Shout out to this amazing fan who helped me with this chapter and supporting me. ^_^:ScOut4It . Song is by Flyleaf. Only own Libra Black, no one else

Chapter 24 Set Apart This Dream

The air was crisp and had a light breeze, which was cool to the touch. It was a beautiful park, filled with the sounds of children laughing, vibrant colors of the playground which stood contrast to the grey skies. The leaves on the trees also had different colors and were starting to fall off as the winds passed by. The witch tried to entertain herself by reading the book she was holding. Yet the only thing she could stare at was the scene that was happening before her. She was too far to hear what they were saying but she could guess what was happening.

Hermione had been walking with the stroller throughout the park. She wore warm clothes with a scarf wrapped around her neck. It was the same one from Hogwarts and held many memoires, both good and bad. Bella was seated on a bench reading a book, making eye contact with her lover whenever she looked up. The brunette smiled at how breathtaking her wife looked and how nervous she was for doing this. There was a couple passing by but they stopped when they spotted Libra. The younger witch took a deep breath hoping the couple couldn't see she was shaking.

"What a precious child, she is," The woman said. Libra cooed and smiled enjoying the attention she was receiving. The man was dressed in dark colors which was good contrast to her pale skin. Her green eyes were warm and welcoming to any stranger that saw them.

"Can I hold her?" the man asked. He flashed a smile showing how perfect his teeth were.

Why does she do this to herself?, Bella thought. She wasn't fond of this idea but couldn't deny her wife this opportunity. She still sat there, not wanting to disturb the event.

Hermione nodded observing everything they were doing. They had introduced themselves but the brunette couldn't help but look at the new lines that would crease when the man would smile. He had new wrinkles that weren't there before and some new grey strands of hair were starting to become apparent. Libra giggled and made baby noise as the couple adored her. "We always wanted children but we were never blessed with one."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said. She tried to give a warm smile but felt her lips trembling. She took another deep breath seeing that her vision was blurring from oncoming tears. She bit her tongue to keep from crying.

"Ohh she's so precious," the woman continued, "she has very beautiful eyes." Libra smiled at the compliment and began to wiggle. Libra was forming bubbles on her lips and laughing, making the woman laugh also. Hermione let out a sigh hearing the laughter; it had been so long she had heard that laughter.

"She gets her eyes from her grandfather." Hermione said seeing that her child was becoming a little restless.

"Your parents must be very proud," the man said handling Libra back to her mother.

Hermione just nodded and replied, "I would hope so."

The woman stared at Hermione like she wanted to say something, "It looks like the little one is tired. A lullaby well put her right to sleep," she stared intently at Hermione. "I'm sorry Miss but you look so familiar. Wendall, are you sure we haven't met her?" Her eyebrows creased together and her eyes drifted off like she was on to something but couldn't quite get it. It was only when she looked into Hermione's eyes she felt like something was missing and it was bothering her.

"I'm sure if we have, we wouldn't forget such a darling woman," he said. His eyes told another story like he was also trying to remember but couldn't get anything. He didn't like this feeling especially when the young mother looked very anxious about something. Deep down he felt terribly guilty but he couldn't imagine why. He figured she was tired of talking to some strangers, "You have very beautiful teeth by the way."

The man decided it was time to leave especially once he saw how distress his wife was acting. The couple left to continue their walk in the park. The woman couldn't help but look back making eye contact with Hermione. Every time she thought she was close, her head would ache and she felt her mind was blanketed. She felt so terrible but her husband forced them to walk away.

Once they were out of sight Hermione let the tears flow down her cheeks. She held Libra in an attempt to not break down completely, feeling all her strength leave her. Hermione placed Libra back in her stroller. Just as she felt her knees about to crumble, she felt strong arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. Those arms that promised to protect and are strong for her when in times of hardship.

Her fortress.

Her shield.

Her everything.

"They asked if my parents were proud," Hermione said to Bella. The dark haired witch placed her head on Hermione's shoulder. She could feel the brunette was openly sobbing now.

"Shhhh my pet, this was the only way to save them."

"Wh-hy?" Hermione wailed.

"You erased their memory to protect them, love," Bella explained. "I'm sorry it can't be reversed. You know, if there was any chance without serious risks I would have attempted it myself."

It was true. Memory charms were very dangerous to reverse; sometimes it could warp the victim's mind completely.

"At least they got to meet their granddaughter." Hermione choked out. She cuddled into the embrace feeling so loved and happy at how supportive Bella was. Every now and then she missed her parents dearly but was happy that they were better than okay. They had their own lives and Hermione had one of her own too. Libra whined to be picked up again, feeling she was missing something and wanted to be a part of it. Hermione picked her up and gave her daughter a big kiss, smiling and now felt loads better.

