Harry is daydreaming while he's supposed to be studying. Pure H/Hr fluffiness ensues.
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/3440/
A/N: Beware of serious H/Hr fluff ahead!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!
Tidbits: Seventh year. Harry’s POV.
Disclaimer: These wonderful characters belong to none other than the brilliant Goddess of the Harry Potter universe, JK Rowling. I’m just playing with them...
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Did I just sigh out loud? I must have because she just looked up at me and grinned shyly. Hope she didn’t catch me staring again. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. Honestly, I don’t know how the blazes I’m going to get my homework done. How am I supposed to concentrate? She insisted I join her in the library this afternoon to study for our upcoming N.E.W.T.s. “Sure.” I had said to her. At least that’s what my brain had told me to say. I would love to spend my time inside on this glorious spring afternoon studying when everyone else is at Hogsmeade.
But my heart said something completely different. Pass up this opportunity to spend quality “alone” time with her? Not a chance.
So here we are, sitting across the table from each other—her table. Ron and I had a little plaque made last year in Diagon Alley that said “Property of Hermione Granger...KEEP OUT”. She loved it. Madame Pince thought is was cute. She had actually smiled. I don’t think I had ever seen that woman smile!
So here I am, sitting across from the girl I constantly day dream about, think about, stare at, day dream about (oh, sorry. I already said that, didn’t I?) trying to concentrate on my studying when I look up and see her chewing on the end of her quill. She does that when she’s concentrating. I find it oddly endearing. Everything she does lately has me spinning in circles. Did I say lately? No. That’s not entirely accurate. More like since the beginning of the year. This is April. Have I really been feeling like this for eight bloody months?! No wonder I’m half crazy!
See, here is my dilemma. It’s actually quite simple. I love her. At least I think I do. I don’t exactly have a point of reference to let me know that what I’m actually feeling is love, but I’m pretty sure it is. What else would you call going out of my way to make sure I get to walk next to her in the halls, carry her books, open doors for her, hold the bowl while she scoops out mashed potatoes, that sort of thing. Am I being obvious? Merlin, I sure hope so! But so far, my actions seemed to have gone unnoticed. At least by her.
One would say (okay several someones have said) that I am being obviously obvious and that it is all sweet and very chivalrous of me. Okay. I can deal with that. I’m chivalrous. Yay for me! But I’m also deeply, helplessly, frantically, madly in love! So what else can I do in addition to the aforementioned chivalrous tasks to make her see that! Of course, I’m too much of a coward to just come right out and say it. So much for that Gryffindor courage, Potter!
And do you what really irritates me about all this? Apparently everyone in the school—including most of the teachers—knows how I feel except the girl who’s affections I am so desperately yearning for. Ron, I love him like a brother, but sometimes I really want to slug him. Do you know what he suggested the other day? That I just grab her, pull her into the nearest broomstick closet, and snog her senseless. Yeah, that’s a great way to tell the girl of your dreams that you’re insanely in love with her and want spend the rest of your life with her and be the father of her children, etc., etc., etc. Or make her run away in horror! No. I think I’ll pass on that suggestion. At least for now (hee hee hee).
I look back down at my book and realize I’ve been on the same page for the last 20 minutes while I’ve been day dreaming (there’s that word again). I let out a quiet sigh so as not to disturb her. “Harry?” Let me just say there isn’t anything in this world that makes my entire body turn to complete mush like the sound of her voice saying my name.
I swallow and look up at her, grinning. “Yeah?”
“You okay?”
“Sure.” I say, sitting back and rubbing the bridge of my nose under my glasses. “I’m really getting tired though.” I look up at the clock on the wall. It’s only been an hour! Dear Merlin’s ghost! And I haven’t done anything! She’s not going to be happy with me. “I think I need a break.” I look back at her and smile. “Care to join me?”
She smiles back and sits back, stretching her arms above her head. I really wish she wouldn’t do that. She’s so not that little girl on the train anymore. “Sure. I think I could use a quick walk around the lake.”
Excellent!! And I didn’t even do the suggesting! I get up and quickly go around to her side of the table, pulling out her chair as she rises. She looks at me over her shoulder with a twinkle in her eye. How does she do that! For someone who seems oblivious to all the signals I’m throwing her way, she certainly has a knack for torturing me!
