Chapter 14: The Park
Harry could get used to waking up next to this angel, his angel, he corrected himself. She was so very beautiful and precious to him. Last night, wow, Harry was still quite shocked by it. They had made love, which had definitely not been sex; there was no doubt in his mind that they had made love. She was the completion of his soul. He watched her breathe slowly as she slept close beside him. She was on her back, his left arm was her pillow, and her bushy brown hair formed a halo around her head. The sheet was up just far enough to cover her soft breasts, he watched them intently as they rose and fell to her rhythmic breathing.
Once again he felt the stirring in his loins. Again? he told himself, they had done it three times last night, shouldn't that be enough? No he told himself he would never get enough of her. He thought about how to awaken her, then contemplating her luscious breasts he decided how. He lifted the sheet off of her and pulled it down to her stomach. Then he slid down so his mouth was over her right nipple, simultaneously he cupped her left breast and latched his hungry mouth onto her nipple.
Hermione gasped at awakening to this unfamiliar but pleasant sensation. She stretched out while he continued massaging and suckling. After she relaxed from stretching she teased "Harry! Haven't you had enough?"
Harry reluctantly pulled off her nipple, causing her breast to stretch upwards as he did so. "I don't think I will ever grow tired of anything related to you. Whether we are doing this." He once again gave her nipple a long drawn out sucking before continuing. "Or studying." He pulled his arm out from under her head and got up on his knees. She spread her legs wide as he climbed between them.
She reached down and grasped his member, stroking it gently she guided it towards her waiting opening. She knew he did not need the guidance but she enjoyed touching him and he didn't seem to mind in the least. He slipped smoothly inside of her, he paused for a moment once he was fully inside. They both relished the feeling of completeness this offered them; he looked down at her hungrily then collapsed onto his elbows and brought his mouth to hers. She returned his kiss, passion growing inside of her as they began to move together. They seemed to have already found an understanding and no longer had to worry about the mechanics of it all.
Harry could feel Voldemort squirming somewhere in agony again, then he did what they had done the night before, he closed his mind to that connection. Voldemort was gone, the world was just them, and nothing else existed at the moment. An eternity later they again reached their culmination together, they seemed so perfectly matched. They lay there just relaxing in the perfection of it all softly kissing. Some time later the unmistakable sounds of an owl at the window intruded upon them.
Harry got up and first went to the corner where his pants were and found his wand. Then he opened the curtains and the window to allow Hedwig to enter. She landed on her perch and released her letter when Harry had closed the window and curtain and approached her. It was a reply from Dumbledore.
Hermione had also gotten up when she saw it was Hedwig. She walked straight to the bathroom, pinching Harry on the rear as he took the letter from Hedwig. "I'm going to shower."
Harry watched her retreating into the bathroom and again longed to follow her but his grumbling stomach told him there were other priorities to deal with. He noticed she did leave the door open though. He absolutely loved the fact that Hermione was no longer shy about her body with him. Hell she had just paraded by him, the only thing she took with her to the bathroom was her wand. Oh he loved the uninhibited Hermione he had discovered last night.
The letter from Dumbledore was brief.
Harry and Hermione,
Thank you for the report. The funeral will be tomorrow night. I will arrive at 6pm to take you to it and return you afterwards.
Albus Dumbledore
He went to the table and conjured their breakfast. He ate absently for a minute then went into the bath room; Hermione was just stepping out of the shower when he arrived. They exchanged a brief kiss, his hand trailing along her wet stomach, and then he went into the shower. When he emerged Hermione was in her robe, her hair wrapped in a towel, eating breakfast and reading Albus' letter. Harry quickly dried off and slipped on a pair of boxers. When he joined her at the table she asked "I wonder where the funeral will be held?"
"No idea"
"Harry, I want to go outside today and walk around. Show me the neighborhood please."
"Ok, how about a walk to the park, it's not far away and I will even show you where I was attacked by the Dementors."
"Thank you Harry. I want to see some of the places you have grown up."
