Author's note - everything in italics is a memory/flashback…
I realised I didn't put a disclaimer at the start of this - suffice to say I own nothing, thought of nothing and will forever bow down to the abilities of J K Rowling!
Chapter Two - New Beginnings
"Come on! We've got to get going, the portkey is only activated for a few moments on the hour!" Harry yelled up the stairs towards the Headgirls bedroom.
"I'm coming! I've just got to get a few more books into my trunk!" Hermione yelled back.
The next thing she knew she was on the bed that she and Harry had shared over the last months. She wasn't alone either; Harry had snuck up behind her and pulled her down onto the bed - muffling any protests by kissing her deeply.
"Hermione, as much as I would both love to watch you pack all your books, something you are doing simply because you can't bear to think of the house-elves doing for you, we have to get going!" Harry attempted to say with a hint of anger in his voice.
Hermione looked back into his deep green eyes and said "And do you think this will speed matters along?"
Harry had absent mindly started to stroke the small of Hermione's back and had moved his lips down to her neck, where he was gently nibbling his way towards her collarbone.
"Well…no…but…it helps distract you from the fact that I've just sent your trunk down to the house elves…" Harry mumbled as he ran his fingers up and down her bare forearm, still gently kissing her neck.
"Harry!" Hermione tried to protest, but again was silenced by Harry kissing her. This was it; this was when she truly felt relaxed. Having him so near, so attentive, so loving - she was able to clear her mind of any fears for the future that still lingered.
"I love you" she said, stroking the back of his head.
"I love you too" he replied, smiling and pulling her to her feet, "and my love will be even more for you once we've got to that portkey and got to where we supposed to be going!"
"And where exactly is it that we're going?" Hermione enquired
Smiling, Harry replied "We're going to a place where I can finally…" but he stopped, "No, not getting it out of me that easily!"
"You're a nightmare, Harry Potter! If I didn't love you so much…come on, let's get going." Hermione replied, attempting to frown, but failing badly when Harry grinned at her.
The school had been practically deserted, most students had already left. Hermione was quite annoyed as Ron had left hours ahead of them and she hadn't had a chance to say goodbye. She knew she'd be seeing him again, but thought that on their last ever day at school he might have stuck around. She realised that, in fact, most of their year had left early - and she'd barely had a chance to say her goodbyes. Suddenly her need to pack all those books seemed unimportant.
"Harry, do you think we'll see everyone again?" she said as they walked hand in hand towards the Great Hall.
"I'm sure we will. Everyone was so busy packing today it all seemed to go in a blur, didn't it?" Harry smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly
"It did, I didn't even get a chance to see Ron before he left." Hermione said
"Ron? Oh I wouldn't worry too much - I've a feeling we'll see him very soon." Harry said.
They arrived at the Great Hall to find Professor McGonagall waiting by the saucepan that was to be their portkey.
"Ah Harry, Hermione - you're here just in time. The portkey is about to activate and you've only got a few minutes to use it." smiled Professor McGonagall
"Is Professor Dumbledore not here?" enquired Hermione
"I'm afraid not, he was called away on urgent business. He wishes you both well, and asked me to assure you he would see you soon." replied the professor
Hermione looked at Harry and saw that he looked disappointed not to see his mentor before he left Hogwarts. Deep down she felt a little bit of anger towards Dumbledore, she couldn't understand how he hadn't waited to see Harry.
"That's ok" said Harry, smiling "I'll give him a few short words when we catch up!"
"The time has arrived," said the Professor, "the portkey is activated, and it's time for you to leave Hogwarts for the last time."
The emotions inside of Hermione came bubbling to the surface and she enveloped a slightly shocked Professor McGonagall in a tight hug and said goodbye. Professor McGonagall fixed her gaze on Hermione and said,
"Take care of him Hermione. He deserves a rest now, love him well."
Hermione was slightly taken aback by the Professors sudden openness but she smiled and said,
"Don't worry, I will…I promise."
Harry blushed slightly and took Hermione's hand.
"Time to go," he said, "Ready?"
"Ready" said Hermione
Harry took the saucepan and Hermione felt the familiar tug as they started on their journey. It took them no time at all to reach their destination, but Hermione never did manage to travel well by portkey and arrived by falling straight forward and found herself face down in thick, deep grass.
She pulled herself to her feet and looked around to see where Harry had bought her. She was amazed at what she saw, and felt blindly around her for Harry's hand. She found it and turned to him,
"I don't understand…"
The memories were strong now and Hermione knew what it meant. Her mind was sorting her life out, filtering everything into place. She'd listened to Harry, only hours before, describing what she was now thinking.
Again she scanned the faces around her. A mix of emotions ran through her.
"Michael, can you get me the photo album? You know the one."
Michael went straight to Hermione's bedside cabinet and pulled out a leather bound book, thick with photos.
"Now, all of you - inside this book is the story of our lives. It's the story of this family from the very beginning. It traces back to Harry's parents and their wedding, Harry's birth, our wedding, the birth of our children, their marriages, and their children and so on. You must all keep building this book, always teach the children about their beginnings. Teach them about Harry."
"Don't worry Mum, we've already started" smiled Catherine as she took her mothers hand in hers.
"I need to remember, I need to see it again" Hermione said quietly as she turned the pages
"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione asked as she looked around.
"I wanted to bring you here to ask you something. Something important." Harry replied, looking slightly nervous
"But, we're at The Burrow?" said Hermione
"We are indeed. I view this as my family home, it's a place that's important to me and therefore, I hope, important to you." replied Harry
"Of course it is, Harry. I'm just a little confused." Said Hermione, increasing the grip on his hand
"I can end that confusion." Harry smiled
As he said this Harry dropped to one knee and gently took both of Hermione's hands in his.
"Hermione, I love you more than I thought possible. You've helped me through so much and never doubted me. You're the one I want to grow old with, have a family with - live a normal life with. Hermione, will you marry me?"
Hermione gazed at the man she loved kneeling before her.
"Harry, without any doubt...I'm sorry" she stumbled for words, making Harry a little nervous, "Oh Harry, without any doubt I will marry you. I want to grow old with you too, I want to show you what a family really is - I love you so much."
Harry leapt to his feet and to Hermione's complete surprise did a small dance on the spot and then pulled her into a hug and kissed her very gently.
"Always, Hermione. You'll have me for always."
"Always seems perfect to me"
"Hermione, there's one other question I need to ask you."
Without moving from her, without releasing his gentle grip from her, Harry leaned in and whispered,
"Hermione, will you marry me today? Right here?"
"How? Harry?" whispered Hermione
Behind them they both heard a gentle cough and they turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing at the entrance to the Burrow.
"I think I can answer that question Miss Grainger." Dumbledore said, smiling, "Would you both like to some through to the garden?"
Hermione looked at Harry who now winked at her, and suddenly everything was fitting into place.
"Harry Potter, you've planned all this haven't you? You've been keeping a secret from me!" said Hermione, playfully slapping Harry on the arm
"I have, but it will be worth it. Now do you have an answer for me? Will you marry me here, today?" he smiled and held both her hands again, his eyes searching hers.
"Of course I will Harry." replied Hermione, leaning into him and giving him a chaste kiss.
They followed Dumbledore through the entrance to the Burrow and Hermione noticed how quiet the house was, assuming the Weasleys had gone on holiday once Ron had got home from Hogwarts.
Stepping out into the garden Hermione realised how much of a secret Harry had been keeping from her. As soon as they both appeared an almighty cheer rang out. Hermione scanned the garden and realised that the entire departing year from Gryffindor were standing in the Weasleys back garden! Not only that but she saw her parents, the Weasleys and most of the staff from Hogwarts.
"She said yes then, mate?" yelled Ron above the noise
Harry grinned at Ron and nodded his head, squeezing Hermione's hand.
