To Everything There is a Season

It was unbelievable, Harry thought as he was getting ready to go to the ball. It was almost the end of his seventh year at Hogwarts. He had been so happy there. It shouldn't have to end. There were butterflies in his stomach for quite a few reasons. This was a special night for him, not just because it would be the last one he attended as a student, but because he'd made up his mind to do something very important. He was walking on clouds because Hermione had accepted to go with him, but tonight he had to tell her how he felt. All these years they had been the best of friends, and some time before - he couldn't quite put his finger on when, he had started to have other feelings for her. She had always been important to him; he needed her very much even though he didn't always express it. But now, for better or for worse, he decided that he had to tell her that he….loved her. He was a little afraid of not knowing how she'd react, but they had been such good friends. The worst that could happen, he decided, was that she might not feel the same way, but he couldn't see her treating him badly because of it. She was much too kind a person to do that to anyone, least of all one of her best friends. All of these thoughts racing through his mind, he made a last attempt to do something with his hair. It was useless.

“Aren't you ready yet, Harry?” called Ron from across the room.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” he answered nervously, hands sweaty and heart racing.

Sensing his friend's uneasiness, Ron tried to calm him. He knew what was wrong. Actually, he was the only one that Harry had openly confided in about his feelings. Ginny also had a good idea of what was going on, but more because she had figured it out for herself.

“It'll be alright. We've been over this a hundred times. No matter what happens, Harry…”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. It can't be that bad. You're right,” Harry sighed.

Somehow, though, he still didn't appear to be totally convinced of this. Ron clapped him on the shoulder.

“Really, I don't think you've got anything to lose, Harry,” he told him reassuringly.

“Right. Let's go downstairs then.”

In the common room they plopped down in a couple of chairs and waited. Harry laid his head back and closed his eyes, trying to think of the perfect words to say when the moment came. He was only like that for a few minutes when he heard Ron whisper.

“Harry, look!”

Nothing could have prepared Harry for what he saw next. Like an angel, she floated down the stairs toward him. Her gown was a pale pink satin and lace. It hugged her figure in all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination. Her hair was tightly done up in an elegant bun with just a tendril hanging down on each side to adorn her face. From head to toe she looked absolutely perfect. The closer she came, the quicker Harry's heart started to beat. He stood from his chair, slowly so as not to have his legs give way.

“Hermione, you look…great,” he said, trying to remain calm.

“Thanks,” she replied with a smile.

Before his wits escaped him, he took out his wand and conjured a single rose, just the shade of pink that matched her dress.

“Here,” he offered.

“How thoughtful of you, Harry!” Hermione said sweetly.

She accepted it and hugged him. Oh why did she have to do that, he thought to himself. It was bad enough looking at her, breathtakingly beautiful as she was. Her touch and light fragrance were almost an overload on his senses. Just then, Ginny came down the stairs to the common room and stood beside her brother. They exchanged hopeful glances at the sight of the embrace.

“Is Harry going to talk to her tonight?” Ginny whispered to Ron.

“So he says. I hope so,” he replied.

Hermione and Harry let go of each other and she put the rose in her hair. She looked radiant.

“Shall we make our way down to the Great Hall?” she asked.

A gently blushing Harry responded, “Um, yes, I suppose we can start heading that way.”

“We'll see you guys down there in a bit,” Ron said, “I'm meeting Padma at the entrance to the Great Hall.”

“Sounds good,” Harry said.

Ron gave him a small smile of encouragement which Harry appreciated.

Ginny spoke to Hermione, “Save a spot for us!”

“Of course we will,” she answered.

With that, Harry and Hermione headed out through the portrait hole.

“They're so cute together,” Ginny said with a thoughtful smile, “Why do you look so worried?”

“Let's just hope she accepts him, Gin. Because if she doesn't, he's going to take it hard.”

Ginny was also concerned.

“I don't want to think about that, Ron. Harry deserves to be happy. They both do. It just has to work out between them. It has to!”

Amid the excited chatter in the common room, no one had noticed what they were discussing. Other students were coming down and happily talking amongst themselves. Dean came up to Ginny and took her hand. They had been dating for about two years and got along wonderfully.

“Are you ready, Gin? You look fantastic!”

She was quite pretty with her red hair in flowing curls and a deep blue dress. She was glad to get to go with Dean. The ball was really only for those graduating the following week, but since the seventh years could take whomever they chose, Ginny was allowed to accompany him.

“Yes, I'm ready,” she answered excitedly, then turned to Ron, “Would you like to walk with us? Don't want to keep Padma waiting do you?”

Ron chuckled, “Ok then. I suppose you're right.”

The three of them headed out together.

The Great Hall was decorated beautifully. The large house tables were gone to allow for a large dance space and several smaller round tables were set up along the edges of the room. Each was covered with a white tablecloth and had a flower arrangement in the center. With the candles suspended in midair it made for a delightful setting. Dean, Ginny, Ron, and Padma found their way over to Harry and Hermione's table. Harry was glad to have them there. He was still rather nervous. Hermione motioned for Ginny to sit with her. Over the years the two of them had become very close. Other than Harry and Ron, Ginny was the person that Hermione felt most at ease with. They found that they could talk about things that they just couldn't with the boys. As Ginny took her seat, it was obvious to Hermione that she was very pleased.

“Excited?” asked Hermione.

“Oh yes! Aren't you? You look so beautiful,” Ginny said softly so no one else would hear, but with a very big smile nonetheless, like she could barely contain her happiness. In fact, she appeared to be more pleased for Hermione than she was for herself, and Hermione was a little puzzled as to why. Then, still appearing so happy that it looked like she'd burst, she whispered, “Didn't you see Harry's jaw almost hit the floor when he was looking at you?”

Hermione glanced to the side at Harry and then back again, now smiling herself, and chuckled softly, “Oh, you're exaggerating. I wouldn't say that. He'll never think of me as a real girl you know, no matter how great a job you do with my hair. I do like how it turned out, by the way. Thanks for helping me with it. There was no way I could have done it by myself.”

As she said this, she lightly touched her sleek bun.

Ginny beamed even more, “You're welcome. Anytime you need to, you know you can come to me.”

She looked up to Hermione very much. To her, Hermione was the exact model of what a student should be, and at the same time, very much like the sister that she never had. They depended on one another, and it was a pleasant, warm feeling.

The boys were absorbed in a discussion about what their plans were for after graduation when Malfoy approached their table sneering at Harry. He opened his mouth as if about to say something, then his gaze fell on Hermione, and he closed it again. His date, a pretty dark-haired girl they'd never seen him with before, poked him in the ribs with her elbow and they kept walking. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ginny burst out laughing.

“Hermione, I told you that you looked nice. You left Malfoy speechless!”

Hermione rolled her eyes and giggled herself, “Ok, if you say so, Gin.”

Dumbledore stood up to speak from his place at the staff table and everyone got quiet.

“Good evening everybody,” he greeted them, “I would like to congratulate you all on your upcoming graduation. Tonight is your night. Enjoy it.”

He smiled and took his seat again, and at that moment snacks and refreshments appeared on all of the tables and music began to play that seemed to come out of nowhere. Harry took his time eating; he was a little apprehensive about dancing. It wasn't too bad at his first ball when he danced with Parvati, but this time his partner was Hermione and although he was very excited, the thought made him jittery. She, on the other hand, seemed to be completely at ease. Ron and Padma were the first to get up and dance. She remembered how he'd neglected her at the Yule Ball in fourth year, and had not let it happen again at the other events she'd accompanied him to. She and Ron weren't even really dating, but they were comfortable and enjoyed one another's company at such things. Harry watched them dancing, so seemingly carefree, and decided it was time to put his shyness aside and ask his own date to accompany him to the dance floor.

“Hermione, would you like to dance?” he asked, managing not to look too nervous.

“Yes,” she answered, “I would.”

They both stood up and she reached for him. Harry swallowed hard as he grasped her soft hand, so warm in his own. It felt odd, but strangely natural at the same time. He wondered what she was thinking as they walked together. They had always been very close, yet there was so much that he wondered about. Her innermost feelings were still hidden to him, but he needed to express his own and by doing so, he was going to find out how she felt after all these years of friendship. It was a scary thought, but he had to confront it. Once they were standing face to face with his hands on her waist and hers around his neck, his thoughts returned to the present moment. It was enjoyable just being there looking into her warm brown eyes and dancing with her. He let go of his nervousness and felt brave enough to hold her a little bit closer as they moved in time with the music. She didn't object, but leaned nearer to him as well. He couldn't have hoped for more. They danced to a few songs in a row, and then rather than go back to the table, he asked, “Would you like to go outside to the garden?”

“Yes, it seems to be very nice out tonight,” she answered as she looked up at the enchanted ceiling and saw the clear sky and stars.

So, leaving the Great Hall behind, they headed for the door hand in hand. Outside there were several benches rather spread out from each other. This was his chance, he thought to himself. He needed to talk to her where it was quiet and before he lost his valor. They took a seat and Harry looked at her tenderly.

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“Hermione, there's something I've been meaning to tell you,” he began.

“What? Harry, is something wrong?” she asked, seemingly searching his eyes for an answer.

She looked a little worried.

“No, no, nothing is wrong. I just need to tell you something is all.”

Her face looked a bit calmer upon hearing this.

“Well, whatever it is, just tell me,” she urged him gently.

He took her hands in his and caressed her fingers.

“I've been feeling for a while now that…well, you know how much our friendship means to me,” he began.

“Yes, of course,” she said.

“It's just that, I feel more than that for you, Hermione,” he confided, green eyes showing deep emotion.

“Harry, what are you trying to say?” she asked, although she thought she already knew.

“I…I'm in love with you.”

There, he'd finally let it out. His eyes met hers and there was silence for what seemed like forever. It took her a while to gather her thoughts enough to speak. She hugged him tightly, obviously quite moved.

“Oh Harry, I'm not sure of how to tell you this…” she said softly and with a troubled look.

“Go on,” he urged her.

Something told him that he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.

“Harry, you know I care about you. You're my best friend, but…”

“You don't love me, at least not that way,” he finished for her.

She lowered her head.

“That's it isn't it?” he said, his tone not accusing but disheartened.

She nodded and a tear slid down her cheek.

“I'm so sorry, Harry. I wish I felt the same way.”

Seeing her cry made him want to hold her, so he did.

“Don't be sorry. There's nothing to be sorry for. You can't choose who you love,” he assured her, gently rubbing her back as though comforting a small child.

They were hugging each other very tightly now, neither one really wanting to let go. It seemed that the more they embraced, the more easily her tears came, until his shoulder was quite wet.

