Take My Breath Away

PhoenixFirebolt

Rating: PG
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 27/08/2004
Last Updated: 06/01/2005
Status: completed

Harry reflects on his thoughts and feelings for Hermione at the very end of fifth year, realising how much she means to him but also, that he can never have her. He has no idea that the same feelings are being felt by the one he loves the most.

Chapters

1. Take My Breath Away

2. Always There For You

3. My Only One

4. Return To Me

5. The Reason

6. I'll Always Love You

1. Take My Breath Away

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JKR. I'm just borrowing her wonderful characters so I can write!

Take My Breath Away

I’m sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room before a roaring fire, unenthusiastically playing a game of Wizard’s Chess with Ron. My mind isn’t on the game in the least and I really don’t want to be sitting here but Ron begged me, and who was I to resist doing something for my best friend, one of the friends I almost killed a week earlier.

It seems like it was only yesterday that I had that vision of Voldemort torturing my Godfather during my O.W.L’s. It seems like only yesterday when I refused to listen to my friends and brought them along to the Department of Mysteries, only to find out that the vision had been a hoax and nearly getting everyone killed. It seems like only yesterday when I watched my Godfather fall through that black veil, never to be seen again, all because of me and my stupid visions.

I can barely think about that day without wanting to curl up and just wallow in misery and cry. I want to forget because it might ease the pain, but I can’t forget, I never will.

“Harry, your move, mate,” Ron says, breaking me from my thoughts.

I carelessly move one of my pawns and Ron scoffs at my poor move, easily taking me with his bishop. I watch with a blank face as the bishop wrestles my struggling pawn off the board, not really caring.

“Bad move, mate,” Ron says quietly.

I nod numbly and turn my head toward the coach where my other best friend lies curled up, a large book in her lap. I watch as Hermione shifts and winces from the pain in her chest, where a curse hit her and nearly killed her. The nagging voice in my head comes back in full force as I look at her.

“Its all your fault, you and your bloody “hero” act.”

I scowl and shake my head. That had been the worst feeling in the world, watching as the purple light hit Hermione and watching her fall backwards with a look of surprise on her face. My heart stopped beating for a second when she fell, I couldn’t lose Hermione! She was a constant at my side, there no matter what. Whether she agreed with my decisions or not, she always followed me. And here I had dragged her into the Department of Mysteries and she was wounded because of me! I’d rather die than have anything happen to her, she means that much to me, though she probably doesn’t even know it.

Maybe one day I’ll tell her.

Maybe one day I’ll tell her how much I need her by my side. How much I need her support. Maybe I’ll tell her how much her opinions matter to me and how much I need to hear her advice on every important issue in my life. Maybe I’ll tell her how I need to hear her nag me about doing my homework and how important it is for me to succeed in class. Maybe I’ll tell her how much each sacrifice she has made for me is appreciated and remembered clearly.

I sigh heavily and earn a raised eyebrow from Ron. Hermione looks up as well and for a moment our eyes lock. She smiles gently at me and then returns to her book. I am blown over by that smile, how she can look at me like that after everything I’ve done to her. I do not deserve her friendship or respect, I have been no friend to her. I am nothing but a danger to her and I know I should push her away, I know I should try to save her.

But something holds me back, something whispers to me in the back of my head the reason why I can’t shove Hermione completely out of my life. It is something I have known for a while now but never really acknowledged, too scared to realize the full extent of it.

I don’t know when it started, I’m guessing back at the end of fourth year, when she kissed me on the cheek at King’s Cross. No one had ever shown that kind of affection to me before. No one had ever comforted me in that way. And with that simple kiss, something flared inside of me that I desperately tried to ignore. I mulled it over the whole summer, wondering why one simple kiss on the cheek would effect me so greatly. This was Hermione I was thinking about, my best female friend since first year. Sweet, reliable Hermione. Though now when my thoughts turned to her, they were no longer innocent thoughts about a best friend.

My new feelings for Hermione scared me. Did I even know what love was? Was I even in love? I tried to squash my feelings, but jealousy burned in me when I realized her and Ron were together somewhere. The realization hit me that Hermione would never like me, she had Ron. What would she ever see in a skinny, angry boy like me, a boy who has been marked for death the moment he was born. I was just Harry to her, her best friend and “Savior of the World.”

But that was the point. Hermione never looked at me as Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. She saw me as Harry, an orphaned boy who grew up with no love and no real family, who had emotions and dreams and goals, who got wonder out of every new thing I saw. In her eyes, I am normal and I can be normal. The freedom I feel around her is refreshing.

But, I am still Harry Potter and anyone who gets close to me is an immediate target. So I shoved my feelings aside and forced her to remain only a friend to me. I told myself over and over again that she most likely wanted to be with Ron and that was the best thing for her, in the process breaking my heart. I latched on to the first girl who showed interest in me, to get Hermione’s presence out of my mind.

Cho was merely a distraction. Yes, I did have a slight crush on her but Hermione was the one who stole my heart. But Cho wasn’t enough and even she saw right through me and guessed my feelings for Hermione, though I tried to tell her she was wrong. My desperation to push Hermione away came to an extreme and I yelled at her and was always angry with her. I thought this would help but she only stuck closer by my side and my need for her grew even more.

And then she almost died and I realized I could never live without her in my life but I could also never have her in my life the way I wanted her to be. I realized with a heavy heart that no matter how much I love Hermione, she will never, and can never, be mine. I will not allow it, so I will watch her from afar, I will love her from afar. I will watch someone else steal her heart and her love, never being able to do anything about it, just letting my heart fall in pieces.

I cannot tear my eyes away from her right now, I am so glad that Ron is still considering his next move and doesn’t notice my fixation. I pray Hermione doesn’t look and see I am still staring at her, my feelings blatantly reflecting in my eyes. I couldn’t bear the rejection if she realized my feelings right now. Maybe someday though, the time will be right.

My eyes skim over her. Her bushy brown hair that I find so lovely and I’m tempted to run my fingers through it. Her warm, cinnamon brown eyes that sparkle with so much emotion is everything she does, especially how much they glow when she is excited about something. Her small hands that so deftly turn the pages of the books she loves so much. Her straight nose, dotted with freckles, that she scrunches up whenever she is frustrated. Her pink lips that she always bites at whenever she is concentrating, thinking, or worried. I can’t take my eyes off her and the feelings surge within me even more.

So is this what love feels like? Loving every single action of a person? Loving every part of them, through and through, even the faults? If that is love, then I’ve fallen hard for my best friend, fallen in a way that I can never get back up again. My heart aches for what I can’t have, for what is missing in my life. I crave to have love in my life so much, but Voldemort stripped it all from. He took away the love I had and the love I want. How I hate him for that. For not allowing me to live a normal life, for not allowing me anything. All because of some stupid Prophecy.

