You Don't Know Me

Thank you so much to everyone who's reviewed all of my Fics recently - sorry it's been so long since I last posted - hopefully it wont be so long between posts this time. Hope you enjoy this chapter:

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Hermione would you give me a hand in the kitchen?” Elizabeth Granger called out. Hermione stood and left Harry and her Dad to chat, entering the kitchen knowing exactly what was about to come.

Elizabeth stood leaning against the counter watching her daughter with the hint of a smile playing at her lips.

“So how long have you and Harry been `you and Harry'?”

Hermione grinned.

“Are you sure you're not a witch Mum? There must been some Seer blood in you…”

“Answer the question Hermione.”

“A few days.” Hermione replied with a grin she couldn't keep from her face.

“Congratulations darling. I've never seen the two of you so happy…you know he's loved you for a long time?”

“You knew?” Hermione asked, confused.

Elizabeth Granger placed an arm on her daughters shoulder.

“If you're in a room he lights up and his eyes never leave you. He always knows exactly where you are. He dotes on you…you two really are perfect for one another - you know you've loved him for a long time too - you just didn't see it. You've been protecting him since you were eleven years old. I couldn't be happier for you. I didn't really know what to say when you said yes to Jack's proposal - I knew I would have to talk to you eventually, but I'm glad you realised for yourself. It means more that way.”

“Thanks Mum. Sometimes you're too clever for your own good you know…”

“People have said the same about you too…” Hermione laughed and hugged her Mum as they made their way back to the living room.

“How long before Dad notices?” She asked in a teasing voice.

“Probably not until you two kiss in front of him.” Elizabeth laughed.

“What's so funny?” Robert Granger asked as his wife and daughter re-entered the room.

Harry looked up and his eyes sparkled as Hermione smiled at him, their gazes caught. Elizabeth Granger watched them happily, and kissed the top of her husband's head before announcing that lunch was ready.

Hermione held Harry back in the living room for a moment, and pulled him into a tight hug. He hugged her back, tilting her chin up so he could see her face.

“What's this for?” He asked softly.

“I just like being close to you.” She said simply, reaching up and kissing him softly on the lips.

“Well I'm rather fond of being this close to you as well Miss Granger, but don't you think we ought to tell your parents before they find us kissing in their living room?”

“Mum knows.” Hermione replied, hugging him again.

“And?”

“She couldn't be happier. I think she's been plotting for it all along.” Hermione laughed, taking his hand and leading him through to the dining room.

It was as Harry stood to help Hermione carry dishes to the kitchen that Robert Granger finally clicked. Harry had automatically placed his hand in the small of Hermione's back as they stood, and they shared a secret smile. Robert shot an extremely confused and questioningly look at his wife, who following his gaze simply smiled and nodded. Robert smiled, his little girl was in safe hands with Harry, and he could already tell how happy she was. She had bubbled over with chatter at dinner and had smiled continuously; he'd also never heard Harry laugh so much.

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Walking through Diagon Alley later that night, Hermione smiled to herself thinking of how well the day had gone, her parents having been thrilled by the announcement, yet her smile faltered a little when she thought of how little time she and Harry had had together in the past two days. Harry, as if sensing her unease reached over to take her hand, which he raised to his face and kissed gently, placing his thumb over the stop he's kissed as if to hold it in place. Hermione felt a blush creep up her cheeks and she smiled to herself, squeezing his hand gently.

“Are you sure you're ok going to this talk tonight?” Harry asked her.

Hermione stopped in the street and turned to look at him.

“Of course Harry. I mean, I'd really like us to spend some time alone together, but this talk is important! I'd have to hex you if you cancelled at the last minute.” Harry grinned at her before pulling her into a tight hug and kissing her forehead.

“How about tomorrow night, if you don't have too much work to do, we'll have a proper date. Just the two of us?”

Harry was rewarded for this suggestion by a firm kiss on the lips and a smiling girlfriend.

“I'll take that as a yes then.” He grinned as they resumed walking.

“You know it's going to be so hard not to hug and kiss you tonight in front of everyone. I don't like having to keep this a secret.” Harry sighed.

“I feel the same way Harry, and I'm beginning to wonder why we have to keep this a secret. I know the press will be all over us, but I don't think it will be negative press for once, and the longer we leave them hanging the worse it will be. Ron and Laurie really wouldn't mind us saying anything now either…oh to be honest Harry I just hate keeping secrets!” Hermione finally said, her speech a little rushed. Harry stopped again and looked at the exasperated woman he was in love with.

“I was thinking the same thing.” Harry said sheepishly.

“I just want everyone to know we're together.”

Hermione smiled at him and kissed him again.

“We'll have to handle this right…we want to be in control of the situation.” Harry said, almost as a question, knowing Hermione would know what to do. Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Well, tonight is all about honouring Remus, but you don't have a game this weekend because of memorial day on Wednesday, and the press will be rehashing all the old news because of it, maybe this IS the right time, remembering that after the war, good things can happen.”

They smiled at each other once more before entering the assembly hall where Remus' speech was taking place. Had Harry decided not to come tonight she would have hexed him to Timbuktu and back before coming by herself. But she knew Harry would never do that, Remus was incredibly important to the both of them, and this speech was an important moment in his life. Still lightly holding onto Harry's hand, their fingers entwined, they made their way through the crowds milling around and took their seats at the front of the hall, stopping to greet friends and former teachers on the way. They attracted no more attention than usual, as many of the gathered witches and wizards knew them, however, Hermione did reluctantly let go of Harry's hand as they took their seats, seeing the lingering photographers looking in their direction. Only as the lights dimmed for the speeches to begin did Harry reach across and link his fingers with her own again, glancing across at him she smiled in the dim light as Remus and Severus Snape took to the stage to officially announce and discuss their discovery of a cure for werewolfism.

Finding Ron and Laurie after the applause had died down, the four of them waited to talk to Remus, and to congratulate him.

“You two are being a bit daring tonight with all these reporters here.” Ron commented, observing Harry and Hermione.

Hermione looked up in surprise, and then realised that she and Harry were standing with their arms around each others waists in a relaxed and affectionate manner. She went to pull her arm away but Harry caught it.

“We might as well give it up `Mione. We're no good at staying away from one another.” Harry chuckled softly and pulled her to his side in a loose hug.

“I guess we could just not say anything for the moment, and if they notice, they notice.” Hermione admitted, looking up at her boyfriend with a smile.

“Now you see I like that plan much better - I get to stay near you.”

Ron listened to this exchange with an amused smile, hugging his fiancée to his side and kissing the top of her head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a sudden movement which his years of training alerted him too, he saw both Harry and Hermione's eyes dart in the same direction, and they all saw the photographer lower his camera.

“Oh well, we'll let them speculate, and we'll announce at the weekend.” Hermione said remarkable calmly, Laurie watched everything with a slightly shell-shocked expression. She so often forget what the three of them had been through, and that even now, years later, they were all still on alert, ready to fight. Ron, feeling a little discomforted himself with the memories that were flooding back in that short moment, wrapped his arm more tightly around her, and sharing a look of complete understanding with his two best friends, they said goodnight.