“Shhh...it's ok, Hermione,” he whispered, “It's ok.”

If she continued, it wouldn't be long before he cried himself. Hermione was holding onto Harry like she was afraid she'd lose him.

“I hope you'll be alright with things staying like they've always been. I don't want to lose that,” she said shakily.

“Oh yes,” he assured her, “That's alright. The reason I was afraid to tell you how I felt before was because I didn't want to ruin our friendship if you didn't feel the same way. I'm glad that you want to keep everything like it was. Wouldn't want to scare you off, now would I?” he said in a brighter voice.

“Scare me off? I don't think so, Mr. Potter,” Hermione said teasingly.

They relaxed the hold they had on each other a little, and she leaned back to look at him. Harry truly was dear to her, and she was glad to see that his expression was calm and there was a hint of a smile on his lips. She also managed to smile a little even with her face still wet from crying. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and bent forward to gently kiss her forehead. It felt a bit strange to Hermione having his face so close to hers, strange but pleasant. Instead of pulling away, she ran her cheek along his, feeling his warmth. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt, she thought to herself…just this once. Instinctively her mouth found his and the response was enticing. Their lips parted, shyly at first, neither really knowing what to think or feel, exploring. Slowly the kiss deepened until they were holding nothing back. For those few moments, it was sweet and consuming; then, they both seemed to realize what they were doing and that under the circumstances perhaps it was better if they didn't. Reluctantly as it had begun, it ended. Faces still nearly touching, Hermione looked him straight in the eyes.

“Harry,” she said softly.

“Don't worry. I know you still meant what you said. I don't expect anything of you.”

It was going to be alright; they both knew it.

“Ready to go back inside?” he asked.

“Yes, let's do,” she replied, seeming to have calmed down.

They joined hands once again and started back to where their friends were. When they got to their table, everyone else was dancing. In the few minutes before anyone came to sit back down, they both seemed very natural and at ease. No one would have been able to guess what had just happened. Only Ron, when he and Padma returned to their seats, seemed a bit more tuned in to Harry's feelings.

“Did you do it, Harry? Did you tell her?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah, I'll fill you in about it later,” Harry promised.

Ron nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to his date. The rest of the evening passed with everyone having a wonderful time. Once they were back in the common room, Harry and Ron did get the chance to talk. The girls had gone off to their dormitories, and they found a corner where they could have their conversation.

“Ok, Harry, the truth. What happened between you and Hermione?” Ron asked.

“Well, I told her how I felt - that I love her,” he began.

“What did she say?” his friend urged, eyes wide with curiosity.

“She doesn't feel the same way, Ron. At least that's what she said, but then...she kissed me.”

Harry said this with a bit of a blush creeping into his cheeks. Ron's eyes widened a bit more.

“Why would she kiss you if she didn't…you know, like you that way? It makes no sense,” he said almost in disbelief.

“I don't know. Maybe she was just curious. Anyway, I'm not going to take it that she meant anything.”

“Unless,” Ron suggested, “she does like you and she's just confused or something. Harry, maybe you shouldn't give up on her yet.”

Harry knew what his friend was trying to do, and he appreciated it.

“Don't want to get any false hopes. I'll be alright, really. Just need some time, that's all. At least she does want to keep our friendship,” Harry said, trying to be positive.

“You haven't lost anything then. It'll be just like before,” Ron said, then seeing Harry drop his gaze added, “Well, almost.”

Harry's mind wandered back to the kiss. It had been wonderful, perfect. Although he would try his best to act just like he always had around Hermione, now that he'd gotten such an up-close sample of her affection, it was going to be extremely difficult. He had been left wanting more of it. Ron noticed the far-away look on his friend's face.

“Harry, can I ask you something kind of personal?”

“You're my best friend, Ron. Go ahead,” he answered casually.

“It's really none of my business, but…was it good?” he asked.

Harry looked up rather suddenly. He wasn't offended, just a little surprised. When a mischievous little smile showed itself, Ron knew he had his answer.

“That good huh?”

“Yeah, it was,” Harry replied, going slightly pink again, “It definitely was.” Then without thinking he added, “Too bad it'll probably never happen again.” This slipped; he had really been talking more to himself.

Ron seemed to realize this, but decided not to pretend he didn't hear. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder. “Harry, you don't know that for sure. I'm not saying you should put everything on hold for her, but have patience. Girls are weird sometimes, especially Hermione. Just give it time. Feelings can change you know.”

Ron wanted Harry to be happy and it was obvious, but Harry was still wearing an expression that he'd have been embarrassed to let anyone else but Ron see. “Maybe you're right, but I just don't know. I think I'm better off not to get my hopes up too much.”

Ron knew when it had been enough. Not wanting to linger on the subject, he turned the conversation to other topics. They stayed up a good while longer discussing just about everything - how they were going to miss Hogwarts, what Voldemort could be up to, and how they planned to join the Order of the Phoenix once they were out of school. When they simply couldn't hold their eyes open any longer, they headed upstairs. After finally sinking comfortably into his four-poster, Harry closed his eyes smiling and drifted off to a sweet and restful sleep filled with dreams of bushy-haired children with bright green eyes.

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The days seemed to fly by. Before they knew it, graduation had come and gone, and they were all on the train back home. Harry was going to be with the Weasleys for a while. Even with Voldemort still on the loose, he refused to stay with his aunt and uncle. Grimmauld Place and the Burrow were just as safe as anywhere as far as Harry was concerned, and the company would be much better. Now that he was officially out of school there was no reason for him not to be able to join the Order and be of more help. These thoughts went through his mind as he talked to his friends in the train compartment.

“So, Hermione, you're coming with us to Order Headquarters aren't you, at least for a while?” asked Ron.

“Umm, actually I'm going home…then I'm leaving for Bulgaria for two weeks,” she answered.

Harry was caught off guard by this news and so was Ron. Ginny was the only one who didn't appear surprised, and her brother didn't like it at all that she already knew.

“Oh don't tell me you're going to see Krum!” Ron burst out, looking upset with both girls.

“I don't know why you're so surprised, Ron. You know we've still been keeping in touch,” Hermione responded, trying to avoid looking at Harry.

Strangely enough, it was Harry who came to her defense. “She can do what she wants to, Ron,” he said, trying to calm him down. Then he added, “I really hope you have a good time, Hermione. You'll have to write to us and let us know how you like it.”

He really did want to mean what he was saying and thought he sounded pretty convincing, but there was no lying to himself. He had been just about to eat a cauldron cake, but lost his appetite and decided to save it for later. The thought of Hermione alone with Krum doing…whatever it was she was going to do didn't sit well with him at all. At the same time, though, he felt selfish. He wanted her to be happy, and Krum had always seemed like a good person.

“Of course I'll write,” Hermione assured him.

Then she glanced at Ginny sitting beside her in a most uneasy way. She had trusted her with pretty much everything that happened in her personal life and felt that Ginny was probably the only person who really understood her. At this point Ron and Harry began having their own conversation and Ginny tried to comfort Hermione, who was clearly torn apart by the hurt she was causing Harry.

“It'll be ok, Hermione. He'll be ok, I'm sure of it,” she said softly.

“I just can't believe it. The thought of Harry actually having feelings for me still seems so strange. I never thought it would happen. But I'd agreed to visit Viktor since well before…”

“The ball. I know,” Ginny finished for her, “And you were really looking forward to it, too. Hermione, you should stop feeling guilty. It's not like you planned for things to happen like they did.”

“But maybe I shouldn't have…you know, kissed him,” she said, her expression thoughtful.

“Well, I can't say as I'd blame you. Who wouldn't have wanted to?” Ginny said, smiling slyly.

Hermione blushed a little before saying, “Ginny!”

“Really though, Hermione, I doubt it would have mattered much. If he already felt like he was in love with you, he would have still felt that way, kiss or no kiss,” Ginny said firmly.

“Maybe you're right. I just wish…I don't know anymore, Ginny. What if going to Bulgaria isn't a good idea?” she said sadly.

“The vacation can't hurt. I think you need it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be free for a while. You need to go places and spend time with other people.” Then Ginny's face fell a bit. “I'll miss you and Dean, though, especially next year when I go back to Hogwarts and you guys don't. I wish I could have graduated with you.”

Hermione was moved. “I'll miss you too. We'll keep in touch though, you and I, and I'm sure Dean isn't about to let you go. You've only got one more year. That'll go by fast.”

Ginny looked slightly reassured. “Yeah I suppose you're right.”

Since Hermione usually was right, this did make her feel better. After a while the boys started talking to them again, but there was still a little bit of tension in the air. Hermione and Ginny both tried to avoid looking Ron straight in the face. Hermione and Harry, however, locked eyes several times. It was sad to think of this being their last train ride home from Hogwarts together, and although the weather outside was lovely and sunny, it didn't make it any easier. The goodbye at King's Cross was bittersweet.

“If you do care to join us after you get back, you're still welcome to, you know,” Ginny told Hermione as she hugged her.

“I just might take you up on that,” Hermione said, attempting a smile.

Ron hugged her rather briefly, still feeling some indignation on behalf of Harry and added, not too harshly, “You be careful with Krum, alright?”

Hermione nodded and offered him a smile.

When it came Harry's turn to bid her farewell, he wanted to say more, but just settled on, “See ya later then?”

“Of course,” she replied and squeezed him tight. Hermione had a rather troubled feeling, not like she was hurting him, but something deeper than that, and she didn't quite know what it could mean.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked over with the Grangers and reminded her that she could visit anytime she liked, just to send them an owl. As she stood there with her mother and father, watching the rest of them leave together, she couldn't help it that a tear escaped down her cheek.

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When the day came for Hermione to go to Bulgaria, she also found that she was feeling a little down at the thought of her friends whom she missed very much. Don't be silly, she told herself - it's not like you're never going to see them again. But try as she might, the awkwardness was still there. Perhaps it was the idea that Harry, Ron, and Ginny were going to be spending a lot of time at Grimmauld Place with members of the Order and involved with things that could be dangerous, while she was away enjoying herself. Ginny she didn't have to worry about as much because being underage she couldn't do certain things, but the boys…well, that was a different story. They had both talked about joining the Order. Ron was going to seek employment with the Ministry and help out as a member of the Order of the Phoenix whenever he had the spare time. Harry, on the other hand, she distinctly remembered having said that he'd like to work full-time for the Order since he had the fortune that had been left to him and could afford to volunteer however much he wanted. If anything were to happen to him, anything at all…no, she thought as she packed her suitcase - that would be too much to handle. Although she could have packed using magic if she wanted to, Hermione was instead folding and accommodating her things the Muggle way. Crookshanks looked on curiously, having rarely left her side lately, like he understood how she had been feeling. These days she found that her mind was much too preoccupied and being busy, though it didn't help very much, was all she could try to keep it from getting worse.