We walk out of the library (and yes, I’m walking right beside her) and head outside. It is indeed a glorious spring afternoon. A light breeze is blowing making her beautiful brown hair dance about her equally beautiful face. Do I have it bad or what?
We start off around the lake, not speaking. What is there to say? I know what I could say, but I’m the coward, remember? Ron will feed me to Fang when he finds out that Hermione and I went for a walk around the lake today and I didn’t say anything. “Beautiful day.” She says quietly.
Yeah. So why were we inside studying? “Sure is.” I say, looking down at her. Come on, Hermione, just look up at me once! You told me once I wear my heart on my sleeve! Well, it’s in my eyes, too! Just look at me! Oh, honestly! This girl is driving me crazy!
I just roll my eyes and we keep walking, eventually coming to the spot known as “Trio’s Tree”. Ron came up with that one. Like it? I wait for her to sit down and get comfortable, then I sit beside her, leaning back against the tree. “We really should do this more often, Harry.” She says quietly. “We’ll be leaving soon.”
That made me frown. Did I want to leave? No. Was I ready to leave? No. You’d think after all the danger I’ve had to deal with in my seven years here I’d be wanting to get as far away as possible from this place. But the truth is, Hogwarts is my home. I’ve never felt like that anywhere else. Well, except maybe the Burrow. And besides, when I leave here, what else is there for me out there? I’ve fulfilled my destiny or fate or whatever the hell it was I was cursed with and defeated Voldypie so there’s no more threat there. Yeah, some of the Death Eaters are still around swearing revenge, yadda yadda yadda. Who cares. I just want to get on with my life...a life I was never sure I would live to enjoy. But now that I have that life to live, I know who I want to share it with. I just don’t know how to tell her that.
“Harry?” There’s that mushy feeling again. And just then I realize that she had laid her head on my shoulder. Normally, this wouldn’t phase me in the slightest. She’s done this before. Lots of times. But lately (or as I said, the last eight months or so) the slightest touch from her has sent me reeling towards oblivion.
“Yeah?”
“What do you want to do with your life?” She asked nonchalantly.
Wasn’t expecting that. There are many sides of my Hermione, each as unique and beautiful as the other. This one happens to be “profound” Hermione. This means she wants to talk. Seriously talk. Oh boy. I shrug. “Don’t know really.”
That was a bold-faced lie and I know it. Remember that “tell the girl of your dreams that you’re insanely in love with her and want spend the rest of your life with her and be the father of her children” stuff I mentioned earlier? This would be a good time to bring that up. I think.
“Oh, come on. You must have some idea.”
I let out a deep breath. Think carefully, Potter. She’s going to be listening to your every word and all the underlying meanings in them. Because that’s what she does. And she’s really good at it. She dissects words for information and hidden clues. She not the brightest witch (no offense, Professor McGonagall) at Hogwarts for nothing you know. “Well, you know about my plans to go into Auror training.” I feel her nod. Oh, great. Now she has looped her arm through mine and is holding on...tight. What was it that Yoda had said in The Empire Strikes Back? “Control, control. You must learn control.” Yeah, good. I’ll try that.
“Other than that, I hadn’t really thought about it.” I say, then bowed my head. “Didn’t think I’d live this long, you know?" I feel her tense up beside me. "That I had to actually come up with a plan for the rest of my life wasn't exactly top on my agenda.”
She tightened her grip on my arm. She meant it as a comforting gesture, but in my current state of insanely-in-love-with-this-girl I was thinking of things I probably should not have been. Like grabbing her and snogging her senseless. Huh. Just like Ron had suggested. Maybe he was right....
“Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you ever think about having a family someday?” She asks quietly.
Oh, she just had to bring that up. “Um, sure I do, I guess.” I say. “Not that I’d have any idea of how to do it.”
She chuckles softly. “Oh, I think you do.” She says. “I think you’d be a wonderful husband and father.”
WHOA!! Stop the presses! Where did that come from?? She letting go of my arm now and turning to face me. This is not good. Not good at all. We are way too close here! Oh, dear Merlin her lips...have they always been that full and red? “Harry?”
I gulped. “Yes, Hermione?” I say, my voice is getting stuck in my throat. She’s doing this on purpose, isn’t she? Oh no. She does know how I feel, doesn’t she? What if she’s just been playing me all this time to see how far I’d go before I actually say something....
