A/N: My my 125 reviews for the last chapter. I don't think you guys know how crazy that is to me. I never ever thought that this story would do this good. It still makes my mouth fall open.
Ok as for why this took so long to write. Well one there is so much information in it and that it's 19 pages long. This was the first time I had to have a whole other file with just notes as to what I wanted to happen in this chapter as well so I wouldn't forget anything. It's been a bit crazy plus add in the holidays and a new family that I'm working for. Plus I had to drive four kids to Pittsburg to see there dad.
Now for the rating. I had always planned this as a R rated story it was just that if most of my readers couldn't or didn't want to read R I would post that else where. But As it seems most want R. So R it will be. What I'm going to do is post the PG-13 version on my Livejournal and put the link up to it in the AN. So all you have to do is pop in and go to the link. If the chapter that I post isn't R I'll lower the rating again. I only planned for about 4 or so R chapters so I don't see the need to keep the whole thing R all the time.
Now if you read the PG-13 chapter at my lj you can leave a review there or come back here and review. I don't care really either way which ever is easier for you.
As for the people who wanted me to write NC-17. It's not going to happen. I've tried writing NC-17 and it just doesn't sound right to me. R is as far as I'll go for now.
Alright I think I've talk enough so I'll let you guys read. As always I have to thank my beta Ken without whom I'd not be here. And I don't own HP I just play with it in my mind.
Chapter 7
The Ball
Harry and Hermione were both awakened by a small girl climbing into their bed and screaming at the top of her lungs.
Hermione had nearly screamed back but quickly realized that Grace was sitting on the bed.
When Grace did stop screaming she just grinned and scurried out of the room.
"What was that?" Hermione asked as Harry got out of the bed.
"That was George's idea of a joke. He and Fred like to take turns sending in the children to wake people up."
As if to prove his point Hermione could hear little Grace screaming in another bedroom down the hall.
"It's not very funny. I nearly screamed myself."
"That, I'm afraid, is the point. They started doing that with Arthur when he was two. Well we best get ready. Aren't your parents coming in today?"
"Yes they should be. I would think that they would be here sometime this morning."
Harry nodded before going into his washroom. Hermione followed his lead and went into her own washroom to get ready for the day.
After dressing Hermione met Harry in their bedroom before they walked down to breakfast. Hermione couldn't help but notice how the house felt different; much more alive with all the extra people and children in it.
"Good morning everyone," both Harry and Hermione said as they entered the dining room.
"Good morning, I hope you two woke up well," George said with a rather large grin on his face.
"You know George," Harry said as he walked around to his seat picking up Grace as she went to hug him. "It's not quite right that you send such a cute little girl to do your dirty work."
"Yes but it does make it that much more fun for me. It's a shame Fleur isn't here. She usually screams back. I'm surprise that you didn't Hermione." George said as he turned to look at her.
"Yes, well I nearly did. If I hadn't seen Grace sitting there I think I would have."
"George, you and Fred should be glad that Fleur wasn't here. You know how she gets when you two do things like that to her. We never would have heard the end of it," Ginny said as she too sat at the table.
"Oh, she needs to learn to relax as it is. It's not like the war is still going." Fred said as he and the others started to eat their breakfast.
Hermione couldn't help but look over at Harry after Fred's comment. It seemed like he hadn't even heard Fred as he leaned over to tell Arthur something, but somehow Hermione could tell that he heard perfectly. He just refused to let it show. It was that that made Hermione worry a bit.
Hermione slowly ate her breakfast but stopped when she saw Dobby walk into the room and over to Harry.
"Hermione, your parents are here," Harry announced as he stood up from talking to Dobby.
"If you'll excuse me," she said as she got up from the table with Harry behind her.
She could see her parents waiting for her in the entrance hall just inside the door.
"Mother, Father you're here! How was your trip?" Hermione asked as she hugged each of them.
"It was fine dear," her father answered shortly.
"I wish we could stay longer, but the Potters asked us to stay at the main house with them. I hope you don't mind."
"No that's fine. I figured my parents would ask you to stay with them." Harry replied as he stood beside Hermione.
"Well, we just stopped by to give you your cat," her mother said as she pointed to the closed carrier beside her.
"Mother! You know he doesn't like being in that!" Hermione said tightly as she knelt in front of the carrier.
"Yes well you know how I feel about that thing." Her mother spat.
