In a life before this. by CandiceMarie

Rating: G
Genres: Drama, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 26/09/2004
Last Updated: 02/10/2004
Status: In Progress

Harry has been having this strange dream for a week, where his name is David, and he shares his
last kiss with a woman whom he felt was very important to him. Harry does not believe in
reincarnation, but what else could it be? This fanfic is meant to be purely fluff. No Voldemort, no
deatheaters, no prophecy. Takes place in Harry's 7th year. Would be nice to get reviews ^.^;;
[Chapter 3 is up! It might answer some questions :D]




1. Strange dreams
-----------------



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters mentioned hereafter. They belong
to the incredible JK Rowling. I am not making a single cent out of this. I wish I did, and was.

[A/N: Okay, well, this plot bunny bit me really hard where the sun does not shine, and I've
decided to write it (Like I could help it). I've also decided that in order for this fic to be
unbelievably fluffy and sweet and romantic, the following things are to be emitted:


The threat of Voldemort and his followers


The prophecy


Any real plot that is not romantic


Angry!Harry


It's not exactly AU, as Harry, Hermione and co. will still act the same [or as close to as I
can make them], but this, er, “plot” is mine, JKR will never write the books like this. So, maybe,
yeah, AU.

I am aware that the books are not all romance, and I had planned on writing this as an original
story, but I thought making it H/Hr would be fun, and so far, it has been. If you do not feel like
reading anything remotely romantic/fluffy/sweet, I suggest you hit the back button right now, but
please accept my gratitude for hitting the title :)

This is the first chapter. I sincerely hope you like it. And, I have a phobia of flames,
I'll have you know. Have mercy >.< ]

**In a life before this**

**Chapter 1: Strange dreams**

Harry Potter woke with a start, his entire body covered in sweat. He had had that same dream
again. The one with the familiar-looking woman, who kisses him with tears in her eyes, and tells
him she will love him always before he dies in his dream. *My love, we shall meet again*, he
had told the woman in his dream. Only it didn't seem like him. The woman had called him a
different name, too. *Look for me, David**..**.*

He wiped the sweat off his forehead. Why had he been having such a strange recurring dream? And
why is it that he always forgets the woman's face the moment he wakes up, when her face is as
clear as daylight in his subconscious mind?

Harry steadied his breathing. He was positive of one thing, though. In his dream or not, he had
never felt such a powerful love for anyone before.

***

`Good morning, Harry,' Hermione said delightedly at breakfast the next day. `You'll
never guess what!'

`Oh, no,' Ron groaned. `Better run away now, mate, before she actually tells you
“what”.'

Hermione glared at Ron. He pretended not to notice.

Harry rolled his eyes.

`What, Hermione?' he said.

She turned back to Harry.

`Dobby told me this morning that one of the House-Elves came to him to ask how they could get
wages!' she informed Harry, eyes twinkling.

`Wow, Hermione. SPEW is finally paying off, then,' said Harry, giving his eggs and bacon
some well deserved attention.

`Yes! Isn't it great?'

Harry nodded, not really looking at her, or paying attention now. He had remembered the dream
again. It wasn't surprising, though, as it was all he could think of lately. In the wizarding
world, it was not normal to have a recurring dream. Harry doubted it was normal, too, in the muggle
world.

`What is it, Harry?' Hermione asked. Harry failed to detect the concern in her tone.

`What? Oh, sorry, were you saying something to me?' said Harry.

Hermione shook her head slowly.

`No… it's just… you were staring seriously into space…'

`Yeah, Harry, what's up?' said Ron, nice enough to leave his unfinished breakfast to
look at Harry.

Harry didn't know whether or not he should tell them. It was, after all, just a dream. They
had *all* been just a dream, the same dream… Yet, it all seemed so real, somehow.

`Well? Are you going to tell us or not?' said Ron.

`Yes, Harry. Tell us what's wrong,' said Hermione.

In the end, Harry gave up and told them, however ridiculous he thought he sounded.

After he finished telling Ron and Hermione the dream, they had different expressions. Ron looked
as though he was having much difficulty refraining from laughing. Hermione, on the other hand,
looked lost in thought.

`What?' he asked her, ignoring Ron, who was now snickering with his head under the
table.

`How long did you say you have been having this dream?' she asked.

`About a week now.'

`Hmmm,' said Hermione thoughtfully.

`What?' he asked her again, over Ron's `David! Hahahahaha.'

`I'm still a bit confused,' she said. `You don't know how you died in your dream,
but you knew you would? And you felt you loved her deeply?'

`Sounds about right,' said Harry.

`What was her name again?'

`I… I don't know,' realized Harry. `Do you think I'm crazy?'

`Not at all, Harry. I've read somewhere that recurring dreams is sometimes a cry for help
from your subconscious.'

`But… how do you explain how much I… er, loved her? And how I can never remember her face when
I'm awake?' said Harry.

Ron was now banging the table, almost tearful. Hermione rolled her eyes.

`Well, that is so say, if it's a cry for help, then we should find out what you want help
with so badly,' she said.

`And if it's not?' Harry asked, staring at his half-eaten bacon.

`Then it's gotta be one of those other reasons in the book I read. Oh, if only I hadn't
forgotten the title. I'll look for it in the library, if you like,' she offered.

`I think I know what it is,' said a vague voice behind Ron. The three of them turned to face
Luna Lovegood.

`Do you now,' said Ron, turning back to wolf down his breakfast.

`Oh yes,' she said. `I think Harry's had a glimpse of his other life… you know, a
glimpse of himself and his love... in a life before this.'

Hermione actually snorted, and Ron almost choked on his egg. Harry raised an eyebrow.

`What?' he said.

`Reincarnation,' Luna said simply.

`Er, exactly how long have you been listening to my private conversation with Ron and
Hermione?' asked Harry, rudely.

`Long enough to reach that conclusion,' said Luna, taking the seat next to Ron. `I bought an
Extendable Ear last year from your brothers,' she added to him.

`Oh, will you look at that,' said Hermione, looking at her watch dramatically. `Classes
begin in 20 minutes. I think we should head to the Transfiguration classroom now. Don't you,
Harry? Ron?'

Ron nodded and stood up. Harry did, too, after a second or two. He wondered what on earth made
Luna think of a life he had before this. He had never really believed in reincarnation. And even
though Luna does, she also believed Blibbering Humdingers existed.

***

`Don't worry, Harry. I'll check in the library for you, the first chance I get, OK?'
said Hermione reassuringly. Harry didn't even know why he cared so much. But he did.

`Maybe,' said Ron, a few seconds later, as they made their way to Professor McGonagall's
classroom. `someone is trying to send you silly dreams. I'll bet a thousand Galleons it's
Malfoy.'

Hermione sighed exasperatedly.

`First of all, Ron, I do not think Malfoy even knows what Leglimency is. Second, why on earth
would Malfoy even bother to go through all that trouble? Doesn't sound like Malfoy at all to
me,' she said.

`You don't know that!' said Ron. `And hey, at least I'm not laughing
anymore!'

And they argued the entire way to Transfiguration.

***

That night, Harry had successfully forgotten about his recurring dream, due to Quidditch
practice. He was so tired, in fact, that he had no trouble falling asleep the moment his head had
reached his pillow.

*`Look for me, David.**.**.' said a woman, tears running down from her*
*light* *brown eyes.*

*Harry looked into her* *them**, tears* *trickling from* *his own. He
kissed the woman passionately,* *and she kissed him back urgently, both* *not willing to
let go, for* *they* *knew this kiss would be their last.*

*`My love, we shall meet again,' he told the woman, his lips only* *short
distance* *from hers.*

*`Promise me, David... promise me, you'll find me.'*

*Harry held her tightly, feeling her* *straight, silky black hair against his
cheeks.*

*`I promise, Atalanta. Wait for me…'he said. `They cannot keep us apart.'*

*The moment Harry had let go of Atalanta, she was pulled backwards by an unseen force into*
*the* *darkness.*

*`I love you, David!* *Always!**' Harry heard her scream.*

*`I love* *you!' Harry called out,* *seeing nothing but*
*blackness**.*

*Atalanta screamed* *bloody* *murder, and then there was* *nothing.*

*`Nooooooooo!' cried Harry.**'Atalantaaaaaaaaa!*

Harry woke with a start, his entire body covered in sweat. He had had that same dream again. The
one with the familiar-looking woman, who kisses him with tears in her eyes, and tells him she will
love him always before he dies.

But this one had been different. It had never been this long. And he now knew her name.

`Atalanta,' he whispered.

-->



2. David and Atalanta
---------------------



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters mentioned hereafter. They belong
to the incredible JK Rowling. I am not making a single cent out of this. I wish I did, and was.

[A/N: This is not as long as the first chapter. I don't think you'll like this very
much. I hope you do, but I don't think you will. I'm such a little optimist, aren't I?
:D

Thank you to those who reviewed the first chapter :) You guys rock!

Anyway, I was told by a friend my author's notes were too long, so, I'm keeping this one
short, lol.

By the by, I am loving Atalanta's name, hehehe ]

**In a life before this**

**Chapter 2: David and Atalanta**

Next morning, Harry went straight to the library with one thought in his mind: to find out what
his dream meant. He was halfway through *Dreams and* *Y**ou* by *Kristal Kleer*
when Ron and Hermione found him.

`Skipped breakfast, have you?' said Ron, sitting next to him.

`Here, we saved you some waffles, but eat it before Madam Pince sees,' said Hermione, taking
the seat opposite him.

Harry nodded, `Mm-hmm.'

`What's with you, mate? Don't tell me it's that dream again,' Ron asked, looking
at the pile of dream-related books.

Harry ignored him.

`Did you have that dream again, Harry?' Hermione asked, worry in her eyes Harry didn't
see, as he looked up too late.

`Yeah… but last night's was different. It was longer than usual. I still don't know how
I died, or how Atalanta died, but I knew we were going to. And everything's so clear to me …
except how she looks,' he said moodily.

`Atalanta? Is that her name?' asked Ron, suppressing what appeared to be the urge to taunt.
Harry saw Hermione give him a warning look. Ron tried to busy himself by looking through one of the
dream books.

`D'you want me to help, Harry? I can help,' offered Hermione.

`Yes, please. It's driving me insane!' said Harry loudly. He got a lot of “Shhhs” and
“This is a library!” after that.

`Okay,' Hermione whispered, grabbing a dream book and looking at its content page.

After a while, Hermione spoke again.

`Here's something. There were deaths in your dream, weren't there?'

`Er, yeah… sort of. I didn't see it, exactly, but I knew she died. Why?' said Harry.

Hermione started reading from her book, `*Deaths can represent either the death of a habit, or
occurrence, but more often represents anger towards something or someone*.' She looked up at
him. `You haven't been particularly angry at anyone, or anything, have you? Or, stopped doing
something?'

Harry thought hard, and then shook his head.

`I still hate Malfoy and Snape the same. And, I haven't stopped doing anything. No, I
don't think that's it.'

The three of them fell silent again for a few minutes. It was Ron who spoke next.

`You “loved” Atlanta, didn't you?'

`Atalanta, Ron,' corrected Hermione, with a frightened look at Harry.

`Yes,' answered Harry.

Ron placed the book on the table, and began to read, `*To dream of love**,* *of
being in love, suggests intense feelings carried over from a waking relationship. It implies
happiness and contentment with what you have and where you are in life. On the other hand, you may
not be getting enough love in your daily life. We naturally long for the sense to belong and to be
accepte**d.* Did any of that apply to you?'

Before Harry could answer, Hermione said, “Oh, of course! It makes sense, doesn't it? Harry
doesn't have a girlfriend, so he dreams and yearns for love and happiness. It completely makes
sense, doesn't it, Harry?' She turned to him, seeming relieved that they had finally
figured it out.

`I guess,' he said unconvincingly.

`What, then?' asked Ron.

`It's just… she seemed so familiar, and the way I felt was so real… I just can't believe
it was all a dream,' said Harry seriously.

`So you believe Luna Lovegood?' Hermione asked quickly.

Harry looked at her.

`What? N-no, I don't believe her. I've never lived another life, not to my knowledge,
anyway,' he answered.

Ron was sniggering.

Hermione ignored him, and frowned.

`Alright, so you don't believe her. What do you believe, then? What do you *want* to
believe?'

`I don't know what to believe,' said Harry. `You don't understand. The way I talked
to her, the way she talked to me… it was... it feels overwhelming now. And I promised her I would
find her…'

Hermione took a deep breath. It seemed that what she was about to say was causing her great
difficulty to get out.

`Harry,' she said cautiously. `I understand. Really, I do… but don't you think you… are
sort of… sort of taking this out of context?'

`What do you mean, “taking this out of context”?' Harry asked, failing to notice his
eyebrows furrow.

`I mean… you are forgetting this was all a dream. It all happened in a dream, therefore , it
couldn't have been real,' she said slowly, as though talking to someone with a weapon.

Harry felt like shouting, but the mere look on Hermione's face stopped him. The fact that
they were still in the library helped, too.

`I am not forgetting it was all a dream,' he said quietly. `I was just wondering why it was
an especially, er, powerful dream.'

`Is it just me, or has the word “dream” finally lost all meaning?' said Ron. Harry felt a
little guilty. He had forgotten Ron was beside him, or even there at all.

Harry sighed.

`Okay. I give up. Let's just… go down to the grounds, and maybe do some homework or
something. I could use a little fresh air.'

Hermione smiled. He had to admit, he preferred a smiling Hermione to a frowning one.

`Great, let's go,' said Ron. `Quick, too, so we don't have to put these books back
on their shelves.'

***

Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves out on the grounds on a beautiful April morning doing
homework. The sky was clear and blue, and the weather was just right. They sat comfortably under
one of the Hogwarts trees near the Lake, where they stayed the whole morning. At lunch, Ron went
inside the Great Hall and came back carrying a dozen sandwiches.

`Ron, I don't want three sandwiches. It's too much,' said Hermione, holding her
third sandwich at arm's length.

`More for me, then,' said Ron thickly.

Harry lied down on the cool grass, looking at the sky through the branches. Hermione was now
continuing with her homework; Harry could hear her quill make scratching noises against the
parchment. Ron was flipping through reference books, as he finished Hermione's third sandwich.
Everything was so peaceful and quiet.

He surveyed the sky some more, until he dozed off without even realizing it.

***

`Alright,' said Hermione. `I'm done. Are you done, Harry? Ron?'

When both boys failed to respond, Hermione looked around. She saw Harry first. *No wonder*,
she thought, *he's asleep*. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, smiling. `You're
not sleeping, too, are you, Ron?'

But Ron was completely engrossed in one of the pages of *Literature* *and Magic by
Candice Marie* to hear her. He was so engrossed, in fact, his mouth was hanging open.

