You Raise Me Up

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I don't own the song “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban.

Should I up the rating or is this okay?

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“C'mon, Harry, you can do it!” Hermione muttered as her best friend went into a 150 foot dive. “Oh, please, oh please, oh please,” she mumbled repeatedly under her breath, hands clasped in front of her as if she were praying. “Pull up, Harry. Come on. Pull up!” She shouted as he hurtled towards the ground at an alarmingly fast speed. “Seamus, why isn't he slowing down?” Hermione yelled over the wind, to Seamus, who was standing beside her.

“I don't know!” Seamus yelled back, his eyes locked on Harry's form as he continued to plummet.

“HARRY!” Hermione screamed. “PULL UP THAT DAMN BLOODY BROOM!”

And as if on cue, Harry pulled up with only a foot left between him and the ground, the snitch struggling in his outstretched hand.

“Oh thank God,” Hermione sighed, sitting down on the bleachers heavily.

“I don't think I've ever seen you swear before, Hermione,” Seamus laughed and patted her on the back before going down to congratulate his house team.

“If he weren't always trying to bloody kill himself…that or me,” Hermione muttered before standing and going down to the field.

_

After waiting on the outer edge of the large circle encompassing the Gryffindor House Team for what seemed like ages, the group started to move towards the castle, which was looming in the distance - the last rays of sunlight creating a truly gothic look about the place.

“Hermione!” The sound of her name brought her out of her daze.

“Harry,” Hermione sighed, finally seeing her friend.

“Did you like the game?” Harry asked as he walked up to her.

“Of course, it was a great game,” Hermione smiled, and then her eyes suddenly turned dark and her smile faded away. Then she slapped him. “But if you EVER do that again, I will kill you!”

“Ow, Hermione! What was that for?” Harry cried out and clamped his hands over his red cheek.

“For scaring the hell out of me!” She exclaimed, a defiant look on her face.

“W-what did I do?” Harry asked meekly, afraid she would hit him again.

“I thought we were going to have to dig you out of the ground. Honestly, it's like you're trying to kill yourself!” She shouted, giving him a slight shove.

“Stop telling me what to do,” Harry quietly stated after a moment of silence. “You don't…you can't understand.” And with that he turned to the castle.

“What?” Hermione asked speechlessly. “Harry, wait! What did you mean `I can't understand'?” She called, catching up to him.

“Nothing,” Harry muttered, and went to go around her.

“Harry, I-I'm sorry. You just scared me,” Hermione said, hanging her head in shame.

“I just, you just…argh!” Harry roared, throwing his broom to the ground. “It hurts me to keep things from you, but so help me if you think I'll put you in any more danger! I can't keep killing off everyone I love!” He shouted, standing in front of her. “I love you, Hermione. If something happened to you, and it was because of me, I just, I don't think I could live with myself,” Harry ended in a whisper and then pulled her into a hug so fierce, and with so much emotion, Hermione started to silently cry. “I just want to enjoy what time I have left.”

“What?” Hermione pulled away from him. “Left? What are you talking about Harry?”

“I-I know what it said,” he told her gently after a minute, and as a confused look spread across her face, he continued. “I know what the prophecy said. It's me or him, Hermione. Haven't you wondered where I go every night, why I always have more homework than everyone else, why I don't have time for anyone anymore?” Harry asked, his eyes glowed brightly, and she could feel his hand shake as he brought it to rest on her cheek.

“I'm training. I'm the only weapon that can work, that has to work, or everything that our world loves and holds dear will no longer be. There will be no more love, no joy, no peace. Hogwarts will be gone, the ministry will be completely taken over, and our world will be reduced to slavery, torture, and death. Do you understand me?” Harry cried, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “Do you understand me?” He repeated, slower this time, running his hand from her cheek to her neck, as if trying to memorize her.

“I can't afford to lose you, but you-you can afford to lose me,” he whispered, tears stinging his eyes.

“No,” Hermione whispered, tears blurring her vision. “You're wrong, I can't-can't live without you. We can fight this. Together, we can fight this. Together,” she broke off and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head in his chest.

“I love you,” she whispered, almost inaudibly. Harry's chest began to shake under her. “Harry, what's wrong?” Hermione looked up at him to see his eyes closed, but tears still spilling down his cheeks.

