Chapter 6-The Promise
Driving Hermione's SUV was almost as fun for Harry as riding his broom. He weaved in and out of traffic on his way to pick her up at the airport. He looked at the clock in the console and wished he had turned the car into a port key. The only negative about driving was that traffic turned roads into parking lots that moved slower that the traffic did in parking lots. Hermione had been on the plane a long time this time coming from Australia. She would not be happy if he made her wait.
Finally, there was a break in the traffic. He pulled over to the left lane and exited toward the airport. He would make it with just a few minutes to spare. Once parked, he moved as quickly as he could to the luggage area to find Hermione. New security rules for the airports were in effect since the horrible September 11th terrorist attack eight days ago. Hermione was in New York that day and the pain in Harry's heart was something he would never forget. Not just in the moments he waited to hear her lovely voice to know she was safe, but for those thousands of families who awaited news of their loved ones.
He made sure that his wand was securely stowed in the bag behind his seat in the car. He would not have been able to explain it to the armed security guard who was checking for weapons as he entered the terminal. Harry had not read that only passengers could be in the luggage areas so he waited by the only exit.
His heart leapt as he saw her pulling her familiar train of suitcases through the crowd of people. He had only talked to her since the eleventh. He had not seen her. "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!" he said as he lifted her in the air. His favorite thing in the world was the smell of her perfume and hair. "You're just as gorgeous as ever."
"Hi, Harry. I'm so glad to be home," she kissed him uncharacteristically hard this evening.
"Let's get out of here," she said. "Mum and Dad are waiting for us at the Four Pillars for dinner. I told them how wonderful the food was and they wanted to try it. I'll drive Harry. I know you can do it, I just want to keep my adrenaline up or I'll fall asleep in the passenger side."
They walked as quickly as the crowds would let them. Harry had taken charge of the bags much to Hermione's relief. It seemed like it took a long time to get to the car but it had only taken ten minutes. Harry loaded the luggage and got in.
He knew better than to begin downloading every little thing in this traffic so he was patient and let her tell him how things were going. "Harry, remind me that thirteen hours on a plane in brutal. I went from Sydney to Melbourne to Adelaide to Perth in five days. Then this flight almost put me in tears. It is absolutely beautiful there but the meetings and shows took away a lot of the excitement."
Harry knew just from the phone conversations that Hermione was going to be tired and possibly grumpy. He was so glad that she was not to the grumpy state from overwork. He knew it was better for him that she was in good spirits but he had learned she felt guiltier after a good sleep for being grumpy. He never understood how she could be sorry for being human. "Well, how's the Ministry handling your demands for more interesting work?"
"Well, I'm getting on-the-job-training from guess who?" he asked.
"I have no idea," she said with a smile. "I can only remember two names of people who work there. One is Luna as a secretary and the other is Tonks."
"Well, Tonks is close. Do you remember John? The guy who had the kids at the wedding?" he asked.
"Yes, the Department of Magical Forensics, or something like that? Okay, go on?" she said.
"Well, I will be working with him in Forensics. That's actually kind of cool stuff," said Harry excitedly.
"Oh, I'm glad Sweetie. I missed you this past two weeks," she said with a little groan. "You've gotten so good at making me relax with that massages stuff. The other thing is we are staying at the hotel again, because I am not sleeping in my childhood home with you on my birthday after we have had champagne. My Dad would have a full-blown heart attack the first time I let out a peep. And face it, alcohol, Hermione, and Harry make a horny team." She smiled. "All kidding aside, I'm bushed. The alcohol might put me to sleep. Staying there will be safer after we celebrate."
"I understand, Hermione. I am just glad you are home safe. They are still not allowing traffic in and out of New York on a regular basis. You're lucky you could get out of L.A. to go to Australia," he said.
"Did you talk to Ron and Luna, Harry? Will they be expecting us tomorrow at the Burrow?" she asked.
"I went out and saw Molly again. Ron will be back late tonight and Luna will be leaving work early so we can get together before dark," he said. "Don't worry; your birthday celebration is in good hands." He was going to say little if anything about tomorrow.
The final turn toward the Four Pillars gave Hermione a reason to cheer. "I can sit in a comfortable chair for the first time in seventeen hours."
