Harry smiled at the relieved look on Hermione's face as well. He couldn't believe his luck.
"Wait ... If I've been spending all evening with you, then who did Ron ..." There was a one-sided shouting match suddenly springing up from the stage that took both his and Hermione's attention from each other for the moment. The entire school body looked to where the jester was and saw the most amusing sight there ever was at Hogwarts.
Standing next to the podium, petrified in rage and still dressed in the court jester's tights and frill shirt was none other than Professor Severus Snape. Harry had seen the man angry before and despite the purple color of the pale man's face he couldn't help but laugh. The entire school couldn't hold back the laughter and a very mortified and angry potions master stood as regally as he could and stalked over to Professor Dumbledore.
Harry and Hermione were in such hysterics they had to hold onto each other to remain standing and so it was with every other couple in the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall was uncharacteristically chortling as if both the rictusempra and cheering charms had been cast on her simultaneously. Professor Flitwick had fallen off of his chair and rolled under the table either from fear or laughter. The other professors were in equal hysterics, either spilling their drinks upon themselves or holding on to one another to keep from falling to the floor as most of the students had done. Professor Dumbledore was laughing heartily but became deathly serious when Snape approached him. After a few whispered words, the head of Slytherin stormed out of the Great Hall and the laughter boomed again.
Harry straightened himself, though still chuckling badly, and glanced at Hermione who was still chortling at the mental image of Snape in the colorful costume. He was pulled from his admiration of her when he heard Ron bellowing in the crowd. He looked to the direction of his friend then to Hermione. They shared a look and both immediately made their way to where Ron was standing in a rather livid tirade.
"YOU?!" He shouted at an unflinching blonde with large, blue eyes that made it look like she was constantly surprised. "HOW COULD IT HAVE BEEN YOU?!"
Luna tucked her wand behind her ear and pulled out her butterbeer cap necklace before she responded. "I'm sorry I wasn't Hermione, Ronald." She said in her sing-song voice.
Ron blanched and looked at the crowd quickly and stopped with wide eyes when he spotted his two best friends.
"You thought that was me?" Hermione asked in a shocked voice.
Ron tried to come up with an excuse but his face just got redder and redder as incoherent words fell from his lips.
"I assume you didn't notice the color of her mask then?" Hermione asked pointedly. "She is a year behind us, after all. The height would have been another giveaway."
Ron looked to Harry for support and winced when he shrugged not knowing what to do in this situation. He looked at Luna who was now humming a familiar tune that escaped him, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the Great Hall.
Hermione shook her head. "Sorry about him, Luna." She said while putting a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
Luna's eyes went dull and a dreamy smile crossed her lips. "He's so cute when he's flustered, don't you think?" Her head tilted to the side as she sighed contentedly. "Of course, when he started talking about Quidditch, I rolled my eyes and pretended to be you. I hope you aren't mad, Hermione."
Hermione's and Harry's eyes went wide. "You pretended to be me?" Hermione stammered in disbelief.
Luna nodded lazily and looked at one of the bottle caps on her necklace. "I thought he'd be looking for you." She admitted. "So I gave him a taste of Hogwarts, A History, a disinterest in Quidditch, and a small argument about schoolwork." She sighed and small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "It worked well, I think."
Hermione glared at the snort that came from Harry. He had been trying to hold in his laughter during Luna's confession but couldn't hold it any more. "If this had been a prank, Luna, I would congratulate you!" He said after Hermione's death stare. "But it seems this wasn't a prank ... I think you should find Ron and apologize to him."
Luna looked at Harry seriously. "But I did."
Harry started to feel uncomfortable with her wide-eyed stare and fidgeted nervously. "Oh, right, you did, didn't you?" He looked at Hermione who still seemed both surprised and angry and made a command decision. "I think I'm going to go back to the common room. I'll see you there, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded absently while she poured over the night's events. Harry recognized the pursed lips and small crease between her eyebrows as her analysis commenced, said goodnight to Luna who had gone back to admiring her bottle caps, and made his way to Gryffindor tower.
He began his own analysis and realized that Hermione was interested in someone that she thought was unattainable. For the life of him he couldn't pin down who it might be. He hoped she was talking about him but the fact that they talked about everything under the sun and were very comfortable around each other made him realize that it had to be someone else. An author perhaps? Or a different Quidditch star? No, it couldn't be a Quidditch star ... How would Ron's round about confession affect Hermione? Was it Ron that she thought was unattainable?
