Author's note: Okay, word of warning before you begin. You all know about my fondness for cliffhangers…well, one will definitely appear in this one. Just wanted to warn you ahead of time! Please let me know what you think. I will try and have next chapter up soon!
Chapter 11
Carried Away
Harry awoke the next morning feeling quite content. His eyes quickly focused on the brunette lying peacefully beside him. Despite her assurance that she wouldn't spoon with him, here they were doing that very thing. Harry smiled. He could definitely get used to waking up beside her. Although he knew he was taking a big risk by doing what he was about to do, he couldn't resist. The smell of her hair was nearly intoxicating and he couldn't stop himself from reaching out with his hand to caress her bare arm. Her skin was so soft.
Although he would have loved to stay in bed cuddled beside this woman, he knew that if he didn't get up soon, he'd get himself into trouble. Reluctantly, he pulled back the duvet, and slowly arose. He stretched and chanced one last look at Hermione before grabbing a change of clothes and heading for the bathroom.
*****************
Nearly an hour later, Hermione awoke feeling a little unsure of where she was.
The room she was in was not her own and the bed was certainly not hers. Disoriented, she sat up in the bed and looked around the eerily quiet room. Her eyes fell on the suitcases beside the closet and she immediately remembered where she was and who she was here with. Absently, she reached out her hand to wake Harry, but all she grabbed was empty space.
"Harry?" she called out. There was no answer.
He wouldn't have gone downstairs without me, would he?
The clock on the nightstand told her it was 9 a.m. Every one would probably be downstairs enjoying breakfast. Hermione hadn't meant to sleep so late. Perhaps the long train ride had exhausted her more than she'd originally thought. She slowly got out of bed and walked over to the bathroom door. Knocking lightly on the door, she called out her friend's name. Again, she heard no response.
More than likely he was downstairs.
What if Rachel is down there right now interrogating him? Or worse…what if she's flirting with him?
Hermione resisted the overwhelming desire to go downstairs right now and save Harry from the wrath of Rachel, but one glimpse at herself in the mirror and she decided that wouldn't be the best idea. She had a severe case of bed head and going downstairs looking like this would only give Rachel too much ammunition.
After a quick shower, Hermione quickly dressed and made herself presentable. As she descended the staircase, she heard the muffled sounds of voices and laughter coming from the dining room. Hermione said a silent prayer that this wouldn't all blow up in her face.
Everyone was sitting down at the table enjoying their breakfast. Aunt Catherine and Uncle Malcolm were animatedly discussing something with Rachel and Theo. Hermione's own parents were carrying on with Harry like they were old friends. It was Rachel who spotted Hermione first.
"Look who's finally decided to join us," Rachel said with a grin. "We'd nearly given up on you,
Hermione! You're getting to be quite a lazybones, aren't you?"
Everyone laughed, save for Harry. Hermione could have kissed him for it. He gave her a reassuring smile as he got up to welcome her. Hermione felt herself go weak in the knees as she saw him. His hair was still a little damp from his shower and was mussed up as ever and he wore a pair of long tan swimming trunks and a white v-neck t-shirt. He was obviously dressed for the beach and Hermione was glad she'd worn her own swimming costume underneath her denim shorts and green tank top.
"Good morning, sweetheart," he said, winking at her as he pecked her on the cheek.
"Morning," Hermione whispered. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Because you looked all nice and snug in bed," he answered. He gave her a conspiratorial look. "And because you and I are going to have fun today and I wanted to make sure you had enough energy that she wouldn't pass out on me."
His smile was infectious and Hermione couldn't help beaming back at him.
"Harry was just telling us how you were going to spend the day on the beach," Karen said to her daughter.
Hermione nodded as she sat down beside Harry.
"I think that sounds lovely," Karen said. "Much more fun than going out on Malcolm's boat."
Malcolm guffawed. "I heard that Karen!"
"It's really too bad that you aren't joining us, Harry," Rachel said smiling at him. An oblivious Theo continued to eat his breakfast in silence. The man's a barrister, for Merlin's sake! Hermione couldn't help thinking to herself. Surely, he can recognize when his fiancée is flirting with another man. Maybe he doesn't care, Hermione mused.
"Well, don't feel too bad for me, Rachel," Harry said looking at Hermione. "I am going to be spending the day with the love of my life. I don't think it's going to be that much of a hardship for me."
