The day before everyone left Grimmauld Place back for school and their respective homes, Harry sat alone in his suite. Hermione had just left for a shower and he knew the adjacent room was still occupied. He slipped on his bathrobe and lightly knocked on the door.
"Eileen? Can I come in for a moment?"
He heard some rustling from the other side and some muffled voices."
"I need to speak to Jake too, if he's there."
"Ok, Harry."
He opened the door to find Eileen still under the covers, and Jake had obviously dressed quickly, now he was wearing her bathrobe. Harry smirked at their shared predicament before he started. "Jake, I need to ask you to do something. Hermione can't know, and I'll make sure Dumbledore agrees."
"What, you want me to kill some one?" He joked.
"No, nothing like that, yet. It's her parents. I'd feel better if someone Voldemort doesn't know watched over them, just in case he tried something. They can't know you're there; it may give you away. I'll have Dumbledore make some arrangements for you nearby."
"Look, Harry, he's got other people like you watching them and your family."
"True, however, Voldemort knows them all. I believe that gives you an edge. We'll get you pictures of those we know work for him. An added detail is I don't believe they are as well versed in firearms, since they are outlawed here."
"Have you talked to Hermione about this?" Eileen asked.
Harry shook his head in reply. "No, I think the fewer people that know the better. So far only the three of us know. I'll ask Dumbledore so there will only be four that know. And don't tell her I asked you, I really don't want her to be concerned."
"Sure. Since it'll make you feel better, I'll keep an eye on them, and they won't know I'm out there. Looks like I can put that training I got from Uncle Sam to good use."
Harry looked slightly puzzled at his comment, but largely ignored it and let out a sigh of relief. He knew Order members were watching any one that may be targets. "Thank you, Jake. I know you will do everything you can. It makes me feel a bit better. I'd best get back."
He returned to his room just as she was stepping out of the shower. He had one more errand to complete that day before everyone left, and he needed to do it without her.
Shortly after the Christmas holidays, they found themselves alone in their common room. Ron was out with Luna. Harry and Hermione were both happy that Ron had found happiness.
Each stolen minute they had together was more precious then the last. They knew they couldn't express more then the emotional bond they have built or openly show their feelings. That night, in each other's arms they were almost caught asleep in the common room when Ron returned. If it wasn't for her forethought to leave a stack of books open on the table next to them, the situation could have been worse.
"Hey you two get a room…"
"Huh, oh, Ron. We were, umm, reading advanced spell blocking when we both kinda nodded off."
"Yeah, right" he muttered under his breath.
"I thought you and Luna were… planning on a late night."
"Yeah, we were, but Filch was on the prowl. Besides, those benches outside are bloody COLD! If only Luna wasn't in Ravenclaw we could have met here."
"Ummm, yea, we all could have had a go at some counter-curses for the DA…" Hermione tried to change the subject.
"Well… maybe we should have gone to the Room of Requirement instead of the gardens. Night Harry, Hermione…" Ron turned upstairs to his room, but the smirk on his face made the two wonder if the Fidelius Charm was still working.
"Night Ron."
"Yeah, I'm going to turn in too in a bit." Harry added.
Hermione waited 'til the door shut. "That was close, we either have to tell him or be more careful."
"I'd rather be careful, I want you safe, I want you happy, I… just…want you…"
"Harry, I want you too, I need you."
He pulled her back into his arms, leaned into her and softly caressed her shoulder with his lips. His strong arms gently held her as to say 'I'll never let you go'. His hands wandered over her firm body, as a moan of their passion escaped her lips. They both felt the frustration of the situation and yearned to finally relieve the tension. She ran her fingers through his hair as she's done hundreds of times since the summer. In her mind she's ready for him, and he's ready for her, but… but this is not the time, they both knew their passion must wait. If they consummate their love, there could be dire consequences. That strong of a force could reveal them.
A tear formed in the corner of her eye as she lay there with him. She was ready and willing, again. He made his choice again, an adult choice. At seventeen, they were both physically ready and willing, and the emotional bond they forged would last their life time, however long or short that may be. At seventeen, they were ready, but past experience has taught at least one of them patience.
The next month sped by without event, and in the privacy of the common room, Harry and Hermione cuddled for a few minutes of peace and quite.
"Harry, the Valentine's dance is next week. I know we can't let anyone know, but I'd be extremely jealous if you went with someone else. Were you planning on going?"
"Well, I thought about it, and there was someone I was going to ask, but I don't know how to ask her."
"WHAT? You were going to go without me? HOW COULD YOU?"
"Relax; do you REALLY think I'd go out with someone else? I wanted to ask you but I know we can't go as a couple."
"Stupid git…" She pushed him off the sofa.
