After lunch, Harry followed Hermione upstairs, and she ushered him into his room.
"This is our guest room," she stated.
The room wasn't huge, but it was still much larger than Harry's back at the Dursleys' house. The bed was covered in navy blue linens, there was a desk in the corner for writing, and there was also a dresser to store his things.
"Too bad, I thought I'd be staying with you," Harry teased, and his eyes flashed with fire.
"Hey!" Hermione gasped and blushed, "Simmer down, Romeo, or I won't show you my room."
"All right."
"Good, follow me."
Hermione led him down the hall while showing him where the bathroom was then stopping at the third door on the left.
As soon as Harry stepped inside, he knew it was her room. Crookshanks was snoring softly on her bed, and the fat, orange cat scratched at something in her sleep. What really sealed it was the massive bookshelf against the far wall. It had to be almost ten feet wide and six feet high; moreover, it was completely full of books. A dresser similar to his sat on the opposite wall, and it had a tall mirror above it. A flash of something white caught Harry's eyes, and he tilted his head to see that Hermione had her own bathroom in here.
"What are you smiling at?" Hermione asked, noting the corny grin he was giving her.
"Nothing, it's just that this room is so…you."
"How so?"
"Well…it looks like the person who stays here is a bit of a bookworm but feminine at the same time. Otherwise, why is there make-up and perfume in front of your mirror?"
"Okay, I'll admit it; I wear that stuff sometimes; you know that!" Harry walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"That I do. I always love the way you smell," he said softly and nuzzled her neck.
Hermione melted in his embrace and sighed as he kissed her neck. Reaching out with a stray hand, she pushed her bedroom door closed and grabbed onto his sweater.
"No more teasing, c'mere!" She grabbed him by the hair and mashed their lips together.
Harry grinned against her mouth and tightened his arms around her. Hermione began backing up and pulled him with her. She fell back onto her bed and pulled Harry on top of her. His hands slid up and down her spine making her arch into his body.
"Hermione!" he gasped.
"Yes, my love?" she cooed while sliding her hands up under his sweater. Somehow, he pulled away from her deadly assault and looked into her eyes.
"Sweetheart, we need to stop. I really want this, but we need to stop."
"But why?" Hermione pouted prettily. Harry put a finger to her lips.
"Believe me, Herm, it's not for lack of wanting, but this is your parent's house."
"So what? They're both busy downstairs and won't bother us for a long time." She began rubbing the base of his neck, and Harry glared at her slightly.
"Listen Herm, before I came here, I made myself a promise. I swore that I wouldn't touch you until your parents knew about us; it wouldn't be right."
"You what? How could you do something so stupid?"
"I just didn't want your parents to think we were lying to them. Look, you told your mom that I was your friend, and I have a feeling that she knows that we're more than that, but we haven't told them about how serious we are about each other. Hermione, one thing that I've learned is that the bond between parents and their children is precious, and I don't want you to lose that in any way."
Hermione wasn't sure whether to be happy or angry with him, but what he said did make a lot of sense to her.
"All right, we'll tell them, but I suggest we wait a few days. Let my parents get to know you first; it'll soften the blow if they see how wonderful you are." Harry blushed at her compliment.
"Then…" Hermione threaded her fingers into his hair, "…when that conversation is over…"she cooed.
"I'll make love to you every night if you want!"
"Hmm, I like that idea, but in the meantime, come back down here!" She pulled him down and caught his mouth with hers.
"Hermione…" he sighed.
"Ah…ah…ah…you said no lovemaking, Harry, that doesn't mean we can't makeout!"
'She does have a point!'
"I suppose not." He caught her mouth again and clutched her body against his chest.
"That was delicious! Thank you, Mrs. Granger," Harry said with a smile, having finished his second helping of roasted ham and mashed potatoes.
"You're welcome, Harry, I'm glad you liked it."
On impulse, Harry gathered his empty plate and glass and headed towards the kitchen.
"Where are you going, Harry?" Mrs. Granger asked. The young man froze.
"I was going to clean these." The older woman smiled at him.
"Please Harry, sit back down, you've barely said a word throughout dinner."
He returned to the table and put his things back down.
"I'm sorry, it's just that…I've never been asked anything at the dinner table."
That brought a surprised look to the entire Granger family.
"Are you serious, Harry?" Mr. Granger asked this time.
