Hermione's POV:

"Hermione, I don't think you understand what I just said. I kissed him. I'm not even sure he's gay. He's probably appalled of me by now. Why would I do something so ridiculous?"

I smiled a little to myself and reassured Harry for the hundredth time.

"Harry, it's alright. He wouldn't have let you kiss him if he wasn't gay, and even if he, for some reason, isn't gay, then so what? It won't make the world end."

Harry sighed. "You don't understand, Hermione. It already feels like the end of the world."

I had to laugh at this. It was so absurd. "Harry, you've been through torture, defeating the most evil wizard in the world, coming so close to death every time, even actually dying for a bit; no parents, living with muggles who lied to you for your entire life; dealt with people thinking that you were actually siding with the Dark Lord, being kept out of a lot of the Order of the Phoenix's plans until the last minute. But this is the end of the world?"

"I don't know. This feels so much bigger than that." He sat up from his lying on the couch and looked at me. "The only reason I made it through all that was because of my friends. Cygnus was my friend, and I've ruined our friendship, all because of my stupid dream, and now I don't want to ever go back there. I'm ashamed to show my face to hi-"

"Wait!" Harry had been talking fast, but I had caught one minor detail that he had forgotten to mention. "What dream?"

I knew how Harry and dreams functioned. It was merely a precaution to know what happens inside Harry's head while he sleeps. Harry, of course, had frozen in place after his realization that he had let something slip.

"Um, well it's not…anything too important, really…"

"Harry, you said you would tell me about any dreams you have!"

"I wrote it down in that journal you gave me. It said a bunch of nonsense about what it meant. It was nothing. Honestly…"

Although he didn't know it, this was serious business. Harry having dreams was a clear indication of something going on, and I had to make sure it was nothing serious. I took a deep breath, stood from the chair I had been sitting in (it was so comfy, though I would expect nothing less from the Burrow), and pulled out my wand, preparing to apparate to Harry's room at Hogwarts and get his dream journal myself.

"Hermione…"

With a short crack and a whirl of colors, I arrived at the front of the school and began fast walking to reach his room. I hadn't made it to the entrance quite yet before I heard another crack, and Harry was running after me. I began running as well, rushing to get there before he could catch me. I had lost him at the first flight of stairs after I turned them into a slide, but he caught back up with me just before we reached the hallway of rooms near Gryffindor Tower. I quickened my pace and tossed a binding spell behind me, which he must dodged by the continuing sound of his feet thudding against the ground right after my own. I tried to hurry, but I knew I would not make it past his door without him being right behind me. I tossed an Alohomora at his door, being a few feet away from it, but the door didn't budge an inch. With only a few seconds to think of something else, my mind filed out all my possible choices before me and my subconscious picked the one most likely to work.

"Accio Harry's dream journal!"

There was a loud thud as Harry's journal hit the door in its attempt to get to me. I waved my wand at it, imagining it turning into a small bead that could easily fit underneath the bottom of the door, and it slipped beneath and into my hand. With success in my grasp, I quickly ran back to the front of the school and disapparated to the first spot that came to mind, which unfortunately was the Burrow. At my arrival, I shook my head and apparated to a location Harry would never guess.

My feet landed perfectly on the wood floor of my personal work room. I easily changed the bead back into Harry's journal and opened the book directly to the first page, knowing it probably wasn't the first time he had not told me about a dream he had.

Dear journal thing, (a lovely beginning to a journal entry)

I had been standing before a waterfall, looking into it and watching the occasional glitter inside it. Then the glitters gathered together and made a face of someone, but it was hard to tell who it was. I reached a hand out to try and make it out better maybe, but the moment I touched the water, it disappeared and I was standing before a ghostly figure instead. The features were clear, but it was a stranger. The stranger smiled and congratulated me on a job well done. I asked it what I had done, and it replied that I had finally become happy and made my world a better place. I asked if it meant that I had defeated Voldemort, but it shook its head and said Voldemort had never been a part of my life. I asked it what it meant, but it disappeared.

I really don't remember anything else other than something about a daisy.

I read the journal's comments next, in the margins of the page.

Waterfall:
To see a water fall is symbolic of letting go. You are releasing all those pent up emotions and negative feelings. Alternatively, the dream represents your goals and desires. In particular, if the waterfall is clear, then it represents revitalization, regeneration and renewal.

