After Harry was out of the shower, Hermione took her turn. After she was dressed, she walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Harry cooking breakfast.
"I didn't know you could cook," she said sitting down next to Ron.
"I don't like to, but I can," he said flipping the omelet he was cooking over. "I had to cook every morning when I lived with the Dursleys."
"Oh, well you don't have to," Hermione said.
"Shh!" Ron said. "You won't say that once you've tasted his cooking, it's bloody brilliant! Better than anything we had at Hogwarts."
"Really?" Hermione said getting rather excited about the breakfast. If Ron thought it was good, it must really be.
"It's nothing special," Harry said placing a plate of bacon and sausages on the table. He saw Ron's eyes grow wide as he set the plate down. "Don't even think about it Ron. You will have to wait just a few more minutes."
"Aww… Come on Harry! Just that small piece of bacon," he said pointing to one.
"No," Harry said returning with a pot a tea and a plate of toast. "The omelets are almost done."
Hermione giggled as she watched Ron squirm in his seat, but couldn't help not wanting to snag a piece of bacon as well, it all smelled so good and she was hungry. She turned her eyes away from the plate and watched Harry add things to the frying pan. He turned around and handed Ron his omelet then went back to work. She saw him add various vegetables and different types of cheese. Her eyes grew wide with anticipation as she saw him pick up a small silver bottle and sprinkle it on top of the omelet.
"What was that?" she asked him.
Harry turned around and smiled. "That is my secret." he said and turned back to the omelet.
"Don't try to get it out of him. He won't say. Mum's been trying to find out what it is for two years," Ron said in-between bites of his omelet. "Harry, this is fantastic! I wish you would cook more."
Harry shrugged his shoulders as he set a plate in front of Hermione and one in front of him. He poured her some tea and added some honey in her cup before pouring him some and adding honey and milk.
Hermione smiled at him and took her first bite of the omelet. She closed her eyes as she enjoyed the taste in her mouth.
Ron watched the interaction between his two best friends and smiled at them. He couldn't believe he was just now seeing how they act between each other. It was obvious they both have feelings for each other and he for one was glad that soon they would be together.
"Merlin, I've never had anything this good before" Hermione said putting another bite in her mouth
Harry smiled as he watched her enjoy the omelet. She carefully placed each bite it her mouth and savored the flavor of it before she would slowly chew it.
"Why is it that I've never had one of these before?" she asked him "Or anything else of yours. This is absolutely fantastic."
"You had some of him pumpkin pie last year at Christmas." Ron said pilling some bacon and sausages onto him plate.
"That was yours?"
"Yeah."
"That was the best pie I've ever had. Harry you really are an amazing cook."
Harry felt the heat rise in his face and he immediately looked down at his plate.
"You should try his Shepherd's pie. I have to say its better than mum's," Ron said taking his plate to the kitchen sink. "But don't ever tell her I said that."
Harry and Hermione laughed just as a big gray owl flew through the kitchen window and landed next to Hermione. She untied the parchment and gave the owl a piece of bacon before it flew out the window.
Hermione stared at the piece of parchment. She was scared to open it. What if they didn't write a retraction? What if there were more pictures of them?
Hermione was brought out of though of questions when she felt Harry squeezed her shoulder. "It will be okay Hermione," he said and picked up the parchment and unrolled it. He scanned the article and placed in down on the table in front of Hermione.
Hermione quickly read the article and looked up at Harry and smiled.
"I can't believe she quitting the paper," she said.
"I know. At least we won't have to worry about her after Saturday," he said with a smile.
"I know. It will all be over soon and we can have our lives back," she said not trying to sound to excited, because she knew that Harry was now going to go back to his flat with Ron and she would only see him a few times a week.
"This is great! Harry are you going to move back tonight? Mr. Lovegood did say it should be okay."
"Oh," Harry said running his hands through his hair. " Well..... I...... planning on it, but I was thinking that since Hermione still has to stay in her flat for a few more days that I would as well. It would only be fair."
"Harry you don't have to do that. I am sure you have loads to do."
"I really don't. I was going to meet with Fred and George about the new store, but that can wait," he said trying not to sound to eager to stay. "But if you don't want me to stay I won't. I just though you may want some company."
Hermione smiled at him. How could she be so stupid and not want him to stay with her. " I would like for you to stay with me for a few more days, I just didn't think you would want to," she said as Crookshanks walked in to the kitchen and hissed at the three. "Besides you are better company than he is," she said looking down at the cat.
"I'll go over to the flat and pick up a few of your things Harry. Just give me a list of what you need," Ron said standing up and moving as far away from the cat as he could get.
"Thanks, Ron. You don't mind that I stay here longer do you?"
Ron smiled. "No, not at all mate. Now why don't we go make a list of what you need so I can bring it by after the shop closes."
Harry and Ron left the kitchen and talked in to the spare room. Harry turned and looked at Ron.
"Why did we come in here?" he asked as Ron closed the room and placed and silencing charm on the room.
"I wanted to talk to you without Hermione hearing us," he said sitting on a chair near the window.
"About what?" he asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"You and Hermione."
"What about us?"
"Well this morning you said you where going to tell her you fancied her, and well I wanted to know when."
"I know I said next week, but I can't wait anymore, I think I am ready tonight."
"Really? How?"
Harry laughed. "You are starting to sound like a girl!"
"I am not! I'm just curious."
"Well I don't know how. But I know if I don't tell her soon I'm going to explode."
Ron smiled. "I know what you mean. Before I asked Luna out I was the same way. I don't think I could of held in my feelings for her any longer than I did. It's a weird feeling."
"I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"Scary, isn't it? To know that someone has such a huge effect on you, and that everything you do from now on will affect them as well."
"I've been through a lot Ron, you know that. I think this is the first time that I am truly scared. What if we do get in a relationship and it doesn't work? What if we can't be friends after its over?"
"What makes you think you two won't work out? I saw the way you two acted this morning. They way you made her tea for her, and the way you just knew she was scared about the article. You two are made for each other."
Harry gave him a nervous smile. "I know."
"Then forget about all your doubts. I will be back later tonight with some more clothes for you. Is there anything else you need?"
"Just one. In my room is a photo album its in my trunk all the way on the bottom. Could you bring that?"
Ron gave him a confused looked but agreed.
Soon after Ron left Hermione received a packages of several new books she was considering adding to the shop.
Hermione squealed with delight as she opened the box and took out the books one by one. Harry sat and watched with joy as he face lit up with each book she pulled out. When she was done taking to books out Harry noticed they where mostly children's books.
"Hermione, why did you get so many children's books?"
" When I was younger my mum would take me to a book store around the corner from our house. I loved it there so much. I would go there every Saturday with her and soon I read all the books there. I use to ask the storeowner when she was going to get new books, but she rarely did. I guess I just want there to be a lot of books for the kids."
"Makes sense," Harry said with a smile and grabbed one of the books and began reading it to her.
Hermione smiled as she listened to him read the book. It was a wonderful book about a lost kneazle who made friends with a niffler and a hippogriff. The story started out with he niffler and the hippogriff helping the kneazle find its home, but soon turned into their adventure on how they escaped an evil giant name Mort.
"That was a good story," Harry said closing the book and placing it next to Hermione.
"You really liked it?"
"I do. I hope you add it to your shop, I know Jamie would love it."
"I am. It's the first in a series of several. I don't know how many I will write."
"How many YOU will write?" Harry asked looking at Hermione.
Hermione looked up at him. "Did I say that?"
"Yes. Hermione did you write this?"
Hermione blushed. "I did."
"How come you didn't tell me?"
"I don't know," she said with a sigh. "I guess I didn't want you to know that I wrote it until it was published. I was going to tell you when I found out, but I didn't."
Harry flipped the book open and looked the words the she had written and he smiled. "It's a wonderful book. Will you let me read it to the kids one day? Let me introduce the book to them."
Hermione beamed. "Of course. Why don't you read it on Saturday after the apology?"
"Perfect," Harry said as he looked down at the book again. He beamed with pride as he looked at her. He was proud of Hermione for writing her own book.
"Harry turn it to the first page," Hermione said sounding slightly nervous.
Harry did what she asked and gasped slightly but smiled.
` To Harry and Ron. Thank you for helping me find my way home'
"Is this book about us?" he asked staring at the inscription
" It is. I know I should have asked, but well I just wanted to write about our adventures. I'm sorry," she said.
Harry smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her. " Don't be sorry. I love the book and I know everyone who reads it will as well,"
"I hope people won't realize that it is about us, I think I changed it enough so they won't."
"I didn't know until I read who you dedicated it to. I have to ask, am I the niffler or the hippogriff?
Hermione giggled. " What do you think?"
"Hippogriff."
"Right," she said and grabbed another book and began reading it to him.
The two continued reading all afternoon until Ron joined them just after six. Harry immediately made Ron read the book Hermione wrote.
"I'm not much for reading children's books anymore but this is good. Are you going to add it your shop?"
"I am," Hermione said smiling.
Harry beamed at her. "Ron, turn to the first page,"
Ron did what he was told and looked rather confused. "Who wrote this? And why did they dedicated it to us Harry?" he asked.
" I did," Hermione said
"Really? Hermione I didn't know you wanted to write."
"I didn't either until a few months ago. I just woke up one morning and wanted to write."
"This it is about us then?"
"Yes. Guess which one are you," Harry said with a smile.
"Well, it would be nice to be the hippogriff but I know that it's Harry. And Hermione has to the kneazle, so that leaves me to be the niffler," he said not sounding to happy about it.
"I'm sorry Ron. I had the hardest time trying to find what creature to make you. I eventually asked Hagrid what kind he though you would be."
"And he though I would be a niffler?"
"Well no, he said pixie. I just couldn't have you be one."
Harry laughed. "Sorry mate! I can't help it."
"I wouldn't laugh if I were you Harry. He thought you would make a good leprechaun."
Ron began to laugh as well. " I can see it now! Harry the leprechaun! Giving out fake gold and dancing through the shamrocks!"
Harry frowned slightly and looked at Hermione. "What did he think you would be?"
Hermione looked down at the ground. " A Fwooper."
Ron and Harry both began to laugh. " Isn't that the bird that can drive people insane by its voice and can only be kept quiet is by a silencing charm?" Ron asked
"Yes," Hermione said turning bright red.
"It's okay Hermione. So we aren't all the creatures we would want to be." Harry said placing his arm around her and pulling her tightly against him.
Ron gave him a look that silently asked `Have you told her yet?'
Harry noticed the look and shock his head no.
Ron knew that it was time for him to leave "Well, as much as I would love to stay around I have to get going. I am having dinner with Luna and her dad," he said handing Harry a bag of clothes.
"Thanks for bringing these over," Harry said as he set the bag down on the couch and walked over to the door with Ron.
"You two have a good night," he said and gave them a wink.
Harry laughed and closed the door.
He turned and walked over to Hermione who was now sitting on the floor near the bag Ron had left him. He walled up behind her and noticed she was holding a another book in her hands. He recognized the book the book she was holding, it was his. It was the album Hagrid had given him after first year.
"Harry, is this yours?" she asked.
"Yes it is."
"It must have fallen out of your bag. It fell off the couch when Crookshanks jumped on it," she said handing it to him.
Harry smiled and sat down on the floor next to her.
"I want to show you something," he said and opened the album.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked looking at the book in his lap.
"Hagrid gave me this after our first year," he said opening the book to the first page to a picture of him and his parents. He smiled down at the picture and looked up to Hermione's face.
She smiled at him and looked down at the picture. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked feeling her heart beat fast in her chest as she looked down at the pictures.
"I've never showed these to anyone. I wanted to keep them to my self, I guess it's kind of silly to, but lately I've wanted to share them with someone," he said looking up at her. "The only person I could think to share it with was you."
Hermione smiled at him. She could feel the tears form in her eyes. "Thank you," she said and looked back down at the picture. It was now one of his parents, Lupin, and Sirius at the wedding. She laughed when she saw Sirius ruffle James's hair and then steal a kiss from Lily. Lupin then rolled his eyes at Sirius and laughed at something James said.
"They look happy, don't they?" he asked running his fingers along the edge of the picture.
"They do," she said as he turned the page to a picture of Harry with his first birthday cake. She watched as he dug his hands into the cake and began throwing it at who she could only assume was James, Sirius, and Lupin. Lily then walked into the frame and gave Harry a kiss on the forehead and began wiping the cake off of James's glasses.
The two continued looking at the picture until they came to one of them. It was just before graduation.
"I remember this," Hermione said as she watched the two in the picture talk and laugh with each other.
"I just got back from defeating Voldemort," he said
"You where just released from the hospital," she said leaning her head on his shoulder. " I was so happy when you walked into the great hall. I was so worried they wouldn't let you out to join us."
"That's what I heard. When McGonagall came to get me she said that you wanted to bring the ceremony up to the hospital wing so I could be there."
"Well, it was only right. If it wasn't for you and Ron most of the students would have died."
Harry shrugged his shoulder and turned the page "It really wasn't a big deal. I did what I was destined to do."
"I know, but we all owed you our lives." she said and gave his a quick kiss on the check.
Harry looked down and smiled at her. "It's what I do. Save people."
Hermione giggled. "Right. So who are you going to save next?"
"I don't know yet. Maybe myself."
"Yourself? And how would you do that?"
"Well there is something that I need tell someone before I explode," he said looking at her.
Hermione heart began to pound faster and she could fell the heat rise in her face. "And what would that be?" she asked hoping that he was going to tell her how he felt. She knew he was going to do it, she heard him and Ron talking this morning. She'd been waiting patiently for him to do it, and she to was about to explode if she didn't let him know soon.
"Well the last month or so I've been feeling different towards someone." he said running his hand thorough his hair. "And I need to tell her, but I am a little scared that she won't return my feelings."
"What if you knew that she felt the same way? Would you tell her then?" she asked hoping he would understand that she did feel the same way.
Harry smiled. "Maybe I would," he said and entwined his hand in hers and gave it a slight squeeze. "Hermione, these feelings I have are for you. I don't know when they started. I don't know what they mean exactly, but all I know is I have never felt this way about someone before. It scared me how much I feel for you, but I like the feeling I get when you are around." he said looking deep into her brown eyes that where now shinning with tears.
Hermione smiled up at him. "It's the same for me. When all these rumors started it got me thinking, then Luna talked to me and it finally sunk it. I had strong feelings for my best friend. It scared me. I didn't think you would ever think of me as more than a friend, but yesterday when Ron, Luna, and Ginny where talking out side the room while we where sleeping I heard them talking. I didn't know if it was true, I hoped it was. Then this morning when you were talking to Ron, I heard you say you had feelings for me and you where going to tell me. That was the happiest moment in my life Harry," she said fighting back her tears.
"Don't cry," she said and brushed a few away with his thumb. "You know I can't handle it when you do that."
"I'm sorry. I guess I am a little emotional. Its not everyday you confess your feelings to your best friend and all your dreams that you didn't know you had come true."
"I know," he said and slowly brought his lips to her and gently brushed them against hers. He pulled away and smiled. Hermione looked up at him and smiled as well.
"So, what do we do now?" she asked laying her back on his shoulder.
"Well, how about I make you some dinner and we can talk about it?"
"Mmmmm, only if you promise to cook more often."
"For you, I will," he said and got up from the ground and pulled her up with him. The two walked in to the kitchen and began talking and making dinner.
******************
Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the week together, and soon it was Saturday. The day Cho was to make her public apology and the day Harry was going to tell the world that in fact he and Hermione were now together. Although Hermione did not know of this he didn't care. He didn't want to hide their relationship for a minute longer.
Of course they told Ron, Luna, Ginny, Dean, Hagrid, Hermione parents, and the rest of the Weasleys. They were all excited and happy that they were finally together.
Harry couldn't be happier. For the first time in his life he felt whole. He smiled as he walked up the stairs to Hermione flat. He gently knocked on the door before entering and was immediately greeted by Crookshanks. The cat's mood had lifted as soon as Harry and Hermione became a couple. It was almost as if the cat knew what was going on and was encouraging them to get together. Harry smiled at the cat and called for Hermione.