Harry stopped in his tracks when he realized what time it was. "This is the first Halloween that nothing bad happened ..." He said aloud.
"I wouldn't bet on that, mate." Ron's voice wafted sullenly from behind a suit of armor.
Harry spun at his friend's voice. "Ron? Why are you sitting back there?"
"I needed to think, Harry." Ron said quietly. "I guess you know for sure now."
"About Hermione? I've known you fancied her for ages now." Harry admitted guardedly.
"I don't know about that anymore, Harry." Ron said even more quietly than before. "I thought I knew her and when I was talking to Luna it felt like I didn't know Hermione at all ... Needless to say, I was sort of ... happy ... it was Luna."
"Happy?" Harry asked hopefully.
Ron nodded. "We talked all night, Harry. She didn't act like herself ... or maybe she did ... I've been avoiding her all year and didn't notice how she'd changed ..."
"She is sorry that she acted like Hermione." Harry said comfortingly. "Hermione and I talked to her a bit after you left. I have to say, she is quite smitten with you ..."
Ron nodded. "I thought it was strange that she just rolled her eyes when I started talking Quidditch and didn't argue back ... Do you think she's mad at me for blowing up at her?" Ron looked to Harry hopefully.
Harry smiled. "If anything, she's fallen for you more." He said with a laugh. "Like I said, she's smitten."
Ron smiled slightly and stood. "Thanks, Harry, I have someone I need to apologize to. Actually two people. Could you ask Hermione to wait for me to get back?"
"Sure, Ron." Harry said with a clap on Ron's shoulder. "We'll be waiting for you. I wouldn't want you to face an angry Hermione by yourself."
Ron laughed. "Thanks, Harry, but you don't have to do that ..."
Harry smiled and watched his best friend trot off to the Great Hall. "Good luck!" He called after him and Ron waved back that he'd heard him.
After a few minutes of quiet thought, Harry continued along his previous path and found himself smiling while he looked at the portraits along the walls. He was startled when a woman's voice piped up.
"Password?" The Fat Lady said in her normal regal voice.
"Trick or treat" Harry said with a grin. The Fat Lady rolled her eyes and her portrait moved aside. Harry chuckled at her confusion and climbed through the portrait hole. A few moments later, he was in his pajamas and sitting in the common room staring at the fire.
He was brought out of his thoughts by a gentle touch on his shoulder. "Are you going to bed soon?"
Harry looked up and smiled at the girl behind him. "Waiting for Hermione to get back, Ginny." He looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong?" Harry patted the seat next to him on the couch and Ginny joined him reluctantly.
"Harry ... Are ... Are you and Hermione dating?" She asked quietly. She looked into his eyes searching for something.
Harry smiled softly. "No, we're not ..." He was interrupted by soft, moist lips and cool, smooth skin wrapping around his neck. His eyes were wide as he felt his best friend's little sister pour five years worth of pent up emotion into her kiss and he didn't know how to respond. In many ways, he felt like he was betraying his best friend but mostly, he felt like he was cheating on Hermione and as her name passed through his head he gently pushed the young Weasley away.
"Harry?" She asked in confusion.
"Ginny, I'm sorry, I can't. I mean, you're pretty and all, but I-I just can't. Please don't be mad ..." He stammered nervously.
"I-I shouldn't have been so forward, Harry ..." Tears started to gather at the corners of her eyes and she stood abruptly. "Goodnight, Harry." She said quickly and ran to the girl's dormitory.
Harry hung his head and shook it in disbelief. I thought she was over that ... He looked to the portrait hole and his stomach knotted into little balls of tension. I hope Hermione didn't see her kissing me ...
"Just when I thought that nothing bad would happen ..." He sighed miserably and buried his face in his hands. He waited for a few more hours and watched as his housemates returned, that is, everyone but Hermione. The dread he felt earlier compounded with everyone that walked through the portrait hole until it trickled down to Ron.
"Where's Hermione?"
Harry shrugged miserably. "How'd your talk with Luna go?"
"Brilliant!" Ron beamed. "We're going to Hogsmeade this weekend! Our first date, Harry!"
Harry smiled his congratulations. "She's a sweet girl."