`Oh, for Merlin's sake, Ron, what *is* it?' Hermione moved behind Ron to read over
his shoulder. Near the top of the page was three words that also made Hermione's mouth hang
open: *David and Atalanta*

Hermione read through the page quickly, lingering on the more interesting sentences:

*… is p**erhaps one of the most tragic love stories known today is t**he story of
David and Atalanta**…. David Wallace was… not known until recently to have been trained to
hunt down and destroy* *dark* *wizards... Atalanta, daughter of* *dark* *wizard
Seth Clare…* *Atalanta prevented David from killing her father. Seth was not aware of this…
David realized Atalanta was not like her father… David and Atalanta fell in love... Seth found out
about his daughter's secret, and disowned her. Then, had his minions kill her for her betrayal…
also killed David in front of Seth…* *However, t**he two swore eternal love for each
other, and promised to meet again… died April 20**t**h,*
*1897…*

Ron looked at Hermione.

`You don't think-'he asked her, breathless.

`I don't know, Ron…' Hermione took a deep breath, and tried to use her ever faithful
logic to apply to what she had just read. `Look, we cannot jump into conclusions about this. Maybe
Harry's read this, somehow, and he just forgot about it. I mean, really, you don't really
believe Harry Potter was once “David Wallace”, do you? That's rather farfetched, isn't
it?'

`Yeah… should we tell him about it?' Ron jerked his head to Harry's direction.

`Of course. When he wakes up.'

Yet, Hermione could not use her logic to explain why April 20th, 1897 felt strangely
important to her, nor could she use it to explain why a single tear made its way down her cheek the
moment Ron had stopped looking.

***

Sources: Symbolism of death was taken from this lovely and interesting site: http://library.thinkquest.org/11130/data/interpret/symbolism.html

Symbolism of Love was taken from this fascinating site: http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamthemes/feelings.htm

I made up that book Ron was reading, obviously, to go with the story.

-->



3. Believe
----------



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and any of the characters mentioned hereafter. They belong
to the incredible JK Rowling. I am not making a single cent out of this. I wish I did, and was.

[A/N: Okay, okay, at this point, you've all probably guessed just what I'm actually
trying to write, lol. But anyway, it was fun writing it. Just to warn you all, one more chapter
left after this one. Don't know what to call it yet, but, it'll probably be up in a couple
of days :D

I've just realized I've gone two chapters without any real fluff >.< Oh well, my
bad. There are some fluffly moments here, and a not-so-evil cliffy. I used to love writing
cliffhangers back in the day, and I miss writing `em, but alas, this cliffy is nothing compared to
them so good for you :P

Read and enjoy. I insist :) ]

**In a life before this**

**Chapter 3:** **Believe**

*Atalanta screamed bloody murder, and then there was nothing.*

*`Nooooooooo!' cried Harry.'Atalantaaaaaaaaa!*

*He looked frantically around. Darkness everywhere.*

*`Lumos!'said Harry.*

*His wand tip lit up so powerfully, it almost seemed like it was day time. Harry closed his
eyes, hoping against hope* *that* *Atalanta was still alive.*

When he opened his eyes, he saw her. The same eyes, with the very same look of unconditional
love she had given him.

`Atalanta,' said Harry. He felt such a powerful rush of relief and joy that he couldn't
help but pull her to him, and kiss her with much urgency. Her lips were the same soft lips he had
been kissing for the past week, and her cheeks the same smooth cheeks he had held so lovingly. He
could feel one of his hands in her wavy brown hair… *wavy* *brown hair*?

`What the bloody hell are you doing to Hermione, Harry?' he heard Ron's voice ask,
annoyed.

Harry broke the kiss and opened his eyes. Hermione sat in front of him, wearing an expression
Harry couldn't read. She was holding her lips, almost breathless, and obviously speechless.

He didn't understand it. He saw Atalanta. How could he have made such a mistake? Yet...

`I… I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't know what's gotten into me,' he tried to
explain. `I thought you were-'

`Atalanta,' Ron finished for him. `Yeah, we heard. What's wrong with you?' Ron added
to Hermione. She was still touching her lips as though someone important had just kissed them, but
now she had tears in her eyes.

`I… I don't know,' she said shakily. `I feel so sad, suddenly…'

`So Harry *is* that bad at kissing!' said Ron.

