You Don't Know Me

Chapter Twenty-Six

The photograph appeared the next morning in The Daily Prophet following an article on Remus' speech. Hermione laughed when she saw the small headline in the gossip pages, and she wandered back into Harry's room to show it to him. He was still fast asleep until she jumped onto the bed. He awoke with a start but grinned when he saw who it was, and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back into bed and into his side in a hug.

“What are you laughing about so early in the morning?”

“The Daily Prophet.” She said with a grin, handing over the paper open to page 7. Harry raised his eyebrows but took the paper and scanned through the short article.

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Too close?

The trio were out in force last night to hear Remus Lupin and Severus Snape present their groundbreaking work as detailed on Page One. As usual, where the trio go, speculation follows after. Conscientious fans had wondered whether Harry Potter and Hermione Granger would choose this high profile event to unveil their new partners to the world, instead they arrived and left together. As the above picture demonstrates they appear as close as ever, and some have questioned whether any other individual could ever successfully infiltrate this close relationship.

With Memorial weekend fast approaching both Harry and Hermione are scheduled to make several public appearances, along with Ron Weasley, and perhaps their mysterious partners. Or will these relationships fizzle out in the glare of media attention that follows the youngsters wherever they go?

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“Hmm, I don't think you'll be too intimidated by the media attention.” Harry said with a grin, rolling over to face Hermione. She grinned back at him.

“No, I think I can handle the media. What about you Mr. Potter - can you handle all the attention?” Hermione teased. Harry pretended to consider the question, before beginning a short tickle war.

Hermione held up her hands in surrender.

“Ok, ok, you can handle it, you win!” She laughed. “Right, I've got to go get ready for work. I'll see you about five…are you really not going to tell me what we're doing tonight?”

“Nope. You'll just have to be patient.” Harry replied with an infuriating grin. Hermione rolled her eyes at him as she climbed off the bed and made her way to the door.

Hermione arrived home to find the place empty. She flicked the lights on and looked around her in confusion until she spied a note on the kitchen counter.

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`Mione

I hope work wasn't too hectic today.

The rose on your bed is a Portkey - it will activate at 7pm exactly. See you then.

All my love,

Harry

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Hermione grinned and picked up the note. Trust Harry to be all secretive and romantic. Wandering into her room, and stowing her work on her desk she studied the rose on her bed. It was a `peace' rose, her favourite variety - she must have told him at some point; though she was amazed he'd remembered. She smiled again and headed into her bathroom to have a shower.

At 7pm Hermione picked up the rose and felt the familiar tug behind her navel as she was dragged to her destination. Opening her eyes again she found herself standing in Kings Cross Station, she smiled a little nervously and turned around to see a very familiar piece of wall dividing platforms 9 and 10. Glancing around her surreptitiously she saw that the platforms were empty and wondering what on earth Harry was up to she walked through the divide to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Standing before her in the darkness was the gleaming Hogwarts Express, the platform was strung with fairy lights, she gasped and walked forwards slowly towards the train, taking in the sight before her. She instinctively walked past the first five carriages and stopped at the carriage they had travelled in on their very first journey to Hogwarts so many years ago. As she went to step onto the train a hand appeared before her to help her up.

“Hey Harry.”

She looked up to see him looking so perfect in that shirt she'd always loved, and she smiled.

“Hey `Mione.”

“What have you been up to?” She asked with a smile as she took his hand and was led into the carriage where it had all begun. It had now been transfigured to hold a small dinner table decked out with a white linen tablecloth, the entire carriage was covered in fairy lights and candles.

Harry watched her take it all in, and standing behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist hugging her tightly.

“Well, I called in a few favours…what better place to have or first proper date than the place we first met.” Harry said, leaning down and kissing the top of her head gently. Hermione turned around; Harry's arms still around her waist and smiled up at him.

“I love you.”

“There was something I was going to ask you later on, but, well, this just seems the right moment…'Mione, Hermione - I know this might seem sudden, but we've been friends for so many years, and I love you more than anything in the world. I want to wake up every single morning just like this morning, with you beside me, and I want the first and last words I say every day to be to you. Every time you smile I just want to freeze the memory in my brain. I want to be with you forever.” Their eyes were locked together, and Harry saw tears in Hermione's eyes as he took one hand from around her waist and reached into his pocket to retrieve a small jewellery box. Opening it he revealed the antique solitaire diamond ring enclosed.

“Hermione Jane Granger - Will you marry me?”

Very slowly Hermione placed her hands on Harry's cheeks and kissed him lovingly. As she pulled away she beamed at him.

“Yes. Of course I'll marry you Harry.”

The smile on his face could have lit up a Quidditch pitch as he flung his arms around her once more and spun her in a circle, before placing her feet back on the ground and kissing her tenderly.

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Epilogue:

Potter and Granger to Marry

The Wizarding World was both surprised and delighted to discover at last nights Memorial Weekend Charity Ball that our most eligible bachelor Harry Potter and most eligible `bachelorette' Hermione Granger have found love, in each other. Yes, the mystery partners these two elusive members of the trio have been keeping so quiet about are in fact each other. The couple arrived together to the ball, Mr. Potter looking dashingly handsome in his dress robes, and Ms. Granger looking positively stunning in her gowns designed by school friend Lavender Brown. In a brief statement on the red carpet the couple announced that they had been together for some time and were very happy. They were inseparable for the rest of the night, staying close to one another on the dance floor and enjoying the company of their close friends at dinner. By the time Ms. Granger took the stage for her keynote speech the news of their relationship had spread throughout the ballroom. Famous for not discussing her private life Ms. Granger in fact spoke of their relationship during her speech, choosing the moment to the bombshell on the toast of Wizarding Society. Drawing attention to the purpose of the charity ball she reminded those in attendance that whilst it was Memorial weekend and that “we should never forget those lost, those near and dear to each one of us, nor the sacrifices made by so many, we must remember that we were lucky enough to survive. We survived for a reason, to make sure future generations remember what was learnt, and to cherish what we have been gifted in peace. Every child born into our community must learn of this fight - essentially the battle of good over evil. Our children must learn what we have learned, not only the bad, but the good. It may seem odd to say this, but we must be thankful also. Great things have come from great suffering. Great happiness has emerged from great sorrow. This isn't simply some detached keynote speech - every one of you here tonight knows that I suffered the loss of close friends, those I considered family, but I was lucky enough to have people around me who helped me see the good. We are free from tyranny. We are free to be happy. And on a personal note as I'm sure the news of our relationship has spread, Harry and I would like to take the opportunity to announce that we've had the gift of being happy together, (at this point Mr. Potter joined Ms. Granger on the stage, and after sharing a private smile Ms. Granger continued) and that we are engaged to be married.”

The reaction to Ms. Grangers speech was emotional, those having suffered similar losses reduced to happy tears, so many see `the golden couple' as representing the hopes for the future, and symbolising the rebuilding of the Wizarding world after such tragedy and despair. Mr. Potter ended the official speeches with a simple and heartfelt toast: “To those lost - we will always remember. And to the future - we will always be thankful.”

The Daily Prophet takes this opportunity to express our heartfelt congratulations to both Mr. Potter and Miss. Granger and wishes them every happiness for the future.

THE END

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