"Yes sir, I am. When my aunt and uncle and my cousin ate dinner, they completely ignored me. When I tried to say something, they just acted like I wasn't there; so, after a while, I just learned to keep my mouth shut."
"That's terrible, Harry!" Mrs. Granger gasped. "How could they be so cruel to you?"
Harry began to feel slightly uncomfortable. He had both Mr. and Mrs. Granger staring at him intently, and even Hermione was looking at him anxiously.
"To be quite honest, ma'am, my aunt and uncle hated me from the moment I was left on their doorstep. They knew that I wasn't 'normal', and that was why they hated me so much. They hated anything that had to do with magic or wizardry, and that included me. They never told me about who my parents were; I wasn't told until Hagrid came and gave me my letter to Hogwarts."
"But still, you can't treat a child like that!" Mrs. Granger said rather angrily.
Hermione watched Harry with loving eyes. She knew that he'd had a rough childhood, but he'd never really given any details about it. She was starting to understand where Harry's inner strength truly came from.
"As far as I'm concerned, my life with them is over; there's no use hating them."
"You're quite the man, Harry. Not many people can turn the other cheek," Mr. Granger stated with a bit of pride in his voice. His wife decided to change the subject.
"So Hermione…" Mrs. Granger interrupted, "…tell me, when did you two start seeing each other?"
"What are you talking about?" Hermione gulped as her cheeks tinted, and Harry's face flushed slightly.
"Don't try to hide it, young lady, a mother knows these things. I don't have to be psychic to see the connection between you two; every time you're together, there's a glow that emits from the both of you."
The teenagers looked at one another and figured now was a time as good as any. Harry decided to start.
"Well, we see each other every day because we have the same classes and because we're best friends. However, we didn't become a couple until early last term. We'd always looked out for one another, and it just sort of happened."
"You see, Harry had been hurt very badly, and when I saw him lying there in the hospital, I finally realized how much he meant to me. He was my best friend, but he was so much more than that to me."
The two gazed into one another's eyes, and you could almost see the love flowing between them.
Mrs. Granger had a small smile on her face as she gazed at the young couple.
"Well…we should clean up now. Hermione, you can give me a hand, and John, why don't you take Harry into the living room."
"Sure dear, c'mon Harry."
Hermione followed her mother into the kitchen with an armful of dishes.
"Mom, are you mad?"
"About what, sweetie?"
"That I didn't tell you about Harry and I." Mrs. Granger put the dishes into the sink and turned towards her daughter.
"No Hermione, I'm not mad; he's a very nice, young man. You pick your boyfriends well, I see."
"He's more than just my boyfriend, mom; he's my best friend."
"That's even better, honey, friendship is often the best base to romance."
"Harry's just so incredible! Every time I'm with him, my heartbeat triples, and my skin gets goosebumps. And when he kisses me, I feel like I'm about to melt onto the floor."
Mrs. Granger actually started chuckling.
"Sounds like you're in love, my daughter."
"I am, mom, I know I am. I love him so much, and he loves me just the same."
"I could see that by the way you were looking at each other. You had the same look your father and I had when we were your age."
Hermione smiled brightly; she was glad that her mom was so accepting of Harry - and after only one day! She couldn't really blame her though; Harry could charm the socks off of anyone and not even know it. There was one other thing that she needed to tell her mom, and it was not going to be easy.
"Mom, there's something else I have to tell you. It's about Harry and I; we've…well… you know…" Mrs. Granger's eyes widened in shock, and she stared at her daughter.
"I wasn't expecting this, Hermione, I assumed that you two were dating, but I didn't realize that you'd actually slept together. When did it happen?"
"The first time was on my birthday earlier this year, and the second was about two weeks ago at school."
"Were you two careful?" Hermione drew back slightly.
"If you're asking me if I'm pregnant, the answer is no. Mom, I know this is a shock, but I want you to understand that we didn't do this on a whim. Harry and I have been close for the last seven years, and when we became a couple, it was just another step we took. I wouldn't have given myself to him unless I was one hundred percent sure. He was my first, and I was his."
"It sounds like you two have really thought this through; I should have known you would. You always think things through, Hermione, and now, I know you thought this through as well."
Opening her arms, Mrs. Granger gave her daughter a hug, and Hermione smiled into her mother's chest.
