Disclaimer: I own nothing that has anything to do with Harry Potter. All that stuff belongs to JK Rowling. I just wanted to play in her world a bit to make mine seem more fun.
Chapter 3:
In her flat, Hermione flitted through her nightly rituals in a dream-like daze; a silly grin plastered to her face. Try as she might--and she didn't try too hard-- she couldn't get Harry, or that she'd kissed him (even though it was only on the cheek), out of her head.
As a result, she tripped over Desse twice, completely ignored the mess she'd made from all the research she was doing, put her pyjama bottoms on backwards and almost shut Desse's tail in her bedroom door.
She picked up the Crup who was barking and looking at her accusingly. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit preoccupied. I'd never purposefully hurt my Desdemona!" she said, somewhat silly.
Desse growled and nipped Hermione's fingers. "Ok, I won't call you that anymore," she declared playfully, rubbing Desse's belly.
Hermione set the Crup on her bed and turned down the covers before getting in herself. "Nox," she muttered and all the lights went out.
She lied on her back, one arm bent behind her head, the other absentmindedly scratching Desse's head. All she could think about was Harry; she thought of the time they'd spent together and how easy is was to open up to him. That silly grin returned to her face and her cheeks burned at the way she'd bade him goodnight.
"Dess, what did I do?" she mumbled suddenly. "I kissed him. I never kiss guys I've just met. Never. Ok, well, not now, never. But before Harry, I never did that. Yeah, it was on the cheek, but still! I kissed him," she continued incoherently.
"Sure, I've kissed James and Sirius, but I've known them for a year and half. Maybe that's why I kissed Harry," she reasoned. "Because I've heard so much about him, it was like I knew him. He's my friend. So why shouldn't I kiss him? Granted, we just met. And it took me five months of knowing Josh before I was even able to give him a little peck on the cheek. How was Harry able to put me at ease in one afternoon, when it took me so much longer to get to that same level, if I even am, with Josh? I know what it is; Harry looks just like James. That's got to be it. And since I know James really well, it's just natural it would extend to his son," Hermione finished her ramblings.
She groaned to herself. "Yeah, that is the biggest load of shit I've ever come up with. I really need someone to talk to; talking to myself is definitely not a good sign," she chuckled, before flipping onto her side. The last thing she thought about before falling into a wonderful sleep was a pair of brilliant emerald green eyes and an endearing grin.
Back at Godric's Hollow, Harry was fighting a two-pronged attack from his father and godfather.
Under strict orders from Lily not to pester him about Hermione, they bugged him about everything else they could think of and showed no signs of letting up.
"As much fun as it is watching my son get the third degree, I'm going to bed," Lily announced, rising from her chair.
"Mum, you can't! You have to help me," Harry whined.
Lily laughed and gave her only son a hug, which he returned. "I'm glad you're home, Harry. I missed you. And you want some advice?" she inquired.
Harry nodded his head vigorously. "Any you can give."
"Follow your heart and you'll never go wrong, whatever you choose. And don't let anyone," she paused and glared pointedly at her oblivious husband and his best friend, "tell you otherwise. I love you."
Harry smiled. "Thanks, Mum. I love you, too," he added.
James gave his wife a soft kiss on the lips. "I'll be up soon. I love you."
"I love you, too, James," Lily replied. "And don't be so hard on him. He's growing up and needs to make his own decisions."
James made a face. "I hate it when you're right."
Sirius jumped up and puckered his lips. He put on his best sad face after Lily only lightly kissed his cheek. "Aw, that's not fair! Jamie got a kiss, why can't I?"
"We have to keep him from discovering us," Lily teased.
"Oh yeah. I forgot," he whispered. "I know just how to throw him off. Watch this.
"Good-night, Lily. Dinner was great. Thank you," he added loudly, extending his hand.
"You're welcome, Sirius," Lily responded. As soon as she made contact with his hand, he pulled her off-balance and kissed her square on the lips.
"Go me! Uh-huh! Oh yeah! I kissed Lily!" Sirius declared, dancing around the room, flailing his arms and kicking his legs. He stopped suddenly and looked around.
"And now I'm going to leave before I get hexed. Nighty-night!" He disappeared with a *pop*.
There was a moment of silence as everything registered, broken by a huge guffaw from Harry.
"He's your godfather," James snickered.
"Yeah, because you picked him," Harry retorted.
"So you're both screwed," Lily added lightly. "Night boys." She bolted up the stairs before either could reply.
"Sometimes I wonder about her," Harry mumbled.
"You and me both," James put in. "So. Now that she's gone, how was your 'walk'?" he added, moving his eyebrows suggestively.