I close my eyes and desperately hold back the tears wanting to fall. Hermione is my everything. She is my friend, my rock, my support, my wisdom, my advice, my strength, and my love. She is all I want and all that I can’t have. She is my world and she means the world to me. I would do anything to protect her. I would sacrifice my life, just for her. And I will defeat Voldemort, just for her.

She is the reason I live and breathe. She is the reason my heart beats. She is the reason I get up every morning and live. She is the reason I will fight in that final battle. The love I have for her will carry me through everything and I will survive because of it.

Maybe one day, I will finally tell her all of this. Maybe one day, I’ll tell her how much I feel for her. Maybe one day, I will figure out all the right words and summon enough courage to tell her that I love her. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to show her all the love I hold inside for her. Maybe one day, I’ll open my heart to her and show her the scared boy inside, the one afraid of rejection. Then, I will be able to show her the real Harry Potter, the one who loves Hermione Granger with every fiber of his being and is no longer being held back from revealing that love for her.

Maybe one day I’ll tell her, how much she takes my breath away.

..............................

Author's Note: This was just a random piece I thought up suddenly and it wouldn't leave. So I wrote it and figured I'd post it on here. I don't know how good it is, first person POV is usually not my thing but I couldn't write it any other way. I'm thinking of adding two more chapters to it, but I'll see what kind of reviews I get for this part first. I hope I didn't make Harry OOC, I really tried not to and I don't think its really possible to do that with thoughts and feelings, especially in an area that JKR hasn't really ventured yet. In my opinion, Harry is the most difficult character to write because he is so complex and I really hope I captured him well. Like I said, this was a spur of the moment writing at 2 in the morning and I hope you guys enjoyed it. I appreciate reviews so please leave them! :)

For everyone waiting for my next chapter of The Heirs of Hogwarts, please, please be patient with me. I'm having a lot of difficulty writing chapter 20 and I'm still not sure if I really like it. I just moved into my dorm at college as well and life is going to start getting hectic. I will write whenever possible but don't expect anymore frequent updates. Maybe I'll get a chapter up once a week, but I emphasize the "maybe." I feel horrible about it, cause I love writing my stories but my classes come first. Please bear with me, I am trying!

Wish me luck at MSU and I can promise a new chapter to The Heirs of Hogwarts within the next couple of days! Thank you for all of the wonderful support! I write for you guys! :)
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt

2. Always There For You

Chapter Two - Always There For You

It is the day before the school year ends at Hogwarts. Students are packing their trunks and saying their last good-byes. The summer is eagerly anticipated by many, but I am dreading it. I don’t want to leave yet, I don’t want to leave him behind.

Ever since that fateful day in the Department of Mysteries, I have watched him and I have worried about him. Harry James Potter may try to seem strong on the outside but I know on the inside he is dying. I know, I can always see through him. I can see every emotion in those beautiful emerald eyes of his.

But he has been avoiding me so much lately. He’s feeling guilty for what happened to me, Ron, Sirius, and everyone else there. It's like he’s scared I’ll not want to be his friend anymore. I would never stop being his friend, it’s the only thing I can receive from him, it's all I can settle for right now. I never want to lose his friendship, even though it is more that I want.

I may be Hermione Granger. I may be the so-called “smartest witch in Hogwarts.” I may seem to know everything. But I am absolutely lost in this area. I am clueless when it comes to understanding falling in love with a person and that person being your best friend.

Yes, I admit it, I have fallen for Harry Potter, my best friend and the most wonderful guy I know. I can’t really say when it happened, I don’t know the specifics, I just know that it did. The day I realized scared me. Was I suppose to be feeling something like this? Was it normal to fall for your best friend? I felt like my feelings were so unusual.

I tried to act normal though, and somehow, I successfully pulled it off. In the two years I have loved Harry, he has never figured it out. I am perfect in acting like the “best friend” everyday. I try to show equal attention between Ron and Harry so that no one will suspect. Though I did have one slip-up. When I kissed Harry on the cheek at the end of fourth year I knew I was taking a risk. I couldn’t help it though, I had to do it, I was so worried about him. I don’t think anyone figured it out. I was still Hermione “best friend” Granger. I breathed a sigh of relief that day.

I often wonder why I feel like I should hide my feelings so much. Yes, part of it is because I find it wrong to fall for my best friend, but there is another part to it. What would Harry Potter ever see in me? There’s no way he would ever fall for me or even look at me in a different way. I have no chance with him, none at all. That is why I hide everything I feel for him. I am so scared of rejection. I’m scared of losing his friendship if he found out what I feel for him. I can never, ever risk that.

I find it funny that most people at Hogwarts think its Ron that I’m in love with. All of this so-called “sexual tension” they talk about. Ron and I argue all the time about everything but it's not because we like each other. Ron loves to annoy me about everything, he just gets humor out of it. And he knows it bugs me. I yell back because I love to argue and debate, I love challenging other people’s ideas. There is nothing between Ron and I and there never will be.

I remember one day back in fourth year, when Harry and Ron stopped speaking, I was sitting with Ron at lunch and this whole thing came up. I will never forget that conversation. I somehow got the nerve up to ask Ron if he had a crush on me, because people had been talking. Ron just stared at me in disbelief for several minutes before bursting into laughter.

“Oh, Hermione,” he choked out through his laughter, “you’re wonderful but you’re my best friend, I could never see you like that.”

I had chuckled nervously and blushed, realizing that was how I felt about him too. But his next words were the ones that almost made me fall off of the bench in shock. I had never expected Ronald Weasley to say them.

“Besides,” he had continued softly, “you like Harry. You’ll end up with him one day.”

I remember laughing and waving his comment off, saying that was impossible and Harry was only a friend to me. But Ron had smiled knowingly, revealing one of his most mature moments. His words have always stayed with me. How was Ron, one of the most oblivious boys I know, able to see that I liked Harry? Was it like a sign written on me? I resolved myself to trying to hide myself better. Harry could never know.

So fifth year started and I hid my pain as Harry started going out with Cho Chang. What did he see in her? Couldn’t he tell that she only wanted him so she could have a connection to Cedric Diggory? I wanted to tell Harry this but I knew it would only anger him. So I stayed quiet and held back my tears until night fell and I was safely in my dormitory. I understood Harry, not Cho. I loved Harry, faults, temper, and all. But I could not say this.

