Title: In Your
Dreams
Author: Distracted mind
Rating: T
Time frame:
Post-HBP
Summary: Hermione has trouble staying in reality after
she has some of the greatest dreams. She seems to notice one trend
though; they are haunted by one elusive person and one even more
elusive gesture. Post HBP
A/N: I wrote this pre-DH, so it contains no spoilers. Any similarities between this story and DH are purely coincidental.
Disclaimer: It's not mine
Quick A/N: Here is the final chapter of the journey, or, rather, the journey's precursor, which untimately is a journey in itself. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and be sure and review. One quick side note: I changed some things in chapter 8 but they were very minor changes; mostly grammar stuff and some typos that I should have caught earlier but I kept the body of the chapter the same. I know you guys were a little disappointed and that's why it took so long for me to edit and repost it. But it's my story and that's how I saw it.
In any case, I hope you guys will stick around for this chapter but I think it's pretty good. I wanted to thank all of you who have stuck with me and my story. I know it's been slow going, and I have made you guys wait quite a bit but I'm really proud of this chapter and this story, and I hope all of you feel the same.
And now, without any further adieu...
Chapter 9
In Her Dreams
"So, what did you boys do today?" Mrs. Weasley asked passing the potatoes. She had prepared the usual spread and as usual Ron was shoveling it in so quickly is would be a surprise if he tasted any of it. It seemed this time Ron was intentionally inhaling his food, so Harry answered Mrs. Weasley question.
"We went to the Ministry," Harry began wearily, "to visit Mr. Weasley."
"Oh, Arthur must've loved seeing you boys," Mrs. Weasley said jovially. Harry nodded and continued eating. Just then, Mr. Weasley burst through the door.
"Hello, Weasleys, Hermione, Harry," he greeted. He took a seat at the table. "How'd the apparition tests go?" Harry's head shot up and Ron choked on his food. Both had hoped this innocent question remained unbeknownst to Mrs. Weasley. Therefore, both were thoroughly disappointed when Mrs. Weasley rounded on them.
"What apparition tests?" Mrs. Weasley inquired.
"Uh… uh…" Ron began.
"While we were at the Ministry, we decided to take our apparition test," Harry explained.
"Oh, I see," Mrs. Weasley began, sniffling, "you're of age now. You can do what you want." She got up from the table and fixed a plate for Mr. Weasley. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny excused themselves and made their way upstairs.
"That went well," Hermione said.
"Not quite how I'd imagined it going," Ron said.
"What, did you just think mum was just going to give you her blessing when you're about to run off to save the wizarding world and put yourselves in mortal danger?" Ginny asked.
"Hoping really," Ron admitted. The four of them walked up the stairs to Ginny's room. Hermione opened the door to Ginny's room and started to walk inside.
"We still have a bit of cleaning to do," Hermione informed the boys.
"Yeah, but come by later tonight. I have a surprise for you," Ginny said to Harry as well as Ron but was attentively starring at Harry. Harry lifted an eyebrow and cracked a smile.
"Can't wait," Harry said staring longingly at Ginny before Ron whisked him away; Hermione pulled Ginny inside her room and closed the door.
"What surprise?" Hermione questioned with a raised eyebrow. Ginny smiled and resumed her cleaning.
The mess was dwindling and Hermione and Ginny were clearly exhausted. They collapsed on Ginny's bed and Hermione turned to Ginny.
"I'm really tired. I think I'll just going to bed," Hermione said. She stood up and made her way to her trunk to get her pajamas.
"Not tonight, not your last night at the Burrow," Ginny argued. Hermione stopped what she was doing and turned to Ginny.
"How did you…" Hermione began confusedly.
"Seriously, Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"Right, I forgot, you know everything," Hermione joked. "So, what'd you have in mind?" Ginny walked over to her dresser. She rummaged around for a bit, then pulled out a bottle. She handed it to Hermione who examined it thoroughly. "Ogden's Firewhiskey? Ginny where did you get this?" she asked, a note of disapproval clearly detected in her tone.