`No…,' she said, wiping her tears now. Harry wanted more than anything to hold her, but he
wasn't sure he should, and quite frankly, he didn't know why he did. `I feel like… like
something very important has been taken away from me… oh, it's such a horrible feeling… I want
it to stop!' and with that, Hermione got up and ran towards the castle, where Harry and Ron
could only guess where she would end up in there.

Ron rounded on Harry.

`What happened?'

`I… honestly don't know, Ron…' Harry looked around, and noticed he was still under the
Hogwarts tree. He looked at the grounds and saw Hermione's quills, books, and unfinished
homework.

`You want to know what I think, Harry?' said a voice behind the tree. A soft, dreamy
voice.

Before Harry could ask, Ron beat him to it.

`How long have you been there?!'

`A few minutes. I was bird-watching,' Luna Lovegood added as an afterthought. At that very
moment, Pigwidgeon landed on Ron's shoulder twittering happily. `He's a cute little owl,
isn't he?'

`What, Luna? What do you think now?' said Harry. He really wanted to follow Hermione right
about now.

`Well, I think it's pretty obvious,' she said, looking through her binoculars at
Pigwidgeon. `Atalanta has reincarnated in Hermione, and David in you. And since in a previous life,
you promised to find her, you are supposed to keep your word.'

`That's ridiculous,' said Harry, sounding more like Hermione. Ron nodded, surveying Luna
curiously.

`You've just got to believe. And I think it's interesting to note,' she said
vaguely, `that today is the hundredth anniversary of both your deaths. I read that,' she
pointed at *Literature and Magic*, which was lying open on the grass, `yesterday. And I'm
betting David and Atalanta think they have waited enough.'

`What? What do you mean their deaths? Harry and Hermione are still alive!!' shouted Ron.

Luna put down her binoculars. She looked at Ron, and tilted her head to one side.

`Did you know your ears go red when you shout?' she said.

Ron blushed.

Harry made an irritated, impatient noise, and stood up.

`Excuse me, I have to look for Ata- Hermione,' he said. He shook his head violently as he
ran to the castle.

***

Hermione ran… and she ran… and she ran some more.

What had happened? Why did she feel such overwhelming sorrow after Harry had kissed her?

She found an empty classroom and entered it. She sat on one of the chairs and cried silently on
the desk. Her cheeks were wet with tears, and so were her arms. She closed her eyes in pain.

`No…' she sobbed. `*we have to run**..'*

*Hermione fell to the ground and scraped her knee. But the ground was not made of cement, like
the floors of Hogwarts. It was made of earth.*

*She was outside.*

*`Atalanta, are you all right?' she heard a voice say, as she was lifted up by strong arms
Hermione looked up and saw Harry. A different Harry. His hair was messie**r and longe**r,
and the side of his head was bleeding, but his eyes were the same.*

*`Yes, my love. Now, hurry! T**hey are right behind us,' Hermione heard herself say.
Harry took her hand, and they both ran for it. She could hear heavy footsteps* *and voices*
*behind them, but it was too dark to see anything. Only the moon provided light, but it was
blocked by the immensely dense treetops.*

*Harry appeared to have seen a hiding place between the trees* *because he pulled
Hermione to it, and she saw him put his index finger to his lips, mouthing “Shhh..”*

*The footsteps got louder, and voices closer. Hermione felt Harry hold her as though* *he
would lose her if he didn't**. She could hear his heart beat furiously against his
chest.*

*`**Hurry**, men! Master Clare will* *have our wands and heads if we fail!'
said a deep voice.*

*Hermione heard the deep voice and footsteps pass their hiding place. A few silent minutes
crept by. Then, Harry held her cheeks, and made her face him.*

*`We will be fine, Atalanta,' he said*

*`No, David. They will kill us,'* *she* *heard herself say. She had no idea how
the words left her mouth, but they did. `I have to do something…'*