“No one's; no one's ever told me they loved me before,” Harry looked down at her, trying his best not to cry again.

“I will always love you.”

“Hermione, I-I love you,” Harry whispered, looking worriedly at her.

“I know, Harry,” Hermione replied, going back to her previous position of hugging him.

“No, Hermione,” Harry pulled her away from him. “I love you. I-I get all nervous when I'm around you, I can't remember what I was talking about when you walk into a room, I'm always trying to be better so that you'll be impressed. I love you; I'm in love with you.”

“Please, please don't lie to me,” Hermione whispered.

“I can't lie to you. The reason I can't afford to lose you, is because, well. According to the prophecy I have a power that Voldemort knows not. It's love Hermione, love. I'm in love with you, and you'll be the reason that I can go and fight him; because I love you and I want you to live.” After a few minutes of silence, Harry added, “Please say something.”

“You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that,” Hermione looked up at him shyly. “I love you.”

By now darkness had fallen and their only light was the moon.

“You're so beautiful,” Harry whispered, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Promise me, Hermione, promise me that you'll stay out of danger, that you'll go on…if-if something should happen to me.”

The mood changed suddenly. Harry pulled her against him and his eyes locked on hers. “Promise me.”

“I-I promise,” Hermione whispered, clinging to him. “I promise.” And, as though to seal the deal, Harry bent his head and kissed her; and in the process, gave her his soul, and to him, she gave hers.

xxx

Harry watched from across the room as Hermione helped Neville with his homework. Her eyes were alight with a passion most could only hope to posses, the gold and amber hues glowing brightly in the firelight. Her hair was pulled back and pinned so as to stay out of her face as she bent over the book in front of her. She smiled warmly up at Neville after he said something, a look of pride shining on her face.

Harry's gaze turned to the fire, losing himself once again in his thoughts.

Hermione looked up from the defense book she had been using to help Neville. Her gaze flickered over to Harry, who was standing near the fire, looking intently into the flames. Even though she couldn't see his face, Hermione knew that something was troubling him.

“I think I've got it now, Hermione. Thanks!” Neville said, bringing her back to what they had been working on.

“You're sure?” Hermione asked, looking up at him skeptically.

“I'm sure,” Neville grinned. “I'll see you in the morning, Hermione. G'night.” Neville turned from the table and disappeared up the boys' stairway.

“Night,” Hermione replied softly, then turned to look around the common room. Finally empty.

She stood and stretched, working the kinks out of her neck, before proceeding towards Harry.

“Hey,” she whispered softly as she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

“Hey,” Harry whispered back, moving his hands to cover hers.

“What's the matter?”

“How do you always know when something's bothering me?” Harry smiled, looking back at her.

“It's a gift,” Hermione grinned before resting her head against his back. “What's wrong, Harry?” She sighed, breathing in his scent.

“I just feel, well, overwhelmed, I guess,” Harry replied, pulling her around to face him. “It's not just me anymore; it's the both of us. I train everyday…but it's not for the world anymore, it's for you. For us,” he looked up at her, waiting for her reaction.

“Oh, Harry,” Hermione sighed, pulling him into a hug. “Oh how I love thee,” she giggled into his chest while running her hands up and down his back soothingly. “Why do you have to be so perfect?”

“Me? Perfect?” Harry laughed dryly. “Hardly.”

“Oh, but you are,” Hermione smiled. “You treat me entirely too good.”

“And to think, I was holding out on you,” Harry teased, which earned him a playful smack in the arm from Hermione.

“Why you little-“ Hermione began, but Harry silenced her with a long, breath-taking kiss.

“Mmm,” Hermione moaned as he pulled away from her. “Don't stop,” she breathed, looking up at him through half-lidded eyes. “That was wonderful.”

Then the clock chimed midnight.

“Happy Christmas, Love,” Harry murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Happy Christmas, Harry.”

xxx

“I'm sorry,” Hermione murmured at Harry's sharp intake of breath.

“S'okay,” Harry replied, gritting his teeth in pain.

Hermione soaked another cloth in the healing potion she had made for whatever wounds Harry would come back to the common room with after his nightly training.

