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 to everyone who took the time to read and review my work. Good or bad your reviews mean a lot.
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Chapter 8: Friends Return
Another note and fresh flowers were placed near Hermione's bedside. It was a constant sign that he visited her. He would floo at night but would often arrive really late and he would see Hermione sleeping. Crookshanks would be quietly curled up near her feet.
He would often find himself drawn to her. He wanted to kiss her. Touch her face or smell the scent of her hair. He would be near her but he would keep himself from waking her and making her realize that he was there. It was torture all right having her that close and not being able to hold her close. He had been doing that for a week or so.
He went out of her room and back to the fireplace. "You shouldn't be doing this. Why won't you just wake her up tell her how you feel?" Harry didn't know who it was but he surely didn't notice that the girl was there. "Hi! My name is Alex. Did I startle you?" The mudpack on her face made her unrecognizable not that Harry ever knew her at all.
"I didn't see anyone on the couch? How did you…" Harry tried to ask.
"First off I was buried under these thick blankets because I can't sleep with my face showing. I noticed you flooed in and went to her room. She actually always kept it open for you. My, my I didn't expect I would see Harry Potter in the flesh. So it is true, what Hermione said, you've been dropping by and giving her flowers," Alex said. "I didn't know that Harry Potter is actually very romantic in real life."
"Well, I wouldn't mind if you keep your voice down a bit you might wake her up," Harry said as he looked back at the sleeping form of Hermione who just stirred a little on her bed. "What are you doing here? I didn't know she had a room mate."
"I'm a student in her class and I've been assisting her in campus and she's helping me out on some other stuff you don't really need to know. I can ask you the same thing, you're obviously in love with her and she feels the same then why don't you just wake her up and bring her back with you and get married? Oh wait? She's suppose to fly back tomorrow to England for a wedding I'm actually tugging a long that's why I'm here. Honestly, can't you wait till tomorrow afternoon to see her?" Alex asked.
"That's very easy for you to say and believe me I'd like to just ask her to come back with me and marry me but you don't know her as much as I do. You don't know how many sacrifices she had done for me. She deserves to be free, to do what she wants to do. I know she's just starting to live her life for herself and I don't want to take that away from her. She's finally getting a chance for true fulfillment and happiness," Harry admitted.
"What if you ask her now? She might actually say yes and what if her happiness depended on you?" someone asked.
"Well, I'm not ready, I haven't ordered her the ring that I want to give her for our engagement and she seems to be enjoying her life here. I'll keep my promise and wait for her like I promised. I don't mind sneaking around and using the floo network for 10 minutes just to get here from London so I can bring her flowers just to let her know that I will always be here for her," Harry answered absent mindedly. He realized that Alex wasn't the one who asked him the question.
Two arms wrapped around Harry's waist from behind. "Who cares if there isn't a ring yet? All I know is I've missed you so much. It has been a long while since I hugged you like this," Hermione's soft voice said.
He turned around and looked at the most familiar set of chocolate brown eyes. He also marveled at the brown waves of her hair and her sweet smile.
"What? I don't even get a hello?" She asked.
Harry was still shocked. He moved to look at her. He just stared at the girl he had loved for the longest time. He was even more surprised when Hermione kissed him on the lips, a chaste but wonderfully reassuring kiss.
"Hermione, I… I didn't know you were awake," Harry muttered.
"Actually I couldn't sleep very well because I can't wait till tomorrow. It's going to be Ginny's wedding two days from now. I figured I'd pretend to sleep and maybe wait if you will come and visit me tonight and well, here you are," Hermione said. Harry woke up from his momentary trance and gave her a fierce hug.
"I missed you too Harry," Hermione muttered as she reciprocated the longing gesture she was receiving.
Harry let go of her and looked at her again. "I love watching you sleep," he admitted. "But I love you even more when you look at me with those loving eyes," he admitted.
Hermione went a deep shade of red and returned Harry's hug, resting her chin on his shoulder as she enjoyed the wonderful feeling of being in his arms.
"I know this is your apartment and all Hermione, but if you guys are going to get all cozy like that, I think you should go inside your room so I can catch up with some sleep," Alex commented.
"Do you mind?" Harry asked Hermione. She just smiled and shook her head. "I think my 30 minutes is up anyway. The floo network connecting me here must have closed already," he added.
"I think so too," Hermione said and she pulled him in her room and with that the door clicked. "…night, Alex," Hermione called out.
"Well, Crookshanks, I think it's the living room for you tonight," Alex commented before she covered herself with layers of blankets and the half-kneazle also settled on the rug close to the hearth.