"Jane, we really should be getting up to the house now. We will see you two later." Her father stated before they both left.
Hermione opened the carrier and pulled Crookshanks out and on to her lap.
"Have you missed me?" She asked as she pulled the cat up so she was looking in his eyes.
Hermione saw Harry kneel down beside her.
"So this is Crookshanks?" he asked.
Hermione nodded and turned Crookshanks so Harry could see him properly. She could barely hold in the laugh at the look of Harry's face when he saw him.
She knew that Crookshanks wasn't the best looking cat in the world, but he was smart and always there for her when she needed him. That was all that mattered to her. So she didn't care that his face was as close to flat as one could get and his fur wasn't the slickest.
"Well he certainly is unique."
"Yes he is. Look I know he's not-"
"Pretty? No. But he does seem to have something about him doesn't he? I think he will fit in lovely with the rest of us."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at Harry. He really was a good man. She watched as Harry reached down and pet Crookshanks between the ears, and couldn't help but smile as Crookshanks started purring. Even though she wouldn't admit it, Crookshanks was the real reason she anticipated her parent's visit.
"You know, it looks like Crookshanks is the type that would enjoy a welcoming present," said Harry, not taking his eyes off of Crookshanks for a second.
"Yes that's true, and I must admit I would love to see what you got for him."
She watched as Harry stood up, and then proceeded to the library; Crookshanks safely in her arms.
In the library, she watched as Harry kneeled down to an empty corner of the room. Hermione was about to ask what he was doing when out of thin air appeared a miniature bed, a smaller version of their own. In his arms was a worn down old cloak that looked like it had many years of use.
"Why, it's a bed for Crookshanks!" Hermione exclaimed. "And it looks so much like our own... oh Harry…" she trailed off.
"I hope he likes it," said Harry.
Crookshanks leaped out of Hermione's arms and immediately circled the bed, sniffing and scratching, paused, then slowly crawled into the bed and fell asleep, purring loudly.
"He's had such a long day, being cooped up in that prison for so long," said Hermione as she bent down and scratched Crookshanks between the ears, the purring getting louder.
"I'll make sure Dobby has some food ready for him when he wakes up," said Harry. "We best be getting back to our friends, they may start to wonder where we got off to."
Hermione stood slowly and made her way over to Harry.
"Thank you." Hermione whispered before giving Harry a small kiss.
Harry just smiled before taking her hand and leading her back to the dinning room.
"Hermione are your parents here?" Ginny asked as Hermione took her seat at the table.
"They were but they will be staying up at the main house with Harry's parents. They just stopped by to bring me my cat."
"You have a cat?" Grace asked from her perch on her mothers lap.
"Yes I do. He's sleeping in the Library right now but maybe later you can play with him if it's alright with your mother."
Grace looked hopefully up to her mother who nodded causing Grace to smile and clap her hands.
"Well that may have to wait until tomorrow sweetheart. We have to be leaving for the main house in an hour to get ready." Alice said as she smoothed down her hair.
Grace looked slightly saddened by the news but quickly laughed when George picked her up from her mother's lap and tossed her in the air.
"Don't look so sad Gracie. I know how much you want to get into that dress that Grandma and Grandpa got you." George laughed as he placed his daughter on his hip.
"Yes, that being said, I do believe we should all get ready to head up to the main house. I'm sure you ladies can't wait to get into your dresses." Harry said as he too stood from the table.
Everyone else followed Harry's lead and stood from the table to get ready to head up to the main house.
After everyone had donned their cloaks and hats they got into carriages heading up to the main house.
Hermione found it funny that in her time here so far she had yet to be up to the main house. It was not like it was far from her own but somehow she and Harry had not had reason to go up there.
She was shocked at how big the main house was. She knew that it was in fact bigger then her own but this was far bigger then what she expected.
The large four story house was dress in orange and black streams of fabric that hung from the roof and draped down to grace the ground. She could see the house elves placing lanterns on either side of the drive to give off an orange glow. She knew that at night it would even more spectacular.
As they groups stepped out of their carriages they were greeted by Lily and James. Hermione barely heard Harry tell her he'd see her later before she was whisked away by Lily and the other women.
As she was being shuffled through the house she couldn't help but notice all the portraits that hug on the wall. Many of the men look like Harry. She guessed that these men where his ancestors. It was when she saw the portrait of Harry that she made herself stop. He looked quite handsome in the black and white dress clothes he wore. There was something else about the painting that Hermione couldn't put her finger on.
