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…
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Chapter 5: The Announcement
"Mum is really having a hard time with this," Ron commented. "She's used to having all of us here and now even Ginny will have her own family."
"She'll be alright," Hermione said. "You and Luna are staying here aren't you?"
"I'm planning on reopening the Quibbler. It's the only thing my dad left me," Luna muttered.
"I think that's a good idea," Hermione said. She had come to terms with the Quibbler since it helped Harry in their fifth year and in their later years at Hogwarts it also proved more than just a cheap magazine.
"I want some tea. Will any of you care for some? Honey?" Luna asked them then Ron.
"I'll have some," Ron said.
Harry also nodded.
"I'll help you with the tea," Hermione offered.
"I was just about to ask you that," Luna said with a smile.
Hermione followed her inside the kitchen. Harry and Ron were left in the living room.
"So Draco told us the he saw the two of you holding each other on the couch, sleeping," Ron said with a raised eyebrow.
"Ron, you know we're best of friends, right? Why do you even ask?" Harry countered but he felt his blood rushing up signaling his face was blushing furiously.
"You know you're the worst liar I know. Honestly, Harry I don't see anything wrong with the two of you being together. I'm actually surprised that you haven't spotted that one person that is so perfect for you right under your nose or in your case when Draco found you, right there snuggled up to you," Ron said with a smirk.
"I knew that Draco would have a bad influence on you," Harry retorted.
"Harry, when do you exactly intend to take action to what we both know had been a stagnant emotion deep within that Auror façade of yours? I know you like her. Why not take the chance and tell her how you feel? I've had enough reading about your past girlfriends that all resembled the curly hair and the brown eyes. Do you know that London's curly brunette witch population is growing? Heck, even those blond witches are dieing their hair brown and had to wear contacts just to get your attention. I know I was rather thick headed when we were in Hogwarts but you are seriously breaking my record. Well, you're giving Crabbe and Goyle a run for their money for being so clueless," Ron lectured. If there was one person who wanted Harry and Hermione together, it was Ron.
Harry was in deep thought. He was actually weighing the odds of telling Ron the things that suddenly dawned on him. Actually, a lot of things had been going on for him he was just too stubborn to admit it to himself.
"Well, I don't see how easily a guy can tell his best friend for many years that he's actually fallen in love with her? I don't even know when it started. I don't know where to begin. I also don't want to lose whatever it is that we have right now. She's just too precious for me to lose," Harry finally admitted. He actually felt relieved. It was the first time he ever openly admitted his feeling about Hermione to someone other than Hedwig.
A victorious grin finally broke onto Ron's face. "Thank goodness you finally said it. I thought I would not live the day that Harry Potter would finally admit his true feelings. Thank you so much," Ron exclaimed. "Now, what we have to do is to solve your problem. How can you be sure that you'll lose her if you tell her that you have feelings for her?"
"Like I said, I can't scare her off with a revelation like that," Harry reasoned.
"Life is about taking chances Harry. You can't expect for something to just be there for you always. If you want something you have to make your intentions clear before it's too late," Ron said.
"We're talking about Hermione here. She's not just any girl. She's the most wonderful person I know. I guess the thought of losing her if I tell her how I feel about her is getting the better of me but I can't help it. She's so important to me," Harry said. He looked at Ron with a miserable look in his face.
Just that day he had the most wonderful time shopping for robes with Hermione and last night he had the best sleep because he fell asleep holding her in his arms. It felt so right having her in his arms that way.
"I can't believe this is happening to me now. I mean why we can't just stay like this. Why do I have to feel this way for her?" he asked Ron hoping for some logical explanation. Well, Ron isn't exactly the right person to ask because it had always been Hermione he had to run to for logical explanations.
"Relax Harry. Breath," Ron directed and he had an amused look on his face.
"It's not funny," Harry retorted.
"Well, you were laughing at me when I told you I had a crush on her when we were back in Hogwarts," Ron said.
"But that was years ago. We were kids," Harry reasoned.
Ron raised an eyebrow. "We were sixteen. That wasn't so young. You thought it was funny because we just can't get along and you were right," Ron admitted.
"Well, sorry if that affected you so much. Well, you were better friends after she rejected you," Harry said remembering those years when she couldn't careless what Hermione think about dating because she always seemed uninterested.
"It did but it affected me fairly well. I wouldn't have been stuck in a broom closet with Luna if that didn't happen. I was thinking back then that Hermione purposely broke my heart by saying no so I can finally move on with my life," Ron muttered. "She's a really good friend even if I acted like a total prat around her all the time she still did the right thing and made a very logical decision at that by telling me that she doesn't like me as anything more than a friend. Those words hurt a lot back then but I soon realized after that, that those words open my eyes to what was out there waiting for me."
"I don't want her to do the same for me," Harry said.
"What makes you think she will?" Ron asked.
"What makes you think she won't?" Harry countered.
"You guys have had a far more better relationship than what Hermione and I had. You two understand each other and know just about everything about one another. You can even finish each other's sentences at times. Heck, the only thing that's missing is for you guys to make it official. You are pretty much a couple already," Ron said with a grin.