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Harry woke up from the best night he had ever had in his life. Hermione explained to him everything about her relationship with Viktor, why they broke up and why she didn't want any relationships after. She told him about how he felt about him and that she had kept it from him for a very long time. Harry on the other hand admitted to her the reason why he had to date all those other girls. He told her that she was just too perfect for him that he thought he would never be good enough for her and that she would only see him as a platonic friend, he didn't want to scare her away by telling her that he had fallen in love with her. They thought of how silly they both had been. It would have been easier if they just admitted their feelings or better yet they should have just made their little jokes about officially dating a real deal. Harry smiled to himself again and then he looked at Hermione who was snuggled in his arms. He pushed some stray hair from her angelic sleeping face. Memories from that night flashed in his mind and Harry found himself blushing furiously. All those years they spent together could have been like how it is now but who was he to complain? He finally had the affirmation that he longed for. Hermione stirred in his arms. She would be going back to England with him today and that was all that mattered.
"Good morning love," Hermione said she gazed upon Harry's face who was sheepishly smiling at her.
"I like it, you, calling me love," Harry exclaimed, as he wrapped Hermione into a tighter embrace.
"And I like waking up in your arms like before only this time I like the part before waking up better," Hermione grinned and Harry turned a deep shade of red again.
"What? I like the part where I fall asleep in your arms knowing that these strong arms wouldn't be holding other girl like this anymore," Hermione jokingly scolded him.
"Oh, you mean that," Harry said but with a knowing smile then he placed a soft kiss on Hermione's forehead. "So what will happen now?' Harry asked out of the blue.
"Well, I love my work and I'm not yet ready to quit I mean two weeks is a very short time and the Quidditch season is not even half way through so you won't be able to move in with me either and I don't intend for you to quit because of me although if your fan girls would get too aggressive I just might ask for you to do that," Hermione declared in a quick breath. "I think we can arrange something with a special floo network that can be open for both of us. I'm sure Arthur would be more than happy to oblige, although I'm going to do some research on that because it's not a typical thing to use the floo network to go overseas, come to think of it you were risking your life every time you used it," Hermione added as the risk that Harry was had to go through just to give her flowers dawned on her.
Harry realized it what was going on in her head just and gave her a soft kiss to reassure her that everything is fine and that it was unlikely for him to get stuck on the network. He somehow always figured out what she was thinking about as if they had this mental connection so he couldn't believe how long it took him to realize how she also fancied him even way back.
"I think Arthur may help us with that and I'll help with the research and the charms so don't you worry," Harry said with a contented grin on his face then he gave Hermione a long good morning kiss again which she reciprocated with the same intensity.
A loud knock interrupted them and Alex's voice advised them that breakfast was ready and that they had only five hours before their trip to London.
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"Harry hasn't gone home yet?" Ron exclaimed when he overheard the floo network administrator report to the minister.
"Dad, what is going on here?" Ron asked. "Hermione had only been gone for two weeks and now Harry's gone a miss," he added worriedly.
"Ronald, Harry could not get lost in the floo network, you know that," Luna tried to calm him.
"Minister, only a powerful wizard like Harry can go through the course we plotted in the floo network. The only thing I could think off is he probably intended to stay on the other end. I will schedule an opening again and floo a message to Ms. Grangers apartment to check," the Floo administrator said.
"Well, then let's hope Harry sends an owl or maybe use the floo network for a message. Thank you for informing me Bertus and just inform me with any developments," Arthur Weasley said and then went back to the breakfast table.
"What was Harry doing flooing in the wee hours of the night? Where has he been going to? Don't tell me you've set up a network for him to be able to floo into Hermione's apartment. That's dangerous even for the likes of Harry," Molly retorted, a worried look plastered on her face.
"My dear, it's the boy's request and I could not bear to see him lonely like that. I made the arrangements myself and I made sure that it is safe. He had been using it for almost two weeks now and it's the only time that he failed to return. I assure you I told Harry all the safety precautions that he needed. I think the reason he didn't come home may even be good news," Arthur said brightly to his wife.
"Well, Harry never mentioned this to me," Ron retorted but his expression changed from worry to anticipation, "if I'm not mistaken Hermione is flying in today for the wedding tomorrow and I bet you 200 galleons that Harry would be with her," he said smugly.
Just as they started with breakfast a long distance owl flew in and dropped a note in front of Ron.
Dear Ron,
I know you maybe worried about Harry but he's with me. I had finally caught him sneaking around and we had spoken to each other last night. The network closed on him so he had to spend the night. Please inform the family so they wouldn't worry. We'll fly in this afternoon and we even brought an old friend a long. See you all later to day. We have a very important secret we want to share with you later.
With love,
Hermione
Ron had never been in a better mood. The Weasleys present didn't need to ask what the letter contained because the grin on his face just gave it away.
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Harry, Hermione and Alex were on the airport ready to leave for London but they had to wait for someone who had decided to return after many years of being away from wizarding Britain.
"Are you sure he said he's coming? We'll be boarding in about an hour," Alex blurted nervously. She sat across from Harry and Hermione in the waiting area. She stood up and paced around.
Hermione eased herself from Harry's arms and sat up and looked at the red head. "Relax will you? I was surprised myself when he agreed with coming with us and I know that he won't back out on his word. He's been away for a very long time and this is the best way to close that chapter in his life and what better way is there than to deal with his issues in the past.
"I think it's a brilliant idea to bring Neville back home. I'm sure Ron would be thrilled, although he' may start skimming about something now that Neville is back," Harry commented as he gently ran his fingers through Hermione's soft curls.
Alex and Hermione both gave him a meaningful look. "Harry, we're not bringing Neville along to make a racket in Ginny's wedding. Neville is coming back to tie loose ends and finally put all that happened in the passed behind. He is not going to be Ron's weapon of mass destruction so he can wreak havoc in his own sister's wedding," Hermione scolded.
Someone from behind them spoke which even caused Alex from her pacing. "Seriously, you guys, I'm just going to say congratulations and maybe go to Hogwarts for a visit. I'm not even invited in the wedding," Neville said.
"Stop that nonsense, of course you're invited. I already spoke to Ginny and she was thrilled that you finally decided to come back home and she said she will personally give the invitation to you when we get to the Burrow," Hermione retorted.
Neville's face was just expressionless.
"She's right. We haven't told everyone but I'm sure they will all be happy to see you and beside who will accompany Alex here?" Harry added. "She wouldn't know anyone there except for Hermione and you couldn't possibly take my Hermione away from me? We only have this weekend together then she'll be back here and I'll be off practicing for Quidditch."
Alex blushed not saying a word and Neville's mood somewhat changed. "Well, I suppose I'd be touring you around London then but I have to warn you it's been a long time since I last saw it so I hope you don't mind if we get lost a few times a long the way," Neville uttered.
They all laughed but Alex was still blushing furiously. "I have always liked a little bit of adventure here and there," she admitted.
When the passengers were called for boarding Hermione and Harry walked hand in hand through the passage leading to the Wizarding Airplane, Alex and Neville trailing behind them, both very quiet but were stealing quick glances at each other.
The trip went well and before they knew it they were flying over London. Hermione smiled as she looked down on the city that she had left two weeks ago. So many things happened this past month and she couldn't have been more delighted with the change in the relationship she has now with the boy she had loved ever since the day she had met him in the Hogwarts express.
"I'm glad I have you back home with me love," Harry whispered to Hermione as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. He had noticed how he would always want to hold her close to him as if he was storing enough memories of her snuggled in his arms. He knew that after the weekend she would return back to Salem and that he would start with more Quidditch practices which would mean a limited time to use the floo network to be with her.
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Ron was ecstatic when he saw the two familiar figures of his best friends walking towards him.
"I was worried sick mate, you should have told me about this whole floo network thing," he scolded Harry without even greeting him.
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you scold my boy friend in front of all these people," Hermione retorted, her arms folded on her chest waiting for her other best friend's reply. Ron was shocked not with Hermione's rebuttal because he was so used to arguing with the girl all his school life. He was surprised with the fact that she called Harry her boyfriend.
Harry was grinning brightly. What Hermione called him, her voice was echoing in his ears. 'She called me her boyfriend,' he thought.
"You did it mate!" Ron exclaimed then hugged both his best friends. "Finally, I thought I was going to wait for a year or so before you become a couple," he added. Ron realized that like what Hermione told him in the letter a friend did came along but with someone he didn't know. They stood behind Harry and Hermione and were both smiling at him.
"Neville? Bloody hell mate, where have you been?" Ron said as he went to him and gave his old friend a hug.
"I'm a Potions master now in Salem," Neville answered and exchanged pleasantries with Ron.
"And this is Alex," Hermione introduced her friend who was quiet and was observing the whole time. "She's assisting me at school and she is also Neville's date tomorrow," Hermione added.
"Nice to meet you Ron," Alex said and she shook hands with Ron excitedly. "I'm a big Quidditch fan. You are the best Keeper ever," she complimented.
Ron smiled broadly and invited Alex to stay with them at the Burrow. Alex could not believe her luck. She was in the company of the famous trio who defeated Voldemort and of course with Neville as well who was also part of the group who went against the dark wizard and the person she had always fancied since her transfer to Salem.
They all apparated to the Burrow, and with quick popping sounds all five figures were gone.
A/N: okay… I this update is like a year or two late. I have been very busy with real life. Adult life isn't exactly easy, it's boring, it's too hectic and everyone is always in a rush, in short it's utterly stressful. I finally got the time to squeeze in some writing into my life again. I'm starting with the next chapter and I think that would be the last. Thanks for the patience and I hope you guys would take the time to review. Weebee to the fic writing world! I'll try to finish my other story the Aftermath. It's pretty much an AU story now so we'll see…