A week later, Ginny was sitting in her room at the Burrow when a handsome gray owl flew through the window and landed next to her. Attached to its leg was a letter from Hermione:

Dear Ginny,

I hope this letter finds you and everyone else well. Bulgaria is wonderful. Viktor is an excellent host. He's been taking me out a lot and won't let me do anything for him around the house. In case you're wondering, nothing has happened between us. He's a good friend and a great person to be around, but that's all. I'm really enjoying myself here, but it will feel good to get back too. I really miss all of you. Tell your mum that I'd like to go and stay with you for at least a few days after I'm home and let me know what she says. Take care and tell Harry and Ron hello for me.

Love,

Hermione

Ginny smiled as she finished reading. So, Hermione was enjoying her visit and nothing significant had happened between her and Krum. If it had, she was sure Hermione would have mentioned it somehow. Clutching the letter tightly, she ran to tell the others that they had news from their friend.

Ron was unusually cheerful when he found out that Hermione and Krum were still only friends, and Harry was extremely relieved. They discussed it later in Ron's room when they were about to go to sleep.

“I'm glad Hermione at least had sense enough not to get involved with Krum. If she had said in that letter that she was going out with him or something, I think I would've been sick,” Ron said, turned over on his side to face Harry across the room. Harry could have sworn he saw him roll his eyes, even in the dark. “Anyway, it's good news for you, mate. She's still not taken, and she's coming to visit,” he added.

“I think Krum is an ok person. He probably would treat her right and everything, but I can't pretend I'm not happy that they're still just friends. Sounds like he was trying pretty hard to impress her, too - taking her out and all. And to think that in fourth year he thought there was something between me and her. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and I'm the one who's jealous. Funny how things work out like that sometimes, isn't it?” Harry said thoughtfully and shifted in his bed.

Indeed it was a bit ironic to him that his feelings for Hermione could have changed so much. She had always been there for him, sometimes when no one else was. Now he couldn't understand why he hadn't thought of her as a potential dating partner before. Cho had been jealous of his friendship with Hermione as well as Krum. Could it be that they, from a more outside point of view, could have been seeing something that he didn't at the time?

Ron spoke again, “It has to be a bit strange to practically grow up with someone and then discover that you might be falling for them.”

Harry remembered the argument Ron and Hermione had the night of the Yule Ball and couldn't help thinking that Ron must have felt something for her too, at least for a while, though he never admitted it. Whatever it might have been that he was going through at the time, it didn't seem to bother Ron now that Harry wanted to be with her. They had never talked about it before, and Harry saw no point in bringing it up now, after it had been so long.

“It's the weirdest thing, Ron. Like I was blind before to the fact that she was such a wonderful girl, and then…I don't know. I guess it was like I was seeing her for the first time as she really was. What's really crazy is that I don't even know when it happened,” Harry said, in a dreamy voice that Ron had never heard him use before.

“I think maybe you loved her all along, and she's always cared about you, Harry. You have to know that. There's still a good chance that the tide will turn in your favor. I'm confident of it.”

“I hope you're right. Are we still going to the Ministry tomorrow? Your dad was going to take us so you can apply for a job right?” Harry asked, no longer wanting to talk about Hermione.

“Yeah, he's still going to take us. It'll be cool now that we can apparate. We can sleep in a while longer. Harry, are you sure you don't want to try applying too? I'm sure they'd take you on.”

“I'm sure. Until Voldemort's caught, I want to work for the Order. After that, we'll see,” Harry replied.

That night thoughts went through Harry's mind of the future - his future, Voldemort, and how it would all play out. Then those thoughts were replaced by the image of a pair of soft brown eyes and a beautiful smile framed by a cascade of wavy brown locks. She wasn't dating Krum, and she was coming very soon. The rest that he got that night was the best it had been since he'd gotten to the Burrow. Luckily for him, Ron didn't hear him talking in his sleep.

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Ron applied for jobs in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Department of Magical Transportation, and the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He was told that he should hear something by owl post in a week or two as to whether or not he'd been placed. If the Ministry didn't want to hire him, he'd start looking around the various shops of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to see if they needed anyone. Asking Fred and George for a job at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes would be a last resort.

A week later the arrival of Hermione at the Burrow brightened Harry's spirits a great deal. She was also very glad to see all of them and didn't refrain from hugging Harry very tightly the moment she walked in the door. Later on that evening at dinner an owl arrived for Ron; he did get a job at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. This suited him well, with his love of Quidditch. Although the job wasn't all fun and games, as a bonus he'd get free tickets from time to time, and this suited him just fine. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were very proud, and Ron was almost beside himself with excitement. He'd gotten his first choice.

“That's really great, Ron,” Hermione complimented him. “When do you start?”

“It says on Monday,” he said, still looking at his letter with immense pleasure.

“I was thinking about applying at the Ministry myself,” she said. “I think the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad would be interesting.”

With Hermione's knowledge and skills in nearly all areas of magic, there was no doubt that she could likely get a job doing whatever she wanted.

“Why don't you go with Ron and me on Monday, Hermione?” offered Mr. Weasley.

“Oh that would be perfect. Thank you,” she replied.

Of course the Ministry accepted Hermione and she started working in the department she'd wanted a few days after Ron did. She was with them for a week after beginning her new job before deciding to go home. About a month after she left, one Sunday afternoon Ron and Harry were in the Three Broomsticks having a butterbeer when their conversation turned to her.

“Harry, there's something you should know. I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not, but maybe it's best if you hear it from me instead of someone else,” Ron began.

“What is it?” Harry asked shakily, having no idea what it could be about.

“Well, it's Hermione. You know she's working at the Ministry now, and we see each other sometimes.”

“Yeah…is she alright?” Harry sounded concerned now.

“Oh she's alright, yeah. It's just that she sort of…” Ron hesitated.

“Go on,” Harry prodded.

“She met somebody, Harry - some bloke who works as a hit wizard for the Ministry.”

Ron truly looked as though it was hurting him to tell Harry this; his expression was very solemn and he had suddenly become very interested in swirling around the last swig of butterbeer in his bottle. Harry leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. The news had obviously come as a most unpleasant surprise.

“How long have you known?” Harry asked in a forcibly calm voice.

“She met him pretty soon after she started work, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Then I noticed them being around each other more often.”

Ron looked at Harry apologetically.

“What does Hermione say about him? Do you know the guy yourself?” Harry asked, still more upset than he was willing to show.

Now that Ron had told him about it, he wanted to know the whole truth.

“Well, I've met him. We all had lunch together a couple of times, and Hermione really likes him. She told me so herself just the other day,” Ron said.

“What's he like?”

Ron didn't want to further hurt his friend and was silent for a second.

“Ron, I want to know what kind of person he is,” Harry said firmly. “Please, just tell me. It's not like it's your fault that they got together. I don't blame you or anything.”

Ron wished he could think of something horrible to say about the man who'd stolen Hermione's affections from his best friend, but if he was honest, he couldn't find anything to criticize.

Ron nodded and continued, “His name's Bret. Like I said I don't really know him, but he seems to be pretty nice. I don't know what she thinks is so great about him though.”

“I just hope he realizes the value of what he's got and treats her right,” Harry said.

-->

The following day, Harry made the decision to leave the Burrow. The Weasleys had been very kind to him, and he knew he'd always be welcome in their home, but the news he'd received about Hermione just made him feel that he needed to put some distance between himself and the world that he knew. It would be too much to stay in a place where he was constantly reminded of her and how happy she was with someone else while trying to endure it, pretending that he felt nothing. It was hard breaking the news to Ron that afternoon when he got home from work.

“What do you mean you're leaving?!” Ron couldn't believe it.

“Yeah, I'm moving out, getting my own place. I think I'll go back to living in the Muggle world, maybe even get a Muggle job, you know, just to pass the time…” Harry said, trying to make it not sound so bad.

Ron couldn't help but feel upset anyway. In the back of his mind he knew that this was all because of what he'd told Harry the night before, and he couldn't help thinking that perhaps he shouldn't have said anything.

“Harry, I know you're upset about Hermione and all, but you don't have to leave us because of it. How do we know that she won't break up with him anyway?”

Harry's expression softened. He had no intention of abandoning Ron, and he'd still want to touch base with Hermione from time to time, just not as often as before.

“If it wasn't him, it would be some other guy. I should just accept the fact that she's never going to want to be with me, and the best way I have to deal with it right now is by being somewhere else. Besides, it's not like I'm never going to see you. We'll visit and talk. Maybe you could go and stay with me sometimes and I could introduce you to things that Muggles do for fun,” Harry told him hopefully.

This seemed to satisfy Ron.

“Ok, as long as we're still best friends,” he said with a bit more calm.

“Of course,” Harry said, “It'll be alright. You'll see.”

The very next day Harry went to Gringotts to exchange some of his wizard gold for Muggle money and started looking for a place to live. By the end of the week he'd already found something, but not before Hermione came by the Burrow to see them. She had Bret with her. It wasn't hard to see why any girl would find him attractive - tall, nice build, sky blue eyes, and light brown hair that looked like it was downy soft and never out of place. Add to this a very striking smile, and it made for quite an impressive combination. He greeted everyone warmly and didn't seem to be at all taken aback that the house wasn't exactly what one would call fancy. Harry could have sworn that Ginny blushed when she shook his hand. In a funny way, this man reminded him of Gilderoy Lockhart. Not that Bret appeared to be so taken with himself, but just the effect that he seemed to have on women. Even Molly had seemed a bit more cheerful and giggly after he arrived. Oh, this didn't look good, Harry thought to himself, not good at all. They all sat around the kitchen table and had tea. As everyone else conversed happily, Harry simply listened and exchanged dismal glances with Ron, only speaking when he was spoken to, preferring to observe rather than take part. They all found out a few things. Bret had been in Ravenclaw and was older than Hermione, having been in seventh year at Hogwarts when the three friends were in first. This explained why they didn't recall seeing him around school. Mr. Weasley seemed to enjoy talking to him, and Ginny and Mrs. Weasley both clearly thought he was very pleasant and likable. When Harry just couldn't take anymore, he excused himself, saying that he didn't feel well and retreated to the solitude of his room. Later on, Ron joined him.

“Now you understand, don't you?” Harry asked him when he came in.

“You mean why you have to go? Yeah, I do, Harry,” he replied sympathetically.

If there had been a single bit of doubt left in his mind before that leaving was the right thing to do, it was all gone now. He simply could not continue to deal with visits from Hermione accompanied by her boyfriend. The way she looked at Bret while he was speaking, how charming he was - it was all just too much. Harry understood that it was only natural for her to want to visit the Weasleys. They were all like family to her, too. Hermione had every right to see them as often as she wanted and to take Bret along if she so chose. Harry wanted her to be happy, but he had to want it for her from somewhere else. This was how it had to be; there was no other way.

-->

As time went on, Harry grew to feel comfortable with his apartment. It was just big enough for him, his own private little space. It wasn't so bad living alone; he actually rather enjoyed it. He was often at Order Headquarters in the day time, which led him to choose a job in the Muggle world that would allow him to work nights. After giving it some thought, Harry started working part-time as a bartender. Ron came over on the weekends sometimes and they would go off and entertain themselves at the local pubs. Ron, having never consumed drinks at a Muggle pub before, was quite a sight the first time that Harry had to take him back to his place after a rather fun night out. It was a good thing that Harry wasn't living at the Burrow anymore. He suspected that Mrs. Weasley's opinion of him would have changed drastically if she knew about his occupation and the condition that her son was in upon arriving home with him. Not that all they did when they got together was to engage in carousing, far from it. It was always nice just to be able to talk to each other over a nice meal and share what was going on in one another's lives.

“Harry, how are things going with Cassandra?” Ron asked as he bit into his sandwich.

“She broke up with me last week,” Harry answered rather nonchalantly.

Ron's eyes got as big as saucers.

“What do you mean she broke up with you? She…she adored you and she was…oh bloody hell, Harry, she was gorgeous!”

“Well, then you can go out with her if you want to. She complained a lot, always saying that I neglected her. Guess she decided to find someone else who wouldn't mind being like a pet. It did get annoying after a while really.”

“But Harry, there's been Mariana, and Jackie, and Diana…” he started counting on his fingers, “It looks like you'd find one that was suitable after a while.”

Harry had yet to be in a relationship that lasted more than four months.

“Well, Mariana wanted to move in, and it just didn't feel right. When I said no she freaked and ended the relationship. Jackie…she was nice, but not much upstairs if you know what I mean…”

“Yeah, yeah I get the point. Harry, tell me the truth. You're still not over Hermione are you?” Ron asked.

“No, Ron, I don't think I am. She's one of a kind, and no one I've dated feels right to me.”

This pretty much summed up the first two years of Harry's life after he'd finished school and left the Burrow.

After dating for two years, Hermione and Bret finally decided to move in together. They took a trip to celebrate the occasion. One sunny afternoon while they were out and about, Bret spotted a small place that advertised a fortune teller's services.

“What do you say, Hermione? Let's go, just for fun,” he said playfully.

Hermione sighed, “You know how I feel about Seers.”

“I know, I know, but what harm could it do? I, for one, would like to know if anyone in that business knows what they're talking about.”

He smiled and she gave in.

“Oh alright, but you know that this woman is probably just a fake, don't you?”

“Maybe so, but it would still be interesting just to see what she says,” he told her and put an arm around her shoulders.

As they entered the place, Hermione looked around curiously. It didn't look like Trelawney's old classroom at all. No hangings over any lamps or heavy perfume, not even a crystal ball. It was…a coffee shop? No, at first glance it appeared to be with the little tables set all around, but they soon noticed a room apart. A short and slender young woman emerged from it accompanied by an older woman.

“Are you Madame Ruby?” Bret asked the old lady.

“Oh no,” she replied with a laugh. “That would be her,” she said, gesturing to the lady beside her.

Both Bret and Hermione were surprised. They'd expected someone older, someone more decked out in terms of their clothing. The young lady, who was blue-eyed and had waist-length silver blond hair, simply smiled at them.

“I'll see you later then, Marie. Take care,” she said sweetly and saw the old woman to the door.

“What can I help you with?” she said, fixing her large, blue eyes on Hermione.

Bret looked a bit baffled, as he was the one who'd spoken and not his girlfriend, yet Ruby had chosen to address Hermione. Neither of them really knew what to make of this young woman with her casual, normal attitude and simple attire.

“Well, we saw your sign and decided to come by and have our fortunes read,” Hermione said, clearly feeling a little uncomfortable.

Ruby smiled. “Came to see if I'm for real, huh?”

Hermione and Bret looked at each other blankly. Hermione was a little embarrassed.

“It's ok. Happens all the time,” Ruby said lightly. “Come with me and we'll see what I can tell you.”

Ruby placed a hand on Hermione's back and with the other motioned her to the small room she'd just come out of. Bret made to follow them. Ruby turned around.

“I'm sorry. I should have told you. I only do readings in private. It's rather personal, and sometimes things come up that people don't want anybody else to hear. If you like, you can have a seat and Karrie will be with you shortly if you'd care to have something to drink,” she told him politely.

Bret didn't say anything, but nodded. Hermione could tell that this struck him as strange.

The next room was lit by several candles placed all around the room in wall-mounted holders, but it was a bit darker than where they were before. No crystal ball, though, nothing really was in there except a small round table and two chairs facing each other.

“Please, have a seat,” Ruby said with a smile.

Hermione still felt very strange. This woman couldn't be much older than her, looking to be in her early twenties. No one would have ever looked at her and thought she was a Seer. Or perhaps, Hermione thought, not all of them were like Sybill Trelawney. Ruby's nature was totally different. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

“Ok, I need you to be calm and give me your hands.”

Hermione put her hands face up on the table in front of them, expecting to have her palms examined. She was a bit surprised when Ruby simply took them, held them in her own, and then looked into her eyes. Hermione suddenly felt shivers, not because anything seemed unpleasant - she didn't really know why it was happening. She tried to relax as she looked back at Ruby's kind blue eyes probing her brown ones.

“Before I begin with the future, let's start with the present and past. Maybe you'll feel more comfortable that way.” Ruby then closed her eyes and began to speak, not in a strange voice, but very much calm and concentrated.

“Let's see…you're very smart and also extremely loyal. Your boyfriend's name starts with a B. There are other people in your life…close friends whose names begin with an H and an R; they're both men. And there's another friend of yours - a girl; her name begins with a G.”

There was no way for her to have known all of this. She was out of town and they'd barely spoken. Hermione hadn't shown her anything with any names or initials on it either, but somehow she just wasn't quite convinced.

“Can you tell me anything else? Something a bit more…”

“Personal?” Ruby finished for her.

“Well…yes,” Hermione said timidly. She might not be totally satisfied yet that the girl had any special ability, but she certainly didn't want to offend her either. There was something about the first impression she'd made that Hermione liked.

“You had a friend when you were about five years old, a girl named Becky who lived across the street from you. You did everything together. One day she told you that she was moving away, and the two of you decided that she couldn't go. You snuck food from the kitchen and decided to hide in the basement and live there forever because the adults just wouldn't understand that you shouldn't have to live far away from each other. Your parents looked for the both of you. After a long time of listening to them calling, you both came out of hiding and pretended to have just come in from playing outside. She did move away, and you never saw each other again.”

Hermione felt the color drain from her face and could only sit there speechless with her mouth open. This was impossible. She'd never told anyone about that. There was no way that Ruby could have known…unless she was genuine.

“Let's explore your future then, shall we?” asked Ruby gently, eyes still closed.

“Yes, please,” came the soft reply.

“I must tell you that I might not be able to explain everything in the future in as much detail as the past. The past is over and done with and very clear. The future comes to me a bit differently. However, I will do the very best that I can for you…Hermione…”

A few minutes later, they both emerged from the room. Hermione's eyes were wet, and Ruby was holding onto her as though she were trying to support her. Bret, who'd been sitting down sipping a cup of coffee, raised his eyebrows and got up quickly to go to his girlfriend, wondering what on earth this woman could have told her that had shaken her so badly.

“Do you want to go next?” Hermione asked him.

“Umm…no, let's just get you out of here,” he answered.

“Remember what I told you,” Ruby whispered with that penetrating look that Hermione had already come to esteem. “It will be alright - to everything there is a season.”

Hermione smiled and hugged her, and as she did so, felt as if she were saying good bye to an old friend.

“How much do I owe you?” Hermione asked, sniffing and wiping her eyes on the back of her hand.

“Oh, whatever you want to give me,” she replied kindly.

Hermione without thinking pulled a galleon out of her pocket and handed it to her.

“Thank you. This is beautiful. I've had a few other clients in the past pay me with these; fascinating they are,” Ruby said with a grateful smile as she held it up and inspected it.

Hermione was quite surprised. She hadn't even considered the possibility - Ruby was a Muggle.

-->

The next few years passed with a few changes for Harry and the Weasleys. Ginny got a job at Quality Quidditch Supplies, allowing her frequent visits to see Fred and George at their shop in her spare time. She and Ron moved out of the Burrow and got a place together, which made their mother worry about them constantly, but it was better than the alternative of her and Dean living together. That indeed would have driven their mother mad, not to mention that Ron would have gotten all upset too with his over protectiveness. Mr. Weasley had been given a promotion at the Ministry. Everyone was very glad to see him finally get some recognition. Harry still worked as a bartender and continued his duties with the Order of the Phoenix. Although many of the Death Eaters had been captured, Voldemort was still gaining new recruits. Things were plenty busy for the Order, but fairly uneventful for Harry. He hadn't had a girlfriend in a while; he'd been busy and had gotten rather discouraged besides. He and Hermione saw each other only around birthdays and other special occasions. She was happy. She'd told him that she and Bret were trying to have a baby.

Bret had just left to go out, and Hermione was absorbed in a book when Ginny's head appeared in the fire.

“I'm glad you're here,” Ginny said, her voice shaking.

Hermione jumped. “What is it? You scared me!”

“Don't get mad, Hermione. It's important. I couldn't wait for an owl to arrive.”

The urgency in Ginny's voice and her expression made the color suddenly drain from Hermione's face.

“Ginny,” she began, almost afraid to hear more, “What's happened?”

“It's Harry. He…he's not doing so well.”

“What do you mean?” Hermione was almost in a panic now. “Where is he? What happened to him?”

“He faced you-know-who. Harry won, though; he defeated him. Gone for good he is now, but…let's just say Harry didn't get away as easily as we'd have hoped. He's in St. Mungo's right now.”

“Oh…oh no, this can't be…not Harry,” Hermione said weakly and put her hand over her mouth in horror.

“Dumbledore thought you'd want to know,” Ginny said, looking at Hermione sadly, “in case…”

“No, don't say it. Please, don't say it,” Hermione pleaded, now reduced to tears and shaking.

“You'll come then?” Ginny asked pleadingly.

“Of course I'll come. I'll be right there. I have to be with him,” she said, and without even telling Ginny good-bye, Hermione rushed from the room to change faster than she'd ever done before.

A minute later, she had apparated at the hospital. Once inside she was desperate to find out what room Harry was in. Luckily the line at the inquiries desk wasn't long.

Hermione was still shaking when it was her turn to talk to the welcome witch. “I'm here to see Harry Potter,” she said, feeling as if it had been an eternity since Ginny had appeared in the fire to tell her what had happened.

“Harry Potter…yes, fourth floor all the way down on the right,” the woman replied with a business-as-usual tone of voice.

The other people around Hermione were annoyed when she took off at a run, one woman shouting after her, “You're in a hospital, you know!”

Oblivious to everything else around her, she ran all the way up the flights of stairs and didn't stop until reaching Harry's room. Ron, the twins, Mr. Weasley, Tonks, and Moody were outside in the hallway looking very somber. Hermione looked at Ron with an expression of what could only be described as desperation. She didn't have the courage to speak or simply didn't know what to say.

He hugged her. “It's alright. Go on in. They're expecting you.”

She pushed the door open carefully and went inside to find a teary-eyed Mrs. Weasley in a chair next to Harry's bed, Dumbledore and Lupin standing around the side with their backs to her. There were no other patients. Harry had been given a room to himself. This was unusual at St. Mungo's, and Hermione realized just how serious his condition must be. Both men turned to face her and Lupin came closer to talk to her. He put his hands on her shoulders and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

“I must warn you, Hermione, that he doesn't look good. You must be strong.”

“I can handle it, sir. Just please, let me get close to him,” she said earnestly.

Lupin nodded and with a hand still on her shoulder, ushered her nearer Harry's bed. She took one look at him and silent tears came again, flowing even more freely than before. He lay unconscious, his hands bandaged up. His handsome face was badly scraped and cut like he had been dragged on the ground, and his scar…Hermione couldn't believe her eyes - it looked fresh and was slowly oozing blood. It was just too terrible. She was in shock, but didn't turn away.

“Is he going to be alright?” she asked weakly. There was a brief silence and then Dumbledore answered.

“That remains to be seen,” he said gently. “We have hope.”

“No one really knows what kind of curse or combination of curses he's been hit with or what else might have happened. He went off on his own to face Voldemort and only left a note. Later on, Moody and a few others from the Order went to look for him and found him in this state. All the Healers know is that his temperature has been dropping slowly ever since he got here.” Lupin added, “They're doing the best they can.”

Mrs. Weasley gave a little sob and wiped her eyes.

“I wonder if he can hear us,” Hermione said thoughtfully as she looked at him with affection.

“We don't know, but if he can, he has no way of responding,” answered Lupin.

Hermione sat on the bed and took Harry's bandaged hand. “I'm here,” she said, stroking it tenderly.

Lupin and Dumbledore exchanged knowing glances. She would do well to be alone with him.

“Remus, I think I would like a bit of tea. Perhaps Molly would care to join us,” he said kindly.

Clearly not wanting to leave Harry, but unable to refuse Dumbledore, Mrs. Weasley got up. She hugged Hermione.

“Take care of him now, will you?” she asked.

“Yes, yes, I will,” Hermione assured her before they left the room.

For a long while she just sat there, looking at him and crying. She touched his closed eyes and wondered if she'd ever see them open again. What if he didn't wake up or ended up in a vegetative state that he couldn't come out of? Carefully, Hermione ran her fingers over his scraped cheek and down to his lips - those lips that used to smile at her so often and had met her own when they'd kissed so long ago. All the while she still held his hand. There was no way she could leave him like this. It didn't matter if he could sense her presence or not. Then she remembered something…something someone had said three years before and was all but forgotten.

“Evil will bring the one you love to death's door… you can save him...”

Hermione had always assumed until now that the Seer had been talking about Bret. His job was fairly dangerous, and he was the one she loved…wasn't he?

Oh think, Hermione, think, she said to herself. What was it that Ruby had told her to do? Then it came to her - “You must lie down beside him so that the cold of death can't enter his body and claim him.”

The cold of death - she shuddered at the thought. Lupin had said his temperature had been dropping, and when she'd been caressing his face, he actually was quite cold. Feeling helpless, Hermione did the only thing that she could do and followed Ruby's instructions. She stretched out on the bed beside Harry and placed her arm across his chest. Horrified, she nestled close as if her own life depended on it and hoping that it wasn't too late. Soon, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

-->

About an hour later, Dumbledore opened the door and peered in. He smiled and closed it again. Everyone got the feeling that they shouldn't disturb Harry and whatever was going on inside the room. Only the Healers periodically went in and came out shaking their heads. Apparently, Hermione would not wake up for them to remove her. The next morning, an old Healer came out of the room running and returned with two others flanking him. Quickly he said to Dumbledore, “I think you should see this. I've never seen anything like it before in my life!”

Dumbledore came in, accompanied by the Weasleys and Lupin just as Hermione was being levitated onto a stretcher.

“This girl is suffering from hypothermia. She's as cold as ice! Get her into treatment immediately,” he told his co-workers. Then he turned to Dumbledore. “His temperature seems to have returned to normal,” he said, gesturing to Harry, “and his cuts are even looking better.”

Everyone looked on in awe.

“What's happening?”

Ron jumped. The voice was Harry's. He was stirring and reaching for his glasses on the table beside him.

“Harry! You're awake again!” he said. “Look everybody, Harry's awake!”

“Wha? Hermione?” Harry continued, having caught a glimpse of her. Then he became startled at the sight of her being carried away and sat bolt upright in bed. “Where are they taking Hermione? What's wrong with her?”

Amongst all of the confusion and astonishment, no one was answering him. Then, he made to stand up.

“Whoa, wait a minute there,” said the old Healer, “You're in no fit state to move yet.”

“What's wrong with her?” he insisted.

“She's going to be fine, Mr. Potter. I can assure you that she will be well attended to. I dare say that it appears she saved your life.”

Harry looked baffled, but Dumbledore smiled. There was no doubt that what they had witnessed was a miracle of love.

Later that day Hermione woke up and appeared to be alright. When one of the Healers told her what had happened, how the cold of Harry's body appeared to have passed to her instead, she was fascinated. It had worked; he was fine. The next day, both of them were allowed to leave the hospital.

“Does Bret know where I've been?” she asked as she went down the stairs accompanied by Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the twins. “I totally forgot to tell him I was leaving the other night.”

“Don't worry. I told him everything,” said Ron, “about Harry being ill and then you having to be admitted to the hospital yourself.”

“You told him…everything?” Hermione sounded a bit worried now.

“Yeah…well, everything except that you slept with Harry.” Poor Ron then realized what he said. “I mean we all know you didn't really…you know.”

There was silence and then laughter from everyone else. Ron went pink and then laughed right along with them.

-->

One day not long after, Hermione went shopping in Hogsmeade. She'd just apparated and had started putting things away when she thought she heard a sound coming from down the hall.

“Bret?” she called softly.

No answer. Curious, she followed the direction of the sound to the bedroom and found the door slightly ajar, so she pushed it open. There on the bed was Bret, and he wasn't alone. Wrapped up in the covers with him was a woman. They were both giggling…until they saw her. The woman, who had just a second before been all smiles, went pale. Bret opened his mouth, but Hermione didn't even wait for him to speak. Suddenly, the mirror on the dresser shattered. She charged out of the room in a rage such as he'd never seen her in before. As she ran down the hall and into the living room, picture frames and glass objects were bursting into pieces all over the place. Bret quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and ran after her.

“Honey, I…” he began.

“Don't you dare call me that! Whatever you've got to say, I don't want to hear it!” she shouted, her eyes flashing so menacingly that he actually took a step backward. After all, she had her wand on her and he didn't.

She opened the front door and found that the weather matched her mood; it was pouring down rain outside and lightning. Without a look back at him or a single bit of hesitation, Hermione went outside and slammed the door behind her.

Ginny was startled by a soft sound at her bedroom window. A pretty little falcon was on the ledge, tapping the glass with its beak. Ginny jumped up from her seat and ran to open the window. The bird, drenched from the rain, flew inside. A second later, Hermione stood where the falcon had been.

“Hermione, what were you doing out for a fly in this weather?” Ginny asked, horrified.

Hermione looked extremely upset and took a while to answer.

“Bret…” she trailed off.

“What? What happened, Hermione?” Ginny asked, looking worried. She took out her wand and said a spell to make her friend's clothing dry.

“Thanks,” whispered Hermione.

“Would you feel better if we talked about it over a cup of hot chocolate?” Ginny asked.

“Hot chocolate sounds good,” she said, and they both headed to the kitchen.

Ron was sitting at the table at the time, took one look at them, and knew that something wasn't right.

“Hi Hermione. Are you ok?” he asked softly.

When all she could do was look at him with forlorn eyes, he thought it best to leave them alone.

“Well, I'll let you talk to Ginny. Just remembered I have something to do anyway.”

With that, he got up, patted Hermione's shoulder, and left.

When Hermione told Ginny what had happened, she couldn't believe it.

“Guess he wasn't everything we'd thought he was,” she said sadly. “I'm so sorry, Hermione.”

“It's ok. I just can't believe I chose that jerk over Harry,” she said, lowering her head.

“Hermione, it's not too late you know,” Ginny said as she lowered her mug. “Harry's not taken.”

“I know, but I just feel so bad, Ginny. Harry could've died and…” she stopped short.

“What is it? You want to tell me something else. Go on,” she urged gently.

“When he was there in that hospital bed and I was looking at him so helpless,” her eyes got a soft far-away look, “I don't know, I thought I felt something…and it wasn't just concern. My biggest worry was for his life, of course, but it was like I just wanted him to wake up so I could kiss him and tell him that I lo...”

Hermione went a little pink.

“You loved him? There's nothing wrong with that. You were starting to realize just how much he meant to you. Maybe you've always cared about him more than you thought you did. It can be easy to get confused sometimes when it comes to guys who are adorable and also happen to be one of your best friends,” Ginny said sweetly.

Hermione smiled.

“Yeah, he is adorable, always has been,” she said and a tear glistened in her eye. “He's wonderful. I don't know why I didn't go for him right away.”

“Oh, Hermione, it was only fair for you to give yourself other options. Maybe you were afraid of ruining the friendship if you'd gone out with him and it didn't work or something. Those things happen. And it's not like you ever treated him badly or anything. He always knew that you valued him.”

“We've known each other since we were children. I can't imagine my life without him in it; it was just a little hard to picture him filling a different role,” Hermione said.

“Well, now that you've figured things out, I think you should tell him how you feel,” Ginny told her boldly.

“Oh no…I couldn't possibly! What if he laughs at me or turns me down? I can't risk it, Ginny.”