"Well in that case we should start with the cupboard under the stairs, which was my room until four years ago. I have spent more than half my life in there." Harry had tried to make it a joke but it hadn't come across that way to her.
Hermione stood up and walked around the table to him. She knelt beside his chair and with conviction in her voice she again gave him the assurance he needed. "I will make it up to you, how these people treated you is despicable. You deserve love, compassion, and support. I will give you all I can." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. Harry wrapped his arms tightly around her and returned the intensity of the hug.
"I know you will Hermione, you always have. You're all the family I need, you always have been."
"Thank you, but don't forget my parents, they want to be the parents you never had. I know they will help you to."
Harry nodded, unable to speak at the moment. They separated and Hermione went back to her chair. He bent to finishing his toast. When they were done eating they got dressed to face the day. Harry noticed that she moved her wand holster inside her left sleeve along her forearm; his went under his shirt along his belt.
"Duru aperen" she spoke waving her wand at the blank wall. Harry's bedroom door, which had been missing since she created the bathroom the other day, was suddenly in the blank space. He moved to open it but as he expected Vernon had locked it. Hermione quickly spoke "alohamora" and the door opened in Harry's hand. The house was quiet as he stepped into the hallway, Vernon was probably at work and Dudley would be out with his gang. They went down the stairs, Harry heard Hermione close the door and whisper a locking charm before joining him on the stairs. He walked quickly to the front door and quietly pulled it open. They stepped into the mid morning sun, closing the door quietly behind them. They walked down the sidewalk, arms around each others waists; slowly just enjoying each others company.
They had gotten about halfway to the park when they encountered Dudley and his gang. There was no avoiding them; they were walking towards them on the same sidewalk. Hermione felt Harry tense for this encounter. She gave him a squeeze of support and they released each other's waists. Harry stepped slightly in front of her and she looked around wearily as she reached into her sleeve to grasp the handle of her wand. She would only use it if Harry couldn't handle the situation but there were five boys and only one Harry.
When they got close she could see Dudley's sneer of superiority and when they stopped Harry and Dudley were only five feet apart. Dudley spoke first "Well if it isn't potty and his whore" The gang, including Dudley roared in laughter.
Instantly Harry moved, blindingly fast, he closed the gap to Dudley and punched him square in the nose. Dudley dropped like he had been hit with a sledgehammer. Without pausing Harry retreated to stand protectively between the gang and Hermione. She had caught a glimpse of his face, he looked absolutely menacing. She felt a moment of sympathy for anyone who tried to oppose him, then a thrill as she finally realized that she was the reason for his reaction.
"No one and I mean NO ONE insults Hermione, any of you lot need some convincing?" Dudley moaned on the ground but seemed unable to move yet. The remaining four boys, all bigger than Harry, merely shook their heads no. "Just leave us alone then" the gang abandoned their leader on the ground and scattered. Harry gently took Hermione's hand and they walked around Dudley, continuing towards the park.
Hermione soothingly rubbed the knuckles of his right hand, they were sure to be sore after that punch. She held his hand up to her mouth and kissed it tenderly. "Thank you Harry, you're always my hero."
There were several groups of children playing around the park. They walked over to a bench near the middle of the park and sat down, Harry's arm around her shoulders, hers around his waist.
"So how many children to you want to have Harry?" She said as she was watching a little girl with long red hair play with her slightly older brother on the jungle gym.
"Umm let's worry about the wedding first Mione. And umm did you remember to do that spell to keep from getting pregnant?" He whispered the last question into her ear.
"Of course Harry. I would never forget something that important. So do you want a big public wedding or a small private one?"
"Private, definitely private. There will come a time when I want the whole world to know how important you are to me. For now I think it would be a very bad idea to advertise your importance to Voldemort and his supporters."
Hermione nodded her head, following his reasoning. "Ok, I can accept that for now but everyone at school will see the ring, when we get one that is. Maybe we can have a secret keeper so that only those we tell can see the ring. Hmmm, I will have to research that."
"That sounds like a good idea Mione. I will be the secret keeper for your ring and you be the one for mine."
"Ok Harry, if it's possible that is."