"Nicked it from Fred and George's place last time I was there," Ginny explained taking back the bottle. "They were so drunk off their arses, didn't even realize it was missing. Must have figured they drained that too," she finished chuckling. Hermione shook her head and handed the bottle back to Ginny.
"Well, this should be interesting," Hermione quipped. "Do you suppose we can finish it off ourselves?"
"Of course not, there's no way you could handle this. Besides it's Harry and Ron's last night here too. It would be rude to keep it from them," Ginny confessed.
"What a nice gesture," Hermione complimented sarcastically. A knock at the door startled the two of them. Ginny cautiously answered the door.
"Oh, good, it's you two," Ginny said visibly relieved to a confused pair of boys.
"Did we miss anything?" Harry asked.
"Not at all; you're right on time," Ginny replied, an impish grin beginning to caress her mouth. Harry stared back, an equally mischievous smile adorning his own face. Hermione realized that Ron hadn't noticed the recent shift of mood, so she spoke up.
"So," she began, "what should we do now?" She had hoped this would break the awkward moment. However, this only seemed to make things more awkward for her and Ron as Harry and Ginny only stared more deeply into each other's faces, seemingly memorizing every feature. Hermione went to Ginny's dresser and retrieved the Firewhiskey. "Shall we?" she asked Ron, proudly displaying the bottle and raising an eyebrow.
"Brilliant," Ron replied excitedly, reaching for the contraband. Before Ron could get his hands on the bottle, Ginny snatched the bottle.
"Not so fast," she reprimanded as she swatted Ron's hand away. "And you," she rounded on Hermione, "you stole my moment."
"Well, you seemed a little busy," Hermione replied. Both Harry and Ginny blushed furiously.
"Well, then," Harry recovered, summoning four glasses, "what are we waiting for?" Each took a glass and Ginny poured a generous amount to each of them. When they all had received some of the smooth, amber liquid, Harry raised his glass.
"To Bill and Fleur, may they live happily every after," Harry toasted.
"Right, Harry, because we live in a muggle fairy tale," Ron joked. Hermione punched Ron in the shoulder.
"Stop it, Ron. Maybe Harry wants to believe that everything will work out and that everyone will live happily ever after. I actually think it's quite romantic," she admitted. For a moment after she said this, she stared directly into Ron's eyes. Never once had Hermione wished those fairy tales were real more than that very moment. She quickly averted his eyes and raised her glass. "To Bill and Fleur."
"To Bill and Fleur." Ginny raised her glass. Ron hesitated for a moment, then followed suit and raised his glass.
"Yeah, to Bill and Fleur," Ron declared.
No, after tonight the lives of Harry, Ron and Hermione would never be like a fairy tale. They would be filled with untold danger and surrounded by uncertainty until finally, in the end, they could only hope for a happy ending. Not like a fairy tale indeed. But maybe, just for tonight, their lives could be the fairy tale they have always dreamed of, beginning, of course, with the consumption of this alcoholic beverage.
The conversation ranged from how much they wished Dumbledore was around, to how daft Lavender Brown is, which Hermione admittedly enjoyed immensely, to the lessons learned at Hogwarts, scholastic and otherwise. An hour and a half, and three-quarters of the bottle later, Ginny had gone to get some water, Harry had gone to the bathroom, and Hermione and Ron were sitting on the floor in Ginny's room laughing.
"So, we pulled back the curtain and caught him snogging his pillow," Ron reminisced. Hermione snorted but continued laughing mercilessly. She looked at Ron who had stopped laughing and was staring at her.
"What, do I have something on my face?" Hermione asked, raising a hand to her face.
"No, no. It's just… No, you look…" Ron couldn't complete a sentence and Hermione could decide whether it was because he was nervous or inebriated. "Where's Harry? He left like twenty minutes ago," Ron recovered. "Honestly, it doesn't take him that long to pee."