It’s over. It’s official. I’m a goner. She's kissing me. And I am now her slave. I know it. Anything she wants, I’ll give her. Anything she asks me to do, I’ll do. You want me to jump off what cliff, Hermione? Just lead the way, luv! You want me to pull the moon from the sky for you? No problem.
Way too soon though, the kiss ends, and when her lips pull away from mine, I feel cold and empty. We’re just staring at each other now. “Hermione....”
She puts a finger on my lips and smile. “We should get back and study.” She whispers.
But I don’t want to study now! I want to stay here with her and do what Ron suggested! Studying is overrated anyway, isn’t it? N.E.W.T.s are evil! No, Hermione, don’t get up. Come on, let’s stay here! I must have a really pathetic look on my face right now cause she’s laughing me.
“Come on, Harry. Get up.” She says, reaching for my hand. I let out a dejected sigh and put my hand in hers. She pulls me up and we start the long walk back towards the castle.
Okay. Awkward silence here. What do you say the girl you’re madly in love with after she has just kissed you when you should have kissed her first? That was a huge cop-out on my part, uh? Then again, perhaps letting her make the first move is better. Maybe she thinks it’s thoughtful and (gasp!) chivalrous of me. That works.
We reach the main doors and I push it open for her, allowing her to step inside before me. As we pass the Great Hall on our way back to the library I suddenly feel a swell of my Gryffindor courage and reach down and take her hand. She doesn’t flinch or anything, like she was expecting it. That’s a good thing, right?
She looks up at me as we walk and smiles the most beautiful smile I think I have ever seen on her lovely face. I grin back at her and give her hand a little squeeze. We are silent as we take our seats in the library, just like we were before this “break” started.
Hermione immediately goes back to her book, writing down notes and chewing on the end of her quill again. And what do I do? Yep, you guessed it. I stare at her. And daydream....
A/N: Wow! Thanks for wonderful feedback! I’m going all blushy now! I had originally intended this story to be a one-shot, but since I’ve gotten so many requests, I think I’ll have to do at least one, maybe two more chapters. And again, fair warning. There will be nothing but honest to goodness H/Hr fluff in this chapter (and subsequent chapter(s)). Seems that’s what I’m best at so I’m going to stick with it!
SO…in honor of the Half Blood Prince release date (And a special thanks JKR for the wonderful Christmas gift! WOO HOO! Is everyone as giddy as I am about that???) and the completely sublime Harry/Hermione press pic Warner Brothers was kind enough to release yesterday, here is Chapter 2. Hope you enjoy it!
Tidbits: Seventh year. Hermione’s POV.
Disclaimer: These wonderful characters belong to none other than the brilliant Goddess of the Harry Potter universe, JK Rowling. I’m just playing with them...
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Chapter 2 - Doesn’t He Know?
He did it again. He sighed. He’s always doing that! And I really wish he’d stop staring. He probably doesn’t think I notice it, but I do. Honestly, I don’t know how he expects me to study when I constantly feel his eyes on me. How am I supposed to concentrate? I insisted that he join me in the library this afternoon to study for our upcoming N.E.W.T.s. “Sure.” He’d said. My brain was saying I’m sure he’d much rather be at Hogsmeade with everyone else, but my heart was screaming he wants to stay with me!
I’d never tell him this, but I’m really glad he stayed. I love when we spend time together—just the two of us. I love Ron and Ginny and the rest of our friends, but sometimes time alone with Harry is exactly what I need to…. Sorry. Wasn’t quite sure where I was going with that statement. Best to stay away from it. At least for now.
So here we are, sitting across the table from each other—my table. Ron and Harry had a plaque made last year that said “Property of Hermione Granger...KEEP OUT”. I love it. Madam Pince actually allowed me to fasten it to the table. No one ever sits here but me anyway. When there are people sitting here and they see me coming, the get up and leave. So yes, it is my table.
So here I am, sitting across from the boy—excuse me, man—I am constantly thinking about. I look up at him and he’s staring at his book, the same page I might add he’s been reading for the last 20 minutes. He’s twirling the quill I gave him (I can’t believe he still has it!) between his fingers. He really does have beautiful hands. I’m sure he’d hate to know that I use the word beautiful to describe some part of him Not very manly, he’d say.