They sat in silence for a while; she rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the kids playing. Suddenly the little girl fell from the top of the jungle gym, her brother reached to grab her but missed. As Harry unconsciously summoned the force to cushion the girl's fall she suddenly stopped in mid air, then gently floated to the ground. Harry looked at Hermione but she was looking questioningly at him. They both shrugged and looked around, no one else seemed to have noticed, not even their mother who was sitting on the bench next to Harry and Hermione reading a book. They looked back at the boy who was now on the ground with his sister talking to her. He looked up and met their eyes; Hermione was struck by the piercing green eyes she had seen only one other place, on Harry. The boy looked to be about eleven, he had light red hair and those piercing green eyes. Hermione tried to see the girl's eyes and after a moment the girl also looked at them, she had those same green eyes.
"Harry do you know that boy?"
"Yes his name is Mark Evans, that's his sister Melony. I think he is about eleven and she should be nine. Dudley and his gang beat him up last summer. Why do you ask?"
Hermione's heart was beating very fast. Wasn't 'Evans' Harry's mothers' maiden name? Yes Definitely. Could this boy be related to Harry somehow? He had the same eyes as Harry, eyes that had always been described as matching Lily's and Lily had red hair, like the two siblings, a quick glance at the mother confirmed she was a blond so the hair most likely came from the father. This needed some research; she couldn't let Harry get his hopes up though.
"Nothing really, we should make sure Dumbledore knows he is magical though, he must have stopped her fall if we didn't"
"Yeah, ok"
"So where do you want to have the wedding Harry?" She asked to distract him from the boy.
"No idea yet, I do know I don't want it here or at Grimauld place. Maybe at school?"
"Hmm maybe, we need to ask for suggestions I guess."
"Lets go home, I'm getting hungry and I still want to show you that alley."
"Ok Harry." They got up and walked out of the park arms again wrapped around each other's waists.
They passed thru the alley without stopping, it was just an empty alley during the day and Hermione had heard the story in great detail before. Just seeing the place was all she had wanted anyway. Dudley was not home when they arrived and apparently Petunia was still out somewhere. They went quietly up to Harry's room; Hermione unlocked the door then locked and banished it once they were inside. Harry felt relief at being safely back in his room with Hermione. He kept thinking about what could have happened with Dudley. Sensing his distress Hermione hugged him tightly.
"Thank you Harry" she pulled back far enough to bring her lips to his and kiss him warmly. She felt the stress flow out of him as he released his pent up magical energy slowly. She hugged him tightly again then took a step back. "I need to write to my mum and Dumbledore. I think you should write to Ron. They all need to know about us being engaged."
Harry sighed but seemed to accept it. "Alright dear. I will write the letter to Ron but I want you to check it before we send it."
"Ok love"
Hermione went to her school supplies and took out her quills, ink, and parchment. Harry went to his desk and tried to think how he would break the sudden news of their impending wedding to his best friend. Hermione quickly wrote the letter to Professor Dumbledore.
Professor Dumbledore,
I believe Harry is ready to hear your proposal. Much has happened in the last two days. We have read the will and Harry has at least accepted that Sirius is gone. Since you were a witness to his will I am sure you are aware of the contents. I believe that Sirius was right. My parents are the correct choice as Harry's new guardians. He desperately needs a family and this one comes complete with his fiancée.
We will be moving to Grimauld place on August 1st, and staying there with my parents who wanted to spend time getting to know Harry. They will pick us up and drive us there.
We have begun practicing Occulmency. Harry seems to be picking it up very well. He should soon be able to control Voldemort's access to his thoughts.
We were both very saddened by Alaster's death.
Love
Hermione Potter
Hermione thought for a while then wrote to her mother. Harry had at last come up with what he thought was the only way to manage his task.
Ron,
I hope your summer is going well. I must admit that mine started out rather badly but is now improved quite dramatically.
If I understand it correctly it happened like this. Hermione sent a letter to Dumbledore complaining that I needed someone to talk to. He then spoke to her parents and brought her here.
