A/N: Ok, this chapter is full of flashbacks. (They're all in italics) Gonna get a lot of back-story in this one. More questions will be answered in the next chapter.
Sorry it took so long to get this one posted. Computer froze and I lost a lot of it before saving it (I was mere seconds from doing it!). Chapter 3 is in the works, so be looking for it sometime over the weekend. *Crossing my fingers and knocking on wood*
As always, please review! It means the world to me!
*****
Once we got to Hogwarts, everything seemed so familiar. I mean, sure, we work here (Harry as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor - naturally - and I as the new Head Librarian), but when we're here out of our daily routines, it feels like we were students again.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks. I must have gotten quiet again.
"A lot of things. Mostly what got us here."
"Well, that certainly is a lot of things," he agrees.
"Yes," I whisper, still lost in my thoughts.
"Tell you what, why don't you wait here, and I'll go get us lunch from the kitchens. I'm sure Dobby and Winky will be happy to provide!" Harry says.
"Harry!" I scold.
He knows exactly what I'm getting at. He holds up two sickles and smiles. "It's all they'll take, I guarantee!"
I return the smile and he heads towards the castle.
I sit down on the soft grass and stare out at the lake. So peaceful. Exactly like it was in our sixth year …
*Flashback*
"Hermione, can't you just be reckless for once?" Harry begged.
"Harry, what is so special about the lake right now? It'll be dark soon! And we're missing the Halloween feast!" Hermione whined.
"It's the sunset, it's beautiful! Just work with me on this!"
"Ok, ok. Do you have the map and the cloak, just in case?"
"Never leave home without them!" he said with the grin that never failed to make her melt. She had hidden her feelings for so long that she didn't know how much longer she could keep up the façade.
"Fine, let's go," she relented.
Once out by the lake, Hermione saw what Harry was so desperate for her to find. There were candles, soft music playing from … somewhere and a beautiful picnic set up on the shore.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "What is all of this?"
"This is a very special date. Do you know what today is?"
"Halloween. I mean, historically it's the time where -"
"Hermione, think harder," he interrupted.
"Oh, Harry. Today is the day you saved me from the troll! The night we became friends."
"The night we became best friends. Hermione, since that night, you've never been out of my life … or my heart. Lately, I've really been putting some thought into it. My feelings for you are changing."
Hermione could feel her breath catch in her throat. It was beginning to make more sense now.
"Ever since I almost lost you in the Department of Mysteries, I knew I could never lose you again. That's when I knew things were changing. I think it happened much earlier than that even, maybe when you kissed me at the train station." Hermione blushed at this. "But I knew it that night. I couldn't function until Neville told me you had a pulse. My life stopped at the notion that you could be … well, anyway. I don't want to go any further in my life without telling you how much you mean to me. I don't know what love is, Hermione. No one has ever really showed me what it is until I met you. I know I care for you so much that it hurts and that I never want to be apart from you. So, tell me, is it love?"
"Yes, Harry, it is. Do you know how long I've been dreaming that you would say that to me?"
"A long time?" he asked remorsefully.
"It doesn't matter," she replied, putting a finger to his lips. All that matters is now. This is beautiful, Harry! How did you pull it all off?"
"Dobby and Winky helped."
"Harry!" she scolded.
"Don't worry! I paid them each a sickle. It's all they would take!"
Hermione smiled. He had already thought of how she would react. He did love her. Her dreams were coming true.
"Harry, I love you. This is so wonderful. It means the world to me!"
"I love you too, Hermione. I never thought I could be so happy. So, would you like to eat?"
"In a bit. Right now, I want you to dance with me."
"D-dance? With you?" Harry stammered.
"Well, I could go get Ron, but I thought I would make an ok partner."
"Yes, well, a much better partner, indeed, but Hermione … I don't know how to dance," he mumbled with embarrassment.
"That's no problem. I'll be happy to teach you. Come here," she softly instructed.