"Isn't that a good likeness to him?" Lily asked as she stood behind Hermione.
"Yes. When was it painted?"
"Oh let's see here it must have been 2 years now. Soon we'll have to get one with the two of you done. Then another once you two start having children."
Hermione blushed but nodded as she allowed Lily to move her down the hall. They hadn't walked too much further when all the girls started going into one of the many rooms that seemed to line the hall.
In the room were many dresses hanging delicately on body stands. Hermione watched as each of the women went to a stand and looked over their dress. Hermione on the other hand just stood and watched not knowing which one to go to. Lily had told her a week ago not to worry about her dress, that she would get it for her.
"This way dear." Lily said as she placed a hand on the small of Hermione's back to lead her to her dress.
Hermione had to admit that the dress that Lily had gotten her was lovely, even though it was pink. She had never been the type of girl who wore pink; she tended to go towards dark greens or blues. Her mother had always hated that.
"I do hope the size is right I got your measurements from you mother. Now let's start to get you ready. Your mother should be here shortly to help me with getting you dressed. Everyone can't wait to meet you. When they heard you'd be here almost everyone said that they would come."
Hermione smiled slightly. It made her nervous to think how many people may be there tonight and that they would all be judging her in one way or another. She could feel Lily start to undo the back of her dress and Hermione could swear she felt her heart stop.
She had never been in her suit in front of other people before. Even though she went to a boarding school she was either dressed before the other girls were up or waited until they had left.
Hermione looked at the other women in the room. Most of them already had their dresses off and were laughing and talking to each other. Ginny and Luna were standing next to each other and Hermione could help but notice that the part of Luna's corset that would cover her lower stomach had been removed and a small bump could be seen there.
It was odd really that with her dress on you couldn't really tell that she was in fact carrying a child but with it off it was hard to tell that she wasn't.
As Hermione let her eyes scan the rest of the room she barely felt herself step out of her own dress. It was only when Hermione's eyes landed on Victoria that she couldn't stifle the gasp that came from her mouth.
"Hermione what is it?" Lily asked as she looked at her.
The other girls looked at Hermione before looking over at Victoria where they too could see that she was wearing the same type corset that Luna was.
It seemed only a matter of moments before they were all around her.
"How long have you known?" Ginny asked first.
"We found out about a month ago. Please don't be angry with us for not saying anything. But you know what a time we had having Arthur and all the ones I've lost - four since then. We were just worried that the same thing would happen this time. We didn't want everyone to know until I was at least three months."
"Don't worry we understand. I have a good feeling about this one. I really do." Luna said as she pulled the older girl into a hug. "Now our children will have playmates their own age. This will be so wonderful."
"As lovely as that sounds I refuse to get my hopes up. I mean with what happened to Beth I just don't want to put to much hope on this one."
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little lost with all of this. It was clear that Victoria and Charlie had been having a hard time having children but who was Beth and what had happened to her.
"Well why don't all you lady's get back to getting ready. We only have two hours before the ball starts." Lily said.
Hermione walked with Lily back over to where she was to change. As Lily started to take the dress the form Hermione couldn't help but ask her about Beth.
"Lily who is Beth?"
She watched as Lily's eyes closed slightly. "Beth was Charlie and Victoria's daughter. She was stillborn. It was very had on all of them. But Victoria seemed to think that she was never meant to have children after that. Luckily she had no trouble Arthur. But since then it's been one loss after another. I just hope Luna was right on this one."
Hermione nodded as she looked over at Victoria who was being helped by one of the house elves. Her eyes were distracted by the movement of the door. She was barely able to stifle the groan when she saw her mother walk in.
"Hermione sweetheart!" Her mother cooed happily.
"Hello mother."
"Lily I have to say that I love the dress that you picked out for my Hermione. She always looked so nice in pink. Now let's see what it looks like on you dear."
Hermione hated it when her mother helped her get ready. She always made her feel like she was not up to the level of the other girls.
As Hermione's mother and Lily helped Hermione put the dress on it was quickly obvious that the dress was just a touch too small. Oh it wasn't much but it was enough to make sure the top half was unable to be buttoned.
"Hermione dear it seems you are not the same size you were when you left me last. Is there something that you would like to share?" Her mother said in a sickly sweet voice.
"No mother." Hermione said quietly not wanting anymore attention from anyone else.