"I guess I deserve that." He stood and sat next to her, lacing his arms around her waist. "Um, Hermione? I want to let Ron in on our secret. Not telling him is killing me. He really deserves to know."
"You know we have to wait… until You-know-who makes his move."
"I know, it's just I feel like we're deceiving him." He leaned back pulling her so she was resting with her back to his chest, and his arms around her middle. They sat in silence for several minutes, feeling relaxed and comfortable just sitting with each other. He broke the silence first, "Well if we can't go to the dance as a couple, may I at least escort you to the dance?" he asks with a mock swishing bow.
"Most certainly, my love."
"Speak of the devil, there's Ron. Who do you think he's taking?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"Who else, besides Luna, those two have become a real item, it's drawn the attention off us."
"He did tell me that when school's over he had big plans. I wonder if he's thinking what I'm thinking."
She slipped out of his embrace, to keep the illusion and called for their friend, "Hey WEASLEY" she called.
"There you guys are, been lookin' all over for ya. Luna is worried about you two; I mean you are the only two that haven't been dating anyone."
A smile whiffed over two of the trio.
"Well with all the studying for our N.E.W.T.s. and everything, there just hasn't been time." She replied in typical Hermione fashion.
"Sure... right… anyway, Luna's been trying to match you two up, and what really strange is everyone she asks flatly turns her down. It's like there's a spell over you two keeping you from finding a date. It's not good. Take it from me, it's the best feeling."
"Yes I know, umm, I mean, I guess so."
"Harry, this is crazy." She slipped out of her seat, walked to the fireplace, tossed in a handful of floo powder, and called into the fireplace for the Headmaster.
"Albus, can we speak to you for a minute?"
"Certainly, my dear, I'll be there in a few minutes," came the reply.
"Since when were you on a first name basis with him?" Ron looked at her in shock.
"Well, mate. It's complicated. And only he can answer that."
Puzzled, Ron sat down between the pair to wait for the headmaster to arrive.
A flash of green fire burst from the fireplace and the ancient wizard stepped out of the flames, with the bounce of a teenager.
"What can I do for you Mr. Weasley?"
"Ummm, sir, it was Hermione that called you."
"Yes, but I see there are unanswered questions. I want you to remember who's waiting to strike, and because he's still out there, Harry and Hermione have had a… Confundus Charm over them the past year to help shield their clandestine activities from Voldemort." Ron squirmed at the name. "Further if they so choose, I will include those they select. And I suppose that is why they called me here. Is that correct?" Harry and Hermione both nodded.
"Then I suppose it's time for Mr. Weasley to read this note." And he produced an envelope addressed to 'Mr. Ronald Weasley, Head Boy/Girl Common Room'. "Remember once you read this, you too will be under the charm and you cannot reveal the contents to anyone. That is to include Miss Lovegood."
"O-Ok, professor." He pried the envelope open and removed the parchment inside.
Mr. Ronald Weasley
Head Boy/Girl Common Room
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are in love.
"WHAT!" he jumped up out of his seat. Hardly believing what the note said, he read it again. "I can't believe this;" as the note burst into flames and vanished.
He looks at his two closest friends, and saw something he'd never noticed between them, a sparkle in their eyes when they look at each other.
"WHEN?"
"It happened early in the summer. We both knew we have to hide our feelings until, well, after Harry and V-Vol--- after the prophecy is fulfilled. Harry wanted to tell you so many times, and we thought now is the right time."
"Now that you know," Hermione continued, "you understand that when others see us together it will look like we are just friends, not as you can see us." At that she stood up, walked to Ron and gave him a hug and an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
"I see that the three of you have some catching up to do, I'll be on my way." And with that, their close friend Albus, left them.
"I thought I did notice a change in you, mate. You really pulled it off."
"Ron, we want to spend the Valentine's Dance together but it could draw too much attention. Harry will 'escort' me since as you noted we're the only unattached people in our class."
"Except for that worthless git Malfoy."
Hermione gave Harry a glare to remind him about another secret he's been hiding from Ron.
"Well, yes, but I don't expect he'll show, not after what's happened between him and his family. So the plan is Harry and I will arrive together, and we want you and Harry to 'pair' up like you did at the Yule Ball. I'll keep Luna busy, you two can still dance together, but I'll play the 'wall flower' and Harry and I will be able to share a couple dances, it'll look like 'pity'."
The night of the Dance brought the trio together like in their early days. Harry and Ron dressed in their best robes, at which Harry looked at the condition of his best friend and brother's dress robe.
"Still wearing Bill's hand-me-downs? I thought I told you to get some new robes."
"Don't worry about it; I'm use to it, besides, when we finish school this year, I plan to train up with you to be an Auror too. I've managed to pull up my grades with Luna's help."
