Chapter 7 - A New Day
She couldn't imagine a greater bliss. She had forgotten about everything: Slytherin, the FOS, Paris, the mountain, her parents, the fear... basically the whole world. All that mattered was that very moment where she was lying in the hay, in the arms of the man she had come to love.
She wasn't sure when it had started... probably when she saw him for the first time, at the Weasley's house. He was everything she had dreamt about. He was her first and only love. She was sure about that.
"I love you," she whispered into his chest.
Harry kissed her forehead gently, but didn't say anything. She was okay with that. She didn't expect anything from him in return. She had given herself up to him entirely even though she wasn't sure if Harry felt something for her. He had more experience than her, that much was obvious. And after a near death experience, he might have just lost his common sense... Was she just another woman in his life or did she mean something more to him?
They stayed like that, naked but comfortable with each other's warmth until the sun came out and with it, the birth of a new day.
"We should get dressed, we must leave at once," Harry said, and he stood up reluctantly.
*****
This time, the journey was a lot easier than the previous day. Since they were going down the mountain, Hermione didn't get that tired. Besides, the day was warmer. Harry didn't talk at all, except for some comments about how close they were to reaching Vizcaya or things like "be careful" or "we'll have to go faster". Hermione was starting to think he regretted what had happened last night and that it had put a barrier between them.
They reached the bottom of the mountain in the late afternoon. Harry eyed the area. There was a wired fence in front of them.
"It's very possible that there are FOS agents around, since this is the last part of their territory," Harry explained, looking at her for the first time since they had started walking again. Hermione tried to keep her face expressionless. "Listen Hermione, I'll hold this for you," he said as he lifted the wire to let her through, "When I say so, run as fast as you can and, no matter what, don't stop. Do you understand?"
"What about you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice cool.
Harry didn't answer. He looked around and then... "NOW!" he yelled.
Hermione passed through the wired fence and ran faster than she had ever run before. She didn't turn around, she just kept running. She couldn't hear anything. Was Harry behind her? She was too scared to look. Suddenly, she tripped and roll down the road. Her arms and legs were full of bruises and cuts. She tried to stand up, but her ankle seemed broken.
"Oh, God! Hermione!" Harry reached her, breathing heavily and he knelt beside her, "Are you alright?"
She had a wound on her forehead that was bleeding, "Don't stop Harry, keep running!" she shouted, pushing him.
"Easy," Harry soothed her, "There's no danger. We're in Spain."
She stared at him for a minute, and then she understood. They had reached Spain. They were both alive, and free! She was so happy, she wanted to jump, although the pain in her ankle didn't seem to keen on that. The palms of her hands were bleeding and Harry bandaged them with shreds of his shirt. Hermione looked at him thankfully, but he avoided her eyes. He then checked her ankle, making her wince when he touched it.
"I think it's broken," he said. He then lifted her in his arms and started walking.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked, her head resting on his chest.
He didn't have time to answer. A wizard apparated in front of them. He was a middle-aged man, with light brown hair and a warm smile. He approached them quickly.
"Hello Remus," greeted Harry, still holding Hermione.
"Welcome to Vizcaya," Remus said.
*****
"OK, drink this and you'll feel better," Remus said, giving her a glass of green liquid. "Don't worry about your ankle; it will be fine again tomorrow."
Hermione was in a comfortable bed, in a room in Remus' house. She had taken a warm bath (finally) and eaten a delicious meal. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until then. Remus himself had attended to her wounds.
The door opened and Harry - also cleaned up - came in.
"Everything alright?" he asked, looking at Remus.
"Yes, she's tough as a rock," the man replied. "I have some business I must attend to... I'll see you later."
Remus went out, shutting the door behind him. Harry grabbed a chair and sat beside the bed. He seemed nervous and cleared his throat a couple of times.
"Umm... I..."
"You don't have to say anything, Harry," Hermione said.
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Thank you," Hermione added.
"What for?"
"For everything. For saving me, for risking your life, for last night..."
"There's nothing to thank me for," Harry cut her off. "You should rest now."
"Would you stay with me... just for a while?"
Harry nodded and Hermione closed her eyes. Before she knew it, she was in a deep sleep.
*****
At first when she woke, she didn't know where she was. And then she remembered. She was safe. She was in Spain.
She took a long shower. She thought about her parents. What would her mother say if she knew that her pure and beloved daughter had lost her virginity in a barn? She couldn't help but smile at the thought of Mrs. Granger's reaction. However, the smile soon disappeared when she remembered she had left them alone in the enemy's territory. She thought about Ginny and her parents too. She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.
Someone - probably Harry - had left clothes for her on the bed. They had lost their baggage in the mountain and the outfit she had been wearing was destroyed after two days of literal rock-climbing. The new clothes on the bed was a great sight to see, even if it was only was a white sweater and a pair of blue jeans. They fit her perfectly. She had just dressed and was dealing with her ever impossible hair, when someone knocked on the bedroom door.
"Come in."
Harry popped his head in the room. He stared at Hermione as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"You look great," he mumbled. Hermione smiled, "Anyway, I'm going downtown and I wondered if you would want to come with me."
*****
"Wow. This place is wonderful," Hermione muttered.