"Oh" Her mother's voice sounded disappointed, "So you are not having a baby then?"
"No mother."
"Well then you must watch what you eat Hermione. We don't want you to get all fat before you have a child now." Jane chided her.
Oh goody it's starting already. Hermione thought to herself.
"Are you and Harry having problems getting pregnant?" Lily asked as she helped remove the dress.
"I, uh, I guess it just may take some time with us. I'm sure it's nothing." Hermione was proud of herself. What she said wasn't a lie it just wasn't the whole truth.
"Well lets tighten up your suit then." Jane said as she moved behind Hermione.
"If you two will excuse me for a moment I want to have a word with Molly." Lily said as she walked over to a redhead older woman who had just come in the room.
Hermione wished desperately that Lily hadn't left her alone with her mother. She really didn't want to hear her ask questions about Harry or her weight.
"Hermione what have you been eating? I could tell you had gained weight when I walked into the room!" Her mother scolded her softly.
"Food mother. I've been eating food." She didn't care that she was being rude she just wanted her mother off her back.
"Don't talk to me like that! What did you eat this morning?"
"Ham and eggs."
"What?!? Have you been eating like that since you got here? Well it's no wonder that you gained so much. You need to keep eating like you did when you were at home with your father and I. It will keep you thin. You can't afford for Harry to lose interest in his wife."
Hermione fought to stop herself from rolling her eyes but was jerked from her thoughts when her mother pulled tightly on her corset strings.
"Ow mother that's too tight."
"Well you should have thought of that before you ate all that food." Jane said before pulling once more and tying it off.
It was then that Lily came back over to the group and helped put Hermione's dress on with no problems this time.
Hermione was soon whisked to another bit of the room for her hair and makeup. After putting on what she thought was the right amount of makeup she let Lily fix her hair in a nice twist on the back of her head.
"It's all the style in Paris right now. Well that's what I hear." She whispered in Hermione's ear.
She smiled at Hermione before going to see if the other needed any help. So Hermione sat and looked at herself in the mirror. She had never thought of herself as a beauty. But looking at herself now, she thought it was the close she was ever going to get. She couldn't wait for Harry to see her.
"Why are you not pregnant yet?" Her mother asked as she sat down beside her.
"I don't know mother. Could we please not do this now? I would like to have fun tonight."
"We will talk about this before your father and I leave to go home."
Hermione nodded and watched as her mother got up to talk to the woman named Molly. She hated when her mother got like this. But then again she was like this more than when she wasn't.
"Ladies it's time to head down. Now Hermione you need to come with me so the family can enter together." Lily said to the group.
Hermione walked over to where Lily was before they both walked out of the room and away from the others.
They had walked down the hallway a bit before going in a small room.
"Lily every time I don't think you could get anymore beautiful you have to go and prove me wrong." Hermione heard James say as he kissed his wife's cheek.
"Hermione."
She turned at the sound of her name to see Harry standing on the other side of the room. He was staring at her as if he had never seen her before.
"You look amazing." He whispered as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you. So do you."
Hermione meant what she said. Harry looked amazing in the dress clothes he was wearing. The rich black seemed to bring out his green eyes even more from behind his glasses.
"I want to kiss you so badly right now." Harry whispered as he leaned even closer to her.
Hermione felt the blush rise to her cheeks. "Me too."
Harry smiled widely at her. But after a moment his eyes shifted from her to something behind her.
Hermione too turned and looked to see Mr. Potter Sr. staring at them. She looked back at Harry who started to fidget slightly.
"Hermione listen," He said as leaned in close to her once again. "I need you to give me your wand. You see my Grandfather asked me early if I had it and I told him that I gave it to you for getting ready. But he…um…well"
"It's okay Harry." Hermione said as she took out her wand and handed it to him. "I know you don't want to take it away from me but it makes it easier to deal with your Grandfather."
Harry smiled at her before looking over to see that his Grandfather was talking with his parents. When he looked back at Hermione he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.
Hermione couldn't help the large smile that spread on her face when Harry pulled back.
Her happiness was interrupted when a tall man entered the room.
"Mr. Potter all the guests have arrived. You can enter the hall when you are ready."
"Thank you Richard we will enter at once." Mr. Potter Sr. said as he made his way from the room followed by James, Lily, Harry and Hermione.
Hermione stood by Harry at the back of the line near a set of doors. She started to feel herself get nervous as she watched Richard open the two large doors.
