Title: The Search is Over
Disclaimer: All familiar characters and events are from JK Rowling and the only thing I own is the plot… Don't sue me or anything I don't get anything from this except maybe reviews. Thanks for the really nice reviews by the way…
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Chapter 4: Just Went Shopping
"You know Harry, if stares could burn holes on people I think one big hallow circle will replace Viktor's head," Ginny said as she sat down beside Harry.
"I thought you were having a word with your parents?" Harry asked. He shifted his eyes to Ginny.
"Mum and dad are happy for me and that's all there is to know. Fred and George are going to get tired of harassing my husband to be and Luna's doing a good job talking sense into her husband but I also know that I have to thank you and Hermione for helping with that prat of a brother of mine," Ginny said.
"Glad we can be of service but I guess Hermione's having a good time," Harry retorted as he darted some hot glares at Viktor and Hermione who were talking animatedly.
"My goodness, you sound like a jealous boyfriend, but aren't you and Hermione just friends?" Ginny said nonchalantly.
"Yes, of course we're just friends. It's just that I never really liked Viktor," Harry reasoned.
"I don't know about that, you see if my memory serves me well, during your fourth year in Hogwarts you didn't have any problem with Hermione dating him in our Yule Ball. In fact it's Ron who was so upset about it. I wonder what made you hate the guy all of a sudden," Ginny said with a mischievous grin on her face.
"I didn't say I hate him I just don't like him that much, especially when he left Hermione," Harry said. He was staring at Viktor and Hermione again. "You think he'll ask her out again?" he asked Ginny.
"Let's put it this way. You don't know anything about what happened to them four years ago. Well, maybe it's about time Viktor came back. You just don't know what happened between those two because you were too busy sulking during those times," Ginny pointed out.
"I wasn't sulking," Harry said defiantly. "I was depressed.
"Because?" Ginny asked with a curious look on her face.
"Because I wasn't having any luck with love during those days," Harry reasoned.
"Oh, right. You told me that before. Well, I think Hermione deserves to be happy and it's either you do something about it or you just let her be," Ginny said and with that she left Harry thinking.
'What did she mean by either I do something about it. What am I supposed to do? She's my friend. Oh why did Krum have to be here in the first place,' he thought to himself.
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Someone leaned on Harry's shoulder. "I'm tired. Aren't you going to bed yet?" It was Hermione.
It had been three days since the announcement of Ginny and Draco's marriage. Tomorrow is the big day. He will be playing Quidditch again. He was hoping to have practiced for a whole week before actually playing but they had a scheduled game that week so he was on for a head start with only two days of practice.
"You know it's rather odd not having you popping in my office like you used to," Hermione said as she stretched her legs and got her shoes off.
"Let me massage that for you," Harry said as he got hold oh her foot and started massaging it gently.
"Now that is good," Hermione said as she relaxed against the other side of the coach and letting Harry massage her feet and legs.
"Did you know I walked all the way from work to our apartment," Hermione said.
"And what silly thought came into your head that you opted to walk that far?" Harry asked as he continued massaging her cute toes.
"That's really good," Hermione commented. "I just wanted to take a walk alone. It was soothing and mind relaxing, well, except for the aching feet and legs part. I mean, I enjoyed looking around London. You should join me sometime," Hermione beamed at him.
"I sure would love to do that but I don't have a time off. Well, I have the weekend of Ginny's wedding as my day off. Mr. Stalimier our head couch is a slave driver. He made me chase after five snitches and I had to get all of it within an hour," Harry said.
"Poor thing," Hermione said as she put her feet down and moved next to Harry. She then planted a nice long kiss on his forehead.
"Now I feel a lot better," Harry said as he held Hermione close to him. Being with her and holding her in his arms always gave him that wonderful feeling of contentment. It wasn't the first time they snuggled up together in their couch. They were usually close together like that when they watch muggle TV. Hermione relaxed him. She just had this effect on him.
'No wonder almost all my ex-girlfriends were jealous of her. Come to think of it if they asked me to choose between any of them or her. I would choose Hermione hands down,' he thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Hermione nudged him back to reality. She was staring right at him, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling with that brilliant child-like radiance.
"Nothing, I was just wondering how I missed holding you like this," Harry said. It was more like admitting something to himself.
"Well, we can't snuggle up when your new girl friend arrives," Hermione said but she snuggled closer to him.