Harry took care of the luggage and the porter. He went to the restaurant to greet the Grangers while Hermione freshened up. He was so grateful that they had taken to him in July. Mr. Granger was a delight to talk to and Mrs. Granger spoiled him with service he only expected from Mrs. Weasley or his own mother. That thought brought a moment of reflection for him. Ron was right; he was a very lucky man with the people in his life.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hermione had to go up and freshen up a bit. She will be right back. So, how have you two been?" Harry asked.
"Very well, Harry. Business has been steady and we are happy that the latest results from my doctor were encouraging. The latest EKG shows that the exercise program is helping. My resting heart rate is better than it has been since college. I mean at 52 I'm glad, since at 50 the prognosis was bleak." Mr. Granger was one person Harry would truly miss if anything happened to him. He had spoken to him straight about his expectations in a future son-in-law. Harry had never proposed, but it made Harry feel good that the Grangers saw their commitment and did not doubt it. "I'd ask you about your work Harry but it would be like you asking about anesthetics for a root canal. Neither one of us would know what the hell was going on."
"Robert, such language," said Mrs. Granger. Anna-Marie Granger was a striking woman in her 50s. Hermione often said she hoped to look as good without makeup as her Mum looked at 50 without it.
"I knew I was in trouble without the women keeping each other company," he said whimsically. "I miss talking with the guys at the bar or hanging out at the health club. Nevertheless, those behaviors got my health out of whack. I was spending more time at the bar talking about exercise than I was doing it. Drinking wasn't the whole problem; it was the bad food and the long hours that put me over the top."
Hermione came down looking much fresher than she had on the way up. He could tell that she had been able to improve the way she felt by just changing out those clothes she had worn for so long. He stood and held her chair for her.
"You have him trained well, dear," said Mrs. Granger with an incredibly Hermione-like smile. "I'm just kidding, Harry. You are a delight to be around."
"Thanks, I appreciate that. She is really worth every effort to please," said Harry honestly.
Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for that."
"You're not traveling again until at least after Christmas, Hermione? It'll be nice to have you living at home again," asked her father. He hung his head immediately when he realized she had talked to them first and not Harry. "I'm truly, sorry dear." He said to Hermione. "Harry, I didn't mean to spoil her surprise."
Harry was too happy to be disappointed in something so trivial. "Thank God," he said. "The world is an absolute disaster right now and I couldn't think of a better time to take some time off Hermione."
He looked at her and back to the Grangers. He was missing something and he could not figure out what it could be. Then it dawned on Harry that the easy-going "oops" and apology from Mr. Granger was not a mistake at all. He was making sure that Hermione told Harry or that she cornered on this decision. Disappoint her parents or live with her boyfriend over the next 3 months.
"Did a turnip truck just drive by and drop me off, Mr. Granger?" asked Harry trying to be witty or maybe sarcastic, he was not sure of his motives. "I mean I should have a bruise if it did. It seems to me that not allowing Hermione to talk to me first is a shrewd way to make her choose between the father she admires and her boyfriend. Why is this feeling so strong?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about Harry," said Mr. Granger.
"Well, no, I wouldn't expect you would. After all what benefit would there be to making your daughter choose?" said Harry. "I would be glad to see her enjoy a few months at home with her parents. I just don't appreciate meddling in our lives instead of straight talk."
"Harry, do you have to speak to my father in that tone?" asked Hermione who was obviously uncomfortable.
"No, I don't sweetheart. I'm sorry, Sir. However, I feel as men that we need to clear this up. I feel somewhat slighted. Not thirty seconds before she returned I was thinking; `Now this is a man's man. In our first meeting, he told me his expectations of a future son-in-law. It will be nice to know where I stand.'
Harry continued.
Therefore, accusations of interference aside, are you making a statement about our relationship since we are not married. If that is the intent, then you could have told me that and I would respect the sanctity of your beliefs in marriage. That I understand completely. Otherwise, it was a mean-spirited way to cause trouble between Hermione and me."
Hermione glared at Harry. Her father answered. "Harry, she's never brought anyone home. You are the first. My little girl is in love with you and because of the love you share, you made a decision that hurts us very deeply with respect to vows and, you are right, the sanctity of marriage. I apologize for being smug and intentionally rubbing it in your face. Yes, it was both Harry. No man wants to lose his daughter to another."