Rachel's smile faltered a bit. "You certainly do work fast, don't you, Hermione? The last I heard you were living with some bloke and the next think you know you've moved on to Harry here. You know what they say about rebound relationships, they never work out."
The table grew silent at Rachel's words.
"I would hardly consider our relationship a rebound one," Hermione said simply, trying to keep her emotions in check. "We've known each other since we were 11 years old, Rachel."
"That's right," Harry agreed. "And we've felt this way for quite some time. We were just too stupid to admit it to ourselves. Right, love?"
Hermione nodded.
Hermione found herself lost in her own thoughts as everyone started talking again. She wished that in someway what Harry had said was real. That he really meant it. She certainly did.
"Eat up," Hermione heard Harry say in her ear. "You'll need your strength."
Hermione laughed as she helped herself to some toast and marmalade. "You're scaring me, Harry. Please tell me your plans don't include a hike because I don't know if you're aware of this, but I'm not exactly the athletic, outdoorsy type."
"You are athletic," Harry argued. "Hermione, you go jogging all the time!"
Hermione shrugged. "Not the same thing."
"Well, I'm not going to take you on a nature hike if that's what you're worried about," he said mysteriously. "But we are going to have a great time on the beach. Your aunt is having the kitchen staff prepare us a picnic."
Hermione could feel her mother's eyes on her. She could practically hear her mother planning out the wedding.
"Make sure you wear sunscreen," Karen lectured.
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said exchanging a glance with Harry. "And we also promise not to go swimming until 30 minutes after we eat."
"Oh, hush!" Karen said laughing. "I just want you to be careful, Hermione."
"Don't worry about Hermione, Dr. Granger," Harry said with his eyes twinkling. "I'll look after her. I wouldn't let anything happen to her."
Karen and Robert grinned back at them, pleased for their daughter.
"Come on," Rachel said, getting out of her chair. "I'm ready to go. Are we sure we can't tempt you, Harry?"
"I'm where I want to be, thanks," he said, not even looking in Rachel's direction.
Hermione felt her cheeks redden at his words. She knew he was just teasing, but it hurt to hear him say these things and know that he didn't really mean them. That is was all an act.
*************
"I still can't believe you didn't wake me up," Hermione said grumpily as she and Harry made their way toward the beach.
"I told you…you needed rest," Harry said. "Besides, build a bridge and get over it, Hermione. "
"Okay," she said, managing a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"As a matter of fact I did," he said. "Even with you talking in your sleep all night."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, stopping in her tracks.
"It's more like what you were talking about," Harry said, still walking ahead of her.
"I never talk in my sleep," Hermione retorted.
"How would you know?" Harry asked, turning around and smiling at her.
"I just do," Hermione said, frowning at him.
"Don't you want to know what you said?" Harry asked conversationally.
"No, because I know I didn't," Hermione said.
"Have it your own way then," Harry said, walking again. Hermione quickened her pace to catch up to him.
"What did I say?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I don't know if I should tell you-"
"Go on," Hermione said impatiently.
"Say please."
Hermione stamped her foot. "Harry James Potter, if you don't tell me right now-"
"Okay," Harry said, turning to face her. He batted his eyelashes at her and assumed a high falsetto voice. "Harry! Oh, Harry! We shouldn't! Ow!"
Hermione hit him upside the head with her beach towel.
"You are such an immature wanker," Hermione said laughing.
"And you love me for it," Harry said smugly.
"I love you despite of it," Hermione corrected.
The beach wasn't that crowded yet and Hermione had to say the feel of the sand on her toes and the smell of the ocean combined with the cloudless sky, made her feel quite alive.
"Do you know something?" she asked him as they set their belongings down. "You and I have never gone swimming together. I mean, you and Ron and the other Weasleys used to go swimming in the lake behind the Burrow, but I never went."
She didn't tell him that she'd been embarrassed of him or Ron seeing her in a swimsuit.
Harry pulled off his t-shirt and looked thoughtfully at Hermione. "There was that time during the Second Task of
the Triwizard Tournament, but that certainly wasn't for pleasure."
Hermione shuddered as she remembered that.
