So I am a horrible human being and have neglected my fanfictions for years now... I am SO SORRY. I have no excuse other then life and adulthood getting in the way. I have a renewed passion for my stories now and plan on revamping and finishing them. Please forgive me and enjoy the updated chapters while I polish the new ones. =)

-Misha

…They danced in tight circles very slowly on the crowded dance floor. They occupied their own world where no one else existed. He held a protective arm around her waist, his fingers gently drawing loops on the small of her back, as he held her left hand protectively to his chest. Her right hand was draped over his broad shoulder as she rested her head slightly against his cheek. The top of her head barely reached his eye level with her heals. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of him. Laughing a little to herself, she made a mental note that he smelled of laundry detergent and a little bit of old spice.

"What's so funny?"

"You smell like clean laundry."

He barked a small laugh and pulled her tighter to him.

"Um,…I know it's a strange time to tell you this, but I'm glad you were never able to find a way back or forward I should say."

She smiled as she pulled her head back and brought her eyes up to meet his grey orbs.

"I'm glad too Sirius."

He smiled sheepishly and leaned into her for a kiss…

Hermione jerked awake so quickly from the dream that she almost toppled onto the floor. She glanced around the room searching for something to explain her ridiculous dream, but the room offered no clues. Breathing very hard, Hermione climbed out of bed and walked over to the window. She had been at the Burrow for two months now. Though she loved this house as her second or third home, she missed her parents greatly. Hermione was racked with guilt over sending them to Australia, with no memory of herself to tempt any return to England. Obliviating their memories of her and planting the thought of uprooting to the island continent was the only way she could guarantee their safety. It was a necessary evil that she carried the burden for now, and she tired desperately to push the issue to the back of her mind.

She wiped a single tear from her face and pulled out the thin chain that held her old time turner and a precious heirloom.

Hermione had taken very little from her home before leaving; a few pictures tucked away in her ever extending bag and this ancient locket that had belonged to her mother's grandmother that now hangs loosely around her neck, were all that remained of her family in England. It was all she possessed that would keep the memory of her family intact in her mind. She hoped to would be enough.

She looked out the window and noticed that the sun was starting to rise. It had to be around 6 in the morning.

"Well, might as well get dressed. Don't want another strange dream…" Hermione said softly to herself.

"What about dreams 'Mione?" Ginny said groggily from under her pillow.

Hermione laughed and walked over to Ginny's bed. She sat down beside the redhead and pried the pillow from Ginny's face with great difficulty.

"I had a weird dream. That's all. How are you this morning dear, little Ginny?" Hermione asked, "I heard you come into the room quite late last night."

Ginny was unable to keep a broad smile from covering her face. "I have no earthly idea what you're talking about."

Both girls started giggling.

"I am sorry that I woke you though. How late was it anyway?"

"I think it was about 2 in the morning."

"And what time is it now?"

"About 6:30 I believe."

Ginny groaned. She rolled over onto her side burying her head into her comforter. Hermione laughed and got up from the bed. She walked over to her every growing personal library and found her "Everyday Remedies" spell book. Flipping to the back of the book, she found the page for "pepper up" tonics. She quickly whipped up a pep-up spell for sleep deprivation.

"Here Gin, take this and you'll feel like you've slept all night."

Hermione handed the small potion to Ginny's outstretched hand. Hermione helped drag Ginny into a sitting position so she could take the potion. Tipping her head back, she swallowed the entire potion in one gulp. Hermione laughed as Ginny's face contorted from the disgusting flavor.

"Well,...despite the terrible taste of the stuff, you always know how to make an efficient potion."

Ginny got out of bed and stood next to Hermione.

"What are we doing today 'Mione? You know, other than the researching and studying of everything Voldemort."

Hermione smiled sadly.

"I know we've been doing a lot of preparing, but you know we have to. We need to know everything we can so there won't be any surprises when we're hunting down the horcuxes."

Ginny nodded her head as an acknowledgement to what Hermione had said. Ginny had walked over to her closet to find something to wear for the day. She obviously did not want to continue with the conversation. Hermione sighed felling defeated. This is how many conversations involving Voldemort ended with Ginny. She would always walk away and busy herself with something. Hermione shook her head and just went about finding something to wear for the new day as well.

