Unofficial Portkey Archive

Author's note: I hope you guys enjoy this one. You get to see Sirius/Eva this go around---finally! And Ron gets a visit from Fred & George & Molly. And something "fluffy" happens. I had a chance to respond to some of the reviews for the last chapter. Didn't get around to responding to all of them, but I did read them! I hope you will continue to read and review! Song for this chapter is one of my favorites. I am partial to the Nat King Cole version as well as the Celine Dion/Clive Griffin version from "Sleepless in Seattle".

Chapter 21

When I Fall In Love

When I fall in love
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you

It was nearly midnight and Harry was wide awake. Because they had such a big day tomorrow with traveling to Hogwarts, Hermione suggested they call it an early night. He'd been all for it, of course, thinking that a good night's sleep was what they both needed. If only he'd been able to fall asleep.

Hermione, on the other hand, was fast asleep beside him---a content smile on her face. She looked so calm and peaceful. He wished that the same could be said for him. But, he'd been staring at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity.

Tomorrow really was going to be a big day for the two of them. Harry was mentally planning how he'd show her the Hogwarts' castle and grounds. Her interview was scheduled for 11 a.m. and he figured they'd arrive early so he could give her the grand tour. After the interview, he…well, that was what was keeping him up tonight.

It was a big decision. It was the kind of question that could make or break a relationship. And when he asked it, he wanted to do it in such a way that they would both remember that moment for the rest of their lives.

I'm thinking about this way too much.

He sighed and turned his head toward the bedside table where the alarm clock flashed the current time---12:01 a.m.

It wouldn't be all that late in the Abacos. In fact, it would be around 10 p.m. Sirius was probably at Café Oceana, keeping Eva company. Gently pulling back the covers, Harry eased himself out of bed being careful not to wake Hermione.

He needed his godfather now more than ever.

~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sirius tried not to laugh at the expression on his fiancée's face as Maureen related a tale about one of her cousin's weddings.

"It was really a beautiful ceremony," Maureen was saying. "She had around twelve bridesmaids and twelve groomsmen. Oh and four honorary bridesmaids."

"Honorary bridesmaids?" Sirius couldn't help asking.

Maureen nodded.

"What the bloody hell is an honorary bridesmaid?" Sirius asked her. Eva kicked him under the table, but he chose to ignore it. "Is that someone who wasn't quite good enough to make it to the title of full bridesmaid?"

Maureen rolled her eyes. "No, it's just say you have sixteen best girlfriends. And you can only have say---seven bridesmaids. Well, the other nine of your friends are going to feel left out, aren't they? So, you make them honorary bridesmaids to sort of make up for it…"

Sirius looked thoughtfully at her. "So these other nine lasses just didn't pass muster so they're relegated to second-class status, is that it?"

Maureen shook her head. "Weddings are completely wasted on men. You have no understanding of them. None…whatsoever."

"I'm just being a realist," Sirius said, patting her hand. "And you don't have to worry about me having sixteen groomsmen. I don't even have sixteen blokes I'd consider to be good friends."

Maureen laughed as she grabbed her tray. "That's because you're not a people person, Ben."

Sirius shook his head. "Okay, what kind of world do we live in where we have the terms 'honorary bridesmaids' and 'people persons'?"

Eva laughed as she got between Sirius and Maureen. "I think the two of you need to agree to disagree on this one. We won't have to worry about having honorary bridesmaids, Maureen. I am only going to have one bridesmaid and Ben here is going to have Jack stand up for him. So, that's all sorted."

"Jack's coming back for the wedding?" Maureen asked interestedly.

"With his girlfriend," Sirius reminded her gently. "You remember her, right? The one he left the islands to be with?"

Maureen nodded. "Of course. That's lovely."

"Maureen?" Eva asked. "Why don't you go and check on your tables?"

Maureen smiled and walked away leaving Sirius and Eva alone again.

"She's still got it bad for Harry then?"

Eva shrugged. "She's always holding out hope, I guess. But I guess…."

Her voice trailed off as Harry himself came sprinting into the restaurant from the kitchen. He was wearing pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt and his hair was in a complete state of disarray.

"Speak of the devil," Sirius said in surprise. "We were just talking about you!"

Harry gave a slight smile.

"Nothing's the matter, is it?" Eva asked, looking him up and down.

"No," Harry answered. "Well, yes. I don't really know."

