A/N: The last chapter was a total of 6,689 words. A good number if I say so myself. Anyways, back to the important stuff. JKR owns HP & co. and I own what my mind could scrounge up. I want you all to know, point of view from this point on is ominous, meaning what only Harry and Hermione think, you will see it. Just is hard to explain.
Quotes, come on people, what do you think about my quotes?
Chapter Five:
Facing the World
"Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed." - George Burns (1896-1996)
Harry awoke, revitalized from the previous night's experiences. Hermione lay against his chest, her fingers entwined with his. He knew he would not be able to survive the summer at the Dursley's, without seeing her face. And right now he knew she needed him to be there for her too. Although she had not shown it, he knew she was torn. Her emotions played upon her eyes, ones that he only he knew the answers to her questions.
"Hmmm," Hermione said as she tried to stretch in his grip.
"Good mornin' beautiful," Harry said sweetly. "How was your night?"
"Wonderful," Hermione said sitting up slightly. "How is your chest?" She was too worried at the moment to try and rest. She knew she spent the entire night on his chest, she could feel his heartbeat resounding in her chest. It matched hers, beat for everlasting beat.
"Fine," Harry chuckled. "Look." He lifted the sheet that separated them, showing the padding in the center of his chest. It hadn't bled through like the previous night. "Now, where were we?" Harry asked, wrapping his arms around her. She had quickly grabbed his glasses from the nightstand before she was pulled back into his embrace. "Ah, yes, here we were." Harry said breathing into her hair. She had taken her place back on his chest, and currently was trying not to giggle. He could not get enough of the smile, that wonderful smile that brought joy to his heart.
"Please Harry," she said as his hands began to roam to her ticklish spots, mainly her ribcage. "We wanted to talk to them today."
"Fine," Harry said. He stopped tickling her sides, but kept his hands on her. "But can we stay here, at least `til lunch."
Hermione turned to look at him, and saw the pleading in his eyes. As much as she wanted get going in the day, she knew he still was not ready to. Ron was too stubborn to see life through Harry's eyes at times. "Alright," she whispered.
"Thank you," Harry found himself saying. He did not know why, but he could not face Ron. Not until he was sure that Ron understood everything about his life. He did not have a chance to think anymore on the subject. His stomach spoke for him.
"I think we need to get you some food," Hermione said, chuckling as she patted his stomach.
"Would you like breakfast in bed?" Harry asked, pulling her tighter against his chest. He really did not want to leave. If he left the bed, that would mean he was better and then Hermione would not be able to help him any more. On the outside, maybe, but inside, it still ached when there were not people around who loved him and it nearly killed him when Hermione was not there.
"Whatever you like," Hermione said with a smile. "But come lunch," she was back into her bossy mode at this point.
"Yes, Mione," Harry said, kissing her lightly on the lips. "We will eat lunch with the rest of the household, but you have to help me walk still." She nodded with a smile on her face.
Hermione loved it that he would now only accept her help. He had never before really been open about asking for help, but if he needed it, she was there to give it to him, unconditionally. From what she knew about his childhood, he needed the love that she gave the most.
"What would you like?" Harry asked.
"Anything would be nice," Hermione said with a smile. "We both haven't eaten in the last few days much."
"Dobby!" Harry yelled. Dobby came in his usual manner, rather abruptly and not exactly where Harry would have liked him to be. Dobby stood at the foot of the bed, looking at both Harry and Hermione in turns. "Could you get us some breakfast please?"
"Breakfast is overs sir," Dobby said, looking down at the floor. "`Tis about lunch." Hermione and Harry shared a set of looks before they looked back at Dobby.
"Then can you bring us some lunch?" Hermione asked. Dobby nodded and apparated out of the room. "He better bring a lot. I'm starving." Harry chuckled lightly as she drew circles on his stomach over the sheets. He never would have thought of the day when Hermione would want to eat a lot. Granted, she always at her share, but it never was half as much as Ron would try to devour.
