Chapter 5
They stayed that way for a long while. Forehead against forehead, his hands cupping her face, her tears falling silently down her cheeks.
"I love you, Hermione," he whispered again, although a little louder this time. He pulled back and gazed at her in wonder; staring as though seeing her for the first time. The soft light from the fountain reflected against the tears on her cheeks, giving her an ethereal glow. With his thumbs he gently wiped them away.
Her eyes were closed as she sat, quietly absorbing his confession. Her mind was numb with the shock of his pronouncement. She'd waited four long years for those words and now that they'd finally come, she thought sure she'd been dreaming. "Pinch me," she said softly, her eyes still closed. If it was a dream, she wanted to hold onto it forever.
Harry chuckled softly, the light, airy sound filling her with an insurmountable feeling of joy. "What did you say?" he asked wonderingly. "You want me to pinch you?"
Hermione nodded. "Tell me this isn't a dream."
Harry leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. "This," he kissed her cheek, "isn't," he kissed her other cheek, "a dream," he said, kissing her lips gently. "This is real, and I am the happiest man alive right now."
Hermione opened her eyes and smiled tenderly at him. "I think Ron would beg to differ," she said as fresh tears began to well in her eyes.
Harry kissed her lips again. "Ron who?" he asked quietly.
Hermione felt her entire body go limp. She felt as though her bones had vanished and there was nothing left to hold her up. She literally melted into him. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her body shook upon its release. She held tightly to his hands as she pulled them from her face. "Do you realize how long I've waited for this?" she asked, her voice quivering. "I just," she opened her eyes and searched his for any sign of doubt, any sign of hesitation, "I can't believe it. I mean, I knew…or at least I hoped, that you would feel the same one day. I just," she paused and chuckled nervously, dropping her head to organize her jumbled thoughts, "…it's here Harry. That day…it's here. And I, I…"
Harry smiled and shook his head gently as he reached for her chin to raise her head. "Hermione, turn off the analyzer. Just tell me you love me. Kiss me. Something. Just please, don't try to put words to this. Don't try to explain anything. Just believe me, please. That's all that matters now. I love you and I promise that it's not going to change."
Hermione grabbed his hand from her chin and kissed it before she let it drop to rest between them. She placed her hands on his cheeks and smiled brightly at him, her eyes still shining with unshed tears. "I love you, Harry Potter," she said loudly. She pulled him to her and rubbed her nose against his and their soft, nervous laughter floated away on the soft, warm breeze. "I love you so very much."
"Come here," Harry replied, pulling her closer against him as he moved to once again lean back against their tree. She curled up between his legs and laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and grabbed her hands as he rested his head against hers. They sat together in silence, watching the fountain, and relishing in what they'd finally come together to find.
"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the wondrous sounds of the night.
Hermione raised her head to look at him. "I'm thinking that I want to hold onto this moment forever," she said softly. She looked up at the sky. "Right now, with the warm breeze rustling through the trees, the clear, star-filled sky, and the sound of the fountain, there isn't a more beautiful place in the entire world, and I don't want to forget any of it."
Harry released her hands and began to gently rub his hands up and down her arms. "You won't forget," he said with conviction. "We won't forget." He looked up at the sky with her. The moon was full, and its light still filtered through the clouds surrounding the mountain peaks; the only clouds in an otherwise clear sky. He pointed toward the mountain. "Look at the mountain. See the way the moon changes the color of the night? The clouds look so dark while the sky surrounding them is so light. Different shades of blue, black, grey, and yellow. Beautiful, isn't it?" Hermione nodded. "It's the light, Hermione. The light from the moon changes everything for the night. That's what I meant earlier. That's what you do to me. You change everything. Just like the moon."
"Harry, I want to fly."
She spoke the words so softly that he was sure he'd either imagined or misunderstood them. "What?" he asked quietly as he maneuvered around to get a better look at her.
She turned her eyes to him and he could see the excited gleam in them. "I want to fly," she repeated a little louder. "I can feel it inside me. Everything is just bursting out all over. It feels like everything inside me wants to soar but I can't release it. I can't let it go. I want to fly."