Some of the restaurant patrons were looking at him with bemused expressions on their faces and Sirius thought it best to get his godson upstairs to see what the trouble was. Harry didn't put up much of a fight as Sirius led him through the kitchen and upstairs to Eva's flat.

"Okay," Sirius said when they were seated in the kitchen with two bottles of ale. "What's going on, mate?"

Harry took a long sip of his beer. "I-I just had a lot on my mind and I needed your advise."

Sirius smiled. "So contrary to popular opinion, I do sometimes know what I'm talking about then? You should tell Eva that…"

Harry laughed. "Listen, Old Man. I haven't got much time. Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course," Sirius said, leaning back in his chair. "What's on your mind, Harry?"

"What isn't on my mind might be the better question," Harry said dryly.

"How about you start from the beginning?" Sirius suggested. "You obviously spoke with Ron, right?"

Harry nodded. "A few days ago, actually. I told him about Hermione and me."

"And I'm guessing he didn't offer his blessings and well-wishes for the happy couple?"

Harry shook his head. "Not quite. He was very angry with me and I understood that, but then he started spouting off all this rubbish about me taking everything from him. And then when I was ready to leave, he made some shite remark about Hermione and I---I hit him."

Sirius' eyes grew large.

"Trust me," Harry said. "It was really horrible what he said, Sirius."

Sirius frowned. "I'm sorry about that, Harry. It's not so easy when two blokes love the same girl. Or when one thinks he does…like Ron."

"Yeah," Harry said before taking another sip of his beer. "I hate this. I wasn't expecting him to be all happy about it, but I just…"

"You miss your best mate," Sirius finished for him.

"Aye," Harry replied.

"You going to do anything about it?"

"I don't know what I could do about it," Harry said with a hollow laugh. "If the situation was reversed, I don't know if I could forgive him. It's just so cocked up, Sirius."

Sirius understood all too well about this. But he wasn't about to get into why with Harry---now didn't seem like the time. And besides that, it wasn't his place to say anything about it. If anyone should tell Harry about that, it should be Remus.

"And what about Hermione?"

Harry smiled just thinking about her. "She's great. She's interviewing at Hogwarts tomorrow."

"The two of you together in the castle?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't take a Seer to picture the two of you snogging in the broom closet….sharing a stolen moment in the professors' lounge…."

"Sod off," Harry said laughing.

"Just remember to set a good example for the students," Sirius lectured, his tone dry and humorless. "You are someone they're looking up to after all…"

"Like I'm really going to take lessons in decorum from you," Harry said sarcastically. "Mr. Marauder…"

"I'll have you know that in my old, but very wise age, I have seen the error of my youthful ways…"

"Yeah right."

"So you came over here to take the piss?" Sirius asked him. He had missed his godson the past few days. He hadn't realized how much until Harry had gone.

"No, I came here for your advice," Harry corrected him. "And so far, you're not helping one bit."

"Okay," Sirius said, resting his elbows on the table. "Tell us what's going on in that head of yours."

Harry told Sirius about meeting Hermione's parents earlier. How he'd been so nervous, but how he'd gotten along with both her mum and dad. And how he'd taken her father aside and asked him that big question…

"Dr. Granger?" he'd asked just outside the restaurant. Hermione and her mother had excused themselves to go to the ladies'.

"Robert," Hermione's dad corrected. "No need to be so formal, Harry."

"Right," Harry said nervously. "Well, I had something I wanted to ask you."

Robert folded his arms and looked expectantly at Harry.

"I wanted to know if you'd be okay with…well, that is---if you'd be alright with me----oh bloody hell, this is hard to say…"

Robert looked at him bemusedly.

"I wanted to know if you'd have any objection to me…Hermione….you know, if I sort of asked her…to marry me?"

Robert stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. Harry wondered if the man was contemplating strangling him right there on the street. Surely, he wouldn't do that. There were witnesses all around.

"You and Hermione have only been together a short time," Robert finally said.

"Yes sir," Harry admitted. "But I feel as if I've known her my entire life. And maybe it is too soon, but I don't want to waste anytime. No one really knows how much of that they're going to have, do they?"

Robert nodded.

"I love your daughter very much, sir," Harry continued. "She's the best thing that has ever happened to me. If I can make her half as happy as she makes me, I will be the luckiest bloke in the world."

"Hermione's not in some sort of trouble is she?"

Harry vehemently shook his head. "No sir."

Robert relaxed and thought about what Harry had just said. "You make my little girl very happy. I've never seen her like this before."

"I love her very much."

