2. Best Mates

Chapter One : Best Mates

My seventh year. That is when it all started. I began distancing myself from my friends, not on purpose but for the fact that I was certain I was going to die and I didn't want to put my loved ones through that. Ron didn't notice at first, but Hermione, she approached me after I spent the day skillfully avoiding her.

“Harry? Harry, what's wrong?” she asked me with concern shining in her beautiful brown eyes.

I just shrugged my shoulders and kept walking towards the entrance the common room. Upon reaching the portrait of the fat lady I murmured the password, “Glumbumble” and walked into the common room, keeping my head down and ignoring my housemates who were beginning to get equally worried.

Hermione followed me up the stairs towards the dorms. I was about to open my door when she grabbed my arm and would not let me go.

“Harry Potter! Tell me what is going on right now!”

She had anger in her voice now. It was then I realized I should give her some sort of explanation so she didn't think she had done something to upset me.

I turned and my eyes fell on her face, her eyes searching mine trying so hard to read my emotions, the crease she gets in her forehead when she is worried was there and her mouth, bloody hell, it was open slightly and I could hear her breath coming out in short gasps, obviously trying to keep up with me had winded her slightly.

Her hand stayed on my left arm as I put hands on her shoulders.

“Hermione it is nothing you did, I just need to be alone right now.” And with that said, I removed my hands from her and her hand dropped from my arm. I reached behind me and opened the door to my dormitory, our eyes never leaving each other's until I shut the door.

I felt terrible for what I had just done. I have never kept my friends, least of all Hermione, out of my life before. I always wanted them there, but when it came down to losing them, I would do anything to stop that happening, again. I had lost Sirius because I had become to close to him. Now of course Ron and Hermione always tell me that it wasn't because of that, but he did come to the Department of Mysteries to save my life. If Voldemort could use Sirius against me, who's to say he cant use Ron or Hermione against me as well?

I walked over to my four poster bed and got in closing the curtains, knowing very well that Ron would be up to talk to me soon, on Hermiones' insistence of course. I lay in bed contemplating what I should do and how I was going to avoid my best friends for the rest of the year. As it dawned on me that that was never going to happen, I heard the dorm door open and Ron's voice float into the room, along with Deans' and Seamus'. I could hear them talking in hushed voices, but I couldn't make out what they were saying, I assumed they were talking about me. Then again I heard the door open, and close, and I suddenly knew I was alone in the room with just Ron.

“Ok mate, come on out and tell me why you're being such a prat to everyone.” I chuckled to myself, my suspicions had been confirmed.

I tried to ignore him, I knew it would make him upset but I always got such a thrill out of seeing him that way. I heard him making his way over, then one of the curtains on my bed was pulled away revealing my best friend. He stood there with his red hair hanging in his green eyes, staring at me with concern etched across his face.

It was at this point that I knew I needed to talk to someone. Ron did not get concerned for no reason.

“Ron, its just hard to discuss…” I started out lamely.

He stood there waiting for me to continue. I knew there was no getting out of it.

“I have to fight Voldemort soon…” Ron shuddered when I spoke his name. I cracked a sympathetic smile, “Sorry mate” and went on.

“I've been thinking a lot about it, and I keep going back to what happened to Sirius. If Voldemort hadn't shown me that vision of him being locked in the Department of Mysteries, I never would have gone there, and Sirius would never have died. Its all my fault, and I just couldn't bear it if I were to lose you or Hermione.”

Ron stared at me dumbfounded. He seemed to contemplate something for awhile then he took a large breath and let it out quickly. I could tell he needed to say something to me, whether he would was another story.

“You know Harry…” he finally began. “…Hermione and I love you, and we would do anything for you. No matter how long this thing with V-vol-…” he stuttered, stopped then tried again. “Voldemort goes on, we want to be there for you, and we will be. Nothing you can do is going to stop that. That's what best mates are for, is it not?”

Ron had just said possibly the kindest thing he had ever said to me, and there were no witnesses! I smiled at him, nodding my head in thanks. Ron and Hermione had spoken their minds, there was nothing I could do about it. My friends were with me until the end.

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3. Feelings Uncovered

Chapter Two: Feelings Uncovered

I accompanied Ron downstairs to the common room where Hermione was seated in her usual chair by the fire reading her Charms book; Crookshanks nestled in between her body and the chair. She looked up and greeted us with a beaming smile. I smiled back, not feeling the tiny butterflies storming around in my stomach at the sight of her face so alight. These recent feelings for my best friend were troubling me slightly. I had never looked upon Hermione as I am now. Before she was just my best friend, the book worm, but now…

I sat down in the chair directly next to her on her left side. While she studied her Charms book, I studied her face. What was once a child’s face had grown and matured into a beautiful young woman’s face. Her entire face had slendered, the baby fat leaving it, and her eyes were even more beautiful than I remember, pools of melted milk chocolate. Her hair had once been an unmanageable mess, but now it was a fortress that I wouldn’t mind getting lost in.

Realizing that I was staring at my best friend in a way that I never have before I immediately turned my head away towards Ron, who was also staring at her, but not the way that I had been. No, he was staring at her because she was studying on a weekend, something Ron had no concept about.

“Hermione, why is you feel that you have to study every minute of every bloody day?” Ron said, irritation evident in his voice. He just couldn’t understand that Hermione had to be better than everyone at everything.

She merely smiled and continued reading her book. Looking for an excuse to stop looking at her, I picked up the Quidditch magazine that basically lives on the table and began flipping through the pages. I had already looked through this magazine a million times, so it wasn’t doing a brilliant job of taking my mind off Hermione. I decided to chance a look at her, she was most likely still reading and wouldn’t catch me when I did take a peak. To my surprise, she was looking at me also. I must have made my surprise noticeable because she smiled slightly and went back to her reading. I don’t know what these feelings are, but Hermione had awoken something in me that I didn’t know was there until quite recently.

The heat from the fire and the comfort of the chair were making me suddenly feel quite tired and my eyelids became heavy. My head lolled forward and rested on my chest and my hands went slack dropping the magazine onto the floor. I could hear some shuffling and then the weight of Ron sitting next to me abruptly vanished and I awoke with a start. I glanced around to catch Ron retreating up to the dormitory and Hermione still sitting on her chair, though Crookshanks was now curled up on the rug next to the fire. Her book was lying in her lap and she was looking at me again with an indescribable look on her face.

“Harry…” she started. I sat up giving her my full attention. “…Will you tell me what was wrong with you today?”

I smiled and sighed. “Its nothing to worry about, I’m over it.”

“Are you sure? It wasn’t anything I did right?” worry crossing her beautiful face.

I leaned forward making sure she got the gist of what I was saying.

“No ‘Mione you didn’t do anything wrong…you couldn’t ever do anything wrong” I added at the end. I was surprised with myself for saying that. What was going on with me?

She smiled, lighting up the entire room. Suddenly she stood up and stretched a little bit, making odd little noises that had me grinning.

“Well I’m off to bed…” She made a move towards the stairs. “…Coming?”

I stood up and also stretched, and walked over to her. She stopped me before I walked up the stairs and put her hand on my face.

“You know Harry, you have beautiful eyes, I don’t think I have ever told you that before.”

I could feel a blush rising into my cheeks and tried very hard to make it disappear. I smiled in return. The compliment had left me flabbergasted. All of a sudden she put her arm around my waist and in sync we began walking up the stairs together.

At the divide between the boys and girls dorms we stopped. I didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to just walk back down to the common room with her and spend the entire night talking and staring at her. This was odd, I wasn’t sure if I liked it very much.

In between my incoherent thoughts Hermione spoke.

“Well, g’night Harry”

Snapping out of my trance I looked down at her, and pulled her into a hug. She felt wonderful in my arms. Like we were molded to fit one another, it was definitely a feeling I could get used to. I put my chin on the top of her head and we stood there in silence for what seemed like forever before I finally placed a small kiss on the top of her head then reluctantly let her.

She turned from me and walked to the door, but before opening to disappear into the girls dormitories she turned, her hair swirling with her head and looked at me. I looked into her eyes, which was a big mistake. I didn’t know what to do, I was lost in the abyss that were her eyes, they were so beautiful. Finally my eyes broke away from hers due to a loud snort from Ron behind the door I was standing in front of. I couldn’t think of anything else to say to her, other than… “ G’night Hermione, I will see you in the morning.”

I walked in and shut the door, knowing she was still looking at where I had just been seconds before. I lay against the door feeling ashamed of myself for lying to her just then, because I knew I would see her sooner than the next morning. The fact that she had recently been plaguing my dreams every night had determined that.

4. The Kiss

Chapter Three: The Kiss

The next couple of weeks passed uneventfully, just classes and Quidditch, classes and Quidditch. I rarely had time for anything or anyone with my schedule, and Ron was in exactly the same boat. Poor bloke, he would fall asleep at dinner every night and Hermione and I would have to drag him up the stairs to the dorms. Usually after having carted Ron’s heavy body up the stairs we were both pretty tuckered out and we normally went to our respective beds, but one night a few weeks before the Christmas holidays we decided to stay up and do some studying.

What happened between us weeks ago was never brought up again. We had both thought that it was a fluke and we never chose to talk about it. But as I sat there in the common room across from Hermione, the fire casting shadows on her unruly hair, I was suddenly overcome with the urge to kiss her once again. I knew that I was going to have to talk to her about it, but I didn’t know how to bring it up. I laughed to myself as I thought about Harry Potter, the boy who lived, having problems with girls. If the Daily Prophet ever got hold of this, it would be all over the front page.

Throughout the night the urge to kiss my best friend did not subside in the least. If anything it only became stronger with every flick of her hair, or sigh that came out of her beautiful mouth. Once I caught her looking at me with almost a lusting look but then she glanced away. As the hour got later my eyes began to droop and get heavy, and I glanced over at Hermione who was still reading away obviously not tired. I decided I wasn’t going to leave until she did, I wanted to be as near to her as possible.

Suddenly she glanced up at me, right as I was looking at her. Her eyes were glowing due to the fire right next to her. They were almost an amber color which was absolutely gorgeous. And until that moment I never realized how full her lips actually were, they were like a written invitation to come and kiss her right there. I saw them part and I could see her trying to form words, but none came. Instead she lowered her eyes once again and began reading. It was then that I decided I had had enough of this stupid cat and mouse game we were playing. She wanted me to kiss her as much as I wanted to.

Without really even knowing what I was doing, I had risen from my chair and walked over to her chair determinedly. She head me get up and watched me the entire way. Once I reached her chair, I grabbed her by her hand and pulled her up to stand in front of me. Without preamble I placed my somewhat chapped lips on her delicate ones and poured everything I had into that one kiss. It seemed she was doing the same, because at that moment I felt her entire life collide with mine. Her arms went lazily around my neck as I placed mine around her waist and pulled her in closer to me. It was then that I decided I wanted to kiss her like this for the rest of our lives.

Slowly we pulled away at the same time, and stared into each others eyes. Her mahogany staring into my emerald. A smile formed slowly on her face and I resisted the urge to kiss her again. Finally we spoke.

“I have…” I began at the same time she spoke.

“Finally…”

We both laughed aloud and I urged her to go first.

“I was just saying, its about time you did that.”

I laughed and told her I had been waiting to do it for a long time.

Together we made our way over to the big couch and settled down onto it as close as we could get. I put my arm around her shoulders while she leaned into me lowering her head into the crook of my arm. We fit so well, I marveled once again. I could smell her shampoo wafting up into my nostrils and I was in heaven. I felt her hand drawing circles on my leg and smiled to myself. I never wanted this night to end, it was too perfect.

“You know we are going to have to tell Ron about this.” She said breaking me from my trance. She had to bring him up right now didn’t she?

I grunted and nodded my head. I didn’t think Ron was going to have too hard of a time with his two best friends being together, but then again with his temper, you never knew.

We heard the clock strike midnight and realized how late it was getting.

“ ‘Mione, I really don’t want to leave you but it is getting late and we have to get up early for class tomorrow” I said reluctantly.

“ I know” she answered tenderly.

She made to get up and started pulling me up with her. As soon as we were standing, I pulled her close to me and we began walking up the stairs together. Everything was in sync with her, I couldn’t believe how perfectly we fit together in every aspect of our lives. She was my soul mate I was sure of it. I couldn’t believe it took me this long to realize it. We had reached the top of the stairs and I turned towards her, she was smiling at me.

“ Hermione, I was thinking…would you want to be my girlfriend? I mean I know its kinda sudden but…” I didn’t even get to finish my sentence before she had leaped on me and kissed me hard. I could feel her tongue part my lips and slip inside my mouth. Where had she learned to kiss like that? She pulled away from me grinning.

“ Of course I will be your girlfriend Harry Potter, do you think I’m daft?”

I smiled at her and kissed her gently again before pushing her towards her door and walking into mine. My life was about to get a whole lot better, I could tell.

5. Primitive Love

Chapter Four:

(Hermione)

How does he do it? I went from thinking if him as only one half of my best friends to being completely head over heels for him. Now I’m sure this wasn’t very sudden, I’m sure this has been going on for quite some time, but why is it happening now? Because everything about him right now is perfect, his hair, his smile, his eyes, even that damn scar is perfect. I look at him now and I realize that his hair is absolutely wonderful, even though it looks as if he has just ended a rather vicious snogging session, which if I were on the receiving end I wouldn’t mind too terribly right now.

What are you talking about Hermione? You can’t think of Harry that way, he’s your best friend!

Well you were just snogging in the common room weren’t you?

It’s a dream. It has to be.

I shook my head and looked down at my journal. I was rather beginning to hate these things, they unfortunately talk back to you, thinking they are doing you some good rather than bad.

It had been three days since Harry had kissed me and it hadn’t happened once since then. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be careful because of Ron or if it was just an accident that it happened in the first place. But if it were a mistake then why would he have asked me to be his girlfriend? Boys are so confusing, I decided at last.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door leading into my dormitory.

“Come in” I called, and the door opened slowly revealing Ginny. I smiled at her, and beckoned her closer. She walked in and sat on my bed.

“Harry’s down in the common room…” she started, I could tell there was something wrong with her, I was going to have to make a mental note to find out what it was later. “…He says he needs to talk to you about the other night.”

Right away I knew what was bothering Ginny. She had always had a crush on our Mr. Harry Potter. I should have thought about the consequences before I had given my consent on the kiss.

I smiled at her and thanked her graciously and walked from my room. I was standing at the top of the stairs watching him. He was playing wizards chess with Ron, a look of pure concentration on his face. He absentmindedly ran a hand through his raven hair and let out a sigh. Harry could never beat Ron at any kind of chess, let alone, wizard chess. I began walking down the stairs and I saw Harry look up at me. The glow that emanated from his gaze was amazing, his eyes never left mine; boring in to mine like he was attempting to steal my soul. Somehow I think he had already accomplished that.

I walked over to where my best friends played chess, and leaned down towards Harry to whisper in his ear.

“You wanted to talk?”

He nodded his head and apologized to Ron, claiming he would finish the game when he returned, and he followed me out of the portrait hole and into the semi dark corridors.

As we walked along the dim corridors neither one of us said a word. Instead we moved together as if we were one, when suddenly I had to know.

“So what did you want to talk about Harry?” I must have startled him because he took in a deep breath as if almost to prepare himself. Suddenly I was feeling very queasy.

“ ‘Mione, I like you” he grabbed my hand and stopped me. He led me over the wall where he pushed my back against it.

I nodded my head at him, urging him to go on. With his free hand he pushed his black hair back away from his chiseled face and went on.

“I never wanted to believe anyone when they said that we two were meant to be together.” He took in a deep breath before continuing. I could tell this was becoming a very difficult thing for him to say. “You have always been my best friend, and you always will be, but now…it’s going to be different.”

I nodded my head. I didn’t know if he was done with his speech but I nonetheless stood there silently. Minutes passed and neither of us said anything to each other, I figured he was waiting for me to speak. I brought my hand up to his face and caressed his cheek soothingly.

“Harry, things are going to be different now, yes…” I began without preamble. “But maybe it’s about time. Everyone we have met since we became friends has always said ‘its going to be Harry and Hermione’…why don’t we prove them right?”

I could tell he was thinking things through which was a little odd for him, I’m usually the one who has to over analyze everything before anything was to happen. Instead here I am thinking the clearest I have ever thought in my life.

He was chewing on his bottom lip, a nervous quirk of his that only came out when he was deep in thought. His body was still dangerously close to mine and I could feel the heat radiating off of him onto me. Seven years of longing were suddenly becoming too much for me to handle.

I clenched his jaw and turned his head so those magnificent emerald eyes were looking into mine.

“Harry, stop thinking.”