"I don't feel like looking for a girlfriend. I don't want to chase around after girls. I mean none of them would compare to-" Harry stopped before he almost said something that might change their relationship forever.
"Compare to who? Hmm… let's see? Cho Chang? No not her. She wasn't a happy person. Megan, Tanya, Melissa, Patty, who are your other ex-girlfriends by the way? I already lost count," Hermione said as she sat up straight and looked at Harry.
Harry was once again staring at his best friend. She was so familiar to him, her smile, her hair, her scent, and just about anything that she does. He loved her for her simplicity. Her knowingness that he and Ron would call her bossiness, the fact that she was always on top of things just amazed him.
She was the epitome of the saying 'Grace under Pressure,' but she was still human enough to be hurt, to cry, to be angry, to be annoyed but what he liked most of all about her is when she laughs and smiles.
"Earth to Harry Potter," Hermione said as she snapped her finger in front of his face. "Why is your mind running off somewhere when we talk. I think not having a girlfriend is mentally affecting you," Hermione joked.
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Hermione was really concerned about Harry. He meant so much to her that the slightest change was visible to her. She was concerned that maybe Harry was having a hard time dealing with his break up with Natalie. But it would have been a better thought if he was acting that way because Viktor was in London. But she thought that she couldn't be that hopeless that she's hoping Harry was actually jealous of Viktor.
"Sorry about that. I was just mesmerized by your charm, that's all," Harry said with a grin.
'Why does he always like to play games with me?' she asked herself. "Why do I find that so hard to believe? I think you are so exhausted and need rest. You're saying things that you don't know anything about. Come on off to bed," Hermione said. She got on her feet and held out her hand to Harry.
"I find you attractive, isn't that believable?" Harry asked as she took her hands and pulled her back to the couch next to him. "I've always told you that you're pretty. You just never believed me. Remember the time you told me to tell Cho you're ugly? That was a really outrageous thing for you to say."
"I can't believe you still remember that. That was in our fifth year. You guys were dating and I just figured you were miserable with her but you had it bad for her so I just let you have your fun," Hermione said.
"That was the worst thing I have I ever done. Date Cho, I mean. She was still so caught up with Cedric then and I was a silly schoolboy with a crush. I've learned my lesson," Harry asserted. "I wonder why you didn't knock some sense on me. You knew that it wasn't going to work out but you still let me go through with it. Why?"
"It's the only way for you to learn. I mean how can I let my bestfriend skip that tremulous stage of growing up?" Hermione joked. In reality that year was one of the worst for her. Not only did they have a dreadful and incompetent Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher but she also had to deal with Harry dating Cho. She was very supportive of the relationship even if it was tearing her heart apart. She thought that Cho was the person that will make Harry happy so she let him go on seeing her, not that she had any power to stop him from doing so.
"I still think you could have avoided me the dreadful experience," Harry commented. He placed his arms around her.
They fit perfectly close together Hermione thought. She leaned her head on Harry's chest. She loved the feel of his strong arms around her. 'These arms brought down Voldemort and his death eaters but it isn't cold and discomforting. Harry's arms are warm and gentle. I feel safe in his arms,' she thought to herself.
She felt Harry's gentle breathing and she knew what it meant. He fell asleep. Hermione looked up at the sleeping Harry, his arms still around her. She didn't have the heart to wake him. He looked so exhausted and she admitted the fact that it had been along time since they slept on the couch together. It brought about memories when she lost her parents. Harry was there to comfort her. He would hold her at night when she couldn't sleep. He would tell her that she will be all right and that he will always be there for her. They would always end up sleeping in their favorite couch near the roaring fire of the Gryffindor common room. Soon Hermione was also asleep rested in Harry's protective arms.
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Harry woke up from the racket Hedwig was making. She was on top of the kitchen counter.
"What is the matter with you?" he said then he realized that the sleeping Hermione was still in his arms.
"I didn't expect to drop in with you guys all cozy in here," Draco smirked. He was standing in front of their couch.
"What the bloody hell, are you doing here?" Harry snapped. Hermione was awakened by the sudden outburst.
"Relax Potter. Ginny made me come here. Surely I didn't want to crash into your intimate moment with Granger. I just came here to give you these invitations. You should also come to my office dinner. I mean you and Granger of course. As my best man you should attend all wedding functions by my side. Not that I particularly fancy the idea. I would have chosen anyone to be my best man but Ginny insisted that you should be my best man," Draco retorted.
