A/N - I enjoyed a lot writing this story. IÕm glad to see that you all have enjoyed it as well. Thanks for your reviews. They mean a lot! J
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8. Together at Last
Time really flew. Summer had arrived and it was getting closer to its end. Both Harry and Hermione felt they hadnÕt had a more wonderful summer in their entire lives. Everybody was glad to see them together. They had all expected it to happen Ôcause it was clear Harry and Hermione were meant to be together.
One thing kept the whole gang extra busy that summer. They had all been helping to prepare Ron and LunaÕs wedding. Now it was only two weeks away. That early September Saturday, Luna asked Ginny and Hermione to go shopping with her.
Luna wanted to buy some new, sexy lingerie for her honeymoon. ÒRon already knows all of my underwear,Ó said Ginny, and with that she took her friends into a muggle lingerie shop.
ÒWhy canÕt we just go to the one in Diagon Alley?Ó asked Ginny. ÒThey have some really great lingerie there as well.Ó
ÒI want it to be a surprise! RonÕs in Diagon Alley all day. I don't want him to see me there,Ó said Luna while looking at a white lacy nightgown. ÒBesides, IÕve always wanted to come here.Ó
ÒWellÉ itÕs not much different from any other shop.Ó Being a muggleborn, Hermione couldnÕt see what all the fuss was about. Since they were already there, Hermione decided to buy herself a couple of bras.
ÒAre you buying this?Ó asked Ginny looking at the white, regular bras Hermione had chosen.
ÒYes, why?Ó
ÒHoney, you need something more spicy!Ó Ginny grabbed a leopard print, lacy trimmed, black straps push-up bra. ÒHow about this?Ó
ÒAre you crazy? ThatÕs definitely not my style.Ó
ÒYouÕll just be wearing it like for fifteen minutes and then itÕll end up in the floor anyways,Ó said Luna distractedly while choosing some silk stockings.
ÒOkay then, maybe these are a little too much, but heyÉ thereÕs a lot of nice things here you could get.Ó Then, with a mischievous grin Ginny added, ÒIÕm sure Harry wouldnÕt mind seeing you in something more sexy.Ó
Hermione flushed. Even though she trusted her friends very much, she couldnÕt help feeling a little uncomfortable talking about her sex life.
ÒI have to agree with Ginny, you know,Ó said Luna while trying to decide whether to go with a black or a red silk cami. ÒA guy doesnÕt mind to see his girl wearing something naughty from time to time.Ó
ÒIt gives more fuel to yourÉ nights,Ó added Ginny.
ÒSince when youÕre such experts?Ó asked Hermione, who couldnÕt see what was wrong with the bras she had already chosen.
ÒHow about this?Ó said Ginny showing Hermione a nice, lacy black bra with matching thong. It sure was a lot classier than the leopard print one. Hermione thought about it for a while, maybe it wouldnÕt hurt to try something new. Seeing that Hermione was thinking about it, Ginny added, ÒYouÕll see, itÕll bring out the wild animal Harry has inside.Ó
All three girls laughed at GinnyÕs words. Finally Hermione decided to give it a try. ÒIt doesnÕt hurt,Ó Hermione thought. She just wasnÕt sure when itÕd be a good time to give Harry the surprise.
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The two remaining weeks before the wedding went faster than the two previous months. Before they knew it, the Saturday when Ron and Luna would finally wed had arrived.
The wedding was to take place at the BurrowÔs backyard. The entire Weasley family had helped to decorate it for the ceremony. All the bushes and trees had been decorated with real small fairies that illuminated the entire area. A gorgeous arch had been magically arranged with all sorts of white flowers. The actual ceremony was to take place right under the arch.
Ginny was LunaÕs maid of honor and Harry was the best man. Hermione and Rosie, a friend of Luna from The Quibbler, were bridesmaids. Since Harry was the best man, he was escorting Ginny. Fred was HermioneÕs escort and George was RosieÕs. George had taken very seriously his role as RosieÕs escort and wouldnÕt let her out of his side all day.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed the exquisite buffet and the wonderful music. Bridesmaids and escorts were to dance a special piece with the newly weds.
ÒHands where I can see them pal!Ó said Harry to Fred, a mocking smile on his face.
ÒSame to you, thatÕs my sister you got there,Ó replied Fred.
Later that night, Harry was finally able to dance with his girlfriend. ÒI love to dance,Ó said Harry in HermioneÕs ear as they were dancing.
ÒYou do?Ó asked Hermione amazed to hear Harry saying that. Pulling her face away from HarryÕs she looked at him. ÒYouÕve always hated dancing.Ó
ÒNot anymore,Ó he replied pulling Hermione back to the position she had been before, dancing cheek to cheek. ÒIt gives me the perfect excuse to have you like this.Ó As he said that, he tighten his arms a little more around HermioneÕs back.
ÒYou donÕt need an excuse to have me like this.Ó Hermione started playing with HarryÕs earlobe. Then added softly in his ear, ÒOn the contrary, if you donÕt do it, IÕll jinx youÓ
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A week after the wedding, while Ron and Luna were enjoying their honeymoon in Italy (A gift from Mr. Weasley), Harry invited Hermione to a romantic dinner. For a little more than a month, Harry had been carrying in his inside pocket a little black box trying to find the right time to give it to Hermione. Now he perfectly understood how Ron had felt before proposing. A little bit scared about what her answer could be.
He wasnÕt sure whether Hermione would think that he was going too fast. They had just been together for six months. But to Harry, it didnÕt feel like rushing things. After all, heÕd been in love with her for so long. He had wasted so much time that he wanted to some how make up for it. He was also totally sure that Hermione loved him, but wasnÕt sure if sheÕd say. They hadnÕt even moved in together. Hermione was still living with Ginny at their flat, but he just couldnÕt wait any more.
All through dinner, Harry had looked anxious and distracted. He had been practicing a little speech all day long, but now that Hermione was sitting next to him he couldnÕt remember a single word of it.
She looked astonishing. She was wearing a knee height black fitted dress with spaghetti straps and a classy cleavage, strappy black heels in her feet. To accessorize her look, Hermione had put on a silver choker and earrings set. Her brown bushy hair was tied in an elegant bun with a few strands purposely loose framing her face.
Harry couldnÕt stop looking at her. Finally when the dessert plates had been taken away, Harry realized his time had arrived. He order a bottle of champagne and, after it was brought to the table, filled two flutes with the sparkling liquid.
ÒLetÕs make a toast,Ó he said while raising his flute. Hermione imitated him. ÒTo us,Ó added Harry. When Hermione placed her flute back in the table, Harry reached out and took one of her hands in his. Hermione felt his hand was cold yet sweaty.
ÒAre you okay Harry?Ó
ÒYes, yesÉ In fact, IÕve never been better. Since weÕve been together Hermione, there hasnÕt been a day when IÕm not feeling great.Ó Hermione looked at his green eyes. They were so full of love and devotion. ÒSince weÕve been together, I am the happiest man alive. But you know, I also feel bad when I think about all the time we wasted denying our feelings. IÉ I donÕt want to waste more time.Ó
As he said that he slipped the little black box to the table and placed it right in front of Hermione. When she saw it, she went quiet. Afraid of hoping for something that perhaps wasnÕt what he was going to do. But when Harry opened the box for her, she realized that what she had hoped for was actually happening. A beautiful solitary ring with a heart shaped diamond shone from inside the box as if it had light of its own. Hermione seemed to have frozen. Harry took the silver ring out of the box. ÒI want to make sure that youÕll always be there with me. I want us to grow old together and to make a family of our own.Ó
Then taking HermioneÕs left hand in his, he asked, ÒWould you like to share the rest of your life with me? Hermione, will you be my wife?Ó
Hermione couldnÕt speak. Tears of happiness began to roll down her cheeks. Making an effort to respond, she nodded.
ÒYes!Ó she was finally able to say. ÒOh Harry! Of course I will. I wouldnÕt want my life to be any other way.Ó As she said that, Harry placed the ring into her finger. Then, he leaned towards her and gave her a passionate kiss to seal their engagement.
Harry felt his happiness was going to explode out of him. He knew perfectly well that with Hermione at his side his life would be wonderful. Hermione looked at him. ÒWell,Ó she thought, ÒIt seems I chose the perfect night to show Harry the little outfit Ginny made me buy.Ó She then smiled mischievously thinking about the surprise Harry would receive later that night.
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Always and forever,
each moment with you,
itÕs just like a dream to me,
that somehow came through.
And I know tomorrow,
will still be the same,
Ôcause weÕve got a life of love.
that wonÕt ever end.
(Heatwave)