A New Life

Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the late update! You have no idea how stressful the last few days have been! First, portkey wasn't working for TWO days! I even tried to access my control panel on two other computers! Then, to make things worse, my little brother got sick which inspired a sort of random and last-minute-edit into the chapter. Consider it as a treat for how bad of an author I've been for not updating. Once again, I am SO SO SO sorry! Please forgive me!

On a better note, I was pleasantly surprised with the understanding and the reactions in the reviews for the last chapter. Mostly everyone understood why Ron was acting that way and could accept that it was a short chapter! Thank-You for being so supportive! Please enjoy and expect another update very quickly!

Chapter four

Ginny Weasley nervously paced the hallway before their room. She had been lucky to have their room at all and she'd had to lie to find out where they were staying. But it was all worth it and it was all for this moment. Should she knock? Could she?

Would she have the guts? And now she stood before the door, bracing as her knuckles lightly rapped the wooden door with a bright red number 616 on it.

Ginny held her breathe and blinked a few times in preparation. Maybe no one was home…she should just leave…She turned on her heel about to walk away but then the door creaked open.

“Ginny?” Someone cautiously whispered.

Ginny looked over her shoulder and saw Hermione peeking out of a slightly open door.

“Hey Hermione” she muttered nervously. She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.

“Oh Merlin! Ginny!” Hermione cried, flung open the door and went to Ginny. She threw her arms around her old best friend and held her close. As awkward as Ginny felt, she still hugged Hermione back. They were such good friends…she could at least handle a hug.

“Hermione it's…it's nice to…well…it's been a long time” Ginny said softly, “May I come in? I only want a little bit of time…”

Hermione immediately opened the door wide and ushered the embarrassed red head in.

“Just try to be quiet. Haylie is taking her afternoon kip”

“I heard you had kids” Ginny said evenly.

“Yes” Hermione answered “Haylie is our daughter. She's four and a half. Harry is out flying with Jamie right now. He's seven.”

“I heard he looks just like his dad. Except for his eyes…they're your eyes.” Ginny seemed to finally be recognizing the present. Harry wasn't hers anymore and he never really was…she knew it but it was still difficult to take.

“Ginny, Harry and I never meant to hurt you. He was going to end thing as soon as the ceremony was over, but that wouldn't have made it any better. We hurt you and I can imagine you hate us for it. Merlin knows Ron does.”

“Ron is a different person, Hermione.” Ginny interrupted. “I don't hate you and I certainly don't agree with how Ron's behaving. I just…I needed to see you again. It's been so long since we talked.”

“There's not a lot to talk about…”Hermione chuckled nervously.

“Well where do you work?” Ginny made herself comfortable on the Hotel room's couch and folded her hands neatly in her lap. She looked to Hermione interestedly.

“I own a bookstore. `Pages of the Ages'. It's a big hit in America because it has both muggle and wizard classics and modern books. All the Salem and Chicago students get their schoolbooks there. We were planning on sending Jamie there in a few years—”

“Surely he would attend Hogwarts!” Interjected Ginny

“Well, we weren't sure. If we put his down for Hogwarts then everyone would know and we weren't ready yet. I guess we'll see how this whole reunion thing works out. Have you met Luna's fiancée?” Hermione replied

“Yes and he's a real tool.” Ginny huffed, “I just wish that she and my brother had worked out…as much of a prat he is I think he would've made her happy.”

“Wait—Ron and Luna courted?”

“not exactly. They sort of casually got together and then they suddenly stopped. She was really sad for awhile which is, you know, weird for Luna. And he was still high and mighty so I figured it was okay but then she stopped talking to the family. Everyone was surprised when she asked mum to do the wedding…”Ginny explained

“So you don't like Charles Rowland?”

“Like I said, he's a bloody git. He thinks her quirks are weird. He doesn't even read The Quibbler, which's been her life since her father died. He doesn't respect it or help. He think this is all just a phase she'll grow out of; A real tool.”

“I can imagine. And what of you, Gin? Do you have a special someone?” Hermione realized that it might as been too soon to open up a sore subject like this but it felt so much like old times that she felt compelled.

“Well sort of. I mean, Harry's been out of the picture for so many years now. And we're all growing up so quickly. And you've settled down with Harry and so have Bill, Charlie, Percy and now Luna. It seems like only the twins, the Arsehole, and I are left. I can't be last to the altar can I? Though honestly we all thought it would be you.” Ginny shrugged. She took a small butter cookie form the plate on the glass coffee table and delicately bite into it. Every about her was fragile and sometimes Hermione was jealous.

She was saved from a painful cruise of self pity when the doorknob turned and opened revealing her husband and her son.

“Mommy, you shoulda seen us!” Jamie came flying into the room, though not literally, bouncing off the walls with excitement.

“What did I miss?” Hermione smiled, forgetting her earlier insecurities.

