A Moment of Eternity

by Uenki

Disclaimers: I do not own Harry Potter. However, I own the plot.

CHAPTER 5: TORN

She was flooded with conflicting emotions while she clutched the parchment in her hands, fingering it gingerly and gently. Hermione Granger was always prepared, and things like spells memorizing or lecturing was nothing to her at all. However, there had always been one person who did things which brought tremendous distress and astonishment to her at all times. That person was Harry Potter, not The-Man-Who-Saved-The-Magical-World, but simply 'Harry' alone. The Gryffindor boy always had a smile that filled others with hope, the boy who never failed to meet up to expectations, though slightly unruly at times, and he was the Harry she knew and loved.

Several knocks were heard from the door and in came Luna, who was carrying a tray of snacks and drink in her hands, and a smile on her lips. Hermione, who had noticed Luna's entrance, flustered for a slight moment and tucked the parchment into one of the pages in Fake, while trying to keep herself looking composed and calm. She returned Luna a smile and nodded politely as Luna placed the cup of hot milk and snacks on her desk.

"Thank you, Luna," uttered Hermione softly as she gazed at the woman who had settled down in a chair beside Hermione, "for both the supper and accommodating me in your house today."

Luna blushed slightly, embarrassed at the sudden appreciation and flailed her hand wildly. Hermione simply stifled a chuckle.

"It's okay, Hermione. Mary is closer to you than to us, her parents, and since Ron and I are busy tomorrow, I really do appreciate your help in babysitting her," Luna rattled on; some of her words unclear and slightly slurred. Hermione's smile never faded from her face. Hermione probably took Mary as her daughter, and perhaps it was her maternal instincts kicking in. Whenever she saw Mary, she would always wonder how her child would look like if Harry hadn't left.

'Our child…' Hermione mused, thoughts drifting quite far away from reality, 'probably would have his beautiful eyes and unruly raven locks with a studious personality and has a love of Quidditch.' Hermione's grin grew wider and she was snapped back from reality when Luna excused herself from the room. The door closed softly with a click and Hermione glanced at the thick fiction book. She took it, opened the book and took out the parchment. Her fingers were placed on a sentence which caught her eyes.

"… the amount of things she knew never ceased to amaze them. When they were down and helpless, she always seemed to step in and pull them out from the forlornness, picking them up from where they fell. Their only refuge was through letters, sending her their thoughts with comfort and reassurance in her words. 'If it was this girl, it will be all right,' they thought, even if they were off for a war, just simply knowing that they are protecting this special girl, everything would be okay." The words that the author wrote had a strong feeling of nostalgia. The words that he wrote simply felt so familiar; as if he had gone through it before. She placed the parchment down and picked up the book, scanning in more details. It was like a messed up puzzle, something fits, but it never seemed to fit.

"The girl would always frown when she saw the bruises on their bodies and her brows would furrow slightly. She would lecture them for hours, mentioning how they could endure being hurt by Steve, yet not knowing that they only kept the bruises because they wanted to be showered with her concerns. It was a twisted love, they both realized. Someone as filthy as them could not possible have the love of this girl. They were unworthy, was the only conclusion they came to, because their hands were stained with blood. Steve's blood." Hermione seemed to have goosebumps whenever she read those paragraphs. Jake's love was wild, alluring and sometimes horrifying. Yet, perhaps, maybe… all these seemed to have only one connection. A simple, though complicated connection which is full of conundrums.

Hermione picked up the book and closed up, the book cover facing her. Her eyes widened, startled, when she saw the penname of the author.

'Could it be…?'

Cottage located on Earth

The next day, Morning

Harry scribbled furiously on the parchment, his brows knitted in furrow, cold beads of perspiration rolled down from his forehead. 'I believe that there's no book that Hermione have not heard about and there's no riddle that she cannot figure out,' he thought as he bit his lips unconsciously. Harry also thought of Hermione as being observant. She was always the one who could solve complicated incantations and whip up several useful spells in times of need. 'Possibly this time… If she read my books… she would see, would she not?'

Harry closed his eyes, arms slack and settled in a comfortable position on the couch. Fake's appearance had a purpose since the whole series was simply written for her. It has always been like that, since the day when he decided to write stories that revolved around Jake. She was the only person whom has been decided in the series right from the start, with no hesitation and uncertainty. Everything occurred because her name is Hermione Granger, the girl whom he loves.

A loud, deafening alarm clock sounded, causing the man to blot up from his seat, eyes wide and wand pulled up from the holster defensively. He blew a sigh of relief when he noticed that it was only an alarm clock. Partly reprimanding himself that he was too jumpy lately due to thoughts on Hermione, Harry glanced upwards and saw the time on the clock.

"Oh shit," he cursed softly, if he didn't change into fresh clothes at this very moment, he was going to be late.

Muggle Zoo, in one corner

Afternoon

Hermione had decided on something simple, as Harry didn't like extravagant accessories or clothes. She wore a pair of blue jeans, a tee shirt together with a pair of matching silver earrings. It was something she wore often in the university and it was more comfortable than any other attires.

Mary was happy, noticed Hermione as she hid a smile. Mary was dressed in normal Muggle clothes, something she rarely did, being always in the Wizardry world. She was practically bouncing from place to place while eyeing at several different animals. Hermione wondered blindly about the things that Ron had taught Mary, due to the fact that Mary only knew about the fellytone and not knowing about Muggle clothes were simply ridiculous.