"You bet she is." Ron said with a laugh. "That must have been some talk you gave her."
Harry nodded. "I don't think I really needed to talk to her, it was obvious she was smitten."
Harry heard a shuffle near the girl's dormitory stairs and caught sight of a familiar bunch of bushy, brown hair and pajamas.
"Hermione?" He called out instinctively but she didn't stop. Harry groaned miserably. "Great ... Just great ... I think she saw what happened ..."
"Saw what?"
"Ginny kissed me tonight." Harry said miserably.
"She did?" Ron said with a smile. "It's about time!"
"Ron, I fancy Hermione." Harry admitted with a red face. "I have for a bit now."
Ron looked at him incredulously. "And you let Ginny kiss you?!" The tips of his ears were turning red and Harry knew the shouting would start soon.
"Ron, I didn't mean to hurt your sister. She asked me if Hermione and I were dating and I said no then the next thing I know she's kissing me." He put his hands in the air as a sign of peace. "I don't share her feelings and I tried to let her down gently, Ron, honestly!"
Ron saw the look in Harry's eyes and seemed to bring himself under control. "Ok, I knew that Ginny has had a thing for you for quite a while now ... And I guess I knew you didn't think of her that way."
"I think of her as a sister, just like I think of you as a brother, Ron."
Ron put up a hand. "Let me finish ... She kisses you tonight and you think Hermione saw that. You two spent the evening together dancing and laughing. I thought you might have reconciled with Cho, but I know I'm wrong about that now." Ron looked at his best friend and smiled. "Well, just tell her the truth tomorrow and hope she doesn't hex you on the spot."
"Thanks for the advice, Ron." Harry said with a slight grin. "So, you're ok with me fancying Hermione?"
"I'm not really sure yet." Ron said with a grin. "I feel better about it than I thought I would, but then again ..."
"Luna opened your eyes a bit?" Harry said with a laugh. Ron blushed a bit but grinned in reply. "Well, Hermione won't be easy to talk to tonight." Harry sighed again and stood up. "I think I'll go to bed ..."
"I'm with you." Ron laughed. "This has been a tiring night, Adam."
Ron and Harry both laughed and made their way to their room. Harry lay awake a bit longer and mulled over what he was going to say to Hermione tomorrow. Hopefully she'll be calm enough to talk to ... His eyes fluttered closed and visions of a fire-breathing Hermione haunted him all night.
The next morning, Harry found himself bleary-eyed and still half asleep at the Gryffindor table. Ron had gone over to visit Luna and Ginny had moved farther down the table. Hermione had either eaten breakfast earlier and went ahead to the library or she was avoiding him completely. He didn't know which was worse and found himself nodding off into his porridge.
"Harry, you look like you haven't slept a wink all night." Hermione said as she sat next to him in Transfiguration. "Did Ginny come back down after everyone else was in bed?" She said coolly.
Harry shook his head. "Hermione, about that ..."
"I don't want to hear about the details, Harry." She said with indifference.
"Ginny and I aren't together." Harry finished. "She kissed me when I told her we weren't dating."
Hermione eyed him skeptically. "Is that so? You looked like you were enjoying yourselves to me."
"Hermione, I don't like her that way." Harry hissed under his breath. He didn't want the rest of the class to hear their conversation.
"Oh, really? What was all that about being a sweet girl and how smitten she was?" Hermione's temper began to rise and Harry sighed exasperatedly.
"Hermione, Ron and I were talking about Luna. He was thanking me for talking to her after the Ball." He explained calmly. "They are going on a date this weekend in Hogsmeade and I was hoping you'd go on one with me!"
"What?" She shook her head in disbelief. "You want to WHAT?!"
"Hermione, I am asking you to go on a date with me to Hogsmeade this weekend." He explained with a small smile.
She looked visibly shaken and her eyes went wide. "Wait, the girl you thought was unattainable?"
"Was you." He said with a red face.
"I don't believe it." She said quietly.
"If I'm stepping over a line or anything, you can forget I asked ..." He added quickly. He didn't know if he could handle being around her if she rejected him but he wasn't about to throw away the friendship they'd built up so far. "I don't want to ruin our friendship, Hermione. I know there was someone you were interested in and I don't want to get in the way ..."
"It was you." She said quietly with her own blush. "I-I mean, I was talking about you last night."