“This is the last one,” Hermione told him, and she could see the muscles in his bare back tense beneath the skin. Trying to concentrate on getting the job done, and not the painful gasps and groans Harry was making or the long wounds crisscrossing his back, Hermione applied the final bandage and whispered, “I'm done. Do you want anything for the pain?”

“No,” Harry replied, cautiously flexing his muscles. “It's feeling better already, actually.”

“Well, it should. Actually it should numb most of you back,” Hermione stated, taking on the know-it-all tone for a moment.

“You know, there is one thing you could do for the pain,” Harry looked over his shoulder at her, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“Men,” Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Thanks for taking care of me,” Harry said, turning to her and giving his best puppy dog eyes.

“Oh, no you don't,” Hermione laughed, and stood from her chair.

“How can you resist?” Harry asked, seemingly shocked that he hadn't gotten her to cave. “Just one kiss?” He pouted.

“Well, maybe just one,” Hermione replied, grinning at him, and bent and pecked him on the cheek.

“That was cold,” Harry stated after a minute.

“You never said where you wanted it!” Hermione smiled mischievously.

“Where are you going?” Harry asked as she turned towards the Head Girl dorm.

“To bed, where else?” Hermione asked, and turned back towards her room. Just as she placed her hand on the doorknob, Harry picked her up, opened the door, and kicked it shut behind him.

“Harry! Harry, put me down!” Hermione squealed, kicking her legs in attempt to get free.

“Oh I don't think so, you little vamp!” Harry laughed and plopped her onto the bed.

“So I'm a vamp now, am I?” Hermione asked, a coy smile spreading across her lips. “I'll show you just how much of a vamp I can be,” she raised an eyebrow at him, before pulling him down onto the bed.

“Her-Hermione, I was just kidding,” Harry groaned as Hermione straddled his waist.

“Oh no, Harry. You were quite right I believe,” Hermione smiled seductively at him.

“You're going to kill me aren't you?” Harry asked as she began to trail light kisses down his neck.

“Most likely.”

“God help me,” Harry sighed and let his head fall back against the pillow as Hermione continued her ministrations.

After what seemed to be hours for Harry, he finally pushed her off him and put his arms on either side of her, preventing escape.

“Your turn dear,” Harry gave her a look that had payback written all over it.

“Looking forward to it, dear,” Hermione replied, stressing the `dear'.

Harry worked his way from her lips, to her neck, to her shoulders. They had snogged, done some groping, but that was as far as they had ever gotten before being interrupted.

Harry undid the first button on Hermione's blouse, planting kisses along the line of new skin. He worked his way down, until the shirt hung open, exposing new expanses of milky white skin.

“You're beautiful,” Harry breathed, taking in everything from her heaving bosom, covered in a white lace trimmed bra, to the soft slope of her stomach. “So beautiful,” he repeated, bringing his eyes to meet hers.

“Make love to me, Harry,” Hermione whispered, a pink tinge spreading over her face.

“Y-You're sure?” Harry asked, eyes widening at the thought of what she was asking him to do.

“Yes,” Hermione smiled shyly, running her hands across his chest. “I love you, and I want to be one with you.”

“I love you too,” Harry whispered, and leant down to kiss her.

The night was full of passion, tears, learning, and love. As they both reached their peaks, Harry suddenly saw everything he ever wanted, laying before him.

He saw his future, his past, his present. He saw his survival in this woman, his life. He could suddenly see why there was no longer the possibility of death. He would survive to have a future with the one person that was entirely a part of him. He would survive to love her, to cherish her, until death would part them. To create a family with her, to grow old with her.

There was no longer any going back. They were one - body, mind, and soul - forever.

xxx

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Author's Note: Well, I hope you enjoyed this. I hope it doesn't seem too rushed, and I hope that it's not freakishly corny. Ah, well, it'll just give you a tooth-ache. Anywho, please review; I'd love any and all criticism! And for any grammar/spelling mistakes…hopefully I caught most of them! Thanks for reading

-Sarah

Also…maybe this is just me, but after I wrote the bit by the quidditch pitch, I suddenly saw the “No Matter What They Say” drawing by Gwendy (amazing artist…you should see her work!)…anyways…I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that just could picture that picture… (picture that picture?)…but I just thought I'd say that…Bye!

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