He seems nervous. I can tell because when he’s nervous he bites the corner of his bottom lip. I find it oddly endearing. Okay. I have a confession to make. Lately everything he does has me swooning. Lately? No. That’s not right. It’s been a long time. Sometime last year I think.
I remember one night in the common room we had looked up from our books at the exact same time. When our eyes met I felt my stomach tighten, almost painfully. I will never forget that sensation as long as I live. Harry had given me the most beautiful (there’s that word again) smile I think I’d ever seen on his handsome face.
See? There I go again. How many best friends do you call handsome? And how many best friends have beautiful hands. And should I even be noticing his hands and how handsome he is? He’s my best friend, right? Isn’t he? I think so. Yes, definitely best friend. But I’m terrified to admit that he’s become something more than that to me. I just wonder if he feels it, too.
And every since that moment I have been completely, helplessly in love with him. But I could never tell him that. I know, I know. I’m a Gryffindor. Courageous and all, right? I have faced a troll, a basilisk, a werewolf (sorry Professor Lupin!), come face to face with Gwarp, taken a curse right in the chest, even faced Voldemort himself. But telling Harry how I feel? Not enough courage in the world to make me do that. At least not now.
Oh, who am I kidding. I’m lying to myself. The answer isn’t complicated at all. Yes, I’m in love. Yes, I’m in love with my best friend. Yes, I’m in love with Harry Potter. Everything he does is so endearing. He walks next to me in the halls, carries my books, open doors for me, he’s even started buttering my toast at breakfast. So you know what? I think he may like me! Well, a girl can dream, right?
He probably thinks that I haven’t noticed his actions. Ginny swears she’s seen him starting at me for minutes at time when I’m not looking. She’s noticed how he acts towards me. Well, okay. A lot of people have.
And I love Ginny like a sister, I really do. But sometimes I just want to hex her into next week! The other day she suggested that I just stop kidding myself (and Harry) and just seduce him. I believe her exact words were “get him to go to the astronomy tower with you and just attack him. Snog him until he can’t see straight.” Oh, sure, Ginny. A great way to tell the man who I have been secretly yearning for how much I love him and want to marry him and have his children. He’d run away screaming!
He just sighed again. I’m really starting to hate it when he does that. My entire mind goes blank and I feel my legs go numb. And not only does it make my stomach flutter like mad, but it makes my Something is Wrong With Harry senses go on full alert. So I worry about him. I can’t help it. Merlin knows he needs someone to look after him! “Harry?”
He looks up at me, grinning. “Yeah?”
“You okay?” Could the concern in my voice be more obvious? Doesn’t he realize how much I love him and want to protect him and comfort him from all the horrors in his life, past, present, and future? Well, not so much present. Voldemort is gone. Yes, Harry defeated him, the bloody bastard. I don’t normally curse, but he was just asking for it!
“Sure.” He says, sitting back and rubbing the bridge of his nose under his glasses. “I’m really getting tired though.” He looks up at the clock on the wall. “I think I need a break.” I know full well that he isn’t that tired. He hasn’t done a thing the entire hour we’ve been in the library. Oh, dear. He’s just given me that smile. I think he knows that smile turns my legs into jelly. “Care to join me?”
I can’t help but smile. Sitting back, I stretch my arms above my head and a little squeak escapes my lips. I don’t know if he caught it or not, but I did notice him looking at me while I stretched. Honestly, you’d think he’d never seen a girl before! Yes, Harry. I am a girl. Yes, Harry, I have breasts! Honestly…boys.
“Sure. I think I could use a quick walk around the lake.” What better place to maybe give him a not-so-subtle hint as to how I feel about him? Before I even realize he’s gotten up, he’s pulling out my chair as I stand. I look at him over my shoulder with grin. How was that for obvious?
We walk out of the library (yes, he’s walking right beside me) and head outside. It’s a wonderful spring afternoon. A light breeze is blowing through his beautiful black hair. I know a lot of girls find his always-messy hair unattractive. What? Are they kidding? I love his hair! In fact, I would like nothing more than to run my hands through it…okay, Hermione. Going a little too fast there. Back up a few paces. Oh, do I have it bad.