"It was ok," Harry answered, his higher-than-normal voice betraying would-be casualness.
James shot him a look. "Riiight. Only ok?"
"It was fun," Harry corrected. "We talked a bit and she offered me an extra ticket to the match this weekend. So I can spend my birthday with you all," Harry added quickly, a light blush spreading to his cheeks.
"And…?"James prodded, noticing Harry's new colour.
"And what?" Harry tried to dismiss him.
"Please," James scoffed. "You're as red as a tomato. You look like I did when your mother first ki…" He trailed off and his hazel eyes went wide. "She kissed you?!"
"Only on the cheek," Harry answered quietly.
"You sound a little disappointed," James teased.
Harry's entire face turned bright red and he became entranced with the floor, the ceiling, everything but James, who chuckled knowingly.
"That's what I thought," James declared triumphantly.
"This is crazy," Harry put in, a bit frustrated. "I only just met her! How did it this happen?"
"Yes, you did just meet in person," James replied. "But what's the big deal? You two are attracted to each other. There's nothing wrong with that; it is allowed," he added. "Hermione is a sweet person. Sirius and I were smitten with her after only one meeting. She just has a knack for making you feel totally at ease, without even really trying."
"That's true. She's just so…real. So normal," Harry said. "She's not pretentious or shallow. I can actually hold a conversation with her that doesn't include how many people I've arrested. Plus she likes pranks. How can you not like someone who has a good sense of humor?"
"That she does," James agreed, grinning. "Even when a prank is on her, she still laughs. She's just a great person all-around."
"And it's ok that I really want to get to know her?" Harry asked.
"Of course it's ok," James replied. "One can never have too many friends. As far as anything more, let nature take its course. If it's meant to happen, it will. Like your Mum and me," James smiled, echoing the exact words Lily had spoken earlier.
"Mum tell you that?" Harry teased.
"Perhaps," James waved it off. "But don't tell her I told you. Better yet, don't tell Sirius I told you."
"Done," Harry answered with a chuckle. "But what do I do about Victoria?" he asked, frowning.
"What about Vicki?" James asked. "If she has a problem with you wanting to have another friend… Well, you already know what I think about her. I'm not going into it."
"I know. I'm afraid of how she's going to react with Hermione, on top of me moving back without 'consulting' her," Harry replied wearily.
"Like I said, you already know what I think," James reiterated. "But you need to come to your own decision. Don't get me wrong," he added hastily. "You can always come to me for help and I will be glad to do what I can. Ultimately, though, it's your decision to make and live with."
"Wow," Harry taunted. "You sound like a real grown up! I'm impressed. Now how much of that was from Mum?" he added, smiling.
"That was all mine!" James shot back indignantly. "You've just been away so much, I haven't been in 'Dad' mode as of late. But I'm making it up by being extra 'Dad-y' with you and Hermione, when she lets me."
"Thanks Dad," Harry replied seriously. "And I'm sure if she were here, Hermione would thank you too."
"You're quite welcome. Both of you," James answered. "And on that note, I think I am going to go join your mum. I have a sudden craving for dessert," he added wickedly.
Harry groaned. "Seriously, I wasn't kidding earlier; I really don't need to know that information. So feel free not to mention it again. Ever!"
"It's good to have you home," James smiled. "Good-night, Harry."
"Night, Dad," Harry responded. He watched his dad jog up the stairs, expertly avoiding the creak in the middle of the fifth step.
Harry looked around the house he'd grown up in, and the past few years, grown away from. But he was home now, and that's all that mattered.
He made his way to his old bedroom and stripped down to a pair of gold and maroon boxers. Harry jumped on the bed, not even getting under the covers. He relaxed, thinking about what he was going to do now; about finding a new job, a new flat, and making a new friend.
Harry smiled involuntarily and touched his cheek were Hermione kissed him. She was very pretty in an understated way; one of those girls who would be drop-dead gorgeous in a fancy gown but looked just as beautiful- and feel a lot more comfortable- in jeans and a t-shirt. She was more of a guy's girl than a real giggly, girly-girl. He couldn't wait to get to know her better and now he had the perfect opportunity, with the Quidditch match and then his 'surprise' party.
Harry fell asleep with a smile on his handsome face. He didn't bother with the nightly routine Victoria insisted on, of calling to say good-night; he never even checked the messages on his mobile. If he had, he would've known Victoria phoned twelve times, just to "say hi and see what you're up to for the night" and "call me when you get a chance", each message a little harsher than the previous.
A/N: I'm sorry this is so short. Things have been sort of…off…with me lately. I wanted to have something for you all to read so I decided to just post this. The next chapter is almost finished and going to be longer…most likely, a lot longer.