"Well, Dad, maybe you decided for me in your mind. I have not made my decision. I may get a flat of my own. So this battle to determine which of you I love more can stop. Gee, Happy Birthday, Hermione. Good to see you after your long trip," said Hermione angry now at both of them.
"You," she said speaking to Harry, "could have taken me aside and told me what you suspected. Confronting my father in front of me may make him respect you, but it will offend me every time. I am too tired to deal with the cloud hanging over the meal now. I am going to bed. Good night, Mom. I'll call you soon." She stopped and turned around. "I love all of you, so would you please work this out. I'm not going to play favorites."
There was a thick, pervasive silence at the table once she had left. Harry was ashamed of himself after only a few moments of thinking about what she said. He had offended her in one of the only ways he could by not allowing her to smooth things out. She hated conflict and even more, she worried about the stress on her father. He would apologize.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I owe you an apology," he paused while gathering his thoughts. Mr. Granger interrupted.
"I owe you one as well," he said stiffly but not angrily.
"I don't know what Hermione's told you about me, but I will tell you a very short story. I grew up without my natural parents. I had to learn to defend myself at a young age. Yet, I have evidence that they died to protect me during a home invasion. I will not doubt the love of any parent for their child. I will not disrespect their wishes, ever. Yet, I was also no stranger to controversy. I am used to saying what I think many times at the price of insolence and arrogance. Neither of which is appropriate speaking to you, Sir," said Harry in a very somber and choked up voice. "One last thing, Sir--I was disappointed that you didn't trust me to do the right thing by her. That is why I was angry."
Hermione's parents sat quietly as they took in what Harry had told them. Mr. Granger was a proud and honest man. He looked at Harry. "There are some people who it takes forever to understand and there are others that are so brutally honest and wear their emotions on their sleeve that you know them in an instant. Neither one is good or bad. I am in the first category and Harry you are in the second. Your integrity is not in question. My only wish is that Hermione understand that marriage provides certain benefits to both the husband and wife. To take the benefits without the commitment can lead to a weak and unfulfilling commitment. We want you to want each other so much you will get married-sooner, rather than later. That is our story. You will be a welcome addition to our family, son."
Harry felt a surge of respect for Mr. Granger. "Sir, I would ask Hermione for her hand in marriage only with your blessing. I am fearful of my ability to love her the way she deserves. I have never had the benefit of seeing what married life is like as a child. It scares me. And, believe me, I don't scare easily."
Mrs. Granger put her hand on Harry's. "Hermione is a precious part of our lives. We do not want you to marry her to satisfy our demands. We want Hermione to be happy. We have talked, Robert and I, about the fact that Hermione's judgment has always been first rate in everything except the boys she liked. Maybe that was because the one she loved had not come along yet. When she found him, she brought him to us. You are a nice young man. Just understand what Robert is trying to say."
"Harry, you two do what you think is right. I know it will be the right thing. Why don't you go see, Hermione and order in with her? We will eat here. I am sure we will hear from you soon. Do not let her fret about this Harry. I know my daughter. The stiff upper lip was wavering as she left," said Mr. Granger.
Harry sat for a moment longer thinking. "Sir, I am grateful for your patience. This could have been so much uglier than it's turned out."
Mrs. Granger smiled and interjected, "Ah, but you still have to face Hermione."
He understood. "I'll be going upstairs now then." He shook Mr. Granger's hand as he stood. Mr. Granger stood with him and patted him on the shoulder. Mrs. Granger gave him a hug.
Harry walked with a purpose toward the elevator and hit the button to the suites. His mind was racing a little and as he emerged from the elevator, he had a pang of guilt. Everyone tells me I am a good person. Yet, I learn lessons from everyone that show me I'm not. I am happy to indulge in all the benefits of marriage without the commitment.
He stopped and leaned against the wall for a second. A second thought came to him that seemed more like the Harry he wanted to be. It may not be comfortable for me, but it is not about me right now. It is about us, he thought. What do we need to do to be happy?
He knew. He DisApparated.
Meanwhile, Hermione sat with a box of tissues and a glass of wine from the mini-bar. She had her diary open. "What do I do if my father and Harry are constantly at odds? I can withstand a lot of things, but that would not be one." She stopped writing, took a sip, and looked out the window into the dark. A tear fell on the page. "What happened? How did my Dad think I would feel if he just blurted out something that I had not talked to Harry about? How did Harry talk to my father in harsh tones, knowing that I would regard my father and mother as the only two people I would put above him? Am I wrong about putting my parents first?" She closed the book angrily and spoke aloud to no one. "Why must I choose?"