She could hear the sound of lost of people talking in the room and felt her nervousness grow.
"Don't worry Hermione I'll be right here beside you and I'm sure everyone will love you." Harry whispered in her ear.
"Ladies and Gentleman," Hermione heard Richard say. "May I present your host for the evening. Mr. James Potter the third. His son Mr. James Potter the forth and his wife Ms. Lily Potter. Their son Mr. Harry Potter and for the first time his wife Ms. Hermione Potter."
At the sound of their names they started to walk down the small staircase into the hall where everyone stood and watched them many of whom where clapping softly.
Hermione knew she was blushing as she walked onto the dance floor with Harry. She looked at Harry as he placed himself in front of her to dance. When the music started Harry lead her around the floor with his parents in the first dance of the evening.
She loved dancing with Harry. He was light on his feet and moved so well with her in his arms. After the song ended the crowd clapped and some of them moved onto the dance floor for the next song.
Harry led Hermione over to where Ron, Luna, Neville and Ginny were standing.
"Hermione you looked lovely out there!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry we won't be able to talk to you all long. Grandfather told me earlier that we had to make sure that everyone had a chance to talk to us." Harry said as he stood by Hermione.
"Well yes of course. You are newly married and I'm sure that many of our friends from school want to see the famous Hermione." Ron chuckled.
"Me famous?"
"Oh Hermione Harry talked of nothing but you most of years in school. Everyone knows who you are." Luna informed her.
Hermione turned to look at Harry to see the blush creeping up his neck as he seemed to find great interest in his shoes.
"Yes well I ...uh... think we should make our way around the room. If we see everyone quick enough we should be able to be with you all later."
"Have fun Harry." Neville said as the two walked away.
They hadn't gotten ten feet from their friends before people started to descend upon them.
Hermione could barely tell who was talking and who wasn't as they looked her over. But Harry it seemed, to Hermione, was having no trouble keeping up with everyone's questions.
Slowly they made their way through the room meeting and talking to people here and there. Many of them seemed to be friends of Harry's parents or grandfather.
"Hermione I would like you to meet Bill and Fleur Weasley. Bill is Ron and Ginny's oldest brother. Fleur you went to Beauxbatons I'm sure you remember Hermione from school."
Fleur looked at Hermione for a long moment before the look of recognition, that Hermione dreaded, crossed her face.
"Bushy, Bookworm, Granger! I almost didn't recognize you without your nose stuck in a book."
Hermione couldn't help but cringe slightly when she heard that nickname that she had in school.
"Yes well things change." Hermione said quietly.
"Well if you will excuse us Bill and I need to check on Madeline."
After both Bill and Fleur left Harry pulled Hermione off to the side on the room.
"Did they really call you that at school?" Harry asked her once they were alone.
"Yes but it doesn't really matter now does it."
"I saw the look you got when she called you that. It does matter."
"Harry if you must know I wasn't the most popular person in school. If fact I think I was the least popular person. But I had my books and they made me happy. That was all I needed." Hermione thought that sounded so good she almost believed herself.
Harry looked as if he was going to say something else but was cut off as he opened his mouth.
"Harry it's been too long since we've seen each other." Said a female voice from behind Harry.
Hermione watched as Harry closed his eyes in frustration and a hand creep over his shoulder.
When the women that belonged to the hand made her way around and saw Hermione standing there she seemed to be taken a back.
Hermione looked at Harry to see find him looking right back at her.
"Hello Miss. Chang I'd like you to meet my wife Hermione. Hermione this is Cho Chang we went to school together."
"Oh Harry why so formal? You use to call me Cho all the time in school." Cho said as she moved much too close to Harry for Hermiones liking.
Hermione could almost see Harry gritting his teeth as he listened to this woman that Luna and Ginny had warned her about.
"It's lovely to meet you Cho." Hermione said politely.
Cho seemed to look down her nose at Hermione even though she was shorter then her.
"Yes like wise. Well Harry you will have to make sure you write me. I miss seeing you like I did in school."
With that Cho sauntered away. Leaving a very annoyed and ticked off Hermione behind.
"The nerve of that woman! I was standing right here as she threw herself at you. What kind of women does that in front of a man's wife?" Hermione huffed.
"Hermione I just want you to know that nothing ever happened between Cho and I she…well…it's too much to talk about here and now."
Hermione smile and place a loving hand on Harry's cheek. "I know Harry. I know."