"Hermione, I don't have…"
She put her finger to his lips. "Shh," she whispered. She stood up and pulled him with her. "Make me fly, Harry. I need to feel it."
Harry placed his hands on her hips and in a single, fluid motion, as if practiced for years, he lifted her. She raised her arms above her head and Harry concentrated all of his power into straightening his arms above his head. Hermione's body was horizontal above Harry's head as he began to turn in slow circles. She closed her eyes and felt the gentle breeze of the night caress her face. Her body was soaring. Her heart was beyond the clouds. She shifted slightly and Harry stopped circling and lowered her slowly until they were face to face, her feet a foot above the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered against his ear. She felt him smile against her neck. She loosened her hold and pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "I love you," she said softly.
She touched his lips with hers and immediately the fire was stoked. He moaned into her mouth. "I love you, too," he said huskily, as he forced his lips from hers with a shaky breath. He slowly lowered her to the ground and every nerve in his body sparked to life as she slid down the length of him. He shook convulsively for a moment until the shockwaves passed through him.
Once her feet were firmly on the ground she grabbed his hand and led him back toward the tree. "Blanket?" she asked hopefully.
Harry closed his eyes and concentrated. In a matter of moments a blanket appeared before them. Hermione smiled at him and picked it up, spreading it out on the ground beneath the tree. She sat down and took her shoes off and set them to the side. "Come here," she said, patting the ground in front of her. Harry stepped to the edge of the blanket and took his shoes off, setting them next to hers. Hermione was sitting on her hip with her legs folded in front of her. Harry walked toward her and sat down. "Lie down." She patted her lap and he laid down, using her lap as a pillow.
The moment he was comfortable she started running her fingers through his hair. "It's so peaceful out here," she said quietly. "You really couldn't have picked a better time or place, you know?"
"Yeah," he quietly agreed. He closed his eyes and succumbed to the feel of her hands in his hair. Hermione was content for the moment to simply watch him. She couldn't remember a time when he looked so relaxed. Her fingers began to trace the features of his face…his eyebrows, his nose, his jawline, his forehead, and finally his lips.
She edged herself back and bent over him, capturing his lips in an upside-down kiss. She tilted her head as his hand rose to lightly grasp her head. The kiss began to deepen and Harry scooted back and twisted around until he was sitting up and facing her halfway. His tongue sought hers and she opened to him immediately. He leaned back with one arm holding him up and the other pulling her head closer to heighten the intensity of the kiss. She leaned over him, her hand behind his head. She pulled him with her as she lay back against the blanket. Their lips remained together as he rolled his body until he was nearly lying on top of her.
Harry began to rub his hand up and down her arm. He reluctantly released her lips and looked into her eyes. He wasn't sure how she wanted to proceed from here. He wanted her now. He didn't want to wait any longer.
"Harry, make love to me," she said huskily.
"No games," he said before his lips found hers.
"No games," she confirmed. "Just love. I need to feel you inside me."
"Thank you," he whispered against her ear. "All I want is to feel you, to love you."
"How much wandless magic do you know?" she asked from beneath him. She didn't want to move, she only wanted to feel him against her, and inside her.
"Not that much," he said regretfully as he began to undress her.
"We'll have to work on that," she said, laughing gently. "Let me do that." She sat up and quickly removed her clothes. Next to her Harry sat up and did the same. Within a couple of minutes they were on their knees, staring at each other; drinking in every inch of the sight before them.
"I didn't think it possible," he said, staring at her thoughtfully.
"What?" she asked, her voice sounding soft, nervous.
"You're even more beautiful when I look at you now. I didn't think it was possible. I not only feel you differently in here," he said, placing his hand on his heart, "but I see you differently as well. I really do love you."
Hermione quickly closed the space between them. She placed her hand against his cheek and looked directly into his eyes. "I know that, Harry," she said, smiling. "I've always known that, remember?"