Ghost:
To see your own ghost in your dream symbolizes aspects of yourself that you fear. This may involve a painful memory, guilt, or some repressed thoughts. Or you may be afraid of death and dying. Alternatively, ghosts are representative of something that is no longer obtainable or within reach. It indicates that you are feeling disconnected from life and society. Try to figure out what the ghosts wants or what it is looking for. The dream may also be a calling for you to move on and abandon your outdated modes of thinking and behavior.

Stranger:
To see a stranger in your dream signifies a part of yourself that is repressed and hidden. Alternatively, it symbolizes the archetypal dream helper who is offering you insight and advice.

Daisy:
To dream of walking in a field of daisies represents good luck and prosperity. Someone will be there to offer you a helping hand and some guidance for your problems

I thought to myself what all it could mean. Both the unidentifiable figure in the waterfall and the stranger who was a ghost; were they connected? It was hard to tell. I turned the page and read the next entry.

Dear Journal thing,

Sorry, (he apologizes to his journal?) I really don't remember too much of the dream now. I know it had a lot of white, and I felt almost blinded by it.

Then margins read:

White:
White represents purity, perfection, peace, innocence, dignity, cleanliness, awareness, and new beginnings. You may be experiencing a reawakening or have a fresh outlook on life. Alternatively, white refers to a clean, blank slate. Or it may refer to a cover-up. In Eastern cultures, white is associated with death and mourning.

Blind:
To dream that you are blind represents your refusal to see the truth or your lack of awareness to a problem. Perhaps you are rejecting something about yourself or your situation.

I sighed. The entries didn't help too much if he didn't remember them. I turned the page and read the next entry, feeling a small bit of disappointment that he did not say "Dear Journal thing".

I was sitting at a desk with a quill, ink, and parchment before me. A voice behind me said to write a 1000 -word essay. I asked the voice what I should write about, but it didn't reply. I stared at the page for a moment before I picked up the quill and started writing without thinking about it. My hand was writing its own words. When I had written quite enough worth, I reread it and discovered I had written about how my life before Hogwarts was similar to a muggle concentration camp. I remember the quote:

"I was suppressed like no muggle had been before with a large part of myself hidden from the world, to the point where I wanted death, instead of faced it." It was a very well-written essay like nothing I could ever write. For some odd reason, I pushed it off the desk and it fell off and disappeared.

I felt a bit disturbed by the actual quote that Harry had remembered from his dream essay. I was, however, more focused on the fact that he had said a large part of himself was hidden from the world, instead of just himself, and then the fact that he wanted to die because of it. Being a muggle-born, I had learned about muggle concentration camps. Comparing them to Harry's life before Hogwarts was awful. Harry had told me full out how awful those times had been, but they were nowhere near as awful as concentration camps. He should know that, too. It was such an ominous comparison; too dark for Harry to ever think of, even in his subconscious.

Essay:
To dream that you are writing an essay suggests that you need to think things through before acting on them. You need to be more objective when evaluating a situation.
To see or read an essay in your dream represents some deadline or anxiety over an issue. Alternatively, the dream indicates that you are being put though a test.

Concentration Camp:
To see or live in a concentration camp in your dream indicates that you are afraid of differences. You are having difficulties accepting others and their differences. Learn to appreciate diversity and the uniqueness in yourself and in others around you.

I grimaced and flipped the page once more.

I had been sitting in a pool of water looking around me, and seeing Cygnus frowning and holding up his flower bracelet on his wrist. He looked at it for a moment, and then one flower fell off, and all the flowers came apart, slowly falling down to the ground. Once they hit the ground, they crumpled into ashes. When I looked up again, there were Ron and Hermione, smiling at me like they always do. Then Draco walked up behind them, with his purple bruise on his face, smiling too, just like they were. I heard his voice repeat all around me saying "I wish I could take it all back…take it all back…" and then Hermione, Ron, and Draco faded away. I looked down to the water and saw my reflection. I looked normal for a moment, and then the water rippled, and my reflection changed into Hyden, who smiled back at me. Then the water splashed me, and I woke up.

This dream had much more substance to it. Lots of things that needed interpretation.

Pool:
To see a pool of water in your dream indicates that you need to acknowledge and understand your feelings. It is time to dive in and deal with those emotions. Alternatively, a pool indicates your desire to be cleansed. You need to wash away the past.