Robert nodded and extended his hand to Harry. "That's good enough for me."

Harry stared at Robert's outstretched hand not sure he'd heard him right.

"Thank you sir," Harry said shaking Dr. Granger's hand. "Thank you."

Sirius laughed. "Quite the gentleman, aren't we? Asking her father for his daughter's hand in marriage? Very classy."

"I wasn't very eloquent," Harry said laughing too. "I was afraid I was going to spew all over his shoes or something…but he was really cool about it."

Sirius grinned. "My godson is getting married!"

"She might say no," Harry said worry etched across his handsome features.

"Not bloody likely," Sirius said reassuringly.

"I'm asking her tomorrow at Hogwarts," Harry explained. "Right after her interview."

Sirius smiled and wished Lily and James were here to see their son. He had no doubts that they would be proud of the man they're son had become. Sirius liked to think he had a little something to do with that.

"Down by the lake?"

Harry nodded.

"Good choice," Sirius said grinning at him.

"Thanks," Harry said.

"Planning a wedding is no easy task," Sirius said. "I can certainly attest to that. According to Maureen, we're going about this the wrong way. She thinks we should have 600 guests with bridesmaids…honorary bridesmaids…."

"Honorary bridesmaids?" Harry asked, confused. "What the-"

"You don't even want to know…"

******** ************ ************** *************

"And this is the Great Hall…" Harry said opening up the double doors and ushering Hermione inside. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the vast room.

"There are four houses…" he began to explain.

Hermione nodded and pointed to the table closest to the doors. "Slytherin." She pointed to the table beside it. "Gryffindor---Home of Harry James Potter." She worked her way down. "Ravenclaw. And then Hufflepuff."

Harry nodded, impressed. "And the ceiling…"

"…has been enchanted to resemble the sky outside," Hermione finished for him. At the look on his face, she laughed. "I'm sorry, Harry. I sort of read up on Hogwarts."

"What book did you read?"

"Hogwarts: A History."

"That book has to be at least a thousand pages," Harry said in disbelief.

"I know," Hermione said looking up at the ceiling. "I could hardly put it down…"

"Because it was so heavy?"

Hermione laughed. "No, because it was so interesting!"

"Hogwarts: A History?" he asked her.

"Yes."

Harry just shook his head. "I guess there's no point in giving you the tour, Miss Granger, since you know everything already."

Hermione looped her arms around his neck. "I don't know everything. Just a fair amount…and besides…nothing in a book can match seeing this place with you. It's better than any book."

Harry smiled at her. "You know there is something that I don't believe Hogwarts: a History mentioned. "A little known fact, if you will."

"Oh?"

"Harry James Potter," Harry said grinning mischievously at her. "Has never kissed anyone in the Great Hall."

"Never?"

He shook his head. "Not once."

"Well," Hermione said standing on her tiptoes. "I wonder if we could do something to remedy that. It is a shame that he's never experienced that."

Harry kissed her gently.

"Mmmm," he whispered, pulling her closer.

Neither of them knew how long they stood there kissing, but the sound of someone clearing their throat behind them caused Harry to reluctantly pull away.

"I 'eard you were comin' round," Hagrid said patting Harry on the back. Harry nearly toppled over, but he couldn't help laughing at his old friend's enthusiasm.

"Hello, Hagrid," Harry said smiling up at him. "It's great to see you."

"I was nearly over the moon when I found out yeh were going to be teaching," he said. He turned his gaze toward Hermione who was staring up at him in awe.

"And this must be 'ermione," Hagrid said offering her his large hand. She shook it and Hagrid beamed down at her. "Smart as they come, 'arry said 'bout yeh."

Hermione beamed back up at him. "He's told me an awful lot about you too, Hagrid."

Hagrid blushed. "Course yeh gonna be teaching here as well."

"Fingers crossed," Hermione said doing just that.

Hagrid gave out a loud, hearty laugh. "Yer as good as in, 'ermione."

"Excuse me," Professor McGonagall said coming into the Great Hall. Hermione had met the older witch earlier and had been quite impressed. She looked forward to talking to Minerva more about the school and teaching. Hermione had a feeling that Minerva McGonagall would be quite an ally and mentor to have.

If I get the job.

"Professor Dumbledore is ready to meet with you, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said smiling at her.

Hermione nodded. She looked over at Harry. "I guess this is it."

Harry pecked her on the cheek. "For luck."

"Thanks," she said squeezing his hand once more before following Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall."

