Tidbits of Love by Jacy Rating: PG13 Ship: Harry & Hermione Canon: Books 1 - 4 Genre: Drama, Romance Status: In progress Length: 3,963 words in 7 chapters Published: 16 Feb 2003 Last updated: 8 Apr 2003 A few H/Hr scenes from a crossover story I wrote...they're short, but sweet :) From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/236/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Chapter 1 A/N: I’m not entirely sure why I did this, but I was re-reading a Buffy/HP crossover fic of mine (you can access it on fanfiction.net if you want to read it. It’s called Hell Hath No Fury.) and it’s sequel, and I realized that I had some good H/Hr moments. So, here they are, for your viewing pleasure. There’s only a few and they’re short, but I like them :) Disclaimer: As always, I am neither JK Rowling nor anyone else that has anything to do with Harry Potter…damnit… ~* Tidbits of Love *~ Scene One: Background Information – Hermione brought up Harry’s “problems” with Dementors in his third year in an attempt to keep him from facing a boggart during a Halloween Ball. Harry is upset with her. This is the scene that follows… She knew he was angry. She just knew it. She just didn’t know why. After the scene outside of the classroom, Harry hadn’t come back to the Great Hall. Nobody knew where he was, but a few people said they saw him heading towards the Astronomy tower. So that’s where Hermione headed. And sure enough, there he was, staring out the window. “Harry?” No answer. “Harry, are you mad at me?” Silence, before, “Why did you have to bring up that whole thing with the Dementors?” “Oh Christ Harry, is that what this is about? Your pride?” Harry spun around. “You didn’t have to bring it up ‘Mione! Malfoy’s finally stopped talking about me fainting, and you had to go and dredge it up again!” “Well you’re the fool who was going to go face a boggart which could very well turn into a Dementor! I was just looking out for you!” “Looking out for me? Looking out for me?! Damnit Hermione, I can take care of myself!” “Yeh and some bloody good job you’re doing of it! Do you think I like watching you put yourself in danger? This isn’t about your pride Harry! It’s about – “ She never got to finish her sentence because Harry cut her off with kiss. Her eyes shot open and then shut again as she slid her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. When Harry finally pulled away, Hermione kept her arms wrapped around his shoulders. “I’m sorry.” They both said together. “For what?” Still together. “You go – “Laughter. “Go first Harry.” “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I shouldn’t have.” “I’m sorry for brining up the whole Dementor thing.” “I’m sorry for kissing you.” Hermione just looked at him, shocked. “What?” “Harry Potter, that is one thing you never have to be sorry about.” She initiated the kiss this time. She felt his hands go under the straps of her dress and she shivered. “Am I interrupting something?” ‘Ohgodohgodohgodohgod…’ Hermione thought frantically. It was Professor McGonagall. “Explain yourselves.” “Well, you see,” she said slowly, “Harry came up here because he was mad and I followed him because I wanted to know why and then we got into a fight and – yeah.” “I see. Be that as it may, twenty points from Gryffindor for being in a place you weren’t supposed to be. And next time, save it for somewhere a little more private.” They nodded. “Get back to your Common Room.” She smirked as they walked out blushing, but still holding hands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Chapter 2 Scene Two: Background Information – Harry and Hermione have just gotten through an INCREDIBLY emotional fight that put one of their friends in a coma. Hermione comforts Harry, and Harry makes the mistake of not telling her something…until later. "Harry," Hermione said slowly, "Are you alright? Harry?" "Yeah. Yes, I'm fine. I mean, as fine as I can be." Hermione put a hand over a cut above his eye. "You're hurt." "I'll live." Hermione saw the guilty look in his eyes. "Harry, look at me." "'Mione - " Hermione grabbed his chin and forced him to look into her eyes. "Don't you DARE blame yourself for this Harry. This isn't your fault. This isn't anyone's fault but Voldemort's." She put a hand on both of his cheeks. "I love you." She kissed him. "I love you so much. But this isn't your fault." She kissed him again. "Do you hear me?" Harry nodded. Hermione kissed his forehead, a bit disappointed. "Good." ~* Later on that day…*~ Harry found Hermione out by the lake. "'Mione?" Hermione was facing the water. She had her back turned to Harry. "Hermione." Hermione was looking tearfully out onto the water. "Are you okay?" "Honestly? No, Harry. I'm not okay." Harry was confused. "But - Dawn's fine. You just saw her. She's awake. She'll be okay." "They love each other, Harry. At least they both know." "I don't understand." "I didn't expect you to." Hermione began to walk off, but Harry grabbed her arm. Her eyes met his and she was only upset further. "You don't get it, so you?" "Hermione, I don't - " "You never said it back Harry!" Harry mentally slapped himself in the face. He finally understood. Out on the lawn before - she told him she loved him and this whole time, he hadn't said it back. "Don't you Harry?" Hermione asked softly. Harry pulled her towards him and kissed her, putting all of himself into it. He wanted to show her how much he really loved her. Love wasn't even the right word. It was something even more then that. "Hermione Granger, I love you." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I love you more then I could ever express with words." He kissed her again. "I love you." He murmured against her mouth. She kissed him back. "I love you too." !!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Chapter 3 Scene Three: Background Information – This is Harry and Hermione’s First Time- not smutty, but kinda fluffy actually ;P 3:00 AM Hermione was awakened by a soft kiss on her lips. She was still sitting in the Common Room with a book in her lap. "Mmm..." She opened her eyes. "This is a very pleasant way to be awakened." "I thought so." He went to pull her to her feet. "C'mon." "What?" "I have a surprise for you." He yanked her up. "Harry, it's three in the morning and I'm in my pajamas." "I know, but I want to show you something." 'You weren't so anxious when we were in my room earlier.' Hermione thought. They were alone, kissing like there was no tomorrow, but it hadn't gone any farther, even though she desperately wanted it to. She loved him - what was it going to take for him to see that? He said it once but - she wanted to her it again. Grumbling, Hermione climbed with Harry under the Invisibility Cloak. "This had better be worth it, Potter." Harry grinned mischievously. "Oh believe me Granger, it is." The trip through the hallways with Harry was both silent and very uneventful. She kept glancing at him and he had that same goofy smile plastered on his face. When they reached what Hermione recognized as the Astronomy Tower, Harry crept up behind Hermione and covered her eyes. "What are you - " "Shh." The sound if his whisper made her tingle all over. The feeling was only personified as he kissed her neck slowly and deliberately. Hermione melted in his arms. "Alohomora," Harry muttered and then whispered, right next to her ear, "Take ten steps and then keep your eyes closed." She nodded. "One, two, three." He whispered. Harry's hands were still over her eyes. She was finding it increasingly difficult to count with the feeling of his breath on her neck. "Eight, nine, ten." Harry stepped away, and Hermione couldn't help but be disappointed. He must have opened a window, because she felt a cool breeze in the room. She suddenly realized how warm the room was - or was that just her? "Okay." Harry said. "Open your eyes." Hermione opened her eyes slowly and had to bite back a gasp. The room was full of small, lit candles. She looked out the window and saw the lake in the moonlight. It was absolutely beautiful. "Well?" Hermione faced him. "It's perfect." She said smiling. "Perfect for what, exactly?" Harry said, putting his hands around his waist. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed his earlobe, sending shivers down his spine. She whispered, "Something like this," and pulled his mouth to hers. They didn't waste any time. In a matter of minutes, Harry's tee shirt was on the ground and Hermione's sweatshirt was gone, leaving her in a camisole, and him topless. Hermione pulled back for just a second and looked into his eyes. She kissed him and said, "I love you." Harry kissed her. "I love you too." That was all the confirmation she needed. They kissed again, this time a little more driven then before, and...you can decide how the scene plays out. 6:00 AM Hermione awoke contentedly curled in Harry's arms. The sun was just coming up and she wrapped her robes around her as she went over to the window. She felt Harry come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him. He kissed the top of her head. "We should go down to breakfast." Hermione said sighing. Harry turned her around. "In a little while." He kissed her, slowly and thoroughly, putting his whole self into it. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss. This, in her eyes, was absolutely perfect. ~* This is the next day, but I thought it was funny, so I put it in… *~ "Harry, your girlfriend wants you." Harry was yanked out of the stupor he had fallen into and glanced around for Hermione. Sirius laughed. "Oh, that was great - the same trick worked on your father." He was still laughing. "Shut up Sirius." Sirius wiped the tears from his eyes and cleared his throat. "So, how are things between you and Hermione?" "I love her." He said honestly. "Ah, yes. Love. I knew you did. The way you two were always giving each other googly eyes all the time - and don't deny it. It's like your father and your mother all over again. And Prongs denied it too." Harry grumbled something under his breath. "Sirius, stop torturing the boy, really," Remus said smiling. "Harry, Dumbledore wants to see you, Hermione and Ron." Harry nodded and walked off. "Bye lover!" Sirus called across the room. Hermione glowered at him and Harry hid his face in his hands. Ron and Dawn couldn't stop laughing. !! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Chapter 4 Scene Four: Background Information – okay, so Harry and Hermione had a fight about…stuff (you’ll probably be able to figure out what “stuff” just from the conversation they have in this scene) and this is when they make up. Harry nodded. "I'll go speak with Sirius." He walked over to a clearing near the Shrieking Shack. Hermione rocked back and forth on her heels, looked towards the clearing, bit her lip, and looked at Ron, who nodded. Hermione walked after him. "Harry!" Harry's shoulders tensed and he turned around. "Yes Hermione?" Hermione walked up to him and just looked into his eyes. "I love you Harry. I can't do this anymore. I miss you. I want you back so much, but - I don't know if I can trust you." "Hermione, I - " Hermione held up a hand. "Wait. Let me finish. I want to trust you. I do. But - I don't know if I can forgive her." She looked up into his eyes, her own eyes shining with tears. "Don't you love me?" Harry felt tears welling up in his own eyes, and he swallowed, trying to force them away. "You don't know how much it hurts to hear you ask that. I love you. I love you more then you'll ever know and knowing that I've made you doubt that makes me feel like - " "Shh..." The tears were steadily falling down Hermione's cheeks as she lifted a hand to his cheek to brush away a single tear. "I love you." She threw her arms around Harry and hugged him. He buried his face in her shoulder. They stood there like that for a few minutes before Hermione pulled away. "Go. I'll still be here when you get back. I promise." Harry completely pulled away and said "I love you too," before apparating away. Hermione stood there, watching the space where Harry had been. Ron came up behind her and put his arms around her. She leaned back into his chest. "I couldn't do it anymore, Ron. I love him. I need him back in my arms." "I know." Ron leaned his head on top of hers. "I know." !! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Chapter 5 Scene Five: Background Information – And this is where they “make up”…hint hint…no ACTUAL smut though. Sorry people. Harry came back to see Hermione curled up in a ball on the bed in their room. Their room. That would sound so much nicer if it didn't mean that now they would have to talk. He absentmindedly wondered if Ron and Dawn were talking at this very moment. He couldn't tell, even though their room was right next door. Harry went over to Hermione and kissed her forehead. She stirred, but didn't awaken, so Harry contented himself with just watching her sleep for a while. He lay down next to her, and was dozing off when he felt a lazy hand caress his cheek. He opened his eyes to reveal Hermione looking over at him, eyes tired, but full of want and need. For him. Harry reached over and kissed her gently. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was, how he would never turn away from her like this again, how happy he was that she had forgiven him, that nothing in his life made sense unless she was a part of it - but most of all, how much he loved her. "Are you sure you don't want to - " "Shh...." Hermione said, shushing him with a kiss. "Act now. Talk later." She grinned, as if a thought had just occurred to her. "After all, actions speak louder then words." Harry smiled. "Funny you should say that. Because I was just about to let you know how much you really mean to me." He swept her up into his arms. "And I didn't intend on saying a word." She wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed. "I love you." "I love you too." "Then show me." And he proceeded to do just that. !! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Chapter 6 Scene Six: Background Info – It’s pretty self-explanatory, really. Harry asks Hermione to the Halloween Ball after Ron pressures him to just get it over with already. “Potter, if you don’t ask Hermione to the Halloween Ball, I’m going to do it for you.” Harry glanced up at Ron and glared. “Why do you insist on torturing me?” Ron grinned. “Because Malfoy isn’t here to torture you for me.” He sobered a bit, “C’mon Harry! What’s the worst that could happen?” “She’ll say no.” “Yes, well, rejection is a bitch, but I’ve gotten over it.” Harry couldn’t help but smile a bit at that. In their Fifth Year, it was common knowledge that Ron had a fairly large crush on Hermione. When he asked her out, almost positive that she felt the same way, she said yes and went out on one date – and it was a complete disaster. She broke it to him easy that things wouldn’t work out, and, though he would never admit it out loud, Harry was jumping for joy. On the inside of course – And in the empty dormitory. Same thing. “Just go for it Harry.” He pushed Harry towards the girl’s dormitory where Hermione, as Head Girl, had her own room. “Now.” Harry glanced behind him. Might as well get this over with Potter. He won’t leave you alone until you do. He sighed, resigned, and walked up the stairs towards Hermione’s room. Taking a breath, he knocked on the door. Hermione was laying on her stomach on her bed in a pair of red and gold plaid pajama pants and a red tank top, attempting to start her report for Buffy and Faith’s class. She sighed as she heard the knock at her door. “Who is it?” “It’s Harry.” Hermione hesitated a moment when she realized what she was wearing. Oh stop it Granger, its not like he’s never seen you in a tank top before. “Come in Harry. The door’s open.” Harry stepped in and closed the door behind him. Hermione sat up and closed the book she was reading and Harry had to bite back a sigh. “Harry – is something wrong? You look nervous.” She could see it in his eyes. Plus, he was scratching his arm, a nervous habit he seemed to have picked up Sirius. “No – nothing’s wrong.” Harry sat down on her bed, and Hermione couldn’t help but think that he looked perfect just sitting there, even if he did look incredibly uncomfortable. “Yes, there’s something bothering you. You’re scratching your arm and you only do that when you’re nervous.” “I just – I need to ask you something, but I’m not sure how.” Hermione laughed a little. “Harry, it’s just me. You can tell me anything, you know that.” Harry nodded. “I know.” He took a breath and said, very quickly, “WouldyouwanttogototheHalloweenDancewithme?” Hermione’s heart skipped a beat. “What was that?” Harry swallowed. “I asked if – if you would be my date for the Halloween Dance.” He looked up at her with bated breath. Say yes, please say yes, please say yes… YES!!! Hermione’s stomach was doing flip flops, and she tried to remain calm as she said, “Of course I would Harry.” Harry looked at her, blinking, “Really?” Hermione laughed at the surprised look on his face. “Really.” She adjusted his glasses, which were leaning a little to the side. Harry grinned boyishly, and Hermione had to bite back a sigh. He really is adorable when he smiles like that… “Great.” Harry got up off the bed, and did something that he had never done before – he gave her a quick kiss before getting up and walking to the door. Hermione was in shock, but she regained her composure enough to go after him. “Harry!” Harry spun around just to be met in another kiss from Hermione. After the initial shock of her openness, he wrapped his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss. She twined her arms around his neck and in his hair and sighed before pulling away. She looked at him and gave him one of those innocent smiles that so few girls Harry knew could pull off, but Hermione could do so well, and Harry smiled right back. He had the same smile on his face when he went back to his room – Where Ron, as Harry expected, was sitting on the floor waiting for him to come back. Ron saw the goofy-happy smile on Harry’s face and his eyes widened. “Bloody hell – she kissed you didn’t she?!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Chapter 7 Scene Seven: Background Information - Harry has just found out about a prophecy that foretells of the fall of Voldemort – and that he is the one leading the fight. He walks out without a word, wanting to be alone with his thoughts for a while, but Hermione follows him. Harry didn’t know where he was headed. He let his feet carry him wherever they wanted to go. He ended up wandering into a hidden room near Gryffindor Tower. He pushed the door open and closed it behind him. Harry looked across the room and was surprised to see the Mirror of Erised, his own reflection staring back at him - for the time being. Harry heard the door open and knew who it was right away. He could see her, even with his eyes closed. He knew her better then he knew himself, but at the moment, he just wanted to be alone. “Go away Hermione.” Hermione closed the door behind her and started walking slowly towards him. Neither of them saw Buffy slip into the shadows. “No.” She continued walking over to him. Hermione cautiously planned what she was going to say. She knew he was hanging by a loose thread, and she had to pick her battles carefully. Harry still had his eyes closed. He didn’t hear Hermione come up behind him and he jumped when he felt her arms slip around his waist. “Harry, I need you to listen to me. I need to ask you a question.” Harry didn’t say anything, so she continued. “Look into the mirror. And tell me what you see.” She could actually feel his shoulders sag, his muscles tense. “Hermione, I don’t – “ “Six years ago you would have done anything to be able to look into this mirror, see your desire reflected back.” She stood on her toes and kissed the back of his shoulder. “Tell me.” She knew what Harry would see – he never had to tell her. The feeling in the pit of her stomach, the tug at her heart when he told her about the mirror, what its purpose was, told her everything she needed to know. Harry walked over to the mirror and opened his eyes. Hermione stood behind him, taking his hand in hers, and stepping to the side. The reflection of the two of them shattered and Harry saw the vision of his parents appear, but it wasn’t the same as before. Hermione was still standing in the background. “I see you and me…standing with my parents.” The fact that he saw her touched her in ways that she could never have imagined. She swallowed and said, “You know what I see?” She walked in front of him and put her hand on the side of his face. “I see you and me. In a house with a big backyard, sitting under a tree together, happy, your parents watching us, proud. They would want you to fight Harry.” “I’ve been fighting Voldemort for years Hermione. Time and time again, I face him. You saw me last year, I barely got away. I can’t do this alone.” Harry looked down at the floor, but Hermione lifted his chin so he would look at her. “I – “ Hermione grabbed him by the back of his neck and kissed him, long and hard. Their other kisses were gentle, sometimes passionate snogging in a dark corridor. This was full of need, full of want, and something else, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. “I love you,” she said between kisses, “and you won’t do this alone.” She held his face in her hands. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. I promise. You can fight this. I know you can.” Harry just looked at her. “Are you sure?” He wasn’t positive what exactly he was asking – are you sure I can do this, or are you sure you love me? Are you sure of both? Hermione gave him a soft smile. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Buffy stepped out of the shadows and cleared her throat. “Is everything okay?” Harry had his arms around Hermione’s waist and she had her arms wrapped around his neck. They said nothing but stared into each other’s eyes. “Yes. Everything is fine.” As Harry said this, Hermione whispered in his ear, “I love you.” He smiled, but didn’t say it back. Somehow, he couldn’t tell her that just yet. And somehow, she understood.