"How did you get here? You can't just apparate in here," Hermione said when she finally realized who it was inside their apartment.
Draco sat down on their lazy boy. "Like I said Ginny made me come here and don't be surprised. She let me borrow her key," Draco replied as he showed them a silver key.
The key wasn't exactly a key that you put in the doorknob but it let's the bearer enter Harry and Hermione's apartment. Only the Weasleys have a copy of the key except for Harry and Hermione themselves.
Hermione got to her feet realizing what she and Harry looked like on the couch holding each other. "Do you want anything to drink? Coffee?" Hermione asked.
"That's not necessary Granger. I have a breakfast date with Ginny. She suffers from morning sickness when she doesn't see me during breakfast. By the way, you two should be in our announcement party tonight," Draco said. "I better go now. Don't forget tonight. Don't worry Potter. I spoke to Stalimier and he knows you won't be attending practice. I told him you'll be shopping for robes for tonight's event. I'll see you both at the manor."
Harry still wasn't talking. Draco was in their apartment. It was something, that didn't normally happen everyday.
"Thanks for dropping by," Hermione said trying to sound pleasant. Harry and I will be there after work."
"Arthur said you could have the day off. I intend to make the announcement something extravagant. After all you only get married once. Ginny have ordered robes for you. Madam Malkin's will be waiting for the two of you," Draco said before he disapparated.
"Can you believe that guy barging in on us like that," Harry finally said. He finally got back to his senses.
"He's just on official wedding business. Get over it," Hermione said she hit Harry with a throw pillow.
"You want a pillow fight, huh?" Harry said then he hit Hermione with the pillow back.
The pillow fight lasted for a while then they both decided to take their showers separately of course and got ready for their trip to Madame Malkin's and then to the Weasleys.
Hermione wore her favorite Muggle clothes and her robes over it. She sent out Hedwig for an errand before she and Harry left for Madame Malkin's.
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Harry and Hermione arrived at Madame Malkin's just in time because the place was almost deserted. Draco was true to his word. The place was reserved for family and friends of the couple.
Madame Malkin first brought out the robe selection for Hermione. She tried a red dress robe with a nice slit that goes a little above the knee. She modeled in front of Harry like the way she used to when they went to buy graduation dress robes.
"It really looks good on you but maybe you should try on the other robes just in case. I think that periwinkle blue dress robe would look perfect on you," Harry commented. He and Hermione had always done things together and that included shopping for clothes.
"Okay, whatever you say but I'll pick your robe just to get back at you," Hermione replied and stuck her tongue out to him before she got the other dress robe and went back inside the fitting room.
After a few minutes Hermione went out of the fitting room. She had a reluctant look on her face. "What do you think?" she asked Harry.
A smile broke into Harry's face. The dress robe was beautiful and even more the woman who was wearing it. The blue dress went well with her creamy white skin. Her hair that beautifully fell over her shoulders was to Harry a chunk full of beautiful wonders. Her reluctant smile was radiating from her lovely face.
"Harry, stop staring and tell me what you think?" She blurted. She placed her arms on her chest and waited for his reply.
"That's it. The dress is perfect. You'll be the most beautiful girl in the party tonight," he stammered. Thoughts were racing inside his mind. Everything seemed to draw him to her. It had always been like that for many years but he was too stubborn. He didn't want to acknowledge it. He never did and now the feeling was haunting him again and he isn't sure if he can fight his feelings anymore. The feelings he had kept inside him for so long were screaming to get out.
"Hey, Mr. Quidditch star it's your turn," Hermione poked him on the side. She was already wearing her regular robes and was holding the periwinkle blue dress.
"Oh," Harry snapped back to reality.
"It's your turn wise guy. Try all those robes I want to make sure you'll look perfect tonight. Who knows you might get your mind off Natalie," Hermione said.
"You don't know who's been lurking in my thoughts Hermione and if you find out you'll be surprised," he said as he got up from his seat. He took one of the robes and went in the fitting area.
"Are you telling me that there's a new girl?" Hermione asked as she went near the fitting are entrance. "So who is it? Do I know her?" she asked anxiously.
Hermione wanted to know who the lucky girl was and why Harry never told her about the new prospect. He always told her everything.