"I like her," Hagrid said nudging Harry.

Harry smiled. "Me too."

After exchanging some more small talk with Hagrid, Harry realized he was going to need his old friend's help. After telling Hagrid what he wanted to do and then comforting the giant when he began to cry tears of joy at the news, Harry set off for the lake to plan the biggest moment of his life.

****** *********** ************ ***********

Ron looked at the bedside clock and groaned. It was just gone noon and he was planning on getting as much sleep as he could. He'd spent the better part of last night drowning his sorrows in Firewhisky. And this morning, he was paying for it dearly. And now someone was knocking on his bloody door.

What does a bloke have to do to get some privacy?

Grumbling to himself, Ron stumbled out of bed and made his way toward the front door. When he looked through the peephole, he saw his twin brothers and mother standing outside.

"Go away, Mum."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley," Molly said in her most stern voice. "You open up this door right this minute."

Ron seethed as he opened up the door. His mother was wearing a no-nonsense expression and Fred and George were grinning at him like a pair of hyenas.

"You look great, Ronald," Fred said patting him on the shoulder as they walked inside the flat.

"Sod off, Fred."

"And you have such a way of making someone feel welcome too," Fred said grinning at him. "Could we have a cup of tea?"

"No," Ron said closing the door behind them. "What brings you by?"

Molly pushed away some dirty clothes on the sofa and sat down. "This thing with you and Harry…"

Ron rolled his eyes. "I told you already, Mum…"

"Are you sure?" she asked him. "Because I don't think you told me everything."

Ron looked away. "What more is there to tell? My best mate took off with my girlfriend…"

"And that bird Melinda didn't have anything to do with it?" George asked him, causing his younger brother to turn around.

"How did you---?"

"You aren't exactly the most discreet person in the world," George told him. "Lee saw you with her a couple of times."

Ron paled.

"Ronald, how could you do something like that?" Molly asked shaking her head. "Hermione was a lovely girl!"

"At least Melinda wasn't her best mate," Ron said defensively. "Look, Mum. It didn't mean anything. Not really."

"It was still wrong," Molly said looking at him. "You know that."

"You went to see Harry, didn't you?" Ron said switching into full defensive mode. "He tried to spin this so you'd feel sorry for him, didn't he?"

"As a matter of fact," Molly told him. "He did nothing of the sort. Yes, Ronald. I did go to see Harry. And he didn't tell me what you'd done. He just told me that I needed to ask you."

"And you took his side…"

Molly groaned in frustration. "This isn't about taking sides, Ronald. I love you very much. I always have and I always will. I may not be happy with some of the things you've done, but no matter what you have or haven't done---you are still my son. I care about you more than you can imagine. And I hate to see you bolloxing about your life like this. You are a great athlete, but you spend your time getting pissed in bars. It's time you grew up and took responsibility for what you've done."

"And Harry gets off completely unscathed?"

"No," Molly said. "I'm disappointed in him as well. Look, Ron. You know that Harry would never intentionally do anything to hurt you. I know you don't see it that way, but it's the truth. And the two of you have been through so much together. It would be a waste for your friendship to be tossed into the rubbish bin over this…"

"She was my girlfriend---"

"Sounds to me as if you were the one who needed reminding on that one," Fred said putting his arm around his brother.

"No one's expecting you to get over this with the wave of a wand," Molly told him. "It's going to take some time. But you need to take a long, hard look at yourself, Ron. Do you like what you're doing? You have so much potential, love. And your father and I were so proud when you were drafted to the Cannons. Don't mess it all up now."

Ron folded his arms, at a loss as to what to say.

"And you can start by cleaning this place up," Molly said getting to her feet.

"What?" Ron asked her. "Now?"

Molly nodded. "No time like the present. Come on, Fred, George. We have our work cut out for us."

Fred and George nodded and started to follow their mother into the kitchen when Ron grabbed a hold of Fred's shoulder.

"Hang on a tic," he said. "Fred, how on earth did mum convince the two of you to come over here and clean my flat?"

"Can't we do something to help our brother?" Fred asked innocently. "You immediately think the worst! Like she had to bribe us or something to get us to come and help our ickle brother out."

Ron raised an eyebrow at him.

"Chocolate and peanut butter biscuits,'" Fred said with a wink. "An unlimited supply."

"And you wanted to take the piss…"

"That was just a perk," Fred said throwing an arm around him. "Now, although I have agreed to help you out, there are some things I will not do. I am not, for instance, going to clean your loo."