Harry looked at her and smiled. "Does ... does this mean that you'll go? On a date with me, that is?"
Hermione's lips curled into a quaint smile and she nodded quietly. "Yes, Harry, I'll go on a date with you." She looked to him and smiled warmly. He returned her smile and silently felt like someone had cast an overpowered cheering charm on him.
"Meet you in the common room then? Eight sound ok?" He whispered as McGonagall strode down the aisle to her desk.
Hermione nodded as she got her books ready for the lesson ahead.
"Miss Granger, Mister Potter! The lesson has started ..." Professor McGonagall barked from the front of the classroom. "Kindly pay attention!"
They both blushed furiously and snapped their attention to what the professor was saying but couldn't hold it for long and started glancing at one another and trading smiles.
After the last class of the day, they met for dinner in the common room and made their customary walk to the Great Hall. Harry reached out tentatively and took Hermione's hand clumsily causing her to start. She looked at him and smiled then corrected his grip so they could walk hand-in-hand properly. Harry blushed and smiled shyly at her.
"I wonder what kind of reaction this is going to get us ..." He said with a nervous chuckle.
"Well, be prepared for Lavender's and Parvati's giggling all through dinner. Honestly, the gossip twins are going to have a field day."
"Does that bother you?" Harry asked quietly.
"Since when have those two bothered me?" She replied with a smile.
Harry relaxed somewhat and began to enjoy her company again. Butterflies were having a demolition derby in his stomach and he felt a bit light headed by just holding hands with her but he kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Harry, why did you try to get out of going to the ball?" She asked out of the blue.
"What?" He looked at her curiously and her question sunk in. "Oh, well, October thirty-first." He said simply.
Hermione looked at him sympathetically. Having read every book she could find that had mention of Harry in it when she was younger she suddenly realized what the significance of that date was. "I'm sorry, Harry, I should have remembered ..."
"It's ok." He said with a far away look in his eyes. "I'd have to say that this Halloween was the first time anything good happened." He looked to her and smiled genuinely.
She smiled back and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad." She said shyly when he blushed. "If you want to talk about it ..." She left the invitation open and Harry smiled at her offer.
The evening went as they pretty much thought it would. Lavender and Parvati were giggling madly and glancing their way throughout dinner. Ginny seemed to be more depressed than they'd ever seen her and she spent the majority of dinner at the far end of the table with the Creevey brothers and Neville. Ron was sitting next to Luna and the two of them seemed to be lost in their own world. The worst of it was the outburst that Cho Chang made before storming out of the Great Hall. She couldn't believe that they had just started dating and caused a scene towards the end of the feast. Hermione took it all calmly and they both had given up trying to explain when the Ravenclaw seeker huffed and left for her common room.
After dinner, they were stopped by just about everyone demanding answers to a myriad of questions ranging from why did they keep it a secret to when the wedding was. It was a very exhausted couple that finally slumped into the couch in their own common room just before curfew.
"Well, the worst of it is over." She said with a deep sigh.
"Oh, I wouldn't bet on that." Harry said in an impersonation of Trelawney. "I predict rocky roads ahead ..."
"You better be talking about ice cream, Harry." She said with a playful grin on her face.
Harry laughed. "We'll just have to see about that, won't we?"
Hermione shook her head and stood. "I should get to bed; I've got to be up early for a date tomorrow."
Harry grinned and joined her. "Me too." He said with a playful wink. "See you at eight then?"
Hermione nodded and waved. "Goodnight, Harry." She said with a smile and disappeared up the stairs.
Harry grinned and climbed the stairs to his room. With each step he felt more and more nervous about the next day. All he could think about was not screwing this up, he didn't want to ruin any kind of relationship with Hermione either platonic or romantic. He hoped they could continue in the romantic vein, but his low self-esteem kept nagging at him. What if she realizes that she doesn't like me that way? What if I completely botch this up? She's too good for me, what if she realizes that? The closer he got to his room, the more concerned he got about the following day. He finally got to his bed and after changing sat down clutching his stomach.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron asked as he came into the room.
Harry looked to Ron and felt like he was going to throw up. "I don't know if this is such a good idea, Ron." Harry said after a deep breath. "What if Hermione ends up hating me or something ... I don't know if I could handle that ..."
Ron shook his head and laughed. "The brave Boy-Who-Lived ..."