And the rest of the night was spent dancing, eating and cuddling in each other's arms. And right before the perfect evening ended, Harry leaned over and tenderly kissed Hermione's lips. It was a kiss full of true love. And it was then that Harry knew he would defeat Voldemort … for her.
*End Flashback*
Hermione stared at the diamond that sparkled from her left hand. It really was exquisite. Harry had excellent taste, or an excellent helper, either way. And it was at this spot that he asked her to be his wife. But that moment had a terrifying and potentially devastating beginning.
*Begin flashback*
It was one year after Hogwarts' class of 1998 had graduated. Everyone was surprised that Voldemort had not taken a single opportunity that year to attack. In fact, it was a very quiet year. It left everyone on edge.
Because of this, Ron, Harry and Hermione were busy preparing for what would literally be the fight of their lives. Harry insisted that neither of them come to the actual battle with Voldemort, but that they should know how to take care of themselves in the fight that would ensue around him.
They spent this time honing skills that had built over years of horrific moments that claimed the lives of loved ones around them.
Finally, it happened. The final battle had begun. Dumbledore flooed to the flat. He had come to collect Harry, reluctantly allowing Hermione and Ron to follow.
Harry walked to a chest of drawers, removed a small package and placed it in his pocket. Dumbledore then led them all to Hogwarts.
It was all happening by the lake. Somehow, Voldemort and his followers had gotten in and were attacking from there. Harry ran to find the nemesis that had cost him so much, while his friends held off the Death Eaters that tried to block his path. Hermione expertly followed him, while keeping up the impression of battling henchmen.
Curses flew through the air, leaving the sky as colorful as a fireworks show. It would have been beautiful, if not for the evil behind it all.
Once Harry found Voldemort, the course of destiny began. Someone would lose this fight and Harry would be damned if it was going to be him. He dodged, ducked, dipped, and dove away from every hex fired at him. He shot back valiantly with every spell in his arsenal that wasn't Unforgivable.
He was getting tired. Tom Riddle was slowing, but something seemed to keep giving him strength. It must have been his Death Eaters feeding him with hate. That's when it occurred to Harry what it would take to help him win this war. The power he knew not … it was love. It was what was giving Harry strength the whole time, now he just needed to tap into it a little more.
Harry dodged another curse and rolled behind a huge rock where he came face to face with Hermione.
"Hermione!" Harry whispered with shock. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to be with you! I can't let you do this alone!"
"The hell you can't! Get out of here!"
"No! You need me. I'll just be your strength. Please, Harry!" she begged.
He had no choice but to let her stay. If Voldemort didn't know she was there now, he certainly would if she got up to leave.
"Fine, but Hermione, please stay right here."
She nodded, trying to keep the tears back. "I love you. Come back to me."
"I promise. I love you too much not to."
They shared a passionate kiss, praying that it wouldn't be their last.
Harry leapt out from behind the rock, hoping to draw Riddle away from it - and Hermione.
"Potter, I do wish we could get this over with. Don't you think 18 years of this dance is getting old?" Riddle asked sarcastically.
"As a matter of fact, I do, Tom. I'd love to finish you off right now."
Voldemort laughed maniacally. "Of course, of course. There's that Gryffindor courage I always knew you had. It'll do you no good here, though. You're time on this earth is getting short. You'll be with that mudblood mother of yours soon. Do you hear her calling for you?"
A series of hexes were fired at Harry from behind just then and Hermione took action, putting up a shield around Harry and stunning all three of the Death Eaters that took cheap shots at Harry.
"Well, well. What do we have over there? Do I smell mudblood? I thought I did. Come out, come out!" Voldemort said as he wandered closer to Harry and subsequently Hermione.
Hermione froze. She had blown her cover. Now what?
"You just stay right there, Riddle. This is between you and I!" Harry screamed.
"Come now, Harry, when have you ever known me to fight fair?" Riddle sneered. "Accio, Granger!"
Suddenly, Hermione was flying through the air at Voldemort. Harry summoned all the magical energy he had to break the spell. Hermione landed ungracefully on her bum right in between the two enemies who were mere feet apart.