Bracelet :
To see or wear a bracelet in your dream refers to an expression of deep passion and fire. The dream is also a sign that you need to rekindle old friendships and to call up an old friend that you haven't heard from in a while.
To see a broken bracelet in your dream suggests that you tend to sacrifice your own comfort and happiness for others.

Ashes:
To see ashes in your dream signifies bitter changes and disruptions. Ashes may represent a failed relationship or a ruinous business enterprise. You feel that the good times are over and nothing of value is left in your life. Alternatively, ashes may mean that you are dwelling too much on the past. You need to learn to let go.

Smile:
To dream that you or others are smiling means that you are pleased with your achievements and approve of the decisions you have made. You will be rewarded for the good things you have done for others. Alternatively, a smile indicates that you are in search of something or someone that will make you happy.

Purple:
Purple is the color of royalty, high rank, justice, wealth and dignity.

Repeat:
To dream that something is repeating indicates that there is some message that you need to ingrain in your mind. Perhaps you are trying to memorize something. Alternatively, the dream refers to the monotony and routine of your daily life. You need to get out of the rut.

Reflection:
To see your reflection in your dream represents your true self; it is time to look within. The reflection may highlight both your flaws and positive attributes. Learn from your flaws and how to improve them. At the same time, appreciate your good qualities. Alternatively, your reflection indicates how you want others to perceive you.
If you see a strange figure or something other than your own reflection, then it suggests that you are undergoing some identity crisis. You are not sure about who you are anymore.

Splash:
To dream that you are being splashed by water means that you need to be more expressive with your feelings. It also indicates your need to be revitalized.

I turned to the next page, then saw that was his last entry. I sighed. The only part about Cygnus was about the bracelet.

I had a small revelation in my mind. Draco had been wearing a flower bracelet on the day of the celebration. He had said it was about a boy and that bracelet. That boy must have been Harry in disguise. My forehead fell onto my palm. That was the reason Draco had gotten those bruises from his father. I should have known that it had been my fault, in some way or another. If it hadn't been for my interference in their lives, I could have spared Draco some pain.

But if Harry's last entry was about the bracelet, the dream must have been just after or just before the celebration, meaning the dream he was talking about earlier was one he hadn't written down.

Closing the book, I figured it was best to find Harry and talk to him about all his dreams, if not for all our safety then for his mental health. In a wave of my wand and a crack I was back at the Burrow, in the field. I made my way inside only to find Harry lying face down on the couch, looking rather frustrated.

"Harry, I wouldn't have to steal your journal if you just told me about your dreams."

He grunted into the cushion and flipped over.

"I told you, they aren't important, Hermione. They're just embarrassing and odd."

"So they seem. Tell me about the dream you had last. You didn't write it in your journal, you fibber."

Harry sighed and sat up slowly. "I don't remember every detail about it. I know I was in the field with Cygnus, running around and stuff, and then he kissed me, and I woke up."

I contemplated this, figuring out every possible connection that it could or could not have with his other dreams.

"Really, Hermione, it doesn't really matter. I was caught in the moment, and I rushed over to find Cygnus and…" he trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

"And what, Harry?" He looked away and pretended not to hear what I had said. "And what, Harry? It's alright, you can tell me."

His neutrality slipped into a small scowl. "It sounds corny...to make my dream come true. After the dream, I wanted it to come true, so I went and found Cygnus and made it come true. Sort of." He shrugged.

The gears in my brain worked, processing the information he had finally given me, which wasn't much. "Really Harry, you need to write down all your dreams as soon as you wake up, otherwise I'll have no idea what they all mean…"

"Can't I just have my dreams in peace? I haven't seen Voldemort in any of them. My scar hasn't hurt. I probably don't even have that connection with him anymore, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to kill him."

"Well, we have to be extra sure, Harry." It was silent a moment before I spoke up again. "So this Cygnus, what's he like?"

Harry sighed. "I'm not sure you'll get it, Hermione. There's this weird…sort of…unspoken communication between us, almost like we've known each other since we were young."

I smiled. "Really? How so?"

He gave me an unsure look and then proceeded to explain, "It's going to sound ridiculous, but honest, it's why we're so…like we are. The first day I met him was weird. We had no idea who the other was, and I was sort of intruding on his…field. I don't know how it happened really, but we just started being kids together. We made clouds and sang really loudly and ran about carelessly. We were both adults, but…we acted so childish. It was a different world, Hermione, being a kid for once…"

He trailed off, losing himself to his thoughts. It was odd seeing him like this, and knowing that I had a normal childhood, while he had a horrid childhood. I felt so sorry for that, and guilty in a way, even if it was not my fault at all.

