Chapter 8: It'll Be Right This Time
As Harry stood under the hot water tap he felt his muscles relax. It had been a short game, but it had been rough; they'd only just won and he was sore all over from it. Fifteen years of Quidditch and various other injuries had finally gotten to him and he was glad that it was all over. But Harry would replay the game a thousand times if it was what could bring Hermione back into his life.
Harry had loved Hermione since that night they spent together at the end of seventh year. The problem was he hadn't realized it until she was walking into the airport and out of his life. He had been heart broken when she left for America; he wanted to stop her, tell her how he felt, beg her to stay, but he didn't want to stop her from living the life she wanted and he couldn't promise her a normal relationship since he was about to start his carrier as a professional athlete and he had no idea how that would effect his life. So he had said nothing. He'd let her leave and been miserable because of it. But today he was going to tell her how he felt. It would be right this time.
"Hey Potter, your mate Ron wants to see you outside; says it's important." One of his teammates, Adrian Keller called.
"Alright, tell him I'll be out in a minute." Harry turned of the tap and quickly wrapped a towel around his waist. He grabbed another to dry his hair, shoved on his glasses and walked out into the hallway.
"Yeah mate was it?" Harry asked with the towel still over his face. It wasn't until he heard a soft gasp that he realized Ron wasn't alone in the hallway. He moved the towel away from his eyes and found Ron standing in front of him and Hermione at his side. She looked absolutely amazing. "Hermione!"
"Oh Harry." Without warning Hermione wrapped Harry in a tight embrace. She didn't seem to care that he was half naked.
"You're a sight for sore eyes." Harry said wrapping one arm around her and keeping one on the towel around his waist.
"So are you, I've missed you."
"I though you said you couldn't miss someone you talked to everyday."
"Fine, I've missed seeing you."
"I've missed seeing you too. You look amazing by the way Hermione. I can't believe you can still wear that old sweater." Harry said looking her over once their hug was finished.
"Thanks Harry - you, um look good as well." Hermione said looking at him and blushing. She hadn't expected him to look as good as he did. He had a firm chest, strong arms and legs, and hair that was long and shaggy, it looked good that way. His emerald eyes were sparkling with wonder and a sexy smile was playing about his lips.
"Oh right let me go throw something else on - like clothes." He said disappearing into the locker room. God, she looks so amazing Harry thought to himself as he made his way back to his locker.
"Hey Potter - that girl out there, is she yours?" Keller asked stepping up to Harry's locker.
"Not yet." Harry said pulling his boxers on under the towel and then throwing the towel aside.
"You ganna go for it?"
"Shut up Keller," Harry said pulling on his pants. Keller's a kid, only 19, he doesn't understand things like love. "Listen to me Keller - there are some women who you don't just `go for'. They are put on this earth to be loved and respected and if you are lucky you get to be with them. That woman standing out there is one of those women. She's worth so much more then just sex."
"God Potter you've got it bad." Keller said as Harry pulled on his shirt and started walking towards the door.
"Someday kid you will understand."
"No woman is worth that much work."
"Someday Keller - someday." Harry said pulling the door open and walking back out into the hall. "Hey, where did Ron go?" Harry asked as the door closed behind him.
"Down the next hall."
"Not that I mind being alone with you, but why'd he leave."
"I don't know."
"Well anyway - life seems to have treated you well, you look amazing."
"Yes it has, I've had a wonderful time in America. Things have worked out well there."
"Thing would have worked out well if you had stayed here." Harry said taking a nervous step towards her. He had to tell her now before he lost his nerve.
"I wouldn't be to sure about that." Hermione said more to herself then Harry.
"What Hermione?"
"Oh nothing. Listen Harry there's something I have to tell you." Hermione said nervously playing with her bag, inside where the children's baby books and photo album, Hermione planed on telling him about their children and then showing him the books. But before Hermione could get the books out of the bag or say anything more there was a cry from down the hallway.
"Mummy! Mummy!" A small girl was running down the hallway towards them her long black hair billowing behind her. Harry turned around to look behind him; maybe this little girl's mother was further down the hall, behind them. No there was no one there. When he turned back he saw Hermione scoop the child into her arms, rest the child's weight on her hip, and pull the child's head into her shoulder.
"It's alright love," Hermione said comfortingly to the small child, patting her back softly. This little girl was Hermione's daughter Harry realized as she saw her rock the child back and forth to calm her.
"Hermione?" Harry asked looking at her with pain in his eyes. Hermione had a child and hadn't told him; Harry could almost hear his heart braking again.
"Harry, this isn't how I would have chosen for you to find out. I wanted to talk to you first, but this is your daughter Lily."
AN: He's found out ...
-->