Before either of us knew what was happening I was standing on my tiptoes and crushing my mouth onto his. I had to be kissing him right then, if I didn’t I thought that I wouldn’t live to see another day. His mouth on mine was imperative to my survival.

I knew he was thinking the same thing because our kissing became more and more primitive. His hands were clutching my hair pulling my head back. I could feel his lips placing tiny kisses on my neck and collarbone. What he was doing to me was pure bliss; I never wanted it to end.

“Hem hem”

We both jumped apart quickly and looked into the shocked eyes of Professor Dumbledore. We both began straightening our clothes and wiping our faces, but we had already been caught.

I thought I could see a twinkle in Dumbledore’s eyes but I wasn’t quite sure.

“Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter, would you two be so kind as to follow me to my office? I would like a word with both of you.” Dumbledores smooth voice floated over to us. Suddenly I was feeling very self conscious, and scared. I was head girl, I wasn’t supposed to be caught snogging in the middle of the hallway. I knew something bad was going to happen, maybe expulsion…or worse…maybe I would lose my head girl status.

I really need to get my priorities straight.

6. Revelations

Chapter Five:

I can’t believe this was happening. Moments before I was kissing the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts and now I’m following my headmaster to his office to most likely be punished for snogging in the hall. What a night this was turning out to be.

I glanced over at Hermione, her head was hung in shame, and I felt horrible for her. She had never been escorted to the headmaster’s office like this, she’s probably thinking that she is going to be expelled. I wish I could comfort her right now. I reach down and slip my hand in hers and give it a little squeeze. She cranes her head up and looks me in the eyes. I smile at her and she returns it, though it is obvious she is forcing it a little bit.

We follow Dumbledore through the corridors to the Phoenix statue where we hear him mumble the password. “Fwooper” And then the flight of stairs leading to his office appear and we ascend.

Dumbledore walks over to his desk and sits down on his pillow top chair behind the desk, then motions for us to do the same. We sit down across from him, and wait for him to begin the conference.

“ Well…” he began, I could feel Hermiones grip on my hand tighten. “…All I have to say, is its about time.”

My eyes shot open and my mouth must have hit the floor, and from the loosening of her grasp, I’m guessing Hermione did the same thing. My eyes had not left Dumbledore since his last comment, but I could tell Hermione was trying as hard as she could to say something.

“Professor…” she was fumbling for words. “…What do you mean?”

Dumbledore smiled and began giving us an explanation.

“ You two have been fawning over each other for years, it was only a matter of time before one of you actually made a move. Minerva and I were wondering if you were ever going to realize what you two have before you graduated Hogwarts.”

I decided to make my entrance here.

“You and Professor McGonagall have been talking about mine and Hermione’s relationship?”

Dumbledore nodded his head and smiled. “For quite some time, yes.”

Suddenly I was feeling light headed. This really shouldn’t surprise me as much as it did, considering that our professors have always known more about us than we even know about ourselves, but this was our personal life. How much more did they know?

“Excuse me professor.” I heard Hermione say. “ Is this the only reason you called us into your office? We aren’t in trouble or anything?”

Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head. “No my dear, you will not be punished for being in love.”

Suddenly I couldn’t breathe. Did Dumbledore just say we were in love? This was getting out of hand. I just asked her to be my girlfriend a few days ago. I wasn’t in love with her! I needed to get out of his office, I was feeling stifled. I stood up only for Dumbledore to tell me to take my seat once again.

“ Harry, this is as good of chance as any to speak with you about Voldemort. Hermione is going to play a big part in his defeat, so she will be here during this discussion.”

I nodded my head. Looking over towards Hermione I could see a look of concern briefly cross her face but was replaced with a look of determination when Dumbledore began speaking of Voldemort.

“ We have reason to believe that Lord Voldemort is going to strike before the end of your seventh year. And even if he doesn’t, you will continuously have the support of the Hogwarts staff at your disposal when the time comes for you to face your destiny.”

I was beginning to get sick of listening to this. I knew I was going to have to fight Voldemort, but right now I just wanted to be in my room thinking to myself about Hermione, and how and why Dumbledore knows things about us that not even I know. So during the rest of his lecture I sat there nodding my head at certain places making it seem as though I was paying close attention. When he ended his speech, he told us we were free to go. I made sure I had a tight hold on Hermiones hand and led her out of the office.

“Harry, Harry, will you slow down and tell me whats going on?” Hermione was saying as I was dragging her back to the common room.

I turned towards her quickly and she jumped back shocked. Damn I scared her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” I apologized.

I loosened my grip on her hand and continued leading her back to the common room. She knew when something was wrong with me, she could just tell. It was almost as if she was the other half of me, the better half. I was ignoring her and she knew why, she just needed me to confirm it. I stopped slowly this time and made my way over the wall where I leaned against it. I began sliding down the wall with her doing the same right next to me.

I took a deep breath, I knew that I would have to go about this the right way if I didn’t want to offend her.

“ ‘Mione, don’t you just think its weird that they know more about us than we do?” I asked her sincerely.

She laid her head on my shoulder and again, it felt as if it were made to fit there. Perfect.

“ Harry are you referring to Dumbledore making the comment about us loving each other?” she said almost silently. Again she knew what I was thinking.

I nodded my head.

She continued. “ I do love you Harry, just as I know you love me. And maybe that’s the way in which Dumbledore is talking about, but we will never know. I just want you to know that no matter what comes out of this new relationship we are forging, I will always love you.”

She couldn’t have said anything more perfect to me right then.

7. Your Fate is Upon You, Take Heed

Chapter Six: Your Fate is Upon You, Take Heed

New traveled fast when it came to Hermione and I snogging in the hall. It seemed everyone in all the houses knew, and they had taken it upon themselves to tease us relentlessly about it. I knew I could handle it, but I was a bit concerned for Hermione, she had never been in the “limelight” I guess you could call it, and now to suddenly be thrust into it as The-Boy-Who-Lived’s girlfriend, I was sure she was feeling a little in over her head.

I made my way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, a few days after Dumbledore had led us to his office, only to be cornered by my arch nemesis, Draco Malfoy.

“ Where’s your little mudblood girlfriend, Potter?” he asked, spit flying from his mouth. If Ron were here, I know he wouldn’t have stood for Malfoy calling Hermione a mudblood, but I have always kept my anger inside. But today his little name calling game got the best of me.

“ What is wrong with you Malfoy? Jealous?” I prodded. I knew he wasn’t really jealous but to get the response I wanted right then I would’ve said anything.

He threw his head back and laughed out loud. His two cronies suddenly materialized right next to him. I didn’t feel as confident with Crabbe and Goyle behind him. I began to think it a bad idea to stand up to him, but then the thought of Hermione flooded my brain and I knew I had made the right choice.

“Listen Malfoy, laugh all you want, but Hermione Granger will always be more talented, compassionate, and smarter than you, no matter how hard you try.”

At that Malfoy stopped laughing. He took a step closer to me and leaned in, so our faces were almost touching, and then he whispered.

“Don’t you dare, EVER, compare me to that mudblood ever again, got it Potter?”

At that point I think I lost it. I totally neglected my wizard training and reverted back to Muggle fighting. I shoved him in the chest as hard as I could and he went flying into Crabbe and Goyle, nearly knocking them over.

“Don’t worry Draco, there isn’t anything to compare.” I said giving him a little wink then continuing on to the Great Hall for my breakfast.

I sat down next to Hermione at breakfast and leaned over to give her a peck on the cheek. She smiled in response and continued eating. I observed my fellow Gryffindors to see what their reaction to what they had just witnessed was. Ron gave me a little smirk then unfaltering his gaze returned to that of Luna Lovegood over at the Ravenclaw table. Seamus and Dean tossed me a thumbs up sign and began eating again. I saw the girls of Gryffindor swoon over my act of kindness. All except for Ginny, she had a look of hurt on her petite face. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I could’ve sworn that Hermione and Ron said she had gotten over me years ago. I made a mental note to talk to her about it later. I then looked up at the professor’s table taking note that Professor Snape wasn’t there, along with Dumbledore. I wondered where they were. I could sense that Hermione had noticed also, but not wanted to worry anyone we kept our mouths shut.

After breakfast Hermione and I said our good byes to Ron as we proceeded onto our N.E.W.T level Potions class. Since I had achieved such good marks on my O.W.L.S. in Potions, Professor Snape had been much kinder to me, but not so much as to make anyone wonder what was going on.

Hermione and I took our seats in the front of the class. Her choice not mine. And we immediately set up our cauldrons to begin that day’s potions class. Snape had not yet appeared for class so everyone sat there quietly, knowing that he could storm in at any minute and no one wanted to lose house points for the day. As the minutes ticked by I began to grow worried. Snape was not usually late for his seventh year potions class, or any class for that matter.

At that moment I heard some commotion in the hall outside of Snapes dungeon. I leaned over to whisper into Hermione’s ear.

“What do you think is going on?”

She shrugged her shoulders, and then started packing her things back into her satchel.

“What are you doing?” I questioned her.

“I’m not going to sit around here wondering what’s going on when someone out there obviously knows.” She started packing my things up as well. “Lets get going Harry” She handed my back to me, I smiled at her. If I didn’t care so much for her already then I knew it was swiftly approaching, I mean how could I not when she was as wonderful as she is.

“Alright”

We slung our bags over our shoulders and I grabbed her hand and let her out the dungeon door. The lights were flickering on and off in the hallway which made it very eerie. I could hear Hermiones breathing speed up and then stop as if she was willing it to slow down. I turned around to give her a look of reassurance but due to the dimness of the hallway I wasn’t sure if she got my look.

I continued leading her towards where I knew the door to the main castle was when suddenly the lights flickered out completely. I heard a tiny moan escape Hermiones mouth as the lights died, and I pulled out my wand muttering “Lumos” and a small light emanated from the tip of my wand lighting our way slightly.

I could see the door about ten feet in front of me, I knew we were going to reach it, and whatever was causing the lights to go out would present itself to us on the other side. Unfortunately we never made it to the door. Right at that moment my scar discharged the searing pain that I only receive when Lord Voldemort is near. I doubled over in pain taking Hermione with me down to the ground. I remember screaming out loud. Not being able to control the volume in which I was yelling. I could see Hermione hovering above me trying to comfort me, trying in vain to heal my pain.

Suddenly I saw Sirius. He as alive and well, and he was smiling at me. Telling me as so many others had, that it was about time. About time for what? Then without warning my mother and father appeared right next to him. I felt elated at seeing all three of them together, then the feeling of happiness disappeared as I saw their faces change from euphoria to that of udder anguish.

My father who was holding my mums hand let go of it and walked towards me. He knelt down next to me on the ground and his hazel eyes stared intently into mine, so much like my mothers, and said.

“ Your fate is upon you, take heed.”

8. The Infirmary

AN: I’m sorry guys nothing too exciting happens in this chapter, just a bunch of lovey dovey stuff, I promise it will get better. Oh and a HUGE thanks for everyone who likes my fic so far, its my first attempt!

Chapter Seven: The Infirmary

(Hermione)

I had spent the entire night by his bed holding his hand before Ron showed up the next morning to relieve me. Now trust me I didn’t want to leave Harry’s side but Ron would have none of that.

“Hermione, please go do us all a favor and shower and brush your hair!” Ron said adding some of his usual humor. I rolled my eyes and proceeded to stand up.

“While I’m away, why don’t you practice that whole not being such a bloody prat thing we talked about, eh Ron?” I chided and took my leave.

Leaving Harry was beginning to become the hardest thing lately. I constantly wanted to be near him, smelling him, touching him, just being with him. I was going to have to watch myself around him, if I wasn’t careful then I was going to fall extremely hard for him.

What happened last night had me slightly worried. Harry hadn’t had a “spell” concerning his scar in a few months, so having this happen was a bit of a shock. Especially since he had seen his parents. Was Voldemort playing tricks on his mind again? Making him see his parents? What use was that going to be to him, they were already gone. Thinking about this was making my head hurt, this was definitely something Harry and I were going to have to talk to Dumbledore about.

Speaking of Dumbledore, where was he at breakfast yesterday? And he hadn’t come into the infirmary all last night of today to even visit Harry. The disappearance of Dumbledore bothered me even more as I made my way to the prefect’s bathroom.

I took my time choosing my favorite scented bubble bath and letting the water fill up. Then I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the bath feeling the warmth cover me like a blanket on a chilly winter day.

I could feel the previous twenty-four hours melt away from my body as the aromatherapy from my bubble bath took over. I didn’t want to think of anything that had to do with Voldemort or Dumbledore and Snapes disappearances. I just wanted to think about Harry. I was falling for him. Well that was easy enough to admit to myself, but what would he think about it? He most likely wouldn’t be so thrilled about it. He was always very careful not to include Ron and I in most things going on in his life because of the constant threat of Voldemort. Well Mr. Harry Potter, I’m sorry to say but you don’t have a say in the way I feel about you.

(Harry)

I cracked my eyes open and saw a flash of red lean down below my bed, then I felt my bed jolt as that flash of red crashed into the side of my bed.

“Owww…” I heard Ron whining.

I snickered a little bit as Ron, wincing, brought his head back above my bed.

“You didn’t have to laugh, Harry!’”

His complaining just made me laugh even more. He was rubbing his head gingerly, and mumbling something about how he would rather be out with Luna right now. I ignored his comment.

“So Ron, where’s Hermione?” I asked him, knowing he would know where she was. To tell the truth I was kind of upset that she wasn’t the first person I saw when I woke up.

“She was here all night, I made her leave to go freshen up a bit.” Ron said while he proceeded to bite his cuticles. “So…” I could tell he was nervous about something. “…What happened yesterday anyway?”

I had been wondering the same thing. I didn’t remember much. I recall Snape not showing for class…Hermione and I walking down the unlit hallway…then my scar started hurting, and I saw my mum and dad, and Sirius.

“Your fate is upon you, take heed.”

My dads voice echoed in my head as I told Ron everything I remembered. His normally pale complexion got paler by the minute.

“What do you s’pose that means? Your fate is upon you thing?”

I shrugged my shoulders, unable to give him the answer he sought. I had the biggest urge to just lay my head back and drift back to sleep when I heard the door to the infirmary open and the shut softly. Quick footsteps padded along the linoleum and ended abruptly at my bedside. I cracked open one eye to see Hermione smiling down at me.

“Hello there stranger.” I said with a slight grin on my face. Just the smile plastered on my face was enough to sustain me through six lifetimes. Her beautiful hair billowing around her almost like a halo, of course it was, she was an angel, my angel.

I could sense Rons growing discomfort at being around two “lovebirds” so he quickly took his leave. Again be mumbled something about seeing to Luna, then exited the room.

Hermiones hand swiftly found mine and grasped it tightly.

“I was so afraid something terrible was happening to you.” She began. Quickly I lifted my fingers up to her mouth and placed them on her lips, they were so soft.

“I’ve only just woken, can we not talk about my scar hurting or Voldemort ‘till I’m nearly one hundred percent please love?”

Shock registered on her face at the pet name I had just used. I had never referred to anyone as ‘love’ before. I mentally slapped myself across the face, great she was probably freaked out now. Then surprising me, she leaned her body down and craned her head towards mine, and lightly pressed her lips to mine. If my eyes had not been open I could’ve sworn it was the wind playing across my lips, but there she was directly in front of me. Voldemort and the pain of my scar millions of kilometers away, all that mattered was Hermione. I could fee her eyelashes flutter against my cheek as she ended the kiss and pulled away to look at me.

“You get some sleep right now, tomorrow…” She took a breath. “…You’re all mine.”

9. My Friends, My Destiny, My Choice

Chapter Eight:

Weeks had gone by since I was put in the hospital because of my scar hurting. That scared me because it has never pained me as much as it did that night. It was like Voldemort was right on top of me breathing down my neck, or like he had already uttered “Avada Kedavra”.

I knew the end to the second war was coming swiftly. The order was right, he or I will be dead by the end of my seventh year, and I could feel it. My scar hadn’t hurt since that night and I was grateful because then I was able to spend all my free time with Hermione, studying, or snogging, whichever seemed to happen first.

Suddenly it was the day before the winter holidays and Hermione had initially planned on going and spending the break with her Muggle parents in France, but had rejected the idea, claiming she needed to study for her N.E.W.Ts.

Things were going by smoothly, well as smoothly as they can go with students packing and readying themselves to go home for the holidays. Hermione, Ron and I were making our way from the common room to the Great Hall for the feast, when we heard a loud crash coming from the Astronomy Tower. Students started screaming and teachers began running in that direction.

It hit me then that I knew what was going on up there. He had come for me. I suddenly had the great urge to usher Hermione and Ron to safety. I grabbed both of them by the arms and attempted to lead them to the Great Hall. They both pulled away from me.