"I'm serious, Ron ... What if I'm not good enough for her? I mean, she's wonderful. How can I compete with Krum?"
"I wouldn't worry, Harry." Ron said with a comforting smile. "If you ask me, the fact that she held your hand should be enough of an idea that she fancies you too."
Harry nodded but still felt queasy. "I hope I don't botch this tomorrow." He yawned sleepily.
"You won't, Harry. Just be yourself, that's who she knows and if she fancies you, that's who she likes." Ron clapped him on the back and laughed. "Goodnight, Harry."
Harry tried to smile but the thoughts that were rolling around in his head kept him from doing so genuinely and his face contorted into a grimace instead. "Night, Ron." He said quietly and lay down. Either way, I find out tomorrow. He thought glumly and before he knew it he was asleep.
Harry snapped awake to a stream of light soaking his face in morning sunshine. He looked hurriedly to the clock and nearly fell out of his bed in panic. "I'm going to be late!" Somehow his alarm was shut off in the night and he only had five minutes to get ready for his first date with Hermione. In a mad dash, he raced to the bathroom and opted for a quick refreshing in the sink instead of a full blown shower. He fought with his hair but it didn't matter how much water he tried to soak his head with because the raven locks on his skull seemed to ignore his silent and vocal pleas to lay straight. He dashed back to his room and threw on a clean set of clothes and grabbed his wool cloak and other necessities before nearly tripping down the stairs. He looked around the common room to the blurry shapes of his classmates and slapped himself in the forehead as he rushed back up to his nightstand for his glasses. Several minutes later he was doubled over in the common room apologizing to a laughing Hermione.
"Harry, it's ok." She said with a laugh. "I know how you are on the weekends, don't worry!"
Harry smiled and nursed the stitch in his side. "Ready for some breakfast then?" He wheezed.
Hermione smiled. "Come on ... You know, we need to get you into better shape." She said playfully.
"Ha ha ha." Harry replied with a faux scowl. Great start, Potter, just wonderful ...
They took one another's hands a little less awkwardly than the previous night to the cat calls and whistles of their housemates and experienced even more attention when they made it to the Great Hall.
Harry bent to Hermione's ear. "Ready for the attention in Hogsmeade?" He whispered conspiratorially.
"Harry, we've been to Hogsmeade dozens of times." She said with a dismissive smile.
"Ok." He said with a smile and pulled her chair out for her. He took the one next to her and they started into their breakfast. The morning went quickly until Professor McGonagall announced that those going to the wizarding town were now free to do so.
Harry smiled and offered his hand to Hermione. She took it with an grin and he prepared himself for the worst. He didn't have to wait long for things to start when Colin snapped a photo of them on their way out of the castle. Farther down the road, Cho and someone Harry hadn't seen before bumped into Hermione in a determined attempt to beat them to, what Harry guessed, Madam Puddifoot's. Harry apologized to Hermione and kept a bit of a closer watch around them. The last thing he wanted was for Malfoy and his goons to show up and cause trouble.
The afternoon went by in much the same fashion, students stopped in the streets and pointed at the couple as they made their normal rounds through Hogsmeade. Harry could see Hermione becoming a little frazzled at the attention and tried his best to make her smile. They spent their time laughing and window shopping when Harry's previous fears came to light. They were walking out of the Three Broomsticks when Harry tripped on an oversized, Hogwarts issue dress shoe. He fell unceremoniously into the mud and rolled over just in time to catch Hermione as she tripped over him. She landed straddling Harry and a flash bulb went off as she tried to push herself up off of him.
"What in the bloody hell?!" Harry growled as Hermione finally got to her feet.
"Look at this! The mudblood and Potter rolling in the mud!" Malfoy laughed hysterically. "The Prophet would give a mint for this snapshot!"
Harry's temper shot through the roof as he got to his feet but he didn't have enough time to do anything. Before anybody could react, Hermione had kneed Draco in the crotch and smashed his camera to bits in the street.
"You're lucky we're not aloud to do magic on Hogsmeade trips, Malfoy!" She spat at the groaning teenager.
Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles but paled at the murderous glare that Hermione shot them. "Oh, beat up on a girl?" She said mockingly.
"Hermione, come on." Harry said a little shaken. He put an arm around her shoulders and led her away from the Slytherin trio. Draco opened his mouth to say something and Harry shot him a look that caused the pale-skinned youth to blanch even further.