"Harry, that's wonderful that you've found someone who will be a child with you."

"Not anymore," he said. "Probably doesn't want to see my face ever again."

I stood up from the chair and calmly walked over to the table where his ring was. I wasn't used to using the more extreme measures of convincing people, but I was sure I could at least get something threatening out. "Oh yes, I suppose you are right, Harry. He's probably not gay, and so he probably finds you disgusting."

I picked up the ring and faced his confused features.

"If he really doesn't want to see you ever again, you just need to get rid of this ring. That way, he would just think you are plain-old Harry Potter, and that way he can congratulate you on your job well-done with the Dark Lord instead of acting like your childhood best friend. In fact, I could just handle that for you. I'll rid of this little piece of nonsense."

By this point, Harry had sat up and was now making a gesture to grab the ring from my hand.

"No! I need that ring, Hermione."

"Need it? For what?"

"Well… I still want to go around publicly without people knowing I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived-And-Defeated-The-Dark-Lord."

"But what if Cygnus is there?"

"I'll just…ignore him if I have to." Harry let out a breath he had been holding inside. "He'd probably ignore me, anyway."

His eyes looked at the ground as he wallowed in his own lies to himself. I placed Harry's ring back on the table where it had been and slid back into the chair.

"Harry," I said rather quietly, "You will never know for sure until you talk to him. If he ignores you, is he really worth your time?"

Harry's eyes met mine, red and slightly puffy, but no tears came.

"You both share something special," I continued. "I don't think anything could change that." It was the honest truth, though Harry had only a vague idea of what all the words actually meant.

His eyes broke contact, and he nodded, set on the floor once more. "You're right, Hermione. I'm being over-dramatic about this whole thing." He placed his elbow on his knee and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'll…I'll talk to him."

3rd Person POV:

"So let me get this straight," said the Minister of Magic, more to himself than to his secretary, "A woman has just come in saying she has something that belongs to Mr. Harry Potter, but will not give information on what it is, and in exchange for said item back, she wants… a personal meeting with him…"

His very confused secretary added, "She mentioned something about a kiss. I wasn't so sure; she was talking so fast and giggling…"

And the Minister of Magic had thought he was done with this Potter Obsession when the celebration was over… Of course, he was wrong about that. Surely Potter would not be free of his fan girls until he passes, and even then his name would forever be in Wizarding history textbooks. "Surely the item she has is not so important…"

"Mr. Potter only has so many things…." She trailed off.

The sentence was unnecessary to finish. It was clear to them both that because of his upbringing (or rather, the rumors heard about it from others who said they'd heard Dumbledore speak of it) that he had not been the most fortunate child in muggle care, and he had never really grown into any luxuries offered to him. He still only kept few possessions of his, and they were of high sentimental or useful value. Anything taken from him was obviously important, at least to some degree.

"Have you tried yet to contact him?"

She shook her head with an added slowness from possible regret (depending on what he said to her. She didn't want to disappoint him. Not that she had ever disappointed him before, he was very understanding, but still…). "I needed to pass this information to you first."

The Minister stood and proceeded to firecall Harry's room at Hogwarts, to no avail. He sighed and sat back in his chair.

"I need an owl. This problem must be addressed immediately with Mr. Potter, and seeing as he is not currently home, we will have to settle for a bit of a wait for his reply."

His secretary nodded quickly and stepped out of the room to have an owl arranged to be sent to Mr. Potter immediately. Once alone once more, the Minister ran a dry, slightly calloused hand across his forehead.

If the mounds of paperwork on my desk do not force me to retire early, he thought to himself, surely the stress shaken up by the star-struck witches of Mr. Potter's fan base will… I may need a vacation soon if it persists.With one more longing sigh, the experienced hand of the Minister told hold of the quill on his desk, and continued to fill out the stack of papers that waited on his desk, anything from wand registry to criminal records to political forms, all calling his attention. He would sign here, and initial there, read the paragraph that followed, and then sign again. His own signature was so quick and mindless now, he often found himself forgetting that he even signed.

Just a side effect of aging, I suppose… The Minister held up the finished paper and it vanished to its proper place in… oh where was it again that it was going to? Securities ward? No, no, no… he pondered only a few seconds more before shrugging and continuing on with his work, thoughts of returning to the fulfillment of his Auror days.