Harry had taken her to Avenida Valdivia- a street only for wizards. Hermione had only seen this many wizards and witches at one time at Beauxbatons. There were so many interesting stores, especially the ones full of books. She would have spent the whole day there, if Harry hadn't dragged her out. She knew she looked like a little girl going to an amusement park for the first time, and she felt a little embarrased that Harry could think she was impressed by her own world.
He led her to a small store on the corner.
"I have a present for you," he said, and opened the door.
It was a wand store. An old witch was at the counter and lifted her eyes when she saw the two of them coming in.
"I figured it was time you had another wand," Harry added.
He was going to buy her a wand? "But Harry..."
"No buts," Harry stopped her. "I want to buy a wand for you, OK?" He approached the counter. "Good morning Mrs. Ollivander," he said.
The witch looked at him, "Mr. Potter, good to see you again."
"How is your husband doing?" Harry asked politely.
"Well, he's trying to keep his business in Diagon Alley, but it has become difficult with Slytherin and his Agents around."
Harry nodded. He motioned to Hermione to come closer. "This is my friend, Hermione Granger." Hermione couldn't stop thinking of the word friend with disgust. "She needs a new wand."
"Of course," the old witch smiled, "Please miss, come here and try this..."
After trying about ten wands, Hermione found one that fit her well. It had one unicorn hair, just like her previous one. Harry paid the seven galleons and they went outside.
"Thank you very much, Harry," Hermione said. Harry didn't say anything and led her to a small cafeteria.
"There's something I need to tell you," Harry started, when they had ordered.
Hermione shifted in her seat. He was probably going to say that the other night had been a mistake.
"I have to return to England," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
"What?" She definitely hadn't expected that. "When? Why?"
"Tomorrow. There's still so much to do. We have to stop Slytherin. Godric needs me there. Besides, I want to check on Ron."
Hermione nodded. She was being selfish. She was safe already, but there were too many people who still needed help.
"I'm sorry to leave you here, like this," he continued, "But Remus will help you." Hermione nodded again. "I opened an account for you in Gringotts bank."
"What? Harry, you can't do that. You can't give me money."
"Why not? I have too much anyway. And you left everything back in Paris," he insisted.
She shook her head. "Sorry, I can't accept it. I know I don't have any money, but I'll find a job or something."
"Fine, do what you want. Anyway, have this."
He gave her an envelope. Hermione opened it. Inside, there was a Floo Pass to travel to the United States. Wizards and witches could travel to other countries just by using special fireplaces led by the ministry. She knew how hard and expensive it was to get one of those in that time.
"What's this?" she asked.
"I told you that Gryffindor's people are locating the muggle-borns and refugees in the US. You have to go there."
"No."
Harry frowned. "Why not?"
"I don't want to leave Europe, Harry. All the people I love are here." So are you, she thought, but didn't say it out loud.
"But..." he protested.
"Please understand. I couldn't be that far away, not knowing what's going on here." She gave him back the envelope. "I'll stay in Spain until the Liberation."
Harry stared at her but didn't make any further comments. Hermione understood he was somehow hurt by her rejection. After all, it was a very valuable gift.
*****
They arrived at Remus' house in the evening. They had avoided the subject of Harry's return to England and the money. Hermione was feeling uneasy though. She had this weird feeling that she wouldn't see Harry again... Maybe that was what he wanted.
"Hermione?" Harry stopped her before they could enter in the house.
"What is it, Harry?" she asked, turning around.
Harry stood in front of her, with his hands in his pockets. He was serious, but Hermione got the impression that he was a little nervous too.
"I don't want to leave before discussing something with you." He motioned to a bench that Remus had in the front of his house, and they sat. A couple of minutes passed and nothing was said.
"I know what you want to say," said Hermione finally. She couldn't stand it anymore. She knew Harry had finally decided to bring up the subject of their night together.
"You do?" he asked, wide eyed.
Hermione nodded. "It's OK. Really, you don't have to worry about it. I'm not asking you to return my feelings. And I don't regret what happened on the mountain, even if you do-"
"What? Regret it?" Harry interrupted, "I'd never... I don't."
Hermione stopped babbling immediately.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted... you know, after," he continued after taking a deep breath. "I think I was scared."
"Scared? Of what?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Of the way I feel."
"Oh," she said, just to say something. She wasn't sure of what he was trying to tell her.
"Of the way I feel about you," he repeated and grabbed her hand. "Look, I think you already know that I'm not very good with words, but... I think, no, I know that I love you too."
Hermione's heart stopped beating. Was he serious? He, Harry Potter, the famous, handsome and rich hero loved her, Hermione Granger, poor, plain muggle-born?
Harry looked her directly in the eyes. "I've never felt like this, and I know it's a cliche to say it..."
She didn't need to hear anymore. She kissed him. He returned the kiss and she knew he had been honest.
******
They spent the whole night in each other's arms, talking. It was as if they had known each other for years instead of only a month. Hermione was afraid that the morning might come and steal Harry away.
When she woke up, he was already gone. Beside her bed, on the nighttable, she found a note. "I'll see you soon."
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A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Again, I must thank Emily for Beta Reading this. For those of you who have read The Proposal, I'll try to have the next chapter as soon as possible. I won't make any promises that I don't know if I'll be able to fulfill, so please be patient.