“Dad went so high in the air…we went through a cloud! And he did a back flip and a 360 and a—” Harry quickly put his hand over James' mouth to stop him from telling.

“Enough James, I don't think mom wants to hear!” Harry flustered

“Harry how could you!” Hermione scolded him sternly. “I told you not to go too high and not to be careless!” she continued, forgetting about their guest.

“I would never be careless with our son, Hermione, you know that! I was just showing him. It was harmless and everything was safe. I had a good hold on him and nobody could see us!” Harry countered calmly, setting his broomstick against the wall and hanging up his day coat.

“I love you, honey” he said softly to her, and then he noticed Ginny. Harry froze. She was sitting on the couch and looking very awkward about being there and not being paid attention. Harry looked to Hermione who smiled.

“Ginny?” Harry began.

“Hi Harry” she whispered so low that Hermione barely heard her.

“Ginny you know that I liked you very much, and we had a lot of fun, right?” Ginny nodded and Harry went on. “I'm so sorry about what we did. It was so hard to leave you and everyone but we had to. We were in love. We still are. You understand, don't you? You don't have to forgive me, but at least Hermione. She didn't know I was still with you…”

Ginny grinned. “Harry quick being a daft git and give me a hug! It's been eight years!” Harry smiled and did as she asked. He also gave her a friendly peck on the cheek which she quickly returned.

“And this must be Jamie?” Ginny looked down to see the child playing with a model dragon on the floor near the table.

“Yes. Jamie…meet Ginny.”

“Hello Ginny”

“James you look so much like Harry it's amazing. Except for your eyes and your nose. I bet you inherited your father's love of flying, too?” Ginny chuckled

James nodded vigorously.

“I'm going to be a quidditch player when I start Columbia!” he told her proudly. Ginny looked confused.

“Columbia Academy for Magical Children.” Hermione cleared up and Ginny nodded. At that time, all of the adults looked towards the back bedroom where Haylie was waking up from her kip.

“Daddy! Daddy!” the little girl cried. Harry rolled his eyes jokingly.

“If you'll excuse me…I must go get the daddy's girl.”

“Go ahead” Ginny and Hermione went back to talking while Harry made his way out of the room and into the hallway leading to the two main bedrooms.

“Haylie?” he called

“Daddy come here!” she whined. Harry opened the door and peered inside. Haylie sat in a large old T-shirt of Hermione's for her pajamas and had her curly hair crazy in every direction. Her glasses remained on the bedside table and she was huddled under the blankets with her head on the pillow.

“Sweetheart, you don't look so good” Harry took his palm and put it against her forehead. She was extremely warm.

“Hermione!” he called and in less than a second she was there with Ginny and Jamie in tow.

“What is it Harry dear?” Hermione hurriedly asked, sensing an emergency.

“Haylie seems to have a fever. Maybe it's the long distancing apparating. What do you think?” Harry said

Hermione also felt her daughter's face before nodding in agreement.

“Probably too much excitement. I know she wanted to go to Diagon Alley later on.”

“Is Haylie okay?” James asked.

“She needs to sleep some more. Harry, can you get me a wet wash cloth and some Tylenol?”

“Do they have Tylenol here?”

“Check my suitcase. It should be in the medicine bag.”

As Harry left to get what Hermione ordered, Hermione stayed and softly played with Haylie's hair.

“Mommy?” Haylie groggily asked

“Yes, Haylie?”

“I had a bad dream.”

“Poor baby, what did you dream?”

“Someone died.”

“Who died?” Hermione asked nonchalantly.

“A scary man. He was in a grave yard.”

Sensing a familiarity with this reoccurring nightmare that she herself had dreamt multiple times after the war, Hermione went into panic mode.

“Haylie, tell me everything that happened.” She urgently wiped the sweat form Haylie's forehead.

“Mommy, I don't feel good”

“It's `well', honey. Say `I don't feel well'.” Hermione corrected automatically before moving on, “I know you feel sick, but Haylie you can't go to sleep until you tell me. Daddy will be back with the medicine in a few minutes but I need you to explain what happened”

“He was really big and scary looking” Haylie muttered without argument.

“Who was?” Harry reentered the room with the warm washcloth, the bottle of Tylenol, and a glass of juice.

“Haylie had a nightmare” Hermione looked significantly to Harry and Harry raised his eyebrows.

“How many should she take?”

“One”

Harry took out on pill and handed it to Hermione. Hermione propped up Haylie on a pillow and gave her the pill. The little girl limply swallowed the medicine and then took a few gulps of pumpkin juice. She coughed once or twice, but then lay back down. Hermione placed the warm towel over her forehead and moved her fringe out of the way.