"You haff a water beetle in your hair, Herm-own-ninny," Harry said, doing a pitch perfect imitation of Viktor Krum. "
"Sod off, Harry," Hermione said, trying hard not to look at him. His work as an auror had certainly helped develop his body in a good way, she thought.
Harry, for his part, was enjoying the friendly banter with Hermione. Things were going quite well, he thought. He took his watch off and placed it inside his knapsack and looked up just in time to see Hermione taking off her denim shorts and folding them carefully. He wondered if she knew what she was doing to him by moving so slow.
Hermione hesitated a moment before taking off her tank top. She was still self-conscious about her body. Namely, she was self-conscious about showing so much of her body to Harry. The women he'd gone out with in the past had given new meaning to the words "drop-dead gorgeous". She realized, however, that she couldn't stay on the beach all day covered up so with trepidation she slowly began to undress. She avoided looking at Harry as she did so.
Harry felt his jaw involuntarily drop as Hermione finally discarded her tank top on the towel. It was a simple blue bikini that fit her perfectly. The suit combined with the way her hair was blowing in the breeze made for such an effect that Harry felt the need to get in the water…quick.
Hermione beat him to the punch as she hit him playfully on the arm. "Last one in is a rotten egg!" she called out childishly as she ran past him. He watched with an amused smile as she sprinted across the sand and splashed into the waves.
"Come on in, Harry!" she called out to him.
He ran toward her and dived into the ocean water and nearly screamed as the cool water made contact with his skin.
"You knew it was cold!" he exclaimed when he surfaced a moment later.
Hermione nodded in triumph as Harry looked menacingly at her. "Hey! I just told you to come on in. I didn't mention anything about the temperature of the water."
"Yes, but you didn't warn me," he said. "And here I thought I was your best friend."
"You are," Hermione said, starting to back away slowly from him as he slowly made his way toward her.
"You're my very best friend in the whole wide world, Harry."
Before she could stop him, he'd picked her up screaming as he carried her further into the ocean.
"Harry, put me down!" she said, trying not to laugh.
"What was that?" he asked. "Put you down? Alright, then…"
He let go of her and Hermione fell into the cold water. The rest of their swim was a back and forth water fight.
Harry couldn't remember the last time he'd had such a fun day. After their swim, they walked along the beach holding hands. Something was definitely happening between them and he knew that Hermione had to be feeling it too. She hadn't pulled away when he'd reached for her hand. It wasn't much, Harry thought, but it was a start.
Later in the afternoon, they enjoyed their lunch on the beach, talking about everything and nothing all at once. They talked about childhood holidays…mostly Hermione's. Harry didn't get to go on too many with the Dursleys. They talked about mutual friends and about their jobs and about movies and music. Harry remembered at one point wondering if there'd ever be a day when he had nothing to talk about with her. That was the great thing about Hermione. There was always something to talk to her about; something to share with her.
Toward the end of the day, Harry went for one last swim, while Hermione decided to take a small catnap on the shore. It wasn't hard for her to fall asleep with the combination of the sunshine and the lulling sounds of the waves hitting the shore.
She awoke sometime later to see Harry looking down at her with a foreign expression on his face. What it was, she didn't know, but she liked the way he was looking at her. More importantly, she liked the way how he was looking at her made her feel.
On the walk back to the house, they were both quiet, reflecting silently on the day they had together. Hermione allowed Harry to walk a little ahead of her so she could watch his tanned calves and battered sneakers march ahead of her. Hermione felt drugged with sunshine and her skin prickled pleasantly from salt, sea and sand.
"Well, Miss Granger?" Harry asked, holding the door open for her. "Did you have a good day?"
Hermione breezed past him. "No," she said simply.
Harry froze. "You didn't?"
She turned around and beamed at him. "I had a great day, Harry."
***************************
Upstairs, Hermione rested while Harry took a shower. When he finished, she took her turn in the shower. When Hermione got out of the shower, she was not surprised to see Harry had left the room. He'd obviously wanted her to have privacy while she dressed for that evening's party.
Tonight was the last big event before the wedding tomorrow. It was basically a get-together for the wedding party and their friends, family and guests. Hermione chose a simple red knee-length sundress. She was slightly sunburned, but she'd performed some quick spells to even it out. She quickly applied some makeup and styled her hair. She opted to wear it up and pulled it back in a makeshift chignon. Curled tendrils framed her face.