The thoughts that were drifting faraway were all trailing back to one person, like a rivulet which trails back to the vast sea. Her mind was full of him, Harry Potter, and the connections he had placed all around; it was just like he was playing a game with her, a simple game of hide and seek. She clenched her fists tightly and her vision blurred slightly. She felt angry because she didn't understand the reason behind his antics, because it was only a choice to him. To be back or not to be.

"Mary, don't wonder around too much –" she paused when she noticed that Mary was not beside her anymore. Crowds were formed like a barrier around her, and she could not see the familiar red head bobbing anywhere. With her jaw clenched tightly, she turned around and started to back track, her frantic mind trying to keep herself composed and calm. 'Mary… Mary!' She called in her head as a boulder was stuck in her throat. She had experienced this feeling before, she noticed, it simply felt like the day Harry had gone missing and he never came back.

Muggle Zoo, at another corner

Afternoon

"Aunt Hermione?" The child called, looking around for the familiar woman. Mary paused in her tracks as the passer-bys whizzed pass her, her red head bobbing around searching for someone she knew. Mary always thought she was a sensible person who could think straight even when she was lost, however, her thoughts proved her wrong. At that moment, she wanted to cry. Tears started to flood her eyes as they rolled down. She sniffed and wiped away the tears with the sleeve of her clothes.

A moment later, she heard someone calling her. It was an unfamiliar voice, deep, slightly hoarse yet matured. Mary turned back, and saw a man who was dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a simple white buttoned down shirt and in his hands was a semi-transparent paper bag which contained a musical box. Her eyes widened when she saw his face, a lightning blot scar were etched on his forehead and a pair of radiant emerald orbs were looking straight at her.

She knew this man, Mary noticed, though she hadn't meet him in person before, she had always seen him in her daddy's photo album and in Aunt Hermione's wallet.

"Uncle Harry!" Mary called, grinning with her eyes brimming with tears, as she lunged forward and tackled Harry's long legs. Harry smiled fondly and ruffled her head. Mary had grown up, Harry noticed, the first and the last time he had seen her was outside of the Weasley's cottage, with her as a newborn infant. She had grown like a beauty, just like her mother and had inherited his father's flaming red locks.

"Hello Mary," he crouched down, his smile never fading as he handed the paper bag to the child. The girl gave a huge smile and took it enthusiastically. Harry appeared to be slightly hesitant as he continued his next question. "Where's your Aunt Hermione?" As soon as that question was asked, the child's smile faded and formed a frown.

"I… don't know," she replied, feeling sorry as it was her fault that she wandered around. Harry took her little hand and placed it on his big one. He drew something on her palms and hid a smile while Mary stared at the man quizzically.

"Now Mary, I placed a little charm on you. If you walk straight down this pavement, you'll see your Aunt Hermione," Harry murmured softly. Mary seemed gleeful as she turned away and ran towards the pavement without haste. A moment later, she banged into Hermione who was going hysterical. Hermione clutched her small shoulders tightly, lecturing her again and again not to leave her side. Mary simply nodded obediently.

'A musical box?' Hermione noticed. "Have you seen Harry, Mary? Tell me!" she demanded, startling the child slightly. She had waited so long for this day, and she was not going to let any chance slip by. Marry nodded and pointed to the direction from where she came. Hermione grabbed the girl's wrist as they sped down the pavement. Upon reaching their destination, both Hermione and Mary glanced around but spotted no sight of Harry.

"Harry?" Hermione uttered under her breath, "Harry? Where're you?" She called, softly. Mary tilted her head up and took a glimpse of her Aunt Hermione. She seemed different from any other normal days, Mary thought, her Aunt Hermione was usually calm and often at peace. The Hermione that the child had seen today seemed like she was close to breaking down. Mary stood beside her Aunt as she clapped her hand over her mouth, as beads of tears rolled down like glistening pearls from her eyes.

'Are you okay, Aunt Hermione?' was what the child wanted to ask. However, looking at the woman at this state, no words seemed to come out from her lips.

In a secluded corner away from the Zoo

Harry Potter smashed a nearby tree trunk with his bare fist. His façade almost broke the moment the saw Hermione approaching his way several minutes back. The all-too-familiar scent of blood reached him when blood streamed down from his knuckles. At the very last moment, he do not dare to face her simply because he felt unworthy.

"I am such a useless coward…!"

A/N: What an angst!Harry. Nick, if you're reading this chapter, I tried to mail you but no reply came back. Hence, I asked EmotionlessNightmare to BETA read for me. Thanks for the help both of you two have offered, you two are saviors, seriously! Also, since moodyboy66 told be that the chapter was tiny, I tried to increase the chapter length slightly, but it still ended up with a cliffie. I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter, sorry for the delay and cheers! ;D

After finishing Nightmare's edit and comments, I have to say a huge thanks and a surprised 'Wow!'. ;D He or was it she (?) was absolutely amazing in editing! Highly detailed!

Take care and enjoy,

Uenki.

P.S Thank you for reviewing, it helped me tons and became a source of my motivation to continue on this fiction. (: