Hermione had never been to Harry's apartment before, but found it cozy. It was fairly small and also tidy considering the fact that it belonged to a guy. It also didn't look like a wizard's home at all, except for Hedwig's cage in the corner. They had just stopped to drop off her things and then went out to a movie. Hermione leaned on his shoulder and held his hand the entire time. Harry's heart was doing somersaults by the end. Afterwards, they went out to eat and then back to his place again. It was nice to just sit together and watch television. The way that he just rested his arm around her shoulders was so relaxing and pleasant. She felt very cared for. Harry even pulled her legs into his lap and sat absent-mindedly stroking them for a while. He'd half expected her to ask him to stop, but she didn't. They sat that way, pretty much in silence just enjoying one another's presence until Hermione fell asleep. She stirred when he picked her up to take her to bed.
"Oh I'm sorry," she said with a yawn. "I didn't mean to nod off yet." As he carried her, Hermione realized how nice he felt. She hadn't really paid it much attention before, but his chest was nice and firm and his arms were bigger than she'd remembered, but then again, he'd never actually picked her up before.
"It's ok," he answered as he laid her down in his four-poster (he'd been quite fond of them ever since he'd slept in one for the first time at Hogwarts). "There's only one bed, so I'll take the sofa. See you in the morning."
He gave her hand a gentle pat and turned to leave. A couple of hours later, he was awakened by a cry coming from the bedroom. Quickly he rushed in to see what was wrong. Hermione was balled up sobbing.
"Hermione," he said and gently shook her shoulder. "Hermione, are you having a bad dream?"
She continued to whimper and rolled over with her eyes still closed. He shook her a bit harder and felt guilty for it, but this time she did wake up and looked relieved to see him.
"Sorry I had to shake you so hard, but you wouldn't wake up. What happened? What were you dreaming about?" he said, now kneeling beside the bed and stroking her head.
"I hadn't told you, but I've been having these nightmares for a while now. I dreamed that you were…" She couldn't say it.
"That I was what…dead?" he asked.
Hermione nodded. The memory of seeing him so near death had made quite a lasting impression on her.
Harry was moved with emotion. "Hermione," he said sweetly and took her hand, "I'm fine. I'm right here, and I plan to be for a long time…thanks to you."
She scooted over a little bit.
"Come here," she said and took his other hand.
Harry looked a little hesitant, but pulled himself up beside her and sat.
"No…lie down. You can stay. I don't mind," she clarified.
Oh this was just too much, Harry thought to himself - Hermione and him together in the same bed. True, it had happened once before, but he couldn't remember that. Now he was very much awake having to handle seeing her in a nightgown, which no matter how modest it was, couldn't conceal what Mother Nature had gifted her with. That combined with the way she was looking at him didn't make for a very calming effect. However, the bed was big; she had her side, he had his, and he would be there if she woke up from another nightmare, he reasoned.
"Ok, if you want me to, I'll stay," he said shakily.
"I do," she responded.
Carefully, he stretched out beside her. Hermione turned her back to him, but as she did so, she took his arm and wrapped it snugly around her shoulders so that his hand was under her cheek.
"There, that's better," she mumbled. Soon she was asleep again and remained peacefully so the rest of the night. Harry, however, spent quite a bit of time awake, thinking that he must be dreaming.
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