"Do you frequently time him?" Hermione joked. "Hang on, Ginny left before Harry. Surely she'd be back by now."
"D'you reckon she got lost," Ron asked. Hermione threw him the most derisive look she could muster in her current condition.
"She was only going to the kitchen to get some water, she wasn't climbing Mt. Eppervest, or whatever the hell it's called," she tried.
"Hermione, I'm sloshed and even I know that didn't make sense," Ron retorted. "You're drunk."
"I am not. I just need some fresh air," Hermione said trying to stand. "Whoops." Hermione began to stumble but Ron steadied her.
"There we go. Nice and easy," he encouraged. "Wow, Hermione. You don't drink much do you?"
"Twice a week, except on Sundays," Hermione muttered incomprehensibly. Ron chuckled and helped Hermione down the stairs. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, however, they heard something unanticipated. It sounded like someone was moving pots and pans around. Then, they heard someone mutter something about trouble and figured Mrs. Weasley had caught Ginny out of bed, mildly intoxicated. They assumed Mrs. Weasley was trying to reprimand Ginny, as quietly as was possible for Mrs. Weasley, for making so much noise. Even in her current state, Hermione knew it would be best to slip out unnoticed; but not before they had a quick peek at the carnage. However, when the craned their necks around the corner to see into the kitchen, they found quite a different site than they had imagined. Instead of witnessing a severe verbal lashing from Mrs. Weasley, they discovered the reason for their friends' absences. Ron and an intoxicated Hermione stared blatantly at Harry, his arms wrapped longingly around a radiant Ginny. They were kissing hungrily, as though this may be the last moment they would ever be together. Hermione let out a snort. She saw Harry and Ginny abruptly break apart and look around. Next thing Hermione knew, Ron had put his hand over her mouth and pulled her away from the door as she heard Ginny say "did you hear that?"
Ron rushed Hermione out past the garden. When he removed his hand from her mouth, she could hardly contain her laughter.
"Looks like they were having a good time," Hermione choked out.
"Hermione keep your voice down," Ron whispered. "Honestly, we're lucky they didn't catch us spying on them."
"Oh, relax, Ron. I doubt they even knew we were there," Hermione slurred.
"No, they couldn't have," Ron began. "What, with you snorting like a pig and all."
"Are you calling me fat," Hermione retorts, swaying slightly.
"What?" Ron was caught off guard. He looked at her and searched for a way out while she tried to stay on her feet. "No, I…" But before he could recover, Hermione leaned too far to one side and was about to fall. Ron, however, rescued her once again from the cold, unforgiving ground. "Watch it, Hermione," Ron said as he quickly moved to support Hermione, helping her steady herself. "You really shouldn't drink anymore."
"What're you talking about, I'm doing just fine, thank you," Hermione told Ron, so he loosened his grip and she nearly toppled over again. Ron straightened her up once more and pulled her closer. She rested her arms on his. "Maybe I did go a bit overboard," she said looking into his eyes. Ron just smiled as he stared back at her. She began to lean in slowly. "You know, your eyes are really blue," Hermione said in a low voice. Surprise flushed over Ron's features as she continued. "Just like in my dreams." She pulled him closer, closing her eyes.
"I know," Ron whispered, and he noticed she stopped and opened her eyes.
"What?" Hermione asked. Her quizzical expression begged him to continue.
"I said, I…" He began to repeat.
"I know what you said," Hermione stressed. "But, what do you mean?" She dropped her arms and stepped away. Her debilitating eyes fixed on Ron's.
"I…uh…I," Ron squirmed under her gaze.
"Out with it, Ron," Hermione demanded.
"I overheard you and Ginny talking in her room," He rushed. "I wanted to tell you that I passed my apparition test. I apparated to Ginny's door but I heard talking."