Despite himself, Ron couldn't help laughing.

"You guys are mad."

Fred sniffed his brother. "And you smell. Merlin's beard, Ron. Don't you ever shower?"

"I would if someone would clean my loo---"

*********** ************ ****************** ******************

Hermione followed the little house elf who had introduced himself to her as Dobby when she'd come out of Dumbledore's office. He was dressed in a bright orange tea cozy and had spent the better part of the last ten minutes singing Harry's praises to her. He seemed so keen on the task that Hermione didn't have the heart to tell him that he didn't need to convince her that Harry was a great man. She was already sold on her boyfriend being a wonderful man.

Dobby told her that Harry wanted to see her at the lake. Hermione couldn't wait to see him and tell him the great news. The interview had gone better than she could have imagined. She and Dumbledore got along brilliantly and she'd asked him so many questions. At the end of the interview, he'd made an offer and Hermione hadn't hesitated before accepting right on the spot.

To think, she thought as she followed Dobby out of the castle, that I will be teaching here in less than a few weeks. Everything was sliding into place. She couldn't imagine how it could get any better.

Dobby had stopped walking and Hermione looked down at him. They were at the lake but there was no sign of Harry.

"Where is he?"

Dobby shrugged his small shoulders. "Good luck, Miss Hermione Granger."

"But wait---"

Dobby, however, was already scampering away back toward the castle. For a second Hermione wondered if Dobby was playing some joke on her. Maybe this was what the professors did to initiate the newbies into the fold.

"Harry?"

"Professor Granger, I presume?"

Hermione turned around and smiled broadly at him.

"Yes," she said launching herself into his arms. He spun her around.

"That's my girl," he said as he spun her around and around until they were both dizzy.

"I can't believe it," Hermione said breathlessly trying to regain her bearings. "This had to be one of the best days of my life."

Harry smiled mischievously at her. "I wonder what I'd have to do to make it the best day of your life?"

Hermione smiled and leaned in for a kiss, but Harry shook his head. "How about a picnic by the lake?"

"Oh," Hermione said smiling. "That sounds fantastic."

"Good," Harry said leading her behind one of the large trees where he and Hagrid had set up a blanket and a basket of food. There was a bottle of champagne chilling beside the basket.

"Champagne?" she asked him.

"I thought we'd have reason to celebrate," he said popping the cork and then pouring them both a glass.

"We do," Hermione said sitting down on the blanket. "And it's such a lovely day too."

"Beautiful day," he said, feeling nervous for the first time today. He was afraid that she would tell him no and that it was too soon.

He didn't have much time to think about it though as he and Hermione tucked into the picnic. He listened as she told him all about the interview with Dumbledore and meeting with McGonagall in the next couple of days to discuss lesson plans and expectations. As he listened to her, he felt himself falling more and more in love with her. He was sure about this. It was the perfect moment.

"I um got you a little something," he said sitting up and motioning toward the picnic basket.

"You did?" she asked, thinking it was some dessert. "Something chocolate and positively sinful?"

Harry laughed. "It's not chocolate and I don't think you could call it sinful."

Hermione giggled and reached inside the basket, expecting to see some fresh fruit. But her hands touched a small velvet box. Her breath caught in her throat as she lifted the box out of the basket. Harry's eyes were trained on hers, but Hermione found herself incapable of moving or saying anything at the moment.

"Open it."

Hermione finally met his gaze and with a trembling hand opened up the small velvet box. The most beautiful ring she'd ever seen in her entire life. It was a silver engagement ring with three radiant size diamonds. It was exactly the type of ring she would have picked out for herself.

"I suppose we should do this properly," Harry said taking her hand and helping her to her feet. "Okay, you stand there. And I'll just take the ring from you for a moment…and now I'm going to kneel…"

Hermione laughed.

"Okay," Harry said kneeling before her. "Miss Hermione Jane Granger…I love you so very much. I don't know what brought you into my life---fate, an annoying godfather, a panic attack on your part…"

Hermione smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I love you, Hermione," he said looking up at her. "And I know I'm not doing this right or saying the right things…"

"You're doing just fine…"

"I guess I should do like Sirius said and just ask the question," he said taking the ring and offering it to her. "Will you marry me, Hermione?"

Harry waited for what seemed like forever for her to answer him. Tears were flowing down her cheeks and he wondered what was going on in that clever mind of hers. And then she said the word that changed his life forever.

"Yes."