There was a knock on the bedroom door and it startled Hermione.
"Are you decent?" Harry asked from the other side of the door.
"Come on in," Hermione called from her position in front of the mirror. She was just applying her lipstick when she heard the door open and Harry came inside.
"I just need to get the present I bought for Rachel and we can go downstairs," she said. Suddenly, she became aware of his eyes on her and she looked up surprised. The same look he'd worn on his face earlier on the beach was staring at her now.
"What?" she asked.
"Wow," he finally whispered.
Hermione blushed. "Wow, to you too!"
He looked quite handsome in his green button-down shirt and khaki trousers. He'd not tucked the shirt in and Hermione thought he looked for want of a better word…cool. Now, I sound like all those young girls who send him fan mail, she said chastising herself.
"That green really brings out your eyes," she said as she stared at him. He looked back at her with a bemused expression and Hermione suddenly felt the need to get out of this room.
"Let's go," she said quickly, picking up her wrapped present for Rachel and Theo.
****************
By the time they finally made it downstairs, the party seemed to be in full swing. Hermione looked at Harry. "I just need to find Rachel and give her the gift and then we can join the party."
Harry nodded and followed Hermione throughout the house searching for Rachel. They found her sitting court in the library with Theo and a handful of guests. At her feet were gifts---a cappuccino maker, a toaster, and monogrammed towels. Rachel looked to be in her element, dressed in a pink slip dress. Hermione thought she looked a bit like a queen on her throne with all her loyal subjects fawning at her feet.
Theo sat beside her looking disinterested as Rachel oohed and ahhed over each new gift. What Hermione hoped to do was just deposit the gift on a table and walk out without being noticed, but unfortunately Rachel spotted her and Harry standing in the back of the room.
"Look everyone!" Rachel said loudly. "This is my cousin, Hermione and her scrummy boyfriend, Harry Potter. Isn't he gorgeous?"
Hermione felt her cheeks redden and as the entire room turned to look at her and Harry.
"Is that for me?" Rachel asked, standing up and seeing the present in Hermione's hands.
"Um, yeah," Hermione said, stepping forward to hand the present to Rachel. Rachel ignored the card and dismissively tossed it on the table beside her.
Tearing into the wrapping paper, Rachel opened the box to find an old leather bound book.
"A book?" Rachel asked crinkling up her nose.
"Yes," Hermione said with a smile. "It's a first edition of Pride & Prejudice."
"Is that a cookbook or something?" Rachel asked with an airy laugh.
"No," Hermione said, shaking her head. "You said it was your favourite book."
"No," Rachel said, shaking her head. "Oh, Hermione! I liked the movie. I didn't even know it was a book!"
The rest of the crowd laughed at Rachel's biting comments.
"Oh," Hermione said numbly.
"Well, at least it's not another cappuccino maker, right Theo? How many do we have now? Six?" Rachel asked sweetly to her fiancé.
As soon as Rachel's attention wandered to the next present, Hermione caught Harry's eye and retreated through the French doors and out onto the terrace.
"Hermione," Harry began, when they were outside.
"Did you see how she turned up her nose?" Hermione asked as she paced back and forth on the stone terrace.
"I liked the gift," Harry said, coming up beside her. "It was quite thoughtful, Hermione."
"Why does she always have to be like that?" Hermione asked.
"Just let it go," Harry said. "Let's not think about her the rest of the night. Come on, this is a
party. We're supposed to be having fun, right?"
Hermione nodded and felt her anger ebbing away.
"Good," he said, putting an arm around her and leading her toward the backyard where the sound of live music could be heard.
********************
An hour later, Hermione couldn't even remember Rachel's name she was having such a good time. Of course, two glasses of champagne didn't hurt. As a rule, she usually didn't drink. Her tolerance was quite low and it didn't take much to get her tipsy.
She and Harry were dancing underneath the stars to a band that kept playing such great songs. Hermione made a mental note to get Harry to take her out dancing more often. He was actually quite good despite his warning that he would step on her toes.
At the moment, she was standing off to the side waiting for Harry to get back from the loo. Hermione saw her Aunt Catherine approaching her and Hermione suddenly remembered Rachel.
"Having a good time?" Catherine asked.