*`Atalanta-'*

*Hermione closed her eyes and muttered words she'd never heard of under her breath. When
she opened her eyes, she looked at Harry.*

*`David, my love, if we die tonight,* *there is a way we can meet again.'*

*`No, Atalanta, we will survive this,' said Harry.*

*`Listen to me, David. In order for us to meet again, you have to promise to look for me, the
spell only allows you to do so,' said Hermione.*

*`I do not understand.'*

*`It is an ancient spell. It will allow us to meet again, and love each other for all
eternity… but you have to promise to look for me…'*

*`How long...' Harry asked. Hermione could see determination in his eyes.*

*`One hundred years' she said.*

*Harry turned around angrily, and punched the tree next to him.*

*`I cannot wait* *so long… I must have you with me at all times,' he said.*

*`But David… please promise me… the spell will not work if you don't-'*

*Harry took her into his arms again.*

*`I cannot Atalanta… not when I am uncertain the spell will work…I love you too
much.'*

*Tears ran down Hermione's cheeks.*

*`It will work, David… trust me…'*

*Before Harry could say anything, he suddenly looked alarmed.* *He examined the darkness
of the forest, then-*

*`Run, Atalanta!'*

*Several spells shot at them, of different colors. Two* *of them* *were
green.*

*They both ran**, not knowing where they were going.* *After a few silent
moments**,* *a red beam hit Hermione, and* *she fell* *to the ground on all
fours.*

*`Atalanta!' Harry screamed. He bent down to help her up, and shot spells in random
directions.*

*Harry put her arm around him, and tried to run for it, but Hermione stopped him.*

*`David… I have been hit… my back is burning… I might not make it-'*

*`No,' said Harry, tears in his eyes.* *He put her slowly down. She could not hear
footsteps, nor voices around her.*

*`Look for me, David...' said Hermione, tears running down from her light brown
eyes.*

*Harry looked into her them, tears trickling from his own. He kissed her passionately, and she
kissed him back urgently, both not willing to let go, for they knew this kiss would be their
last.*

*`My love, we shall meet again,' he to**ld* *Hermione**, his lips only*
*a short* *distance from hers.*

*`Promise me, David... promise me, you'll find me.'*

*Harry held her tightly, feeling her straight, silky black hair against his cheeks.*

*`I promise, Atalanta. Wait for me…'he said. `They cannot keep us apart.'*

*The moment Harry had let go of her, she was pulled backwards by an unseen force into the
darkness.*

*`I love you, David! Always!'* *Hermion**e screamed.*

*`I love you!' she hear**d Harry call out. She couldn't see much now. It was so
dark**.*

*Hermione felt hands grab her wrists and she* *screamed bloody murder**.*

`Hermione! Hermione, wake up!'

Hermione opened her eyes and saw Harry in front of her, a look of utter concern in his eyes. He
helped her stand up, but she slipped faint-like to the floor, where she began to weep.

`Hermione, no, don't cry,' he said gently.

`Oh Harry,' she sobbed. `It was awful… we were so in love… they took our lives… and you were
bleeding… and you promised… and… I was so sad…'

`It's okay now, Hermione. I'm here,' said Harry, gently stroking her back.

`But Harry… it was *your* dream,' she said. `And it was so real… and… why did you kiss
me earlier?'

Harry was taken aback by the question, and even though he had already answered it earlier, he
just stared at her, wondering the same thing.

`I… I don't know…,' said Harry truthfully. Hermione stared back. `I saw you, and I just
had to kiss you like my life depended -'

But Harry never got to finish his sentence, for Hermione pulled him into a kiss, which he more
than gladly returned.

As she and Harry kissed, the overwhelming sorrow Hermione had felt started to fade away. There
was something about Harry that took every ounce of pain she had felt for the past half hour, and
made everything okay.

But Hermione knew there were still some unanswered questions; Did Harry really understand her
when she said it was *his* dream, just what did all this mean, and… was she really kissing
Harry, or David?

***

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