Cold, bitterness, what is my worth; I am a withered woman, with nothing but an ache in my heart keeping me here.

Emerald. She is my life.

And now I have failed her.

And my life is forfeit.

Hermione hugged her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, in an attempt to block out the grimy black walls that encompassed her. She felt her body shake in the bitter cold that was biting into her skin, but the cold air that was coming in from the sea was nothing compared to the coldness in her heart.

She laid down on the cold, rotten floor and took a deep, painful breath.

Death, a permanent departure from life.

Peace.

She let out a ragged breath as her heart beat slowed; the pain in her icy heart had suddenly amplified.

To save two lives, Hermione sacrificed her own and Jonathon's.

Fair trade.

***

Harry ran up to Kingsley and grasped his robes, shoving him into the stone wall fury burning in his eyes.

"She is no murderer! She has done nothing wrong!" Harry shouted and Kingsley grasped Harry's hands and removed them from his expensive robes. "Please… you can't." Harry pleaded and the minister for magic let out a sigh.

"I need to talk to you about something. In private." The dark wizard whispered and Harry nodded, following him into one of the interrogation rooms. The older man turned. "Minerva." Harry looked in shock as the headmistress appeared before him.

"We have a lot to talk about Harry. First… Mr. Fulton." Harry frowned when he thought of the gray haired wizard. "We are investigating him for… treason and the improper use of his authority."

"Then why did you allow him to send 'mione to Azkaban!" Harry exclaimed and his old professor frowned slightly.

"It was not our intension for Miss Granger to go to jail… especially in her condition." Minerva spat and Kingsley nodded solemnly.

"What condition?" Harry asked slowly, dreading the answer.

Minerva looked up and a soft twinkle erupted in her eyes. "That's the other thing we need to have a little chat about." She chuckled slightly and Harry frowned at how she found humour in the situation.

***

Lizzie opened her eyes slowly and stared at the black button up shirt before her. Her eyes went to the owner of said garment, whom was still sleeping peacefully his arms wrapped around her.

Lizzie was in shock that she hadn't fallen off in the middle of the night, the couch was small, there was barely enough room for one person let alone two! She smiled smally at the dark wizard before her. He looked so peaceful in slumber, gone were the serious lines on his brow, gone were his worries.

She remembered last night, she had been in her living room, reading a book after putting Emerald to bed. The knock at the door several hours later made her jump and she clutched her wand tightly as she opened it, but smiled when Blaise stood before her a dozen ruby red roses in hand.

"Blaise! It's almost ten thirty, what on earth are you doing here?" she asked in shock and watched his chocolate cheeks darken in embarrassment. He looked down and smiled when he saw her white pyjama pants which had love hearts scattered across them; and her white tank top which left, little, he was glad, to the imagination.

"Nice pyjamas." He whispered and Lizzie quickly crossed her arms over her chest and he held out the roses for her to take.

She lifted them to her nose and smiled when the sweet perfume filled her senses. She beamed and beckoned him inside. She had seen a lot of Blaise lately, although she was not complaining in the slightest.

He was a charming, thoughtful and handsome man. "I was just doing a bit of reading… I'm sorry I have nothing for us-"

"May I sit with you? I have intruded on your evening, I may as well join in on your activity?" he reasoned and Lizzie smiled smally. She took her place on the lounge and noticed him pluck a random book from Hermione's vast collection and sit beside her.

They read in companionable silence. As the night drew on Lizzie daringly moved so that her head was rested comfortably in his lap, the book above her so that he could not see her pink cheeks, embarrassed by her forwardness.

But he had merely entangled his fingers in her hair and was gently massaging her scalp. Lizzie closed her eyes at the feeling and felt peace over come her.

She gently dropped her book to the floor and kept her eyes closed, a soft smile on her face. Blaise placed his book to one side, having not read a single word and gazed down at her beautiful features, the soft smile, lit up her face, he was sure if her eyes were open they would look just as bright.

As if sensing his gaze she opened her eyes with a slight flutter and he smiled warmly when her cheeks turned a dark shade of crimson. He gently stroked her cheek and smiled when she closed her eyes and leant into his touch.

And then she sat up and turned to face him, her cheeks flushed, hair mussed. Her eyes were dancing with light and Blaise watched her slowly approach him. Her lips tantalisingly close.

It was soon after that first, sweet kiss that Lizzie deducted she had fallen asleep. She gently drew circles on his chest with her fingertip, her gentle caress moving up to trace his jaw line, his lips, and then his eyes shot open and she froze, holding his intense gaze. Until.

"Auntie Lizzie. Where's mummy?" Emerald asked suddenly and Lizzie sat up in shock and then fear. Staring at the little girl in her night clothes, suppressing a yawn.

"I am not sure."

***

He stood and left the room without uttering a word to the two other adults.

He swallowed his tears of frustration, hurt and most of all guilt as he apparated to Azkaban prison. He refused to do as Hermione wished and see to her daughter, it hurt him too much to think that she could have been with someone else. Someone other than him.

It was selfish, but Harry Potter was sick of being selfless.

And he wished Hermione was not so noble.

The waves crashed on the shoreline as two guards immediately escorted him inside, the storm outside brewing into what would soon be a thunderous storm. Despite the dementors having left the prison during the war, the cold dark walls were enough to send anyone mad. He drew his thick cloak tighter around his body and requested the cell number of a 'Miss Hermione Granger'. He waved off their requests to escort him, he needed no such thing, he had been to this prison to many times over his career as an auror, there was no need for an escort.

Cell 346 was large, but bore little furniture and dirt and grime covered the floor and walls, his heart clenched when the little light in the cell shone on a silhouetted figure in one of the dark corners. He entered the cell and silenced it, closing the door behind him.

"Hermione." He whispered, but she did not move, her breathing, seemed weak, uneven. He was concerned when she didn't answer and with her condition on his mind he knelt to the ground and turned her body over.

A slight trickle of scarlet fell from her plump lips, he quickly scooped her up into his arms and gasped at how cold she was. He stood and immediately ran from the cell, down the many stairs and into the wardens office.

He grabbed some floo powder and shouted. "St. Mungos, prison ward!" the healers immediately looked up in surprise when they saw Harry Potter in their ward, an unconscious Hermione Granger in his arms. They lead him to a free room and he immediately placed her on the bed.

"She is suffering from hypothermia… brought on by…" the older woman froze when her wand rested above Hermione's heart. "What is wrong with her?" the woman snapped and Harry bowed his head.

"She is suffering from the bereavement of the heart." The woman gasped and placed the tip of her wand to Hermione's forehead, whispering spells in quick succession under her breath.

Harry looked up and frowned when he saw a woman with a striking resemblance to McGonagall appear in the doorway a look of anguish on her face.

"Sarah… she is my patient." Claire Evans whispered and Sarah looked up and nodded.

"I brought up her temperature… but there isn't much we can do… she is deteriorating too rapidly." Sarah stated as she exited and Claire closed the door behind her.

"Hello Harry." She whispered and he felt her strikingly bright eyes on him. "I assume you know that she is suffering because of …. Her love for you." she whispered and Harry nodded taking a seat beside her bed. "I am going to wake her up now… I think you should talk." The older woman placed the tip of her auburn coloured wand to Hermione's head and whispered a simple spell under her breath.

***

Hermione felt the warmth pulsate through her body for a moment, before the cold once more sank in. The tip of something warm was placed to her forehead and her eyes immediately opened the bright light of the room invading her senses and leaving her slightly dazed.

Claire smiled smally down at her and Hermione tried to return it, but failed miserably, returning not a smile, but a grimace of pain. "Claire… where-"

"Hush. Mr. Potter shall explain." Claire placed a friendly hand to Hermione's shoulder, gave it a gentle squeeze and left, the hospital door closing with a snap behind her.

Hermione turned and her eyes widened when she saw Harry staring at her, his eyes glassy.

"Where's Emmy?" Hermione dared to ask, knowing that he would be angry with her, he frowned in confusion and Hermione added. "My daughter." Correction, our daughter. She thought dismally and Harry sighed heavily.

"I didn't go to her." He said darkly and Hermione saw pain in his eyes, a dark emotion she had not seen in many years. Silence engulfed them for several moments until Hermione turned her gaze to the ceiling, feeling wave after wave of grief overcome her. "Why didn't you save yourself?" Harry asked, anger laced his words and Hermione turned confusion in her eyes. "Why didn't you keep the heart for yourself, save yourself from this bereavement? It is the only cure! Minerva told me so!" he questioned darkly and Hermione swallowed and placed a hand to her chest, the cold radiating off of her. Its not the only cure, you can save me.

"I am a mother… I would never have taken either a daughter or a father from a family… this is Charlie and Clara we are talking about… I was not going to be selfish and forfeit either of their lives!" Hermione exclaimed and then coughed suddenly, her throat raw. She let out a small whimper and stared at the white ceiling.

After a long moment he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry Hermione… I just don't want to lose you again." He whispered and Hermione let out a noise of disbelief. "I want you back."

"You went to her before… who says you won't leave me again for another prettier girl?" Hermione asked and harry saw the genuine fear in her eyes.

"I was wrong… I should have stayed with you… I should have realised… I was so stupid! You are so beautiful in mind, body…" he said despondently and bowed his head. "I should have known I couldn't bare to lose you." he whispered and Hermione felt her heart clench in pain.

"Bring my daughter to me… I need to see her… please." She begged and Harry nodded, exiting the room just as Hermione let out a heart wrenching sob.

Harry walked down the halls towards the fireplace and with a handful of powder and green flames surrounding him he shouted.

"Granger residence."

***

The floo sounded and Emerald ran down the stairs gleefully, finally her mother was home.

"Mummy!" she exclaimed as she ran into the living room. She froze when she saw a tall man with round glasses staring at her. "Who are you?" she asked backing away slightly. The man stepped towards her, his emerald green eyes flashing in confusion.

A woman entered the room followed by Blaise Zabini and Harry looked up and then back at the girl, uncertainty on his face. Lizzie let out a small cry of shock when she saw the man before her.

Emmy had backed away until she was leaning against Lizzie's legs her face showing fear and curiosity. Harry approached, slower this time and bent to his knees when he reached the girl.

His gaze fell upon her black hair, then her face, a mirror image of Hermione's except for her bright emerald green eyes. He looked up at Lizzie who simply nodded her head, biting her lip furiously.

"My name is Harry Potter and who are you?" Harry whispered and saw the small girl's eyes light up the way Hermione's used to when she discovered something.

"I'm your daughter."

AN so…. Your thoughts? :D