Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: I'm posting twice in one day for all my wonderful and extremely patient readers! Hope everyone enjoys this part as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Chapter Sixteen

That night, as Hermione lay stretched out on the couch, she watched the night sky on the ceiling above her. The only light came from the fire in the fireplace as she had extinguished all the lights so she could see the stars better. The books she had been studying had fallen to her side. Hermione saw a shooting star race overhead and, closing her eyes, made a wish. She smiled as she opened her eyes and heard a muted clock somewhere in the house strike twelve times. She looked from the stars to Harry who had fallen asleep stretched out diagonally on the ottoman in front of the warm fire with Crookshanks curled up warmly against his side. Hermione smiled when she saw that he had used his open book for a pillow; his glasses rested loosely in his hand.

Hermione got up quietly and sat beside him. She smiled to herself again as she remembered his joyful welcome that morning when she had arrived a day earlier than planned.

Hermione ran her hand softly in circles on Harry's back. "Wake up, birthday boy," she whispered. Harry stirred, his eyes still closed.

"Harry, wake up…"

Harry opened his eyes sleepily and slurred, "Don' wan' to…hmmm, that feels good."

"Happy Birthday, Harry," Hermione said softly as she smiled down at him.

Harry slowly lifted his head and blinked. "Is it midnight?" He pulled his glasses on a bit clumsily then checked his watch.

Hermione nodded. "You're sixteen now. I guess we can't say `Sweet Sixteen and never been kissed', though, can we?" She teased him, lightly ruffling his hair.

Harry felt his face warm a little as he shifted slowly to his side causing Crookshanks to wake with a reproving meow. He propped his head on his hand. "Guess not…" He said smiling, returning her gaze. The firelight was sparkling in Hermione's warm brown eyes. "What about you?" Harry said. "You and Viktor ever…"

"Is that any of your business?" Hermione laughed.

"Well that's not fair," Harry protested. "You know all about what happened with Cho. How come you're being so closed-mouthed about Viktor?"

"Well Ron never makes talking about him easy."

Harry lifted his eyebrows at her. "I don't see Ron here."

Hermione's eyes darted to her knees and then back as she let out a breath. "All right, yes, we did kiss, but…well, I just didn't feel very much for him that way-you know-no fireworks."

"Well, at least Viktor didn't cry all over you…everything was too damp for any fireworks to happen with Cho." Harry rolled his eyes.

Hermione grinned. "We haven't had very good luck with first kisses, have we?"

"No…but I did have much better luck with my first hug." Harry grinned back.

"Really? What do you mean?" Hermione said, puzzled.

"D'you remember back in our first year when we were trying to save the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Yes…"

"After you solved Snape's riddle, when you were about to go back through the fire and help Ron, you threw your arms around me. You told me I was a `great wizard'."

"I remember that," Hermione mused with a thoughtful smile. "As I recall, you very nearly came out of your skin."

"I don't remember ever being hugged before that…" Harry said then added quietly with a small smile, "I'm glad it was you."

Hermione rubbed her hand softly on his arm. "I'm glad it was me, too." She stood up, and turned to pick up her books from the couch. "Well, I guess I better be getting to bed and you, too-big day tomorrow."

"Hermione," Harry said impulsively as he stood up behind her. She turned back questioningly and he grinned lopsidedly. "Maybe you could be my first sixteen-year-old kiss?"

Hermione hesitated and Harry was surprised to see an odd look pass over her face but before he could wonder about it further she nodded and shifted her books to her side. Hermione took a step forward and leaned slowly toward him. As Harry watched her deep brown eyes come nearer his and then flutter closed, his grin fell sharply away and his heart sprang fearfully into his throat as he realized what he had so casually set in motion. He reached out his hands to stop her. But then, Hermione pressed her lips gently to Harry's and his hands stilled in midair. Harry felt something in his center begin to melt and spread until it sparkled to the very edges of his body. He lifted one hand hesitantly to let his fingertips skim along her face. Hermione let her soft lips linger on his for a long moment. As the kiss ended, a small sigh escaped from Harry's mouth to whisper against Hermione's.

Stunned, Harry looked into Hermione's eyes, which, after a moment, flickered and became anxious.

"Harry?"

Unable to form any coherent reply, his eyes still locked on hers, he took a small step forward, lifted his other hand to Hermione's face and touched his lips hesitantly back to hers. Harry closed his eyes as the sparkling feeling began again and his hands crept from her face sliding into her hair. Hermione's books thudded loudly on the floor. He felt her hands glide gently around him and then as they pressed against his back drawing him closer to her. Hermione's lips were intoxicating as they returned his caresses and her hands slid up his back to fuse into his hair as their kisses became more heated. Harry trailed one hand slowly down her spine as he ravished her mouth. When she shivered and breathed his name against his lips, his mind burst into a thousand fragments and he hauled her against him. Harry crushed his lips almost desperately to Hermione's and she wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into him. When their kisses had ended he was left in a haze, staring down at her and drawing ragged breaths. After a long moment, Harry drew Hermione back to fold her in his arms.

"Hermione…my God…" he breathed.

"Yes…fireworks…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Harry nodded slowly against her cheek then pressed his lips gently to her temple.

"What's going on?" Remus' sleepy voice came from the doorway. "I thought I heard something crash…" He stopped in his tracks finally taking in the situation as he saw Harry and Hermione pull apart. "Oh…sorry. I'll just be going back to bed now," Remus was unable to hide his grin before he turned around.

"Yeah," Harry said, watching Remus retreat to the stairs. "See you in the morning, then…" he added weakly. Harry looked back at Hermione after Remus' footsteps had faded. "Er…why don't we sit down?" He took her hand and led her to the couch hoping his legs would get him there. The fire behind him crackled and popped as the wood shifted and for a brief moment, the picture of his father and Sirius was illuminated. They were grinning broadly.

They sat on the couch turning their bodies so they faced each other. Harry didn't quite know what to say after that and he was glad when Hermione broke the silence. She smiled at him shyly, her eyes bright.

"What now, Harry?" she asked softly.

"I don't know," Harry said quietly. "I wasn't expecting this-these feelings. I mean," his voice dropped to a whisper, "you're my best friend." He saw Hermione's gaze fall. Taking her hand back in his, Harry went on, his voice a little stronger, "But that…what just happened was…amazing…and to be honest…I want more." Harry slowly reached out his other hand and lifted Hermione's face gently so that he could see her eyes. "I'm not talking about more of what just happened-although," his lips curved into a shy smile, "I definitely want more of that-I'm talking about more of…you." Harry stilled and gazed almost wonderingly on Hermione's face as though seeing her for the first time. "I want…more." He was at a loss to understand, much less explain, what was stirring inside him. "But I want to be careful of our friendship…I couldn't stand to loose that."

Hermione nodded and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I feel the same way. And…what happened between us wasn't just fireworks." She caressed Harry's hand softly with her fingers.

"So are we…together, then?" Harry asked as he searched her eyes, gripping her hand a little more firmly in his nervousness than he realized.

"I think so…" Hermione smiled softly.

Harry pulled Hermione towards him and shifted them till she lay cradled in his arms. Fear and joy collided in his heart. For a long moment, he studied her face-her lovely familiar face. The face he sought when he entered a room. Something was quite different about it now. The deep brown eyes that had looked into his with pride, pain, laughter, and reproach were now looking at him in a way he had never seen before.

"Hermione." Harry said softly.

"Yes?" she whispered.

"I just wanted to say your name…seems different now, somehow." He bent his head and touched his lips to hers tenderly. When Harry drew back, his lips curved into a soft smile. "This is the best birthday I've ever had," he whispered.

Hermione smiled back. "And it's only the first hour of the day. Speaking of the time, we'd better get some sleep." She moved to get up but Harry held on to her.

"Stay with me, Hermione."

"But, Harry…"

"This may be the last time we can spend by ourselves for a while-everyone's coming tomorrow…please, stay here with me tonight."

Hermione nodded and relaxed back into Harry's arms snuggling her face against his chest. He slid them down to one end of the couch so that she could stretch her legs out on the cushions and he could lean against the pillows. Harry hooked his foot under the ottoman and tugged it closer so he could put his legs and feet up on it. Then he pulled the throw blanket from the back of the couch and put it over her.

They were silent for a few moments then Harry said hesitantly, "Are you feeling as scared about this as I am?"

Hermione lifted her eyes to his. "A little…but I've probably had a bit more time to get used to the idea than you have."

"What d'you mean?"

"Harry, you blind git, I don't know what good those glasses are. I've been feeling this way about you since…well I don't know when it first started-but for a while."

Harry stared at her. "You've had a crush on me?"

Hermione lowered her eyes. "No…"

"Then what…"

She lifted her eyes back to his and whispered. "Not a crush, Harry."

Harry went absolutely still as the implication of her words set in.

Hermione watched his face, her heart in her eyes.

Feeling totally adrift, Harry lifted his eyes from hers slightly to gaze at the fire. He was overcome by a multitude of thoughts as visions of the past several years ran before his mind's eye. They all contained something of Hermione. He recalled the dream he had had not long ago of finding Hermione in the Department of Mysteries in the room with the pulsing light. `Had his subconscious realized something he had not?' All the times that people had assumed his feelings for Hermione were more than friendship. Harry felt a fluttery feeling in his stomach as he realized they had seen what he had not. He was almost overwhelmed with the strength of these thoughts-the feelings…the realizations they were bringing.

After a long moment, Hermione said, "Please tell me what you're thinking, Harry." Her voice began to tremble. "I need to know what you're thinking…"

Harry met her eyes and wanted to kick himself for the fear that was there. He said quickly, "I'm sorry, Hermione…I-my mind is trying to catch up here." Harry took a breath giving himself time to form a response then continued, "Like I said before, I really want this to continue but I just…this scares the hell out of me."

"Harry," Hermione began quietly, her eyes swimming with tears. "I'm just as scared as you are but these past two weeks, I haven't been able to get the prophecy out of my head. I've cried myself to sleep most nights knowing I could lose you…I had planned to talk with you about my feelings-that's why I wanted to come back here early before the others got here. I just hadn't got up my courage to say anything yet." Hermione paused and her voice trembling but then went on. "I know how things might end…I don't want to waste what time we have together whether it's days, months or…longer." She looked at him, tears now coursing down her cheeks.

Harry pulled Hermione closer and they were silent for a long moment. Then, "Do you remember the morning that we stood together looking out that window?" He asked quietly, his eyes bright.

"Yes."

"Do you remember what we talked about?"

Hermione sniffed and nodded. "I-I think it was choices and destiny."

"Do you realize what choice you're making tonight?"

"I made that choice a long time ago…"

"I meant by choosing to be with me this way…"

"Harry, I've always been with you-and I'll always choose that."

"Hermione…" Harry's voice nearly broke. "Are you sure? Are you willing to take that risk with me? You know you could be-"

Hermione broke in. "A lot of things could happen to me with or without you. In the past five years, I've been attacked by a troll, petrified, turned into a cat, time traveled, tied at the bottom of a lake, attacked by a giant, attacked by centaurs, fought a pack of Death Eaters, and survived a pretty powerful curse. At this point, I'm willing to meet whatever comes. And if something horrible does happen…I want to have spent this time with you this way-no matter what."

Harry looked at Hermione almost in wonder. He saw the love on her face. Felt her against him and their arms around each other. She had changed so much from the young girl he had met on the train almost six years ago. He knew that he probably wouldn't have gotten through those years alive if it hadn't been for her and even if he had, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish nearly as much. And now, again, Hermione was offering more than anyone had ever offered him-had really been offering it the whole time. All he had to do was accept…and he found that he wanted to very badly.

"But I still wouldn't trade what I have now even if I lose it all in the end…" Harry quoted her quietly.

"Yes...nice to know you were listening," she returned his gaze.

"I always am even if it doesn't seem that way…sometimes I even hear your voice in my head when you're not around."

"That's a little scary…"

"Tell me about it." Harry shook his head. "Anyway, I get your point-I don't want to let Voldemort paralyze my life." He looked at her steadily, "but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be terribly afraid for you and make some decisions based on that fear.