She got up and ran to Harry.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"It's ok. We're going to win this," he quietly replied. "We just need faith."
Just then, a beautiful melody filled the air. It was Fawkes, and he was carrying something.
He dropped a ragged package at Harry's feet and flew to the top of the highest visible tree.
"It's the sorting hat!" Harry cried. He picked the hat up and noticed a familiar shine from within it.
"Not that again. Haven't we played this game before?" Voldemort asked with boredom dripping from his voice.
"You know what they say, Tom," Harry said as he drew Gryffindor's sword from within the hat. "Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it!"
Hermione then laid a hand upon Harry's arm for support. They both glowed a brilliant shade of white, stunning Riddle for a second. Harry took that moment to lunge the sword at his evil foe, stabbing him through the heart.
Screams filled the air as Tom Riddle took his last breath. His followers seemed to have felt the pain as well. Most of them fell and died with their master.
Harry and Hermione seemed glued to the spot. They just kept staring at the lifeless body of Voldemort.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry you had to see that," Harry said, with a sob in his voice.
"Harry, don't you understand? I was meant to be here. It was both of us that conjured the power to defeat him. It was our love."
Love. Just then, Harry was jarred from his stupor.
"You know, Mione. I think you're right. That's why I have something to ask you." Harry dropped to one knee and Hermione gasped.
"Mione, I've never felt stronger than I do when I'm with you and I think we just proved that. I've almost lost you too many times now and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love you." He reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out the small box he retrieved before they left and opened it. "So, I know it's not the most romantic setting ever, but Hermione Jane Granger, would you marry me?"
"Oh, Harry. Of course I will!"
Harry jumped to his feet, picked Hermione up and swung her around.
"Really? You mean it?" he asked.
Hermione saw traces of the little boy locked under the stairs in his eyes and she instantly began to tear up.
"Yes, Harry, really. Provided you ever get that ring on my finger!"
"Oh! Right!" Harry said, blushing. He took the ring from the box and slid it easily onto her finger.
"Oh, it's beautiful! Harry, where did you get it?"
"Sirius. It was my mum's. She left it to him to give to me whenever I found my soulmate. He agreed with me a while ago that it should go to you."
Hermione really let the tears go then. She noticed that there was a ruby and a sapphire on either side of the diamond.
"Harry, our birthstones are on this as well," she said.
"Yeah, special feature of the ring, I'm told. The stones on either side will transform into whatever the birthstones of the couple are. It was strange, they turned as soon as Sirius handed it to me." He looked deep into her eyes. "I'm sorry that this is a lousy location to propose, but I needed to ask you. I wanted to wait until after the war was finished in case … well, in case things didn't turn out in our favor."
"Harry, it was perfect. You just proved to me that our love can literally conquer anything. And I am lucky enough to be your future wife because of it. I love you, Harry Potter. I love you with everything I am."
"Hermione, I am the luckiest man on the earth. I have you."
He bent down to kiss her -
"Bloody hell, you two! Can't even wait 'til we get back to the castle?" Ron yelled as he came into view. He was limping because of a huge cut on his leg and it looked like he had a black eye, but he was alive.
Harry and Hermione beamed at their friend. They had all made it. They were all alive. Harry couldn't have been happier.
Just then, he felt very woozy.
"Harry? Are you ok?" Hermione asked.
"Mate, you don't look so good," Ron agreed.
"I'm fine. I just need -"
"Harry!" Hermione screamed as her new fiancé fell to the ground.
Three days later, Harry woke in the hospital wing.
"Hermione?" he whispered, trying to look around, but finding it very difficult to move much. He then noticed a mass of brown curls next to him. "Mione," he tried again with a raspy voice.
She raised her head and found those emerald eyes she loved so desperately staring at her.
"Harry! You're awake!" she cried.
"What happened? Where am I?"
"You're in Hogwarts, the hospital wing. We brought you here right after the battle. You passed out after we won."
"We won? He's gone?"