"Alright Mione," Harry said. He took a deep breath of her hair and relaxed from the fragrant scent that came from her. "My angel, my wonderful angel."
"I'm an angel?" Hermione asked. She looked up at him in shock. She had never been called that before, and yet somehow, it lifted her heart higher than any other name Harry had called her before. He nodded and it caused her face to blush. "I'm not that perfect."
"Yes you are," Harry said. He lifted her chin to get her to stare into his eyes. "You are the best thing that has happened in my life, and my heart tells me you are perfect for me." He kissed her lightly, never braking contact with her eyes.
"Thank you," Hermione said still blushing. Krum had never said things this nice. He just complained to her that all she talked about was Harry. It was not her fault her mind had a one track mind when she got nervous. "How do you know what to say?"
"Hmm?" Harry asked. His head was back into her wild hair, and it looked like he was not paying attention to her. "You say something beautiful?" She blushed once more, and shook her head.
"Never mind Harry," Hermione said, sitting up. Dobby popped back into the room and held a tray in his small hands.
"Miss, here is your lunch," Dobby said, placing the tray on the chest at the end of the bed. "Anything else?"
"No thank you, Dobby," Hermione said, crawling out of the covers to grab the tray. Harry had to smile, she was perfect, right down to her- "You need anything Harry?" He shook his head and tried to maintain the picture she just gave him. "Thank you again Dobby." The elf gave a creepy smile and left. "What are you smiling about?" He looked at her for a moment before he grabbed a sandwich.
"Never mind," he said. He kept the smile as a blush crept over her face. She must have had some clue as to what he was thinking about. He never had any experience with girls before, with the exception of Cho but that was a horse of different color. Somehow with Hermione he was able to convey everything he felt so easily as if she would know what he was thinking without saying it.
"How do you do that?" Hermione asked. She took a sandwich and leaned against him as she ate.
"Do what?" Harry said. He smiled at her, though was completely in the dark about her question.
"Make me feel loved," Hermione said, as he brought an arm around her.
"That is a very simple question," Harry said with a large smile. He kissed her lightly on the lips. "Because I've been learning from the best."
"Who?" Hermione asked. The answer was not simple; it only made things worse in her mind. She felt a pang of jealous as she went through several women's names, trying to find the one that taught him.
"For someone who is a great teacher, you sure can be dense sometimes," Harry said. He gave her another light kiss as she tried to find the words. The look in her eyes was unexplainable. Awe combined with shear love. "I love you, Mione."
"I love you too," Hermione said, finally regaining her voice. She had never been complimented like that before. Harry's simplest charms were driving her heart wild. She was sure it never had beaten so fast before in his life. She felt Harry pull her closer, capturing her lips once more. "Now," she said, pulling back from his lips. She was slightly out of breath and felt the blush rush to her face. "Let's finish lunch then study a little bit."
Harry nodded as he took another bite out of his sandwich. He found himself staring at her as she slowly ate. She seemed to be trying to avoid eye contact with him, and every time she did look, her face turned a red hue.
Hermione knew he was staring at her, she could feel it. And every time she looked up, it only made the beating in her heart even worse. "Why did that smile of his have to be so perfect?" She thought as she finished her sandwich. Harry was already done with his and once more was lying down, staring at the ceiling
"Harry?" Hermione said. She felt a knot rise in her throat as she spoke. "Are you okay?" the worry melted away at his smile.
"Come here," he held out his arms waiting for her. She lay back down, nuzzling next to him. "I'm fine, just a little winded."
"You shouldn't have eaten so fast," Hermione said, looking up at him. Harry knew she was deeply concerned about him. It showed in her every move. From her kiss to the look in her eyes. She radiated care and love.
"I know," Harry said, taking deep breaths. "Can you help me to the bathroom?" He turned his head to look at her.
"Sure," she said with a smile. It was taking all of her control not to blush at the thoughts she was having at the moment.
