Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling; therefore, Harry Potter isn't mine…

A/N: Here's the next chappie, folks. Hope everyone has a great New Year's!

Questions and Answers

15th February 2005

Claire Felicity Potter

I checked my watch. It was almost 1am. Valentine's Day was officially over. I had a very tiring day, not to mention the kidnapping prank we pulled on Harry. The plan had gone well; Harry was safely kidnapped and brought to the tent. We revealed our identities and I could still laugh at the look on Harry's face. I shifted my position to the side so I would be able to look at Harry comfortably. I rested my head on my hand. I stared at the peacefully sleeping Harry next to me. He must have suffered a lot, I found myself thinking. I snuggled closer to Harry and felt the warmth of his body. Harry's eyes snap open.

"Claire, must you stare at me like that?" Harry asked, yawning.

I was startled at how he reacted to my actions so suddenly.

"You frightened me," I mumbled to Harry.

Harry brought his face close to me and stared straight into my dusky blue eyes.

"Good." He said firmly.

"Harry, can we talk?" I asked.

"Oh no, this is one of the bombard-him-with-questions talks, isn't it?"

"Harry, please…" I pleaded and changed to a sitting position.

Harry groaned and sat up too.

"I need to know this; what Hermione said at dinner, about the best shag ever, was it true?" I asked quietly.

Harry blushed and hesitated. He finally said, "Yes."

"Didn't you and Ginny do 'that' when you dated?"

"We did, but our minds were filled with worries at that time. It wasn't the same as when you're doing it with someone you really love," Harry answered, wondering what in the world he had done to have landed in this conversation with Claire.

"Voldemort took everything away from you. Your parents, your friends, your family, and worse, your childhood," I said mournfully.

"And I'm not going to let him take my last happiness; you," Harry smiled weakly.

"You did so many things for other people and asked nothing in return. Because of you, the wizarding world lives in peace now, and you expected nothing! Without you, what would the world be like?"

"Claire, he's not coming back," Harry comforted me.

"I don't know, Harry. I've been having these dreams, they worry me. Promise me you're never going to leave me alone," I pleaded with Harry, taking his hand in mine.

"Claire - I -" Harry hesitated.

"Promise me!" I said, finally bursting into tears.

I cried on Harry's shoulder and said, "Promise me!"

When I first had those dreams, it was not so ominous. I forgot about it, but now the dreams keep showing me visions of Harry's death. I couldn't take it anymore. Harry cradled me in his arms and soothed me. He stroked my blonde hair softly and kissed me.

"I'll never leave you. I'll always be in your heart," Harry promised.

Not very far away, Ginny and Hermione were also having their own conversation. Hermione lay flat on her back staring into space. Ginny was reading a book when Hermione spoke.

"Do you really want to know why I left Ron?" Hermione asked all ofa sudden.

Ginny looked at Hermione and closed her book, carefully marking the page.

"Draco?" Ginny guessed.

"I had a dream the night before the wedding. I dreamed of my daughter, she was beautiful," Hermione said before choking the last words out, "like her father."

"And who's the father?" Ginny asked, taking a mild interest in the conversation.

"I don't know. I just saw her laughing on a swing; I'll never forget her laughter. So innocent, so sincere. She had honey-brown colored eyes and fair skin. Her hair was wavy and light blonde. She looked like an angel," Hermione whispered.

"It could be just a dream, you know."

"It wasn't. It was more of a sign - or a vision. Like an image of my future,"

"I can honestly tell you, they don't come true. They never do," Ginny said, shaking her head and went back to her book.

"What are you reading?" Hermione asked.

"A romance novel written by Nicholas Sparks. It's really good," Ginny said, offering Hermione the book.

"Well, when you're done, pass it to me will you?"

"Here, take it. I've read it a few times now," Ginny said, throwing the book towards Hermione.

"Let's see, 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks. A bittersweet and irresistibly romantic love story. Set amid the austere beauty of North Carolina coast, The Notebook begins with the story of Noah Calhoun..."

Hermione kept reading the synopsis while Ginny yawned and lay down beside Hermione. Not too long after that, Ginny drifted off to sleep. Hermione read the novel and joined Ginny about an hour later.

"Claire! Wake up!" Harry called.

I woke up with a start. Harry was shaking me hard.

"Harry, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Claire! You've got to see this! Come on!" Harry urged.

"Harry! It's the crack of dawn!" I whined.

"Come on! Get up! Get up!" Harry shook me harder.

"Alright! This better be worth it!" I warned angrily, still yawning.

I got out of the tent and looked around. Harry was already 20 feet ahead of me, leading me towards a place I didn't know. We kept walking and walking until we came upon a lake. The lake was beautiful! I could hear the water lapping and the leaves rustling. Harry conjured a boat and we paddled to the middle of the lake. Harry and I talked for a while. Harry talked about his past, his plans for the future, and I talked about my past and my future plans. It's been a while since we've been this close. Then we started talking about our plans for the future. Harry wanted to live in a small cottage while I want to continue staying in the house. We argued a bit. It was fun talking like this. We watched the sun rise and then made our way back to the campsite. Hermione and Ginny were already awake.