"So you decided to stay and listen in?" Hermione asked furiously. She didn't know if it was the thought of Ron knowing exactly how she felt and not knowing how he feels, or if it was the blood rushing to her head, but she was definitely sober now.
"I heard you say that you had another dream. I was just curious," Ron said warily.
"Ron, how could you?" Hermione yelled as she ran towards the door. She reached for the handle and jerked it open. She could hear Ron pleading behind her, but she didn't care. As she tore through the living room, she could hear Ginny behind her.
"Hermione, where are you… what did you do to her?" Hermione heard Ginny ask. Ron had obviously walked in. Hermione could hear Ginny letting Ron have it and Ron trying to defend himself. Harry, however, seemed to be absent from the shouting match. She ran to Ginny's room, shut the door and collapsed on her bed. She couldn't believe Ron knew everything. She could still faintly hear muffled yelling. And, without warning, she drifted into slumber.
Light streamed in through the window. Hermione opened her eyes and then quickly shut them again. The pain shooting to her head was agonizing and she knew exactly why.
"I'm never drinking again," Hermione told herself. She forced her eyes open again and saw Ginny on her bed, her arm and head hanging over the edge. Hermione chuckled, which only intensified the headache. She tried to remember what had happened the night before. She got out of bed and noticed she was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She quickly changed and headed down to the kitchen. She wasn't really hungry, but she thought it would be nice to at least see Mrs. Weasley while it was still morning.
Hermione opened the door quietly and walked into the hall. Just as quietly as she had opened it, Hermione shut the door and took a step backward, and, unknowingly, bumping into Ron.
"Hermione…" Ron quickly took a couple steps back, "I didn't see you there. How're you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Ron. Just have a bit of a headache is all," Hermione stated calmly.
"I didn't figure you'd be up this early," Ron retorted, "or talking to me," he mumbled. Hermione gave him a quizzical expression.
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm always up this early," Hermione asked, disregarding what he mumbled.
"The way you were tossin' 'em back last night, I didn't think I'd see you for a couple days," He jovially replied. "Honestly, Hermione, don't you remember anything from last night?" He asked.
"Not really," Hermione answered. "The last thing I remember is talking about Lavender Brown. Everything past that's a blank." She finished. Ron ears seemed to perk up after hearing this and Hermione was suspicious. "What exactly happened last night Ron?"
"Nothing really," he began, searching for a cop out. "We spied on Harry and Ginny snogging in the kitchen."
"Naturally," Hermione commented with a smile.
"You swore," Ron recounted.
"Is that the best you've got?" Hermione asked, bating him.
"And you confessed your undying love for me out in the garden," Ron threw in.
"Oh, come on, Ron. Now you're just reaching," Hermione insisted.
"What? For all you know every bit of that could be true," Ron said.
"Yes, well, maybe in your dreams, Ron," Hermione replied.
"Yeah, maybe," Ron jested. They stood there for a few seconds looking at the ground. Then Hermione lifted her head to catch Ron staring back at her then fix his eyes back on the ground. Hermione decided to say something when an unintended interruption emerged.
"Would you two keep it down?" Ginny shouted angrily. "I feel like I've been hit by a train." The two outside the door laughed as Ginny shut the door back on them.
"Come on, I can smell breakfast," Ron invited. Hermione nodded and followed Ron to the kitchen.
"You have to tell her," Hermione insisted.
"Can't I just leave her a note or something," Ron pleaded, "maybe send her an owl when we get there?
"No, you can't just leave her a note, Ron, she's you mum," Hermione said.
"Fine, I'll do it," Ron conceded, "but you're responsible if anything happens to me." He told her poignantly. Hermione chuckled and Ron smiled. He picked up his bag and turned toward the garden. Suddenly, they heard a pop behind them. It was Harry, his bag in tow. His hair was slightly mussed and he seemed out of breath.
"Said goodbye to Ginny, did you?" Ron asked.