Hermione looked at Harry and grimaced. "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. I just couldn't handle it anymore. That bloody Malfoy! ARGH!" She growled angrily. "He really knows how to push people's buttons!"
"He's not worth it." Harry said quietly. "Would it be alright to change into dry clothes and spend the day at the lake? I don't get to spend time alone with you often and that's the only place I can think of that we usually are ..."
Hermione calmed herself and smiled. "Of course, Harry." She said apologetically.
"You don't have to apologize. With any luck, we won't have to worry about any future Malfoys showing up." He said with a laugh.
Hermione blushed and grinned sheepishly but said nothing.
After a quick change, Harry and Hermione made their way to the lake and enjoyed the rest of the warm afternoon. They watched the giant squid swim lazily about under the surface of the water and laughed when they talked about the second Tri-Wizard Tournament task. The conversation turned towards Harry's parents and Hermione squeezed his hand reassuringly as he talked about them.
They'd soon settled under a tree and Harry held her in his arms for the first time. She was sitting in front of him, leaning against his chest and though they were a bit nervous at first, they found that their embrace was comforting and warm.
Harry found himself distracted by the smell of her hair and couldn't place the scents. He'd always caught a whiff of her from their close proximity, but this time it was more of an aphrodisiac. They spoke quietly of the events that were happening and soon found that they were more interested in their embrace than current events. He tightened his arms around her and she breathed deeply at the sensation. He'd just laid his head on hers when a flash went off and they both looked up angry and surprised at the intrusion.
Colin was holding his camera and nearly fell into the lake at the response he'd gotten. "Don't kill me!" He shouted and covered his head quickly in an attempt to soften the retaliation that was sure to come.
Harry shook his head. "It's ok, Colin." He said guardedly as he helped Hermione to her feet. "Ask us next time. I just want two copies of that picture you just took."
Colin looked up with surprise to see his idol and his girlfriend smiling at him. "What?" He asked cautiously.
"I said, I'd like two copies of that photograph." Harry said with a laugh. "One for me and one for Hermione. But ask us next time. We came down here to be alone and it seems that didn't work either." He looked up at the darkening sky and sighed. "It looks like it's time to head back to the common room anyway." He said with a hint disappointment weaved in his voice.
Hermione smiled. "We can stay up in the common room, Harry, the day's not completely over."
They smiled at one another and Harry clapped Colin on the back as they passed. "Remember those photos." He said with a chuckle as he and Hermione started back to the castle.
The common room wasn't as deserted as they'd liked but their normal seats in front of the fireplace were open, thanks to Ron. They sat next to their redheaded friend and the three of them shared their stories of the day and their respective dates. Ron was nearly giddy with anticipation. He and Luna were going to spend the next day on the grounds and he'd spied the perfect place to get away on his way back from Hogsmeade earlier. Harry and Hermione laughed at Ron's reaction to Malfoy and his unfortunate collision with Hermione's knee and soon found that they were the only three left in the common room.
"Well, I'm going to go up to bed." Ron said with a yawn and a stretch. "See you at breakfast." He said with a grin and a wink. Before his two best friends could respond, he was up the stairs, laughing all the way.
Hermione snuggled into Harry's shoulder as he put his arm around her. Her arms gently slid around his waist and they continued their conversation from earlier. Harry felt his heart gradually beat faster and his mind start to become fuzzy as he inhaled Hermione's scent once again. He had a strange sensation as he watched his free hand slide towards her and catch her chin.
Hermione's face tilted seemingly of her own free will and the look in her eyes caught his breath in his throat. His breathing became ragged and he felt her warm, sweet breath floating over his lips. She grew warm in his arms and his nervous energy grew as her eyes fluttered closed. After an eternity, her soft, rosy lips touched his and every thought and doubt he'd had in his mind was blasted away.
She didn't seem to be able to hold herself in check either and he felt her moist tongue slip over his lips. His eyes widened at the unfamiliar request but instinctively opened his mouth. Their tongues explored each other's mouths and he could clearly taste the mint from her chewing gum she'd had before. He finally let the breath he'd been holding out through his nose and it came out as a deep moan. She pressed even further into their first kiss and brought her arms around his neck and entangled her fingers in his hair. Many minutes later, she sank into his chest and let out a shuttering breath. Harry couldn't stop smiling and looked down at the top of her head and kissed it. They enjoyed each other's company for a few more hours, sharing kisses and hugs and sighing contentedly until it was time to go to their separate rooms.