Meanwhile, Harry took a seat in one of the recliners, and Mr. Granger took a seat next to him. The older man clasped his hands together and gazed at the young wizard.
"Harry…I'm going to ask you something, and I would like a truthful answer."
"Of course, sir."
"Have you been intimate with my daughter?"
There it was - as plain as day. No nonsense…no deception…just blunt and to the point. But Harry would not lie about his relationship with Hermione. He had wanted to wait for a little while, but fate had cut his time short. So, he squared his shoulders and looked John Granger right in the eye.
"Yes, Mr. Granger, I have." He never broke eye contact, and the older man glared at him slightly.
"I see, how often?"
"Only twice. Once on her birthday this past year, and once a few weeks ago after a ball at Hogwarts."
"So I take it you're very fond of her."
"No sir, it's much more than that. To be quite frank, I'm in love with Hermione."
"How do you know that?" Mr. Granger countered.
"I can't explain it; I just know it. No one makes me feel the way she does. Every time I see her, I want to hold her in my arms forever, and every time she smiles, it melts my heart. I've never loved anyone except Hermione. I love her because she's intelligent, beautiful, compassionate, funny, sweet, and occasionally sassy."
"Sounds like you know her pretty well then."
"I'd like to think so, sir. Hermione has supported me through so much; she's always been there for me. Likewise, I've always tried to be there for her and protect her to make sure that she's always safe."
"You're quite a young man, Harry, I can see that you care very deeply about my daughter. However, you must understand my nervousness; you're the first boy that she's ever brought home to meet us."
"Yes sir, I understand, I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but I won't lie about Hermione and I."
"That's a good standard, Harry, keep it. And by the way, stop calling me 'sir'; you're making me feel old. Just call me John."
"All right."
"Are you through lecturing him, John?" a voice came from the kitchen.
"Yes, you can come in now."
Mrs. Granger and Hermione walked in carrying a tray of desserts.
"Okay dad, what'd you do to him?" Hermione said with her hands on her hips.
"Nothing Hermione, you can have him back."
Sitting down on the loveseat, Hermione patted the seat beside her.
"C'mere," she motioned to Harry.
Trying to hold back a grin, he stood up and padded across the carpet. He plopped down beside her, and she looked him up and down.
"Okay, let's see…no bumps…no bruises…you're clean."
"Why thank you for that kind evaluation."
"Hush you!" Hermione leaned up and whispered in his ear, "We're all clear, Harry." He reached down and took her hand.
"I know, sweetheart, I know."
Hermione blushed deeply; she hadn't expected Harry to call her that in front of her parents. Mrs. Granger took the chair beside her husband when an idea came to her.
"John, why don't you light the fireplace?" she advised pointing to the large fireplace in the center wall of the room.
"Sure, why not?"
Mr. Granger bent down and set the logs in place. Grabbing the lighter off the mantle above, he clicked it on to get a spark. After several moments, nothing happened.
"Well, we've got two problems. One, the lighter is out of fuel, and two, the logs were too fresh and damp to light. Sorry."
"May I try?" Harry asked.
"Sure, but I'm not quite sure what you plan to do," Mr. Granger answered. He offered Harry the lighter, but the young man shook his head.
"No thank you, I won't need that." Hermione suddenly knew what he was doing.
"Harry!" she gasped, and he turned towards her.
"Relax Herm, there's nothing to worry about. I suggest you move back," he instructed Mr. Granger. The older man returned to his seat and looked at Harry curiously.
Harry looked at the fireplace and focused on the logs.
"Inflamare!"
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were shocked to see their fireplace erupt in flames as the logs ignited. They both stared at Harry, and Hermione glared at him in annoyance.
"You idiot, you could get in trouble for using magic!"
"No, I won't, I have permission to use magic - in moderation."
"You do?"
"Uh huh, I got it before I left Hogwarts."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I wanted to surprise you," he laughed. Harry noticed that Hermione's parents were still staring at him.
"Harry…what did you just do?"
"He cast a spell, mom. That was a fire spell to ignite the logs," Hermione explained.
"My goodness, I thought the house was going to explode or something."
"I apologize, Mrs. Granger, I didn't mean to frighten either of you; I just wanted to help."
The two grown-ups looked at one another and actually started laughing.
"That's all right, Harry, but just give us fair warning next time," Mr. Granger chuckled.
With that, the two couples sat back to enjoy their dessert by the firelight.