Harry smiled brightly. "Yeah," he said, capturing her lips, "I believe you always have." In one swift motion he picked her up and her legs wrapped instantly around his waist. He kissed her hard as he sat back on his calves. She loosened the hold she had on him with her legs and placed her feet on the ground. He placed his hands on her waist and raised her up. She grasped his erection and guided it into her opening as he gently lowered her down until she was sheathed around him. Together they moaned as she covered him to the hilt. He leaned back against one arm as she slowly slid up and down his length.
Her eyes were closed as she rode him. Nothing, not even the other times she'd been with him, had prepared her for what she felt now. This may be as close to heaven as she ever got and for now that would be enough. With his free hand he reached up and grasped her breast. She arched her back and thrust herself toward him. She lifted her hand from her thigh and grasped his. She pressed it harder against her breast and guided his fingers to her hard, aching nipples. She sat on him now, rocking her hips back and forth against him, feeling him shift within her and feeling him as he brushed against her clit. She dropped her hands and threw her head back as she released a loud, feral moan.
Harry sat up and pulled her to him, quickly capturing her lips and the last of her cries. Her moan vibrated against his tongue and he returned it, moaning against hers. He placed his hands on her back and slowly sat up, making sure to keep himself wrapped within her warmth. "Put your legs around me," he said breathily. Immediately, without conscious thought, her legs wrapped around his waist once more. Carefully he leaned forward. His hand shot out to steady them as he lowered her to the blanket. The moment her back touched the ground she loosened the hold with her legs and Harry wrapped his arms around the backs of them and began to increase the intensity of their lovemaking.
Hermione tossed her head back and forth against the blanket as she fought against the scream that longed to erupt from her. Watching her, Harry let out a low, intense cry. He released her legs and lay down on top of her. He captured her lips in an almost desperate, violent kiss. He slammed into her harder and harder…their climaxes building to an almost painful level. Hermione released his lips and bit down on hers as she arched against him, burying him deeper inside her. He laid flat against her and she buried her face into his neck as the scream she'd fought so hard against burst forth as her climax reached a fever pitch. She came hard and fast beneath him. He felt her tighten around him. He moved within her, trying with all his might to restrain himself…in and out, in and out…until finally, at the height of her release he let go and together they fell over the edge. "I love you," he said thrusting hard into her once again as his body began to convulse. He moaned loudly and his body jerked in and out of her before he finally lay spent, on top of her.
She wrapped her arms and legs around him tightly and kissed his head, cheek, nose, neck, anything she could reach. "I love you," she said as she placed her hands against his face and raised his head until he was looking at her. She kissed him in confirmation. "I love you."
Harry's body shuddered once again and he laid his head back down against her chest. In a matter of seconds Hermione felt the wetness where his tears had fallen. She began to run her fingers through his hair. She didn't question him, she merely lay there and let him cry. He still lay sheathed within her. She dropped her legs from around him and placed her feet on the ground, not wanting him to feel as though he needed to leave her. He was heavy against her but at the moment she wanted nothing more. She started to rub his back and his arms as she cooed softly to him. "Hey, come on," she said softly, "look at me."
Harry raised his head and tried valiantly to offer her a smile. "I'm sorry," he said, feeling stupid and embarrassed.
"What's going on?"
"I just never knew," he said, feeling irritated with himself suddenly. "I never knew it could be like that. I really have been a stupid git, haven't I? All this time wasted."
Hermione smiled. "I'd never call you stupid, Harry," she said, laughing softly. She rolled her eyes and looked as though she was thinking about it. "Daft maybe, but never stupid."
Harry laughed and slowly rolled away from her to lay against her side. "Call it what you want," he said, suddenly looking serious. "I just know I don't ever want to let you go." He sat up quickly and looked at her hopefully. "Move in with me."
"Harry…"
"Right after the movie is done."
"Harry are…"
"Please say you will." He grasped her hands in his and looked down at her. "We've wasted so much time, Hermione, I don't want to waste any more. At least say you'll think about it, okay?"
Hermione nodded and smiled thoughtfully. "Okay, Harry. I'll think about it. We'll talk about it when we've had a little time to digest all of this. I still can't believe its happening."