"Hey guys! Where have you been?" Ginny asked.

Hermione was stretching and yawning. She definitely wasn't a morning person.

"We watched the sun rise!" I said chirpily.

"Gracious, Claire. You mind not being so perky in the morning! It's only 8am and you're all pumped up watching the sun rise!" Hermione said moodily.

"Harry made me do it," Claire blamed.

"Oh, you dare admit you weren't enjoying the ride?" Harry asked, winking at me.

I giggled and helped myself to some of the scrambled eggs the elves had prepared yesterday.

"The sun's still gonna rise, what's the rush about?" Hermione muttered snappily.

"I think I'll get going after dinner tonight," Ginny said.

"Sure! We'll have a feast!" I suggested.

"I'm just planning to spend some quiet time at my house. Not to run off to some battle or anything for a while. But I can still apparate to your home whenever," Ginny said, apparently shocked that I had made such a big deal about them leaving.

"Leaving tonight also, Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione was helping herself to some noodles, she said, "Can't stay forever, right?"

"You can if you want," I said.

"No thanks. I don't fancy watching the two of you sharing a lovestruck gaze across the dining room table. Makes me sick," Hermione said moodily.

"Fine," I agreed.

Then we helped ourselves to some breakfast. Our plans were postponed to lunch where we could cook heavier food. Harry finished the last cup of orange juice and the four of us left the place to shower.

Harry and I went to our rooms to shower and change our clothing. It was about 10am when Harry apparated to work, promising he'll be back for lunch as planned. The moment he was out of sight, Ginny, Hermione and I immediately planned lunch. It was amusing watching Hermione figure out what every ingredient was used for. Being an ex-writer for the Prophet, Hermione hadn't the time to cook a decent meal. Ginny learned a lot from her mother while I took cooking classes when I married Harry a year ago.

"Okay, so here's the plan. Each of us prepares two dishes, main and dessert. We'll ask Harry to rate it from one to ten. The losers -" I said grinning evilly.

"I don't fancy getting a peck from Harry, especially if his wife is in the same room watching," Ginny shuddered.

"Why don't we make the losers wash the dishes?" Hermione suggested.

"Works for me," I approved while Ginny nodded.

About quarter to twelve, Harry apparated from work. He made his way to the dining room, surprised to see three women, grinning at him evilly.

"Oh no, what have I done this time?" Harry mumbled silently, taking his seat.

"Hey, Harry!" Ginny, Hermione and I said in unison.

"Fancy some spaghetti?" Ginny asked.

"Or some lasagna?" I added.

"Or baked salmon?" Hermione finished.

"Erm…can I settle with garden salad?" Harry asked nervously.

"No," the three of us said in unison.

"We need you -" I started.

"To taste the food -" Ginny continued.

"And rate them," Hermione finished.

"Merlin, what have I done?" Harry whispered.

The three of us placed the food in front of Harry and stared at him, the evil grins still plastered on our faces.

After forcing the food we prepared down Harry's throat, he decided that the baked salmon was the best and the lasagna was the worse. Hermione, obviously, had lost while I won. How evil of me to hide the fact that Harry's favourite food was baked salmon. Hermione finally asked Harry to clean the dishes with her. She claimed that she had something to talk with Harry about in private. To her major surprise, Harry also had something to talk about with her. I wonder what it is. As Hermione collected the dishes, Harry made his way toward the sink. Ginny wanted to have a stroll around the garden and I thought it would be best if I follow her.

"Harry? You wanted to tell me something?" Hermione asked while turning on the tap.

"Yeah, Hermione, I've been thinking," Harry paused, then continued, "how would a baby sound to you?"

"A baby?" Hermione repeated.

"Yeah, I've been thinking of having a baby. I wanted to ask you about it first," Harry said.

"Why ask me?" Hermione asked.

"Well, you know how Claire is so busy and famous. A baby would probably be the last thing she would want right now," Harry informed.

"I think it's good that you care for her, but maybe you should ask her, not me. And it would be more sincere if you asked her face to face, not using me as the middleman."

"Oh well," Harry shrugged.

The two of them finished their chores and went in search of Ginny and me. They found the two of us chatting happily. After a short chat, Harry left again for the Ministry. We went for a swim in the swimming pool and came out only when dinner was served. Harry talked about his day at the Ministry and we talked about our day. It wasn't until 11pm that Hermione left with Ginny.

"Hermione?" Harry called after her.

Hermione turned and gave Harry a puzzled expression.

"I hope things work out with Draco," Harry said, smiling slightly.

Hermione responded with a small smile and left with Ginny. I looked at Harry and gave him a warm smile.

"You've helped her all you can. Now let's just leave it to faith," I told Harry.

Harry put his hands around my shoulder and led me inside. This could be the best after-Valentine celebration ever! I thought happily.