Oopsy - thanks for pointing out my typo back in chapter eleven - brain must have been taking a nap - of course Hermione walks into the Three Broomsticks and not the Leaky Cauldron. Big thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story.
Chapter Twelve
Hermione turned in surprise to see Harry there, and hastily wiped a hand across her eyes to hide her tears.
"Hi Harry."
When he didn't immediately sit down she looked closer at his face, and as she saw the confusion in his eyes, she gasped.
"You heard?"
Harry simply nodded, not breaking eye contact. Hermione stood, and looked down at her hands.
"I'm so sorry Harry…I…" She turned to run away, but Harry firmly caught her arm. Hermione looked back at him, tears still falling gently down her face, shocked that the anger she'd seen in his eyes only seconds before seemed to have vanished. He pulled her gently back towards him and wrapped her up in a tight hug.
After a moment, the silence became a little awkward as neither Harry nor Hermione knew what to say to the other for the first time in many years. Hermione gently pulled away and slowly lifted her gaze to meet Harry's again.
"We should talk." He said quietly. Hermione nodded and taking the hand he offered her, followed him out of the pub and through the streets of Hogsmeade.
Madam Rosmerta watched them go with a smile; they were so like Lily and James.
After ten minutes Hermione couldn't take it anymore, they were now well away from the village, almost on the outskirts of the Hogwarts grounds and Harry had not said a word since they left the Three Broomsticks and she was itching to know what was going through that head of his.
"Harry?"
She turned and gaped at him as she heard him chuckle.
"What?"
"I was just wondering how long before the silence would drive you insane, you lasted longer than I thought you would."
Hermione's lips twitched into the hint of a smile as she elbowed him lightly in the ribs.
"Very funny Potter."
They stood smiling at each other for a moment, until Hermione spoke again.
"I'm sorry Harry, I never meant for you to find out that way."
"You mean you never meant for me to find out?" Harry said a little more harshly than he'd intended.
"No Harry." Hermione placed a hand on his arm.
"I was planning to tell you. I've thought about nothing else for days, you deserved to know why I really went away after graduation. I'm so sorry I had to lie to you. Hopefully you understand why?"
Harry looked at her thoughtfully.
"I was angry you'd lied to me, but I've had a little while to think about it, and Rosmerta kicked me in the right direction - you did it for the right reasons I suppose, looking back I guess finally finding what I wanted to do wouldn't have been quite the same if I hadn't had to do it myself…is…is that the only thing you're sorry for?" They looked at each other intensely.
"Yes. I'll never be sorry for how I feel about you Harry. I'm just sorry I left without explaining why. As much as I love my job, I've hated being away. I officially accepted Dumbledore's job-offer this morning."
Harry watched her silently for a moment; his expressive green eyes for once a complete mystery to Hermione.
"Why are you coming home now?" Harry asked, already half knowing the answer, but needing to hear it directly.
"Because I want to, and because I think you love me too."
They looked at each other for a moment before Harry's mouth twitched into a grin.
He took a step towards her and ran a hand lightly across her cheek.
"You know you're too smart for your own good sometimes Miss. Granger?" Hermione smiled up at him.
"That's Professor Granger…But you love me anyway?" She teased, though there was a hint of doubt in her voice as she asked the question.
"Yes, I love you." Harry whispered as he leaned closer and kissed her very gently on the lips. Hermione grinned against his lips for a brief moment before looping her arm behind his neck to pull him closer, and kissing him passionately.
They stood, several minutes' later, foreheads resting against one another, grinning like idiots at each other.
"Now, that was definitely worth the wait." Harry said with a wink.
Hermione laughed and threw her arms around him in a tight hug as he laughed with her.
"It was definitely worth it." She grinned into his shoulder.
"How about that lunch you were ordering earlier?" Harry suggested after they had stood alternately kissing and grinning at each other for nearly half an hour.
"At the Three Broomsticks?"
Harry nodded.
"Lead the way then. What were you going in this afternoon for anyway?" Hermione asked, inwardly grinning with glee as Harry wrapped his arm possessively around her waist as they walked back towards Hogsmeade village.
"I have to sign a few renewal contracts with suppliers and breweries and Rosmerta is going to supervise, and go after the last few running details before she closes on Sunday." Hermione nodded her understanding.
"So have you set a date for the grand reopening yet?"
"I think I'm going to give us three weeks to get all the changes finished then reopen on the Friday night?" Harry said, asking for Hermione's approval.
"Seems logical…very unlike you Harry." She teased.
"Hey!" Harry tickled her, and their progress into the village was halted by a brief tickle attack followed by some not so brief kissing.
They resumed their walking, Harry hugging Hermione to his side.
"I spoke to Dumbledore this morning about the possibility of me living in Hogsmeade." Hermione said softly.
"And?" Harry asked tensely.
"He didn't see a problem with establishing some kind of connection between my chambers at the school, and the Three Broomsticks so I can nearly always stay at home overnight as long as I still fulfil my duties as a Professor."
Harry placed his other arm around Hermione and swung her around while she laughed. Putting her down gently he grinned at her.
"That just makes everything perfect. You'll be home."
They stood smiling at each other yet again until Hermione started laughing, grabbing his hand and dragging him towards the pub.
"Come on Harry, I don't know about you but I'm hungry and Rosmerta promised me my favourite soup."
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