A/N: Hi everyone. Thankyou for your reviews and understanding. I'm planning to have this story go onfor quite a long time and plan to have it go on throughout Harry's sixth year. I'll update as regularly as I can. Please keep reviewing guys as it motivates me to keep writing.
Harry woke up on the morning of his birthday with someone nibbling on his ear. Smiling, he opened his eyes to see Hermione grinning at him impishly as she then moved her lips to his in a long, slow, passionate kiss. He returned the kiss, lightly playing with her tongue with his own, and then slowly sucking on her lower lip. He knew that this drove her wild and couldn't help but do it when he had the opportunity. Instead of backing away from him as she usually did though, she moaned and pressed her body hard against his. He could feel her breasts pushing against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her and slid his hands down to slide them up underneath her nightgown, running them up and down her naked back. She shivered in his arms and wrapped a leg around his and he took this as a sign that she was enjoying it. He slowly moved his left hand around and cupped her breast in his hand, squeezing softly. Hermione arched into his touch and he lightly ran a thumb over the hardened nipple that had been pressing into his palm. Her moan grew louder as she mashed her lips against his and he felt his own desire responding as Hermione's hands ran up and down his muscular chest. Before he could do anything that he regretted however, he pulled away and chuckled, saying
"Well that was some wake up. I wish I had my birthday everyday!"
Hermione giggled, trying to catch her breath and hugged Harry tightly to her and whispered
"If you keep doing things like that to me, love, you'll get a lot more than a wake up kiss."
Harry shivered in delight at the thought, but reminded himself that now was not the time to tempt those ideas, as Hermione's parents were sure to be up. He kissed Hermione softly and sat up, stretching. Hermione watched entranced as the muscles rippled beneath his skin, then glanced up and realised that she had been caught staring by the roguish grin on Harry's face.
"Like what you see milady?" He asked an eyebrow arched.
Hermione blushed a little and said softly "Yes indeed my lord. Yes indeed."
He smiled, swinging his legs out of the bed and sitting beside her. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm softly and whispered as he gazed into her eyes "Well milady, it is yours completely, especially this." He took her hand and placed her hand against his chest, just above his heart. She smiled at this and standing, said "Well you had better get up; Mum and dad are waiting downstairs for you." She leaned down and kissed him and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Harry grabbed his toiletries and proceeded to have a long cold shower, which was necessary after the morning's activities.
Half an hour later, Harry walked into the kitchen and was shocked to find not only the Grangers there, but a huge pile of presents, waiting for him. Seeing Harry's stupefied stare, Ellen commented "We found all of these on the doorstep this morning Harry. I am guessing they are from all of your friends."
Harry could only nod at this comment, stunned and sat down in a chair and began to slowly unwrap his gifts. Ron sent him a box of chocolate frogs, with a card explaining that the twins had given him a part-time job in their new shop, so he was able to afford this for him. Harry smiled, realising how much better in mood Ron would be now that he had his own money. Hagrid had sent him a wood carved figurine of a hippogriff, who he instantly recognised as Buckbeak. He placed the carving on the table and Jim and Ellen exclaimed over it and watched amazed as it slowly unfolded its wings and flapped them briefly. Harry turned to the card Hagrid had sent and read that he had gotten Professor Dumbledore to enchant the figurine so that it moved. Harry smiled as he remembered how Hermione and he had flown on Buckbeak, saving Sirius from the Dementors kiss two years before.
Harry slowly waded through the presents, unwrapping an assortment of sweets from friends and members of the DA and interesting defence against the dark arts books from Moody, Tonks and Lupin. Finally, there were only two presents left. Ellen took the Large square package and gave it to Harry and said "Harry, though we have only known you for a few days, we felt we have known you for quite a lot longer. So happy birthday and we hope you like it."
Tears filled Harry's eyes as he took the present and a great feeling of warmth filled his heart. He had to clear his throat a couple of times to be able to speak when he then murmured his thanks. Slowly unwrapping the paper, He found a box containing a pair of Italian made leather shoes. He ran his hands over the leather and marvelled at how soft it was. Pulling off one of his own shoes, he put on one of the shoes and found to his surprise that it was a perfect fit. He stared at the Grangers, not sure what to say. Ellen resolved this quickly for him as she came over and hugged him tightly, saying "I hope you enjoy this birthday as much as possible, Harry. I doubt you have had much to celebrate in the past." Jim joined his wife in the hug with Harry and after a moment, Hermione completed the circle of people with their arms around Harry. For the first time, he felt completely loved and completely part of a family. Eventually pulling back, he wiped his eyes on his arm and again thanked the Grangers, saying that he was so touched by the thoughtfulness. Jim and Ellen's smiles widened and again they told him he was welcome.
Feeling Hermione's hand on his shoulder, he turned to find her holding the last of his presents, a small box wrapped in silver paper with a gold bow. "I know that I've already given you a present Harry, but that was before you came to stay. I got this by owl order from Diagon Alley."
Harry couldn't help but grin at Hermione, at how generous she really was. She shyly handed him the box and he unwrapped it and slowly opened the lid. He gasped and looked up at Hermione stunned. Slowly, he took out the fine gold chain with the heart pendant with two diamonds and a line running diagonally through it, where it could be broken into two. The diamonds sat in the middle of either half, glittering brightly. If he thought that he couldn't speak before, he now knew that he would have trouble speaking for the next week. He choked out a thankyou and putting down the box and the chain, took Hermione into his arms, kissing her and hugging her tightly, whispering how much he loved her. He didn't realise that he was crying until he pulled away from Hermione and felt the wetness on his cheeks. He looked at Hermione and saw too that she was crying. Slowly, he took the pendant and broke it into two. He slid one half of the pendant off of the chain and was surprised to see the chain split and form into two chains, one for each half. He threaded the loose half through the new chain and slowly, he placed it around Hermione's neck and, clasping the two halves of the chain together, whispered to her "Half for you, my love, though you have all of my heart and soul." He kissed her softly and then turned around so Hermione could place the other chain around his neck. He tucked the heart into his shirt and realised that the light within the diamond was glowing brightly, rather than the glimmer he had seen before. He turned to Hermione and noticed too that the diamond in her half was glowing brightly as well. Seeing the question in his eyes, she said simply "The note with the heart said that when the two halves are split and given to two people who truly love each other, the diamonds glow and the light will never die so long as their love survives."
Harry again felt his heart swell and he kissed Hermione deeply his arms wrapping around her waist. A few minutes passed, when he heard a light cough behind him. Realising that Jim and Ellen were in the room, he broke apart from Hermione, blushing scarlet, ready to apologise. He saw, however, that they were both grinning and he relaxed, smiling, holding Hermione's hand in his. Their fingers intertwined and he softly squeezed her hand and she squeezed back, smiling at him with adoration in her eyes.
Once they had cleared away the wrapping paper and Harry had taken his presents upstairs to his room, they all sat down to a late breakfast. Being a Saturday, the Grangers did not have to go to work today and they informed him that they were taking himself and Hermione out for the day. He tried to feebly protest, knowing that it was probably no good, and gave up pretty much straight away when he was given that look he associated with Hermione. Smiling in triumph, she rose and with Hermione's help, cleared the table. Once they had both left the room, Harry eyed Jim and they both suddenly burst into laughter. Jim was the first to get control of himself and he said with a wide grin "I see that you are a fast learner. You have already noticed the stubborn streak associated with both of the women in my life and have also realised the futility of arguing once they make up their minds. Took me a while to work it out."
Harry chuckled again and said "Yeah, I figured it out about halfway through first year that Hermione wasn't a person to mess with. I'm just glad she's on my side!"
They both chuckled again and Jim, looking serious said to Harry "You are a fine young man and I am glad that Hermione has chosen to be with you. I know that I can't control the direction in which you both decide to go, but I just hope that you treat her the way she deserves to be. I can tell from the way you look at her that you know what I mean."
Harry nodded respectfully and said "Yes sir, I certainly know what you mean. I love your daughter with everything inside of me and while I won't promise you that nothing will happen, know that I would never hurt your daughter, not for anything in this world."
Jim nodded, pleased with this response. He truly knew that Harry loved Hermione and he knew that his daughter felt the same. He just hoped that things worked out for them.
Harry thoroughly enjoyed himself on his birthday. The Grangers took him to a wildlife park, where he was enthralled by the different wild animals. Hermione enjoyed herself as well, watching Harry's face as he watched a herd of wild Zebras grazing the grass. He looked so relaxed and happy. She was so glad that she and her family were responsible for this and was determined to give him as much happiness as possible, no matter what happened. She hadn't approached the subject of Sirius or Voldemort, but she knew it was just a matter of time before reality came back with crushing force. She would be there for him though, as much as he needed her to be.
They had lunch at the wildlife park and then drove to a cinema where they watched a romantic comedy, all four of them enjoying the movie thoroughly. They then made their way to a local Italian restaurant where the Granger's often went and sat through the night, eating drinking and enjoying each other's company. Just as they were finishing their dessert, an Italian band set up and began playing love songs. Harry stood and bowing, offered his hand to Hermione and asked "May I have the pleasure of this dance Miss Granger?"
Hermione smiled and taking Harry's hand rose and walked with him to the dance floor. They took each other in their arms and danced slowly to the music, gazing deep into each other's eyes. Jim and Ellen watched this with small smiles upon their lips. They glanced at each other and Ellen laid her head upon her husband's shoulder and whispered "Our baby girl is so much in love, Jim. What a man she has chosen, I don't think I could have chosen better."
Jim smiled and kissed his wife's forehead and answered "No, I don't think we could have. I think she is in safe hands."
An hour or so later, they all departed and drove back to the Granger's house. Jim and Ellen said their goodnights and headed upstairs and Harry and Hermione headed into the lounge room and settled into the lounge, their arms about each other.
"Did you enjoy your birthday Mr Potter?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"Yes, most certainly I did Miss Granger." He answered. "Most of all I enjoyed it though because I was with you."
Hermione smiled at these words and leaned up to kiss Harry. His lips met hers and they sat there, not moving, just enjoying the feel of their lips on each others and their tongues intertwining. Finally, they broke apart and rested their foreheads together, looking into each other's eyes. "I want you to be with me forever." Whispered Harry, not taking his eyes from Hermione's.
"As do I, love." She responded, kissing him once more. They rose together and headed upstairs. Hermione disappeared into her room, but a few minutes later walked into Harry's room, having changed into her night clothes and slid between the sheets, watching Harry as he stripped down to his boxers. She again marvelled at how this kind, considerate, beautiful man had chosen her. He smiled at her as he slid into bed beside her and took her into his arms. "Sickle for your thoughts?" He asked.
Hermione gazed into his emerald eyes and whispered "Just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life and beside me here."
Harry kissed her tenderly and said softly "I am the one whose lucky, 'Mione. I thank whoever is out there for the day that you came into my life, looking for Neville's lost toad."
Hermione giggled softly and snuggled into Harry's chest. They fell asleep, their thoughts centred on each other as they drifted away.
Hermione woke up in the middle of the night to loud moans coming from Harry. She lit the bedside lamp and looking at Harry, realised he was in the throes of one of his nightmares.
"No!" He whimpered, "He can't be gone, he's just behind the veil, he can come back! He can come back!"
She realised with dawning horror that Harry was dreaming of Sirius. She softly began to stroke Harry's hair. He stiffened at her touch, but relaxed when she whispered "It's alright Harry, I'm here."
"'Mione." He whispered, still asleep and hugged her to him tightly, as if he was afraid he would never see her again, "You're safe?"
"Yes Harry," She responded "I'm with you. I'm safe." He relaxed at these words, but kept hold of her, but she didn't mind. After a few more moments, they both drifted into dreamless sleep once more.
Hermione woke the next morning to find that Harry was already up. She saw the note on the bedside table, just as she had done that first time and she smiled, opening the letter.
'Mione,
I remember my dreams from last night and I remember you comforting me, whether that was dream or not, I thank you. You're my only comfort, but you don't know the whole story. Meet me out the back, I'll be waiting.
Love,
Harry.'
Hermione quickly dressed and went downstairs and out into the backyard. Harry stood there, leaning against a retaining wall, watching the sun rise. She walked behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist, resting her head against his back. He placed his hands upon hers and squeezed softly, then began to talk.
"'Mione, I miss him so much, I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have you to pull me out of my misery. I felt so completely numb, so lost. I lost the only one I ever considered a parent and I never had that much time with him to begin with. I keep losing the people I care about. Slowly one by one they are taken away from me and its all his fault."
Hermione didn't know what to say. She knew that sooner or later he would open up about Sirius, but had no idea the extent of the pain that was stored inside his heart. She could literally feel the pain coming off of him in waves as he talked about Sirius. She hugged him a little tighter, urging him to go on. After a moment, he did.
"After Dolohov attacked you, I went into a complete panic. I didn't know if you were alive or dead. If Neville hadn't found your pulse, I probably would have gone to pieces then and there. As it was, he did and I got myself calm. Death eaters then rushed into the room and I left Neville to look after you and ran off, hoping to lead them away from you. It worked, as they all followed me. I knew I could not defend myself against them, but I had that damned prophecy in my hands still, so they couldn't touch me. Then Neville came in, so they used the cruciatus curse on him."
Hermione gasped at this revelation. Neville hadn't spoken of it while she and Ron were recovering in the hospital, but she suddenly found new respect for their friend. Harry continued;
"Just as I was about to give it to them to save Neville, the Order came to the rescue. They were all duelling with the death eaters and I was trying to get Neville out of the chamber, when we were attacked. In the confusion, the prophecy got smashed. I then saw Sirius and Bellatrix Lestrange duelling on the dais and I saw him duck a curse she had thrown at him. He was laughing and jeering at her. He didn't move in time when she threw the next one though. I remember the look of surprise on his face and the way that his back arched as he fell backwards. I went to race down there, but Lupin stopped me. He knew, you see, before I did. He tried to tell me, but I couldn't accept it. I just kept calling his name out, getting angry with him for not responding, not understanding. Then I knew. It hit me like a sledgehammer and the pain tore through me. Dumbledore then appeared and the Death eater's panicked. He didn't capture Bellatrix though; she escaped before he could hex her. I chased after her, I wanted to make her suffer as much as she had made me, and I wanted to inflict so much pain on her, that when I finally found her, I performed the cruciatus curse on her."
Hermione was in shock. She didn't know which terrified her more, the fact that she could have lost Harry so many times that night, after she had been rendered unconscious, or that he risked it all to chase down the murderer of his godfather. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she hugged Harry, but she knew there was more, she could feel it.
Harry stood there for a moment, thinking about his memories, and then said "I was hiding behind that statue in the entrance hall of the Ministry, when Voldemort appeared. He tried to finish me off then and there, but Dumbledore came up after us and duelled with him. He then possessed me, but couldn't stand my feeling for Sirius, love. He can't stand love, that's what Dumbledore told me in his office after it had all happened. He also told me the prophecy 'Mione"
For the first time, she felt she could speak. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Hermione turned Harry around and found that he too was crying. Taking his hands in hers, she asked, looking into his eyes "What did it say, Harry?"
Looking back, He said as if from memory;
"The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches
Born to those who have thrice defied him
Born as the seventh month dies
And the dark lord will mark him as his equal
But he will have power the dark lord knows not
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives
The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
Hermione hugged Harry tight to her as the full import of what he said hit her. Either Harry or Voldemort. She had always vaguely known that something like this may eventually happen, but to have it spoken in a prophecy, made it so much more final and terrifying. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Harry, now that they had found each other. She broke away from him and taking his hands again, looked into his eyes and said "You will win Harry. I know it and I'll be there beside you, no matter what. I don't want to lose you now that I have you."
Harry broke down at these words and hugged Hermione to him once more and answered, his voice breaking "I don't want to lose you either 'Mione. I love you."
They stood there, hugging and crying for a long-time, their hearts and souls melding as all secrets, hidden before, were now shared and they were now so much stronger for it, together.