"You're a wreck Potter…relax," Harry told himself as he nervously awaited Hermione's return. He quickly looked around the room for a much-needed distraction and spotted the worn photo album given to him by Hagrid during his first year at Hogwarts. That book had become his life preserver over the past few years. Whenever it all got to be too much the pictures inside that book would calm him and restore his hope. As he pulled the album to his lap a hint of the sadness he had felt for so many years briefly returned, but it was different this time. Always in the past he wished that his parents were alive for him…so he would be happy. But tonight he wished they were there so he could express his profound appreciation for the sacrifice they had made. They gave him life…twice.
He opened the book just like he had done a thousand times before and looked at the first page. It was a picture of his parents while they were still at Hogwarts, about the same age as he and Hermione. The expressions on their faces matched what he had been feeling all that night. Happiness. Pure, unadulterated happiness. In his first few years at school he was never able to grasp how two people could look that joyous…like nothing and no one could destroy their mood. He always hoped that some day, if he survived long enough, he might find that in someone. Little did he know at the time that someone sat right next to him on many occasions while he had looked at that very picture.
The next page showed another trio. Mum, dad, and baby Harry smiling and waving at the camera. Being only a few months old, Harry could not wave his arm by himself. His dad had done the trick, gently moving his wrist while his mother held him and kissed his forehead. It had always been his favorite picture and it touched his heart more deeply than ever that night. He gently traced the outline of his parents' faces as a warm smile grew on his face. "Thank you," he whispered.
"They know," Hermione spoke from behind as she placed her hands on his shoulders. She had returned quietly and was watching as Harry had lost himself in the pictures.
"They know what?"
"They know what you've done. They know who you've become. They're proud of you… I can feel it Harry."
A lone tear fell on the picture and was quickly wiped away by Harry, embarrassed that he had cried for the second time that evening. Hermione's hands left his shoulders as she wrapped her arms around him from behind and gently kissed his cheek. "Remember what you said Harry? No more tears tonight."
Her words warmed him as his eyes dried and his smile grew larger. She was right…he felt it as well. Somehow his parents knew that their sacrifice had been worth it. Their son had survived because of what they had done and he was now as happy as they had once been. "Thank you Hermione," he softly spoke as he pushed himself up and turned around to look in her eyes. "I suppose I did set the ground rules for the evening and I've already violated them once. Wouldn't want to upset the Prefect with my incessant rule-breaking."
Hermione grabbed his cane with one hand and gave it to Harry. She then took his free hand and began pulling him slowly toward the door. "That's better. Now let's go before I have to start deducting points."
Before they made it to the door Harry pulled back on her arm and enveloped her in a hug. "Not yet" was all he said as he continued to hold her close. His heart soared as he felt her sink into his body in an attempt to get as close as possible. As he held her the smiles his parents held in that picture flew back into his mind. What he had told her earlier was true. All the misery he had endured had been worth it. He could not imagine being happier than he was at that moment while they held each other in silence.
Worried that Harry was upset, Hermione finally broke the silence. She gently spoke as she pulled him tighter. "Harry, are you okay?"
He slowly pulled away and kissed her on the forehead. "Never better," were his only words as he smiled and looked into her eyes. "We can go now."
Hermione reached a hand up and gently caressed his cheek. "We are going to be so good together Harry. Tonight has been wonderful." She grabbed the invisibility cloak and covered them both, standing as close to Harry as possible. "And it's only the beginning," she murmured as they quietly made their way down the steps.
As they slowly crossed the common room she could feel his breath on her neck. The sensation was unlike anything she had ever felt before. It exemplified everything she had craved from him for so long. She could literally feel him…his presence. Her stomach lurched as they approached the first step of the stairwell leading to her room. This was it. Her old life was officially over and the new adventure was about to begin.
Hermione purposefully slowed her steps as they made their way up the stairs. The anticipation was beginning to take hold and she desperately clung to any bit of self-control she had. Harry stopped holding her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist as they approached the top step, bringing them even closer. She closed her eyes and absorbed the feel of him…his arm, his waist, his head gently resting against hers now…it was bliss. As she lost herself in these thoughts she unknowingly had stopped walking into her room. Harry's voice broke her out of the trance.