Harry sat up slowly and slid his feet toward the edge of the bed. Hermione crawled off and stood before him. Holding her hands out, he grasped onto them, and together lifted him off the bed. He quickly wrapped an arm around her waist before the blood began to rush to his head.
"Ready?" Hermione asked as she grabbed his other hand. He nodded, trying to clear his mind. They walked together, going slowly toward the bathroom. Hermione opened the door for him as he walked in, grasping onto the counter for balance. "You will call me if you need help, right?" Harry nodded as he attempted to stand up straight.
"What would I do without you?" Harry said, looking at her.
"Probably lie in bed all day," Hermione said jokingly. He only returned her smile.
"I love you Mione," he said. She walked into the bathroom and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
"Get real clean for me," Hermione said. As much as he wanted to protect her from the outside world, she wanted to protect him more from his own nightmares. Maybe that is why they worked so well together. "We'll study after I shower."
"Yes Mione," Harry said as she walked out. He turned toward the shower and shut the door. He could do this; he could last a few minutes without her. He'd have to learn to live without her during Hogwarts. But that was not for another month or so. He could enjoy her as she was for the time being.
Hermione picked out the clothes for him and opened the door to the bathroom. She placed them on top of the counter and hoped he did not hear. Her face was already burning red from embarrassment. Not that she did not mind picking out his clothes, but she felt uneasy putting them in the bathroom, with him only a few feet away, showering, and naked. She blushed once more at the thought as she sat down in a chair.
Picking up the book she was reading the day before, she began to map out what they were to do for the day. As she finished a chapter and her plan for the day, Harry stepped slowly out of the bathroom, steam following him. His face was red, either from the fact he took a hot shower or he realized he forgot his clothes. He held his shirt in his hand as he walked over to her. The bandage was no longer on and she could see the beginning of a deep scar forming on his chest.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, jumping out of her seat. She rushed over to his said and wrapped him in a hug. "How is it?"
"Better," he said with a smile. She moved her hand over it, slightly touching the scar itself. "I'm just hoping Madame Pomfrey will find something to get rid of the scar. I really don't need another one." He shivered underneath the touch as she pulled back. "Your turn, angel." He kissed her lightly before turning her toward the bathroom. "Are you going to get your clothes?" He quickly wanted to avert what happened with him, happened to her. As much as his body wanted to walk in on her naked, his mind and heart told him that he would have to wait until she was ready to show him. Just like she waited to see him
"From my room," Hermione said with a smile, trying to hold back her blush. "But after I shower, we are going to move my stuff in here."
"You sure?" Harry asked, surprised at him implication. She was going to make it official and spend the rest of the summer in his room with him. She nodded and kissed his cheek lightly.
"No peeking," she said with a playful tone. She knew full well that he would not do that to her, she just wanted to see him blush. And he did.
"Alright, Mione," Harry said, walking slowly back to the seat she was just in. "You come get me when you're ready." Hermione nodded and turned into toward the bathroom.
Harry picked up the book he was reading the day before, the one on enchantments and began to dive further into it. He wanted to know if the possibilities of a protection and how to incorporated it into a medallion or something similar. Maybe a ring or an amulet. He was beginning to understand how to perform the incantations for such materials and wanted to talk to Dumbledore about it, when Hermione walked into the room, dressed in a soft pink shirt and pale blue capris. He felt his jaw drop to the floor as he looked her over.
"Well?" Hermione asked, stopping several feet away from the door.
"Well what?" Harry said, pulling his tongue out his throat.
"What do you think?" she asked sheepishly. He smiled as he stood and slowly walked over to her.
"You look wonderful," said Harry. He kissed her cheek lightly. "Now let's go move your clothes." He picked up her right hand in his and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Although he could walk normally, he still liked to walk like this and be this close to her.
"Fine, but we'll take it slow, okay?" Hermione said, making sure he understood. She figured at the rate they were walking, it may take them all afternoon to move everything, but that would be alright. He needed to get his mind off everything that happened and she needed to keep her mind off where her family was at the moment. She could still feel her parents like Harry had told her she would, but she could not feel her sister, Juliet. She was going to ask Dumbledore about it as soon as dinner came around.