Hermione walked to the balcony with the second glass of wine. She felt sleepy. She had been too angry to eat when she arrived in the room, but now she started to think of eating something to soak up the wine at the very least. It had been an hour since she left and she was beginning to wonder how, Harry and her parents could talk for so long after a row like that. There was a knock at the door. "Room Service."
Hermione went to the door and said, "I haven't ordered anything. Are you sure it's for me?" Her eyes were puffy but the redness had gone.
"Mr. Potter said that you should eat something and that he'd be along shortly," said the room service attendant. Hermione looked and sure enough, a mid-thirties man had a tray and a cart.
She opened the door and stood speechless. First, there was the cart. Then there was the tray on the table. In addition, a porter stood there with the largest bouquet of red roses Hermione had ever seen outside of a funeral or wedding. However, what made her cry was Harry standing behind all of this with a camera in front of a sign hanging in the hallway that said, "Happy Birthday, Hermione." Harry handed each of the staff a ten-pound note, entered and closed the door.
"Before you say anything, listen to me," he said and paused for her response. She nodded.
He went first to the cart where he opened the cover displaying a huge chocolate cake with a heart in red glaze, "I love you. Happy Birthday." Under the towels were two bottles of champagne with glasses. "I have one bottle for tomorrow at the Burrow," he explained. He had not gone to the tray on the table yet instead he talked about it. "On the tray, there are three boxes. Each has a truth or dare. You can choose to answer it. On the other hand, you can choose me to answer it. The final one is mine no matter what. Okay, so I lied." He smiled.
She was speechless for a moment. Then she collected herself, "I want to be mad. I want to know what happened between you two. But I have the rest of my life to be mad and I'll find out eventually anyway, I'll play along."
"Who will do the first one, Hermione? You or I?" he asked.
"I will, truth," she said.
"Think of the most beautiful place you have ever been. Take my hand and open the box," he said. She closed her eyes. As she did so, Harry took the handle of the tray with his other hand. She opened the box. It radiated white light but as it did so, they spun in that familiar way only a portkey created.
Harry smiled as he looked around at the little park that they had been in just three months before playing the game of truth or dare after the wedding. "Your truth question is: Why is this place the most beautiful place you have ever been?"
"It is simple and serene, but I had a magical feeling here when this dopey guy I know pretended to propose to me," she smiled.
"Dopey, huh?" Harry had to smile because she was clearly feeling better to use a word like dopey instead of jackass or worse.
"Okay, box number 2." Harry said.
"Harry, for some reason, I like truth tonight," she smiled. He thought at that moment she had guessed where this was all going, but he was not sure.
"Open the box and do what it says, then answer the question," he said.
The stars were bright and night breeze was getting stiffer. Harry knew she was not dressed for the outdoors and would catch cold if he did not hurry. Finally, looking him in the eyes she picked up the small box and opened it. She cried at the sight of a small pendant opened with the picture of them taken just a mile from here mugging for the camera in their wedding clothes. In the box, a note in Harry's handwriting said. "Do you believe the inscription?"
"I will love and cherish you, forever. Harry."
"Yes, of course, I do Harry. Why wouldn't I?" she said as she came to him, hugged and kissed him.
He simply said, "Then open the third box and give me my task."
He knew at this point that she had no clue. He had her senses cross-wired and he was glad. She sniffed as she took the box and opened it. She shook her head and went to her knees looking at the very card that had given him the task to propose to her three months before with a note. A series of notes followed. "This task is modified below." She took the second card. "You have 5 seconds to think and you may only speak from the heart."
Harry took one knee in front of her and began, "Hermione, I love you. I promise that I will love and cherish you forever. I fear few things in the world, but the one I fear most is failing you. It will be my job for the rest of our natural lives to strive not to do that again. Will you marry me, Hermione? Will you make me the happiest and luckiest man alive?" He reached into his pocket, removed a modest three-carat diamond solitaire ring, and placed it on her finger.
She could not speak. He did not want to speak until she answered. "Yes," she said. "Is that all you wanted to know?" she smiled and kissed him. He kissed her as the pounding in his chest subsided.
