Chapter Twelve
Remus knocked on the door and hearing no reply he opened the door gently and stuck his head in. He smiled as he saw the two teenagers still fast asleep, he guessed they had been up late last night after Harry's nightmare, he knew that he hadn't been able to get back to sleep very easily after the shock of Harry's anguished yells. He shook his head despairingly, silently promising Lily, James and Sirius that he'd keep a closer eye on Harry from now on, though he had a feeling Hermione was looking out for him also.
Harry sat up and Remus smiled.
"Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas Remus." Harry said climbing out of bed and hugging Remus good morning.
"I'll leave you to wake Hermione up, we're all meeting around the Christmas Tree in fifteen minutes to open presents." Remus said excitedly and Harry laughed.
"Alright, see you down there." Harry replied as Remus left the room.
Harry stood and watched Hermione sleep for a moment, convincing himself that the night before hadn't been a dream, he really had told her, and she loved him too.
He leant over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Hermione, time to wake up." He said quietly.
"Harry?" She asked sleepily as her eyelids fluttered open. She smiled as she saw him standing next to her bed.
"Morning."
"Happy Christmas Harry." She said a little shyly.
Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at her a little anxiously.
"What is it Harry?" She asked sitting up.
"You…well, you haven't changed your mind about last night?" He asked quietly, avoiding her gaze. Hermione reached out and turned his head to look at her.
"No. I haven't changed my mind and I'm not going to. I love you Harry Potter and you're not getting rid of me that easily!" She teased.
Harry's face lit up and he threw his arms around her in a strong hug. She laughed lightly and hugged him back.
Harry brushed Hermione's hair away from her eyes and kissed her lightly.
"I love you too."
They sat grinning at each other like idiots for a minute before Harry remembered why he had woken her up.
"Oh! We need to meet the others by the tree in just under ten minutes to start opening presents." He remembered, and laughed as Hermione's eyes lit up at the mention of presents.
He pulled her to her feet and grabbing a jumper threw it on over his pyjamas. Hermione grabbed her wand and with a quick incantation her hair was back under control. Harry handed her one of his jumpers to wear and smiling she took it with a grin as she followed him out of the room and down the stairs.
^You know you're not getting this jumper back again.^ She teased him silently.
^I've been wondering about that…why do girls steal guys clothes?^ He asked.
^Because they're comfy and they make us look all tiny and adorable of course.^ Hermione replied, laughing out loud and sticking out her tongue at him as she moved past him. Harry laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder protectively.
^Aw, but you're always adorable.^ He told her simply.
Hermione blushed scarlet and Harry laughed again at her embarrassment thinking it made her even more adorable, he kissed the top of her head as they turned the corner and entered the living room.
The rest of Christmas Day was spent happily unwrapping presents, eating too much and playing games around a large roaring fire. Harry and Hermione shared many secret smiles as they had silent conversations with one another, trying to make each other laugh, and receiving some confused looks from Hermione's parents and Tonks though Remus simply grinned whenever this happened and remembered similar situations with James and Lily. He felt closer to his lost friends than he had in such a long time, pleased to be passing on family traditions to Harry and to be sharing them with him.
^Ok you win the bet, Remus fell asleep before your Dad, I can't believe I forgot there's a full moon in two days.^ Harry said silently to Hermione.
She grinned at him from the chair next to him.
^That's because you only the days of the week apart by the Quiddich schedule. Now you owe me a Butter Beer next Hogsmeade weekend^ She teased him. Harry stuck his tongue out at his girlfriend good-naturedly and rested his head against the back of his seat.
^Thanks Mione…^
^What for?^ She asked, looking over at him.
^This Christmas…I know you're behind a lot of it, and it means a lot to me. It's the best holiday I've ever had.^ He told her sincerely.
They smiled at each other and Hermione reached over and placed her hand in his.
^I'm going to go get a drink. Meet me in the kitchen?^ She asked with a wink. Harry grinned and nodded.
Hermione took drink orders from her Mum and Tonks before heading to the kitchen. Harry followed a minute later saying he was going to help her carry the drinks through.
Harry looked around when he entered the kitchen wondering where Hermione had gone when she appeared right behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
^I've wanted to do that all day^ Hermione admitted blushing as she pulled away. Harry pulled her closer to him in a hug.
^So have I.^ He said with a smile.
^Is it strange that this isn't strange?^ He asked, looking down at her and winding a strand of her hair around his finger.
Hermione looked thoughtful.
^I don't think so. We're best friends, we have been for a long time. A lot of people have been trying to get us together for some time now.^ She said.
^Really? Who's been trying to set us up?^ He asked curiously.
^Well, Lavender, Ron and Ginny to start with, and I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of our friends weren't involved, as well as Remus and Tonks.^ Hermione said with a raised eyebrow.
^You see, this is one of the reasons I need you around, you actually notice these things. They probably talked about it right in front of me and I didn't notice…that does explain why Ron kept not turning up for our study sessions…^ Harry said as the light dawned on him. Hermione laughed lightly as she kissed him on the cheek before moving to retrieve mugs for the tea.
A not so subtle cough brought their attention back to the now boiled kettle several minutes later as Mrs. Granger and Tonks stood in the doorway having come to see what was delaying Harry and Hermione in the kitchen.
Harry and Hermione abruptly pulled apart and blushed bright red as Tonks laughed and Mrs. Granger raised her eyebrows questioningly, though there was laughter in her eyes at having caught the teenagers kissing.
"Ah Mum, did I mention that Harry was my boyfriend?" Hermione said sheepishly, taking Harry's hand.
"No I think you managed to neglect that little fact my dear! At least I know why the tea isn't made yet."
Harry had no idea what to do, and couldn't tell whether Mrs. Granger was angry or not.
"We'll get back to that then." Hermione said with a giggle that her Mother soon caught to Harry's relief, and he busied himself pouring milk into mugs while Mrs. Granger whispered something in her daughter's ear causing Hermione to laugh again. He watched them with a smile before turning to follow Tonks back to the living room and rescuing the tray of drinks from her before it fell.
Remus awoke as Harry sat the cups of tea down on the table and Tonks whispered something in his ear that had Remus chuckling and raising an eyebrow at Harry.
"So you finally made your move then Harry?" He asked with a grin.
Harry tried to keep his blush at bay and nodded.
"I gave her the book as an early Christmas present."
Remus nodded with a smile, the only person who would understand the reference.
"So when are you planning to tell everyone about this?" Remus asked Harry quietly.
"I have no idea. We haven't had a chance to talk about it, and I don't want to put her at greater risk because of Voldemort…" Harry said knowing that Remus would understand his concerns.
"Talk to her Harry, Hermione has a good head on her shoulders, and you can't make the decision for her no matter how much you want to protect her. Remember that Harry." Remus advised him. Harry nodded.
"I know."
Their conversation was interrupted as Hermione and her Mother returned from the kitchen arm in arm and woke Mr. Granger from his Christmas afternoon nap.
Harry's mind did return to the subject several times during the evening however, as he sat on a sofa with Hermione curled up at his side, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched 'Lady and the Tramp', one of Hermione's favourite films.
^So you want a puppy for Christmas next year?^ He teased Hermione.
She grinned and leant her head back to look up at him.
^If we could find one that Crookshanks liked.^ Hermione replied.
Harry kissed the end of her nose and thought that they still had a week to discuss things before returning to Hogwarts, it was time to make the most of the holidays.