We start off around the lake, not speaking. What is there to say? I know what I could say, but don’t want him to feel awkward and do the aforementioned running away screaming. Ginny will find some horrible and cruel way to embarrass me when she finds out that Harry and I went for a walk around the lake today and I didn’t say anything. So I’d better say something. “Beautiful day.” I say quietly, just wanting to break the uncomfortable silence that has rested between us.
“Sure is.” He says, looking down at me. I don’t actually see him looking at me, but I can feel it. And if I look up now it’ll be all over. Best not to then. Those electric green eyes of his are searing right through me. Oh, those eyes. Those beautiful emerald pools. Lately I’ve found myself not being able to look into them for long. I could very easily get lost in them. I could drown in them. And the frightening part is I don’t think I’d care!
We keep walking, eventually coming to our tree. Ron came up with “Trio’s Tree”. He was so proud of himself. You should have seen him, all puffed up like a big turkey. I smiled inwardly at the thought. I notice that Harry is waiting for me to sit. He’s so chivalrous. The perfect gentleman. Once I am settled, he sits beside me, leaning back against the tree. “We really should do this more often, Harry.” I say quietly. “We’ll be leaving soon.”
What I just said suddenly hit me hard. I didn’t want to leave Hogwarts. Ever. I mean, I was excited to get out and mark my place in the world. But there were so many memories here. So many good times—and bad—that has made this place my home for the last seven years. I met my two best friends here. I met Harry here. I faced life and death with him here. And I fell in love with him here. Leaving Hogwarts will be painful, but how can I tell him that if I have to leave here without him it will be the death of me? Not literally. Well, at least I don’t think it will be. All I know is that I can’t exist without him in my life. Period.
I lay my head on his shoulder. I suddenly feel the need to be closer to him. The need to touch him is overwhelming. I’ve done this before. Lots of times. But this time, it’s causing my heart to ache. “Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“What do you want to do with your life?” I ask quietly.
I’m sure he wasn’t expecting that question because I feel him tense up beside me. He just shrugs. “Don’t know really.”
“Oh, come on. You must have some idea.” He’s a very deep thinker, my Harry is. I look up at him wondering what’s going on in that wonderful mind of his. He’s trying to pick just the right words. He’s worrying that I will try and dissect everything he’s going to say. And he’d be right. That’s what I do. Bookworm Extraordinaire. That’s me.
He sighed (again). “Well, you know about my plans to go into Auror training.” I nod against his shoulder and loop my arm through his. That need to protect him is now stronger than ever. Being an Auror could be very dangerous! Hasn’t he had enough of that? I squeeze his arm gently, just to let him know that I am here. That I am listening to everything he says.
“Other than that, I hadn’t really thought about it.” He says, then bows his head. “Didn’t think I’d live this long, you know?" I tensed up beside him. The memory of him on the brink of death when they’d found him after the battle was as clear in my mind as the day it had happened. "That I had to actually come up with a plan for the rest of my life wasn't exactly top on my agenda.”
I wrap my other hand around his arm too and hold on for dear life. I hope he doesn’t feel me trembling. “Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you ever think about having a family someday?” I ask. How’s that for jumping right in there and going for it? A bit subtle, but I have confidence that he’ll figure it out. Won’t he?
“Um….” Oh, no. He’s tense again. I fear I may have caused the running away screaming to commence any moment. “Sure I do, I guess.” He says. “Not that I’d have any idea of how to do it.”
Oh, Harry. How little faith you have in yourself. A small chuckle escaped my lips. “I think you do.” I say. “I think you’d be a wonderful husband and father.” I let go of his arm and turn to face him. I’ve waited a long time to be this close to him. He’s probably thinking we are way too close now, but…oh, dear Merlin his lips...have they always been that…kissable? “Harry?”
He gulped loudly. “Yes, Hermione?” He has to know how I feel now! I’m way past the point of being obvious here! I’m all but coming out and shouting I love you, Harry! Oh, please tell me you know! But before I can form another coherent thought, before I can stop myself from doing something very un-Hermione-like, I’m kissing him. And I am now his slave. I know it. Anything he wants, I’ll give him. Anything he asks me to do, I’ll do. You want me to stop the sun from setting for you? No problem. You want me to stop the world from spinning? Sure! Absolutely, luv! Just say the word!