"He's dead. It's over. Madame Pomfrey wasn't sure when you would wake up. You drained almost all your energy on defeating him. Oh, Harry, I was so worried!" she said as she threw herself onto him in an embrace
"Oi, Hermione! You're going to crush him!" Ron said as he came into the room. He was limping a bit from the bandages on his injured leg, but otherwise, he was the same wisecracking Ron.
"She can crush me if she wants. I don't mind," Harry said.
"Whipped already," Ron sighed.
"Yeah, but I think I'll keep her," Harry joked.
"Hey! Sorry, Potter, but your stuck with me!" Hermione said, raising her left hand to show the ring.
"Ugh, that ring! She hasn't taken it off! No one is allowed near it! She's threatened to hex people that try!" Ron said with his "annoy Hermione" tone.
"That is not true!" Hermione said as she started into a Ron-induced tirade. Harry began to tune out the world at that point and think about things. His best friends were bickering as usual. Voldemort was dead. They were alive and he was engaged to the most wonderful woman in the world. All was finally right.
"And you listen here, Ronald Weasley …" was all Harry heard before sleep finally consumed him again.
Once Hermione noticed that Harry went back to sleep, she shushed Ron and finished working on her plans for the library.
*End Flashback*
"Hello! Earth to Hermione!" I hear Harry calling. I must have been really caught up in my thoughts.
"Sorry. I guess I was in my own little world. Just thinking of how many different moments we had at this spot."
"True. You said you'd be my girlfriend in this spot. And my wife," he added.
"Leave it to you to omit the defeat of an evil wizard hell-bent on world domination."
"Well, I'm a modest man. It's one of my greater characteristics. I don't like to talk about it."
"Modesty … yes, right. If you say so, love. If you say so."
"Hey! I don't have to share this lunch that I so rightfully paid for, you know!" Harry says with mock indignation. And then I notice that his eyes have that mischievous glow that I know he must have inherited from his father. This won't be good. "And if you're going to be mean, Miss Granger, then I'll be forced to send the tickle-monster after you," he says as he's instantly tickling my sides. Bloody Seeker reflexes.
"Alright! I give! You win!" I shout in between giggles and gasps for air. Men.
"Ok, can we enjoy our meal in peace now?" he asks, sounding completely serious.
"If you can play nice, then so can I," I tell him.
"Oh, I can play nice…" he says, waggling his eyebrows.
"Mr. Potter!" I yell, adopting my best McGonagall voice. "I will not have such lecherous behavior!"
"Mrs. Potter to be!" he begins, sounding a bit like McGonagall, Dumbledore and Sirius all combined. Then he finishes in his own voice, "Don't knock it 'til you try it."
"Remind me why I agreed to marry you?"
"Because you love me! You love my boyish charms, my roguish good looks and my super phenomenal powers."
"Actually, it's none of those things," I inform him. "If you really must know, I love you for everything that doesn't make you famous. I love you for the look you get in your eyes when I enter the room. I love you for the way you'll hold me when I'm scared of the storm outside. I love you for everything you would be even if Voldemort was nothing more than a character in a book." I pause and see the love in his eyes. And since I am an honorary Marauder, I add, "Besides, chicks dig scars."
This sends him into a fit of laughter. I love when he laughs. Makes me feel like I'm helping to erase what those awful Dursleys did to him.
"Mione, I love you for what you can do for me," he says. "You always know exactly what I'll need, even before I do. I can't believe that you actually fell in love with me."
"Harry, there's no one else I could remotely love. Besides, I need someone to stand up with me against the wedding monsters."
"Don't worry about them. We've handled worse."
"You're comparing Emily and Molly to Dementors and dark lords?"
"Not exactly, but it seems to me that after all of that, a wedding shouldn't be too bad, right?" he asks, with the slightest twinge of doubt in his voice.
"Right. We can do this," I agree.
My fiancé stood up the most evil man in history; he can take Molly and Emily … right?
***
A/N: Gold stars to anyone who can find two movie lines hidden in this chapter!
Also, I don't know if current Riddle would know what happened in the Chamber of Secrets, but lets imagine that he did, ok? ;)