Gifts and Curses by danica_granger

Rating: PG
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 09/12/2004
Last Updated: 11/01/2005
Status: Completed

7th year. Harry writes Hermione a song. This is my first fic so please R/R. Song "Gifts and
Curses" by yellowcard. ~Completed~




1. Questions and Confessions
----------------------------



Gifts and Curses

Chapter 1: Questions and Confessions

Harry Potter sat in the seventh year boy's dormitory thinking about her. The one girl who
made his heart stop when she entered the room; the one who made his heart melt whenever she shot
him one of her perfect smiles; the one who remained at his side for the past 6 years. Yes, it's
true; Harry Potter is in love with Hermione Granger.

But, unfortunately, being the Boy Who Lived, he had to wait until he finally defeated Voldemort
before he could confess. It was no easy task though. Keeping his love for her a secret was eating
him up. If he didn't do it soon, he feared he might explode or that would march right up to
good old Tommy Riddle and beg him to put him out of his pain and suffering. Harry knew that was not
an option for Voldemort *lived* to see others suffer.

After many moments of debating with himself, Harry slowly made his way down to the common
room.

And there she was. Her nose was buried in a book, her finger fidgeting with the left corner of
the page. To Harry, she was the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on.

He walked up to her, his legs suddenly feeling like led, and his stomach feeling like there were
a thousand hippogriffs in there flying around and doing the hustle.

“H-Hermione?” he stammered. She looked up at him, her cinnamon eyes lit by the firelight.

“Yes Harry,” she asked him.

“Could you er- do you wanna um- `Mione will you come take a walk with me?” he pleaded.

She nodded, but her eyes were questioning. They walked silently down to the grounds. Hermione
was looking at Harry through the corner of her eyes.

*I wonder what he's thinking about. Maybe he wants to- no. I can't be. Harry Potter
does not like me!* She thought to herself. *Aw come on, you know you want it to be true
Hermione,* said a voice in her head that sounded very much like Ginny Weasley's.

As they reached the grounds, Harry turned towards her.

“Hermione, there's uh, something I want you to know. Something, that I think I should have
told you a long time ago,” he said without looking in her eyes.

“ Go on Harry, you know you can tell me anything,” Hermione said, trying to catch his eye.

“Well you see, the thing is, I'm uh, I-I'm in uh,” he stammered. *“Damn it Potter just
spit it out! Stop being a stuttering prat and just tell her!”* he thought to himself.

“Hermioneminlovewithyou” he said in a rush.

“W-what did you say Harry,” she asked, trying to look confused. *Oh my god! Oh my god! Harry
bleeding Potter just told me that he's in love with me!* She screamed in her head.

“I said,” he started this time with more confidence, “That I'm in love with you Hermione,”
he finished, although somewhat shakier than when he had begun.

Hermione smiled. Taking it as a good sign, Harry lowered his lips to hers. This was certainly
*not* like the kiss he had shared with Cho, back in the day. It was chaste, but sweet. Not
sexual, like some crazy erotic make out session, but it was enough.

It was Hermione who had broken the kiss first. “Harry,” she said breathlessly, “I love you too,”
she finished.

With that Harry leaned in again, but suddenly remembered why he hadn't told her before.
“Hermione, I can't-we can't do this…not yet,” he said, his eyes looking into hers for
forgives.

“Harry, I don't understand,” she asked. The happiness, that she had felt seconds before
seemed to have evaporated.

“I'm so sorry Hermione, I was going to wait until after the battle to tell you but…I just…I
couldn't handle it anymore. I'm sorry. Maybe…maybe we should forget what happened,” he
explained.

“But *why* do we have to wait until after the battle, Harry,” she questioned him.

“Because, well Hermione because of the prophecy. You remember what I told you last year?” he
asked her.

“Harry, if you're going to put this off because of some prophecy well then- I mean you know
that you're going to be the victor. I'll wait for you…but not for an eternity.” With that
she walked away towards the castle.

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2. Gifts and Curses
-------------------



Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even the song.

Chapter 2: Gifts and Curses

Harry waited a few minutes before returned to his dormitory. He sat on his bed and took out the
picture of he, Hermione and Ron back in their sixth year. Trying hard not to think about Hermione,
he put the picture back on his nightstand.

Then, something clicked in his brain. He got up from his bed, looked under it and withdrew his
guitar that he had received from Lupin the previous year.

~Flashback~

*“Here Harry,” Lupin said as he handed him a brand new guitar, “I find that this helps me
express myself when I normally can not,” he continued. “When you feel you can't talk to others
about the things that are running through your head, then you can make a song out of it,” he added
with a smile.*

~End Flashback~

Harry grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and returned to his bed. He was going to write
Hermione a song, explaining to her and to others his feelings.

A few weeks later…

On the Friday before the Yule Ball (Dumbledore had decided to bring it back due to it's
popular demand), Professor Dumbledore stood up at the High Table. The students, assuming that he
would like to speak, stopped talking.

“As you all know, that on Christmas Evening, the Yule Ball will be taking place. The rumors are
correct when you here that we have booked the popular group `The Weird Sisters',” the great
hall erupted with applause. “And,” Dumbledore continued, “there will also be a surprise performer,”
with that everyone looked to their friends, murmuring in confusion. “I'm sure that you all know
him, as he is extremely well known. You may return to your conversations,” said Dumbledore.

~

The next few days passed by slowly. On the after noon of Christmas day, Harry, Ron and Hermione,
sat in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron were playing a game of wizard chess (Ron, looking
smug for putting Harry in a tight situation), and Hermione reading her Ancient Runes book (one of
many anyhow).

“Aha!” said Ron, “Checkmate! You can escape You-Know-Who five times and you can't even win a
game of chess!” he continued.

“Just ignore him Harry,” said Hermione as she stood up.

“Where are you going?” asked Harry and Ron at the same time.

“To get ready. See you in a bit,” she said as she climbed the staircase to the Head Girl's
room.

“Women,” said Ron obviously confused at why they needed *four hours* to get ready.

~

At five to seven, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the seventh year boys emerged from their
dormitory. Ron was going to the ball with his long-term girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, Neville was
going with Susan Bones, the Hufflepuff that he'd been eyeing since fifth year, Seamus was going
with Parvati Patil, and Dean was going with Ron's sister, Ginny. Harry was going to ask
Hermione, but figured that if he wanted to wait until after the battle, then he could not go to the
ball with her. So, both of them remained dateless.

When they entered the Great Hall, like in their fourth year, the House tables had been removed
and replaced with smaller tables. They waited for the music to start up, but none came. Harry went
to Dumbledore, giving him the signal.

Dumbledore went up on the stage, while Harry stayed behind. “Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to
this years Yule Ball. Before The Weird Sisters start performing, I would like to introduce, as
promised our surprise performer. Please welcome to the stage, Harry Potter.”

Everyone applauded. “Uh, hey guys. I'm going to sing a song that I wrote a few weeks back,
for someone very close to me. I asked the drummer for The Weird Sisters to join me onstage as well.
My song is called `Gifts and Curses and I hope you like it,” Harry said.

Harry started playing his guitar, followed by the drummer.

*Mary belongs to the words of a song.*

*I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her.*

*But she will not wait for me anymore, anymore.*

*Why did say all those things before? I was sure.*

*(She is the one), but I have a purpose.*

*(She is the one), and I have to fight this.*

*(She is the one), a villain I can't knock down.*

*I see your face with every punch I take,*

*And every bone I break, it's all for you*

*My worst pains are words I cannot say,*

*Still I will always fight on for you*

*Mary's alive, in the bright New York sky,*

*The city lights shine for her, above them I cry for her.*

*Everything's small on the ground below, down below.*

*What if I fall, then where would I go? Would she know?*

*(She is the one), all that I wanted.*

*(She is the one), and I will be haunted.*

*(She is the one), this gift is my curse for now*

*I see your face with every punch I take,*

*And every bone I break, it's all for you*

*My worst pains are words I cannot say,*

*Still I will always fight on for you. Fight on for you…*

When the song ended, the Great Hall erupted with applause. Most girls were crying, wishing that
that song was for them, but they all knew better. Every single person in the hall knew that Harry
had written that song for Hermione.

Then he spotted her. She, like all the other girls, was crying. Harry jumped off the stage and
ran towards her. When he finally reached her, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of the
Great Hall and out to the spot by the lake where they had talked weeks ago.

“So,” he started nervously, “how'd you like my song?” he asked.

“I loved it,” she said blushing. “It's not everyday that the man you love writes you a song
a sings it in front of the entire student body,” she added with a grin.

At that moment, Harry leaned into her and pressed his lips to hers. She immediately wrapped her
arms around his neck, while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Within minutes they deepened the
kiss. Harry ran his tongue along her bottom lip, seeking entrance. She allowed him access without
hesitation. When their tongues met, they both felt shockwaves running through their bodies.

They both broke the kiss, gasping for air. They sat down, for their legs felt as if they would
give out any second.

“I love you Harry,” said Hermione, resting her head against his shoulder.

“I love you too Hermione,” he declared. “With all my heart.”

“Harry?”

“Yeah?”

“What about what you said a few weeks ago? About how you wanted to wait?”

“We'll find a way to make it work. Maybe, we could not tell anyone about us. Just Ron,”
Harry chuckled. “You know how he gets when we keep things from him.”

“Yeah. That's probably for the best.”

“Do you want to head back to the tower?” Harry queried.

“Sure, although everyone will think that we've gone to shag…”

“Ah, well you could go back to the ball, excuse yourself, say that you're tired or something
and then just go up to bed,” Harry told her.

“That sounds good. So I guess this is goodnight?”

“Yeah…” Harry sighed.

They kissed each other goodnight (the kissed turned into a full on snogging session, by the
way). They kissed each other one last time and Hermione started off towards the castle smiling.

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3. Keeping a secret
-------------------



Chapter 3: Keeping a Secret

If Harry and Hermione thought that keeping their relationship a secret was going to be easy,
they were completely mistaken. Harry wanted nothing more than to hold her hand in the corridors, or
to kiss her in the common room. Hermione wanted all those things as well.

Ron wasn't being that much help either. He almost told the entire Gryffindor house, who
wanted to know whether or not Harry and Hermione were dating.

The only time Harry and Hermione could kiss and what not was if the common room was empty. And
let me tell you that was not very often because, well it's not called a common room for
nothing. They had to stay up really, *really* late for an empty common room. About the only
helpful thing that Ron had done for the couple was to try to send the Gryffindors to bed. He
claimed to need to study for his N.E.W.T.S. that were only *months away.* That didn't
bother most of them, until Ron told them that they were a bunch of stupid gits with nothing better
to do than playing with their bleeding gobstones.

One time Harry and Hermione had tried to snog in the crowded common room under the invisibility
cloak. But after that they decided not to try that again since it frightened the younger students
that her moaning, groaning and giggling as they passed by the corner. One of the sixth years even
walked right into them. So that was *definitely* off their options list.

The best idea that they came up with (well Hermione came up with anyways) was to sneak off to
their spot by the lake every night. Not the place where they first made their confessions, but the
spot across from there, behind a big oak tree. It was actually ingenious really. Since they were
Head Boy and Head Girl, they could give an easy explanation saying that they were doing rounds.
And, in case they returned too late, they could use the Invisibility Cloak.

One night however, things got ugly. Harry and Hermione were walking back to Gryffindor Tower
from their evening `rounds'; they walked right into none other than Draco Malfoy.

“Who's there?” Malfoy demanded. He reached out a hand and started to feel for something,
anything. After a great deal of groping, he managed to grasp the cloak and pull it off.

“Well, well, well. If it isn't Potty and the Mudblood,” sneered Malfoy.

“Shove off Malfoy,” Harry threatened.

Malfoy looked down and saw Harry and Hermione's fingers laced together.

“Hmmm,” said Malfoy looking smug. “Potter and Granger…a couple? Well, this *is* pleasant
news. Not for *you lot* however.”

Harry stepped in front of Hermione. “What are you talking about Malfoy?” he demanded.

“I told you Potter. I told you that it was a bad choice to go with those blood traitor Weasleys
and the Mudblood Granger. And if I remember correctly, just two years ago I told you that you would
pay to for landing my father in prison. I think, that I have a fair price. I expect it to be paid
soon,” Malfoy told them. And with that, he walked away.

~

When Harry was finally in bed, he knew that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Malfoy's
words played over and over in his head. *I won't let anything happen to Hermione. She's
way too important to me.* But a voice in his head that sounded somewhat like Voldemort's
cold voice said: *Ah but you know you won't be able to keep* *her safe forever, what
about on summer holidays. You know you won't be able to then.*

In the early hours of the morning, Harry finally fell asleep, only to be woken what seemed like
ten minutes later. At breakfast, Ron and Hermione noticed his lack of eating.

“Whass wong ate?” Ron asked with his mouth full of eggs and sausage.

“I guess I'm just not hungry that's all,” Harry lied. He looked up at the Slytherin
table to find Malfoy staring at him with a sneering expression. Harry knew that Malfoy had informed
his father about Harry and Hermione's relationship. He had to keep her safe. So, he marched up
to the High Table. He went straight to Professor Dumbledore.

“Is there something troubling you Harry?” asked Dumbledore.

“Professor, might I have a word with you in your office after breakfast?” Harry whispered.

“Certainly Harry. You may go up my office now if you like. The password is Pepper Imp. I will be
with you shortly.”

Harry waited for Dumbledore in his office. Moments later, he came through the door and sat
behind his desk.

“So, I believe that you would like to discuss the safety of one Hermione Granger, am I correct
Harry?” Dumbledore asked him.

“Yes, last night- wait hold on a second! How do you know?” Harry asked looking very
confused.

“I saw last nights events with you, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger in the corridor,” Dumbledore
told him.

“How come I didn't see you then?” Harry asked again, now even more bewildered than
before.

“You might recall Harry, in your first year, when I found you looking in the Mirror of Erised, I
told you that I do not need a cloak to become invisible. Now, back to the subject.”

“Sir, I don't think that it's a good idea for Hermione to be here right now. I don't
think it's safe,” Harry explained.

“Harry, you must know that this is the safest place for her right now. What good would it do to
send her home? If Voldemort or a Death Eater found her she would be alone. Her parents are Muggles,
they cannot help her in this situation.”

“There must be something you could do,” Harry said, his temper starting to rise.

“I'm afraid there isn't Harry. Either Miss Granger remains at Hogwarts and has a chance
to survive, or she could be sent home, where the chance of survival is slim to none. Also I doubt
that she would be very pleased with you if she uncovered that you were the one who wanted her to be
sent away in the first place,” Dumbledore said seriously.

“Professor, I don't know what I would do without her. I mean, I'd be dead ten times over
if it wasn't for her. She's always been there to help me an-“

“Then let her help you. You're fighting a loosing battle if you even attempt to take away
Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley from your side. Harry, I know you more than you think, and
believe me when I say that you really need them by your side.

I believe that you are late for your first class. I will right Professor Flitwick a note, not to
worry.” Dumbledore finished.

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4. When One Journey Ends, Another Begins
----------------------------------------



Chapter 4: When One Journey Ends, Another Begins

A few weeks later, Harry felt that Voldemort would attack at any moment. Unfortunately, he was
right. On the Easter Holidays, students ran into the Great Hall screaming like mad. Harry knew that
this would be the last time he saw Riddle. That was the night that either Harry or Voldemort, would
cease to exist. Mostly everyone hoped for the latter, although there were a select few that
didn't.

Voldemort was nowhere to be seen. Harry said goodbye to a weeping Hermione, and a teary Ron.
They told him that it wasn't goodbye, it was `I'll see you tomorrow'. Harry left the
two to fight off the Death Eaters.

Harry walked down to the grounds. His instincts were right. Standing there by the lake was Tom
Marvolo Riddle himself.

“Well, well Potter, I thought I'd have to go in there after you,” Voldemort sneered.

“As always *Riddle,* you thought wrong,” Harry yelled.

“Shall we get this over with Harry? I'm pretty sure that it will be painless. As I told you
before, I cannot tell you what it feels like.”

“We end this now Riddle,” said Harry with a set face.

The duel was long. Harry fought endlessly, his legs, however were becoming tired. After dodging
another killing curse, Harry took the Gryffindor Sword and drove it through Voldemort's
`heart'.

Voldemort screamed. His face showed all the pain that coursed through his body. At long last, a
black sort of fog came out of Voldemort's snake like mouth, and he fell over. His lifeless body
was lying on the ground.

Harry had never been happier. *It's over! It's over! It's finally over!* He
left the body there and headed back to the castle. His happiness didn't end. He saw that the
students and teachers had defeated the Death Eaters. He was happy to see that no one from the DA
had died, just injured. Then he saw her. Harry ran towards Hermione.

He picked her up and swung her around. Ron came running over. They stood there hugging each
other.

“I can't believe it guys, it's done, it's finished, I'm free!” Harry
exclaimed.

They all cried together, but they were tears of joy. Harry then felt a hand on his shoulder. He
turned around and came face to face with Albus Dumbledore.

“Professor, it's over. He's dead,” Harry said.

“Congratulations Harry, I am very proud of you. I say this almost every year but I'll say it
again; you have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I believe Madam Pomfrey
would like to see you all in the Hospital Wing. Oh and Harry?” asked Dumbledore. Harry turned to
look at him.

“Yes Professor?”

“Please, call me Albus. I daresay we've been through enough for you to call me by my first
name” he said with the usual twinkle in his eye. Harry smiled and walked away with his best friend,
and the love of his life.

~

Weeks had gone by since the defeat of Voldemort. *Daily Prophet* reporters were snooping
around to get a chance to interview Harry. N.E.W.T.S came and went, and Harry thought that he did
pretty well.

A week before the end of term, they got their results. It turned out, that Harry was the top
student right below Hermione.

Then the day came: Graduation Day. Hermione was their year's Valedictorian.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to welcome to the stage, the smartest witch to ever grace the
halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione Granger!” said Albus Dumbledore at
the ceremony.

“ Hey everyone. I want to say that these have been the best seven years of my life. I met lots
of wonderful people like Harry and the Weasleys, and lots of other people here as well like the
teachers and most of the students. Thank you all for being so kind to me even if I was and remain
to this day a Muggle-born. All of you are wonderful, and you all have a special place in my heart.
Congratulations Class of 1998, we did it!”

Everyone clapped. Hermione's parents were crying, along with Mrs. Wealsey. Most of the
seventh year girls were crying also. Hermione ran down to her boys. She hugged Ron first, and then
kissed Harry full on the lips.

It was another one of their tears of joy moments. But they were sad that they wouldn't be
able to see each other at every waking moment of the day. After promising Mrs. Weasley that they
would visit The Burrow at least once a week, Harry pulled Hermione off to `their spot by the
lake'.

“Can you believe it `Mione? We are fully fledged adults witches and wizards now!” Harry
exclaimed.

“Yeah. The only bad thing is I might not be able to see you everyday,” Hermione sobbed.

*Yeah…that's what she thinks.*

Harry dropped to his right knee and took her hand in his. He pulled out a box and opened it. It
was the most beautiful ring Hermione had ever seen. It had a diamond in the middle that was
surrounded by small ruby and sapphire gems, their birthstones.

“Hermione Granger, after seven years, I know you might be starting to get sick of me. But will
you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Harry asked with a sheepish smile.

“What do you think?” Hermione asked him. His smile faded and his face turned a very unhealthy
shade of white. “Of course I'll marry you!” she exclaimed.

Harry placed the ring on her finger, and pulled her behind the old oak tree.

Somewhere in Heaven, Lily and James Potter were looking down on their son and his new fiancé.
James put his arm around Lily's waist. The two adults smiled down at the young couple.

“They're just like us, aren't they sweetie?” James asked his wife.

“They sure are, James. Exactly like us.”

~*~*~END~*~*~

A/N: Hey guys. That's the end of my first fic. I know it wasn't the best, but hey, I
tried! I have a few ideas that have been on my mind for a bit now, so don't think you've
seen the last of me! :D ;)

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