They went around the room silently as Ginny fussed with her already perfect hair and Hermione straightened some of her books and potion ingredients. Hermione stumbled across her scrapbook she had made during her sixth year. She smiled to herself and sat on the bed to look through it. She opened the book to find a very old picture of herself with Ron and Harry. The picture was labeled "The end to a perfect first year." She ran her fingers over the picture and thought of simpler times. She skipped over some of the pictures and found one of Ginny and herself at the world cup. Hermione looked up at her best girlfriend and smiled. Ginny was all grown up now. Hermione honestly thought of her as almost a sister and was very protective of her. Ginny's deep red hair was to the middle of her back now. She still had a tiny frame but stern manner, which was exactly what Hermione was trying to avoid at the moment.

But Hermione and Ginny never stayed irritated with one another for long. Ginny saw Hermione's reflection in the mirror and gave her a warm smile. She turned and saw her favorite book in Hermione's lap.

"Oh, the scrapbook! What are you looking at?"

"Just some old stuff. Do you remember this one?" Hermione asked as she pointed out the world cup picture. Their younger selves both smiled and waved up from the picture to the older Hermione and Ginny.

"That's a horrid picture of us, but yes I remember."

They laughed as Hermione skipped around for another picture to fawn over. She soon found one of Ginny and Harry after Gryffindor had won the house cup during Hermione's 6th year. Ginny smiled and leaned her head on Hermione's shoulder.

"I love that one. I have that on my side table by the bed."

Hermione nodded and looked for another picture. She found one of Harry, Ginny, Ron and herself at the beginning of this summer. Hermione grinned at the goofy faces they were all making from the picture, she actually though herself very pretty in this picture. Her hair had finally settled into brown waves rather than curly fuzz. And she had grown a little over the summer. So, despite the crazy faces she was making, Hermione saw a different version of herself shining through. She liked this new version very much. She was more confident and much braver, but that might have something to do with having Harry and Ron around constantly.

The girls finished looking through some more of the pictures before they decided that they were starving. Mrs. Weasley's cooking was the only guaranteed cure for such a hunger. They ran down the stairs to the kitchen only to find that they had an unexpected but very welcomed guest.

"Professor Lupin!" Both girls exclaimed at once.

Ginny stepped forward to hug one of her favorite Order members that she wasn't related to. Lupin heartily welcomed the hug and smiled tiredly.

"Forgive me, but I'm in need of a very long nap."

Mrs. Weasley and the girls laughed at this comment. Remus Lupin had been working undercover among the werewolves for a very long time now. He had finally ended his mission with bringing a good portion of the werewolf population to the Order's side. Lupin was in great need of a vacation, but he refused to take too much time for himself.

Lupin turned to hug Hermione but he stopped in mid arm swing and stared at her.

Hermione looked at Remus, down at herself, and then back. "Is something wrong Professor Lupin?"

Remus shook his head of the thought and simply said, "I'm sorry Hermione. Just tired. That's all." He hugged her warmly and added, "Please call me Remus, both of you. I am not your professor anymore and you're both of age anyway." He smiled again as he pulled away taking a seat at the table.

"…I knew she was going to look like that. Why was it so surprising? It's just Mia…Hermione. She only told you so that you could explain to the others…"

Remus shook the fog from his head and continued with the conversation he was having with Mrs. Weasley.

They all ate a breakfast of eggs, sausage and toast with jam while they all listened to Remus and his tales of werewolves. Apparently Greyback was not making children into werewolves anymore, but was biting to kill now, just because he liked the taste of blood. It was rather disturbing, but Remus did not give too many details so it was suitable for a meal. Though he looked very tired, he ate an enormous amount. He could have challenged Ron this morning if he and Harry had been awake.

Soon after she was finished eating, Ginny said she was going to wake up the boys. Hermione would have joined her but Remus had asked to speak privately with her. Ginny made a face but didn't question it. Mrs. Weasley had gone upstairs to bring Mr. Weasley some food since he was regrowing a broken leg from falling off a broom yesterday. They were left along at the table with only some toast and eggs between them.

"So what is so important Remus?"

Remus looked at her and simply said, "Amilia."

So I reworked a little bit to smooth out the wordage and articulation of the characters. Enjoy!

Please review and follow!