"All right," he conceded. He smiled as he thought about what she'd said to him just a few days ago, "I'll take what I can get from you for now."
Hermione didn't try to hold back the laughter that escaped her. Had it really only been a few days ago? It felt like this had been going on forever. "Kiss me, Harry," she demanded, still smiling.
"Gladly," he responded against her lips.
They sealed their love in that final fiery kiss and Hermione dropped her head back and sighed. "Feels like coming home, doesn't it?" she said of the kiss.
"Like coming to a place I've never known," he replied thoughtfully, "and a place I never want to leave now that I've found it." He kissed her again and she pushed him away gently.
"You do realize that our best friend got married today, right?" she said, laughing on the outside, while her insides were melting at his words. If they didn't get on track soon, she'd demand he take her again.
"And?" he replied with a knowing grin.
"Well, don't you think we've been gone long enough? People have got to be wondering where we are."
"Everyone knows, Hermione. We can't hide it anymore. And besides, I don't think I want to. I love you and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I won't go shouting it to the world, but I'm not going to hide it. I don't think I could."
"So we don't hide," she said with a shrug as she stood up to get dressed. "That's good, really."
Harry stood up with her and looked at her suspiciously. "It is?" he questioned. "Why is that?"
Hermione looked at him and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she said, trying to hide the excitement in her voice, "maybe because I can do this…" she ran at him and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, "anytime I want."
His arms instinctually wrapped around her. He kissed her back and reluctantly let her go. "We better go, Hermione, or we'll never make it back." She chuckled softly and released him. He swatted her on the arse as she turned to finish dressing.
After a few minutes silence they were dressed, the blanket was folded and they stood together looking at their fountain. "It's beautiful, Harry," she said in a low, husky voice. "Thank you."
"Let's leave it," he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the path. "We'll be back again."
"So, what are we going to tell Ron?" she asked, feeling somewhat anxious about what would be greeting them when they finally returned to the Great Hall.
"We're going to tell him that we have to be back early because of the movie and that instead of staying here with everyone else we're going home tonight," he replied.
Hermione laughed and smacked his arm playfully. "I meant about how long we've been gone and where we've been."
"Oh, that," Harry said thoughtfully. "Nothing. It's nobody's business. They'll all have a pretty good idea anyway. Let's just keep our return as low profile as we can. This is Ron and Luna's day. We don't need to take any attention away from that."
"Let's just hope we haven't already," she replied anxiously.
They entered the castle and made their way to the Great Hall quickly. They stood in the doorway for a just a moment before they sauntered in casually. There were still couples dancing and others were seated at the long tables lined up near the wall.
"There you are," George said loudly.
"Where've you been?" Fred asked, obviously trying to hide his amusement.
"S'posed to do the toast," George said.
"Don't worry though…" said Fred.
"…we did it for you," finished George.
"Uh, thanks guys," Harry stammered. "Appreciate that."
"Hey, Hermione," Fred called.
"Yeah?" she said, sounding nervous.
"What happened…" George said.
"…to your hair?" he and Fred asked together.
"Nothing," she said hesitantly as she reached up to check it. She saw Harry's face redden. They'd forgotten all about the barrette that was now lying somewhere beneath their tree. "Oh, um, the, uh, barrette must have fallen out," she stammered.
"Oh, yeah," said Fred.
"…we can see that," said George.
Harry cleared his throat. "Well, all right then," he proclaimed. "Where's Ron?" he asked, looking around the room. He found him seated at one of the tables, glowering at him from across the room. "Come on, Hermione," he said, grabbing her hand and leading her to where Ron sat. "Hey, Ron, can we talk to you for a minute?" Harry asked the moment they were within earshot.
Ron nodded and stood. "I'll be right back," he said softly to Luna.
"No, come on, Luna," Hermione called. "You too, please."
Ron looked at Hermione in surprise and smiled as he pulled out Luna's chair.
They walked in silence out to the corridor. "Ron," Harry began.
Hermione put her hand on Harry's sleeve to stop him. She walked to Ron and pulled him into a hug. "I love you, Ron," she said affectionately as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Love you too, Hermione," Ron replied with a smile.
