A/N: I wanted to update MCH during Christmas but I had so much writing deadlines to finish. So, I wrote this chapter as a new year's surprise instead. Happy New Year everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Plugging my newly completed Christmas story, Queen of the Yule Season. It's a fluffy and smutty Christmas fic. I have so many stories published recently so just click on my author's link and see if you could find something for yourself to enjoy.

May 2020 bring you happiness. I really have to focus on Quantum Bang soon.

I'm looking forward to your feedback on this one.

Reviews, faves, and follows make my day so drop them here.

My Cheating Heart Book 2

By: tweety-src-clt9

Chapter Five: Odd Dreams and Weird Behavior

Fifteen-year-old Hermione Granger woke up with a very confused look on her face. She could never recall a dream that's so vivid and so realistic that it honestly felt real to her. It's so strange that even the healing spells and potions that she saw herself doing in the dream seemed to be stuck in her head. Grabbing her wand by her nightstand, she wanted to test how vivid her dreams actually were. Deciding to try something, she tried to do a diagnostic spell – something that she honestly didn't know how to perform. She gasped when her wand emitted a bright light after she performed the correct wand movements and thought about the spell in her mind. Non-verbal casting! Wow! I've never done this before, her jaw dropped as she saw a summary of her health condition and vital signs floating in front of her. This is super weird…

In her very detailed dream last night, it showed her a version of herself at around her thirties and she was an extremely talented healer. In fact, she seemed to be world-class since she held a high position in some sort of research facility. To her, this dream was so strange because she always fancied herself to pursue a career in law, maybe even be the Minister for Magic someday, no matter how far-fetched it sounded because of the pureblood ideology. And so, to see herself even if it's just a dream, to be thriving as a healer was indeed very odd.

The dream was actually quite scary given the responsibility she witnessed herself doing in those operations and meetings in that research facility. And now, waking up to actually be able to perform one of the complex spells she saw in her dream, made it even more alarming. It could only mean that the dream must be telling her something. The question that needed to be answered now was – what could it possibly mean? Will the dream have an impact on her? Or was the dream just a prophecy? Or what if it's a glimpse of her future? Whatever it was, she needed to solve the mystery behind them.

Stretching like a cat to bring herself to be fully awakened, she rolled her eyes as she saw the closed curtains from her roommates' beds. From her position on her mattress, she could easily hear the snoring from Lavender and Parvati. I should teach them how to cast silencing charms on their beds, she thought as she headed for the showers.

When she entered the common ladies' bath, there's no one else around. Since she always woke up first, it's normal for her to find herself with the luxury of having the entire bath to herself. As she took off her nightclothes, she started singing to pass the time.

"I wanted you back, I'm so through with that. 'Coz honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had… I bet it sucks to be you right now… What goes around, comes back around… Hey, my baby! What goes around comes back around… I bet it sucks to be you right now," she belted out to the soulful song. She's never heard this song before in as much as she loved music, but the odd thing was that the song seemed very familiar. It's as if the song was like a soundtrack of sorts for her. In fact, along with the dream of becoming a world-class healer, this mysterious dramatic song was related to the dream. After all, along with the dream of curing various people, there seemed to be a man, most likely a wizard, who had hurt her so much. The details about the man's face and identity were not depicted but she knew that this unknown person was one of the reasons why she became a healer.

When she turned from the clothes rack so she could walk to the showers, a symbol imprinted on her right breast caught her eye as she passed by the mirror. She walked closer to the mirror so she could get a better look at the mark on her breast. She gasped when she noticed that the mark looked like an outline of a fish but the tail is not closed together so it only seemed like a curve. She knew this mark, as a muggleborn who studied in a Catholic school, she could never forget what this symbol meant. It was an ichthus – a symbol of the divine. It's a symbol of blessing and favor from the Creator. What happened to me? What could this mean?

As she turned the shower on so she could immerse herself in the heat from the water, so many thoughts were running through her head. After changing into her uniform, she went down the common room to wait for Harry and Ron so they could go down to the Great Hall together. Quietly sitting down with an opened book on her lap, there's only one thing running through her mind… I should research what this mark means in the wizarding world… Also, I should look up about dreams and their interpretations… I should spare some time to read about these topics even if I have to do my advanced readings for homework when I go to the library later.

Harry Potter all but ran down the stairs that led to the common room. In his entire Hogwarts experience and even when he married Hermione, she had always woken up early. So, he's so excited to see his wife. Well, if she remembers all that happened, she's my wife… If not, then I intend to pursue her this time around.

He had a bright smile on his face as he leaned on the wall to watch the fifteen-year-old Hermione Granger sitting on her favorite armchair as she read a thick tome. In as much as he's used to being with his feisty and headstrong wife, the Chief Healer of the ICW's Medical Research Department, this Hermione – the young Hermione – was a version of her that he sorely missed when she left him years ago. This Hermione, his best friend, was the first person who showed him what love truly meant as she showed him how to love by being his number one supporter. This Hermione, who secretly loved him in their Hogwarts years, was the one person who never wavered in her faith in him. If you don't remember our previous life together, then you better brace yourself, Hermione Granger! I will treat you like the queen you really are and I will never let you go…

Hermione must have sensed his presence since she looked up from her book. When she saw him leaning against the wall, she gave him a bright smile. Her chocolate brown eyes looked so sincere and happy. Her front teeth were still much larger than the rest which made her look absolutely adorable.

"Good morning, Harry!" Hermione greeted cheerfully. Oh… She seemed to not remember our past life together, he thought.

"Good morning, my lo – er, Hermione," he grinned sheepishly as he walked towards her. I should be careful about not being too forward or eager… I might scare her off and then blokes like Viktor Krum would be sweeping in.

"My lo – what's that all about?" She gave him a curious look.

"My lovely best friend?" He said cheekily and she rolled her eyes. He could see a faint tinge of pink on her cheeks though which meant that she's affected by his subtle compliment. One point for Potter.

"You seem cheerful this morning," Hermione mused.

"Scoot over, Granger," he pouted. She moved to the side so he could have some space. He sat beside her and since the armchair was designed for one, they were sitting too close to each other. Deciding to be playful and to hint at his romantic interest in her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he leaned in to see what she's reading about.

"So… What are you reading, 'Mione?" He whispered against her ear which made her yelp. If not for his hold on her shoulder, she would've fallen on the floor.

"Harry! You prat!" Hermione smacked him on the chest which made him chuckle. He only pulled her closer to his chest which made her huff.

"What's making you so jumpy this morning?" He tickled her ear which made her laugh.

"I had this weird dream," she said.

"Oh? Care to share?" He stage-whispered.

"Well, let's just say that I was a world-class healer in this dream," she shrugged.

"And?" What if this Hermione is still my Hermione although she cannot fully remember all that happened between us?

"It's complicated, Harry," she sighed as she placed her head on his shoulder.

"You know that I'm always here for you, right?" He whispered.

"Likewise, Potter," she said cheekily.

"Don't you want to go down for breakfast, Hermione?"

"What about Ron?"

"Oh, he'll manage. He's a big boy. Besides, I'm hungry," he whined.

"You know, being a happy person seems to make you hungry," she said smartly.

"Oh? Is it? What about you? It seems that your dreams make you grumpy," he retorted and she laughed.

"Come on, Potter! Let's go," she patted his leg. Removing his arm around her shoulder, he stood up and gallantly extended a hand to her. Hermione shook her head in fond exasperation as she accepted his hand, but then, her eyes zoomed in on the Creator's mark on his wrist.

"Harry, where did you get this?" Her fingers traced the mark on his skin.

"I – I don't think – " He stammered as he thought about an acceptable excuse. He wanted to tell Hermione the truth but she seemed to be unaware of their past.

"Harry Potter! Don't you dare lie to me," She said sternly.

"It's a very long story. And I promise I will tell you everything… Just not right now, okay?" He looked into her eyes as he pleaded for her to understand.

"Alright… It's just so weird… I too have this mark," she sighed.

"Really?" He knelt in front of her as he inspected her hands for the same mark that he had on his wrist.

"Er, it's not on my hands," Hermione carefully pulled her hands away as she blushed crimson.

"Oh? So where is it then?" He asked with anticipation.

"It's embarrassing," she looked away.

"Come on, Hermione… Tell me," he cajoled.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait for Ron?" She inquired.

"Huh? Oh! Of course! Ron's still snoring like crazy right now," he shrugged.

"Oh…okay then. Let's go," she stood up from her seat, closed her book, and placed it on her bag.

"Here, let me help," he removed her bag strap from her shoulder and carried the heavy bag for her. Hermione gave him a curious look but she didn't say anything. She walked toward the portrait hole first and he followed her lead. Once they were outside, Hermione held his hand and to his surprise, she seemed to be leading them towards the moving tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. When they faced the empty wall across it, Hermione walked three times and murmured something. After that, a door opened and Hermione turned the doorknob. She entered the door first and he immediately followed. The Room of Requirement seemed to have provided them with a smaller version of the entertainment room of his penthouse in London. Even the muggle appliances were supplied by the room.

"Please have a seat, Harry… This could take a while… I'm not certain how to explain this but… well, this mark on your wrist and my er – whatever, I'll just have to show it to you… and then there are my vivid dreams of being a healer… I mean I've never wanted to be a healer… reckon I'd be making laws or something… run for minister maybe… Anyway, what I'm trying to – "

Instead of following her command and taking a seat, he decided to interrupt her rants and her pacing on the floor by wrapping his arms around her waist. The body in his arms was truly different from the wife he's so fond of holding. This Hermione felt like a young lady. Her body was still developing and growing.

"Hermione, stop… Take a deep breath… Good… now turn around," he said. When she turned around, she seemed much calmer and there was an adorable flush on her cheeks.

"Thank you, I needed that – I tend to – " She stopped talking when he cupped her face.

"I know," he whispered before letting go of her cheek. He took a seat on one of the couches and she sat beside him. They were facing each other and he waited for her to talk. Since he was the one who had complete memory of all that happened to them, he let her start the conversation just so he could gauge how much she remembered from their past life or whatever that timeline was supposed to be called. At least I'm not entirely alone in this adventure… Somewhere deep inside this young Hermione is still my headstrong wife – the Lady Potter – I've grown to love even more than her younger self…

"Okay so let's start with the facts that we're already certain of, is that okay?" She turned to him and he nodded. He held her hand in reassurance.

"Take your time. Remember to breathe okay?" He grinned and she blushed. She tucked a stray strand of her long curly hair behind her ear, a gesture that he'd come to associate to her being nervous.

"Is it just me or are you just more in-tuned to my gestures and such things?" She gave him a penetrating stare and he feigned nonchalance which made her huff.

"Just start talking my lady," he winked and she rolled her eyes. He wanted to make her calm and relaxed. He knew that by acting cocky, she'd eventually loosen up.

"Alright… So, you have a mark on your wrist, and I have mine too… Also, I'm certain that this mark is called an ichthus, years of studying in a Catholic school makes me very sure about this fact… We have to study the implications though since this symbol is a mark of being blessed by a higher power… Anyway, I woke up this morning with a series of very strange and vivid dreams, did you have them too?" She ended her statements with a question.

"Not really a dream but I woke up at dawn feeling weird too but when I slept again, everything seemed fine after that," he shrugged. He gave her an expectant look so she could continue. Well at least Hermione knows what our mark is actually called, he thought.

"Okay, so we have a sort of similar experience then… Good to know. Okay, so where was I – ah, yes! So, I said I had dreams about being a healer, right?" She prodded.

"Yes, you said something about that in the common room," he remarked.

"Right so healers have this array of spells that are way beyond our years of instruction but then when I woke up this morning, I tried this complicated spell and it not only worked out perfectly, but I was also able to do them non-verbally. I mean come on! I study in advance but even I'm not that advanced! And then there's the biggest surprise this morning when I entered the bath," at her last statement, there's a prominent blush on her cheeks.

"Oh?" He prodded.

"I'm gonna show you but your eyes better not stray somewhere else except for the mark, okay?" She gave him a stern look.

"I'll try not to but well, I can't promise," he smirked. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him which he easily avoided.

"Honestly!" She snorted.

"What? At least I'm being honest. Besides, it's a bloke thing," he said mischievously.

"I can't believe I'm doing this! But really! We have to solve the mystery between these marks," she murmured and he bit his bottom lip to stop himself from grinning like an idiot.

"Well? Should I turn around?" He offered. In as much as he could remember every curve and every freckle of his wife's gorgeous body, this Hermione was still young, innocent, and insecure about herself.

"Thank you," he could hear the relief in her voice. He shifted in his seat so he could turn away from her.

"Just tell me when I can turn around," he said when he's fully facing the wall. Since the room was so quiet, he could hear Hermione's every movement as well as her intakes of breath. What if the mark's located near her… oh, shit! Potter focus on something else… This Hermione is not your wife yet…

"You can turn around now," Hermione said with a shaky voice. He gulped when he saw Hermione sitting just a couple of feet away from him. She removed her robe and her sweater. The top buttons of her white shirt were opened and she lowered the right cup of her bra just so he could see the same mark. Instead of looking at the mark though, his eyes were drawn to the slight swell of her breast and the same smooth skin he's so familiar with. Hermione's breasts may be smaller than what I could remember, but her effect on me remains to be as strong as ever, he thought. Since he could feel his body react to the sight, he grabbed a pillow and covertly placed it over his lap. Great! I hate being a fourteen-year-old hormonal bloke, he chastised himself as he thought of disgusting things that could clear his head from the naughty memories he shared with the older version of this young woman in front of him.

"Er, Harry? You can see it right?" Hermione's voice interrupted his thoughts.

He cleared his throat, before he said a breathless, "yes."

"Okay… So, can you face the wall again? I have to change," she blushed.

"Of course," he said as he turned around once again. After a few minutes, he heard Hermione say, "you can face me again now." He had a fond smile on his face as he faced her once again. Hermione was blushing so hard right now and her eyes were glued on the floor just so she could avoid looking at him. He could only smile at her because she was just so lovable and cute.

"What do you think about all this?" He broke the awkward silence.

"I don't know… do you think it means something?" She finally looked at him again.

"Hermione… would you believe me if I said that your dreams of being a healer actually happened in an alternate timeline? And that you and I, we're given a second chance so we can save someone?" His eyes searched her face for any recognition.

"It's you, isn't it? The man who hurt me in that alternate reality… it's you, right?" She inquired with her chocolate brown eyes staring intently into his own.

"I'm not sure if you remember how much I hurt you but I truly am sorry, my darling… I would never tire of saying it every day and yet, I'd still feel that I'm not doing enough," he sighed. To his surprise, Hermione stood up from her position on the couch and she sat right next to him. When she leaned her head against his shoulder, he immediately wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I don't know all that's happened to us in that life, Harry, but I married you, didn't I?" She whispered.

"Yes, and I screwed it up… We were both at fault but you didn't deserve the way I – "

"It's not important right now… You can explain all that to me some other time… But Harry, I want to know… What happens now? It's Halloween… And the odd years before I became a healer, I cannot remember anything at all. I couldn't remember us as older Hogwarts students except for the first three years of our academic journey here… I'm scared. I feel that something's going to go wrong again... Harry, something's gonna happen this evening again, right? Please be honest with me." She asked.