“What do you think you’re doing Harry?” Hermione looked at me crossly. Ron nodded his head in agreement.

“This has nothing to do with you two, he wants me.” I reached out to grab them once again.

“I can’t believe you actually thought you were going to face Voldemort without us by your side!” Hermione exclaimed a little hurt at the fact.

“Harry I’m coming and no amount of hexing is going to stop me. You’re my best mate and if you’re going down I’m going down with you.” Ron looked sheepish. “That is unless Voldemort is going down, and I just want to be there to witness it!”

I smiled at my two best friends knowing there was nothing I could do to stop them. I sighed resignedly and shot past them and on my way to the Astronomy Tower. I knew they followed me so I didn’t look back not until I reached the door to the tower. I could hear curses being shouted and objects being throw, I wondered who was in there.

I felt my best friends line up behind me, readying themselves for what lay within. I turned to look at them.

“ Thank you.” I leaned and pulled Ron into a hug, holding him very close to me. I then pulled away and smiled at him. Then I looked over to Hermione and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

“ I love you ‘Mione, and I always will. Thank you for being here.” I could feel her stiffen, but I didn’t let go. If it was one thing we were all going to need for the battle within, it was love.

Finally after what seemed like hours we broke apart and I could see tears shining in her eyes. One decided to make the trip down her face and I leaned and kissed it before if got below her cheek. That was our last kiss.

I turned to both of them then and started barking orders.

“I go in first, Hermione I want you right behind me and Ron you behind her. This isn’t going to be easy, there are going to be Death Eaters in there who are aiming to kill. As soon as you get in the room start shouting curses at everyone you see…” I then thought about what I said. “…Except for us good guys.” They smiled weakly. “And remember, both of you. I love you.”

It was then that I opened the door and ran in blindly. I made my way unscathed over to the far wall, no one seemed to have realized we had entered, which was good. Element of surprise was ours. I glanced around the room and saw McGonagall dueling with Crabbe and Goyle Sr. and Snape with Bellatrix and Hermione with Lucius. Wait a minute Hermione was dueling with Lucius. Suddenly terrified out of my mind I made my way over to them.

“Expelliarmus” I screamed and pointed my wand at Malfoy. His wand made a dive to fly out of his hand but he caught it. I’m too weak I realized. I didn’t stop nonetheless.

I heard Hermione shout a curse. “Incarcerous” I then saw ropes come out of her wand and attempt to bind Lucius. They held him for a minute before he did a spell and burned them away. He started laughing hysterically.

“Is this all The-Boy-Who-Lived has?” He taunted. I began to see red. I had never felt anger like this before, sure I had gotten mad when classmates, namely some Slytherins, made fun of Hermione but nothing like this. He was making me feel as if I couldn’t defeat Voldemort and I was getting mighty ticked off.

I raised my wand and pointed it at him. He continued laughing harder if that was at all possible right now. I noticed that the dueling around me had somewhat stopped and everyone was looking at me. I didn’t care what happened to me right now, I wanted this man to suffer. To feel the pain I had dealt with from my parent’s death to living with the Dursleys, to Sirius’ death. Suddenly I wanted this man to die.

“Crucio” I shouted at the top of my lungs. The curse hit Lucius directly in the chest and he instantly began writhing around like a worm. I felt a bead of sweat run down my face and absent-mindedly wiped it away.

Just like time had stopped, it had begun again. Curses once again were being thrown at each other. I looked around and saw Bellatrix throw a curse behind her hitting Ron in the back. He toppled over. Fear engulfed me as I ran to his side. I flipped his body over and realized he was still breathing. I let out a sigh of relief and stood up, leaving Hermione who had followed me over to him, to care for him while I went looking for my destiny.

He wasn’t in the room, which of course he wouldn’t be, but I knew he was here in Hogwarts, but where?

Come on Harry think like a Slytherin. Where would he be?

Just like that I knew where he was. I left the tower, hoping that Ron and Hermione would be alright. I made my way down the stairs and towards the Great Hall. I had decided if I were the evil Lord Voldemort then I would chose to hold the last or possibly the first of many battles of my life somewhere where there were plenty of innocents. As I entered the Great Hall it was obvious that I had been correct in my assumptions.

There he was sitting in Professor Dumbledore’s spot at the teachers dining table. He was human once again. He had shed his hood to reveal his perfectly hairless head, his red beady eyes bore into my skull and instantly I felt my scar tingle. Once I got my bearings straight I noticed who was seated next to him and nearly screamed.

Neville Longbottom, close friend of mine was sitting next to him, scared out of his mind, blood trickled from a wound on his head but he was still alive. I tried not to think that if I didn’t make my move soon, we all would be.

I moved towards the front of the room to where Voldemort sat waiting for me. A cheesy grin plastered to his face that arose upon my approach. I felt very lonely walking towards him alone, and I tried to think of my best friends who were the best people I had ever known, I tried to think of the last few minutes before we barged into the Astronomy Tower. I remembered the tight hug from Ron, he was my best mate, someone who would stick by my side no matter what. Then I remembered kissing Hermiones face as a tear slid down it. Thinking of her made my heart pound in my ears, I cared so much for her.

Thinking of my loved ones helped me to continue moving one foot in front of the other, until finally I reached the table in which my destiny sat.

I looked him directly in the eye and said.

“ Your fate is upon you, take heed.”

10. It was Over

Chapter Nine: It was Over

“Your fate is upon you, take heed.” I heard the words leave my mouth before I realized I was saying them. Voldemort was smiling at me in a very sinister way, I could tell he was thinking his attack through.

“Well Potter…” His voice was almost snake like still. “…You have grown since last we met, you almost look like a man now.”

My temper was flaring. Here this thing was sitting in front of me, a smug look on his disgusting face, taunting me. He was trying to get me riled up, trying to upset me. I wouldn’t let it work. I continued to keep my thoughts focused on the people I loved, such as my mum and dad, Ron, Hermione, and Sirius. I let a smile pass over my face at the thought, then it was swiftly replaced by a look of scorn.

“Why don’t you come down here and fight me instead of torturing defenseless people?” I asked him, trying to get him away from Neville. I could see Ginny to my left waiting to reach Neville, so I did my best to get Voldemort away from him.

A sly smile crossed his face. “As you wish.” Was all he said before he disappeared from the table. I hoped he had decided to take this fight elsewhere, but I had the feeling I wouldn’t get that lucky. Just then I felt his presence behind me and heard a little first year gasp. I turned around, and there he was. Face to face we stood, neither one of us saying anything to the other. We were both waiting for the other to make the first move. In this case it was he who made the first move, sending the Cruciatus curse my way. I dove towards one of the house tables and dodged it barely hitting my head on the corner of the table. I stood up and turned to face him once again. Blood dripped from my eyebrow, where I had hit it on the table, and I let it slide down my face mixing with my sweat.

“Waddiwasi” I screamed sending the very table that had assaulted me towards Voldemort. It hit him and knocked him to the ground. I heard him say a spell and the table flew back at me. I again very narrowly dodged it.

He started laughing at me. An insane laugh that began ringing in my ears causing the ever-annoying scar to burn. What was I thinking? What was everyone else thinking is more like it? I could never beat Voldemort, not in a thousand years. There is nothing or no one that can defeat him. I felt my scar burning even more, and then the scent of burning flesh met my nostrils. I reached a hand up to my head to touch my scar, as I lay a finger on it, I had to remove it quickly due to it singeing my skin. I was losing faith, and therefore losing the battle. I needed a pick me up and fast. I closed my eyes and thought.

Think Harry, think about her. Think about her dying.

My eyes shot open as Hermiones face filled with pain, entered my mind. If at all possible I was going to do everything in my power to never see that look on her face.

Suddenly I was filled with rage at the thought of this creature hurting Hermione. I would not let him near her long enough to even take a breath. I felt power surging beneath my skin, it was itching to be let out. I didn’t know what it was. I had never felt it before, it was a painful yet euphoric feeling fluttering about in my chest. This was it. This was what I would need to defeat Voldemort, and I didn’t even know what it was or how to use it.

Without warning Hermiones face flooded my thoughts once again. Why did that keep happening?

Then a thought hit me. She must have something to do with his defeat.

I don’t know how long I stood there contemplating what I was going to do, but it must have been too long for Voldemort’s standards. I felt the effects of the Cruciatus curse before I even realized he had hit me. The pain wound through every vein in my body paralyzing me. I could hear Voldemort’s laughter above me, as my mind threatened to leave me. I turned my head away from the look on his face, and my eye caught sight of something at the door. It was Hermione. She was standing there a look of pure horror on her beautiful face. I was going to make sure it was last thing I saw in this world. As my eyes began to lose focus I could see her mouth moving but couldn’t make out the words. She was trying to catch my eyes with hers, but I was having a difficult time concentrating. Finally our eyes met, and what I heard next shocked me to the core.

“I love you Harry Potter.”

That’s all I could hear when our eyes met. She was using Legilimency on me to transfer her thoughts into me. She was saving my life. Her statement kept repeating itself in my head as I broke my eyes away from hers, and looked Voldemort in the eyes.

His blood red eyes met mine and I uttered the only thing I could think of at the time.

“I love Hermione…and she loves me.”

He began to laugh, uncontrollable laughter that echoed off the walls in the Great Hall. I closed my eyes knowing this was the end. We were all going to fall prey to his lust for power. Then I heard something. I opened my eyes. The laughter had changed into screams. Smoke was coming off of him and his robes. I felt two arms come around me and drag me away from him as he burst into flames.

I craned my head to see who had pulled me away. It was Neville, I smiled graciously. When I turned my head back to where Voldemort had been, all that remain, was a pile of ash.

It was over.

11. How Dare He?

Chapter Ten: How Dare He?

A few weeks had past since I had vanquished Voldemort with my admittance of loving Hermione. Of course I spent a few days in the infirmary with Madame Pomfrey fretting over every little detail of my welfare. Now as I look back on it, I smile.

Things in my life were rapidly beginning to change. At this point I wasn’t sure whether the changes were good or bad, though I would soon find out.

My relationship with Hermione was going alright to say the least. She seemed to want to give me time to get back to my old self before we took any major steps in our relationship, I was grateful at the time.

I had reporters coming up to me every chance they got to get an eyewitness exclusive on the death of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I was all too eager to tell everyone what I had done. As the days went by and I was finally aloud out of the infirmary and able to join my classmates once again, I was still hounded by the press. I began making appointments to travel to the Ministry of Magic for public interviews. I was very proud of my accomplishments, I was finally going to have the life I had always wanted, a happy Voldemort free life, where I could do whatever it was I wanted to do.

Due to this sudden change in attitude, mine and Hermiones’ relationship dwindled a little bit. She never seemed to upset about it so I just let it go, thinking it just wasn’t meant to be. It didn’t bother me that much as long as we were still friends.

As the school year went on I began to grow steadily more popular with the girls at Hogwarts, and some from the other wizarding schools such as Durmstrang and Beaubuxtons. I received letters from them all, along with compromising pictures that I saved and put into a box locking safely away in my trunk.

(Hermione)

Harry had been acting weird ever since he was released from the infirmary. Madame Pomfrey kept insisting he was quite fine whenever Ron or I took our concerns to her, but she didn’t know, she didn’t see him everyday. We did. He would come waltzing into the common room like he owned the whole place, not saying a word to Ron or myself, but winking at random girls in the room.

He never acknowledged our relationship, which upset me to say the least. I first attributed it to him being overwhelmed by the press, but eventually the interviews and the letters began to die down. I didn’t know what to do anymore, he hadn’t spoken to me in at least three weeks. I felt like something in my was slowly dying without him there. With Harry MIA I went to my other best friend to discuss exactly what was going on in our lives.

I found Ron in the common room reading a Quidditch magazine. I mean what else would he be doing? I sat down in front of him with a huff, he barely looked up. Everyone was acting so bizarre!

“Ron.” I said his name quietly so I could get his attention. He mumbled a soft hello and continued reading. Getting quite perturbed I stood up and grabbed the magazine out of his hands. He looked up bewildered at what I had done.

“I need to talk to you about Harry, now!”

He looked clueless.

“Listen Hermione, your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know what has gotten into the sorry git.”

I went and sat next to him on the couch. I really needed to be comforted right now, and my best friend seemed like the best person for the job. I lay my head on his shoulder, and I could feel his intake of breath. Just the feeling of putting my head there and him letting me keep it there was comforting, I relaxed slightly, something I hadn’t done since Harry got out of the hospital.

“I’m just getting worried, Ron.” I said exasperated.

I felt him nod his head then he inhaled deeply.

“He hasn’t said anything to me, he keeps to himself a lot now, but it’s a weird feeling he emits.”

I raised my head and looked at him oddly. “What do you mean?”

He took another breath; obviously it was hard for him to talk about his best friend this way.

“It’s like he’s proud that he’s not talking to us anymore. Like he thinks he’s better than us now or something.”

That thought had crossed my mind, but I didn’t think Harry was capable of thoughts such as those. Thoughts like that were usually only from Malfoy and his cronies, not Harry.

“I think we need to talk to him Ron. Sort things out. You know he hasn’t even mentioned our relationship, let alone acknowledged that I’m even alive!”

Again Ron nodded his head. I wasn’t alone in this, Ron didn’t register on Harry’s radar anymore either.

As if by magic we heard the portrait swing open and Harry stumble in with his arms around some sixth year Hufflepuff girl. My eyes bulged out of my head, and I could feel tears. Their lips were swollen as if they had been snogging all night and there was a dark hickey on Harrys’ neck.

I sat there in awe as I watched him lead her into his room. When the door shut behind them, I continued staring as if willing myself not to believe what I had just seen. That was my boyfriend. My boyfriend who had just escorted another girl to his room, in front of me.

I could feel Rons arms come around me and pull me into a hug, everything else that might’ve happened, I don’t remember. I was in a state of shock. Harry wouldn’t do that to me. Someone was using the Imperious curse on him. This wasn’t him.

Ron grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. His blue eyes looked deep into mine. I stared at him in shock. What else was I supposed to do? He seemed to be looking for something in my eyes, a trigger almost. Something that would let the tears fall freely from my overflowing eyes. I refused to give Harry that part of me, and I didn’t want Ron to see me in my weakest moment.

I politely excused myself and walked into my private dorm. I shut the door behind me and whispered the locking spell. I didn’t want to be bothered for quite some time. In a daze I walked over to my bed, and sat down on it.

Everything from contemplating what I did, to I hope he was using protection floated through my mind. I barely registered Ron’s voice drifting through the door begging me to let him in, that we needed to talk. When I didn’t answer him I heard him clunk up the stairs and then the door to his room slam shut.

Now feeling completely alone, I raised my hands to my face, and let the tears flow freely down my face. Spasms rocked my body as the hurt and betrayal sunk in and I cried even harder. I felt like I was dying, and if I wasn’t then this was pretty close. I lay back on my bed and stared up at the ceiling, thinking about the night he defeated Voldemort. At that thought, I was struck with the thought of what he said to me. Suddenly anger replaced the hurt. How dare he! How dare he tell me that he loved me.

I didn’t know what to think anymore. I was so sure that after he had defeated Voldemort, our lives would have been peaceful and content. We would have been able to finally be happy and move on, grow up. But I could see that that was not going to happen for quite some time.

As the clock in my room struck two a.m. I finally dozed off to sleep in the same clothe I had been wearing that day and puffy swollen eyes.

I dreamt of happy times. Happy times with Harry. Our first meeting on the Hogwarts Express. The end of the year feast in first year. When we found Sirius was innocent. Harry winning the Tri Wizard Tournament. Him asking me to be his girlfriend.

And as suddenly as they had come, they had vanished, replaced by thoughts and slide shows of Harry stumbling in with that girl attached to him. The hickey on his neck. The disheveled clothes. I awoke with a start to realize I had only been sleeping for a few hours. Realizing I had no chance of going back to sleep I exited my room, and walked towards the inviting fire and cozy chairs that were so familiar to me.

What I saw when I got there shocked me to the core.

There was Harry sitting in his usual chair, reading a book. I tried desperately to be quiet and turn around but he must have heard me. He looked up and caught my eye.

“Hello Hermione.”

12. The Slap

Chapter Eleven:

(Hermione)

He just sat there totally relaxed. He’d said my name so nonchalantly; I could feel my heart breaking. What was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to react? There I go overanalyzing everything again. I decided to finally just go with the feelings floating around in side of me.

I nodded my head to him, and then he stood up. The fire gave his obsidian hair almost an orangish tone to it. My heart leapt into my throat at the realization of how much I had missed him. His eyes held a mischievous glint to them that was never there before. What did he have in mind? He came closer to me, and proceeded to wrap on of his arms around my waist. I was absolutely appalled. He tried to lean in and kiss my neck and that’s when I pushed him away. He looked confused and heart broken at the same time. Immediately I felt my heart go out to him.

“Hermione, what’s wrong?” He asked, concern shining through his eyes.

I took a step back, not sure who was in front of me, but this wasn’t the real Harry. This wasn’t the Harry I knew and loved.

He asked me again what was wrong, and that’s what did it for me.

I glared at him with fire in my eyes. The next few things I said tumbled out of me before I even got the chance to analyze what they were.

“Harry I don’t even know who you are anymore. I don’t even know if I want to know you anymore. You come lumbering into the common room without so much as even a hello to your best friend and girlfriend, but you also had another girl wrapped securely around your waist. You are acting immature and foolish. You have been like this for weeks now and I’m down right tired of it.” I took a deep breath. I was going to need it for the rest of what I was about to say. “ And that load of rubbish about loving me. How dare you Harry Potter, how dare you say those words to me, when you didn’t mean it. Not only did it hurt me, but it made me realize, I could never love someone who threw those words around meaninglessly.” With that said I turned around and retreated to my room.

I was nearly to my room when I felt a hand grab my wrist. I turned to see Harry staring at me with anger glinting in his eyes.

“ Don’t you dare speak to me that way. Now usually I don’t feel the need to explain myself to people like you…”

I interrupted him. “People like me?”

“…Yes people like you…mudbloods…”

I lost it. Before I knew what was happening my free hand was reaching around and I felt it connect with his face. His head turned sharply due to the force behind my slap.

“Don’t EVER speak to me or even look at me again. Got it Potter?”

I wretched my hand free from his grasp and let myself into my room.

(Harry)

I didn’t know what had suddenly come over me. I was a completely different person. Sometimes I felt like the Harry that everyone used to know and love, and at other times I felt…I don’t know possessed. I didn’t want to do the things I did, nor say the things I said. I had hurt her, I knew that. She had hurt me; the welt on the side of my face was proof of that. Though I know I hurt her far worse than she ever hurt me.

When I said those things to her, it was like I literally saw her heart sawing open her chest and jumping onto the floor where I later conviently stomped on it, smashing it into tiny little pieces never to be mended again.

I watched Hermione retreat into her room and slam her door in my face, not even bothering to give me one last look. She was close to tears and I knew it was all my fault. Yet I didn’t do anything about it.

I left the Hermiones door and the common room and escaped back up to my room. I saw the girl lying asleep on my bed. I didn’t even know her name. I scratched my head then ran a hand roughly threw my hair. Feeling sleepiness overwhelming me I lazily walked over to the bed and lay down next to the girl. I was asleep within minutes.

(Hermione)

I was shaking uncontrollably. Whether it was from sadness or anger, I wasn’t sure at the moment. Too many things had happened at once. First I thought everything was going to be ok when he started kissing my neck, I thought it had all turned out to be some horrid dream, but then the realization hit me.

I just wanted to graduate and get out of here. I never wanted to think of Harry James Potter ever again.

For the next month I pretty much stayed to myself. My daily routine went as such. Breakfast, classes, lunch, classes, dinner, study, sleep. Occasionally Ron would study with me, but he wasn’t as worried about his N.E.W.Ts as I was. He preferred to spend most of his time with his new found girlfriend Luna Lovegood. Good for him I thought, truly happy for him. I barely saw Harry and when I did he always had his arm around some random girl from one of the other houses. None of the Gryffindors would go so much as ten feet near him. They had seen first hand what he did to me, Merlin forbid he do something like that to them.

N.E.W.Ts came and went and I longed to know what my scores were, but I knew they wouldn’t send them to me till the middle of summer. Without the studying to do anymore I spent my time planning my Head Girl speech for graduation, as well as making all the arrangements for the ceremony. It took a lot of work to do mostly on my own, but I made it.

Finally my special day arrived. I was graduating in four hours. Shortly I wouldn’t be part of Hogwarts anymore. The thought kind of depressed me.

I sat in my room packing my trunk up. I was leaving this place for good right after the ceremony and I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget anything, when I heard a knock on my portrait. I walked over to it, wondering who it was. When I opened the door I saw the familiar red hair of my best girl friend Ginny Weasley.

“ Hi ‘Mione” She addressed me using the sweet pet name Harry and Ron had given me when they decided a few years earlier that my name was too long.

I smiled at the girl, I could sense she was uncomfortable.

“What is it Gin?” I also used her affectionate pet name. I was right in doing so, it calmed her down slightly.

“I just wanted to let you know that I’m very proud of you, you are an amazing person. I’m quite envious of you, ya know?” Her cheeks blushed rosily. “ I also wanted to tell you that I am going to miss you something severe. You are like my big sister, and I love you. No matter what happens I will always be here for you.” She hurried over to me and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.

I had my head leaning against hers and I whispered in her ear. “ Thank you Ginny, I needed that.”

13. Graduation

AN: I know some of you aren’t too happy with me right now, but I promise it will get better. And reasons for Harry’s behavior will be explained. Thanks for continuing to read. Comments are always welcome.

Chapter Twelve: Graduation

(Hermione)

As I stood in front of my entire graduating class, a feeling of extreme loss overwhelmed me. Hogwarts had been my home for the past seven years and to suddenly have it hit you that you were leaving to go and explore other places, was a bit saddening.

I stood at the podium, graciously receiving applause from my fellow students, minus the Slytherins, preparing myself to read my graduation speech that I had been working on all year. Checking for errors at the last minute, I realized I could find not one. It was perfect.

So I cleared my throat, and began.

“ Hello my name is Hermione Granger, I am the Head Girl here at Hogwarts. I am very proud to have been offered this position because it gave me a chance to get to know each and every one of you individually. As most of you know, I am a muggle born witch, and when I received my acceptance letter to Hogwarts, I was enamored to know that I would be training with some of the greatest witches and wizards ever to walk this earth. I made some wonderful friends, friends I am likely to never forget, nor do I want to. Many wonderful things have happened to me in the seven years I have been here, things that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I was a little nervous on my first train ride here, don’t tell Harry or Ron that, they wouldn’t believe you even if you caught my feelings on tape.” A little chuckle was heard throughout the crowd. I glanced over at Harry, he was even smiling. I continued. “ For the longest time I thought I had to prove myself to everyone, just because I am muggle born, so I studied, relentlessly. Every day and night, again my best friends teased me about it quite a bit, after awhile I learned to ignore it, and even convinced them to study with me, though Quidditch held their interest far more than studying Charms and History of Magic with me. I will never forget this school, and the things it has helped me accomplish. I was accepted into a muggle university and I begin in the fall. Who knows what I will decide after I receive my N.E.W.T scores. I am very proud of each and every one of you, even if I don’t show it, or we aren’t speaking right now. You have all impacted my life so much that it will take one of Lockharts’ memory charms to make me forget you all. Thank you so much for the best seven years of my life.”

A hush went over the crowd and I heard the sob of Professor McGonagall ring out through the crowd. I nodded my head, silently thanking everyone once again before exiting the stage and taking my seat next to Lavender. Friends all around me were giving me the thumbs up sign letting me know that it was as good as I hoped it was. I was elated; I had gone out with a bang. I turned around in my seat and saw Ron smiling at me. I blew him a kiss and he pretended to catch it, and then eat it. Some things never change; I thought shaking my head and turning to look absently for another familiar friend of mine. Before I realized that Harry and I weren’t talking anymore, I had found his raven hair sticking out like a sore thumb. He was looking at me with a shy smile on his face. How was I able to ignore him when he so silently begged me to forgive him?

I turned my head back to Professor Dumbledore who now was on the stage saying the closing remark, then finally congratulating us and then finally dismissing the seventh years. We all stood up and cheered, slapping our friends on the backs and smashing into them with warm embraces. I ran to where Ron was and jumped on his back hugging him tightly. I was so proud of everything he had accomplished. He managed to get me off of him and turned me around to hug me properly. This is where we were when Harry showed up.

(Harry)

There they were, right in front of me. My two best friends in the entire world. The only people to ever stick by me, and what did I do? I alienated them to have a few weeks of carefree time to myself. Now what I had done was irreversible.

I knew they had seen me, because they both tensed up at my presence. I decided this was something that needed to be done. No matter what I did in the recent past there was no excuse for not talking to them on our graduation day. Seven years of friendship was not something you could just throw away easily.

I plastered a smile onto my face and walked right up to them.

“ I wanted to congratulate you on graduating.” I said to Ron, who returned my statement with a smile and muttered “Likewise”

I then turned to Hermione.

“Your speech was perfect. You will do great in whatever you chose.”

Then I decided to surprise them both and I leaned in and planted a short kiss on Hermiones cheek, turned, shook Rons hand, and left.

That was the last time I had seen them. The look of utter surprise on their faces will forever stay in my mind. I loved them and it hurt me to walk away from them, but I had made my bed and now I had to lie in it. I knew then as I walked away from my best friends, that I would never see them ever again.

(Hermione)

I was surprised to say the least, that he even bothered to come up to us after graduation, but the fact that he did made my heart swell. He still cared about us, about me, somewhat to have come up to us like he did. It was like facing a firing squad, what he did.

Ron wasn’t too bothered by it, said it was very big of him to do so. I just nodded his head and followed him closely as we searched for Luna and Ginny. We found them standing with the whole Weasley gang under a tree on the Hogwarts grounds.

“ We’re all so proud of you two.” Mrs. Weasley said as she crushed us together in a hug. I smiled, knowing she was like a second mum to me.

I took turns with Ron making the rounds and hugging every member of his family, and then mine, which was considerably smaller. I couldn’t help but think something was seriously missing without Harry here. I thought about whom he would be hugging right now, and became quite sad when I realized he would be hugging nobody. I then banished those thoughts and told myself, this was his choice, before returning to the chitter chatter of the two families talking at once.

“Hermione, you and your family will be coming to the Burrow for dinner tonight, wont you?” Mrs. Weasley asked curiously.

As much as I wanted to, I had other things planned before my start at the university this fall.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Weasley, I have so much to do before I leave in the morning.” I respectfully declined. I could sense she was a little distraught about it, but let it go.

After mingling for a half an hour, we finally decided to part ways. As the Weasley bunch prepared themselves to portkey home, my mum and dad and I made our way to the car, where we would enjoy the long car ride home.

My mind reeled with thoughts of Ron and the Weasley’s, and graduation, and of course Harry. I knew it would take some time to forget him, but it was time I was willing to take.

14. Years Later

Chapter Thirteen:

(Harry)

Years had gone by, and I was living my life as I had always wanted to, except for the fact that I was missing my two best friends dearly. Ron sent an owl occasionally to check up on me, and tell me how his family was doing. Once there was an invitation from the Weasleys’ inviting me to come to Ginny and Nevilles’ long overdue wedding. I of course declined but sent the happy couple my best wishes.

I had made it through the Auror training program and was now a fully qualified Auror, rounding up the last remnants of Death Eaters and sending them to Azkaban. Here I worked with the best, Remus Lupin, former Hogwarts professor and long time friend of my mother and fathers, Nymphadora Tonks, a skilled auror and metamorphmagus, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, who in the time of the second war gave the ministry false wareabouts of my godfather Sirius Black. These three are among the bravest people I have ever worked with. I feel lucky to be here among them.

Im plagued with nightmares occasionally. Nightmares that took me back to my time at Hogwarts. The destruction of Voldemort, and the destruction of myself. Hermiones face frequently visited these horrific memories, as she was a large part of it. I would wake up in a cold sweat reaching out for her most nights. Mentally slapping myself I would lay back down and try in vain to fall back to sleep. It was nights like those that my work suffered the next day.

“ Up late again, eh Harry?” I heard Remus remark at the dark circles under my eyes as I walked into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and checked my wand. I gave him a knowing smile and continued on towards my office. I opened the door to see a familiar face and head of red hair staring back at me.

“Ron!” I exclaimed giving the young man a hug.

I hadnt seen him in a few months and it was rather good to lay eyes on him once again. I guess I should explain things. Ron and I sent owls to one another for about two years before we finally decided to stop being such arseholes and meet in Diagon Alley for a drink. Once we were together it was nearly like old times, only no Hermione. I would ask about her, but he would always respond with the same answer.

“Shes doing fine” And then go on with whatever he was saying before hand.

We both sat down and began talking animatedly.

“Well I just figured it had been awhile since we got together and there is no harm in surprising you, plus I need to check in on Dad. Mum has gone mental on account that Dad is rarely ever home.” Ron stated his reason for being here.

The sight of him made me want to ask about Hermione, but I didn’t dare. I knew I would just get the brush off as usual, so I ignored my urge and we continued talking about random things, like quidditch of Luna and the kids. Ron and Luna had wed right after she graduated from Hogwarts a year later, they have two children so far.

A few minutes later, we were interupted by Tonks clumsily barging through the door, and making quite a bit of racket in the process. I smiled at the woman, she very seriously had two left feet. She looked a bit embarrased about havin interupted us, but she cleared her throat and let me know it was urgent.

“ We got a lead on one of the head Death Eaters in London. Kingsley wanted us out there right away.”

I nodded my head to her, letting her know I would be out there in a minute. She apologized to Ron and mumbled a goodbye then shut the door. He and I exchanged a glance then burst into hysterical laughter. Tonks had always been quite funny, even when she didn’t mean to be.

“Well Ron, sorry to cut this short but duty calls.” I said as I stood up.

“Heard that one before, back when you were with Mindy.”

He expertly dodged the pad of paper I chucked at his head and continued laughing.

“Oh sod off Weasley.” I said as I escorted him out the door. I walked with him down to his fathers off, which was down the hall from mine. When we were at the door, Ron suddenly stopped and looked at me.

“Listen I wanted to tell you while I was here that…Hermione…shes getting married Harry.”

At that moment in time, I wanted to die. I remember wishing that Voldemort would come back to life and kill me with the Avada Kedavra curse. My face must have shown that because Ron became flustered.

“Im sorry I had to be the one to tell you, but since you lot aren’t talking anymore, I figured I may as well spill the beans about it.”

I wished he would just stop talking.

But he didn’t. “ How bout we meet at the Leaky Cauldron next week for drinks?”

I remember nodding, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember what he had said. We then said our good byes. He entered his fathers office and walked dazed down the hall to my superiors office.

Upon entering I was briefed on the ‘mission’ and given my orders. I then met up with Tonks and Remus, as we apparated to our meeting place.

(Hermione)

“Oh mum I couldn’t believe it when he asked me either.” I said over the phone excitement evident in my voice. “ He was so romantic about it, also. Apparently Ginny was in on it, I never even expected it.”

I had been living in Muggle London for about a year when I met Michael Neilly. He was a muggle who attended the university with me. We had quickly become study partners, and we had so much in common. After a few months of dancing around each other he had finally asked me out on a date. We did the whole dinner and movie thing which went splendid, after we made it a routine to go out once a week. This carried on for two years. After we both graduated we decided to see each other exclusively. He became my first muggle boyfriend. After a year of beautiful dates and plenty of snogging, he popped the question that I was only to thrilled to oblige.

Which leads me up to the conversation I had with my mum over the telly. She was ecstatic that her baby was finally getting married, as was I. But there was a part of me, the most inner part, that had not forgotten that young boy from so long ago.

I thought of him infrequently of course, I had been in love with him how could I not think of him every once in awhile? I would dream of him. Dream of being happy with him, married with children. At one point that is where I saw it heading. But of course it had to be proven that it was just the inner workings of an adolescent girl. I would never be happy with Harry, could never be happy with him. I hadnt seen him in so long, as surprising as it was for me to even fathom. I wanted to see him again, before I was happily married to Michael.

I decided to take a surprise visit to the Burrow, to see my extended family. I walked over to the fireplace and grabbed some Floo Powder. After tossing it into the fireplace I stepped in and shouted “The Burrow” and suddenly I was stepping out of the fireplace covered in soot at the Burrow.

Mrs. Weasley and Ginny came bustling in laughing about something and then they noticed me.

“Hermione, how great to see you!” Mrs. Weasley said enveloping me in a hug. “You will be staying for tea, wont you dear?” She asked her motherly instincts taking over as usual.

I smiled and shook my head. “No I am meeting Michael for dinner tonight, Im sorry perhaps another night.”

Mrs. Weasley smiled knowingly and walked away talking to herself about young love. I walked over to Ginny and hugged her warmly. It had been far too long since I had seen them. Ginny and I talked about the new arrival to her family “Im not showing yet, but give it a few months”, how her mother wasn’t handling Mr. Weasleys recent promotion, and how Ron and Luna wanted to have another baby.