"You know her. But I don't think she'll ever see me as the boyfriend material," Harry said. "She only sees me as a friend," he added.
"Well, who's this girl? Tell me who she is and I'll knock some sense on her," Hermione said. 'Or maybe I should knock some sense on you. You! Silly git. When will you finally see me?' she thought to herself.
"You can't knock sense into her. She's too smart," Harry said from behind the fitting room cloth cover.
"Hey, there is no way anyone smarter than me," Hermione joked.
"Well, this one is," Harry, replied. "And there isn't anything you can do about it. And besides she has a boyfriend."
"Hmmm…. That is quite a problem. Let's just hope they break up. Wait, you're not talking about Ginny, are you? I mean she's getting married less than a month from now," Hermione said with a very worried tone.
"Of course not. What makes you think that and besides is she smarter than you?" Harry blurted and poked his head out looking Hermione on the face.
"Well, I can't say," Hermione, said.
"Quit playing humble you know you're a lot smarter than she is. I mean she's marrying Draco isn't she?" Harry said and got out from the fitting room. "How do I look?"
"Marrying Draco isn't a bad choice because they love each other," she countered. "Turn around Harry."
He turned around and waited for her opinion.
"Red isn't your color. Try that Black and Green robe over there. I think it will look fabulous on you," she instructed.
Harry got the robe and went back inside the fitting area.
"So about this girl? Is she nice?' Hermione inquired. She wanted to know everything about the new girl. She was also very intrigued because the girl is supposedly smart. Harry usually went out with the lookers and not the smart ones.
"She's very nice," Harry replied. "Wonderful person."
"How come you never mentioned her to me before. Am I not your best friend anymore?" she asked trying to sound hurt.
"Well, you'd probably think I'm stupid because a girl of her caliber wouldn't fall for a guy like me," Harry yelled back.
"That's utter rubbish. Any girl would be stupid not to like you," Hermione retorted. She was upset. How can a girl refuse a guy as brilliant and as wonderful as Harry? She would die to be in that girl's shoe.
"She isn't stupid she's just too perfect. So I'll be watching her from her pedestal," Harry got out wearing the black and green robe. "Well?"
"It's perfect," she muttered. 'Who the hell wouldn't fall for a gorgeous guy like you? That girl must be very stupid,' Hermione told herself.
"So were done with the shopping. Let's meet Ron at the Burrow," Harry said.
The robes were placed in a nice package. The robes were already paid for thanks to Draco. They apparated to the Burrow and met the busy house old. The young Weasleys were playing in the backyard with Christine acting as leader and all the older Weasley boys following her around.
"Aunt Hermy," Christine cried out as she ran up to the patio were Harry and Hermione apparated.
"Hello kids," Harry greeted them.
Christine gave both of them a kiss. The boys all gave Harry and Hermione a hug then went back to playing.
"Where is your dad?" Hermione asked Christine.
"Inside with mum and grandma. I have to go. My troop awaits," Christine each gave them another kiss then went back to join her cousins. They saw the blond head walking towards the group of redheads waiting outside.
"Let's go inside," Harry said.
Hermione followed him in.
"Hello you two. I'm glad you dropped by. Come join us. We're just resting before we get ready for the party at the Malfoy Manor," Mrs. Weasley said.
Hermione sat next to Luna and Harry sat by Ron's side.
"Where is everybody?" Harry asked.
"Fred and George are out on a last minute meeting with their associates. Something about going international, you know those two," Ron said.
"Tonks and Charlie are helping out in the Manor. You know she's the only leaving relative of Draco," Luna pointed out.
"I see," Harry said.
"I better leave you four here. I'm going to round up my grandkids for tonight. They all need to take their baths," Mrs. Weasley said as she stood up.
"I'll help," Luna said.
"No dear. You stay here with your friends. You know I'm used to having a lot of children in my house and soon it would only be me and Arthur," Mrs. Weasley said a bit teary eyed.
"Mum, we'll be staying for the half of the Quidditch season, remember? You'll have Christine here," Ron said comforting his mother.
"Oh, alright then, I have to get those kids to take their baths," Mrs. Weasley said. She smiled warmly at them before going out to the backyard.
A/N: I'll going to work on the next chappie but I hope you like this little bit for now. I had to keep Viktor under wraps but he'll be on the next chappie. I'm working on my thesis already so I might take a while in updating.