After a very long embrace he said, "You'll catch cold. We're going back." He gathered the boxes and cards. They Apparated in their room where Hermione felt for the sofa to sit.
Hermione sat on the sofa contemplating what had just happened. Harry sat next to her and took her hands. "Darling, I really am sorry that I let my temper get the best of me."
She did not seem to hear him. She looked down at the ring, "I said yes didn't I. If I have not, yet I meant to say yes. Anything else I said was out of shock." It was as if she were suspended in time for a moment. "I must look ridiculous. I am trying to decide whether I want to hug you until the sun comes up or go to sleep. I'm so tired and so happy."
"Sweetheart, let's do this. We will have a little cake and a glass of champagne. Then we will get ready for bed. I will tuck you in so you can sleep. I won't wake you tomorrow until you get up voluntarily." He smiled and hoped she understood what he said.
"On my birthday, of all days--I thought I'd see it coming a mile away. I thought I would know because you would do something to show your nervousness like drink too much beer or wine. That was the most incredible rollercoaster of emotion. I don't think I'd be this screwed up if I weren't so tired, but that was amazing," she said again.
Harry realized she needed sleep. He led her back to the bedroom took her shoes of for her and asked if she needed any help. She leaned back and put her head on the pillow. Harry put her feet up on the bed. "I'll get it from here honey," she whispered as his face came close to hers. I am sorry I am so out of it. I had two little bottles of wine too."
Harry smiled. He had not counted on that factor. The excitement probably sent the wine straight to her head. He recalled the night that he realized that Lord Voldemort was gone and he would never have that threat over him again. He was so overwhelmed he could not think. He curled up and slept. Mrs. McGonagall said he slept for 13 hours. "Sweetheart, tomorrow we can decide about a wedding date. I love you so much." Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell softly. Harry took the bed cover from his side and covered her.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Harry must have just fallen asleep sitting in the chair next to her watching her. When Hermione awoke, she was startled to see him sitting there head hanging the left drooling and dead asleep. Hermione smiled. She looked at her left hand and just shook her head. She felt the locket at her neck. She could not let Harry hurt himself sleeping like that. "Harry, sweetheart, wake up honey. You have to get in bed and go to sleep." He groggily accepted her hand and stood up. She walked him around to his side of the bed. She took off his jacket and laying it neatly on the bed next to him. She helped him with his trousers and socks. She looked at her own feet and realized that he must have looked the same trying to get her to go to sleep.
Hermione returned to the bed to pull down the rest of the covers when Harry surprised her almost into a heart attack. "Were you undressing me to ravage me in my sleep," he said yawning. She took a step back putting a hand to her chest.
"How long have you been awake?" she said acting somewhat upset.
"Well, I don't know, but if you would have had someone unbuckle your pants run their hands down your legs then tickle your feet getting their socks off, you'd be awake too. Thank you, sweetheart. I was not faking it. If I were I'd have waited made it interesting for you to get me to lie down and took advantage of you then," said Harry groggily with a faint smile and closed eyes.
She smiled and replied, "Well, you'll have to wait for another time then to take advantage of me."
"It's okay," he said. "I'm too pooped to pop anyway." He opened his eyes slightly and kissed her cheek. "I'm going to sleep now." He swung is legs up and wrestled the blanket sheets down until he was under them and rolled over.
Hermione laughed and went into the loo. The clock said 4:45 AM and she was sure that the only sleep she would get now was a nap. After all, it was mid-afternoon or later where she had been for the last five days. She cleaned off her make-up and dressed in her sweats to get comfortable.
She looked through her bag and realized that she had not put away her diary. It was still sitting on the sofa. She hoped Harry had not read it. She never wrote something that, if found, would be brutally embarrassing. Nevertheless, they were here private thoughts and feelings. She opened it again and wrote, "I don't think I've ever been so pleasantly surprised by an act of kindness in my life…" She continued to put her feelings into the closest words she could find to match the feelings. She could not find words when she recalled opening the last box and seeing that card. She remembered every word he said, "Hermione, I love you. I promise that I will love and cherish you forever. I fear few things in the world, but the one I fear most is failing you. It will be my job for the rest of our natural lives to strive not to do that again. Will you marry me, Hermione? Will you make me the happiest and luckiest man alive?" The tears streamed down her face. Even looking at the ring on her finger, she hoped it had not been a dream.
-->