Harry seemed to relax at this and the two proceeded to make there way back to meeting friends of the family.
I was almost an hour later and three glasses of punch when Hermione realized she needed a break.
"If you'll excuse me I'm going to go to the washroom." Hermione said before walking away from the couple that they had been talking to.
After washing up Hermione started heading back to party but was stopped by a voice.
"Do you really think he wanted to marry you?"
Hermione turned to see Cho Chang walking up behind her.
"He didn't you know. His grandfather wouldn't let him out of the arrangement. He told me himself one night when we were alone."
"It's funny that I don't believe you."
"Oh but it's true. He's a wonderful kisser isn't he? Very good with his hands, knows just how to put them on your body to make you feel alive."
Hermione felt the blood drain from her face. All the faith she had had in Harry seemed to be leaving her.
"So you do know what I'm talking about. How he likes to run his hands through your hair. It's wonderful the way it makes you feel isn't it?"
"I, unlike you, have class and refuse to talk to you about such things. Especially when I know you are nothing but a jealous guttersnipe." Hermione watched as Cho turn a brilliant shade of red before she stalked past her.
Hermione on the other hand just wanted to be alone before going out to the party. She went in the first door she found and closed the door behind her.
"May I help you?"
Hermione turned to see Grandfather Potter standing behind a desk on the other side of the room.
"I…just needed a moment from the party is all. I didn't know anyone else was in here."
"Yes well while you are here let me have a word with you. How is everything going with Harry?"
"Fine, we are happy together."
He nodded slightly. "Lily tells me that you are not yet with child. Are you having problems?"
"Um no, no problems."
"I see." James Sr. walked around his desk and across the room to where Hermione was standing. "So if I were to do the same spell I did the day of your wedding it would be different?"
Hermione felt the blood drain from her face. She knew that if he did that spell and saw that she and Harry had not been intimate all hell would break loose.
She could not seem to form words as she stared unseeing at Harry's grandfather. But before any other thought was able to push its way into her mind she watched in fear as he said the spell.
Hermione watched as the white light engulfed her body. When it faded away she had barely a moment to see the rage in his eyes before she was slammed into the wall behind her.
"How dare you lie to me girl!"
Hermione had to bite a lip from crying out in pain as his hands tightened on her arms.
"If you didn't want to marry Harry then you should have gotten out of it when we gave you the chance." He leaned in close to her so that his body was press tightly to hers. "If you are not caring Harry's child by Christmas I will make sure that you are at least carrying a Potter."
Hermione's eyes went wide as he said this. He couldn't, wouldn't, would he?
"Do you understand me?"
Hermione nodded as the realization that he would in fact follow through with his threat if she didn't comply.
"Now clean yourself up before you come back out to the party. We wouldn't want the guest to think that you aren't happy."
With that he released her arms and left the room. No sooner had the door shut did Hermione feel her legs give out beneath her and the tears started to flow. She thought about what he had said.
She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there when the door to the room opened. Hermione started to wipe her arms but was stopped when her mother grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.
"You haven't given yourself to him yet? What is wrong with you Hermione! Don't you realize how lucky you are to be in this family? You as good as a muggleborn and you were lucky enough to marry into an old pureblood family with money and you seem to be willing to throw all that away."
Hermione ripped her arm away from her mother's grasp as fear was replaced with anger .
"How dare you Mother! You lied to me. You said I couldn't get out of the marriage but they gave me a chance didn't they?"
"Do you really think I was going to let this opportunity go? This is your chance to get out of our life. Your children will have everything that they need and want."
"That's not the point Mother! You should have told me let me decide! It's my LIFE!"
"How dare you speak to me like that! I did what was best for you."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her mother. But it was then that she all of her other thoughts came to her mind.
"Why don't I remember Harry as child Mother?"
Her mother seemed slightly taken aback by this question.
"What are you talking about Hermione?"
"I don't remember much of what it was like here when I was little. I do remember living in France though. Also Harry told me he wrote me letters. Funny I never got any of them. Would you know anything about those Mother?"
Hermione watched as her mother took a deep breath.
"Everything that your father and I have ever done we did for your own good."
"What did you do Mother?"
"You hated your father and I for making you move away from Harry. You cried the whole trip to France and for the first few days we were there. Then that letter came from Harry. You read it in your room. When you didn't come down for supper I went to your room to check on you.
