My Cheating Heart

Hermione's Respite

Hermione found herself all alone in a beautiful empty hall filled with what seemed to be millions of books. She knew what this place was! The Trinity College Library, her most favorite place in the entire world as a little girl. The place reeked with so much history, art, and is a treasure trove of knowledge. Really, it was every bookworm's haven.

As her eyes roamed the empty library, she was confused. It looked to be a bright sunny day. But where was everyone?

How did I even get here? She was confused. Her last memory was lounging in the Jacuzzi, the delightful smells of her bath products, classical music, and the succulent strawberries. And then it hit her! Oh shit!

"Did I just fucking kill myself?", she muttered.

"Mummy! Language!", a beautiful girlish voice admonished, followed by a giggle. She turned around and gasped. Viola Lily Potter was standing in front of her, dressed in a cute periwinkle blue dress. Her daughter's bushy raven hair is sort of tamed because of her pigtails. With a shaking hand, she gently grasped her daughter's shoulder. When she could actually touch her little girl's body, happy tears fell. She immediately knelt and hugged her daughter with all her might.

"I'm so happy you're here to fetch me, baby! Come on, lead the way. Death with you is bloody brilliant", she said against her daughter's hair.

"Mum – can't – breathe", Viola gasped. Hermione pulled away.

"I'm sorry darling", she said sheepishly. The little girl kissed her cheek and giggled.

"It's alright mummy. I'm quite upset though that you are not taking care of yourself", Viola huffed.

"But – "

"Really mum! You and daddy are so similar! You should take better care of yourselves", her little girl admonished.

"It was an accident baby", she defended herself.

"Hmmppff! You wouldn't have hit your head on the tub if you got decent sleep and ate regularly. Also, stop overworking yourself, mummy!", Viola cried.

"I'm sorry darling, but I had to help – "

"I know mummy. Granny Lily said that your healer's oath comes first and you had to heal that witch with a b", Viola grumbled.

"Witch with a b! Viola Lily Potter! I would not tolerate any child of mine using such language!", Hermione scolded.

"Well, it was Granny Lily's words mummy. Not mine", the child was sheepish.

"Oh, alright! But, darling, what am I doing here?", she took her daughter's hand as they walked around the library.

"Well, you're like in a coma but not really. Your magic is drained so your soul is wandering. I don't really understand but at least, Mister Death describes it that way", Viola shrugged.

"Okay... so, how much time do we have?", she wanted to spend more time with her daughter so she needed to ask.

"Well I can stay for awhile, provided you are not yet awake mum", Viola Lily grinned.

"Great!", she said happily.

"Mum, before I forget, Mister Death has a message for you", her little girl stopped walking so she halted too.

"Yes darling?"

"This is his message. I had to memorize it since he asked me to", she huffed.