"Yes… I'll be chosen as the fourth champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament – "

"Harry! No! You'll get hurt!" She lifted her head from his shoulder and there were tears in her eyes as she worried for him. It made him feel really bad to see her crying since it reminded him of all the hurt he caused her before.

"Hermione, don't worry… I'll be fine. I survived it before, with your help… Don't worry, I got this… We got this," he cupped her cheek as he wiped away her tears.

"Whatever happens later tonight, just trust me okay? I'll be fine," he reassured her as he let go of her face and held her hands.

"So, what happens now? To us?"

"Well… I intend to chase you all over Hogwarts until I can convince you to marry me again," he said in all seriousness.

"Oh, is that so?" She challenged.

"You better brace yourself, Granger," he pinched her cheeks.

"I intend to make you work for it, Potter," she snorted.

"Well, I expected you to, as you should do... You're a prize after all," he chuckled and she huffed.

"How did we pull this off? This weird time travel or is it a memory transfer?" She turned to him with a curious look – an expression that's never changed when she's eager to learn something new.

"Well, we pledged ourselves in that alternate timeline, to be the Master and Mistress of Death," he said.

"Master and Mistress of Death? That sounds dubious but I do trust you," she looked at him with confusion and unwavering trust. The faith she had in him had always been so overwhelming.

"Yeah, this isn't the right time to talk about it. I can't remember our class schedule but if it's Snape, we really can't be late," he chuckled.

"Could you show me something cool, as the mysterious Master of Death," she said with an eyebrow raised.

"Okay," he shrugged. Closing his eyes, he shapeshifted into his basilisk form. Just like the first time around, Hermione yelped in fright. The King of the Serpents slithered closer to its mate as it coiled its large body around her legs.

"Harry?" She asked the basilisk who moved its head up and down.

"Amazing," she whispered. The basilisk moved away from her before it transformed back into an amused Harry Potter.

"You're such a prat! You could have warned me!" She smacked his chest.

"You know, you're more frightened the first time around," he chuckled.

"Let's just go. I'm hungry," she said grumpily.

"Oh, alright!" He said as he carried her bag and his own. Holding out a hand to her, he said gallantly, "Shall we go, my Lady?"

"We shall," she took his hand and together, they walked to the Great Hall. When they got there, Ron was already sitting beside Neville, Seamus, and Dean. He could feel everyone's eyes focused on him and Hermione since they were holding hands as they walked along but he didn't care.

Guiding Hermione to sit down on the bench, he placed their bags on the floor before he sat beside her. Ron gave them a curious look but he didn't say anything because there was so much food in his mouth. Glancing up the grandfather clock, there were only thirty minutes left before the start of the first period so they hurriedly ate their breakfast.

Ronald Weasley had been anxious the entire day. First, his best mate, Harry Potter, didn't wait for him so they could walk to breakfast together along with Hermione. When he ran towards the Gryffindor table, he expected Hermione and Harry to be sitting there, but he was so surprised along with the rest of the student body and the teachers, to have them walking in late with only thirty minutes left for breakfast. What's more interesting was the fact that they were holding hands as they walked to the Gryffindor table. He even noticed that Harry carried Hermione's bag and he helped her to sit on the bench. These were things that Harry had never done for Hermione before. If he were honest with himself, it seemed that Harry was showing signs that he fancied Hermione. He honestly didn't know how to react to that since he expected Harry to fancy someone prettier. Hermione's just so – Hermione – that he couldn't understand why Harry seemed to be besotted by her.

As he spent the day with his best friends, except when Hermione left them for her Arithmancy and Ancient Runes class, Harry had been overly attentive to the female member of their trio. Not only that, he noticed Harry sneaking dreamy-eyed glances on Hermione which irked him, to be honest. He didn't understand why it annoyed him to see Harry being so caring to Hermione but it just made him feel weird. Truth be told, this entire day felt so weird.

Now, as he's sitting here in the Great Hall in time for the Halloween feast and more importantly the Goblet of Fire's selection for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, he found himself all alone once again. After their very boring Divination class with that batty professor, Harry told him that he's off to fetch Hermione from Ancient Runes. He waited for his friends in the Gryffindor Common Room but they never came. He tried his best to ignore the feeling of being abandoned or worse, they were off on a date or were snogging somewhere. He just couldn't see his friends together because his mother implied that he and Hermione would make a really good pair. He didn't really believe that but he didn't want Harry to win something over him either. And to him, whoever got together with Hermione first was the clear winner in the chase for her heart.

He frowned when he saw his best friends walking together once again. Since Harry was carrying three large books which he could only assume were Hermione's weekly readings from the library, he noticed that Harry had a hand on the small of her back. He had only seen that gesture in couples. No, maybe Hermione's just not feeling well and Harry's helping her, the thought as he munched on his large helping of shepherd's pie.

As his friends took the seat across from him, he only acknowledged their presence with a nod which they returned with a nod of their own. When he noticed that Harry and Hermione were taking food from each other's plate, as they whispered to each other like they were trapped in their own little world, his frown deepened.

"Ooh! Pav! Look! Harry and Hermione are so obviously together and it's so adorable. I always knew they'd make a good couple," when he heard this remark from Lavender Brown who sat near Seamus and Dean, he started getting angry. If Harry and Hermione are truly dating, shouldn't they at least have the decency to tell me first?

Pouring his anger to the lavish feast, he continued eating to his heart's content. When Professor Dumbledore stood up and started talking about the Goblet of Fire's selection, he didn't care. After all, he wasn't a participant in the stupid tournament. Besides, there's nothing in it for him anyway. Also, he couldn't bring himself to be excited because Harry and Hermione were ignoring him since they're so caught up in each other. The weird lovey-dovey behavior from his best friends made him really pissed at them.

It barely registered to him that Viktor Krum, his hero, was chosen as the Durmstrang representative, along with the bloody hot veela from Beaubaxtons, Fleur Delacour. When Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff was chosen as the Hogwarts representative, he rolled his eyes. There's no way that a Hufflepuff could ever win against Viktor Krum of all people. Hogwarts might as well concede its position for the Tri-Wizard cup since Diggory stood no chance at all.

"Harry Potter!" When Professor Dumbledore called Harry's name once again, he looked at his best friends. There was a worried look on Hermione's face but Harry only cupped her cheeks and kissed her on the forehead. These two have been keeping a secret from me, his jaw clenched in anger.

He was surprised when Harry stood up from his seat, pointed his wand to his throat and said in a voice that reverberated throughout the Great Hall, "I, Harry James Potter, swear on my life and magic, that I did not enter myself nor did I convince someone else to enter my name in the Goblet of Fire. So, mote it be! Lumos!" As Harry's wand emitted a very bright light, the Great Hall was quiet as all eyes were focused on him. Harry held Hermione's hand and kissed it before he confidently walked toward the professors and the other three champions.

"Hermione! You're dating Harry Potter!" Lavender squealed with delight as she and Parvati tackled a blushing Hermione with lots of questions.

"It's not official yet but I did promise Harry that I am giving him a chance to secure my affections," Hermione said coyly which made Lavender and Parvati giggle.

Harry just has to have everything. First the tournament and now Hermione, he clenched his fists in anger as he tried to ignore the gossip about the new couple and Harry bloody Potter's unseemly participation as the fourth champion. Since he was so focused on his joint anger at his supposed best friends, most especially at Harry Potter, he didn't notice that his sister, Ginny, left the Great Hall with tears in her eyes.

As Harry Potter listened to the instructions from Professor Dumbledore and Ludo Bagman about the preparations for the tournament, he could only think about sneaking off later to call on Osiris and Merlin for a chit-chat. He tried his best to not roll his eyes at the dramatic protests from Igor Karkaroff about his participation. This cowardly Death Eater is so annoying, he thought as he began to formulate his plans for the Horcruxes, Voldemort, and more importantly, winning his Hermione's heart all over again...