Needing to stop the quivering in my stomach, I pull away from him. Like that helped my stomach any. My lips are suddenly cold, I miss his warmth already. We’re just staring at each other now. “Hermione....”
I put a finger on his lips and smile. “We should get back and study.” I whisper.
Who am I kidding now? I don’t want to study! Did I just think that?!? Something must be wrong with me! Oh, yeah. I just kissed Harry, the secret love of my life, for the first time and it was everything I dreamed it could be. I want to do what Ginny suggested and drag him up to the astronomy tower and snog him until he can’t see straight! Isn’t studying is overrated anyway? N.E.W.T.s are evil! Oh, the look on his face is so pathetic. He must be thinking the same thing I am. I can’t help but giggle.
“Come on, Harry. Get up.” I say, reaching down for his hand. His beautiful hand. He lets out a dejected sigh and wraps his hand around mine. I pull him up and we start the long walk back towards the castle.
I don’t ever recall such an awkward silence between us. We can usually sit together and say nothing for hours and it’s never felt like this. What do you say to the man you’re in love with after you have just kissed him? I wonder if I should have let him make the first move. Oh well…too late to take it back now, right? But, he hasn’t run away screaming. So that’s definitely a good sign.
We reach the main doors and he pushes it open for me. As we pass the Great Hall on our way back to the library, he suddenly reaches down and takes my hand. I don’t even flinch. I don’t want him to think it wasn’t a welcome gesture. In fact, it’s taking all of my self control to not jump and down like a giddy school girl who has just realized that the boy she’s had a crush on for what seems like forever has just realized it—and feels the same way! Oh wait. That’s just happened. Hasn’t it?
I look up at him as we walk and smile the best smile I can muster. And it’s all for him. I hope he can see the love in my eyes. He grins back at me with that grin and gives my hand a little squeeze. Well, that was a nice unspoken answer to my unasked question. We are silent as we take our seats in the library, just like we were before this “break” started. I go immediately goes back to my book, writing down notes, and chewing on the end of my quill again.
And you know what? I can feel him staring at me.
A/N: Again, thanks for the wonderful feedback. I’m so glad the second chapter was so well-received. And by popular demand, here it is. The third and FINAL chapter. I hope it’s to everyone’s liking. We aim to please! More H/Hr fluffiness ahead!!
By the way, this chapter is dedicated to all of you H/Hr Shippers and PumpkinPie-ers. Is it just me, or can you just not get enough of that new Harry/Hermione press pic…sigh.
Tidbits: Seventh year. Nobody’s point of view this time. LOL!!
Happy Holidays to my new friends on Portkey!
Disclaimer: These wonderful characters belong to none other than the brilliant Goddess of the Harry Potter universe, JK Rowling. Thank you for creating such a wonderful world to play in!
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Chapter 3 – Is This Real?
“Harry?” He heard her voice but it seemed so far away. “Harry?” He jerked himself awake and picked his head up from his arm. His eyes blinked a few times before trying to focus on the sight before him. Even blurred by his horrible vision she was beautiful.
“Hey.” He said, sitting up, putting his glasses on.
She just grinned at him. “Time to go.”
“What?” He said, squinting at the clock. “What time is it?”
“Dinner time.” She said, picking up her book bag from the table and standing patiently by as he gathered his books and stuffed them in his backpack. She did notice how careful he was when putting away his quill, the one she had given him. “Ready?” He smiled and took her bag. “You don’t have to….”
“Shush.” He said, throwing it over his shoulder. She just shrugged and followed him from the library. After a quick dinner, they headed back to the common room. It was still deserted. “Must not be back from Hogsmeade yet.” He said, plopping down on the comfy sofa in front of the fireplace.
“It was a beautiful day for it.” She said quietly, sitting beside him. He looked over at her and noticed her attempt to look away before he caught her. Too late, luv. He saw her face flushing wildly and grinned.
Putting his head back against the couch, Harry closed his eyes and sighed. “So what did we get accomplished today?”
“Well, I got quite a bit done.” She said matter-of-factly. “You, on the other hand…what did you get done, Harry?”
“Not a bloody thing.” He said. “And at the moment, I don’t care.”
