win mum over when you were younger. But now that he's dead and he saw what you did to mum, well, he reckons you should grovel on your feet", she chuckled.
"Great! Even Sirius hates me", he sighed.
"Oh, he doesn't hate you, daddy. Sirius just wants you to learn your lesson. Also, he says it'd be fun to watch you chase mummy just like grandpa did with grandma", she said sympathetically.
"If Sirius wants me to learn my lesson, then why do you even talk to me now, baby? Why do you even forgive me when I hurt you so much?", he said sadly.
"Well, I can feel your sincerity daddy. Spirits can tell when a person is lying you know. Besides, I am proud of how you changed. Also, Mister Death says that you didn't mean what you did to me and mum. He says it's something like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or something. He also showed me that you had a lot of issues growing up. He told me you don't even understand your emotions very well. Mister Death says that you've been in love with mum ever since she almost died when you were in your fifth year but you're just too stupid to realize it. Lastly, Mister Death thinks you were so blinded by Ronald Weasley's claim on mum which is non-existent by the way", she explained.
"You seem close to Death, Viola Lily", he chuckled.
"I told you he likes me because of mum. You know, when mum dies, I should warn her. I think Mister Death fancies her or something", she rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Talking to you always brings a smile to my face, baby", he sighed.
"I know daddy. But I believe you should get out more. It's not healthy how you spend all your time looking for mummy, visiting my grave, doing your work, managing the charity you built for me, and talking to me", she said sadly.
"My life's just so empty baby", he sighed.
"No, it's not. You're alive. You now found mum. You can get together again!", she cheered.
"I will try my best, baby, but don't expect too much. You know your mother. Besides, I know how much I screwed up", he smiled sadly.
"Do you want me to ask Miss Rowena, Mister Godric, Miss Helga, and Mister Salazar for advice? They are really smart and a lot of spirits rely on them for wisdom", she suggested.
"I'll be alright, baby. You don't need to do that for me", he smiled.
"Well, I would still ask them", she said with determination.
"I can't believe you are friends with Salazar Slytherin", he remarked.
"Oh, Mister Salazar is an interesting fellow. He talks to snakes and other reptiles. He tells me about dragons too. He even tells me I can do all of that as well. He even gave me a baby snake; I can't show her to you though since it's a breed that only exists here. Mister Death won't allow me to show you because he says it's against the rules."
"Really? You are also a parselmouth?"
"Yep! Didn't see that one coming, did you daddy?", she said smugly.
"So, what else did you inherit from me aside from the hair and the eyes, Miss Potter?", he chuckled.
"Well, the founders said that I would have been a Slytherin. Something that comes from you, I believe. Oh, and I do love to fly", she said happily.
"So even the dead play Quidditch?"
"Daddy! The dead ones who live with Mister Death in a happy place can do anything they want. Only the bad ones live in a sad place", she huffed.
"Good to know, baby. Good to know", he chuckled.
"Daddy, why don't you talk to me again next week? That way I can ask the founders for ideas on how to help you win mum back", she offered.
"I thought it hurts you to keep on talking to me, baby?", he asked with worry.
"It used to hurt me but now that you need my help, well, it's alright. It's the older dead people who are most affected by that anyway. Since I died at three months, I don't miss much of the world. I can only remember mummy's voice, hugs, kisses, and your whispers when mummy is asleep and you talk to me", she shrugged.
"I am sorry baby", he sighed.
"Daddy! You've said that like a million times already", she rolled her eyes.
"I know but -"
"I love you, daddy! Now go to sleep and I'll ask the older spirits for help", with that Viola Lily Potter's spirit faded away.
"I love you, Viola Lily. And once again, I am so sorry", he wiped a tear from his eyes as he went to sleep.
The next day, Harry woke up to a sound of flapping wings and screeching from his window. He groggily walked towards the noise and saw a brown barn owl with a roll of parchment on its leg. He opened the window and the owl landed on the side table in his bedroom. He gently stroked the bird and wandlessly summoned some owl treats. The owl lifted its leg and he carefully removed the parchment. The elegant scrawl could only be from Hermione Granger. He'd know her handwriting anywhere due to reading her notes and homework for six years at Hogwarts.
November 25, 2010
Harry,
Per our agreement last night, I believe rules must be in place. Today shall be the first day for the nine-month count. That being said, our agreement will expire on August 25, 2011. Ironically, that is Viola Lily's death anniversary.
I do hope you keep your promise.
Please see the attached conditions my friends and I want you to do. You don't need to do them but I think nine months is just too long a time. Since I gave in to your request, maybe you can give in to mine. Should you have any questions, please feel free to send a reply.
Have a nice day,
Your soon-to-be official ex-wife
Hermione Granger
"Bring it on, Lady Potter!", he chuckled as he read the first note. His eyes then scanned the next one…
The things Harry Potter must do to secure Hermione Granger's forgiveness:
1. Admit all he has done during their marriage and all he knows about why it took place in a wizarding magazine
2. Have all the women he slept with during their marriage to come and apologize to Hermione
3. Present concrete evidence that Viola Lily Potter has forgiven him
4. He should sing in front of the crowd gathered at the Hogwarts Class Reunion
5. Let Hermione's friends hex and beat him for one whole hour without fighting back
6. Convince and secure Hermione's parents' approval of him
7. Convince Hermione's friends that he deserves to be forgiven
8. Donate to a cause that Hermione is highly supportive about
9. Kneel outside the Malfoy residence for 24 hours on one weekend wherein Hermione is living there
10. If he can't secure her love, he will let her go when nine months has passed
"This has Malfoy, Luna, and Fleur written all over it!", he chuckled as he read through the list. When he remembered the fourth condition, he gulped. The Hogwarts reunion was scheduled for the 1st of December. Hermione must be the one to add that condition in!
"Ah, well, at least the woman I'm courting has given me details on what she expects me to do. It's easier than cluelessly doing random things", he shrugged as he levitated the parchments to his desk. Hmmm…should I send her flowers or something? Merlin! Flowers usually mean a specific thing. I can't make a blunder by sending flowers that could mean, 'I want to shag you' or something equally horrible. What flowers should I send? If only Neville were on my side...