Yes Hermione is here at Privet Drive with me. She has forced me to come to grips with Padfoot's death. We have read his will and I have inherited Grimauld place. Hermione's parents will be picking us up on August 1st to go there with us. You are all welcome to join us there for August.
Ok now for the hard part Ron. Hermione and I are in love, well we have been for some time but have now admitted it. We are also engaged to be married. I am terribly sorry that we can't tell you about this in person. Please don't hate us, we are not trying to cut you out of our friendship. You are still a very important friend to us both.
Please Owl us with your feelings on this and whether or not we can expect you all to join us at Grimauld place next month.
All our Best
Harry & Hermione
"Mione come read this please."
Hermione, who was just finishing folding her letter to her mother, got up and came to Harry's desk. She read it over and then nodded her head. "I hope that does it, straight forward and not hiding anything, its how he needs to hear it."
"Yep that's what I thought." He folded the letter and addressed it to Ron, The Burrow. He got up and walked towards Hedwig. She was sleeping on her perch and he felt sorry for the task he was about to give her. He gently rubbed her chest feathers. "Wake up girl"
Hedwig opened her eyes and looked around, she saw the letter Harry was holding and the two that Hermione was approaching with and hooted indignantly. "I know girl I'm sorry but these need delivering. Take this one to Dumbledore first then on to Ron and then to the Grangers." Hermione tied the letters for Ron and the Grangers onto her legs; she took Dumbledore's in her beak while Harry went and opened the window.
"Hedwig please try and deliver the letter to my mum when dad is not around."
Hedwig hooted her understanding and flew out the window into the noon day sun.
Harry closed the window behind Hedwig and turning gave her a quizzical look she answered, "I wrote that to my mum, I told her about us and what we did last night. I think she will understand our situation quickly and am leaving it up to her as to how and when to tell Dad. I think it will be a shock to him, he is just getting used to the idea that his little girl is in love and now she is getting married."
Harry came over to her and pulled her into a hug, she quickly embraced him as well. "It will work out Mione, I'm sure it will" he reached up and ran his fingers gently thru her long hair.
"I think we should have some lunch then practice Occulmency. I did tell Dumbledore that we had been practicing, which I guess we have but I want you to be able to shut him out if he tests you tomorrow."
"Ok Mione, you have as always my full attention. Lead on"
They walked to the table and Harry sat down.
Standing on the other side of the table she pulled out her wand and asked "What would you like Harry?"
Harry looked at her mischievously "Well, when you ask it like that?"
"Later Harry, Later, let's get us fed and practiced, then we can relax all we want, that's a promise my love, that's a promise." Harry looked slightly disappointed at her refusal but she could tell he was just pretending.
"Then let's see how good a pizza you can conjure. How about one with a thin crust, sausage and mushrooms?"
"Ok Harry but don't expect too much. She waved her wand over the table "conjurus" and a large steaming pizza appeared just like Harry had requested. "Well try it; at least it doesn't look burnt."
Harry picked up a slice and bit into it; he chewed and swallowed before answering her question. "A little chewy for thin crust but well done my dear."
"Well I like thicker crusts, ok, conjurus" and a pair of glasses of chilled pumpkin juice appeared on the table. She sat down and picked up her own slice of pizza and started eating.
A/N Hello all, I have not gotten the response out of chapter 13 that I expected. I guess I messed up the email notification thing by that chapter 13 note that I then deleted to add the real chapter 13. Ok no more "fake" chapters, I will review myself to make necessary comments between chapters. I currently have fifteen and sixteen at my beta's. Seventeen and parts of Eighteen are in the works. I think 3-4 days between updates may be maintainable for the present. I am spending all my spare time working or thinking about this fic. I need to visit the Granger's next, then on to The Burrow, I will briefly bring everyone together for Alaster's funeral then back to H/Hr for a few chapters. This Fic has a long ways to go still. I hope I can keep you all interested to the end. It will end by the way when they return to Hogwarts. It is called Summer after all. I will probably write a sequel to cover the actual sixth year in school. Bye for now, hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Gol