"You were gone. When we found you where on a boat that getting ready was head back to England. You fought your father and I the entire way home. It was then that we decided that it would be best if you didn't remember Harry. Your father cast a spell you wouldn't remember him fully. And I made sure that you never got one of his letters again."
Hermione had to will the pain and anger to the back of her mind before she could speak.
"What else did you do Mother? If you did all this and then had me marry Harry you must have done something to make sure the boys at school didn't take my heart."
"You have always been too clever for your own good Hermione. How did you know?"
"No boy ever looked at me then more then a friend or someone to copy homework from."
"It was for your own good that I did it. Those school age boys only want one thing from girls like you and I wasn't about to let that happen to you."
"Can you never tell the truth unless backed into a corner Mother? You did that spell to make sure that I could marry Harry. You didn't do any of this for me. You did it for you. So you would move up in the social ladder. It's never about me it's always about you. Mother could you please leave. I can't be near you right now and I want the letters that is if you haven't destroyed them."
Hermione watched as her mother turned on her heels and left the room shutting the door hard behind her.
As soon as the door was shut Hermione let all the pain and anger burst from her in a large sob. But it didn't stop there. Her legs quickly gave out from beneath her and more tears flowed from her eyes.
She had been sitting on the floor for a good five minutes before she felt a hand on her back.
"Hermione are you alright?" Harry asked as he knelt down next her.
Hermione let out a great sob as she threw her arms around Harry's neck.
"Take me home Harry, please! I can't be here any longer. Please Harry."
"Okay I'll take you home. Let's go tell everyone that we are leaving"
"NO! Please Harry I don't want to go back out there. Can't we just leave?"
Harry looked at her for a long moment. "Alight I'll go tell me parents that you aren't feeling well and that I'm going to take you home. I'll also have the carriage brought around to the side of the house so you don't have to see anyone. Okay?"
Hermione nodded as before Harry gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the room. She tried to get herself to stop crying but her body wouldn't let her.
When Harry returned to the room he helped her to her feet and placed her cloak around her shoulder before leading her out of the room.
As they walked down the hallway Hermione could hear the party still going on. They quickly got into the carriage and Hermione curled herself close to Harry during the ride to their home.
Once she was back in the safety of their bedroom Hermione decided that things needed to be taken into her own hands.
She quickly moved over to where Harry was standing and started kissing him. She pushed her tongue into his mouth and rubbed it against his until he too started playing.
Hermione felt Harry's hands come down and clutch her waist, tightly pulling her closer to him.
"Make me yours Harry." Hermione panted as she pulled away for a moment before going back to kissing him.
Only this time he did not respond when her tongue touched his. In fact the grip he had on her waist seemed to loosen as well.
"Harry please!" Hermione begged as she started to kiss down his neck.
"Hermione stop." Harry's hands came up to her arms to push her away slightly.
What he didn't know was that he put his hands were his grandfather had squeezed her arms and she winced in pain.
"Hermione did I hurt you?"
Hermione shook her head as she moved away from Harry.
"Hermione what happened to make you so upset?"
As she looked at him she couldn't hold it back any longer. With tears spilling down her cheeks she told Harry everything that happened. From meeting Cho outside of the washroom to when he walked in and found her on the floor.
"I want you to listen to me Hermione. You are the only woman I have ever wanted. Cho is nothing but a sad and lonely woman who wants what she can't have. I will never let my grandfather hurt you. And no matter what your mother and father did to you I will help you remember what did when we were younger."
Harry pulled her to him as her hug her tightly. Hermione smiled into Harry's neck as they hugged.
"Take off your dress so I can heal your arms."
Hermione was surprised by this for a moment but then turn around so Harry could undo the back of her dress. When it pooled on the floor Hermione turned and watched as Harry healed the burses that had started to appear on her arms.
"We should get to bed it's been a very long day."
Hermione nodded before taking off her corset, leaving her in only her under clothes, as she crawled into bed.
She watched for the first time as Harry shed his clothes before climbing into bed with her. Once he was settled into bed Hermione turned until her head rested on his chest.
"Harry will we ever…?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"When we're ready."
Hermione nodded into Harry's chest.
"Harry?"
"Hmm."
"Would it help to tell you that I'm ready."
"Soon Hermione."
They both became silent after that. It wasn't long before Hermione could feel Harry's breathing change. A short time later Hermione found herself following Harry to sleep.
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