"I wish we are but we aren't and besides now that Viktor is in town he's probably going to ask Hermione to be his girlfriend and I'd probably go back to dating girls who look like her," Harry sighed in frustration.
"Well, you can't possibly just let that happen, can you? You and Hermione are meant for each other. Harry, just ask her out on a real date. Tonight would be perfect, maybe you should tell her that you love her," Ron had a nice plan brewing inside his ingenious head.
"I never liked it when you're grinning that way," Harry commented.
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"How are you and Harry doing?" Luna asked Hermione as she set the pot into a boil.
"Well, the usual, only now he plays Quidditch, and I am still working for the ministry. I've tried to get a teaching job in Salem but still haven't had any replies," she said.
"So you are still both single," Luna said as she magic the pot to pour in hot water in the teapot and magically made its contents into tea.
"Yes, I haven't been in any relationships but Harry's just got out from one," Hermione answered. She conjured some chocolate cake rolls into small plates.
"I know we aren't close and we never really got along when we first met in Hogwarts but I really like you," Luna said. "You're very out spoken. You have a very good mind set but you have one minor set back."
"And what could that be?" Hermione asked nervously. She got the plates on a tray.
"You never told Harry what you feel about him. Ron told me about the time you said you couldn't be anymore than just his friend with him. I have to admit I hated you a little for hurting his feelings but you also earned my respect because you told him straightforward what you really felt about him. Not everyone can be that honest to a friend," Luna said as they waited for the tea to settle. They sat on the nook area where they could see Harry and Ron talking very seriously.
"Ron is a different case from Harry. They were never similar. They're just too different. I did Ron a favor back then because I knew for certain that I didn't love him the way he did for me. It's weird talking about things like this with you," Hermione admitted.
"It's alright. My husband and I are very open to one another. He's very thankful for what you did too. If it hadn't been for that we wouldn't be happily married and with a beautiful little girl and a baby boy on the way," she replied with the deepest sincerity.
"Which incident would you be talking about? The one where I told Ron that I don't want to date him or the incident when we got you and him stuck inside a broom closet?" Hermione said. She smiled at the memory of her, Harry, Neville and Ginny tricking them inside the same broom closet.
"Both," Luna replied and they both laughed. "Have you ever tried telling him that you have feelings for him?"
"It isn't that easy. I can't believe I'm talking about my love life with you. I've been denying it from everyone and here I am telling you my deepest darkest secret," Hermione said.
"It's not like Ginny and I never talk about you, and besides your actions are far better than any words said. The way you look at him, the way you'd hold each other's hands, it's just there. I know what it's like being in love. I still am very much in love with my husband and you and Harry can level with the kind of sweetness Ron and I give each other. Only you don't go to bed together, if you know what I mean," Luna said.
Hermione blushed a little. "We're just too comfortable with each other and I'm not even sure he loves me the way I do for him. It's just too complicated. Sometimes I wish I would be sent a sign. Something that would help decide if I should tell him how I feel but I'm scared of being rejected. Harry is the closest I have for a family I can't lose him because I realized that I'm in love with him," Hermione said.
"But you have always loved him even before the time you decided to live together. I don't think anything will change between the two of you," Luna explained.
"Actually, I'm thinking of giving up already. Harry is going to be a Quidditch star a day from now and I'm sure a lot of girls will be swarming over him. I don't think I can deal with it anymore. I'm praying for some miracle that I would be accepted in the Salem Institute so I can get away for a while," Hermione muttered.
"Does he know about your plans?" Luna asked with a concerned look.
"I'm not sure if I'll be accepted so I haven't told him anything yet. And it's been a while and I still didn't get any replies. I actually sent another inquiry about my application before we left for Madam Malkin's," Hermione explained. "I've thought about it. I walked all the way home yesterday so I can think about the things that had happen in my life. I think its time for me to move on. I can't be too dependent on Harry. He'd soon find someone and I'd be left watching from one corner in our apartment or I'd lock myself in my room so his new girl wouldn't get jealous of me," Hermione said. A single tear fell down her cheek.
"Are you sure about all these?" Luna asked her. "I know nothing is for certain yet but do you really want to leave him. I thought you love him?"
"I do. I always have but I love him too much that my whole life revolved around him. I worked at the ministry because he got me the job. He promised to take care of me and that's the best thing that ever happened to me after my parents died but I know that I have to live my life now. He also has Quidditch now. I know it will get his mind off things. I'm sure he wouldn't notice if I leave," Hermione sighed. "Why are we talking about it? I'm not even sure if they'll accept my application. It's been a month. They told me to follow up my application. Nothing is for certain but maybe even if I don't get hired in the Institute I'd try to find a place to live in."
"I guess you're mind is all set for it then but won't you at least give it a try. Tell him how you feel?" Luna insisted.
"We've been living in the same house for five years now. He should have known what I feel about him even before. I think it's about time I think of me. I still love him. I will always love him but this time I'll try to love myself a little more," Hermione answered her with a weak smile. "Let's take the tea and the cake to those two they're probably hungry."