"Yeah, but that's not going to help tonight." He pulled a parcel that had been delivered earlier and handed it to his best friend. "For you, for tonight; and to say 'I'm sorry for the deceit', I hope you understand. And I want you to be the shining star tonight, at least with Luna. You two seem too been as much involved as Hermione and I."
Ron opened the package, and removed a stunning robe, Crimson red with gold borders and trim, and over the right side of his chest, the Gryffindor crest and over his left, his own family crest.
"Mate, I can't…"
"Stop, I want you to look your best. Let tonight be a special night for all of us." The two young men gave each other an affectionate hug, reinforcing their bond and their friendship.
"Harry, I want you to know I will always be there for you whenever you need me."
They left Ron's room to join Hermione in the common area, Luna being a Ravenclaw and not even a prefect; they had to meet her elsewhere. Hermione had her hair under control with liberal amounts of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. She wore it in an elegant French braid that wrapped down her neck. She had mascara, clear lip-gloss and a bit of eye shadow that was almost invisible, and a natural beauty blossomed as she matured in the past years. With her hair managed and elegantly dressed, Ron noticed what Harry knew all too well, she had an aura unsurpassed as she finally displayed a figure not of the clumsy schoolgirl, but that of a young woman in her prime. Her gown was a light powder blue that flowed from just off her shoulders down her body, into a train behind her. Her school robes really didn't flatter her developing figure. At eighteen, she had the body of a goddess in Harry's eyes.
An approving smile came over Harry, while Ron just let out a whistle. "WOW! Hermione? What happened? Mate, I can see why you'd want to keep her a secret!"
"Just don't let Luna see you looking at my girl like that!"
"Give us a couple minutes, would you?" He said over his shoulder as he strolled over to his beauty.
"Did I tell you lately that I love you?" she asked, beating him to the punch.
"You always take the words right out of my mouth. I have everything ready; Ron was so shocked he couldn't say a word."
"I'm glad he didn't get offended, you know how proud he is."
"Yes, but I told him I want tonight to be a special night for him, to have what we found."
"Come on. Let's go get your girl!"
The trio left the common room through a passageway into the Gryffindor common room, then through the portrait hole.
Waiting outside the Ravenclaw dormitories, Luna started to grow impatient. Then she saw the three close friends arm in arm, gliding toward her. She began to feel left out, seeing how happy the three were. She's noticed a change over her boyfriend in the past week; he's become… different. The worst thoughts raced through her head all week. She secretly wished Harry and Hermione would just go away.
"Harry, Hermione are you joining us?"
"Yeah, I asked them along, seeing as, umm no one else wanted to go with them."
"Fine," and the chill began to spread.
"Guys, I think we'll catch up to you in the Great Hall."
"OK, see you there."
Hermione and her 'escort' for the evening left Ron and Luna alone in the hallway.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." The ice flow continued.
"Are you mad I was with Harry and Hermione? We are close you know."
"Yes, I know. And where did you get that robe? Did you steal the money from Gringotts?"
"Is that what's bothering you? No, it's from Harry. He wanted to tell me how much I mean to them, I mean him. Let's go and enjoy ourselves."
"Will you be hanging around them all night too? They didn't want my help in finding them dates so they must not care what I feel for your friends."
"No. They said they've been studying for their N.E.W.T.s. and haven't had time for romance. She's got him really working hard." He couldn't tell her the real reason.
"Well then fine, if that's all it is. Please tell me that we won't end up like that. Books and studying becoming more important then us."
"I promise. Now, can we go? The buffet's already started."
SLAP! He deserved that. He tried to lighten up the mood to get her downstairs.
"OWWW!!! Want was that for?"
"For leaving me here waiting for ten minutes." The ice broke and she grabbed him by the collar of his cloak, pulled him down to her level and replaced the light slap mark with lipstick imprints. "Now can we go, you big git…"
They entered the hall with the dance in full bloom.
"May I have the first dance?"
"Yes… And I'd have kicked you if you asked anyone else!"
Ron and Luna raced off to the floor leaving the other two alone by the buffet. "Looks like they're beginning to enjoy the night. Shall we?"
"Umm… OK, but you have to promise to watch those big feet of yours. And try not to look like you're enjoying it too much."
"Whatever you say Hermione, my dear."
The dance progressed and the two couples danced together and with each other's partners looking to all like four school friends enjoying the evening.
When a slow number started, Harry turned to Hermione and took her by the hand. "No… it'll look bad."
"I don't care." And he sprung another surprise for the night. He pulled her behind a drape, and retrieved his father's invisibility cloak. "We'll simply hide from everyone." He draped the familiar cloak over each other and slid onto the dance floor.
"Thank you… I'll remember this night forever." She felt his strong embrace hold her close; she put her head on his chest to feel his heart beat. "I love you."
Professor Dumbledore watching the student's activities only smiled and gave a slight wink.