"Mione are you all right?"
She slowly opened her eyes and gazed into his. Always in the past she had forced herself to look away from them when their gaze met hers…but not tonight. She stared into them and lost herself once again. "This is heaven," she thought as she responded to his question wearing a warm smile. "Never better."
Harry smiled at her words and leaned down for a gentle kiss. The cloak was dropped as they slowly made their way to Hermione's bed, never relinquishing the kiss. Harry's knees buckled as they hit the bed and he sat down. Hermione leaned down with him, refusing for the kiss to end. Eventually she pulled away and quickly made her way over to shut and lock the door. She then pulled out her wand and uttered another locking charm as well as a silencing spell on the room. As she made her way back to him she saw a look of insecurity grow on Harry's face as he began to speak.
"Hermione…I'm not sure we should do this."
She was stunned. The evening had been so perfect. All her doubts about his feelings toward her had been erased. But now he seemed hesitant…unsure of his emotions. "What do you mean Harry?" was all she could say as the worries grew in her mind.
"I think I know where we are headed…and believe me I want it to head that way. It's just…I've never done that before…and with my leg in the shape it's in…well I don't want you to be disappointed."
He was nervous, the most powerful teenage wizard in the history of magic was nervous. She slowly ran her fingers through his hair and began to speak. "Harry, whatever happens…it will not be a disappointment. I've only been disappointed with you once in my life."
Harry was surprised at her words. "When did I disappoint you? The Firebolt thing?"
She laughed and sat down next to him resting her head on his shoulder. "No it was not when you were angry with me about the Firebolt. I expected you to be angry about that and you definitely met my expectations."
He laughed as he recalled how stupidly he and Ron had behaved. "Sorry about that."
She grabbed his hand and continued. "It was the first time I met you actually. I had read so much about you after I received my Hogwarts letter I had concocted an outrageous picture in my head of what you would look like. A foot taller than everyone else…devastatingly handsome…rippling muscles."
Harry remembered what he looked like at that age and chuckled at how wrong she had been. "Hermione I was only eleven! At least you got the devastatingly handsome part right."
"Very funny Harry. I know it was silly. But when I met you I really was surprised and a little disappointed that you were just like everyone else. But I was wrong. Even before we became friends I watched you and saw how you treated people…how you always defended Neville and Ron…how you came after me when the troll was in the castle. You were not and are not like everyone else Harry." Hermione then lifted her head and looked into those eyes again. "I had no idea what to expect when you came back tonight. For once in my life I had no plan for what was going to happen and it's been wonderful. Whatever we can or can't do…it doesn't really matter. I know it will be perfect either way."
"Really?" was the only response Harry could muster.
Hermione giggled slightly and replied. "You still have no idea what kind of affect you have on me do you? I think you could sit here all night and read out loud from one of those Quidditch books you and Ron like so much and I still wouldn't be able to take my eyes off of you."
"Maybe tomorrow night" was all Harry said as he lifted a hand and caressed her cheek. Hermione closed her eyes once again and let his touch overtake her. His hand left her face and made its way to the back of her neck and slowly pulled her towards him for another kiss.
They stayed that way for what seemed like a lifetime, neither one wanting to end the moment. As the kiss finally ended Hermione gently pushed on Harry's shoulders until he was lying down. She reached her leg over so she was straddling him and slowly began unbuttoning his shirt, never breaking eye contact. "Remember what I said, whatever happens tonight…it will be-"
But her words were interrupted by another kiss from Harry. It was clear that the words she had spoken had released all of the insecurities he had been holding in his mind. He attacked her mouth with a ferocity she had not quite expected and she was overwhelmed. He slowly pulled away and finished her sentence. "-wonderful."
As she continued to unbutton his shirt Harry stared into those wonderful brown eyes, still not believing his tremendous good fortune that night "Merlin it really has been a good week," was the last thought that ran through Harry's mind before he lost himself in Hermione for the remainder of the evening.