"Hermione, if you need to talk again. I'll be here for you," Luna said.
The two went back to the living room. Harry and Ron were now talking about Quidditch.
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The Malfoy Manor was filled with the Who's Who of the wizarding world, from Quidditch stars, wizard businessmen and even dignitaries from other countries were present. The marriage of the Ministry of Magic's daughter to one of Britain's richest wizard, doesn't happen everyday.
Hermione came to the manor early to help Ginny get ready for her wedding announcement. Luna and the rest of the female Weasleys and their children got there first. Harry stayed behind with the rest of the family.
"Today the whole world will know about your wedding. Aren't you excited?" Hermione asked Ginny who was putting on her new set of jewelry.
"Actually, I don't see the point of telling the whole world I'm getting married. It's not a big deal really. Now I'm thinking that maybe I should have asked Draco to elope," Ginny said.
"Oh, Ginny just think of this as one of the many parties you'd be hosting as Mrs. Malfoy. I can't believe it, little Ginny is getting married," Hermione exclaimed as she gave Ginny a nice hug.
"And well, it just got me wondering when you will get married?" Ginny asked.
Hermione was quiet. She told Luna about her plans. She didn't want to spoil the night for Ginny.
"I can't believe I'd live the day that Hermione Granger would not know the answer to a simple question," Ginny smirked.
Hermione just smiled back at Ginny's beautiful reflection in the mirror. She had always dreamed of herself in a simple wedding dress in front of the lake. She and Harry would exchange vows, only the two of them and either Dumbledore or Arthur Weasley to officiate their wedding. But those were just her dreams and contrary to common belief not all dreams come true.
"Hey, miss dreamy face we need to go down now. The guest are arriving," Ginny said and it snapped Hermione back to reality.
"Sorry, Gin I just remembered something. Okay, miss bride to be let's go and welcome your guest. Where is Draco by the way?" She asked so as to distract Ginny from asking answers to her questions earlier.
"With Percy, they're welcome some diplomatic people that we'll be here tonight. He'll be here soon. Stop calling me miss bride my wedding is a couple of weeks from now and not today, " she replied.
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Harry arrived with the other Weasleys. He and Ron talked about it and he agreed on telling her tonight that he's in love with her. He searched the crowd and she saw her in her periwinkle dress but he was with some of his new Quidditch teammates. She was beautiful as ever but what Harry saw was like a scene in their Yule Ball. Hermione was with Viktor. They seemed very engrossed in their conversation.
Harry watched them from where he was standing, not minding what Oliver Wood just commented on. Hermione gave Viktor a hug and kissed him on the cheek. She then left him. Viktor went off and made his way to his Quidditch mates. Harry watched where Hermione went and she took her seat beside Ginny.
Harry didn't know what to do. He kept asking himself if it was already too late, if he had already lost her. Had he been a little too late?
Draco and Ginny went to the small stage that was put up in the center. Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley also joined them.
"Everybody, it is my honor to announce to you the marriage of my only daughter Ginevra Weasley to a very hard working and caring young man, Draco Malfoy," Mr. Weasley said as he presented the couple.
Rita Skeeter and other wizard press people were allowed to feast on the announcement.
Harry joined the crowd in applauding but he was definitely not feeling okay.
"Harry, I've been looking for you," he heard her soothing voice from behind him. "I thought you went home or something."
"No, I was here but I'm really not feeling good," Harry said.
"Maybe we should go home," Hermione offered.
"No, I think we should stay for a while. The party had only started," Harry answered. She was standing in front of him with those worried brown eyes staring at him with concern. "Hermione, can we take a walk somewhere I need to tell you something," Harry asked her, his heart beating faster and faster.
Hermione took his hand in hers. "Okay let's go," Hermione replied.
They walked quietly together. They left the crowd of people in the big grounds of the Malfoy Manor. Stars and the bright moonlight brightly lit the sky. Harry could feel the cold night air. He took off his thick over robes and put on Hermione.
"Thanks," she replied. "Let's sit here by the cliff side. We can look at the beautiful constellations. Look over there," she pointed out to Harry.
The view was really beautiful. Harry saw what Hermione was pointing at. It was the constellation Sirius. "He's watching us," he muttered.
"Yes he is. Just like your parents and my parents," Hermione said. Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder and he instinctively placed his arms around her.
He loved her scent of fresh picked wild flowers. He pressed his lips on her hair.
"Tomorrow is your big day. Are you excited?" Hermione asked.
"Yes but I'm also scared. I haven't played Quidditch for a while and tomorrow I will be playing professionally," Harry admitted.
"You'll do just fine. You were born to fly and catch the snitch," Hermione looked up at him.
Harry had to stop himself from capturing her beautiful lips with his. She was so close to him but a part of him was scolding him for being as slow as a turtle.
A/N: hey peeps… I know this is a cliffy but I still hope you guys liked it… on the next chap, will Harry tell Hermione finally? What did Viktor and Hermione talked about? How will the Quidditch match go? Will they finally be together? Okay too many question but unfortunately the next chap won't be the last probably a few more to go…R/R