It hurt so much the day I learned that Cho kissed Harry. My emotions jumped around so much I’m still shocked Harry never noticed. I knew now, for a fact, that Harry would never love me.

I wanted him so much. I wanted to be the one that made him smile when his nightmares woke him up in the middle of the night. I wanted to be able to hug him whenever tragedy struck his life once more. I wanted him to come to me when he needed help and advice, not just with homework, but with everything. I wanted him to kiss me the way he kissed Cho. I wanted to be able to love him the way I always dreamed about.

But reality sunk in and I shoved a wall around my emotions for Harry. I was determined to never let them take over me again. But the Department of Mysteries was my downfall.

The moment Harry said he wanted to leave me, Neville, Luna, and Ginny behind, my heart broke and I swore to myself I would never leave him. I didn’t care how much he pushed me away, I would be there.

Fortunately, the chance for me to stay came and we all left to face the unknown danger. I clung desperately to Harry’s side, not letting him out of my sight, praying that he wouldn’t be hurt. I made a promise to myself that very night to always be with him, whether he loved me or not, it didn’t matter. I loved him and that’s what kept me going. That’s what let me face ultimate danger and risk everyday.

But I failed Harry, I broke my promise. I had a lapse in my concentration and I fell. A Death Eater attacked me and I slipped into blackness. I vaguely remember Harry calling my name and then nothing. His voice was the last thing I heard and it's what helped me remain alive. Harry kept me breathing. I cursed myself for leaving him though, for allowing him to get hurt, for not being there for him. I had not been there as Sirius fell through the veil. I wasn’t there when Voldemort possessed his body. I wasn’t there when he lost his sense and destroyed Dumbledore’s office. I wasn’t there.

I yell at myself everyday for that. As much as Harry blames himself for everything, I blame myself for it too. I could have done something, but no, I didn’t. I failed.

Something good did come out of the tragedy at the Department of Mysteries though. I finally realized that I need to stop hiding who I truly am, I can no longer hide my feelings. I could have lost Harry that day and he never would have known I loved him. I could have died that day and never have told him. That fact has haunted me these last couple of weeks. It is almost all I think about, especially when Harry is near me. I know now I must tell him. I know I would regret it forever if I never did.

I swallow hard as I place the last of my things in my trunk. But how would Harry take it? Could he handle my change of feelings? Would he be able to look at me if he knew everything I felt for him went beyond friendship? And what about Cho? I couldn’t tell anymore if they were together, they fought almost as much as Ron and I, but still, Harry’s feelings most likely lingered. He had liked her for so long, as long as I have liked him.

I descend the stairs to the Common Room, my hands shaking, something they do only before an exam. People are scattered around, spending their last few minutes with their friends. I am glad for their distraction, I don’t want them to see the fear in my eyes. I sit on the couch and try to clear my dry throat. I’m waiting for Harry to come down and I close my eyes in anticipation, not believing I’m actually going to tell him everything.

"Everything,” I whisper under my breath, the meaning of the word truly sinking in.

I didn’t notice the sudden presence behind me and I jump at his voice.

“Hello, Hermione,” Harry says quietly.

I calm my racing heart and slowly turn to face him, but don’t dare to look in his eyes. One look into his green eyes always makes me crumble.

“Hi, Harry,” I breathe.

His hands are stuffed in his pockets and he’s staring at the floor, restlessly moving his feet. His hair looks messier than ever and I find myself blushing. He always looks so wonderful to me. His eyes finally glance up and I can see they are clouded with unreadable emotions. I narrow my eyes in confusion. Never before have I not been able to read his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Harry?” I ask.

“Oh…umm…” he stutters, running a hand through his hair, making me flush once more, “how are you feeling?”

I’m startled by his question. Why is he asking how I’m feeling? I’m worried about him! He has so much more resting on his shoulders than I do. Mine is a simple injury, well, maybe not simple, but its less than Harry’s injuries. His are mental and emotional, so much more damaging in the end.

I gaze at him and see he is staring intently back at me, waiting for my answer. I gulp and manage to respond.

“I’m…I’m fine, Harry. How about you though?”

The look on Harry’s face scares me. Its nothing. No emotion, no reaction, nothing. Its like I am looking at a wall, a person who doesn’t care about anything. And then I realize that Harry has built as much of a wall as I have, hiding his feelings inside himself. Not the same feelings as me, but feelings. And I know I have never understood him better then I have at this very moment.

“Harry,” I begin softly, “sit down.”

Still not looking at me, Harry slouches into the chair across from me, his eyes firmly fixed on his lap. I lean forward and wring my hands in my lap, trying to place the words together, the words that are flowing in my head.

“I know you are hurting, Harry. You may think you have put a wall up and can block it all but that is the first sign that you are hiding. You can’t blame yourself for what happened, it is no one’s fault. You are who you are and you can not change that. Since the day you were born, nothing has been your fault. It’s Voldemort’s fault. He is the one to blame, the only one, everything horrible is because of him.”

I pause, hoping Harry is listening even though he still refuses to look at me. I continue in a softer tone.

“Don’t push us away, Harry. Ron and I care about you deeply. We want to be there for you but we can’t if you shove us away and hide from us. I know you want to protect us in the end but we want to be by you, we want to fight beside you. That is our choice, Harry, and you can not take that away from us. We care about you, Harry, you are our friend and nothing will keep us from staying by your side. Take that wall away, Harry, stop blocking us. Hiding your true emotions and feelings will do no good in the end. Trust us, Harry. Trust me.”

I reach over and place my hand over his. Harry flinches but doesn’t pull away. He stares down at my hand on top of his in wonder for a few minutes. Then his eyes raise up and lock with mine, showing raw pain within them. I gasp and clutch his hand harder as his fingers lace with mine. He’s finally showing me everything he has been hiding and I realize how difficult it is for him.

“I’m here for you, Harry,” I whisper.

A single tear rolls down his face and I want nothing more than to hug him and wipe those tears away. So, pushing my own fear aside, I stand up and grip Harry in a hug. He clutches on to me and chokes back a sob. His body trembles under the strain but he refuses to break down in the Common Room. Nobody notices us and I am so grateful.

Harry finally stops shaking and I run a hand lightly through his hair. Harry’s grip on me loosens and I hear his voice muffled against my shoulder.

“Thank you, Hermione.”

The words send my heart racing once more and I smile gently. Harry pulls away from me sharply and once more locks his eyes on mine. He grabs my hands in his and speaks firmly.

“I mean that, Hermione. Thank you. I needed to hear something like that. It doesn’t erase everything but it has helped a little. Thank you for being my friend and for always being there, even when I failed you.”

He looks away from me and my heart breaks. I lightly touch his cheek. “You never failed me, Harry.”

He looks at me with tearful eyes and slowly nods his head. The want to tell him how much I love him rises once more in my chest but I fight it down. I know I must tell him but right now, its not the time. Harry is in too much pain and I can’t throw this on him now.

Harry stands and wipes his eyes, smiling at me with that crooked grin. He hugs me fiercely and I revel in his closeness. He kisses me softly on the forehead and then returns to the stairs, probably needing to do more packing and thinking. I watch him and he turns around once more and grins at me.

I have never felt happier in my life. I haven’t told Harry how I feel but for one moment, a great connection was made between us. I wrap my arms around myself and smile.

“One day, Harry, you will know,” I whisper, “but for now, I will watch and be your friend.”

I will always be there for you.

........................

Author's Note: Yay! I wrote another chapter to this story. Hermione's POV now and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I've always liked writing Hermione's character because it comes so easily to me, maybe because I can relate to her in a few ways. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I am so grateful for all my reviews for the last part, it meant so much to me! I'm planning on doing only one more part to this story and it will most likely be fastforwarded to the end of seventh year, not completely sure yet though.
I really hope you enjoyed the read and please review! I'm hoping to get the next chapter of The Heirs of Hogwarts written and up very soon, so watch out for that as well!
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt

3. My Only One

Chapter Three - My Only One

Hermione stood in the dark Common Room at Hogwarts, tears racing down her face and shivering from some unknown coldness. She wrapped her arms firmly around herself, trying to calm her beating heart and trying to tell herself that everything would be okay.

But the slamming sound of the portrait door shutting broke her from those thoughts and panic filled her brain. Hermione raised her blurry eyes toward the entrance, the silence beginning to pound in her ears.

How could she let him leave like that? How could she let him walk out on her without her ever telling him the truth? How could she let him go with the knowledge that she might never see him again and so many unspoken words between them? How could she not tell him, once and for all, that she loved him?

“No,” Hermione whispered suddenly, “No, I can’t let him go. He has to know.”

Hermione bolted for the portrait door and shoved it open, only one goal set in her mind. To get to Harry.

“Hermione!” Ron shouted, breaking from his own trance long enough to call after her. “Hermione, don’t! It will only make things worse!”

But Hermione wouldn’t hear his pleas. Her heart and mind were set and now she wouldn’t turn back. She had to tell Harry that she loved him. Now. Or she would regret it forever. She had waited two long, painful years for this moment to come and now, just as it was about to slip out of her hands, she was making one last attempt to grasp on to it.

Hermione raced blindly down the unending corridors, searching desperately for Harry and hoping he hadn’t left completely already. She burst out of the castle, throwing the heavy doors open, and started running across the damp grass, heading toward the lake. The moonlight shined brightly down on her and Hermione frantically scanned her eyes all over the grounds.

Finally, she caught sight of him, walking slowly toward the Forbidden Forest, his head bowed as if under a great weight. Her heart stopped for a second at the sight of him and she quickly forced herself to call out to him.

“Harry!” she yelled hoarsely, fear filling her.

Harry swung around in surprise and his eyes widened in shock when he saw Hermione frantically running at him, tears falling down her face. The ache in his heart grew at the sight of her. He hated putting her through this pain, just leaving her without so much as a hint of his feelings for her. But he had to, he might not survive this final battle with Voldemort, and he didn’t want to just leave Hermione after confessing to something as big as love.

Now she was running after him, probably trying to get him to not leave, and he couldn’t let her do that. This hurt him so much but he was going to have to push her away, for now.

“Hermione, go back, don’t come after me. Make this easier on me and leave now.” Harry backed away from her, stepping closer to the foreboding trees.

Hermione stopped a few feet in front of him and stretched a trembling hand toward him.

“Don’t go, Harry. Please, don’t go,” she whispered.

Harry shook his head and closed his eyes. “I have to, Hermione. Please understand that. I have to. Don’t try to stop me because you won’t. This is my destiny, I have to fight Voldemort. Please Hermione, go back.”

Hermione started shaking and fell slowly to her knees, not able to stand any longer. She buried her face in her hands, the tears coming even faster and choking sobs escaping her lips. It was now or never, it was time to confess everything.

“Not yet,” she said softly, but loud enough for Harry to hear her, “you can’t go yet, not before I tell you the truth. Not before I tell you what I’ve kept hidden for so long. Not before I tell you…..I tell you that I love you.”

Harry froze at her final words and let the realization sink in slowly. Had he heard that right? Had Hermione just said that she loved him? Loved him? No, he must have misheard, Hermione could never, would never, love him. It wasn’t possible. It had always been a dream to him that she would return his unspoken feelings for her. And now when it finally became reality, he knew he could never allow it to happen. He knew he couldn’t let Hermione love him, especially now.

“No, Hermione,” he said quietly, “you don’t love me. Don’t say that, you can’t love me. I might never return, I can’t give you that kind of love back. Go, live your life and forget about me. Stop loving me. Don’t love someone who is marked for death. Give your heart to a more worthy person.”

With tears in his own eyes, Harry turned his back on Hermione and started walking away, feeling his heart breaking into a million pieces and being left at the feet of the sobbing girl who held it so tightly.

Hermione felt a flash of anger at Harry’s words and when she looked up and saw him leaving, she jumped up, blind rage filling her.

“Harry James Potter, you are a complete arse! Don’t tell me who to love and who not to love. Don’t tell me any of that. I love you and nothing will ever change that. I’ve loved you for so long I can barely remember when it started. But what I do know is that I love you and I will never stop loving you.”

Hermione collapsed to the ground once more and breathed out the last words. “I can’t not love you.”

Harry hunched forward and shut his eyes tightly, trying to breathe. He couldn’t do this, he just couldn’t. He willed himself to keep his back turned. He tried to block out the sound of Hermione’s tears. He tried to forget the pain he was causing both of them by his ignorance of the truth. But the pain was becoming unbearable.

“Why me?” he managed to say.

“Why?” Hermione repeated quietly. “Because you’re the only one I’ve ever wanted. Because you’re the one who stole my heart so many years ago. Because you’re the only one who’s ever made me feel safe and made me feel truly happy. Because you are you. Because you look beyond everything about me on the surface and see me for me. Because, Harry, you’re my only one, the one I love.”

Harry felt a tear run down his face at her words, never knowing someone could love him like that. He never thought those feelings would be returned but here they were, being handed to him. Suddenly Harry knew he couldn’t deny it any longer. No matter what happened, he could no longer resist the strong feelings in his heart. He could no longer hold back his love for Hermione. He had hid it for two years and it was now time to speak the truth.