"She's a trooper," Harry responded trying to fix his hair. Ron raised an eyebrow. Hermione knew what was going through Ron's mind, so she touched his arm and brought him out of his reverie. Ron straightened up and nodded. They all stood there for a moment, none knowing what to say. Harry spoke first.
"So, did I miss anything?" Harry asked.
"Well, Ron was just about to tell his mum we were leaving," Hermione informed. She saw Ron cringe.
"Great," Harry replied, "Shall we?" He motioned to the door. Ron looked at Harry, then to Hermione, pleading. Finally, he surrendered and led the way to the garden.
Outside, Mrs. Weasley was mercilessly chasing garden gnomes. When she noticed she was being watched, she straightened up.
"Oh, hello, you three," Mrs. Weasley greeted. The trio's mumbled greetings alerted the attentive mother. "Alright, what is it?" she asked, her hands on her hips. Ron turned and looked at his companions for support. They both nodded for him to proceed. Reluctantly, he faced his mother.
"Well, you see… we, that is Harry, Hermione, and me-I… well…," Ron sputtered out. He once again peeked back at his friends for reassurance, "we have to…" But Mrs. Weasley cut him off.
"I know, Ron," Mrs. Weasley insisted.
"You know what?" Ron asked, off guard. Harry and Hermione were confused as well.
"I know you have to go," Mrs. Weasley confessed. She set down her gardening tools and faced her youngest son. "I know you have to go. I didn't want to believe it; but I understand. You can't let Harry go alone, can you now?" She said, trying to force a smile. However, she failed miserably. She walked up to him and placed her hands on his face. Taking a breath, she continued, her voice shaking. "Promise, you'll be careful."
"I promise," Ron replied reverently. His mum nodded. She looked past Ron at Harry and Hermione.
"You take care of my boy," Mrs. Weasley told them. They both nodded but Hermione knew it was more of a plea than an instruction. Mrs. Weasley hugged her son; then she hugged Harry and Hermione. After Mrs. Weasley hugged Ron once more, she stepped aside.
And with that, the trio began walking. As they did, Hermione noticed Harry look back. Ginny was looking out of her bedroom window. She could see her tear-streaked face from where they were standing. She saw him turn back around, not showing any emotion. Then, there was Ron. He turned back and gazed at his childhood home. How long would it be before he saw it again, before he saw his family again. As he turned back to the horizon, he made no attempt to hide his sorrow. He looked at Hermione. She gave him a small smile. He reluctantly returned the smile then looked on to their destination, a shabby looking teddy bear.
"I don't understand why we just can't apparate there," Ron voiced, "Why do we have to take a portkey?"
"Because, Ron, it's not safe to apparate," Hermione informed.
"It's not safe to do anything, Hermione," Ron argued mockingly. Hermione bowed up for a response, but Harry interrupted.
"Don't tell me you two are going to start fighting now," Harry insisted, "and ruin that nice moment we just had." Hermione glanced at Ron, and he at her. He smiled and she returned it.
"So, we go in 5…4…" Hermione counted.
"I still don't understand why…" Ron continued complaining.
"…3…2…" Hermione continued.
"It wouldn't be that much trouble to just…" Ron ranted.
"RON!" Hermione commanded.
"What?" Ron asked. She glared at him. "Oh, fine."
"…1." Hermione finished. The three of them grabbed the bear and clung for dear life. From then on nothing would be simple, nothing would be guaranteed, nothing would be safe. But Hermione could always find solace in her dreams.
Ok, I know it took a little longer that we all expected. But, I can't apologize for taking so long because I had to prioritize, and this wasn't real high on the list. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you didn't, tough, because I'm not rewriting one word. But in any case, hit that review button and tell me what you think. I'd like to know that all of my hard work and brain power hasn't fallen on deaf ears… eyes… whatever. Anyway, thanks for reading. Hopefully, I can start a new story soon so be on the lookout.
Cheers,
Distracted mind