Ginny was watching the entire exchange from the threshold of the room and couldn't stop the sadness in her eyes. She imagined what her life could have been like. She held nothing against the Potters, for she too knew how it felt to be in love with someone you shouldn't. But after everything that happened, all she had wanted was a family with a nice and wholesome family man. Maybe she could find that in the man she was currently seeing…

“Haylie, tell me what this man looked like in your dream.” Hermione pressed the four-year-old who was quickly falling asleep.

“He had red eyes and no nose.” She told them slowly. Her striking emerald eyes were closed and her breathing was reaching a thumping and comfortable pace.

“What happened to him, Haylie?” Harry asked. Haylie was too tired to ask, but Harry prodded further. “As soon as you tell us, you can go to sleep, baby, but we need to know.” James looked on with interest. He had his model dragon on his shoulder and seemed to be deep in thought over what was going on.

“Somebody stuck a sword in him. Then a shadow came out and he died. But the shadow tried to get me. Then I woke up.” Haylie finally relented. Harry rubbed her back soothingly and listened as her breathing evened out.

“Alright sweetheart, thank you. Sleep well.” Harry whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek.

“Feel better Haylie!” James said loudly, causing the adults to grin. Harry and Hermione stood back and watched their daughter sleep peacefully. They had forgotten Ginny was there.

“I think I'll make her a calming draught and a dreamless sleep potion for next time. I don't want to rely on the pills to get her asleep.” Hermione decided before kissing her husband lightly on the lips and turning around, noticing Ginny.

“I'm surprised you used muggle medicine. Didn't you always want to be a healer?” Ginny inquired.

“Well I could be if I want too.” Hermione responded, “My schooling is all paid for, but it wasn't the time. Tylenol seems to knock Haylie out whenever she can't sleep. She rarely takes them, though. And we try to mostly use potions on the kids.”

“I see” Ginny said, she watched the parents leave the room and take James with them, who's dragon was shooting fire all over the place.

“Mom?” He called for attention.

“Yes?” Hermione answered distractedly, grabbing ingredients form her suitcase. They were common ingredients that she carried with her always. She supposed she would use the sink with the plug as her cauldron and just warm it up with her wand.

“I've had that nightmare, too.”

“Don't be silly James; you can't have had the exact same nightmare as your sister.”

“Yes I have. I have it all the time; it just doesn't scare me anymore. The man gets stabbed by a big thick sword with a golden handle and then you run up to dad an give him a big hug while Haylie and I stand off to the side watching. You guys never seem to notice us and you're never aware when the shadow of the dead guy comes out and flies towards us. I always wake up right before it gets to us and I push Haylie behind me.”

“James go play in the living room. I need to think!” Hermione rubbed her temples and sighed frustratingly.

“Hermione? Dear? Are you alright?” Harry calmly approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her middle.

“I'm fine, Harry, just stressed. First Ron, then Ginny, now this. James has that dream, too, Harry. Could it mean something?”

“We're just being paranoid. Voldemort is dead and can't possibly be reaching our children's dreams.”

“They're seeing the last part of the final battle as if they were in a pensieve. James just described it. Both of them stand there and watch as you kill him and then I give you a hug. And behind us, Voldemort's shadow is trying to attack our kids and we don't realize it because we don't see them there. It's painfully ironic. I used to have nightmares, too, but the faces of the other two people were never clear…”

“…same here, but I don' think it's a big deal. I think everything is fine.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Ginny timidly interrupted them in the kitchen.

“No, Ginny we've got it. It's just been a difficult few days so far. And it's still a week until the wedding.”

“A lot can happen in a week. Great to see you guys. I'll come by another time.” Ginny smiled and hugged them both before waving and apparating out of their hotel room.

“A lot sure can happen. It's only been two days so far.”

“yeah…” Hermione absently replied.

“Honey, what's bothering you?” Harry asked, pausing for her to answer.

“I'm thinking about your scuffle with Ron. Do you remember seeing a flash?”

“Err…I was a little busy.”

Hermione looked disapprovingly at him before saying “I imagine you were. IBut I swear I saw something…like a camera.”

“You think there was a photographer there? Or a journalist! Shit, Hermione that could end up in all the papers!” Harry angrily realized.

“Harry, just calm down, I'm sure it was nothing!” Hermione urged her husband.

“A photographer? Hermione this is a big deal! We'll be officially announced and everything will turn sour. All I wanted was a nice trip back home for Luna and to catch up with old friends and I get this.” He referred to the busted lip he was now sporting from his brawl with Ron.

“I don't know, honey.” Hermione sighed, “Things are so different. I imagine the world figured we were dead and they lost hope. Our return could be a good thing; a positive reinforcement.”

“You always know what to say, don't you?” Harry smiled at her and stopped pacing. He went over to her and took her in his arms. They melted into one another and shared a long passionate kiss.

James walked in at the precise moment.

“Gross! Cut it out!” he complained before commandeering Harry to play with him as Hermione went back to brewing her potions, still with a mind full of worries and a brain full of questions.

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