Harry smiled and looked down at his sleeping wife. He looked over at Ron and grinned. "I'm going to take sleeping beauty up to bed." He whispered quietly. Ron and Luna smiled at him.
"We'll watch Lily." Ron whispered back.
"Be back in a few minutes." Harry stood quietly and cradled his wife in his arms. She let out a whimper and wrapped her arms around his neck but didn't wake. He made it safely to their room and set her gently on the bed and after pulling her shoes off, pulled the covers over her.
"Don't go." She said sleepily and pulled at his hand. He smiled at her and climbed into bed next to her. She curled into him and wrapped an arm around his midsection.
"You ok, Love?" He asked quietly while he ran his fingers through her hair. She nodded without saying a word. "Are you sure? You've been more tired than normal lately and before you say it, yes, I know you're pregnant and I know you've had to catch up at work ... I'm just worried, Hermione."
She sighed into his chest. "I'm fine, Harry." She said adamantly. "With work and everything, I'm just not getting enough rest ..."
Harry pulled her close to him and brought her into a sweet, tender kiss. "Ok." He said reluctantly. "Just know that I'm always here for you, Love, always."
She smiled at him then buried her face in his chest accompanied by a bone-crushing hug. "I know." She said quietly.
Harry lay with his wife until he felt her slow, even breaths. He slowly got out of bed and covered her again. With a kiss to her forehead, he closed the door and made his way back outside. Children were still running around playing various games of tag, blind troll wandering, and poor little Annette was watching the other children as she clutched her stuffed dragon to her chest.
Harry walked over and sat next to the shy little girl and smiled. "Hi, Annie. Are you and Bernie having fun?"
Annie nodded and looked up at her uncle. "Bernie thinks it's gonna rain soon, Uncle Harry."
Harry looked up to the sky and smiled. "That's a smart dragon you have there." He chanced a sideways glance at the redheaded little girl who was watching him intently.
"Uncle Harry, is Aunt Hermione gonna be ok?"
"Why do you ask that?" He asked as he lay back on the grass and smiled at his niece.
"Bernie says she is scared." Annie said with a frown. "He won't tell me why. I'm scared for her."
"Would a hug help?" He asked gently. Annie was a very shy little girl and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She looked at him carefully then nodded as a tear started to form in her eye. Harry pulled her into a gentle hug and she sniffed quietly. "Feel better?" Annie nodded and smiled.
"Do hugs help Aunt Hermione feel better?" She asked quietly.
Harry laughed softly. "Sometimes they do." He admitted. "Other times she likes to read books that help her understand why she's afraid."
Annie nodded and looked at her stuffed friend. "Bernie likes books." She said with a soft smile. "He likes ones that have drawings in them. He's a silly dragon."
Harry laughed at her quiet giggles and rubbed the little girl's back. "Well, that is a really smart dragon then." He said with a grin. He looked up to see Molly bustle into the house and he looked back to the little girl. "I'm going to talk to Gramma Molly now, ok? Do you want me to read you a story later with Lily?"
Annie smiled and nodded. "Can Bernie come too?" She looked at him hopefully and smiled widely when he replied in the affirmative.
"Of course he can come." He said with a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll talk to your Dad and Mum to see if you can sleep with Lily tonight, how about that?" Annie hugged her uncle tightly and nodded again. "I'll see you in a little bit." He said with a smile and trotted to the kitchen.
He stepped into the house to see Molly filling a pitcher of water and smiled when she turned around.
"How's Hermione?" She asked with a look of worry on her face. She motioned to a chair and Harry took a seat.
"She says she's just tired." Harry admitted slowly. "But I don't know, this isn't her normal 'fingers-worked-to-the-bone' kind of tired. I'm afraid she's hiding something from me ..."
"You think so?" Molly asked sympathetically as she pulled out a chair next to him. "Could it just be morning sickness?"
"You saw her this morning, Mum, she was red-faced and stumbled. She doesn't normally do that, even when she is tired." He rubbed his face and sighed exasperatedly. "I just don't know ..."
