A/N: By the time I uploaded this chapter I received 2 reviews. So, I would like to thank Waterbaby84 and Meiiha for their kind words. It really means a lot!

And of course, characters belong to J.…

Next up…

Chapter 2: Eclipse

She opened her eyes and something was off. Ron was still there,she knew it. She could feel him under her fingers. Looking around she made sure they were still in their bedroom; that everything was just they way it was supposed to be… But, still, something didn't feel right. Was it the pounding in her head?Was it the tiredness that sleep didn't took away?

Hermione tried to smile convincing herself that there was one particular reason she was feeling that way. It didn't work. Not this time. This wasn't the sweet ache in her muscles. She wasn't trembling in the memories of last night. She was shivering from the waves of fear that rolled inside her, making her stoamch flip.

Ron was still sleeping beside her. Slowly, careful not to wake him, she untangled herself from his arms and got out of bed. Almost instantly cold air hugged her and she shivered once more. It was beginnig of May, it wasn't supposed to be that cold. Quickly she wrapped her slipper tightly around her body, rubing her own arms for some wormth. Glancing over at candles around the room she noticed some of them did not burn out completely. It was like they were put out by the wind. And that never happened before. Not in this time of year.

The wind was licking long strips of curtains. Whole room was bathing in a greyish light just like in those minutes before the first rays of sun would spread on the world. Hermione threw a look at the clock on a bed post. It wasn't dawn time. It was nearly 9 am and putting aside the thought that she overslept and was still feeling extremely tired and slow, she approached the bedroom window.

Streets were empty. They weren't living in a noisy neighborhood, but still, it was too quiet. Than she looked up. Huge, heavy clouds were hovering over the city, over their heads. There was a thunder roll somewhere and she desperately searched for a gap in the dark cover in the sky. She wanted to see the sun, but it was nowhere to be seen.

Hermione wanted to stop looking. She wanted to close her eyes, to avert her gaze, but she couldn't. Her eyes roamed over the sky and she was terrified that she will recognize… That she will see a face, a sign. Watching as the wind rolled them over the city she feard what will they turn into.

Finally, Hermione shook herself and backed away from the wiev. She closed the window in a hurry and hugged her own body trying to even her breathing.

She heard a loud yawn behind herself and turned towards the bed. Ron was propped on his elbows looking at her through his half open eyelids. He rubbed his face and eyes where his disheveled hair tickled him. She couldn't stop a smile.

"Hey… ", he wishpered, his voice low and hoarse from sleep. "Why are you up?"

"Just got up to close the window", she replied her smile fading slightly.

His head fell back on the pillow and he streched his arms welcoming her in a hug. And it was all she needed. His arms and a tight embrace. She rushed to him and crawled in the bed huging hm tightly. Kissing the top of her head he murmured something.

"What?", she raised her head.

"I said… I love you".

Hermione smiled and leaned in for a soft kiss whispering she loved him, too against his lips.

"What's the time?", he asked again.

"Go back to sleep", she responded. "It's early". Coming as close as possible to him she closed her eyes, trying to fight the feeling and wishing to see the sun when she wakes up.

Harry wasn't sure how long he was just sitting there in the dark. Even when the room grew lighter it was still too dark to tell if it was dawning or raining… or if the Moon was just to bright. He was bitting his nails watching the unlit fireplace for hours.

He thought of nights all those years ago when he was waking up like this almost every night. He remembered those nights, but he seemed to have forgotten the horror they carried. Fear, uncertainty, questions….And all of that was coming back to life again. Why?

He tried to find the answer in the images that replayed themselves over and over again in his mind. Images of light, faces, far off lands and sounds of screams and hgh-pitched voices he was sure he never heard before. Those weren't memories. He wasn't even sure they were the product of his mind because he was never thinking about any of that. But, how did they find a way into his dreams then?

There was something sinister about it. Something engulfed in evil, something beyond this world… Even beyond their world that was in so many ways unimaginable to anyone outside of it.

He spent countless hours pacing and frowning trying to find sense in all of that. No avail. What was that he saw? A falling star? A man on a falling star? Nonsense. It was all nonsense and he just prayed it was all just a dream, although deep inside he was sure it was much more than just a dream.

Since he got up he must have checked up on Teddy and Ginny a dozen times. He would just push the door slightly, peek in and then return back to the livng room and continuing his pacing until his legs were aching and he had to sit down.

All he wanted now was someone to talk to… Someone who would now the answers. And he had no one. Even if he did what would he say to them… I saw a light, I think it was a comet and… No.

He couldn't tell Ginny, either. There was no need to worry her. Not yet,at least. What about Ron? Or Hermone? Ron would laugh at him and probably tease him about his future as a fantasy novel writter and Hermione would burry herself in books trying to find any refrence. To what point, when he even wasn't sure what he saw.

The floor screeched and he looked up from his chair. Ginny was standing in front of hm, barefoot in her night gown. Her face was flushed. He hoped she had a good dream.

"Harry…", she asked, "what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep", he responded averting his gaze.