Hermione looked horrified and took a large gulp of her chocolate. Ginny shook her head.

“Then give it some time if you must, but I think he needs to know that you're not with Bret anymore. I can make sure he finds out for you,” she said with a little grin.

“Well, I suppose that would be alright,” Hermione said as she attempted a smile.

-->

Hermione ended up moving in and sharing Ginny's room. She just couldn't bear to stay with her parents again, but she didn't want to be alone, either. The days went by and then a month had passed. Hermione still wasn't herself. Ginny decided that it was time to do something else, so she wrote to Harry. The letter was short. It read:

Dear Harry,

Please come by and visit Hermione. We can't do anything with her anymore, and I know she'd love to see you.

Love,

Ginny

Harry read the letter over a couple of times. What did she mean that they couldn't do anything with her anymore? He hadn't really had much contact with Hermione lately; he felt it was too soon, but perhaps it would be best to go in person and find out how she was. That Sunday when he knocked on the door, Ginny answered.

“Oh Harry, I'm glad you're here,” she said and stepped aside to let him in. Then, in a slightly lower voice she continued, “Hermione's been really down ever since…well, you know. Anyway, you might want to try taking her out somewhere. She never goes anyplace except work and home anymore.”

“Still that upset over him is she?” Harry asked disappointedly as he took a seat.

“Actually, I don't think it's Bret that's been getting to her. I believe it's someone else,” Ginny said almost slyly.

Harry raised his eyebrows. “Oh really? Who?” he asked.

“Oh, someone who she's known for a long time - someone she really trusts,” Ginny answered.

Harry's expression brightened a bit. Just then, Hermione joined them.

“Harry!” she said with surprise. All of a sudden she realized that she didn't look very presentable - her hair wasn't properly brushed and she was in an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

Harry didn't seem to pay any attention to her appearance. He went over and hugged her very tightly. Hermione squeezed him back.

“Get some clothes together, Hermione. I want you to come and stay with me for a few days,” he said.

“What?” Hermione thought that surely there was no way she could have heard him right.

“You heard me. I want you to stay at my place for a little while,” Harry repeated. “I can take off some time from work and you can still get to your job from my place. No excuses.”

She stared at him in disbelief. They'd always remained friends, but it had been so long since they'd really spent any time together.

“I'll look after Crookshanks for you,” offered Ginny.

“Please?” Harry asked with a look that Hermione absolutely couldn't refuse.

“Oh alright, I will. Just give me some time to pack,” she said.

He nodded. As soon as she was out of sight in the bedroom, Hermione did a little hop step and a genuine grin spread across her lips. In a matter of minutes, they were gone and Ginny stood beaming, sure that things were going to take a turn for the better. She was still in a very good mood when Ron got home from seeing one of his buddies from work. It didn't take him long to notice their roommate's absence.

“Where is Hermione, anyway? Don't tell me she's shut up in your bedroom again,” he said worriedly.

“Nope,” said Ginny in a very carefree way. “She's not here. I think she's gotten just what she needs, though. By the way, she'll be gone for a few days.”

Ron looked baffled. “Did she decide to go and visit her family or something?”

“No. It's better than that. Harry came by and picked her up. About damn time too!” she said. The satisfaction on her face was obvious.

“No way! Really?” Ron exclaimed.

“Yes!”

Ron let out a whoop. “Ask Dean if he wants to go out with us tonight. This calls for some butterbeer!”

-->

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.

-->

The morning came to find Harry in bed by himself. Hermione had gone in to work, but not before leaving him a plate of breakfast on the bedside table. Harry smiled and thought of how to return the favor.

That evening when she got back, Hermione saw that Harry looked dressed to go out.

“Going somewhere?” she asked.

“Not without you,” he replied. Then he playfully covered her eyes. “Come with me,” he said and walked behind her to the bathroom.

“Harry, what are you doing?” she giggled.

Then, she noticed a most pleasant fragrance. He uncovered her eyes and her mouth fell open. The bathroom had candles at the corners of the tub and there was already a bubble bath drawn. The whole room smelled like a florist shop and had a soft, warm glow.

“I put a charm on the water so that it wouldn't get cold and the bubbles wouldn't pop,” he said timidly.

“Thanks! It looks wonderful. I haven't had a bubble bath in a while,” she said and dipped her hand in the bubbles. “I'll just get my clothes ready.”

“Well, I'll leave you to it and see you when you're through. Take your time,” he said and went to wait for her in the living room.

He was just beginning to wish that he hadn't told her to take her time when the door opened. Hermione came out and Harry found that the wait had been worth it. She was wearing a pretty midnight blue dress and her hair was down in silky smooth waves. He wasn't sure what she'd done with her makeup, but she looked stunning.

“Wow,” he said.

Hermione giggled. “Ready to go?” she asked.

“Umm…yeah sure.”

They had the best time ever, conversing and laughing as they enjoyed their food. When it was all over and they were back at Harry's place, they were still in high spirits. Once they were both changed for bed, Harry let her pick a DVD out of his collection and made popcorn. As they had done the night before, they just lazed around on the sofa together. They had just gotten comfortable; Hermione was propped up on her elbow in Harry's lap, when Hedwig came flying through the window at bullet speed, landed on the edge of the popcorn bowl that was on the coffee table, and helped herself. Harry jumped and Hermione laughed so hard that she nearly rolled off his lap.

“Hedwig!” Harry shouted in surprise.

“Oh, Harry, give her a break. How often does she get treated to popcorn?” she said giggling and reached out to pat the owl. Hedwig looked like she was enjoying the attention.

“I think she knows your animagus is a bird,” he chuckled.

“Probably,” Hermione answered, “She's a smart girl. Aren't you, Hedwig?”

The three of them enjoyed themselves until the movie was over. Harry realized that it didn't really matter what he was doing anyway as long as Hermione was there with him.

“Ready to go to bed?” Hermione asked, “It's getting late.”

Harry felt his heart do flip-flops. “I suppose so,” he answered.

She got up and took his hand. Good grief, was this an invitation for him to stay with her again? He decided he'd soon find out. Indeed, she did hold his hand all the way to the bedroom and left a place for him as she climbed in under the covers. It still took a second for it all to register with him. When Hermione patted the spot next to her, though, there could be no mistake. She wanted him to stay.

-->

“I don't bite,” she said.

Harry laughed and climbed in beside her. She snuggled close. He didn't even realize he drew in a deep breath and was holding it.

“Are you ok, Harry?” she asked.

His first thought was to say that he wasn't and that she was going to drive him off the deep end if she kept on like this, but he thought better of it.

“Oh yeah, I'm fine,” he said.

But his breathing was rapid and as she looked over at him, Hermione saw, even in the dark, a new depth in those gorgeous green eyes. He was so close, so wonderfully inviting. Hermione was enticed by the feel of his soft breath on her face and drew nearer, all the while keeping eye contact with him. Harry wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. So there they lay, facing each other, no distance between them…things were different now; there was no turning back. She brushed her face against his cheek and softly began to kiss it. Then, Harry somehow got up the courage to turn his head, and his lips found hers. It started out very hesitant and tender, just like the kiss they'd shared the night of the ball when they were seventeen, but after a few seconds of this bliss, it was as though someone had simultaneously lit a torch inside of them both. Harry began to run his hand along her back with a firmness she'd never felt him use before, and Hermione wasn't just gently running her fingers through his hair, but was roughly grasping and tousling it all over. They were no longer children, but adults who were ready to love. When they finally broke away, Harry allowed her to pull his shirt off. Just the same, he had to ask.

“Hermione, are you sure?” he whispered against her lips.

Her reply was to kiss him again, and then she noticed a strange thing happen.

“Are you cold or something, Harry? You're shaking,” she said, gently tracing his lips with her thumb.

Indeed, he was trembling all over, and it was a completely new sensation to him.

“No…no, I'm not cold,” he answered between warm kisses. “It's you that's making me shake.”

For a brief moment, Hermione was sure that she felt her heart stand still and then begin to beat again with a force she never thought possible. In the moments that followed from then til daybreak, the ground beneath them could have shaken and they would have never even noticed.

When Hermione had been with Harry a week, she thought that it was time to start getting ready to go back to Ron and Ginny's. She hadn't said anything to him, but she knew he'd asked her to stay a few days, and it had been twice that long already. She didn't want to wear out her welcome. Besides, she didn't know how much longer Harry could take off from his job, and when he went back he'd be gone at night, and she'd be working in the day time; it would be hard to spend much time together. Every day (and night) had been absolutely wonderful, but although he'd shown her constantly how much he cared about her, he hadn't actually said anything about his feelings. Actions meant more than words - she knew that. How many times had her ex said he loved her? In the end, it didn't matter because of what he did. Anyway, maybe Harry needed a little time to sort out what he really wanted, and she was willing to give it to him. She had gotten out her suitcase and was planning to start packing soon. That evening when Hermione and Harry sat down to eat the dinner they'd made together, he broached the subject.

“Hermione, would you like to stay longer?” he asked.

She couldn't help but show her surprise. “Umm…if you're sure you want me to, yes.”

“Of course I do, Hermione. I thought I did enough to show you how much I want you here with me.” He looked a bit hurt that she could have doubted him.

“You've done more for me than I could have ever asked you for, Harry. It's just that…you never told me how you felt, and I didn't want to assume something that you'd never actually said,” she said apologetically.

Now he understood. All he had to do was say it…Take a deep breath, he told himself and just do it. He laid down his fork and looked up from his plate, straight into her eyes.

“Hermione, you are the only woman I've ever really loved in my life. I want to keep you with me as long as you'll stay - permanently would be nice. If I didn't feel like I was ready to offer you a commitment, I'd have never let things get intimate in the first place. I know you've just gotten out of a relationship, and if you need time to think about things that's fine with me, but could you please consider doing your thinking here? Because if you leave now without telling me something, I'll have no choice but to go after you. What do you say? Will you stay, or are you going to make me wait for five more years?”

Hermione's eyes were almost as big as saucers. “Well,” she began, “in that case, I'd say I need to get back to Ron and Ginny's place…”

Harry's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He put his head in his hands and let out a frustrated sigh.

“…to get the rest of my things,” she finished.

His head snapped back up and his expression was that of euphoria.

“Oh, and another thing,” he said, “Don't expect me to keep you here like you're just some kind of long-term visitor. If you stay, we're getting married. I want you to know that you're my partner and we're equal before we start having children.”

Hermione's smile faded a bit and she looked down at her hands.

“What's wrong, Hermione? Don't you…love me?” he asked.

“Harry, you know that I love you. It's just that…”

“Whatever it is, just tell me. We'll deal with it together,” he said, and reached across to wipe a single tear that flowed down her cheek.

“Harry, I want to be with you, but I don't know if you'll want to marry me after what I'm about to tell you.” Clearly she was devastated.

-->

“I know that won't be the case, but go on,” he urged gently.

“I don't think I can have children,” she said weakly, “I don't know if you remember me telling you a while back that Bret and I had been trying.”

“Yes, I remember,” he answered.

“Well, we tried for about a whole year and a half and nothing ever happened,” she said, trying to hide the few stray tears that were still falling. “I've given up hope of ever being able to get pregnant. I couldn't go through with this without telling you the price you'd pay for being with me.”

This was his Hermione, always honest; it was one of the things he loved most about her. Harry got up from the table, went over to her side, and wrapped her in a strong embrace.

“It doesn't matter, Hermione. I want you, and if that's how things will be, it still doesn't change anything. I would have liked to have a few little copies of you running around, but if that's not possible, I'll still have the original all to myself.”

She knew that he meant what he said, and squeezed him tightly.

“I love you so much, Harry,” she said, “So when can we go to get my things and Crookshanks?”

“Whenever you're ready, baby.”

“So, what do you say we have dessert and then go straight over?” she asked.

For a second he looked puzzled, because they hadn't made anything for dessert. Then he saw the look in her eyes.

“Oh, that kind of dessert, huh?” he said silkily.

Without another word, he scooped her up, threw her over his shoulder, and took her, laughing and play-fighting to the bedroom.

That evening they went to see Ron and Ginny. Both of them were there at the time. Ginny hugged Hermione tightly and they sat down at the table together. The guys went to Ron's room and left them alone.

Ginny could hardly contain herself. “Tell me that something happened between you and Harry, Hermione. You two have got to be together,” she said.

Hermione nodded. “Oh yeah, something happened alright, and I'm here just to pick up my things and go back to Harry's. He wants me to live with him until we can get married. I told him about my problem, that I can't have children, and he said that he wanted me anyway. Ginny, I love him so much.”

Ginny squealed. “Oh that's great, Hermione! I'm so happy for both of you.”

“Thanks. So what's been going on around here while I was gone? How have you and Ron been doing?” she asked.

“You'd better be glad you weren't here yesterday,” Ginny began in a hushed tone, “because Bret showed up looking for you.”

“Are you serious? After all this time that I've been moved out, he actually came here? I bet things just didn't work out with his little fling, and he wanted company,” Hermione said in disgust.

“You know what? That's exactly what Ron told him! He was the one who answered the door. Hermione, I have never seen him so mad at anybody since we were at Hogwarts and he had to put up with Malfoy. They were outside and I could still hear everything!”

Hermione's eyes got wide. “Well, what did they say?”

“Bret didn't get to say much of anything, I can tell you that. Ron just went off on him and told him how it was his fault that his two best friends had missed out on five years of loving each other because of his selfishness. He told him that if he didn't want to get his little pretty-boy face messed up, that he wouldn't show it around here ever again.”

Hermione's jaw dropped. She knew how Ron could get when he was angry, but this was getting interesting.

“What happened after that?” she asked.

“Bret said something to him about it not being any of his business, and well, Ron let him have it,” Ginny said, looking amused.

“Did he hex him?”

“No, he didn't even bother with his wand. He just started pounding him. I didn't see Bret after he left, but I could hear the punches, Hermione, and when Ron came back in, he didn't have any bruises.”

Both of the girls started laughing so hard that they bent over holding their sides. Just then, Harry and Ron came back in.

“What's up with you two?” Ron asked and couldn't help grinning at the sight of them looking so hysterical.

“Oh, Ron,” said Hermione as she stood up from the table, still laughing heartily. “Ginny told me about what happened yesterday. You're the best, really.”

The guys chuckled. Apparently, Ron had also filled Harry in. Hermione went over to Ron and hugged him, still giggling a little. Ron was so tall that she didn't even come up to his chin. He easily bent to kiss the top of her head, one arm around her and the other around Harry, so that they were all close together. They stood there for a minute, just thinking about old times.

“It was the least I could do for my best friends,” Ron said sweetly. Harry and Hermione knew how much he cared about them both.

-->

Soon after Hermione had gotten her things and was officially living with Harry, they started to plan their wedding for around the middle of June, which was about five months away. Things were falling into place pretty well. Harry decided to quit bartending so that they could spend more time together. He really wanted to be an Auror, but Hermione begged him not to.

“It's just too dangerous,” she would say. “I've almost lost you once. I don't want to go through that again.”

Harry protested, but in the end he gave in. He loved her, and wanted her to feel secure. There was an opening in her department on the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, so he took it.

“I want to take a little trip,” Hermione mentioned to Harry one day as they were straightening up the apartment.

“Where to?” he asked curiously.

“Remember that Seer I told you about named Ruby?”

“Yeah, the one who told you that I'd almost die and what you had to do to keep it from happening. Of course, I remember you telling me about her. Did you want to go and see if she's still there?”

Hermione was pleased that he sounded open about it. “Yes, I really would like to see her again. I've been thinking about her a lot lately. It would be a good idea, don't you think? I want to thank her in person.”

So, the next day that they had off, the two of them made the trip out of town. Hermione found the coffee shop with relatively little trouble even though it had been three years since the last time she was there. She walked in, hand in hand with Harry and found a girl sitting with her back to them. The sheet of long silver-blond hair was familiar. It was Ruby at one of the tables alone, sipping a drink. When she turned around and saw them, a warm smile crossed her lips.

“Do you remember me? I came to see you once before,” said Hermione.

Ruby got up and crossed the room to give her a hug.

“Of course I remember you! It's good to see you again,” she replied. “Is there anything I can do for you or have you just come by for a visit?”

“Well, the main reason I'm here is to thank you. Your prediction helped save my fiancé Harry. I wanted to bring him to meet you.”

Ruby smiled kindly as Harry reached out to shake her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Harry,” she said. Then to Hermione, “I think you did much better this time. I'd love to talk to you if you care to stay for a while.”

“Do you mind, Harry?” Hermione asked.

“No! You two take your time,” he said sweetly and squeezed her hand. “I'll just have a seat in the corner.”

“Oh, he's so different from that other fellow you came here with! So, how are things going with you, Hermione?” she asked sweetly as Harry strolled across the room to sit down. The two women went back to the table where Ruby had been sitting when they'd arrived.

“Oh, everything is just wonderful now that I'm not with Bret anymore,” she began, and went into an explanation of all that had happened - Harry almost being killed, then Bret cheating on her, and how she and Harry got together.

Ruby sat listening intently with an expression of deep interest. After Hermione was finished she spoke.

“I'm so sorry that you had to go through all of that with your ex-boyfriend. When you came to see me before, I didn't really think he could be trusted. That's why I wouldn't let him in with us. I wanted to tell you, but I've often discovered that people must find some things out for themselves or they simply can't believe them, especially when it's about someone that they care for” she said apologetically, “and since I could offer you no proof of anything, I thought it best to keep quiet about it. That, and I couldn't quite be sure of what it was about him that I didn't take to. It was more of an intuition than a vision there.”

“There is one thing that I've wondered about, Ruby, and I wanted to ask you,” Hermione said curiously.

“Go ahead. I'll answer you if I can,” she replied.

“When you told me that the one I loved would come close to dying, I always thought that you meant Bret. Did you know that it wasn't him?”

“No, I didn't. I thought that perhaps it might have been someone else, but I couldn't see his face; I just knew that it was a man you loved very much. That prediction came to me more in words than in a vision. If I had known, I would have told you, just like I would have told you what Bret was going to do if I'd seen it. Some things are better left unsaid, but when it comes to something important like that, I tell people whether they want to hear it or not,” Ruby answered, and Hermione knew that she was being sincere.

“Thank you for being honest with me. I just hate it that I didn't see through Bret earlier,” she said with a bit of frustration.

Ruby looked at her gently. “Hermione, there are plenty of men like Bret in this world, and let me tell you something else - no one, absolutely no one, hurts another person in this life and gets away with it completely. My grandmother used to say that life is like a big wheel that keeps turning and turning, and how we treat others sooner or later comes back around to us. One day Bret will probably have someone else do the exact same thing to him that he did to you. In my business I see things like this happen a lot. Anyway, at least it's over and you've moved on.”

Hermione did feel better hearing this. “I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough for telling me what to do when Harry was dying. I love him so much. If he had died, I don't think I'd have been able to handle it, and I wouldn't have been able to save him if you hadn't helped me,” she said.

“Oh yes you would have,” Ruby answered, “I do believe that you would have figured it out on your own. Love has a way of telling people things.” She paused for a moment and then said, “Would you like for me to do another reading? I can do one just for you, or we can do it with both of you together. Don't worry about paying me. This one's on the house. I want to do it as your friend. I'll even close early so we can take our time. It's been very slow today anyway.”

Hermione was touched. “Oh I'd like for you to do one with us both. That would be great! I'd like to see what's in store for us together,” she said excitedly.

Ruby got up and turned the sign on the door around so that it read “closed”. “Come on back then,” she said sweetly.

Hermione went over to Harry.

“Would you like to have our fortune told together? Ruby wants to do it for us.”

He could tell how excited she was.

“Yeah, let's do. You've told me how good she is. This could be interesting,” he said and got up from the table to go with them.

They entered the plain little back room which hadn't changed at all since Hermione had last been there. Ruby pulled in an extra chair for Harry and placed it next to where she motioned for Hermione to sit. Then she took a seat across from the two of them.

“Ok, I need you to join hands,” Ruby said, “By the way, my skills have improved some since the last time you were here, Hermione. I should be able to tell you a good bit.”

Harry took Hermione's left hand gently in his right and they placed them on the table. Ruby cupped both of her hands over theirs and closed her eyes. She didn't speak for a little while, but they could tell by her facial expressions that she was seeing something. She went from smiling, to looking shocked, afraid, and then peaceful again. This happened a few times before she said anything.

“Your past together is…amazing. You've been extremely trusting and loyal to one another, and I see that always continuing into your future. Both of you would die rather than let anything happen to the other. I've seen horrible things happening to you both, especially you, Harry - things that I don't understand.”

Harry and Hermione looked at each other. She must have gotten a glimpse of parts of the wizarding world that she'd never seen.

“Your lives have been in danger many times, but you've survived, in great part because of each other. I'm relieved to say that I see a very happy future ahead for the two of you together. Your love for one another is extraordinary.”

Ruby looked so moved that it appeared she was about to cry. Harry and Hermione looked at each other again and smiled.

“I know that you're both concerned about the time that you've not been together as a couple, and you consider it time that was wasted. This is especially true of you, Hermione, but don't worry yourself over it anymore,” Ruby said reassuringly. “The experiences that you've lived through have served to strengthen the love you have for each other now, and things will, I believe, be even better than they would have been had you gotten together earlier. It might have taken you some time to truly discover your feelings for each other, but now that you have, it will be beautiful. The season has changed in your lives, and the timing is perfect.”

She opened her eyes. “Oh, and congratulations on your baby, Hermione. You'll both make wonderful parents,” she said with a smile.

Hermione and Harry looked baffled.

“But…Ruby, I didn't think I could have children,” Hermione said. “I could never get pregnant before.”

“Well, it wasn't you that had a fertility problem. It must have been him. You are pregnant right now. I could feel the presence of the life inside of you,” she said sweetly.

Hermione cupped her hand to her mouth in surprise, and Harry put his arm around her.

“This is just…I'm so happy. There's nothing I wanted more than to be able to give Harry children,” she said, absolutely ecstatic.

“Oh, you'll have your wish! This one won't be an only child by any means. I could see how many you'll have and even what they're going to be, but I won't ruin that surprise for you,” she said, very proud of having been the one to give them the good news.

“Looks like we're going to be changing our plans then and moving up the date of our wedding,” Harry said with a sweet blush on his face. He didn't want Hermione's belly to be obvious before they could get married. It never mattered to him that she'd lived with someone else; he wanted to uphold her honor.

“Would you like to come to our wedding?” asked Hermione.

“I'd be delighted,” Ruby said with a smile.

“There are also a few things we'd like to tell you,” Hermione added, “about our world.”

Harry was silent for a second, but in complete agreement. She could be trusted to keep a secret, and if she'd already seen parts of the wizarding world in her visions, it was only fair that she have it explained to her.

“Why don't you come with us and we'll all have lunch together,” he suggested.

Ruby accepted and they all set off. She listened wide-eyed as Harry and Hermione explained to her about Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic, and things like the sorting hat. They also talked about Ron and how they'd all grown up together. When they got to the not so pleasant things, like the dementors and Voldemort, Ruby was spellbound.

“I was wondering what those horrible hooded things were,” she said with a look of understanding.

“So how about you, then?” asked Hermione. “You're so gifted that I was amazed to find out you weren't a witch the first time I met you.”

Ruby giggled. “Oh me? I'm not sure then how that came about. I'm definitely what you'd call a Muggle. I've never made things happen when I was upset like you and Harry have. I didn't even know I had any kind of ability at all, until I was fifteen and I had my first boyfriend. We were just walking through the park one day, and I remember telling him that he was going to have an accident if he wasn't careful. I wasn't even sure why I said it. It just came to me. Well, he laughed about it. Then that weekend he decided to go off and have a few drinks and got behind the wheel of his cousin's car. He had completely forgotten about what I'd told him until he ended up running into a fence.”

Hermione's eyebrows shot up. “Was he alright?”

“Oh he was a little banged up, but he was fine. Well, he ended up breaking things off with me and started spreading rumors that I was some kind of witch who'd put a curse on him. Needless to say, not too many people liked me after that. At school I'd hear the whispers, people calling me `Ruby the witch' or `Ruby the she-devil'. It was horrible. For a while I even wished that I didn't have my gift. Then, I had other visions about different people who were my friends or were just honestly seeking help. When they listened to me, they avoided some horrible things happening to them, and then I knew what I had to do.”

“I'm glad that you decided to go into the business of being a Seer,” Hermione said. “Who says that wizards and witches are the only ones with gifts, anyway?”

Ruby smiled. “I still wonder sometimes what my life would have been like if I'd never developed my abilities. Sometimes it's still very hard.”

“Why, what would make you say that?” Harry asked.

Her soft blue eyes looked saddened at the question. “Well, for one, my life has always been marked by loneliness since that first time I saw into the future. I'll meet a guy who I think seems ok, and then when he finds out what I can do, he usually freaks or I'll sense feelings of guilt, like there's something he doesn't want me to know. None of them stay around for long. It's harder for me to read people that I have a romantic interest in for some reason. Maybe now I'd be a little better at it since I've sharpened my skills, but a few years ago it was still pretty difficult. What I need is a man who has nothing to hide, and those are extremely rare and hard to come by.”

By the time they had finished eating and talking, both Harry and Hermione knew they had made the right choice by sharing their world with her. Before they left, Hermione got Ruby to write down her phone number and address so they could let her know once they set a new date for their wedding. This was one friend that she knew she had to hold onto.

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Harry and Hermione didn't tell anyone she was pregnant even after she'd been to see a doctor. They just thought it best if not many people knew right away. It was a very personal thing for them both, especially since they had thought it just wasn't possible. Both agreed that they just weren't ready to share their little secret yet. They'd wait until after the wedding and then let everyone know. Hermione was intrigued to discover that by the calculations of when she was due, that it was very possible she'd gotten pregnant the first time that they were together.

Harry and Hermione had their wedding in April. It was a Muggle ceremony so that Hermione's family would be comfortable, but their friends from the wizarding world were there in their best Muggle dress - all of the Weasleys, Lupin, Tonks, Dumbledore, Hagrid, professors Snape and McGonagall, as well as some of their other friends who they'd gone to school with. Even Viktor Krum was there all the way from Bulgaria, and Ruby went just like she'd said she would. It was a lovely ceremony; there was hardly a dry eye in the place, but the reception was where the fun started. They had a DJ and someone mixing drinks. Ron had just come from going to get a plate of food when he saw Ruby sitting at the same table with Hermione and Harry.

“Um, Harry, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.

“Sure,” he said. “Hermione, I'll be back in a second.” He gave her a kiss and went with Ron over to the corner.

“Who is that beautiful girl that's over there talking to Hermione?” he asked, still staring across the room at her. When he realized that she appeared to be looking back, Harry could tell that he was embarrassed.

“Oh, that's Ruby. She's Hermione's friend the Muggle Seer,” Harry told him. “Why don't you go and talk to her?”

Meanwhile back at the table…

“Hermione, is that tall man talking to Harry a good friend of yours?” asked Ruby.

“Yes, that's Ron, our friend that we told you about,” she answered.

“Ah, had to ask. I thought he looked familiar,” she said wistfully.

“You like him don't you?” Hermione asked with a smile.

“He strikes me as being pleasant, yes,” Ruby answered. “He has a kind face. So what can you tell me about him?”

“Oh, he's a wonderful guy. Maybe you and he should talk, Ruby.”

Ruby only smiled and continued to look at him as he and Harry made their way back to the table. Ron sat down beside her and went a slight shade of pink. Hermione looked at Harry and each was thinking the same thing - Ron was a very good-hearted person; Ruby would like him, and how could he help but fall for someone who was so beautiful and with such an endearing personality to match? He appeared half in love with her already. As the reception went on, they talked to each other more and more comfortably until Ron finally decided to ask her to dance. While they were on the dance floor, Hermione was sure that she saw Fred and George slip something into the punch - probably something they'd made themselves. After that, quite a few people got rather tipsy. Hermione's family who were usually pretty reserved had started laughing loudly, and Professor McGonagall was dancing with Professor Dumbledore. Hermione kept giving her drinks to Ginny, since she was pregnant and didn't want to consume any alcohol. When Ginny started dancing like she had a pole in front of her, Dean decided to call it a night and take her home. For the most part, though, it was a lovely evening.

Shortly after they were married, the Potters got a house in Muggle London. They had decided to live in the Muggle world, but to keep up the use of magic in their home. They wanted this child, and however many more were to follow, to grow up knowing and understanding both worlds. Their baby was born on Halloween. Harry stayed with his wife the whole time she was struggling to give birth. He was almost starting to regret getting her pregnant, until he saw his baby's face. It was a son - Jonathan David Potter they named him. He was a beautiful baby. Hermione was pleased to see that he had a full head of dark brown hair and green eyes. He'd taken after Harry. Now it seemed that they were complete. Their love had taken form in this perfect little person. He was their pride and joy, and would no doubt grow up to be a very powerful wizard.

Ron and Ruby ended up marrying shortly after Jonathan was born. There was a small celebration for his first birthday and both of them were there, Ruby sporting a rather large belly. Harry and Ron watched from across the backyard as their wives, accompanied by Ginny and Dean, played with Jonathan. Ginny had finally given in and was engaged to Dean, although she was in no hurry to marry and settle down.

“Looks like everything is finally like it's supposed to be,” Ron said to his best friend. “I'm glad that you're able to live your life in peace.”

Harry smiled. “Yeah, I agree with you there. Things seem to be going well for you too. I know you're looking forward to being a dad. It's great.”

“I think it's scary. Being a parent is a big responsibility, and we're expecting twin girls. I'm afraid I'm going to be cursed with female versions of Fred and George. I don't know how mum and dad managed with all of us,” he said thoughtfully.

“Well, it helps when you have a partner as great as ours are,” Harry said, watching Hermione with his son.

“Are you kidding? Do you know what it's like to live and sleep in the same bed with a person who knows everything? We've been together for about a year now, and I still can't get used to it.”

They both laughed. Just then Hermione came over to Harry.

“Guess what?” she said happily.

“I'm almost afraid to ask,” Harry answered quizzically.

Ron excused himself and went to join everyone else. His godson was now dragging Crookshanks around by the neck, but the cat acted like he didn't mind.

“We're having another baby. It's a girl this time,” she said excitedly. “Isn't it wonderful?”

“Ruby told you this, I assume?” Harry asked with a knowing smile.

“Of course. I thought that I might have been pregnant again, and she confirmed it.” Hermione was extremely pleased.

He gently pulled her over into his lap, making her giggle. He felt like the happiest person in the world at the moment. He had his beautiful wife and adorable son and another child on the way. This is what he'd always wanted - just to be with the people he loved without any worries. All of the suffering he'd been through as a boy no longer mattered. He must have gotten lost in his thoughts for a moment when Hermione called him back.

“Harry? Harry, aren't you happy?” she asked, brushing his hair from his forehead to finger the scar that was now no more than a barely visible fine white line.

“Of course I'm happy! I think I can say for once in my life that I have everything I've ever wanted. Thanks for giving it to me,” he said sweetly.

She squeezed him tightly. “You've made me happy too, you know. You always have.”

Their eyes met, reflecting the love that they had for each other. It had always been there in a way ever since they were children, only now it had reached perfection.

“Hermione?”

“Yes?”

“What do we have planned for later on tonight?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Because I was just thinking of a way that I can make you really happy. That is, if you're up to it. It involves a bubble bath and dessert afterwards.”

“Oh, I'm up to it,” she said with a wanton smile and kissed him sweetly.

THE END

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