"Harry, I don't think you'll ever fail to amaze me." said Hermione
"I do my best" he chuckled, "Now, you have to go and get ready. Are you ok with this?"
"More than you can imagine, Harry. I can't wait to be your wife." beamed Hermione
"Then I'll see you back here in an hour, Miss Grainger" Harry said and kissed her on the cheek.
Hermione's parents came over and her mother started talking excitedly about the dress that was being prepared. She was saying how amazed she was that it could be magically altered to any design that Hermione wanted. Hermione turned and looked at Harry as she walked away with her parents to get ready, amazed at how much love she felt for him at that one moment.
Hermione opened her eyes and looked across at the picture on the far bedroom wall. Beaming back at her was Harry, standing next to her on their wedding day. Surrounding them was all their family and friends, all waving at the camera. Hermione's parents looked a little bemused in the picture, standing quite still, as was the muggle way when a picture was taken. The sequence in the picture always ended the same, with Harry turning to Hermione, taking her face gently in his hands and kissing her. What the picture didn't show was the surge of love that both Harry and Hermione felt in that one kiss.
Hermione smiled and turned back to the photo album.
"Do you, Harry James Potter take Hermione Jane Grainger to be your wife? Will you protect and honour her, love and cherish her for the rest of your years?" intoned Dumbledore
"I will" said Harry
"And will you, Hermione Jane Grainger take Harry James Potter to be your husband? Will you protect and honour him, love and cherish him for the rest of your years?" Dumbledore addressed to Hermione
"I will" said Hermione
"You must both understand that the wizard bond of marriage is much stronger than those of our muggle friends. To join you together today binds your souls for eternity. You will always have one another; you will always find each other if lost. Time will not be able to separate you. The bond will fail for those that are not meant to be together." Dumbledore said to them both
"Do you, Harry, wish to bond with Hermione for eternity?"
"I do" replied Harry
"And Hermione, do you wish to bond with Harry for eternity?"
"I do" replied Hermione
"Then it shall be so" said Dumbledore. As he spoke a blue light began to surround both Harry and Hermione. "The light represents your souls, their merging together, the bonding of love"
The feeling was so intense that Hermione instinctively reached for Harry's hand, who took it and gently caressed her cheek with his other. Harry smiled and whispered,
"I'll love you forever, Hermione."
Hermione felt tears start to fall down her cheeks and looked towards Dumbledore, who now announced,
"The bonding is complete, I pronounce you husband and wife, wizard and witch. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you - The Potters"
Another rousing cheer erupted in the garden and Harry and Hermione found themselves enveloped in hugs from everybody.
"Right, time for the celebration feast!" shouted Ron
"I'd never of thought it would be you to announce that Ron!" laughed Harry
"Mate, all this secret keeping and sneaking around gives a man an appetite - let's eat!" replied Ron as he slapped Harry on the back and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
They'd eaten a great feast and danced late into the evening. Both Harry and Hermione went from group to group of people receiving gifts and congratulations. More than once the comment was passed "Always knew it, always knew you two were meant to be together!"
As the evening drew to an end Harry took Hermione's hand and led her to a quieter spot in the garden. They sat under a large willow tree and Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione, pulling her close to him under the night sky.
"Happy?" he asked
Hermione stroked Harry's arms that were encircled around her and replied,
"More than happy. Thank you for today, it was beautiful."
"I was so nervous you know. Deep down I knew you'd say yes, but wow…that was some scary moment when I asked you to marry me!" grinned Harry
"You hid the nerves well! Anymore tricks up you sleeve, or can I relax now?" giggled Hermione
"There's one more thing we need to do." replied Harry, with a slightly mischievous grin.
"Harry James Potter, I'll have you know I'm a married woman now! I must behave in the appropriate manner." said Hermione with an equally mischievous grin "What would it be that you, my husband, is suggesting?"
"My love, I've got one more place to take you. Are you ready to go?" whispered Harry
Hermione looked back at the group of people at their reception, and said,
"Let's go, I don't feel I can say goodbye to everybody - I've cried enough today. We'll do a whirlwind tour of everybody when we get back. Now, where might it be we'll be getting back from?"