They spent the better part of the afternoon moving all of her clothes from her room to his. Harry felt comfort in knowing that even with her a few feet away he still felt the warmth in his heart. Not as strong as when she touched his skin, but it was there nevertheless. It began to wonder if it was ever going away, and then resented the thought. He did not want to go away; he wanted it to grow stronger with each passing day. He knew he would need it, especially when he wanted to talk with Ron after dinner.
Around mid-afternoon, they had finished. Hermione led Harry back to their room, now that everything she had with her was in the room. The closet where Harry had placed his dress robes in it was mostly filled with her clothing. Their trunks sat side by side at the edge of the bed. What room was left in the bookshelves was filled with Hermione's books. Crookshanks had taken residence on one of the chairs and looked extremely at peace. He looked exactly how Harry felt.
"Now what?" Hermione asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. She wanted to read or at the very least study , but knew Harry probably wouldn't.
"How about you read to me?" Harry asked, looking over from his position by the bathroom door. He slowly began to walk over to the bed and carefully fell on to the covers.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. Harry felt her stand up from the bed and walk over to his side. He did not know what caused him to say it, all he knew was that it was music to hear Hermione speak, and what better why to accommodate what she wanted to do, obviously read and let Harry have what he wanted.
"Which one?" Hermione asked. She could not believe, Harry wanted her to read to him. Maybe he would actually get something outside that thick skull of his.
"Hogwarts, a History," Harry said with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, trying to suppress a smile. She loved that book; it had to be one of her favorite. He nodded, kissing her lightly on the forehead. She quickly hopped out of the bed and ran over to her trunk. In a flash, she found her book and was back by his side. "Ready?" Her eyes were bright and cheerful as she looked at him.
"Ready when you are," Harry said. He brought her closer as she opened the book.
And so, she read to him. Lying on the bed next to one another, neither could have ever dreamed such a thing could happen to them. Harry finally had found someone who loved him for who he was and Hermione had found a boy that saw past the books to the woman she was underneath, and accepted her with his heart and soul. After a while, Harry took up reading to Hermione. She had then wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer, resting her head on his chest. She eventually fell asleep, but Harry kept reading aloud. He found himself enjoying the book, and surprisingly found himself understanding everything better by reading aloud.
He spent several more hours, reading to himself and a sleeping Hermione on his chest. The clock read four thirty on the nightstand, and he felt his stomach speaking for him once more. "Angel," Harry whispered into her ear. She shivered as he began to run his hand up her spine. "Mione, time to wake up."
"Five more minutes," she mumbled. She squeezed Harry tighter and buried her face further in his chest.
"Mione, if you don't get up soon," Harry whispered, continuing to rub her back. "You'll feel my manhood in a few moments." Her face shot up, and met his. He was blushing deep red, but only kissed her gently as she rolled off of him.
"Sorry," she whispered, slightly embarrassed. In truth she had felt it, but was too content in her dream of Harry to really care. She knew her face was going to be matching his in a matter of moments. "What time is it?" She stretched and felt his fingers lightly graze her forehead. Crookshanks meowed once and hopped onto the bed. "Looks like its dinner time."
"About four-thirty," Harry said, sitting up. "Are you hungry?" His arm brought her closer to him once more. She nodded as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Well, why not go downstairs and see how everyone else is?"
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, searching Harry's eyes. He smiled at her as she stared at him. And slowly she returned it. She found the emotions she was looking for; behind the love and understanding, was the fear she was looking for. Nothing serious, just the fear of what Ron might do and how everyone will react to them together.
"No, but you wanted to eat dinner with everyone else," Harry said, trying to smile. He felt nervous as she stared at him. He really did not want to, but with Hermione, he felt like he could face Voldemort and possible win. "You have to stay by my side." He said this forcefully and stared at her just as deeply as she stared at him.