"Something wrong?"

"No… No!", he ushered himself to sound convincing. "It's just those trainings. It's just those trainings, you know. I am so used to waking up in the crack of dawn that I can't even get a good night sleep anymore".

Ginny nodded but she was far from believing him. What was going on? He seemed so distant. But she decided not to push it further.

"Coffee?", she asked. Harry nodded.

"Teddy is still sleeping", he informed her. "I checked up on him".

"Good… He had a big day yesterday", Ginny responded. "I took him to the zoo. You should've seen him. He was entraced with giraffes".

Harry laughed. Please, let it all be just a dream, he thought.

"Why is it so dark in here?", Ginny commented turning on the light in the kitchen. "So, what do you wanna do today?".

"I don't know… Do you have something in mind?"

"I thought we could take Teddy to the park and then meet Ron and Hermione for lunch. I haven't seen Ron in ages", she said. Suddenly lightning lit the room and a roaring thunder followed imediately. They looked at eachother almost startled. "Where did that come from?".

From a room down the hallway a cry got to them. "Well, I guess no park today", Ginny said putting the cups down and hurrying towards Teddy's room to pick him up. "Prepare his food, plesae", he heard her shout as she vanished behind the door.

While he was doing what he was asked her question replayed in his head. Indeed, where the hell did that come from?

"Hey, sleepy head, get up! It's almost noon!", Ron called. It was so weird. Usually, she was the one who had to basically drag him out of bed. He cherished his moment, thinking of countless ways to tease her.

She opened her eyes once again and after seeing Ron's smiling face her eyes darted towards the window. Still dark.

"I made you breakfast", he said. "It's not perfect, but we'll survive".

"Thank you", she managed a smile. Her head was still pounding. Why did she react so bad to weather changes? And why was Ron talking so much?

"…so, I was thinking maybe we could meet with Harry and Gin for lunch"

"Yeah, sure", Hermione replied. "She mentioned that she would like to see you this weekend".

"Good, it's setled then", he said pulling her up from the bed. "Come on. You can't spend whole day in bed!"

"Hey,it's not fair", she laughed.

Moments later she was sitting at the kitchen table across him. He made great bacon sandwiches and as she munched she listened to his chewing and little noises while he was reading the papers.

Somehow, he managed to make everything right. She didn't forget about the feeling she was having mere hours ago, but his freckled face amused her enough to put it aside.

"Hey, listen to this….", he exclaimed. "It's some kind of eclipse today! And apparently it happened so suddenly that the scientists didn't see it coming"

"Eclipse?", Hermione asked.

"Yeah, you know… something is blocking the sun and blah blah…"

"I know what an eclipse is, Ron. It's just… ", she stopped herself. "How is possible they never saw it coming?"

"Hell if I know… ", he responded and continued to chew on his sandwich.

Ignorance sometimes is a bliss, she tought.

All the doubts from the morning came back rushing. She tried to push it had to see Harry. She had to look into his eyes. Over the years she learned so much about the two of them. One look into their eyes and she'd know. If Harry says that everything is fine, than it's fine.

"So, are we going to see Harry and Ginny today?", she asked nervously.

"Sure…", Ron replied. "Maybe I can send them an owl"

He stood up and approached the bird cage where Pig slept with his head bowed slightly. But, then he glanced at the window. It was the first time he actually saw what was going on outside. Several lightnings cut the dark, heavy sky and it looked like it's going to rain any minute.

"'Mione, I don't think that's wise" he said still looking through the window. "I am not a big fan of this feathery fellow but there's no way I am going to send him out into… that", he added pointing at the sky.

Hermione stood up from her chair. She made few steps and was now standing beside Ron holding his hand as they watched together. It reminded her… The memory was so vivid. Then the lightning blinded them. Thunder that followed was deafening. Hermione looked up at his face and saw him blinking hurriedly. And she knew he was thinking the same.

"I think it's best we stay home", he said finally. Huging her he planted small kiss on the top of her head and Pig let out a howl.

Teddy was high up on the little broom Harry had bought him for his birhtday. He remembered the letter saying Sirius did the same for him, and it seemed like a perfect gift. Now, one end of it was tied to a pole of the staircase so he couldn't go too far.

When Remus asked him to be Teddy's godfather he vowed to be there for him. Now, he only hoped that he will be able to keep the given promise.

He was able to convnce Ginny that it's best to leave meeting with Ron and Hermione for next week. She was huffing and puffing ,but agreed eventually.

Although, he told her that it was just because of the weather and because he wanted to rest after sleeping so little, that wasn't the whole truth. He was fearing looking into Ron's and Hermione's eyes. He couldn't keep anything from them. He couldn't keep anything from Ginny either, but they were different. They would push it until he couldn't bare it anymore and he would let it out… And he feared that saying it out loud, even if there wasn't anything remotly palpable in that, will mean it was real.

And he feared it becoming real… He feared it even more than going to sleep tonight.

"Teddy, come down. Time for bed", Ginny announced and even Teddy wasn't to happy about it he wasn't protesting. "Coming?", she turned to Harry asking him in the same tone. He nodded and smiled to himself for being completely whiped.