"Ssshh," said Harry, gently placing a finger to Hermione's lips, "You must have realised by now that today I am master of the secrets."
Hermione giggled and nuzzled into Harry's neck,
"Ok then Mr Potter, lead on to the next surprise."
Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a small key.
"It's a portkey that's been designed to only activate when we both hold it, it's going to take us to the first stop of our Honeymoon." smiled Harry
Taking a deep breathe in preparation for the familiar journey, Hermione took hold of the key and immediately they both felt themselves being pulled towards their new destination.
This time Hermione managed to stay on her feet and looked around at her new surroundings.
"Do you like it?" asked Harry, sounding concerned
"Oh Harry, it's perfect. It's beautiful"
They'd arrived in the most wonderfully decorated room. There was a fire flickering in the grate, with two plump armchairs on either side. Set on a table by the chairs was a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Further back in the room was a large four-poster bed, with deep red covers and velvet cushions.
"Harry, where are we?" asked Hermione
"Well, believe it or not, we're in the Leaky Cauldron!" laughed Harry
"I had no idea they had rooms like this! This is amazing" said Hermione, still gazing around the room
"I saw it about a week ago, I knew it would be perfect." said Harry as went over to the table and began to open the Champagne. He poured some into the two glasses and he turned towards Hermione, handing her a glass. He looked rather serious as he did and said,
"Hermione, I know we've waited before…er…before we…went further with our relationship. I've loved sharing a bed with you over these last few months at Hogwarts, more than anything I've just loved the feel of you so close to me as you've slept." Hermione noticed that Harry was getting increasingly nervous the more he spoke. "But, and I'll understand if this is too sudden for you, what with the wedding being sprung on you and everything. What I'm now trying to ask you is…"
Hermione stopped Harry from talking by pulling him close and kissing him. If the truth were told Harry was quite relived that she'd done it as he'd been starting to babble.
"Harry, I know exactly what you're asking. It's not too sudden and I can't think of a more perfect ending to this day than for us to make love for the first time."
"Oh…" started Harry, but thought better of attempting to speak again, and instead took Hermione's hand and lead her over to the bed. Hermione giggled nervously as she tried not to spill the Champagne she still had clutched in her free hand.
"Do you think the Champagne can wait?" Harry said
Hermione set her glass down on the bedside table and smiled at Harry. Nodding slowly she leaned forward and kissed him.
Harry eased her down onto the bed and whispered,
"Love you"
Hermione looked deeply into his eyes,
"Love you too"
That night they made love for the first time. As they made love they felt their new connection growing stronger, both physically and emotionally.
As they lay in each others arms, strangely neither feeling the need for sleep, Hermione said,
"You really are full of surprises, that was wonderful." whispered Hermione
"We're meant to be together Hermione; it makes it even more perfect. I'm so sorry for keeping you at a distance for all those years. You understand why I had to?"
"First I thought you were just being stubborn, but yes, I grew to understand why. Although I didn't really understand my feelings then, my love for you was growing. I can't even begin to describe the fear I felt when you were in battle with Voldemort. I was so glad to see you that day in the hospital wing…that was the day we finally admitted our true feelings." said Hermione, as she ran her fingers over Harry's chest.
"The moment I defeated Voldemort I knew I had to find you. I had to tell you every thought that had been growing louder in my head. I felt so free at that moment, and I finally understood exactly what I was feeling. I think what I felt for you played a strong part in my being able to defeat Voldemort. My love for you." replied Harry
"Oh Harry, yours is quite a story. I'll do everything in my power to make the future a brighter one, filled with love and happiness." said Hermione, sealing her words with a deep kiss and pulling Harry closer.
"I guarantee the future will be brighter, my love" whispered Harry as he smiled at his wife. "In the meantime, let me show you how much I love you…" he muttered huskily as he pulled Hermione closer and they moved deeper into the night, sharing their love for one another.