Harry slowly turned back around and took a few uncertain steps toward Hermione’s crumbled form. The words wouldn’t form though and Harry merely watched her as he kept approaching. Hermione was refusing to look at him and was staring blankly toward the direction of the lake. He knelt carefully in front of her and slowly stretched out his hand and placed it gently on her cheek.

Hermione flinched but allowed him to turn her head to face him. Brown eyes met with green ones, both filled with tears. Hermione felt her skin tingling at his touch and a blush forming under his intense gaze. Harry cupped her cheek and smiled softly at her.

“Oh, Hermione, you don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words.”

Hermione looked at him in confusion. “Ha…Harry….what? What do you mean?”

Harry chuckled lightly and leaned a bit closer to her, so their noses were almost brushing. Hermione gasped at the sudden closeness and closed her eyes briefly. Her heart was racing and she almost couldn’t believe this was happening.

“You’re my only one too, Hermione,” he whispered, “I’ve always loved you.”

Fresh tears sprang into Hermione’s eyes at his words and silently ran down her face. Harry gently brushed them away with his thumb.

“Please don’t cry, Hermione, I hate seeing you cry.”

Hermione shook her head firmly. “No, its just….I never expected you to love me in return.”

“How could I not love you?” he said seriously.

Hermione laughed lightly and threw her arms around Harry’s neck, crying on his shoulder through her joy of finally being able to really love the man she had secretly loved for so many long years. He hugged her back just as fiercely, burying his face in her long hair and breathing in her scent.

“I love you, Harry, I love you,” she kept whispering over and over again.

Harry rubbed her back soothingly, trying to calm her down, and knowing the whole time he would have to leave soon. He would have to leave the only person who he loved with his entire heart, the one that was his soul mate and was the reason he lived. Yes, she was the reason he lived, and she was the reason he would fight to keep living.

The power Voldemort knows not, maybe this is it, Harry thought. It’s love.

Harry pulled away from her and grabbed Hermione’s face between his hands and lightly stroked her cheek with his finger.

“You know I have to go,” he said, “but know now that I love you and I always will love you, no matter what happens. I will always be in your heart and I will carry you in mine through it all. You’re never leaving me. I love you, Hermione Granger.”

Harry then leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers; their first kiss. It was a sweet and innocent kiss that held nothing but love behind it and Harry’s heart swelled. He now knew what love was.

They broke apart and Hermione smiled at him through her tears. He placed a kiss on her forehead and slowly stood up, his fingers intertwining with hers. Hermione stood up as well and hugged him again, never wanting to let him go, knowing that this might just be the last time she ever saw him.

Harry then slowly begin to back away, his hand never leaving hers. Hermione bit her lip in an effort to stop more sobs from escaping her. Their eyes remained locked the entire time, trying to share between them every ounce of feelings that boiled beneath the surface. Secret signs of love passed between them until they finally had to let go of each other and their hands dropped.

Hermione shivered at the loss of Harry’s warmth and felt her heart breaking with each step he took away from her. So this is what it felt like, to have your heart broken and watch the one person who meant everything to you walk away with the knowledge of maybe never seeing them again.

Just as Harry started to turn back to the forest, Hermione called out after him.

“Come back to me, Harry!” she cried.

He stopped briefly. “I will,” he said quietly.

And then he was gone, disappearing into the black depth of the swaying trees, and taking Hermione’s heart with him. Hermione crumpled to the ground and cried until she could cry no more.

She never thought love would hurt so much.

.........................

Author's Note: Finally, got another chapter up to this story! I know I said it was only going to be a 3 chapter story, but as you can see, that's obviously not how it worked out. I probably have only one chapter left and then its done. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, a bit shorter than my last one but longer than the first. I appreciate every single review I have received, you guys are the best and thank you for following this little story of mine! :) I'll try and get the next chapter up asap. Also, I'm working on chapter 22 of Heirs so I'll hopefully have that up within the week, hopefully!
Thank you again for reading this and I hope you like how I put Harry and Hermione together! Please review, I'd appreciate it!
Lots of love,
PhoenixFirebolt

4. Return To Me

Chapter 4 - Return To Me

In the weeks that followed Harry’s departure, Hermione sat and waited for news with bated breath. With each passing day, fear and doubt of his return filled her being even more. N.E.W.T.’s were drawing closer and closer but Hermione could not concentrate on studying at all. Harry and his return to her were the only things on her mind and she refused to pay attention to anything else.

Ron was genuinely worried about his female best friend, for she never let anything ever stand in the way of her studies.

Except Harry, he thought sadly, watching Hermione out of the corner of his eye.

She was sitting completely still on the couch, staring blankly into the fire, dried tear marks on her cheeks. One of the only constant things that Hermione did lately was cry. Ron often overheard Lavender and Parvati complaining about how they could barely sleep at night because her sobs kept them awake. Ron himself had witnessed Hermione several times bent over a thick book in the library, tears splashing onto the pages.

Recently though, Ron had begun to notice that her tears weren’t coming as frequently. More than anything, Hermione had secluded herself, barely speaking to anyone and looking on the brink of collapsing and having a mental breakdown. She always looked exhausted and dark circles had appeared under her eyes, growing deeper with each passing day.

At the moment, her Transfiguration book was laid open on the table in front of her, a blank piece of parchment sitting next to it. Her ink bottle was tightly closed and Ron had yet to see Hermione attempt to even start studying that night.

In hopes to get her at least talking a bit and maybe start considering her studies, Ron leaned forward in his chair and spoke quietly to his motionless friend.

“Hey, ‘Mione, do you think you could help me a bit with this Potions homework? I’m having a lot of difficulty understanding what this mixture does when properly brewed.”

He stared hopefully at her for a few minutes but Hermione had obviously not heard a word he had said. Ron sighed deeply and leaned farther forward, tapping her gently on the shoulder.

Hermione blinked slowly as if snapping out of a reverie and turned her head, staring at Ron for a second as if seeing him for the first time. She gave him an odd smile before speaking.

“Oh, Ron. Did you need something?”

Ron had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes but instead let a sympathetic smile grace his face.

“Hermione,” he started softly, “please, you’re hurting yourself by doing this. I’ve never seen you neglect your studies this much, usually you’re nagging me about mine and I kind of wish it was back to being like that. Stopping your studies and just sitting doing nothing isn’t going to bring Harry back any faster. I want him to return safely as much as you do but he wouldn’t want us to stop living just because he’s gone. Think about him yes, but don’t stop living your life.”