"God, will this rain ever stop?", he heard her say as he followed.

Later that night as he was laying in his bed, with his hands locked under his head and staring at the ceiling, he listened to her breathing. That calmed him. Like his personal lullaby. He wathed the shadowy dance above made by the rain as it was running in slopes on the glass of the window. And he was fighting the sleepiness that was consuming him.

His blinks became slower… heavier. One deep inhale of breath and he was asleep.

Huge purple fortress was standing alone with nothing but the sky above itself. Pale trees, that looked like the highest towers ever built threw shadows on the palace and they looked like the tiniest freckles on its façade. Sky was dark and no star was visible; just flames of green and blue light dancing around the castle.

He was the smallest breath of air, lighter than the leaf on the wind. And something carried him; over the mountains that looked so small underneath castle's shadow,across the brige that stood above endless depths that reminded him of a hollow eyes of a fallen creature… Closer and closer.

And then suddenly darkness came. Something tightened around his chest. He was trying to move his arms and legs, he was trying to scream but no sound came out. Even the breath he was going to release wouldn't come out of his lungs. The air inside of him threatened to tear him apart… And when he was ready to give up, he saw the light.

Carried by the same force he found himself in a chambe, round and immensely big. Fire was roaring in the corners although he never saw such fire. It was white, like it was made of ice. And the walls bathed in the shadows. He saw enormous thrones propped against the glowy rocks forming a wide open circle around the chamber. And those who sat on them.

They were figures… All different and all the same. Those who had faces emanated blindingly bright rays making their own shadows fade behind them. Some of the shadows stood still like painted on the walls, some of them was made by a creature that couldn't be seen. He was glad. That shadow was the biggest and scariest of all.

Underneath their feet smaller creatures stood. Scary and wild or tamed and still. All of them by the right leg of its master. And even the biggest giant looked like he could make a bed in master's shoe. Diamond scale dragon, Behemo, Cerberus…

There was nine thrones and eight shadows. At first he thought that maybe this one didn't have a shadow. But a place beneath his throne was empty. And somehow he knew the he wasn't there. Fourth chair from the right.

They were all looking at the center of the chamber where much smaller figure knelt on the floor confessing… His cape hung from his back, only the hilt of his sword visible. He couldn't hear their voices. He tried but no sound got to him.

And when the man shaped figure stood up from the floor making a final bow, he was engulfed in darkness once more. This time he wasn't afraid. He knew it will be over soon…

And it was... He woke once more gasping for air. His breaths were long and heavy and his chest hurt like they were really wrapped with chains. His head fell back on the pillow as he tried to come to his senses. Will he ever be able to?

As the images unfolded in his mind again he watched them, making them come back to life in front of his eyes. The scene was to beautiful and perfectly soundless… Than he remembered the screams, eyes filled with rage, faces.. Was there a link? Any kind of bond?

Uncertainity was rising in him and closing his eyes for the second time that night, he knew he had to tell them.

"Why do you have to leave now?", Hermione asked as she watched Ron packing. It was Sunday already. His leaving day.

"'Mione, it's not like I am going away for the first time", he replied slightly annoyed.

"Yes, but why today? Why not tomorrow?", she insisted while looking through the window where nothing haa changed much since the day before. It was still dark and grey everywhere. Streets were empty and quiet.

Ron looked at her and then came closer to sit by her on the bed.

"Is there something you're not telling me?", he asked trying to keep his voice steady.

She almost jumped at his question and turned to face him, ready to have a fit about his doubts, but when she met concern in his eyes she silenced herself. Then she bowed her head slightly and looked down.

"No", Hermione whspered.

Ron put his hand under her chin and brought her face up again.

"Hey… I know you. What's going on?", he asked again. "You seem worried and… distant somehow".

"It's nothing really… I just don't want you to leave", she replied.

"You know I have to. It's just for a week… And again, it will be all over soon, so we can have all the time in the world".

Is it going to be over? What if something is just starting?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise outside their front door. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. And there was a knock.

Ron rushed trough the hallway towards them and unlocked them in a swift move. Harry rushed past him into their living room with his bag across his shoulder.

"Harry…", Ron called. "What's going on? Don't tell me she kicked you out?"

Of course she didn't. Ron knew it. But, it's been so long since he saw that look on Harry's face and he feared it. Hermione showed up on the door looking pale and her arms shaking. She looked at Harry and knew.

"I have to talk to you… To both of you", Harry ushered.

"Sure…", Ron muttered.

They all sat down in the living room around the small coffee table.

"What I am about to tell you may sound strange… like there's no sense. It doesn't even make any sense to me. But, I know there's something".

Then he silenced himself and took a deep breath. Hermione and Ron looked at eachother without a word and turned back to Harry. He opened his mouth and began his story.

Second chapter finished.

Hope you like it. Don't forget to say if so… and of course if you don't tell me the reason.

I will definitely finish this story but I will write faster if I know there's someone waiting.

Sandra