"I already told you I'd never leave you," Hermione said, kissing his lips lightly. "Now, are you ready?" She looked at him once more, grasping his hand. He nodded once and she slid off the bed, still holding his hand. He followed her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Harry said as they slowly began to walk toward the door. Although he had not had any dizzy spells that day, he did not want to take the chance without Madame Pomfrey's consent that everything was alright.
The hallways seemed empty and there seemed to be light conversation floating up from the lower levels. Harry exchanged a look with Hermione before the continued down the hallway and down the stairs. They took the stairs slowly, halting at the bottom for a moment. Hermione insisted they take it slow as not to further complicate Harry's injuries. He did not mind as long as he got to stay close to her. Once they reached the source of the conversation, Harry stopped walking. He looked at Hermione, unsure of what to do. She nodded once, almost reading his mind as he stood up straight and opened the door.
The conversation stopped immediately as they entered. The Weasleys, Dumbledore, Aberforth, Serge and his daughter were sitting at a table, with a mound of food in front of them. Ron sat with his back to them, and made no movement to look over at them. "Please, take a seat," Dumbledore said, motioning toward a set of empty chairs by Serge. "I'm glad that you could join us."
"So am I," Hermione said as she walked to her seat. Harry stood behind and pulled the chair out and helped her into it before sitting himself. She smiled at Harry, but could not help but see the glare from Ron. Somehow, Harry was able to get food on her plate by the time see turned back from look at Ron. He now was starting on his own meal, prompting Hermione to do the same.
"Feeling better Harry?" Serge asked as he continued his meal. Him, Dumbledore and Aberforth were the only ones to do so. Harry finally took the time to see that both Lupin and Tonks were not present at the table.
"Yeah," Harry said as he felt Hermione pick up his hand much. He looked over at Grace who across from him. She stared him a few moments before blushing and turning away.
"Don't mind her," Serge said with a laugh. The little girl glared at her father, but quickly looked back her plate. "You're training begins tomorrow, Harry." He began to eat and there came uproar from the other end of the table. Immediately questions began to come from the Weasleys.
"No! You can not train him to fight!" Mrs. Weasleys said. She stood up with such a strong force that her chair fell over.
"Mrs. Weasley, I did not believe you had a say in the matter," Serge said without look at her. He continued to eat as if nothing happened. Harry was surprised that he had not even flinched at Mrs. Weasley's words. He knew she was protective of him, but she did have a tendency to go over board at times.
"Who are you to decide when a boy should go to war?" Mrs. Weasley said venomously as she tried to stare down Serge. Her husband tried to calm her down, but she just shrugged him off.
"And who are you to decide what is war?" Serge said finally looked up. "Grace, please leave the table."
"But dad-" she pleaded with him. He looked over quickly at her.
"I will have Grandpa come get you when it is time for dessert," Serge said his eyes softening. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand tightly. She knew that was going to be the type of father that Harry would be: a man that could be stern and loving at the same time. Grace looked over at Dumbledore who nodded at her. The old man still held a twinkling in his eyes as he sat, watching the exchange.
"Grace, I have a cat in my room that needs to be feed," Hermione said to the young girl before she could leave. "Could you-" She was cut off by a squeal of joy.
"Can I?" Grace said, looking between Serge and Hermione.
"If it is alright with her," Serge said with a smile. He leaned over to Harry and whispered something as Grace and Hermione spoke of how to take care of the cat. "Don't expect to see the cat for a while. Gracy loves animals, especially dogs and cats. She wants me to get a dog for her for Hogwarts, but I know they don't allow it. Something about them having to be house trained or something." Serge shrugged his shoulders and laughed once. Dumbledore just shook his head and held the small smile on his face. Harry tried to suppress a chuckle as he realized what they were talking about. Hermione looked over at him, confusion written on her face. Grace had already left and Serge looked like he was ready to begin again.
"Madame, you know nothing of war," Serge said, folding his hands in front of him. Harry noticed the brown glove was still on his right but he no longer wore one on his left. "You know nothing of sacrifice for a greater good. Because you are a witch, and you have not seen a war as a Muggle has seen it."
"Who are you to tell me what a war because of some Muggles?" Mrs. Weasley said. Her face was a dark red and her breathing deep.
"Because I not only lived as a Muggle for the majority of my life," Serge said, finally standing up and staring at Mrs. Weasley, "I'm one of those damn crazy Yanks that go off to war." Harry felt his jaw hit the floor. He had noticed the Serge spoke slightly differently, but had never really pointed it toward being an American. He looked over Hermione who was sharing the same shock. "I never went to a school for magic, never had the sense or patience for such things. I was drafted in 1971, when I was seventeen years of age."
"Before you continue," Dumbledore said interrupting his grandson. "Silencio." He pointed his wand to the ceiling, soundproofing the room.
"Alright, as I was saying, I was drafted and sent to fuckin' Vietnam," Serge spat and grabbed his glove from his right hand. He threw it onto the table as everyone gasped at it. His eyes waved with passion and fury as he spoke. "I gave my right hand to braver men than you'll ever meet. I watched as fires hotter than hell engulf men of the strongest will and I can hear their screams at night to this day. I've lifted men off the ground by the legs only to have their legs slip out of my hands, leaving the burnt skin. I was there for three days and I've seen move hell that you probably saw with all of you combined." Hermione and Harry exchanged looks. There was no way Serge was forty some odd year old. He looked way too young, almost like he was in his mid-thirties, maybe even early twenties .
"Wait a minute; we lived through Voldemort's first reign of terror," Mister Weasley said standing up.
"You know nothing of terror," Serge said venomously. "You know nothing about terror until you see the bullets pierce your buddy's shoulder, five feet in front of you, and watch him scream in horror; you know nothing about terror until you watch a man burn alive, their eyes staring right at you as they die in your arms. I've felt terror; there are whole nights when the screams keep me awake. Don't you dare tell me what terror is your British cocky bastard." He began to turn around picking up the glove as he did when Bill and Charlie stood up from their chairs. Harry felt Hermione clinging to him, as a sense of dread overwhelmed him.
"Who are you to talk to us like you know what is going on?" Charlie asked. By now the rest of the Weasley men were standing.
"I am an American," Serge said. He began to turn and walk away. Hermione squeeze Harry's hand tighter as she watched Serge's left hand slid into his jacket.
"That gives you no right," Charlie said taking a step forward. "Apologies to my parents." He placed his hand on Serge's shoulder and attempted to turn him around. Serge spun around, his left hand pulling something out of his jacket as he did so. With a quick low kick, Charlie was on the ground, and Serge stood facing him, a pistol held in his hands.
"I will apologize for nothing I have done wrong," Serge said, his finger playing over the trigger of the pistol. "I've seen more blood split in one life time than you may ever know. You wizards are damn pacifists compared to the men I watched fight and die. You have nothing on the men we fought. You, Mister Weasley, may think you are ready for this `war,' as you call it, but you know nothing. You know nothing about anything, chief." Serge twirled the gun in his hand once before placing in his belt. "Now, are you going to get up off the floor and let me explain a few lessons in life to you or are you going to stay there?" Harry felt his heart relax and well as Hermione's hold.
"What do you want?" Charlie said, taking Serge's hand up.
"I want you to understand what you are up against," Serge sat back down in his chair.
"Then why did you yell at us?" Bill asked as Mrs. Weasley glared at Serge.
"I only answered appropriately to your mother's outburst," Serge said, looking from Bill to Mrs. Weasley. "You, need to understand that these children, your children grow up and are right now about the age when they would have been drafted in America. I am the one who will train the students at the Hogwarts to defend with some basic spells that may, hear the `may', that may help them defend from Muggle attacks. Now, I'm a parent too, and I know that you don't want your children to leave, but that is a process of life."
"Well, that seems like sufficient for tonight," Dumbledore spoke standing up from his chair. "If you will, we will head to the library for dessert which I believe Dobby had already for us." Harry stood as well, helping Hermione from her chair. "I want you two to stay," Dumbledore said and then turned to Ron. "You too Mister Weasley. There are things that you must work out and tonight is probably for the best." Dumbledore ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Ron, Hermione and Harry alone.
"Why were you two sleeping together when you said you weren't together?" Ron asked, standing up from his chair when Dumbledore closed the doors.
"We are together," Harry said, trying to remain calm. He kept one hand on Hermione's and the other on his wand. "She is helping me get over what you did to me."
"That wasn't me," Ron said.
"I know," Harry said, looking at Hermione. She looked at him confused, but did not say anything. "But you were the one who stormed into our room last night. And you get angry again, I'll send you through the wall again."
"You get everything," Ron exclaimed, turning his back to them. "All I get is hand-me-down everything. You have all the money in the world."
"Ron, do you know what comes with that money," Hermione said, standing up to face Ron. She was the one angry this time. How dare he care about something as trivial as that. Ron kept his back to them and his arms crossed. This only made her angrier. "Harry spent the first eleven years of his life without enough food, without a family, and without love. You forgot that to have hand-me-downs, you need a family. Harry got them too, but at least yours fit you.
"Why didn't you give me a chance?" Ron said looking lost. "You knew I liked her Harry, why did you have to go and steal her from me?" Hermione glared at him. He was too childish to think of anyone beside himself.
"I chose Harry," Hermione said, looking back at him. "And I am not something you can steal or purchase. Harry has been helping me through some of my own problems and I helped him through Sirius, just like I said we should've at the end of school."
"Ron, you have to grow up," Harry said, walking over to Hermione's side. It helped him find strength knowing what he felt in his heart and what she said were one and the same. "There is a war brewing, and we are going to be in the middle of it. Hermione, me and you, Ron, we are all apart of this and we can't let petty differences get between us. Ron, I love Hermione, and probably always have. What you don't understand is that I need her more than life itself." Ron looked up at him.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, looking back at them.
"Hermione has brought me out a depression," Harry said, picking up her hand. "Now, she's helping me heal through the damage that you did to me. She's helping me keep Voldemort out of my mind. But most of all, she has kept my soul." Harry shook his head, knowing Ron would not understand. There was no way anyone but Hermione would understand. She kept him whole and honest with himself. Because if he knew it, then she most likely did too.
"Harry has done wonders for my confidence," Hermione said, looking at him. "He's made me feel like … like a girl, like a woman. And all he has done is kissed me." She squeezed his hand, smiling. She could not believe that she found her knight in shining armor under her nose.
"Ron, I've never had someone like Hermione who has loved me unconditionally and completely and truthfully as she has." Harry said, trying to get his friend to understand. "She's been my second chance at life. And this is one that I'm not going to let you or Voldemort or anyone ruin it for me." He stared at Ron as he spoke. Hermione knew his feelings already and Ron needed to get it through his thick skull that nothing would change it. "I'm telling you now Ron, I still want to be your friend, we both do, but you have to realize that I love Hermione, and nothing, not even when the world is gone and I'm standing at the end of time will that change. I love Hermione Jane Granger. And come hell or high water, I still will." Harry had grabbed Ron by his shoulders to get him to face him. "But because I love her, it will change nothing between us; you still are my friend, my brother even. And I need you as well, you are apart of my family, and that is what I need the most right now in this world. A family." He let go of Ron's shoulders and stepped back to Hermione's side. Her jaw was open in awe and he placed his finger on her chin, lifting it back in place.
Hermione knew she had heard those words told to her, countless times within the last two days. But hearing Harry tell them to someone sparked something inside of her. She could not explain it, but she knew it was something powerful, something wonderful growing inside her now. And right now, she did the only thing she could think of: cry and hug Harry to death.
"Sssh," Harry said, trying to comfort her. He no longer cared what Ron thought. He had the facts, and now it was time for him to decide what to do with them all. And vaguely, he heard someone leave the room, and a door slammed shut. And only then did his tears join Hermione's.