Hermione nodded happily. Aunt Catherine usually wasn't so bad. It wasn't fair to hold the fact that she spawned the child of Satan against her, Hermione thought to herself.
"Good," Catherine said. "I've been meaning to tell you Hermione how wonderful we all think your Harry is."
Hermione looked at her aunt.
My Harry.
"He is pretty great, isn't he?" Hermione couldn't help gushing.
"And he seems absolutely smitten with you," Catherine whispered to her.
"He does?" Hermione asked.
"My dear niece," Catherine said with a wink. "Anyone with eyes could see that boy is over the moon for you."
Hermione couldn't resist smiling back at her aunt.
"Well, I just wanted to check on you," Catherine said. "I'm going back inside for a bit. Enjoy the rest of your evening, sweetheart."
She kissed Hermione's cheek and Hermione watched as her aunt passed Theo who was walking this way. To Hermione's surprise, Theo seemed to be heading in her direction.
"If it isn't the bridesmaid!" Theo said. Hermione could smell the liquor on his breath. She'd only had two glasses of champagne, but it was obvious Theo had indulged in more than that.
"Hello, Theo," Hermione said, looking around the backyard for any sign of Harry.
"You know you're actually quite prettier than Rach said you were," Theo said.
"Thanks," Hermione said frowning.
"Did you hear about the tradition?" Theo asked, tripping over his own feet as he moved closer to Hermione.
"What tradition?" Hermione asked, still nervously scanning the area for Harry.
"The tra-tradition of the bridegroom and bridesmaid dancing together," Theo slurred rather loudly.
"No, I must have missed that," Hermione said with forced politeness.
"Come on," Theo said, roughly taking Hermione's hand and starting to lead her onto the dance floor.
"Not so fast," said a familiar voice behind them. Hermione was never so glad to see someone in her life as she was to see Harry at that moment.
"Surely you wouldn't mind me stealing her away…for one ittle bittle dance?" Theo asked with a laugh.
"Actually, I would," Harry said, wrenching Hermione's hand away from Theo. "She promised this one to me anyway. Didn't you, sweetheart?"
"Yes," Hermione said with a mock apologetic smile at Theo.
"Your loss," Theo said, stumbling away.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where have you been?" she asked Harry.
"Looking for you," he said smoothly. With that, he drew her into his arms again and Hermione felt herself relax against him. Harry's breath felt warm on her neck as they moved slowly to the music.
The rest of the party was spent in a blur or music and dancing and Hermione felt alive with energy. Thanks mostly of course to the green-eyed raven haired man who hadn't left her side the rest of the evening.
Most of the guests were long gone and she and Harry finally decided to call it an evening, too, and head back to their bedroom. Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder as they walked back up to the house.
Hermione stumbled a bit on the top step and looked down to see the heel of her shoe had broken off. "Bugger!" she exclaimed, holding up the shoe for Harry to see. She also slipped out of the other one.
"Looks like I might have to carry you then," Harry said simply.
Hermione guffawed. "Have you gone mad?"
Harry made a grab for her and Hermione managed to swerve out of his grasp.
"I thought you were a seeker!" she teased as she broke into a run for the house.
"I am," he said, chasing after her.
Hermione pushed through the French doors and into the house. She had just made it to the base of the stairs when Harry came up quietly behind her and promptly scooped her up into his arms.
"Harry!"
"Gotcha!" he said triumphantly.
They looked at each other and started to laugh. Feeling quite bold, Hermione decided to go with it and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. "Okay, Harry, you big hero! Carry me. Let's see how far you get without magic!"
Hermione didn't know if it was because she was lightheaded from the champagne, but she felt so overwhelmingly happy. She couldn't help stealing a glance at Harry's profile as he carried her up the stairs. He really was quite handsome and charming and…
When he reached the top of the stairs, he stopped abruptly.
"A-ha!" Hermione exclaimed. "Tired already?"
He suddenly turned his head and his lips were pressed against Hermione's. This wasn't like before, however. Before, they'd both been pretending in front of Rachel. Now, on the dark staircase, there was no audience. It was just the two of them.
Harry breathlessly pulled away from her and softly said her name. "Hermione…"
"Harry..." Hermione whispered as she put her hands to his face. She felt an overpowering need to touch each and every part of him. Slowly, she slid her feet to the ground. Her eyes never left his and before she knew it they were kissing again.