Ron and Luna were nearing exhaustion from the dancing. Ron had his own surprise. "Let's cut out for some fresh air."
"Whew… OK… Lead the way."
"There's a quiet spot I know. Come with me…"
They slipped out without being seen, worked their way to a dark classroom off the main hall. He pulled his wand; "LUMOS" and the wand illuminated the room, empty except for an overstuffed sofa.
"Did you plan this, to get me alone?" she blushed in his muscular arms. Being on the Quidditch team with Harry the past couple years helped fill him out to a handsome athletic man.
"Well, I did think about it."
She embraced his lips with hers in a soul searching passionate kiss. The kind that screams 'NOW you fool.'
He guided her to the sofa and as they sat, he had to force her away.
"What? Is something wrong?"
"No, that's just it. It's almost perfect. I want to make it absolutely perfect."
"It is perfect you stupid lug."
They embraced and enjoyed a series of passionate kisses forgetting time.
Back at the dance Hermione looked for Ron. "That stupid git said he'd be here. Any idea where they are?"
"Well, I have an idea," he replied as she spied a well-known twinkle in his eye.
"Shhhh… not here, later." She put a finger to his lips.
The end of the dance found two of the three returning to their private common area as they passed a statue very few knew his a passage way out of the Castle. Just as they passed it, Harry took a quick look over his shoulder, and around the side of the stature, and pulled Hermione into the shadows. She gave him a startled look as he covered her lips with his, the passion and fire in his attention to her that night was unsurpassed. After a few minutes they released from their passion as she settled into his arms.
"I couldn't wait. You're far too enticing to ignore any longer." He whispered to her.
"Harry, not here, we need to be careful. Just wait a few more minutes."
She slipped from behind the stature first still holding his hand as he followed. They quickened their pace to the privacy of their bedroom. Once there; they fell to the bed and continued their dance, the passion and fire grew with each passing second. They were finding themselves becoming more intimate each time they attacked each other. It had become harder with each expression of passion to stop.
"Hermione…wait. I want you more then you'll know. I love you now and forever. I always want you with me, but if we don't stop… I-- we could loose more then I'm willing to risk."
"Harry, no… I don't want you to stop… I don't want to be safe anymore, I just want you…"
"I… won't risk your life. I want us to be together forever. You told me once that 'You'll know what to do when it's time', I want to make that decision for more then that dream."
Frustrated again, she heaved a heavy sigh at their predicament and his resolve and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Harry, can I ask you something?"
Her head never moved from his shoulder, but she still felt him nod his head.
"When you said you wanted to have children with me, were you serious?"
"Yes," he whispered. "I've never been more serious."
"What do you want? A boy or girl?"
He hardly paused before he replied with a renewed spirit in his voice. "Both, lots of them, enough to put the Weasleys to shame, a dozen or more."
"Harry! Really, what do you want?"
"I think I'd like a girl. One exactly like you so I could watch her grow; it would be like watching that part of your life that I missed. I remember your stories with your father, and I wish I had been there to share it with you. But I also want a boy, too, to carry the Potter name and someone I could teach to fly."
They lay locked together, he could sense her longing. She wanted far more and she wanted it now. It made her sad that she must wait longer for him, and she feared if the battle ended badly that they may never truly know each other as lovers. He move away, but still held her hands, pulling her to the edge of the bed, as he stood over her.
"I have one question to ask tonight. It's been on my mind for a while. A Valentine's present if you will." He reached into his pocket with his left hand, and pulled out a closed fist. He held her left hand in his other, raised it to his lips, and kissed each finger and then her palm, which still bore his scar's mirror. He held her hand and dropped to his knees, opening his other hand revealing a simple ring with a single stone. "This belonged to my mother; Albus returned it to me before Christmas. He must have known what's been on my mind these days. Will you marry me, Hermione Granger?"
"Marry you? Are you serious? Me? Us? Harry… Yes, I will…I always would..." she threw her arms around his neck in a fevered passion
"I have already asked your father and he told he trusts you to make your own choice."
"You asked my father?"
"Yes," he said as he felt himself blush. "I asked him for your hand at Christmas. I wanted to wait until tonight to ask you, but I think he would have liked to see your face when I asked you."
"I'm certain he's happy, he does look on you as a son, and I know they will welcome you into our family."
"We need to wait until after we finish school and this bloody prophecy is fulfilled, I won't have your running in fear all your life."
"I know. I can't wait to be rid of this charm so I can tell the world 'I LOVE HARRY and I'm going to be Hermione Potter!'" She placed the ring on her left hand, it was a perfect fit, and vowed to never remove it. Because of the Fidelius Charm, only those allowed in the circle would see this development or the ring.
The kisses that began between the young lovers were uncontrollable.