"Hermione? Are you ready? If we don't leave now we will be late."
Hermione poked her head out of the bathroom and smiled. "Don't worry, Harry. They can't start without us," and returned to the bathroom
Harry rolled his eyes and walked over to the bathroom hoping to encourage her to hurry up. "Come on Hermione. You look beautiful just the way you are, you don't need any of that stuff," he said pointing the little bottles of creams and such she was applying to her face and hair.
"Harry we are going to be in front of half the wizarding world. I am not about to go out looking like a crazed banshee," she said as she attempted to flatten her hair.
Harry smiled at her as she fixed her hair. "I like you hair all wild."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. " Just like I like you hair to stand up on its ends," she said with a smile and brought her hand up and ran it through his hair.
Harry took the moment and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him.
"Let's go Hermione," he whispered in to her ear as he placed kissed along her neck.
Hermione giggled and pulled away. "Okay. Let me grab my cloak and we can go," she said and walked in to her room. Harry was waiting near the door for her to return. Several minutes later Hermione returned and the two made there way to the front of the Quibbler.
"It's about time you two got here!" Ron said
"Sorry. Hermione was still getting ready when I arrived to pick her up," he said resting his arm on her shoulder.
Hermione pulled away slightly and gave him an apologetic look.
Harry smiled at her as Cho walked up to them.
"Harry. Hermione." she said to them. " I am sorry for what I did. I took it to far."
"You certainly did," Harry said standing slightly in front of Hermione.
"Let's just get this over with" Hermione said walking over the steps of the office. "We have to be back at the shop by 2."
Harry, Cho, and Mr. Lovegood followed Hermione up to the steps and stopped in front of a large podium.
Mr. Lovegood stepped in front of it and began speaking. "We will make this as short as possible. I know Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have already suffered enough. Miss Chang will be speaking shortly. First I would like to say one thing. We all owe Harry our lives and it is understandable that you all want to thank him, but there is no need to follow him around everywhere he goes. He is a person just like all of us and he deserves the same amount and privacy as us. I just ask you keep that in mind next time you see Mr. Potter," he said and stepped aside to let Cho speak.
"I am sure most of you read my last article. The articles I published about Mr. Potter and Miss Granger were in fact false and I am truly sorry for all the pain I caused them," she said looking at both of them. " I don't deserve their forgiveness, but I hope some day they may. Also in my article I stated I was leaving the Daily Prophet, and that is true. I will be moving out of the country for the time being and hope that when I return all will be forgotten. I was out of line while writing the articles. I should have never started them, and followed the two around. They are just very good friends and that is all," she said and turned to look at the two. "Harry, Hermione we went to school together in our time there we got to know each other and I should have never said the things I said back then and now. I am truly sorry for all the pain I have caused," she said and stepped aside
Harry walked over to the podium and pulled Hermione with him. " I do not forgive what Cho has done to us. She crossed a lot of lines while doing that article," he paused and looked at Cho then at Hermione. "But during the article she made me realize something," he said and looked at Hermione again. He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. "She made me realize that I was missing something in my life, something that has been in front of me for so long that I didn't see it. I would like to take the time to thank Cho for giving me what I was missing," he said and pulled Hermione close to him.
Hermione eyes grew wide. "Harry what are you doing?"
Harry smiled. "Giving them something to really talk about," he said and brought his lip to hers.
The End
*****************
Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I love them all!! Thank you for all waiting for the last chapter, sorry about the wait! Here is the song that started it all.
Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt
People are talkin, talking 'bout people
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept under covers
I just ignore it, but they keep saying
We laugh just a little too loud
We stand just a little too close
We stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seeing, something we don't, darlin'
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love?
I feel so foolish, i never noticed
You'd act so nervous, could you be falling for me?
It took a rumor to make me wonder
Now i'm convinced i'm going under
Thinking 'bout you every day
Dreaming 'bout you every night
Hoping that you feel the same way
Now that we know it, let's really show it, darlin'
Let's give them something to talk about
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?
~Something to Talk about, Bonnie Raitt
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