At the mention of him I began to wonder where the little git was. I stood up planning to go look for him.

“Where are you going ‘Mione?” Ginny asked at my sudden departure from the table.

“Oh Im going to find that idiot of a friend.” I laughed and walked out into the living room. I wanted a heads up on where in the house he was, so I headed straight for Mrs. Weasleys enchanted clock, that showed the wereabouts of every member of her family.

I stopped short when I read what it said by Rons name.

Out with Harry

That was the last thing I remember seeing before totally blacking out.

16. Rectification

Chapter Fourteen: Rectification

(Hermione)

So I blacked out, I know it was a little extreme but I was under tons of stress from work, and planning the wedding. I just freaked out a little bit when I saw his name so blatantly strewn across the clock.

When I first looked at the clock and realized what it said, a wave of happiness that I hadn’t felt in a long time washed over me. Then it hit me that Ron was with Harry.

I feigned exhaustion and apologized to Mrs. Weasley about making a scene, then I flooed back to my house where I collapsed on the couch at once. Thinking about Harry had gotten me thinking. It was time I realized. I pried myself from the couch and went over the hall closet. After going through as dozen boxes I spied the one I sought.

Pulling it down I noticed my neat handwriting on the side “Hogwarts” it said. I smiled as memories flooded me. Taking up my original spot on the couch, I opened the box. A picture from my last day of school during first year lay on top. I could see how much I had changed, Ron and Harry too. We were so happy back then. That’s what I wanted. I wanted our friendship back.

(Harry)

Hermione was getting married? It had come as such a shock to me. I mean of course she would get married; she was an attractive woman, with brains and a great sense of humor, who wouldn’t want to marry her?

I sat at my desk mulling over these new discoveries when I heard a light tapping at my door.

“Come in” I said quietly, hoping that it was Lupin or Kingsley, as I really didn’t feel like working right now.

To my surprise and dismay a certain familiar face walked in, that I was not at all pleased to see. The look on their face was enough to tell me that they knew how I felt.

“Malfoy, what is it you need?” I said scathingly.

He smirked, then walked over and took a seat in the chair across from me.

“So I heard your mudblood is getting married.” He stated bluntly. My anger boiled inside of me.

“Don’t call her that” I said through clenched teeth.

A look of innocence flashed across his face.

“Why, Potter, if you can call her that, then surely I can also.”

I could feel outrage becoming uncontrollable.

“You know why I did say that, just like you know I didn’t mean it when I said it.”

Malfoy chuckled, a smiled spreading across his face showing off his perfect white teeth.

“Right Potter, just like you didn’t mean to screw around with all those other girls too, right?” He sneered at me.

“Listen, do you have a reason to be here? I thought we were done dredging up old memories.” I said trying to end the conversation before I got too pissed with him.

“I just wanted to go over things to make sure you didn’t try anything with her again. My father is quite powerful, as you know.” He had to bring his father into it. It seemed Draco Malfoy could not make deals without including his father.

“I do realize this Draco, and one day I will find him and bring him in as the Death Eater he is.” That wiped the smile off his face; I felt my heart lighten slightly.

“Yes, well, watch what you say and who you talk to Potter. I’m watching you.” With that he stood up, strode over to the door and let himself out, leaving the door open.

I lay my head in my hands and closed my eyes. Seeing Draco had certainly brought back old memories. Memories of a mistake I made long ago. He had no right to hold anything over me now. Again I heard a knock on my door, looking up I saw it was Lupin. I motioned for him to come in. He shut the door and sat in the chair Malfoy had occupied seconds before.

“Was that Draco Malfoy?” He asked outright.

I nodded my head, which was still in my hands.

“What business did he have with you?”

Well Lupin sure was getting straight to the point wasn’t he?

“He just wanted to talk about the good old days” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Hermione?” Man Lupin was on a roll today.

I shook my head again, this time lifting it up to look at him.

He smiled at me. “Listen Harry, I know I’m not your father, or Sirius, but I like to think of you as a son. So I’m going to give you some advice, you don’t need to take it if you don’t want to, but its there just incase.”

I smiled and urged him to go on, knowing that I could use some advice right about now.

“It’s gone on long enough. We both know what Malfoy did to you and Hermione. Its time for it to end, and you have to be the one to end it. Go talk to her. Explain everything to her before its too late.” He took a breath and shifted his body. I thought he was going to go on but before I knew it he was standing up.

I stood up with him and outstretched my hand to him. He took it in his own and shook it strongly. I looked him in the eye. He truly was like a father to me, I loved him dearly and I was thankful for everything he had ever done for me.

“Thank you Remus, I’ll think about everything you said to me”

He smiled at me. “Don’t think too long Harry, you don’t have much time.” With that he winked at me and left.

I sat back down, contemplating what exactly I was going to do.

Then it hit me, he was right. I was the only one who could change things and make them better. I had always thought about doing this, but I never did. It was now time to rectify my mistakes.

17. The Reunion

Chapter Fifteen:

(Hermione)

As I walked along the street towards the one place I knew I shouldn’t be, I couldn’t help but think what his life was like. The flats in this area of London were extremely nice and probably very expensive. I guess life as an Auror pays well.

I looked down at the piece of paper in which Ron scribbled down Harrys’ address for me. His chicken scratch handwriting made me smile, then I remembered the conversation, which led up to him reluctantly giving me the address, and I frowned.

Words could not describe how upset I was with Ron right at this moment. Not caring what he was doing I apparated to his home, which was down the way from his childhood home. When I appeared there he was nowhere in the kitchen or the living room. I searched all the bedrooms and bathrooms and was close to giving up when I heard a squeal in the backyard. Moving very swiftly out the back door I spied him about fifty feet in the air brushing up on his Quidditch skills.

“Ronald Weasley!” I shouted. The smile he had on his face moments ago disappeared when he looked down and caught my eye. He flew down slowly, and landed a few feet from me.

“Yes?” He answered sheepishly as if he knew he had done something horribly wrong.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked him searching his eyes for an answer.

He looked utterly clueless.

“You can’t possibly be that dense Ron!” I shouted at him. “Harry, Ron. Why didn’t you tell me you were speaking with Harry again.” I demanded.

His shoulders tensed and he hung his head.

“Listen ‘Mione I’m really sorry, but I didn’t think you would like it very much if I was…”

“Well that’s it then isn’t it? You thought for me! Did you ever stop to think maybe I could possibly think for myself?” I interrupted him, anger boiling inside of my veins. “No probably not. Poor little Hermione needs everyone else to protect her.” After spitting that last bit at him, I turned on my heel and retreated back into the house. I could hear Ron coming after me but I didn’t care.

“Hermione let me explain. He told me things, things we never stopped to consider.”

I turned on him again. The whole idea of perhaps being friends with Harry again fled my mind. I was too pissed off with both of them right now that I didn’t want anything to do with Harry.

“I don’t want to listen to anything that backstabber has to say now or ever again!” I walked into the sitting room and threw myself into a lounge chair. Ron sat in front of me on the floor.

“It’s not what you think Hermione.” Ron said soothingly reaching for my hand. I reluctantly let him have it. This must have given him the confidence he needed because he continued speaking. “ Harry and I have been speaking for about four years now, but only seeing each other for two. Talking with him cleared things up quite a bit. There are things you don’t know about what happened when we were at Hogwarts Hermione.”

I could see he wanted to tell me, but he wouldn’t go on. I tried to usher him on, but he declined.

“I can’t say anything until Harry decides he’s ready.”

At that comment I could feel myself getting perturbed once again. I let go of Rons’ hand and went to stand up.

“Ron I want to know what is going on now. So either you are going to give me his home address of I’m going to storm the Ministry of Magic and make a scene in front of everyone.” I said looking him right in the eyes.

He hung his head then led me into the kitchen and over to a pad of paper.

So here I stood in front of Harrys’ flat with a piece of paper giving his address and his days off from work. I stared at the door leading into the building and I could feel butterflies going crazy inside of me. Deciding that only a ninny would be standing here felling the way I was, so stepped towards the door. I looked at the door and realized I had to be buzzed into the building. Here we go, it was now or never. I pushed the button.

(Harry)

I had just put some water onto boil when I heard the buzzer sound letting me know someone was here to see me. Feeling slightly confused as to who it could be, I walked over to the talk box. I pushed the button as I got my wand ready, just incase, you can never be too careful.

“Hello?” I said into the speaker.

It was silent for about thirty seconds and for a minute there I thought someone was pulling my chain when I heard the sound of someone pushing the opposite button, and then the sounds of the street below. Suddenly I heard a very familiar female voice come over the intercom.

“Harry? It’s Hermione. We need to talk.” Was all she said.

To be blunt I fucking flabbergasted. This was the last person in the world I expected to show up at my house. I must’ve taken forever because she hit the button again and spoke into it.

“If this is a bad time, I can just go.”

Faster than I have ever been I hit the button.

“No, no, don’t go.” I pressed the button to let her in. I heard a loud buzz then the front door opened. The line had gone dead. She was on her way up to my flat. I began frantically running around my home magicing the rooms clean. Suddenly I heard the doorbell ring. My blood ran cold. I was a nervous wreck. How could she just show up at my house without any prior warning? Didn’t she think that it would give me a coronary to even hear her voice?

I took a deep breath and ran a hand through my still unruly hair, and moved slowly towards the door. I couldn’t will myself to open the door or to even look through the peephole. Finally thinking she might leave I lifted my head and looked through the hole at her.

Suddenly I was short of breath. She was even more beautiful than I remembered. Her hair seemed as if it were tamed some how, it now fell to mid-back and curled into soft ringlets. Her eyes were still a bright beautiful brown that I could get lost in, though right now she seemed a trifle nervous. I thought it better if I just put her out of her misery, and mine. I unlocked the door slowly, and swung the door open.

(Hermione)

Oh Merlin he’s unlocking the door. I don’t think I have ever been this nervous. I had come here to the man I used to love house to fully understand what had happened between us. My hands were shaky and sweaty, and I couldn’t get them to stop so I just folded them in front of me as the door swung open.

Harry Potter stood in front of me, much taller than I had last seen him. His hair was still messy and unkempt and his eyes still the same striking and mesmerizing green. He was trying to hard to keep a goofy smile on his face, but his true nerves were showing. He was as nervous as I was. This knowledge made me feel better. He looked me up and I down as I had done to him a few seconds before hand, then finally invited me in.

He led me into his house, which was surprisingly clean, and I followed him into the sitting room where we took seats opposite each other. For a few minutes we sat there looking at each other, not sure of what to say, or how to start up a conversation. I secretly wondered if it was this hard for him and Ron.

“Er…you look good Harry.” I said deciding that if I didn’t start the conversation then we would be sitting there for a while.

He smiled a very genuine smile at me. “You look good to ‘Mione” I felt a warm sensation spread through my insides at his compliment. I didn’t think it was going to be this easy for Harry to get under my skin, but apparently I was very wrong.

I didn’t want to get right to the point, but I wanted to know what happened before I even thought of pursuing a friendship with him again.

“Harry…” I started, feeling very nervous. “…I need to know what happened.”

His facial expression changed to one of understanding, and then sadness. He took a deep breath.

“I figured that’s why you came here, and I do owe you an explanation, but its not going to be easy, or short.” His piercing green eyes looked deep into mine, for a minute there I thought I felt him touch my soul, but realized it was impossible. “Would you like some tea?” He asked me quietly. I nodded my head and muttered. “That would be nice.”

Then he got up and disappeared into the kitchen.

18. The Story

Chapter Sixteen:

(Harry)

She was actually in my sitting room right now. I had imagined this for some time. I knew it would come eventually. Hermione could not leave something unsolved for long, it would begin to eat away at her, and I believe that is exactly what happened. The kettle in which I had put on to boil was now whistling and I grabbed my hot pad and poured the water into two identical saucers. I took out two lemon teabags from the cupboard and put them in the steaming water. I let them soak for a few minutes before taking them out. After I put the cups on a tray I added a few butter biscuits and sat down in my kitchen trying to figure out what exactly I was going to say to Hermione. My mind was reeling, I knew telling her the truth would be the best option, but I didn’t want her to be hurt anymore now than I did then.

Deciding that I would tell her the complete and utter truth I grabbed the tray of tea and some biscuits and headed back into the sitting room. She turned her head and caught my eye. We smiled at each other, before that moment I didn’t think it was going to be easy to talk to her, but as soon as she shot me that glorious smile, all my reservations dissipated.

I put the tray down and handed her a cup of tea, our hands brushed briefly and it was if I was struck by a tiny bolt of lightening. We both pulled back abruptly and smiled shyly at one another. I sat down across from her; she looked absolutely beautiful, how did I live without her all these years?

I relaxed into my chair, and sighed loudly. It was now or never.

“Well I’m sure you remember seventh year, and the defeat of Voldemort.” She nodded her head urging me to go on. I cleared my throat and continued. “ While I was in the infirmary I was visited by a certain Draco Malfoy. He then confessed to me that he and Ginny had been secretly seeing each other for a few months and that you knew.” I looked at her, and she nodded once again. I went on. “I was quite mad when he first told me. But then he went on and told me that you had advised Ginny to break it off with him, which she did. I was proud that you did that, but what I heard next shocked me to the core.” I stopped, it was beginning to get physically painful for me to remember the words Draco had whispered to me that night.

Hermione then stood up and came a knelt down next to me on the floor. She put her hand on my knee.

“Harry I can see that its killing you to tell me this, but…” Her chocolate eyes met mine. “…I need to know.”

I nodded my head, took a deep breath and went on with my story.

“ He leaned his head in real close to me and told me that he had loved Ginny, and now that was gone thanks to you. He told me right there that he was going to have you killed while I was in the hospital, so I couldn’t do anything. I begged for your life, it was all I could do while lying in a bed. I remember him laughing at me, telling me he had been waiting seven years to kill you, but then his laughing stopped. He looked at me as if he had had an epiphany, then a smile crept across his face. He told me that I was to act as if you didn’t exist. To do everything I could think of to hurt you. He said that if I did that he wouldn’t hurt you.” I felt a tear slip down my cheek, but a hand other than my own wiped it away. I looked down to see Hermiones’ hand reaching up to touch my face again. Just then I was overcome with the urge to hold her fragile body in my arms. I gathered her up in my arms, in which she came willingly. I cradled her in my lap, while letting my tears fall into her lovely hair.

“I’m sorry Hermione, so sorry…” I whispered hoping she had heard me.

She began to shush me soothingly. I could feel a wet spot forming on my collarbone and knew she too was crying. I knew then that she had forgiven me and I could feel my heart bursting with happiness.

(Hermione)

I was sitting in Harrys’ lap crying my eyes out, and all because everything that I had dreamed had come true. Harry hadn’t become some horrible monster for no reason and I hadn’t done anything wrong. I was elated; he had done everything to save my life. I lifted my head up and stared into his emerald orbs. I couldn’t remember a time where I had wanted anymore in my life than to just kiss him right then. He obviously was thinking the same thing I was, because suddenly his head lowered down onto mine. His lips brushed mine so softly it took a moment for it to register in my mind that he was kissing me. We both deepened the kiss together, my lips parting and his tongue darting in to explore familiar territory.

Instantly I was struck with the feeling that this felt so right yet so wrong at the same time. That’s when I remembered Michael. I was getting married to Michael. I pulled away from Harry quickly and stood up. He looked confused, but then a look of understanding crossed his face.

“Harry, I’m getting married. What just happened was wrong.”

He looked me directly in the eyes. “Then why did it feel so right?” He stood up and inched closer to me. “Why for the first time in seven years did it suddenly feel like everything was right in the world? Like the planets were all aligned and like I wouldn’t have to into work tomorrow because all the Death Eaters would have realized they were wrong and just turn themselves in. Why is it that the first time I feel completely happy in seven years was the first time I held you in my arms?”

I felt a tear escape my eye and travel down my face. Neither he nor I wiped it away but let it make the short journey down my face and drop to the floor.

“H…Harry…” I stuttered to get out. He moved so close to me that our bodies were touching. He then wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a soft and gentle hug which held so much meaning.

“Hermione, I will give you as much time as you need to come around, because I care about you. But let me let you in on a little secret.” He leaned down and whispered into my ear. “You wont be marrying this Michael character, I promise you that.”

I pulled away from him and noticed he was smiling at me. I couldn’t help but crack a smile, as his was contagious.

“ I’m sorry, but I have to get home Harry.” I told him, regretting it instantly.

The smile stayed plastered on his face. “I’ll walk you.” He said.

I shook my head. “No I’ll be apparating home, and I wouldn’t want you Michael to see you or vice versa.”

After that he left the room and disappeared into another room. A few minutes later he emerged carrying his coat. It seems he wasn’t going to listen to me.

“Hey I just got you back, I want to spend as much time with you as possible. By the way, does Michael know you’re a witch?” he asked sticking his arms through the sleeves.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Its not important to me if he knows or not.”

Harry gawked at me. “You mean he doesn’t know? Hermione I’m surprised at you.” He said with mock sternness.

I rolled my eyes at him and smiled.

“I’ll tell him when I’m ready to tell him.” I said then began walking to the door.

Harry jogged over to me. “I thought you were apparating home?” he teased.

I rolled my eyes at him again. “I am, and you aren’t coming.”

He sighed. “Ok fine, but on one condition.” He said holding up his index finger indicating one.

“What?”

He smiled at me. “Tomorrow you have dinner with me and Ron at the Three Broomsticks.”

I winked at him. “Deal”

He leaned in a kissed my cheek. “See you at seven.”

The last thing I saw before my world started spinning and I landed in the comfort of my bedroom was Harrys’ smiling face and twinkling eyes.

19. A Night Out With Harry

Chapter Seventeen:

“Yes Master.” Said a high squeaky voice. “I will find out what they know.”

“And then you will kill them.” Added a much deeper voice.

The man with the squeaky voice who was considerably shorter than the man with the deep voice nodded his head in sullen agreement.

“ I will kill them, and anyone who gets in my way.”

“Good now go, leave me.” The man with the deep voice waved his hand towards the door, and the other man exited.

He laid his head in his hands and breathed a sigh of relief. He hated being around that incompetent man so often. He could almost guarantee that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were not going to be murdered. He knew he was going to have to do it himself. The thought angered him immensely. But what needed to be done would get done. He liked to remember the old motto in times like this, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”

(Harry)

I took a large swig of my butterbeer and swallowed happily. Ron who was sitting next to me on my right did the same. Hermione had not shown up yet and I was beginning to get worried that she had stood me, well us, up.

“Don’t worry Harry, she’s not one to stand someone up.” Ron said reassuringly giving me a hearty pat on the back.

I let Ron cheer me up for a bit, then continued drinking my butterbeer. Just then the door to the Three Broomsticks opened up, sending in a gust of wind. I looked up and saw Hermione making her way to the back of the room. She didn’t even look up but she knew where she was going. I guess that comes from sitting at the same booth for so many years, it became something like autopilot once you entered the building.

She walked right over to the table and looked down at me and smiled, then glanced at Ron and glared. He smiled nervously. Finally she sat down to my left and we ordered her a tankard of butterbeer, and she began to futile attempt to catch up with us.

We talked and laughed long into the night about old times at Hogwarts and the crazy things we had seen. It was almost like old times, but obviously wasn’t. There was still somewhat of a strain between Hermione and I, but I was determined to work through it. Sometime during the night we had switched from butterbeer to good old fashioned fire whiskey. Ron declined, feigning Luna as the excuse. He then excused himself and left. For a while Hermione and I hadn’t the slightest clue how to act around one another without the company of Ron, as we had both witnessed what happens when left unsupervised.

After drinking a few shots of fire whiskey I was feeling slightly braver than before. “Alcohol is liquid courage,” I remember Ron saying before Hermione arrived tonight. And it was, I was now reaching my hand under the table searching for her hand to hold in mine. I couldn’t find it, so I decided to take the wizards approach to it.

Pulling out my wand, I pointed it at her under the table, and muttered a simple spell.

“Accio hand”

Instantly her hand flew into mine. Her head swiveled around and her lovely brown eyes were boring into mine. She looked appalled, but she did not remove her hand. For the rest of the time in the Three Broomsticks, our hands were together, fingers intertwined together.

(Hermione)

That little stunt that he had pulled in the pub was actually quite delightful, which surprised me. Another thing that rather bloody surprised me was, when Harry offered to walk me home, I didn’t decline. He continued to hold my hand tightly in his, I would never have told anyone this but, the feeling of his hand in mine was such a nice comfortable feeling, I didn’t want it to end.

“So tell me what you have been up to Hermione.” Harry said nonchalantly.

I knew he was looking for information about Michael but I wasn’t going to give it up quite that easily.

“Oh you know, just university, and dating Michael. I’m going to apply for a teaching position at Hogwarts soon.”

Harry looked at me with round eyes. “But Mikey doesn’t know you are a witch. How ever are you going to deal with that?” his voice dripped with sarcasm. I personally wanted to slap him. But then chuckled to myself at the thought.

“I do plan on telling him…”

“Before the wedding?” He interrupted me.

I shot daggers at him with my eyes. “Yes before the wedding. Oh but Harry,”

He looked at me intently. I smiled charmingly and went on.

“I thought you said there wasn’t going to be a wedding?” I giggled at what I had said, though he remained quite silent and straight faced.

He suddenly stopped walking and using our entwined hands he pulled me in front oh him, then looked seriously into my eyes.

“There won’t be.”

He then continued walking with me trailing behind. I don’t know why but the determination in his voice confused and bewildered me.

Just then I heard a loud pop behind me. Before I could crane my neck to see what it was Harry had already pulled me behind him and had his wand at the ready. I could feel his body relax when we both realized it was only Remus Lupin, our third year Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He smiled toothily at us.

“I’m sorry to intrude Harry,” He nodded his head first to Harry then to me. “Hermione, but we just got word from the Russian Minster of Magic, and he said they have a pretty good idea that Nie…” He trailed off. Obviously he felt uncomfortable talking to Harry with me present.

“Go ahead, talk with him Harry, I will be over here.” I motioned to a bench on the side of the street. He nodded his head then went over to Lupin to continue their conversation. Occasionally one of them would glance over at me, and smile or wave, but every one and a while Harry would look over at me with a look of concern.

Quite suddenly I wanted to know what they were talking about. If Harry was looking at me like that, then it very well might have something to do with me.

Just then they both swiftly walked up to me, looking grave.

“Hermione, I’m so sorry to cut the night short but I’m needed in Russia right now.” Harry looked so apologetic, as if he were about to cry.

I shook my head, dismissing it. “It’s your job Harry, I completely understand.”

He put his arm around my waist, then looked at Lupin.

“I’m going to apparate home with her to make sure she’s alright then I will meet you at headquarters.”

Lupin nodded his head, bowed low to me, and bid me good night, then apparated away.

Harry and I soon reciprocated his actions, and we swiftly appeared in front of me home.

“Thank you Harry, I really did have a wonderful night tonight with you and Ron.” I turned to walk to the door, when I heard him mutter something. Suddenly I could feel myself being pulled towards him. I landed hard against his body as he put his arms around me extremely tight. His abuse of the Accio spell was going to be annoying I could tell. I laughed to myself as I slid my arms around his waist and hugged him back.

“You’re right it was a wonderful night tonight, we should do it again. Almost felt like old times eh?” He smiled his row of perfect white teeth at me, and I blushed.

“Yeah, that would be great.”

Harry laughed aloud. “Granger are you blushing?”

Great this was all I needed Harry sodding Potter to be making fun of me because I blushed at how gorgeous he was. Wait did I just say Harry was gorgeous? Ron was right, I am mental.

“No I am not, I’m merely feeling suffocated.” I tried to push myself away from him but he held onto me tightly.

He chuckled lightly, then leaned in a lightly placed a kiss on my cheek.

“I’ll owl you tomorrow from Russia, how does that sound?”

He was being to sweet for words, I just nodded my head in hopes of escaping further embarrassment. He then let me go, though I sensed some reluctance. I turned from him and walked up to my door. Digging through my purse I found my keys, I craned my head behind me to see him still standing there. Upon entering the house, I took one last look at him. He smiled, blew a kiss then with a pop he was gone.

I went and sat in my favorite comfy chair, mulling over the revisitation of my feelings for Harry. This was going to be a long night I could tell.

20. The Letters

Chapter Eighteen:

(Harry)

I was crouched low in the grass, waiting for our man to make his move. It was silent on the other side, and all I could hear from our side was Tonks’ shallow breathing. It was quite cold in Russia this time of year and our light coats weren’t doing a very good job at keeping us warm. I shivered from time to time, and it took every ounce of my body not to light a fire.

Tonks leaned over towards me and whispered as loudly as she could without being heard.

“Why don’t we just go in there and get the bastard?”

I smiled at her bravery, but shook my head.

“Our orders are to wait here until confirmation from Lupin tells us otherwise.” She sighed loudly. I looked over at Lupin who was kneeling a few feet from us, he hadn’t moved since we got here. I was wondering if we were going to be out here all night.

Just then we all heard a rustling in the brush about fifty feet in front of us. We all pulled our wands out and hand them in battle position. We waited in silence for a good two minutes before a dark hooded figure rose out of the brush. I heard Lupin give a whistle, which was the sign. We took off. I lost sight of Tonks and Lupin as I made my way to the man in the back. He seemed to be running into the trees, was he fleeing? Or setting a trap? I knew I shouldn’t have been going off on my own, but my adrenaline was pumping too fast for me to even care about the consequences.

With my wand out I too entered the woods. I could hear my partners battling with the Death Eaters out in the open, and I prayed they would come out unscathed. A sound to my left caught my ear, and I turned just in time to dodge a curse that was sent my way.

Another dark figure was standing in front of me, his hood over his face so I could not see it.

“The Infamous Harry Potter, standing right in front of me. How superb!” This man almost sounded gleeful that I was indeed standing in front of him.

“I’m pleased you know who I am, but now I will need to ask you to come with me.” I said politely, knowing all too well that he would decline the polite offer I had made him.

The man chuckled slightly. “ I will not be taken easily, Potter.”

I rolled my eyes. “I surmised as much.”

I still had my wand in my hand when he drew his out. At the same time we shot curses at one another, both of us expertly dodging both of them. This continued for some time, neither of us hitting the other.

I could hear him breathing loudly, and knew he was becoming tired, as was I.

“We’re going to be at this all night, why don’t you just turn yourself in, and make it easy on both of us?” Persuasion had never been my strong point, as he once again shook his head and laughed.

“You’re in for a big surprise, Potter. It would be best if you kept your eyes open from now on.”

He turned to flee; well I was not going to have any of that. I grabbed the pocketknife I kept in my boot cuff and ran after him. I attempted to jump on his back but he turned and faced me. He shot me in the stomach with a rather painful curse and I stumbled forward plunging my knife into his right arm and dragging it down. I could feel the blood spurt out of the wound and onto me, before I hit the ground.

I could vaguely hear Tonks come running in and taking him on before she too was hit with a curse. The hooded man then disappeared.

(Hermione)

True to his word, Harry sent an owl the very next day from Russia. Hedwig soared through the open window in my living room at around noon, with a letter attached to her leg. I filled a small bowl with cool water and walked over to her. After placing the bowl in front of her I removed the letter from her tiny leg.

Upon opening it, I saw Harrys’ familiar scrawl on the paper, and smiled to myself before reading it.

Dear Hermione,

First I wanted to apologize for the abrupt ending last night, I was hoping you would invite me in for a quick snogging session. (Allow enough time for you to pick your jaw up off the ground) I’m just having a bit of fun, no harm done. Well I hope you are doing well, hope you had a good lie in this morning, Merlin knows I didn’t. Were on this hot case, trying to find one of the head Death Eater. I almost caught him early this morning but he apparated away, not before hexing Tonks with boils. Don’t worry though we sent her straight to St Mungos.

Hermione, I now want to take the time to thank you for giving me a second chance to make our friendship work. Well I know it can, it has before, but I can tell things are going to get better. As for Mikey, I hope things are well with him, you don’t speak of him much, and he doesn’t seem as if he is around very often. (Thinks evil thoughts to himself). When I return I would love to take you out, for dinner, or maybe just a butterbeer, if dinner is asking too much. Please send Hedwig back with a reply so I know to not get my hope up too high.

Well I do hate to cut this short once again. I do not know when I will be back in London, but until then you will be getting an owl from me everyday. In hopes that if you are in a fowl mood, they will make you smile even the tiniest of smiles. Have a good day Hermione.

Thinking fondly of you,

Harry

I had barely any time to swoon over the absolute sappiness of the letter before my front door opened and Michael walked inside.

“Hermione, you home?” he walked into the living room, where I was clutching the letter and Hedwig was perched on the windowsill drinking from the bowl I had given her. His mouth dropped at the sight of her.

“Hermione, what is that owl doing in the house? Where did it come from?” He made to shoo her from the premises but I stepped in front of him.

“She’s a friends owl, I’m watching her for him.” He looked skeptically at me. “She is quite harmless I assure you.” He then smiled warmly at me and leaned in to kiss me.

His kiss was alien and cold. Nothing at all what it was like kissing Harry, who felt like home to me. This was going to be tougher than I had ever imagined. He must have noticed something different with me because he stepped back to observe.

“Hermione, what’s wrong?” He questioned me, a look of concern playing over his boyish face. Michael was quite handsome. Blonde hair that he slicked to one side, he claimed it made him look more professional, and wonderfully blue eyes that someone could get lost in, like flying high in the sky.

“Nothing is wrong darling” I smiled at him. “Do you want something to eat?” I placed my hand on his arm. When I touched him though, he seemed to wince. Immediately I was concerned. “Michael what’s the matter?”

I slipped up his sleeve to reveal a rather large gash in his bicep. I gasped at the poor wrapping around the wound. It didn’t look like it had even been cleaned.

“Where on earth did you get this?” It was now my turn to question him.

He looked at me innocently. “I nicked myself on the train that’s all.”

I didn’t believe him for one second, but I let it go.

After cleaning up the wound, we spent a nice quiet night indoors. He made me dinner, seeing as how my cooking skills were down right atrocious, and then we sat on the sofa reading books and engaging in conversation occasionally.

He left at around midnight. We parted with a delicate kiss at the door, and a brief hug. I’m not sure but I just didn’t feel right around him any longer, ever since Harry had come barging back into my life.

I made my way upstairs and into my bedroom where Hedwig was perched. She was staying for the night before she carried my letter back to Harry in Russia tomorrow.

She hooted at me as I walked into the room, so I walked over to her and patted her head. She then nipped my finger lovingly, and ruffled her feathers and dozed back off to sleep.

I walked over to my desk and took out a spare piece of parchment and sat down to compose a letter to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Thank you for the letter, it was very sweet, had me swooning. I hope you are successful in your hunt for Death Eaters, and that is too bad about the one that got away. I’m quite sure you will find him, as you are the best in the field.

I do hope Tonks is feeling better, please send my best wishes to her.

As for your question about dinner, Harry I would love to go out to dinner with you. I hope Hedwig gets this to you soon, so you wont be waiting in suspense for too long. Merlin knows worrying gives you wrinkles.

I look forward to your next letter.

Your Friend,

Hermione

I folded the letter and left it on my desk. I would send it in the morning. I then changed quickly into my nightgown and crawled into bed. I snuggled for a bit to warm up the covers, then took my wand out of my nightstand, and magically turned out all my lights.

21. From Your Mouth To Gods Ears

AN: I spent the entire day being quite depressed, as I had a horrible day. I wanted this chapter to be quick and painless but I also wanted it to show the pain I was going through. I apologize for what I did to Hermione, but I assure she is alright. Thank you for reading, and as always comments are very much welcomed!

Chapter Nineteen: From Your Mouth To Gods Ears

(Hermione)

Days came and went uneventfully, which was normal for me. The only bright part of my day was the owls I received from Harry each night. They usually consisted of his day in detail, making sure the letters were at least one page in length. Every time Hedwig soared through an open window in my house my entire day seemed a little bit better.

One of his letters cheered me up immensely after a rather terrible revelation I had concerning Michael.

I had come home from the library a little later than normal to see his car in my driveway. Thinking he was in Scotland doing business I was a bit shocked to say the least. I opened the front door to find all the lights in the house off, I assumed he went to bed. After I shut the door and locked it, I developed a large craving for a cup of tea, so I walked into the kitchen and set to work on that. Just then I heard the kitchen door swing open. I turned around to see Michael standing in the door frame, he had a glare pasted on his face.

“What is it darling, are you feeling alright?” I asked him concerned.

He walked closer to me, I looked down and noticed he had something clutched in his left hand, I couldn’t tell what it was.

“Hermione, I don’t think you have been completely truthful with me.” Was all he said before he lunged at me.

His entire body flew forward in the air towards me. I tried to dodge but he was too large and I was too slow. The weight of his physique crushed me into the stove, I could feel the heat from the burner tickling the skin on my arm. I winced in pain as the flames licked my skin more and more.

“Michael, what are you doing?” I struggled to get out through gritted teeth. He said nothing but only snarled at me. “Michael?” He raised his left arm and wrapped his fingers around my neck. Slowly I could feel him pushing my quivering body closer and closer to the dancing flames hovering just under me. Tears were pricking my eyes as I struggled for breath.

“Do it yourself…” I heard him mutter, I was confused what he was saying and who he was talking to. Just then the released his hold on my neck, I inhaled large quantities of breath, and caught sight of what exactly it was he was holding in his hand. It was my wand, he had found my wand.

He took a step back from me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“If you want something done right…” Michael muttered so quietly I had to strain to hear him. What did he mean? Suddenly, as if I were in a dream, I watched him raise my wand in the air and point it at me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized Muggles cannot do magic, but what happened next, shocked me to the core.

“CRUCIO!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs.

The curse hit me directly in the chest and I felt myself fly backwards and into the stove. The force of my weight hitting the stove had knocked the flame out, but the gas remained, leaking into the air. I was feeling pain far worse than I ever thought possible. It felt like nails on a chalkboard reverberating all throughout my body, I had chills which cooled and burned me all at the same time. I prayed for death, I cant say whether I did it aloud, but I know I silently prayed with all of my heart, that I would hear the two words ever wizard dreads hearing.

The suddenly it was over. The pain had subsided, and I had opened my eyes. My wand lay on the floor across the kitchen from me, and Michael was gone. I did not know where he had gone, and neither did I care at this point, right now I needed Harry

I wrote him a letter that night. I didn’t tell him about the curse, or the burns. All I said was I wasn’t too sure if Michael was he said to be. Harry did his best in the next letter to cheer me up and keep my mind off of the obvious. He also advised me to go stay with someone. He did not want me all alone when no one knew where Michael was. I agreed to pack my things and go stay with Ron and Luna.

(Harry)

Not what we all thought, well there was the understatement of the century. It was killing me to do this to her, to keep this secret from her, but I did not want her to become and more involved than she already was. I had just gotten her back, I did not want to lose her because of this psycho. I opted to keep this confidential information to myself, as much as I knew it would hurt her if she found out.

I had been tracking him over a year, and had been under my nose the entire time. I felt like such a plonker, that I had overlooked such an important fact. If he was who he claimed to be, then he would stop at nothing to kill me. She had just been the middle man, yet again.

I was helpless. I couldn’t return to London, and comfort Hermione as much as I wanted to. I had to stay here and track some nutter who thought it was fun to worship someone long gone, and take innocent people down with them. The anger I felt for this man was nothing compared the anger I felt at myself for not having figured this riddle out sooner.

Hermiones life had been put at stake, all because of me. I sat in the corner of the sitting room of the local tavern, brooding, when Tonks and Lupin came over and accompanied me. I filled them in on everything that Hermione had told me, which wasn’t much. If I was going to figure things out I couldn’t very well be here in a different country.

“Lupin, requesting permission to carry on inspection in London.” I asked him in my best impression of the military. He cracked a smile at my attempt.

“We need you here Harry.” He stated simply. I was not going to give up. I had reason to believe the scumbag was still in London, and I wanted to find him.

“Remus, I want to find this guy, he hurt Hermione. I think he might still be in London. If he’s going after her, he would stay near her right?” He looked as if he might consider it. “I just need to be near her, incase something does happen.” I added as an after thought. This got his attention, he nodded his head.

“Alright Harry, you have two weeks, then we need you back here.”

I smiled at the man who was as close to as a father as I was likely to ever get again. I took his hand in mine and thanked him profusely before downing the last gulp of fire whiskey, grabbing my coat and heading out the door into the blistering wind.

22. A Lost Love Renewed

Chapter Twenty:

(Hermione)

I was scared to be alone. I had long since left Ron and Lunas’ home, telling them that I appreciated their hospitality but I did not want to intrude on them. This said after I accidentally walked in on a rather fierce snogging session taking place in the sitting room in the middle of broad daylight.

I sat in my own sitting room now nursing a piping hot cup of tea and munching on a tasty scone, when memories and fears came flooding back to me about the night Michael had attacked me.

So it was obvious since he knew how to perform such curses that he was not a Muggle as he said he was. At this thought I felt betrayed, I had given this man everything I held dear, except for one thing. Then a huge cloud of guilt settled over me also. I too did not mention to him that I was a witch, which is what lead me to believe the reason for the attack was this new information. But how could he deduce that I was a witch just by finding my wand? Then it struck me after a few moments of idiocy, if he was a wizard then of course he would know what a wand is.

Then a thought that I hadn’t been faced with since my days at Hogwarts crossed my mind. What if Michael was a dark wizard? A Death Eater of sorts? If he was and I didn’t recognize it, then I deserved the Cruciatus Curse for not recognizing something I am so supposedly fine tuned in.

I loved him, but the thought of him being a dark wizard scared me beyond belief. An involuntary shudder went through me and I reached for the afghan blanket on the sofa next to me. Before my hand could reach the blanket I heard a noise from outside, then suddenly the lights went out. Because of my sudden fear of Michael I did something I hadn’t done since I met him, I had placed my wand beside me and it hadn’t left my side since then. I reached for it impulsively when I heard the sound outside, clutching it to my bosom. I could see into the hallway that led to the front door, and I thought I could see the doorknob jiggling.

Fear was beginning to choke me now. Sure I used to do this at Hogwarts but I always had Ron and Harry by my side then, now I was all alone, and quite frightened.

I heard someone mutter something on the other side of the door, and then the lock sprang open. Before the person on the other side of the door opened it, I leapt to my feet and ran into the kitchen. I needed time to think, to make a plan. I went straight for my knife block, arming myself with a huge cutting knife. I then chuckled to myself, if it was a wizard, a cutting knife would not stop the Avada Kedavra curse. I put the knife back, and began walking towards the door leading into the sitting room.

Someone was in the room where I had just been. Whoever it was, was now looking at my tea and scones. I saw him put his finger in my tea and pull it back realizing how hot it still was. I cursed myself at this, now this person was going to know that I was here.

Suddenly I felt my body being pulled towards the sitting room. I was trying to fight it off but this was magic I couldn’t control. I grabbed for the closest thing to be, and came up with nothing but a kitchen towel. I gave into the spell that was dragging me into my living room, but continued to hold on tightly to my wand, preparing for the worse. As I entered the sitting room, I could see a figure with his wand out, it was pointed at me. Then just as suddenly as it had happened, the lights came back on.

I couldn’t have been happier at the sight that met my eyes.

“HARRY!” I screamed as the spell finally propelled me into his open arms. I hugged him intensely. His arms wrapped around me tightly and I heard him gasp when my body crushed into his own.

I was quite content just staying in his arms where I felt safe and in control, but he finally let me go. I looked up into his face and he was smiling at me, with his beautiful straight teeth gleaming and his wonderfully green eyes shining directly into mine. Without any thought of asking him what he was doing there or why he was there, I crushed my mouth to his.

Our mouths met in a fierce hungry passion, something I had not felt in a long time. His tongue parted my lips gently but once inside raged on like an inferno. I could feel my legs losing the ability to support my weight, but I never fell. Instead I noticed Harrys’ arms had gone around my middle and he was then holding me up, pressed against his body. His mouth broke away from mine, but the intensity of the kiss left me begging for more. He traveled down to my neck leaving burning sparks wherever he touched. My hands flew to his hair and I tugged slightly at it, a silent desire to urge him on. I felt my body being lifted off the floor and the familiar sight of my sitting room gave way to the comfortable appearance of my bedroom. I landed on my bed with a bounce, Harry right behind me, his lips back on mine.

I felt his hands make their way under my shirt as mine searched for the means in which to totally rid him of his. Finally I found the bottom of his shirt, looking breaking the kiss long enough to look him in the eyes, I removed his shirt from his body. I had only seen Harrys’ bare torso once before, and that was right after a Quidditch game. But what I was looking at now was totally different, he had filled out quite nicely since then, and I was amazed.

Harry had finally succeeded in removing my shirt and bra successfully, and I lay there slightly afraid. I had never been this open with someone. I had always promised myself I would lose my virginity to my husband or someone I was in love with. If that’s the way I wanted it, then why did this feel so right?

Harrys’ eyes were scanning over my body, taking in all the sights. I closed my eyes, feeling terribly vulnerable. I could still feel his gaze on me, and I began to blush. I felt his hand brush against my face, and my eyes fluttered open. He was staring into my eyes now, they were asking the same thing I had been thinking, “Are you ok with this?”

“Hermione,” I heard him croak out my name, his voice thick with passion. “ I’m letting you know now, if you are uncomfortable with this at all just say the word, and I will leave. But if not, and you are fine with this, then I wont be able to stop myself. Hermione, I have been in love with you since the moment I met you, it just took me so long to realize. I have dreamt about making love to you for as long as I can remember. I believe you are my soul mate, which is why you came back to me.”

Harry could have been chanting some ancient ritual for all I listened. All I heard was that he loved me. Nothing could have been more perfect, or more truthful. I had heard what I have been wanting to hear for the past ten years. Without waiting for him to say anything else, I placed my lips on his, giving him my answer.

23. With some Good, comes some Bad

Chapter Twenty-One:

(Harry)

I lay next to her sleeping form watching her body rise up and down from her gentle breathing. I had always known that she was beautiful, it’s just that taking the time now to fully appreciate all that she was, was breath taking. Her hair was strewn across the pillow making it seem like she had a sort of halo around her head. I thought to myself, that I could lay here all day just staring at her and marveling at all that is Hermione, but I decided against that, it was time to get up. I quietly got out of bed and quickly dressed myself.

If this was my fantasy then I was going to continue making it come true. I was going to make Hermione breakfast in bed. Merlin knows she deserves it, more than anyone I know. I decided on pancakes, as I searched through her cupboards. I took down the pancake mix and a pan. I must’ve made quite a racket because before I knew it Hermione was standing in the doorway with a sheet draped around her body.

My breath caught in my throat as I gazed at her. She was barely covered, but she made it look good and not at all trashy. A lazy smile crept across her face when our eyes met. Merlin she made me feel good inside. I leisurely walked over to her, bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

“Good morning, you look beautiful.” I whispered into her ear. She giggled and a slight blush began covering her face almost immediately. I pulled her into a hug and I could feel her warm body pressing against mine, if I wasn’t careful I would be shagging her right here on the kitchen floor.

We broke apart and I continued making her breakfast.

“You know for this to be breakfast in bed, you have to be back in bed.” I said smiling at her. Her mouth curled into a smile as well.

“I’d rather have you in bed with me, than breakfast.” She said. The girl was good; I’ll give her that.

I rolled my eyes pretending to be exasperated with her, but she just smiled and punched me hard in the arm. I served her, her pancakes with a glad of orange juice and sat down next to her at the table. She ate ravenously as though she hadn’t been fed in weeks.

I glared mischievously at her. “Wore ya out did I, love?”

She laughed so fiercely she choked on her pancakes; I too then began to laugh heartily. She swallowed the last bite and looked at me appreciatively.

“Thank you Harry, for everything. For last night, for breakfast, for just being you.” I grabbed her hands and kissed them along the knuckles.

“Hermione, I love you.” I had been dying to tell her since our reconciliation, but there never seemed to be a good time. But after last night, I knew I had to do it, she had to know how I felt about her.

At first I wasn’t sure how she felt about her. Her face didn’t portray any negative feelings, but neither did it give forth any positive feelings. I immediately began to panic slightly, my face began to heat up from embarrassment, and I cast my eyes downward.

I felt her hand squeeze mine gently before she began to speak.

“Harry, I do care about you. So much it physically hurts me sometimes, and what happened between us last night was the most amazing and beautiful thing I have ever had the privilege to take part in. You are a gentle, kind, caring man and you have shown me many great things, and for that I am grateful.”

I turned my head up so that our eyes met.

“But you don’t love me.” I answered for her. I didn’t feel betrayed, if anything I felt spurred on.

She shook her head and muttered a quiet “I don’t know” then began drinking what was left of her orange juice. She put her empty glass down on the table, she looked almost ashamed at what she had said to me. I didn’t want her to feel like she hurt me, or like I didn’t want to be with her anymore.

I stood up and went to her, wrapping my arms around her waist I picked her up out of her chair, with ease, and carried her into the living room. She was squirming the whole way, as well as giggling. I put her down on the chair, the sheet that had been modestly covering her, was now having quite a rough time with doing so, but it managed.

“You know ‘Mione, you are getting to good at that giggling thing you keep doing.” She looked abashed and stood up. I let her get half way across the room before I pulled out my wand. “Accio Hermione” I said, and she flew back towards me. She didn’t even attempt to fight it, but in the force of the spell flinging her backwards the sheet was torn from her petite frame and she landed in my lap stark naked.

She glared up at me, her honey eyes enough to make my soul melt.

“And you, are getting rather good at that spell, Potter.” She retorted. I laughed aloud and leaned down and planted a kiss on her pouty lips.

“It’s the first spell you drove into my head with a hammer and nail, of course I’m going to use it against you.” I kissed her again, this time deepening it. With my hand still on my wand I muttered a spell to close all the shutters in the living room.

My hands began to wander all over her body, they couldn’t get enough of her. Soon I had joined her naked on the ground with only the sheet to cover us. We made love for the second time together right then, it was as magical as the first time, if not better. I remember thinking to myself, I wonder if it will be like this in thirty years. With any luck, we would still be as into each other as we are now.

(Hermione)

Sometime during the night Harry had lit a fire in the fireplace, and the could feel the flames dancing across my naked back. It was a wonderful feeling, the warmth on my back from the fire, and the tenderness in front of me of my lover and best friend. I opened my eyes to glance at Harry. His messy black hair was just that, messy. Sleep have over some not only his hair, but him. We had made love most of the day, stopping only for gasps of breath and quick sips of water. I was in pure bliss.

I draped my arm lazily around Harrys’ midsection and I felt him groan in his sleep. He was absolutely adorable, he had his right arm resting gently on my thigh and his left arm under his head. I could see his eyes darting back and forth under his shut lids, his scar gleamed as the fire played tricks on his face.

Harry loved me. For some reason when he told me, it didn’t register right off the bat. I was scared, I’ll admit that, I was scared that I would somehow lose him again. He was only going to be here for two weeks, what if he went off on another mission and was killed by a dark wizard. I would be alone forever. I didn’t want to admit what I felt for him, but I couldn’t keep denying it. I did love him also. I so desperately wanted to tell him, I wanted him to know that I had never stopped loving him, that hating him was just a way to mask my true feelings.

I would tell him before he left. I decided it would be best if he went away knowing that I loved him as much as he loved me. Everything seemed so perfect to me right now, I didn’t have a care in the world. I hadn’t given one thought you Michael, or Death Eaters, or even cleaning my house since Harry had arrived last night. So this is what it feels like to be in love, I questioned myself.

Smiling I nestled my body closer to Harrys’. I heard him moan and then roll over capturing me under his weight. I grunted and laughed as his eyes lazily opened to look at me.

“Again ‘Mione? You are a machine.” I felt his fingers go around my waist and begin tickling me. I was thrashing around trying to get his dead weight off of me.

“Harry, no, stop!” I couldn’t help from laughing hysterically. “Mercy, mercy!” I pleaded, and finally he gave in. His naked body lying atop mine.

The little tickle romp had obviously excited him, and he nudged my legs apart with his knees and entered me a little sharply. We made love very fast and brutally, biting and scratching each other like animals. After wards, I decided it was time to join the land of the living once again. I left Harry to clean up his breakfast mess while I took a quick shower.

(Harry)

So here I am cleaning up my mess in her kitchen. It just felt so right. Loving her felt so right. These past few days had been the best of my life, and I never wanted them to end. I still had a few more before I had to go back to work, I would make them count, I would win Hermiones whole heart before I had to leave.

I thought briefly of joining her in the shower when I heard a thump somewhere outside. Grabbing my wand I went to the backdoor to investigate. I opened the door and stepped onto the porch, I couldn’t see anything, but that didn’t mean no one was there. Dammit where was Moody when you needed him? I thought to myself.

I searched the yard thoroughly, we as thoroughly as I could, and went back inside. It was then that I heard a scratching sound in the sitting room. I ran in there with my wand at the ready, preparing to attack whoever was in there. When I entered the room, I was let out a sigh when I saw that it was only Hedwig scratching at the window wanting to be let in after he evening hunt. I opened the window and she flew in and sat on her perch. I fondly scratched her head as she nipped affectionately at my finger, I then leaned down and picked up one of Hermiones scones from yesterday and gave it to Hedwig who hooted her thanks. I smiled at my bird, feeling so much love for her.

“Drop the wand and turn around Potter.” I heard an icy voice from behind me. Knowing exactly who it was, and knowing they most likely had a wand pointed at my back, I complied.

I turned to face my assailant and not to my surprise it was Michael.

“You’ve not only figured it out Potter, but you spent the past two days shagging my fiancé. How very professional of you.” He spat the words out of his mouth.

I found that I wasn’t thinking of me, but I was hoping Hermione wouldn’t be coming downstairs anytime soon.

“She isn’t your fiancé, when you betrayed her trust, you lost her.” I said, I was trying to tempt him into giving up some information.

He laughed loudly. “The whole thing was a set up Potter. You don’t think I would actually marry a Mudblood do you?”

I flinched a little at the word but pressed on. “Then why the act? Why didn’t you just kill her when you had the chance? Why all the theatrics?”

Our eyes met, I seemed to be able to read the answer in his eyes. “Me.” I said weakly. “You used Hermione to get to me.”

He nodded his head. “You really are a smart one Potter, you know that?”

“Why?”

He looked confused.

“Why do you want to kill me?” I had to know.

“You killed our master, we have come to seek our revenge.”

He then raised his wand and pointed it at me, a look of pure hatred shining in his eyes. Thoughts of Hermione flooded me, if I was gone then she would have no one to protect her. I couldn’t let that happen.

Michael stood a few feet from me, his wand pointing at my chest. This went on for about a minute before he finally uttered a sound. It was the only sound I didn’t want to hear.

“AVADA KEDAVRA” he screamed, and a jet of green light came soaring at me. I jumped as high as I could trying in vain to dodge the curse of death spiraling my way. Suddenly I hit the floor, and I couldn’t feel anything.

This was it, the end. It was over.

24. Ill be Seeing You

AN: Character death in this chapter. Grab the tissues!!!

Chapter Twenty-Two: I’ll be seeing you

(Hermione)

I heard a crash downstairs while I was towel drying my hair. I had been having thoughts about having a normal day out with Harry, the man I was swiftly falling for when the clatter from down below. Throwing my clothes on that I had brought into the bathroom with me, I grabbed my wand and made my way cautiously down the stairs. Please let it be Harry just being a git in the kitchen, I thought to myself.

I peered over the banister into the sitting room and I could see Harry lying on the ground, and Michael standing merely feet away from him with his wand pointed at him.

My heart leapt into my throat, Harry was dead. Oh my goodness, my head began to swim, and my legs became weak. I could hold myself up anymore and as a result I slid down the wall, never taking my eyes off of Michael and Harry. Tears were welling up in my eyes and threatening to spill over, until I saw movement coming from Harry. He was stirring, he wasn’t dead! Suddenly I gained my lost confidence from the knowledge of Harry still being alive.

My wand clutched in my hand I flew down the stairs at Michael.

“Expelliarmus!” I shouted as his wand flew out of hand. “Accio wand!” I followed up with the summoning spell and his wand flew into my hand.

I pointed both wands at him; his face had lost the cockiness to it, and now held panic. I smiled coyly at him, loving the power I was holding over him right now. I glanced over at Harry who was pushing himself up off the floor, my heart melted at the sight of him. I returned my gaze back to Michael who was glaring at Harry now.

“Listen to me you bastard. I want you out of my home right now.”

Harry had grabbed his wand off the floor and was now pointing it at Michael as well. Michael continued to smile evilly.

“Please don’t make me hurt you Michael.” I almost begged him. I had loved this man at one point, death eater or not.

His gaze fell on me and I felt a stab of icy cold daggers pierce my heart at his next words.

“Just like a mudblood to beg.”

Suddenly I saw a flash of green tackle Michael to the ground. Harry was on top of him smashing his fist into Michaels’ once beautiful face. Blood was splattering all over the place, and tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t bring myself to stop Harry, so I slid down the wall and watched as Harry mutilated this man.

When his breathing became ragged he finally stopped. His fists were covered in someone else’s blood, as was his face. The deep red of the blood brought his startling green eyes to life even more, as he looked towards me.

“ ‘Mione, are you alright?” He asked concern etched in his face. He scooted towards me and grabbed my hand. The blood was now all over me, but I didn’t care as long as Harry was near me. I nodded my head to let him know that I had heard him. Feeling quite exhausted all of a sudden I relaxed my head onto his shoulder, and examined the room.

It turns out the killing curse had barely missed Harry and it seemed to have crashed into the table behind him. There was a visible scar on the wood, as well as a single white feather. My heart began rapidly beating. I stood up automatically.

“Harry, where’s Hedwig?” I began to move towards the table. Harry was instantly at my side. There was fear in his eyes as we together approached the table.

Hedwig was lying on the floor beside her perch, her wings spread out as if ready to take to the sky. Her eyes held an empty stare and her beak was opened slightly, as if in warning.

Nothing was said as Harry bent down to cradle the body of his beloved friend. I watched his face as he nuzzled Hedwigs’ body to his face, tears were streaming out of his eyes and landing onto her body, soaking the feathers immediately. I could feel my own tears coming on, as he stood up, still clutching onto his bird. She had been with him since his eleventh birthday, she was much more than a bird to him, she was a friend, a beloved pet, and a confidant.

The pain was obvious if you looked into his eyes, but he was trying his hardest not to let any of it show on the outside, other than those few tears he shed for her in the beginning. He took her over to where the sheet we had made love in still lay on the floor, carefully placing her in it, he wrapped it all around her body until she was covered. He left her on the floor, and walked over to Michaels body.

“You killed my owl.” He stated bluntly. “You tried to kill me, and you nearly killed Hermione. Give me a reason to keep you alive.” He now had his wand pointed at Michaels decrepit body.

I could only sit back and watch, I was still in shock at the death of Hedwig, and the attempt on Harrys’ life.

Harry shook his head. “No, I think I would rather see you rot in Azkaban for the rest of your life.” He points his wand at Michael and says “Petrificus Totalus” the incantation for the binding spell. Michael instantly becomes stiff as a board.

Harry turns to me then, walking up to me and takes me into his arms. He doesn’t weep, not one tear is shed, but he’s shaking. Out of anger or sadness I do not know, but all I do is hold him close to me, and let him know that I care.

He pulls back from me and fixes his gaze on me. “I have to go now Hermione. I know I said I would be here longer, but I need to fix some things. I will be back as soon as I can.” He placed a kiss on my lips and then turned to gather Hedwigs’ body up in his arms. Before he reached Michaels form, I called after him.

“Harry!”

He turned to look at me, I ran to him, and crushed his body in a hug. I could feel the towel containing Hedwig between us, but I didn’t care. I need to say it now.

“Harry, I love you. I have loved you. Please forgive me for all the stupidity.” He placed a finger over my lips a smile creeping over his face slightly.

“I knew you loved me.” He replaced his finger with his lips, his free hand traveling up my spine. Then he broke the kiss and whispered in my ear. “I love you too.”

He walked over to Michael, knelt down and grabbed his hand.

“I’ll be seeing you.”

And then he apparated away, taking Michael and Hedwig with him. I was alone in my house once again.

25. Isnt Life Wonderful?

Chapter Twenty-Three: Isn’t Life Wonderful?

(Hermione)

I awoke with a start instantly grabbing for my wand. Too late I had realized that it was just a nightmare, feeling foolish I put my wand back down. It had been two weeks since I had last seen Harry, of course he sent me word that he was doing well and that he missed me, but he was off traipsing across the world rounding up the Death Eaters in which Michael, after drinking some heavy Veritiserum, had given him their names. He didn’t know when he would be coming back, so I just looked forward to any letter he sent me.

Knowing that I would not be able to get back to sleep I got out of bed and slipped my feet into my bed shoes and wrapped my robe around my body, hoping to incase some of the heat from my blankets. I went over to my sink and grabbed hold of my toothbrush and began furiously polishing my teeth. With both my parents being dentists I learned at an early age to take care of my teeth. Spitting out abscess drool and grime, I smiled at my reflection in the mirror before wiping my face and walking out of my room.

I made my way downstairs to where I could smell the coffee pot hard at work. The sun was just coming up over the houses around me, and I could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. What would make this day better, would be if my Harry would just come home. Did I actually call him, “My Harry”? I smiled, because I knew I had. I called him that because it was true. He was mine.

So many feelings had made themselves clear in the past two weeks. The first being, that I did as I said, loved Harry. I loved him more than I could ever imagine. I couldn’t live without him anymore; I couldn’t live without his unruly hair that he constantly tried in vain to tame. I couldn’t live without knowing when I rolled over in bed; his form was going to be lying next to me. I couldn’t live not being able to hear his obnoxious laughter ring throughout the room whenever something funny was said. In the famous words of Ronald Weasley, “I was mental”, but the only difference…I was mental for Harry.

I also realized that I had a lot of people to tell about Michael, invitations of course had already been sent out. I knew I was going to have a lot of explaining to do to my parents, they though Michael was a gift from the gods. How wrong they turned out to be. I smiled in spite of myself. I didn’t want to think about the horrible events, which transpired in my own home two weeks ago, so I moved about my kitchen, tiding small things.

At around eight I decided to hop in the shower, and get ready to greet the day. After a delectably hot shower that left mist floating from my skin as I exited the shower, I dressed myself and pinned my quite busy hair back. I went downstairs and poured myself a cup of coffee and was commencing to take the first sip when the owl that brought me my wizarding post soared through my kitchen window. He dropped the Daily Prophet and I gave him a Sickle in exchange, and he flew back out the window.

I flipped through the pages, not really interested in the articles, until one concerning a man from my past caught my eye.

Malfoy and Potter Work Together?

Draco Malfoy, Head of Department of Magical

Accidents and Catastrophes, and Harry Potter, well

Known Auror, have been reported to be working

Together on a serious case involving He-Who-Must

-Not-Be-Named’s famous Death Eaters. There have

been no comment from either of the two, though it

is a mystery to us, as to why these two rivals have

been working together for the past two weeks. The pure

rivalry that is between these two young men stem all

the way back to when they both attended Hogwarts. It

appears though that whatever problems were between

these men has all but diminished, we have heard claims

from people in both departments that Potter and Malfoy

speak regularly, and would even go so far as to call them

friends. I wish one of them would let this witch in on the

secret, and when I do, you will all be the first to know.

I was totally in shock when I read that article. According to Harry, Malfoy was the reason we didn’t speak for nearly ten years, why would he be associating with him now? I would need to speak with Harry about this when he returned, let him know what I thought of his being friends with a Malfoy.

Just then I heard a polite cough coming from my living room. Curiously I walked in to see Rons’ head floating in my fireplace. I smiled as I saw him looking around for me. When he spotted me he smiled in return.

“Oy, there you are Hermione, I was just checking before I flooed over. Be right there.”

His head disappeared, then moments later his entire body came through the fireplace covered in soot. I embraced my best friend in a tight hug and then planted a kiss on his dirty cheek.

“Here, Ron let me help you.” I pointed my wand at him. “Scourgify.” Magically all the soot was gone and Ron was as clean as a whistle.

“Thanks ‘Mione, I was afraid it would be too early.”

I waved him off, and walked back into the kitchen. He followed me and began going through the pantry almost immediately.

I snickered at him. “Doesn’t Luna feed you at home?”

He turned and glared at me before resuming his search. He came back with some iced cakes and sat down at the table across from me.

“Of course she does, but you are the only witch I know who hides iced cakes, so I have to steal them from you.” He laughed heartily as he bit into one of the pastries.

I rolled my eyes at him and began re-reading the article about Harry and Draco.

“Ron,” I said his name nonchalantly. He didn’t look up but rather concentrated harder on his food. I heard him say “hmm” before taking another bite.

“Ron, do you know about Harry and Draco being friends?”

Rons’ entire body stiffened at the question. So he did know something, the little prat, he’s been keeping secrets from me. He shook his head, denying what I already knew was true.

“Are you sure you don’t want re-think that answer, Weasley?”

Ron’s head snapped up, he knew I didn’t call him by his last name unless he was in trouble, and he knew better than to get in trouble with me.

“Well it wasn’t supposed to happen.” He started shakily. “But it just sorta did.”

I looked at him urging him to go on. Eventually after taking another bite he continued.

“Harry and Draco obviously work in the same building so they are bound to run into on another. Well during the first year they worked there they ran into each other in the lavatory and had a duel. They both ended up in St. Mungos. I just laughed at the both of them, stupid gits. Well after that they began civilly speaking to one another in the hallways, then laughing even. Draco apologized to Harry for what happened during seventh year, saying it was wrong of him to make you and him suffer for what happened in his relationship with Ginny. I guess they began to get quite close when threats from Dracos’ father, who had found out about him and Harry talking, began to fly in. He was threatening to once again kill you, and to disown Draco. Malfoy wasn’t financially stable at this point so he did what his daddy wanted. He and Harry had tried to just ignore one another, but it was difficult because they had become such good friends, I was even in on it, but since I didn’t work at the ministry we still hung out sometimes. Eventually Draco got tired of the whole thing, and began talking to Harry again. That was when you met Michael. He was the idea of Malfoy sr. He thought Michael was capable enough to kill you, guess he didn’t count on Harry coming back eh? Well on the outside Draco and Harry played as if they hated one another, Lucius still had “friend” in the Ministry who were watching and on the inside they were still friends.”

I had listened to Ron without interrupting him. I was letting everything sink in; it was still weird and a bit frightening to think that Malfoy and Harry were friends now after everything we all went through back in school. I supposed if Harry could learn to like Malfoy, I could, for his sake.

Ron could sense I was thinking, but he interrupted me nonetheless.

“So, you and Harry, eh? Eh?” He winked at me obnoxiously.

I sighed and smiled. “Yeah…”

Ron stuffed another cake in his mouth. “About bloody time, what’d it take, a good ten years?”

I smiled and let Ron keep talking. My thoughts had wandered to Harry once again and I didn’t want to leave them right now. I was thinking of his hands on me, praying that he would be coming home soon. I needed to feel his touch.

I guess I didn’t hear Ron tell me he was leaving because when I snapped out of my thoughts of Harry, he was gone. I cleaned up the mess he left and pushed in the chairs then went out to my sitting room.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a large gray owl perched on the windowsill with a letter tied to its leg. It hooted at me as I removed the letter, and then began to drink from the water bowl placed by the window.

I went to my chair and sat down, unrolling the parchment and revealing the familiar scrawl of Harry.

Dear Hermione,

We have rounded up the last of the known Death Eaters, thanks to Mikey. None of us managed to get a scratch on us, lucky us.

I can’t stop thinking about you; no matter what else I am supposed to be focused on my thoughts are only of you. I will be home in a matter of days, be prepared for long days in bed. Oh close your mouth; you’re going to catch a fly in it. Before the bed though, will come a wonderfully long overdue kiss and an ever longer overdue glass of wine.

I love you with all my heart.

Yours eternally,

Harry

I smiled at the letter, and placed my fingers on the parchment tracing the letters. Just then I heard a knock at the door. Surprised I put the letter down and grabbed my wand. And idea suddenly struck me; I went to the owl and looked at the tag post owls wore. This letter had been sent four days ago. Trust the owl post to go slowly.

Excitement overcame me as I replaced my wand on the table and ran happily to the door. Upon opening it, I came in contact with the most wonderful sight I had ever seen. His raven hair was mussed and windblown, and his emerald green eyes sparkled with mischief. I jumped as I saw him wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He held me to him as we embraced lovingly. All the thoughts I had of him while he was gone were nothing compared to actually being able to hold him in my arms once again.

I placed kissed all over his neck and face, his laughter reverberating through my entire body as he walked in my house with me still attached to him. He skillfully closed the door with his foot and walked into the living room.

I reluctantly released him and gave him a proper kiss. A kiss that said everything, it said, you are mine forever, I missed you, never leave me again, make love to me. It said everything and meant everything. I could tell it was the first of many to come.

We ended the kiss and stared into each other’s eyes. Love over coming me, I smiled impulsively and grabbed his hand.

He returned the smile. “So now that I’ve had that kiss…”

He squeezed my hand.

“How about that glass of wine?”

AN: Well this is the end of my FIRST EVER FAN FIC!!! Don’t worry I will be writing a sequel as well as others, I just wanted to start something new. Thanks for reading a reviewing everyone!

The Mistakes I Made

1. Prologue

2. Best Mates

3. Feelings Uncovered

4. The Kiss

5. Primitive Love

6. Revelations

7. Your Fate is Upon You, Take Heed

8. The Infirmary

9. My Friends, My Destiny, My Choice

10. It was Over

11. How Dare He?

12. The Slap

13. Graduation

14. Years Later

15. Author Note

16. Rectification

17. The Reunion

18. The Story

19. A Night Out With Harry

20. The Letters

21. From Your Mouth To Gods Ears

22. A Lost Love Renewed

23. With some Good, comes some Bad

24. Ill be Seeing You

25. Isnt Life Wonderful?