She turned to Harry. "I'll be right back," she told him, as she grabbed Luna's hand and walked further down the hall, away from `her' boys.
"Is this what you were talking about last night?" Luna asked with a knowing smile.
"Yes," Hermione exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. "I wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"For asking me to dance," she stated matter-of-factly. "The minute you asked me I realized that I didn't want any other woman there with Harry, just like you didn't want any other woman there with Ron. I love him, Luna. I've loved him for years. I started something a week ago that I was regretting last night. Because of that dance, Harry finally realized what I've known for a very long time. Tonight, he finally admitted to loving me too." She reached out and pulled Luna into a tight embrace. "So, thank you," she said huskily, as tears began to well in her eyes.
"You're welcome, Hermione," Luna replied softly. "You know that we knew, right? We've been trying to find some way to make it happen. Dancing at the party was a setup. Of course, you knew that right away. What you don't know is that the moment you put your foot on Harry's chair, Ginny put up a charm, something similar to a shield, so that no one would disturb you. No one knows what happened last night. That's strictly between you and Harry."
Hermione hugged her tighter. The thought of all the other people there hadn't really even occurred to her. She'd gotten so wrapped up in Harry and what he was doing to her that she'd managed to completely forget about where she was. "Thank you," she said, feeling a relief she hadn't yet realized was missing. "Guess I'll have to thank Ginny, too."
"Just be happy," Luna replied thoughtfully. She turned to look at the boys and then back at Hermione. "Shall we?"
Hermione looped her arm with Luna's in a gesture she might normally think odd for the type of friendship they'd always shared. "Yep," she said excitedly. "Let's go."
Harry and Ron were laughing as the girls joined them. "'bout time, eh?" Ron said looking at Hermione with a smile lighting his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Luna as Hermione wrapped hers around Harry. She looked at Harry with a loving smile and then back at Ron.
"Yeah," she said, nodding her head, "it's about time."
Ron looked at Harry. "You daft git," he said in exasperation. "It's about bloody time."
"Thanks, mate," Harry said laughing. "I'm becoming quite used to that title this week."
"What time are you leaving tonight?" Ron asked them.
Hermione looked at Harry expectantly. He looked back at her and grinned. "I'd like to go now," he said, raising his eyebrows.
"Well," Ron sighed, "you've managed to miss most of my wedding anyway. Why don't you just go ahead and go, then?"
Harry looked up at Ron quickly, ready to burst forth with a thousand apologies. But Ron's smile stopped him. Harry looked at Luna and saw the same smile lighting her eyes.
"Get out of here, you two," Ron urged. "You were here for me. You discovered you were in love on my wedding day, that means something, Harry. It does. Seriously, go on. We'll catch up with you soon."
Hermione released Harry and moved to give Ron another hug. "You're the best, Ron," she said, adding a great deal of surprise to her voice as she spoke. "Who would've guessed?"
"I would," Luna said, looking up at him lovingly.
Ron kissed the top of Hermione's head affectionately and let her go. "Get out of here before I change my mind and tie you up to one of those chairs in there and put you on display."
Harry shook his hand as Hermione gave Luna another hug. Harry gave Luna a hug as well and the four of them briefly discussed plans for when they'd get together. "Thank Ginny for me," Hermione said with a wink at Luna. "I'll thank her myself very soon as well. Love you," she called back to Ron.
"Love you, too," Ron returned. He returned his attention to his wife and smiled. "Nutters, the both of them," he said as he pulled her into a nice, long kiss.
Harry and Hermione reached the end of the corridor on their way out of the castle. They turned back and smiled when they noticed that Ron had already forgotten about their seemingly abrupt departure. Harry grabbed her hand. "Let's go," he shouted, racing for the door. "We're staying at my place tonight."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. "Only for tonight?" she shouted back. Harry stopped abruptly and looked at her intently. "How about every night?" she asked with a smile and a wicked little gleam in her eye.
Harry started walking again at a much slower pace. "Every night," he said thoughtfully. He looked at her, his face beaming. He nodded. "Whatever you say, dear."
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