How Do I Love Thee

Hermione sighed as she snuggled up against Harry, her husband of almost eight hours.

“I love you,” she smiled up at him, from where her head rested on his chest. They sat there for a few minutes, just enjoying the feeling of holding each other, when Harry broke the silence.

“Why?”

“Why what?” Hermione asked, rolling onto her stomach and propping herself up with her elbows.

“Why do you love me?” Harry asked, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Because,” Hermione smiled. “I love the way your hair never lays flat, and how your eyes sparkle when you're happy. I love that you're strong enough to save the world, yet gentle enough to hold me in your arms. How you'd die for me, or the Weasley's, and everyone else that you love. How you spared Pettigrew's life, even though he wouldn't have done the same for you.

“I love you because you've felt pain, and yet you're still the amazing person that you are. I don't have to worry about you ever cheating on me, because you're the most loyal and noble person I know, and you love me.” She added with a grin.

“You've been my best friend since I was twelve, Harry,” she took a deep, shaky breath, willing the tears that were beginning to well up behind her eyes to disappear. “I know you better than anyone, and I know that I love you. I love Harry Potter, not the Harry Potter. I love you.”

“You mean it?” Harry whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

“I've always meant it,” Hermione smiled. “That and your irresistibly sexy body,” she added with a grin.

“Quite the joker you are, Mrs. Potter,” Harry grinned, pulling her against him.

“You know you love it, Mr. Potter,” Hermione giggled, as she relaxed into his arms.

“You're right, I do love you,” Harry smiled as they settled down to sleep.

Just as Harry was beginning to drift off, Hermione's voice broke the silence of the room.

“Why do you love me, Harry?”

“How do I love thee? For thou hair, that is unmanageable. For thou -”

“Harry, I'm serious,” Hermione laughed, and smacked his side lightly.

“Who said I was joking?” Harry countered. “I love your hair, because you wouldn't be you without it. And how you always bite your lip, just there,” he smiled, kissing the corner of her mouth gently.

“And how, even after almost six years, you're still working towards elf rights. Your passion for books and your thirst to learn, it inspires me. How you've stood by me through everything; even when Ron didn't believe me, you did. How you think I've saved your life, when I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you,” Harry sighed, combing his hand through her hair.

“I beg to differ,” Hermione grinned.

“How so?” Harry laughed.

“If you wouldn't have saved me from that troll, I'd have died.”

“That wasn't just me -”

“Ron told me everything a couple years ago,” Hermione cut him off. “You made him come back for me.”

“Yeah, well,” Harry mumbled.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Promise me you'll never leave me.”

“I promise,” Harry swore, kissing her softly.

“Harry, another thing,” Hermione asked, sitting half way up.

“Yes?”

“Kiss me?”

“You don't have to ask,” Harry smiled as he pressed his lips against hers.

“I love you, Harry.”

“I love you too, Hermione. I love you too.”

Author's Note: Well…this was just something that came to me in the middle of the night that I'd been meaning to write down, and I finally got off my butt and did so! As for my other story - Portraits - I will update soon…I've just been having a really bad month…*grumble*I wish I could curse that damn doctor*grumble*…haha…anyways - please leave a review! I will reply to every review…scouts honor! Okay, so I'm not a scout…but I promise!

Sarah xxx

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