Hermione stared at him with teary eyes as Ron sat in wonderment of his own sudden wisdom. For a moment, it seemed that she was really taking in his words but in the next second, Hermione shook her head sharply and stood up.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ron,” she replied loftily. “Thanks for being concerned but you don’t understand. I’m fine.”

She started walking away, heading for the portrait hole, intent on taking a walk even though it was already past curfew. Ron quickly spun around in his chair and called after her.

“Wait! Hermione, no! You can’t just…..” he trailed off when he realized she wasn’t listening and was already out the door.

Ron stood up, ready to chase her down and make her see reason, but Ginny stepped in his path.

“Out of the way, Gin,” he snapped angrily. “I have to talk to Hermione.”

Ginny put her hands on her hips and tossed her flaming red hair behind her shoulders, giving her brother the evil eye.

“Ronald Weasley, you insensitive prat!” Ginny said testily. “Leave Hermione alone. I know you mean well but you don’t understand. Hermione loves Harry. I know you want him back too but it’s to a different degree. When you find your true love and then they’re suddenly not there, facing danger without you, something inside you breaks. Until Harry returns, Hermione is not going to feel complete. And if he dies, something within her will die as well. She can’t be the same person without him here. She’s a strong, independent woman, but in terms of the heart, no one acts like their usual self. If you want to truly help Hermione, just be there for her. Be her shoulder to cry on and be her best friend. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Ron stared hard at Ginny for many minutes before his shoulders drooped and he hung his head, looking close to tears himself.

“I know, Gin, I know. It’s just so hard to watch Hermione suffer though, she doesn’t deserve this. She deserves to be happy and so much more. I just want to help in some way.”

Ginny placed a comforting hand on her brother’s shoulder. “I know you mean well in all of your intentions, Ron, just don’t push her too hard.”

“I just wish Harry would come back soon,” Ron muttered, keeping his head down.

“Don’t we all wish that,” Ginny whispered, turning to stare at the pitch black sky beyond the window.

…………………………..

Hermione walked briskly down the corridors of Hogwarts, her breath misting in front of her slightly and at a loss for where her feet were taking her. All she knew was that her mind was a confusing mess and she needed to go somewhere besides the Common Room to be by herself and just think.

Hermione knew she had been acting strange lately. Everyone had been noticing the sudden drop in her studies and almost all of them were very concerned about it. Hermione never let anything allow her to lose concentration in her studies, nothing distracted her from getting top grades every year.

Only Harry Potter can do this to me, she thought somewhat bitterly.

A lump rose in her throat at the thought of Harry and what he might be facing at that very moment.

He could be dying and I wouldn’t even know it! she thought, clenching her fists.

But Hermione knew better. She knew the moment that something bad happened to Harry, she would feel it. In her gut and in her heart, she would feel it. And a part of her would die as well.

She closed her eyes tightly, willing the fresh amount of tears that wanted to spill forth to stay back. She would not cry again, she couldn’t cry anymore. So many tears she had wept in the past weeks and she now felt spent. All Hermione felt now was a constant ache that would not recede. An ache in her heart that sometimes made it hard to breathe. An ache that was causing her to lose all other conscious thought.

It killed Hermione to know that when she had been finally able to confess her love to Harry, that he had to leave her the same night. It killed her to know that all of her feelings were equally returned by him but that they might never be able to express their love for each other.

All because of that stupid Prophecy, she thought angrily. Why did it have to be him?

Hermione hung her head and continued walking, not even realizing she was going up a set of stairs. She was shocked when she found herself bumping into a door and she snapped her head up, her brown eyes wide. Somehow she had gotten to the Astronomy Tower and it was miracle that she had gotten there without getting caught or noticed by anyone.

Biting her lip, Hermione threw a nervous look behind her shoulder before cautiously reaching forward and turning the metal doorknob. The wooden door softly creaked open and Hermione stepped onto the darkened balcony.

A light wind hit her face, cooling her hot cheeks, and Hermione breathed in the clean air deeply. She stepped further out onto the Astronomy Tower, shutting the door behind her. She stood completely still for a moment, savoring the utter peacefulness of the area. For the first time in weeks, she felt content. Up here, she felt closer to Harry then she had been in a long time.

Hermione walked to the railing and stared out at the barely visible grounds below. The shimmering blackness of the lake could be seen reflecting a few stars and the moon; Hagrid’s hut billowed white smoke into the night; the Forbidden Forest swayed dangerously in the night. Hermione shivered and hugged her arms to herself, remembering the last time she had been by the dark trees. That was the night Harry had left her.

She turned her back on the scene and before she could help herself, Hermione fell to the floor, her back scraping against the stone wall. The tears she had been trying so hard to stop all night came falling out of her chocolate eyes, and this time, she let them come. Hermione’s tears splashed to the floor and her soft sobs echoed strangely in the empty balcony.

She was crying for everything and nothing. She was crying for Harry and she was crying for herself. She was crying for all the innocent lives lost in battle and for all those who would lose their lives. She was crying for her friends and family that she knew were in danger. But most of all, she was crying for love that had been discovered but never been given a chance, and for love that would never be found.

Hermione didn’t know how long she cried on the floor of the Astronomy Tower but by the time only a few tears were trailing down her face and only her hiccups echoed off the walls, the moon was high in the sky and the air was colder. She blinked and slowly raised herself up off the floor. Her breathing began to return to normal and the flow of tears stopped altogether.

Hermione turned back to stare at the area around Hogwarts. And for the first time in a while, a real smile began to play at the corners of her lips. Crying that many tears seemed to have set something within Hermione’s mind. She was finally at peace with herself and everything that was going on around her. She knew she couldn’t be selfish and just want Harry to herself. He had a job to do, a job to protect the world from evil and fulfill his destiny. Hermione knew she could nothing to stop Harry from doing this. As much as she wanted to protect him, he wanted to protect her and everyone else just as much.

For now, all she could do was keep loving him and praying for his safety. She would wait for Harry Potter as long as needed, because her love for him ran that deep and she refused to ever give up on him.

“Just return to me, Harry,” Hermione whispered into the night. “That’s all I ask of you. Promise that you will return to me.”

The blowing wind was her only answer.

................

Author's Note: Oh my goodness! Where have I been lately?? I am SOOO incredibly sorry about the lack of updates in the past few months. College has been insane and I just finished up my finals last week so this is the first time I've gotten to write in a while. I've wanted to write my stories so bad but timing has just been horrible! And then, my new laptop that I'd had for only three months, crashed on me and I lost all my work, including the first few pages of Chapter 22 of The Heirs of Hogwarts. I was so mad I could barely think of re-writing the chapter again. I'm FINALLY in the process of writing it again but its taking a while cause it almost doesnt feel the same. I'm really trying though so just give me a few more days and it will most likely be up. I decided to write this chapter first and get this story going again too. Only one more chapter left to this one so...be on the look-out for chapter 5. Again, I am so sorry about the delay and I hope you like this chapter. Maybe not my greatest but it was sort of one last chapter to show what Hermione is going through. Kind of short but it wasnt meant to be a long chapter. Please review and yes, the Heirs of Hogwarts will be updated SOON, I can promise you that! Thank you for reading and I hope you still enjoy my stories :).
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt

5. The Reason

Chapter Five - The Reason

Harry Potter stood on the top of a hill millions of miles from civilization, trembling and hardly believing his eyes. With the sword of Godric Gryffindor in one hand and his wand in the other, Harry had just singly handily defeated the most powerful dark wizard on the face of the Earth. Voldemort.

It had all happened so fast. A flurry of lights, Voldemort laughing, Harry falling to the ground thinking he was going to die. But Hermione flashed before his eyes and with unknown strength, Harry pushed himself off the ground and drove the sword right through Voldemort’s black heart. Writhing in agony, Voldemort crumpled and died. The Second War was officially over.

Exhaustion finally setting in, Harry slowly kneeled in the dirt, dropping the bloody sword. He breathed in softly, the lack of fresh air starting to give him a headache. He was dirty, hurt, and tired, but he had won. He had saved the Wizarding World. The first signs of a smile started to grow on his face, he was so glad it was over. So many had died in order for this day to happen but now so many more would keep on living.

Harry glanced up at the darkening sky and sighed. He had been waiting for this moment to come for so long that it was hard for him to believe that it was actually over. His destiny had been fulfilled, it was the strangest feeling in the world. But then a new feeling filled him, one of total joy.

I can finally go home to Hermione! he thought.

This simple statement excited him beyond belief. It had been so long since he had left her and Harry missed her deeply. To not have Hermione there, fighting beside him and just being with him, had been one of the greatest pains Harry had ever gone through. She was his constant support and then she wasn’t there for the biggest thing to ever happen in his life.

But had he really wanted her there? If Hermione had been there for the battle, her life would only have been in danger and Harry knew he wouldn’t have been able to protect her in the way he wanted to. Leaving her behind had been the best decision but it also hadn’t been.

Harry’s greatest fear was that once he returned to Hogwarts, his feelings for Hermione would not be shared anymore. Could she have given up on him? Did she maybe think he would break his promise and that she shouldn’t wait around for him? Had she moved on?

No! Harry thought angrily to himself. Don’t think like that, Potter! You know Hermione, you know she loves you, she said so herself. And you haven’t been gone that long, how could she have moved on already? You know she’s waiting for you.

Harry desperately tried to reassure himself but he couldn’t help the doubts that filled his mind. He knew he shouldn’t doubt though, he should trust Hermione, he had for this long.

Harry shook his head, breaking away from his thoughts. He stood up again, swaying slightly. Grabbing the sword once more and tucking his wand into his pocket, Harry slowly made his way down the barren hill. He somehow found his cloak in the dirt and performed a quick cleaning spell before throwing it over his shoulders to block out the slight chill in the wind. Harry turned his gaze toward the setting sun, watching the rays of gold turn to pink and red. It was a beautiful sight.

“I can’t believe I survived,” he whispered, finally letting the reality sink in.

But Harry had survived only for one reason. As the battle with Voldemort had raged on and grown more and more difficult, only one name was going through his head. Hermione. The promise he had made to her had stayed with him and he had to win the fight because of it, he had never broken a promise to Hermione before.

The promise wasn’t the only thing though. There was something that Voldemort would never understand, the thing that Harry possessed that Voldemort did not. Love. That had been the key. The strong surge of love running through him for Hermione had saved him. Though he had loved Hermione for years, knowing she loved him in return had been the extra amount to make Harry more powerful then Voldemort. Hearing her say the words to him had made the Dark Lord’s demise possible.

Harry owed Hermione so much. She was the reason behind everything he did. She was the reason why every year he kept fighting and trying to be the hero. She was the reason that he didn’t collapse and just give up. She was reason he always kept going. Hermione was his reason.

Harry sighed and watched as the sun disappeared from view. It was now time to return home. He wanted to so badly but it was a strange sensation to know that his work was finally over. Well, maybe not completely over, the task of finishing up and putting away the last of the Death Eaters was still ahead of him. But that job could wait for a while.

Harry started searching the ground for something he could change into a portkey. He finally found an old bottle and tapped it with his wand, muttering “Portus.” The bottle glowed blue before going still.

So this was it. He was finally going back to Hogwarts, back to his friends, back to Hermione. Now was his chance to finally be with Hermione, his feelings didn’t need to be hidden anymore. The destruction of Voldemort had reduced the threat of danger. Now Harry could finally be free to love, no more holding back.

“I’m coming, Hermione,” he said softly as he reached down for the bottle.

Harry straightened and smiled. It was time.

She was the reason he survived. She was the reason he was coming home.

..........................

Author's Note: Ok, I am really sorry for this incredibly short chapter and I know I said this would be the last one but it didn't work out that way. I felt I needed to throw in one more chapter about Harry, though it is a short one. Just a few more of his feelings before the official LAST CHAPTER. Again, terribly sorry about the shortness of this chapter, I absolutely promise to try and get the last one up tomorrow! So, don't get mad at me for this, I'll have the end soon! Thank you so much for supporting this little fic of mine, I love all the reviews! Please review this chapter too!
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt

6. I'll Always Love You

Chapter Six - I’ll Always Love You

Hermione sat before the dying fire in the Gryffindor Common Room, busily doing her homework and trying to keep her mind occupied. Since realizing on the Astronomy Tower that she needed to keep living her life despite her worry for Harry, Hermione had been concentrated solely on her school work. It was all that she did.

Ron had been ecstatic when he saw his best friend finally doing something. But now he was starting to become anxious again once he noticed that Hermione’s focus had switched from Harry to studying.

“This isn’t healthy, Hermione!” he had yelled at her just a few hours earlier.

Hermione had ignored him. He had wanted her to move on, so that’s what she was doing. It didn’t matter how much her hand cramped around the quill or how tired her eyes were from staring at the small print in the textbooks, she was going to keep studying. It was her distraction.

Shaking her head, Hermione squinted and kept on reading from her Advanced Charms book. N.E.W.T.S were looming just around the corner and she knew she would have to perform many complex spells to pass. Not like Ron hadn’t already stated that fact many times in the past weeks.