"Come on, it's time for Libby to take her nap," Bella suggested and they were off to Black estate.

Not too far away the old couple were bickering, "I'm telling you Wendall that's the girl from my dreams."

"It can't be Monica."

"Why not?"

"Because she looks familiar to me too, it's impossible for both of us to think of someone we have never even met before, honey." He couldn't shake off the look from the young woman's face. He felt like he needed to do something to make her smile again. He shook his head and ignored the nagging feelings every time he looked at those brown innocent eyes. There were times at night when one of them would wake up with weird dreams that they had a daughter, it felt so real to them that sometimes they thought they were visions or something. They were happy but sometimes they felt like they were missing something in their life that they haven't found yet. At first it was a feeling that they both shared when wondering where to eat, what to do. As quickly as the feelings come, they would pass and it left them with an uncanny feeling at best. He looked back at the park, once last time but the young mother and her daughter were nowhere to be found. They disappeared out of thin air, as if by magic.

Xoxox

"Make sure everyone receives this letter by tonight, is that clear Methnios?" Bella instructed. The Harpy Eagle nodded and received a nice chunk of meat before starting his flight.

The dark haired witch went to find out where her lover and child were but already had an idea in mind. It was around Libra's naptime so they were probably at the nursery. She was right and stood by door watching Hermione trying to put their child to sleep.

"Libra it's time for your nap missy," Hermione giggled. She had already given her daughter a nice warm bath but Libra didn't look like she could sleep. The baby squealed angrily and wiggled frantically as if frustrated that she couldn't sleep. The baby sucked on her pacifier and spit it out multiple times like she couldn't decide whether she wanted it or not. Her mother could tell that Libra was not a happy baby and was just about to start crying when her mom picked her up. Hermione knew just the lullaby to put the baby to bed. She held Libra in one arm and with the other she started to twirl her wand.

"Close your eyes little girl
You're a princess now
You own this world
Twirling in your twirly dress
You're the loveliest far above the rest"

The wand started sparkling and light up different colors. Libra giggled and grasp the wand feeling the magic pulsing through. The colors twirled and danced together looking like two people in a waltz.

"You build your castles in the sky
Stars reflecting off your eyes
And angels sing on silver clouds
And no one cries, screams, or shouts"

The light crashed together and shot up at the ceiling. The light burst into dark matter and then starts lit up, one by one. Now it looked like they were in outer space. Libra was watching in awe with the stars shooting and all the vibrant colors. Hermione carried her up in the air making Libra squeal in joy. Both mother and child laughed in unison knowing their bond and love could never be broken by any type of magic.

"Oh, set apart this dream
Oh, set apart this dream for me
Set apart this dream for me "

Hermione smiled remembering the first time she saw any magic like that was her first dinner at Hogwarts. She couldn't wait for Libra to attend school and be at the top of her class. Making friends and having wonderful and hopefully not too dangerous adventures.

"Close your eyes pretty girl
Cause it's easier when you brace yourself
Set your thoughts on a world far off
Where we only cry from joy"

Hermione embraced her child feeling that Libra was calming down a bit. Her little feet would continue to fidget but then the baby would make less and less of a fuss. The brunette could feel Libra slowly drifting off to sleep and it made her smile knowing how precious her child was to her. Her mother was right; a simple lullaby was what Libra needed to sleep. It was the same one her mom used to sing her when Hermione was restless.

"Oh, lovely and beautiful

Precious and priceless
You're so much more than you know
Heart of the purest gold
Pure clean and white as snow
Clothed in such splendor
Oh, what a beauty for me."

She gently placed her bundle of joy in the crib. She felt Bella by her side also watching their child sleep.

"Sometimes when I look at our daughter, I forget to breathe because of how beautiful she is," she nuzzled into Hermione's warm neck. "Then I think of how amazing my life is now and that fills me up with such happiness and warmth I never thought I'd ever have."

They left the nursery and had a hot tea. Hermione talked to her wife about everything, seeing her parents, wondering if they remembered and how Libra acted. Bella just listened, imagining how lonely Hermione must feel sometimes and knowing she was the cause of it too. Hermione might have been young but she was brave and wise beyond her years.

They ended up in bed, Bella just holding Hermione close to her. The younger witch was already asleep, exhausted from the long day. The older witch couldn't help but stare at her lovely wife. Hermione's soft hair spread everywhere, her chest rising and falling slowly making her look so beautiful. She kissed her forehead before hearing a small tap at the window. It was their Harpy Eagle signaling he had got the job done and was now going to his home to rest. She was excited for what was planned for tomorrow.

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