Hermione sighed and laid her head against his shoulder. Normally she would be scolding him for not studying enough, but she agreed wit him. At the moment, I don’t care. He looked down at her and without thinking, kissed the top of her head. She froze. “Harry?”
“Yeah?” He said, sounding suddenly very distant.
“I think we need to talk.” She said quietly.
He lifted his head and gently took her hand from her lap, lacing his fingers through hers. “Yeah, I’d say we do.” He said softly, lifting her chin with one of those beautiful fingers.
Oh, bloody hell…. Being forced to look into his magnificent green eyes, she felt herself falling, faster and faster, into the oblivion that was her Harry. She hadn’t realized just how close he suddenly was and her entire body began to tremble. She was not ready for this. “I….”
He shook his head as his hand moved from her chin to the side of her face, cupping it gently, his thumb softly caressing her cheek. “Don’t say anything.” He whispered, leaning in to kiss her. He wasn’t quite sure where all this bravery had come from, but at the moment, he was beyond caring.
Hermione froze up when their lips made contact. Was it because he had kissed her this time? That he had taken control of the situation before she had prepared herself for it? Perhaps because this kiss was a little more forceful than their first one had been? Whatever the case, it scared the hell out of her and she gently pushed him away. That coldness was back. The moment their lips parted, she felt empty and cold. She trembled harder as she quickly got up and stood beside the fire, wrapping her arms around her middle, not looking at him. “Hermione….”
“What are we doing, Harry?” She asked, her voice shaking as much as she was.
He stood up and moved to stand beside her. She took a step back from him. Now he was really worried. Had he scared her? He had just messed up any chance at all he might have had with her? Nice going, Romeo. You’ve terrified the poor girl. “Hermione….” He said, reaching out to her but she backed away.
She looked up at him and the tears in her eyes alarmed him. It felt like someone had punched him in the gut. He had made her cry. All these years he had sworn to brutally torture anyone who dared to upset so much to make her cry. And here she was crying…because of him. Let the self-torture begin, Potter. “Really?” She suddenly asked.
He was quiet for a moment while he contemplated the word. What did it mean? He had a vague idea. And his ideas had been wrong—so wrong—before. But he decided to take the chance and prayed to Merlin or whatever higher power there was in the universe that he was right. He nodded his head and grinned gently.
Before Harry knew what had happened, Hermione had flung herself on him and was holding onto him for all she was worth. As he wrapped his strong arms about her, he could feel her tiny body trembling and heard her sobbing into his chest. And he hated it. He hated himself for making her feel this way. Although, something told him that these tears weren’t tears of sadness.
Holding her tighter and rocking her gently, Harry buried his face in her hair. It was now or never. This was as close to a perfect moment as there ever would be. Saying another prayer to whomever the other one had been to, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He closed his eyes and threw all caution the wind. “I love you.” He whispered.
This only made Hermione cry harder, but something deep inside Harry knew it was okay. It was all okay. She seemed to pull herself against him tighter, like she was trying to become part of him. And it was all prefect and wonderful, but he really wished she’d stop crying. “Please say something.” He asked against her ear, all the while becoming very aware of the softness of her skin and the smell of vanilla in her hair.
She suddenly pulled away, but only far enough so she could look up at him. She never wanted to not be in his arms for as long as remained alive. “There’s only one thing I could possibly say right now.” She said, tears still steaming down her lovely face.
He frowned and reached out to wipe tears from her cheeks with this thumb. “And what would that be?” He asked quietly.
She smiled then, putting a hand on his cheek. “I love you, too.” She said in a quiet whisper.
Harry smiled. Not that smile. But a smile that melted her entire being. Her heart, her soul. A smile that was for her, and only for her. A smile that she would see every time they looked at each other. He pulled her against him and hugged her so tightly she was almost suffocating but she didn’t care. He rocked her back and forth for what seemed like forever.
He slowly pulled back and looked down at her. “No more tears, okay?” He asked, and she nodded, grinning shyly. “Except maybe on our wedding day. I’ll allow that.” She laughed with joy and suddenly grabbed his head, kissing him.
This kiss wasn’t at all like the chaste, gentle one they’d shared by the lake earlier that day, or even the one just a few minutes ago. This kiss was full of fiery passion that shook them both to their very cores. Hermione groaned in the pit of her throat when she felt his tongue running along her bottom lip, seeking entrance to her mouth. Which she gave to him gladly. Harry’s hands gripped her tiny waist as the kiss deepened, their tongues twirling around each other, tasting and exploring. It was a feeling that Harry never again wanted to be without.
They were so caught up in their own little world that they hadn’t heard the portrait door open and their group of friends come in. They all stood there watching the grand spectacle that was Harry and Hermione’s first kiss. Well, the first one they had seen anyway. Lavender, Parvati, Luna, and Ginny had tears in their eyes and had ridiculously happy grins on their faces. Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus were smiling from ear to ear. Oh, Harry was going to be teased unmercifully when they got him back up to their dorm.
Ron suddenly cleared his throat…loudly. Harry and Hermione jumped apart, both blushing flaming red when they saw their friends standing there. “Get a room, you two.” Ron said, and everyone in the room burst out in laughter. Everyone except the two of them. Hermione buried her face against Harry’s chest and he put a comforting arm around her. She was clearly embarrassed.
“Do you mind?” Harry said, aggravated that they had been interrupted.
“Do we mind what?” Seamus asked, raising a curious eyebrow at him. “This is the common room, not the astronomy tower.”
“Oh, ha ha.” Harry said, feeling Hermione stir against him. He loosened his arm from around her shoulder as she stood up straight. She looked at the group and noticed that her girlfriends were still standing there with looks of pure bliss on their faces. Suddenly, Ginny ran towards her, grabbed her hand, and dragged her towards the stairs. Lavender, Luna, and Parvati quickly followed. She looked back towards Harry with an I’m sorry look on her face then she disappeared up the stairwell.
He grinned and kicked the carpet at his feet. He felt the guys coming closer and he looked up. “What?” He asked, looking at his friends.
Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville all looked at each other, then Neville smiled at him. “It’s about time.” He said. Harry laughed and fell back on the couch.
“Come on.” Ron said. “Let’s play chess.” Harry just nodded and glanced up the stairs towards the dormitories. He sighed quietly and watched as Ron set up the chess board.
****************
As Harry regained consciousness, the only sound he heard was the fire crackling. He must have fallen asleep. Then, all at once, another sensation was realized. Someone was running their hands through his hair. And his head was lying on something much softer than the armrest of the couch. He opened his eyes and was looking up into the face of the girl—woman—he loved. “Hi.”
Hermione smiled. “Hi.” She said quietly.
He moved to sit up, but she put her hand gently on his shoulder. “Don’t get up.”
Harry looked around the room; they were alone. “What time is it?”
“It’s late.” She said quietly, looking down on him. Her face was gentle, her eyes full of love—love for him; he was sure he had found heaven on earth. His head was resting comfortably in her lap, her small hand was slowly running through his hair. Her other hand was resting gently on his stomach.
“Why are you up then?” He asked, concerned.
She smiled. “Once my interrogation was over, I came back down here to see if you were still up.” He laughed softly. “Everyone had gone to bed. But here you were asleep on the couch.”
“So how did it go?” He asked, stroking the hand on his stomach slowly.
“Oh, you know them.” Hermione said. “They wanted to know about every single second of what had happened today.” She paused and looked up at the fire. “They were all swooning.” Harry laughed. “Harry?”
Her voice was strange. It sounded different. There was a cadence to it that he couldn’t place. This wasn’t thoughtful Hermione, profound Hermione, or any other Hermione that he had come to know over the years. This was Hermione in love. And it was a Hermione that he wanted to keep as close as possible to him for the rest of his life. “Yeah?”
She looked back down at him and her eyes shined with tears. “Is this real?”
Harry smiled and sat up. He put his hand on her cheek and pulled her face around to his. Their lips met in a slow, gentle kiss, and full of love and the promises of things to come. When he pulled back, she saw that his eyes were shining, too. “Oh, yeah, this is real.” He whispered.
She smiled and fell against him. He held her tightly as he lay down on the couch, taking her down with him. She was snuggled between the back of the couch and his warm body, her head resting against his chest. And she wanted to stay there forever. “Go to sleep, Mione.” He said, gently stroking her back. She closed her eyes as she listened to sound of his heart beat.
Is this real? Bloody hell it is. Harry’s face relaxed into a slight smile as he drifted off to sleep, the woman he loved wrapped in his arms.