For a rare moment, a true smile spread across Hermione’s face. To think that Ron is pushing me to study! She couldn’t help chuckling at the thought.

She sombered quickly though, sighing deeply and turning back to writing notes on her piece of parchment. The scratching of her quill was the only sound in the Common Room, it being well past midnight and all of her Housemates asleep.

Pausing midsentence, Hermione glanced up at the large window across the room. Darkness was all she could see along with a faint sliver of silver that could only be the moon. She knew it was cold out, it had been raining all day, dark clouds always present. The day had exactly matched her mood but she didn’t let on anymore, always acting happy though sorrow filled her heart.

Night had come though and no one was around, so now Hermione could drop the act. Her quill slipped out of her hand and dropped on the fresh ink, smearing the neat words. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.

Where is he? she thought desperately, not even wanting to imagine Harry fighting in the cold.

Or perhaps lying in the mud…… Hermione stopped herself from finishing the thought, cursing mildly under her breath. I told myself I wouldn’t think like that again!

Depressing thoughts such as those would do nothing to help. Harry would come back, she had to keep believing that. His final promise to her was forever etched in her mind and she knew Harry would do everything in his power to keep that promise. Harry always kept his promises, one of the many things she loved so deeply about him.

Hermione sighed and stood up, making her way over to the fireplace. With a flick of her wand, the flames roared upward for a second before diminishing into a merrily crackling fire. The warmth could not reach fully into her though and Hermione still shivered, her heart feeling cold. Her brown eyes were blank and filled with unshed tears.

No matter how much Hermione convinced herself and everyone around her that she was doing fine, deep down she knew that her worry had never left. Hurt and sadness were still within her and threatening to spill over into full out anguish. With each breath she took, an ache formed in her heart in the void that had been placed there once Harry had left her.

As much as it hurt her pride to say this, Hermione needed Harry, she loved him too much to go on without him if he didn’t survive.

With a soft sob, Hermione fell to her knees and placed her face in her hands. Tears started to slowly trickle down her face despite her attempts to prevent them. Her shoulders began to shake with an effort to restrain the sobs from becoming too loud, there was no need to wake her Housemates and have them question her.

And then it happened. As she kneeled on the ground, trembling and trying to hold back the ache, a voice spoke behind her.

“Please don’t cry, Hermione.”

Hermione froze and barely dared to breath. Very slowly she pulled her hands away from her face and stood up. Her back still turned to the person, Hermione spoke softly to them.

“Am I dreaming?” she whispered.

The person laughed softly and the sound sent chills up Hermione’s spine. She hadn’t heard that laugh in what seemed like forever.

“No, Hermione, you’re not dreaming. Please, turn around.”

Shaking, Hermione turned and her eyes came to rest on the most wonderful sight in her entire life. Smiling tiredly but joyfully at her, Harry Potter stood before her, his green eyes shining in the firelight and his messy hair still damp from the rain. His clothes were soaked and he looked like he was freezing but the most important fact was that he was alive.

He stared intently into Hermione’s eyes, not knowing what to say to the woman he loved more that anything in the world, the woman he had left behind and the one he had returned to. He started to open his mouth but shut it quickly. What could he say?

Hermione took a tentative step forward, tear marks still evident on her cheeks. “Harry?” she said quietly, hardly believing her eyes.

He smiled gently at her in return and before he could make any other reaction, Hermione was rushing at him and jumping into his arms, hugging him tightly. Harry wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her firmly against his body, tears starting to come to his own eyes.

He realized suddenly how wet he was but he noticed that Hermione seemed not to care, only gripping him closer to her. He soothingly started to rub her back, just reveling in the closeness of her and that finally, after so long, he was back in her arms. The sound of her sobs suddenly reached his ears and Harry stared down at the top of her head in concern.

“Hermione?” he whispered. “Hermione, what’s wrong?”

Hermione lifted her head and gave Harry a beautiful smile, looking into his eyes.

“Nothing, Harry,” she said with a small laugh. “I’m crying because I’m happy to see you.”

He dropped his head a bit, becoming serious. “I kept my promise.”

Hermione bit her bottom lip and nodded her head. “I know, I know. You told me you would, I had no reason to ever doubt you, though I did at times.”

“Oh, Hermione,” Harry responded, wiping her tears away gently with his thumb, “do not feel bad about that. I easily could have….”

Hermione quickly put her finger to his lips and stared at him intently. “No, Harry, don’t talk like that. You are here now, with me. You won the War and you returned to me, that’s all that matters now. You came back.”

She removed her finger from his lips and put her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead against his. Harry sighed with pleasure and closed his eyes. This was why he had come home. He had fought for this, for this feeling, to be back with the one person he loved above anything else and who loved him back with the same amount of love.

“I love you,” he managed to say. He opened his eyes to see Hermione’s reaction.

She smiled at him and ran a hand through his black hair, causing him to sigh. “I know, I love you too.”

And then their lips were on each other, meeting for the first time since their kiss in the rain. That kiss had been a promise, sealing a goodbye but also sealing the fact that he would return. This kiss was about something different, also a promise but sealing a new one, that their love was true and their future was with each other.

The kiss started out very gentle and innocent but soon grew more passionate as their feelings for each other burst to the surface and escalated. Harry and Hermione were in their own world, only focused on the kiss and expressing their love to one another.

Eventually they pulled apart and stared into each other’s eyes, breathing hard. A single tear made its way down Hermione’s cheek and she hugged Harry to her once more.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said. “Don’t leave me again.”

“I promise, Hermione,” Harry replied. “I’ll never leave you again.”

Hermione smiled into his chest. “I love you, Harry.” Her voice sounded muffled.

Harry pulled away from her and put his finger under her chin, forcing Hermione to look up at him again. Once she was looking up at him, he spoke his next words firmly.

“I’ll always love you, Hermione.”

Then he kissed her again and this time she had no doubt in what Harry was saying.

THE END

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Author's Note: Thank you soo much for all the wonderful support of this short fic of mine! I had a lot of fun writing it and I'm really sad it had to come to an end. Harry came home though and this is the only ending I can think of for this fic. You can probably guess where it goes from here, lol. I considered writing an epilogue but I really don't think it is necessary. I'm proud of how I wrote this and I really hope all of you enjoyed it too! Now I can concentrate solely on the Heirs of Hogwarts, which I'm happy about cause chapters will come along faster now. I start classes again on monday so hopefully I'll get a few chapters up before I start that, though I will try to continue writing at college. Please review and look for the next chapter to Heirs within the next day or so!
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt