Author's Note: This is the sequel to my first fanfic, "What The Future May Hold". I suggest reading that one first, if you haven't already done so.
Welcome back to all of my readers! I do hope that the sequel lives up to your expectations.
All questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome if you would like to leave a review!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters and places from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
"When two people are at one in their inmost hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze." (Source unknown)
*****
*Prologue*
Christmas had always been the most magical time of the year at Hogwarts. Outside, the grounds were a winter wonderland in every sense of the meaning... from the blanket of snow and the way it reflected the dazzling rays of the winter sun, to the snowcapped trees of the forest, to Hagrid's hut which looked like a fairy tale cottage. Inside, the enchanted decorations of the Great Hall, the fairy lights of the Christmas trees, the everlasting icicles.... to Hermione Granger, there was no more beautiful place in the world than Hogwarts at Christmas time.
But this year, she took no joy in the dazzling effects of the castle or the grounds in all their winter glory. This year, she barely even noticed.
Just when all of her dreams had finally come true, the nightmares of the past reared their ugly head.
She should have been happy, celebrating her first Christmas with Severus and their son, Samuel, as a real family, and anticipating the birth of their second child, due the next month. But instead, she spent her days worrying about her husband, and her nights tossing and turning, unable to sleep without him by her side. She missed his presence, the warmth of his body curled up in bed beside her, the feel of his elegant hands caressing the swell of her abodmen, his deep silky voice as he whispered words of love to the child within.
Each day, she waited and hoped for Severus' return... and her nights were spent lying alone in their bed, silently crying as she prayed for his safe return.
She worried for Remus, also. He had become so much more than a friend to her... he was more like a surrogate father, having stood faithfully by her side through all of the trials and tribulation that she had endured the previous year.
Granted, the men had only been gone for two days... two very long days. But it was getting harder with every moment of uncertainty. Where were they? HOW were they? And when would they return? Nobody, not even Albus, had the answers to these questions.
The night of Samuel's first birthday, the two men had rushed off after receiving the news that Lucius Malfoy was not dead, as they had believed for more than one year now... rather, he had been locked up in one of the highest security cells in Azkaban, but had somehow escaped after security at the prison had been breeched. Severus had felt that he may be the only one who could track him down, and Remus had insisted on going as well. The two men, once bitter enemies, had long ago put the past behind them and become allies. Recently, their relationship had turned to friendship, as Remus had become involved in Hermione's life, and was now courting her mother.
There were only two things keeping Hermione from sinking into a pit of despair... her mother, and her son.
Elizabeth had been encouraged to stay with her at Hogwarts'.... for Hermione's sake, they had been told. But Hermione knew better... it was for her mother's safety as well. No matter what the reason, she was relieved to have her mother by her side, not only for the emotional support, but to help with her Samuel as well. Hermione was getting closer to the end of her second pregnancy and it was getting harder to keep up with the child, who was just learning to walk.
By the end of the second day, Hermione was growing more concerned for the safetly of her husband and her dear friend. She knew that her expectations were unrealistic, but still she had hoped that they would accomplish their mission the first day, and return to the normal lives that they had settled into.
She should have known that there was no such thing as 'Happily Ever After'... at least, not when evil men like Lucius Malfoy were involved.
Hermione saw her mother off to the visitor's quarters that evening before returning to the solitude of her own rooms. She had given up hope of Severus returning that day, and was fighting to hold herself together as she lay her son down to sleep in his nursery. Focusing determinedly on Samuel's well being, she was oblivious to the sound of her bedroom door swinging open and the rush of heavy footsteps approaching the nursery.
Suddenly feeling the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, she whirled around and gasped when she came face to face with the dark figure who was standing in her doorway.
Welcome back to all of my readers! I do hope that the sequel lives up to your expectations.
All questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome if you would like to leave a review!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters and places from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.
*****
"When two people are at one in their inmost hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze." (Source unknown)
*****
*Prologue*
Christmas had always been the most magical time of the year at Hogwarts. Outside, the grounds were a winter wonderland in every sense of the meaning... from the blanket of snow and the way it reflected the dazzling rays of the winter sun, to the snowcapped trees of the forest, to Hagrid's hut which looked like a fairy tale cottage. Inside, the enchanted decorations of the Great Hall, the fairy lights of the Christmas trees, the everlasting icicles.... to Hermione Granger, there was no more beautiful place in the world than Hogwarts at Christmas time.
But this year, she took no joy in the dazzling effects of the castle or the grounds in all their winter glory. This year, she barely even noticed.
Just when all of her dreams had finally come true, the nightmares of the past reared their ugly head.
She should have been happy, celebrating her first Christmas with Severus and their son, Samuel, as a real family, and anticipating the birth of their second child, due the next month. But instead, she spent her days worrying about her husband, and her nights tossing and turning, unable to sleep without him by her side. She missed his presence, the warmth of his body curled up in bed beside her, the feel of his elegant hands caressing the swell of her abodmen, his deep silky voice as he whispered words of love to the child within.
Each day, she waited and hoped for Severus' return... and her nights were spent lying alone in their bed, silently crying as she prayed for his safe return.
She worried for Remus, also. He had become so much more than a friend to her... he was more like a surrogate father, having stood faithfully by her side through all of the trials and tribulation that she had endured the previous year.
Granted, the men had only been gone for two days... two very long days. But it was getting harder with every moment of uncertainty. Where were they? HOW were they? And when would they return? Nobody, not even Albus, had the answers to these questions.
The night of Samuel's first birthday, the two men had rushed off after receiving the news that Lucius Malfoy was not dead, as they had believed for more than one year now... rather, he had been locked up in one of the highest security cells in Azkaban, but had somehow escaped after security at the prison had been breeched. Severus had felt that he may be the only one who could track him down, and Remus had insisted on going as well. The two men, once bitter enemies, had long ago put the past behind them and become allies. Recently, their relationship had turned to friendship, as Remus had become involved in Hermione's life, and was now courting her mother.
There were only two things keeping Hermione from sinking into a pit of despair... her mother, and her son.
Elizabeth had been encouraged to stay with her at Hogwarts'.... for Hermione's sake, they had been told. But Hermione knew better... it was for her mother's safety as well. No matter what the reason, she was relieved to have her mother by her side, not only for the emotional support, but to help with her Samuel as well. Hermione was getting closer to the end of her second pregnancy and it was getting harder to keep up with the child, who was just learning to walk.
By the end of the second day, Hermione was growing more concerned for the safetly of her husband and her dear friend. She knew that her expectations were unrealistic, but still she had hoped that they would accomplish their mission the first day, and return to the normal lives that they had settled into.
She should have known that there was no such thing as 'Happily Ever After'... at least, not when evil men like Lucius Malfoy were involved.
Hermione saw her mother off to the visitor's quarters that evening before returning to the solitude of her own rooms. She had given up hope of Severus returning that day, and was fighting to hold herself together as she lay her son down to sleep in his nursery. Focusing determinedly on Samuel's well being, she was oblivious to the sound of her bedroom door swinging open and the rush of heavy footsteps approaching the nursery.
Suddenly feeling the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, she whirled around and gasped when she came face to face with the dark figure who was standing in her doorway.