"I'm horribly frightened for you too, but I refuse to let the knowledge that one day we'll fight Voldemort interfere with how I choose to live my life now from moment to moment. I'm going for all the happiness I can get my hands on."

Harry regarded Hermione silently for a long moment then he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he felt her lips part gently in invitation. They tasted each other for the first time and Harry reveled in the sweetness that was Hermione. His hands slid into her hair, tilting her head back to deepen the angle of the kiss. He kissed her hungrily and she responded by pulling him closer and pressing herself to him. Harry wrapped his arms around her and her fingers ran deliciously though his hair as his mouth explored hers. His hands clutched the back of her shirt as he experienced feelings that were at once wonderful and unnervingly new to him where Hermione was concerned.

Harry ended the kiss and said breathlessly. "We'd better stop." He removed his glasses and tossed them to the ottoman then lifted an eyebrow as his lips quirked into a smile. "Wonder what it is about this couch?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well…you were right about Remus and Tonks…"

"Of course I was…" Hermione smirked. "But what convinced you?"

Harry told her about seeing them together and his subsequent talk with Remus. "They're keeping their relationship a secret, though, so don't say anything to anyone else."

Hermione nodded. "My lips are sealed…but what about us, then? Are we going to tell people right away or not?" she smiled. "I mean besides Remus, of course."

Harry smiled remembering the look on Remus' face about a half hour ago. "I hadn't thought about that…what about Ron?"

"I don't know…" Hermione suddenly looked and sounded anxious.

"What…did something happen between you two?"

Hermione was silent for a moment but then answered, "Well…while we stayed in the hospital wing after the Ministry battle we had quite a bit of time to talk and some things sort of came out then."

"What do you mean?" Harry felt a tendril of dread begin to stir in his stomach.

Hermione looked very uncomfortable. "Ron told me that he had feelings for me-not just friendship, but deeper. I think it really hurt him when I told him I didn't feel that way about him, but he tried to act like it didn't."

Harry grimaced and let out the breath of air he was holding then said softly, "Hermione, just before he left two weeks ago, he asked me if I fancied you and I told him `no'. I thought you and he fancied each other but when I asked him about that, he said that he didn't think it would work out. It seemed to me that night that he was holding something back but I didn't press the issue with him."

"Ron asked me if there was someone else…I was honest with him and told him of my feelings for you. I kind of wished I hadn't afterwards…I'm afraid telling him about us will hurt him all over again." Hermione's eyes were growing bright with unshed tears.

"I think you're right but I don't want to keep secrets from him-he's our best friend." Harry sighed and nervously ran a hand roughly through his hair. "I don't know what to do… I guess I'll talk to him about it and try to explain…I hope he'll understand."

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know what else to do, either. I don't want to lose his friendship but I'm not willing to just put what we have now aside."

Harry was silent for a long moment then, deciding to change the subject, finally asked, "Can you sleep like this?"

"I'd like to try…" Hermione closed her eyes and turned her face into his chest. "I can't think of anything better."

Though now he wasn't sleepy at all, Harry couldn't either.

After a while, Harry could feel Hermione's breathing slow and become rhythmic. She had curled her legs up slightly and one of her hands had ended up by her face on his chest. He smoothed her hair from her cheek and was entranced by the softness. Hermione stirred a bit but instead of waking, snuggled more deeply into Harry with a small sigh. He moved his hand to hers and traced the delicate lines of her hand with his fingers. He noticed her long eyelashes as they feathered on her creamy cheeks. Harry had to stop himself from lifting her head up to touch his lips to her soft mouth-he didn't want to wake her when she looked so peacefully asleep.

Harry slowly shook his head and a small smile played about his lips. He couldn't help but be amazed that he was holding Hermione in this way. Hermione. That he had touched his lips to hers. They had always belonged to each other but now in a way they hadn't before. As Harry thought on these things, he felt as though a warmth was spreading through him. He leaned his head back against the pillows with a peaceful smile curving his lips. But that smile faded a bit as the picture of a red-haired best friend flickered into his mind.

A/N: There is an alternate Chapter Sixteen. Only one scene is different but it is "the" scene. Let me know if you want me to post it after this one and I will.

xxCFFB

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