"Give her time, dear, she'll tell you. She always does." Molly said quietly as she pulled him into a hug. "She always does ..."
Harry hugged her back and smiled. "I know she does. Something just seems off this time, that's all. I was almost ready to believe that it was a combination of work and the baby, but Annie said something..."
"She did?" Molly asked concernedly.
"Well, she used Bernie like she has before ... She said Hermione's scared." Harry shook his head. "Whenever she does that bit with her dragon it's something to make you take notice."
Molly smiled. "Hermione will tell you in her own way, Harry." She pinched his chin playfully. "That girl is stubborn, but she does know when it's time to spill it."
Harry laughed. "You're right, Mum. Well, I promised Annie that I'd talk to George and Angelina to let her spend the night with Lily. I should get them to bed."
"Don't worry, Harry. I'm sure that wife of yours is smart enough to let you know if there's a real problem or not."
Harry smiled again. "That she is ... I'll have to bring it up with her again when she's more awake." He stood and gave his mother one last hug before finding Annie's parents. They more than agreed to let him take their youngest for the night and he was soon sitting next to the bed with two attentive little girls waiting for him to read the story he held in his hands.
"There was a little boy who lived next to this great big tree." Harry began with a smile. "Every day, he'd go out to the tree and smile before he asked 'Can I climb in your branches?' to which the tree would always reply 'My branches are here for you to climb in whenever you want.'" He continued to read about the boy growing up and picking the fruits that grew on the tree, getting married in the tree's shade, and finally cutting the tree down to build a house for his new wife. He looked over the top of the book and smiled at the slumbering little girls in the bed and kissed each one goodnight. He put the book on the night table and turned to see a teary-eyed Hermione smiling at him from their bed.
"I thought you were sleeping." He said with a smile as he joined her. She pulled him into a hug and continued to cry.
"Where on earth did I find such a wonderful man like you, Harry?" She whispered into his chest. "How did I get so lucky?"
Harry smiled. "Hogwarts and I think the troll that brought us together that first Halloween if that answers your question." She sputtered a laugh and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I love you so much, Harry." She whispered into his chest.
"I love you too." He replied with a tight, yet gentle hug. "You and Lily are the best things that have ever happened to me ..."
She let out a sob and hugged him tighter.
"Shh, it's ok, Love. I'm not going anywhere." He buried his face in her hair and let her cry for a bit. "Annie said that you were scared." He told her quietly. "What are you afraid of? Is it my job?"
Hermione let out a shuddering sigh and leaned back to wipe her cheeks. "I'm a mess." She said with a laugh. "I hope you're ready for more it's only going to get worse with the hormones ..."
Harry kissed her forehead then laid his against hers. "That doesn't answer my question, Love." He said with a playful smile. "I'm not going to push you to answer, just know that I'm here to talk to, ok?"
She kissed him gently on the lips and smiled softly. "I know, Harry, I know. Can we get some sleep now?"
Harry looked at her sternly then smiled softly at the woman with tear-stained cheeks in front of him. "Of course, Love." He stood and helped her out of the bed and they changed into their pajamas. "I'm going to tell Mum that we're going to bed, I'll be right back up, ok?" Hermione nodded and climbed under the covers as he closed the door behind him.
He shook his head in defeat then let Molly know what happened before heading back to bed. She'd told him to be patient and she'd open up to him. He nodded but couldn't stop the worry building within him. Scenarios kept flashing through his head as the various things that might cause her to act the way she was filtered through his thoughts. Fear of losing him? Something wrong with the baby? Losing her job? An incurable disease? He didn't know which was worse and hoped to whatever powers that be that she wasn't dying and keeping it from him. He opened the door and saw her twinkling eyes as she watched their daughter sleep. Tears were falling down her cheeks and she wiped them away when the door opened.
"Let's get some sleep." She said with a slight smile.
Harry joined her in the bed and pulled her into a tight hug like he was keeping her from slipping away from him.
"Goodnight, Harry." She said contentedly from his chest and hugged him back with equal ferocity.
"Goodnight, Love." He whispered softly. Harry was still holding on to her long after she'd fallen asleep. The scenarios were flooding through his mind at an alarming rate and finally, he fell asleep to troubled dreams of hospitals and more than once he woke in a cold sweat to make sure she was next to him and not in the coffin that he'd just seen in a dream.