Harry Potter and the Alucinor Dicio

Chapter 22 – My Valentine

The next morning Harry was awoken early by a grinning Ron. He glared at him before rolling over and trying to go back to sleep.

“ Oh no you don't Harry! Hermione said she'd hex me into next year if I didn't get you up, and downstairs withing the next 30 mins. As I have no desire to have any of Hermione's jinxes ruin my Valentine's Day with Luna.. You are going to get up!” Ron was tugging Harry's covers down as he spoke. At the words Valentine's Day he shot out of bed, nearly hitting his head on one of his four posts.

“ Valentine's Day?!! Bloody hell Ron! Why didn't you warn me it was today?!!” Harry was shouting at Ron as he hastily got dressed. Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap! Ron just snorted and rolled his eyes,

“ And when was I supposed to discuss this with you, hmmm, Harry? The only time I see you anymore is in the evenings, and Hermione is always with us!” Ron was shouting right back. Harry felt guilt pull at him.. he had hardly spent any alone time with Ron, and it did seem unfair. Harry looked up apologetically.

“ I'm sorry, you're right Ron. I swear I'll make some time for you soon.” Harry spoke contritely. Ron just waved it off.

“S'alright mate! It's not like you're ditching me for a stupid reason, you are trying to save the world you know.” As Ron spoke his tone got all dramatic until he sounded a bit like Professor Twellawny. Harry chuckled with him before Ron spoke again. “ You'd better get down there though, cause your girlfriend will kill me if I show up down there alone!”

Harry nodded resignedly and plodded down the stairs, wondering exactly ho he was going to fix this one. He mentally berated himself as he went down the stairs, at a loss for how he could have forgotten this weekend, especially as it was him who had invited Hermione. When he reached the common room Hermione came over and gave him a huge hug.

“ Happy Valentine's Harry!” she spoke. Harry feel the sick feeling of guilt increase as he hugged her back. Hermione pulled away , took one look at his face, and laughed gently before speaking. “ Harry.. I know you forgot.” Hermione spoke in a perfectly even tone. Harry's face registered his shock, he never could keep anything from her.

“ Harry I've been watching you these past two weeks, and I know you didn't have any time to plan anything. So I did! Who says that the whole darn holiday has to be guys doing stuff for the girls anyway? That's a bit sexist don't you think? I mean, honestly! So I have the whole day planned and it's all a surprise, and the first one is that you have to follow me!” As Hermione spoke, Harry's face went from shock to pleasure to awe.

“ I don't know how I got so lucky, Mione. I don't deserve you, you know.” Harry spoke softly, knowing she could hear him despite the fact that he was being dragged along behind her.

“ Oh don't be silly Harry, of course you do! Okay we're here!” Hermione spoke, practically bouncing on her feet. Harry looked around, seeing that they were on the Quidditch pitch. He glanced at Hermione, who was watching him with a glowing face.

“ This... is the Quidditch pitch Hermione, what exactly are we doing here?” Harry questioned her doubtfully. Her grin only increased.

“ This whole day is for you, Harry! So first we are having breakfast,” as she spoke she indicated the blanket and food that she had set up in the stands, “ and then, you, Mr. Potter are going to be giving me a flying lesson!”

Harry's eyes softened when she aid this. He knew how much she was uncomfortable with flying, she felt she wasn't very good at it, and heights bothered her. Harry had been harping since the end of third year, when he discovered her fear, that she just needed to learn properly, and she'd be fine. Hermione always refused, saying that their were plenty of other ways for a witch to travel. He looked at Hermione with a smile. “ Really, Mione? You are going to try for me?” he said.

Hermione nodded shyly. “ Although I won't guarantee that I'll be any good by the end of the day, I will try my very best!”she said softly. They both walked over to where she had breakfast set up, and they sat down and ate talking brightly the whole time. Hermione seemed to be eating extremely slowly, Harry noticed, and he watched amused.

“ Alright enough dilly dallying Miss Granger! Time to start you lesson!” Harry said in a joyous tone, before taking off to the locker room to grab two school brooms, as he didn't have his own, and his Firebolt was too fast to be suited for teaching. Harry walked back out onto the pitch and handed Hermione her broom. He showed her how to properly mount, and take off and soon they were hovering in the air a few feet about the ground. Surprisingly Hermione wasn't half bad, but as soon as they rose much above fifteen feet she seemed to be gripped by her terror of falling.

Harry tried to reassure her, but she wouldn't really listen to him. So Harry flew his broom over next to hers, getting close enough to her that his leg was pressed against hers. He looked deeply into her eyes, and proceed to put his arms around her. She looked slightly startled by this, but Harry gave her no time to protest as he kissed her. The kiss was long and deep, filled with love and passion, and Hermione, forgetting where she was for a moment brought her hands up and intertwined them into his hair, a slight sigh coming from the back of her throat. Harry continued this for approximately five minutes before pulling away, looking into her eyes intently.

“ If you didn't fall off while snogging me senseless, I seriously doubt you'll fall while paying attention.” Harry spoke. Hermione's eyes widened as she pulled away and smacked his shoulder.

“ Harry James Potter! I can't believe that you did that just to prove a point, I mean really Harry we could have been hurt-” Hermione was shouting at Harry as he laughed.

“ True, but it worked didn't it? You haven't looked down or even thought of how high up we are now have you?” Harry spoke with a chuckle. All this earned him was another smack. Hermione glanced around realizing that they were quite a bit higher than they were when Harry had started to kiss her. She felt the fear creep up on her, but just closed her eyes for a moment to remember how it had felt when Harry had been kissing her a few moments before. The memory helped ease her fear somewhat.

Hermione vastly improved after that, and although she would never be a great flier, she was getting along a lot better than she had when they started. Around noon, they landed on the pitch and Harry placed the brooms back where they belonged. They walked hand in hand back up to the castle for lunch.

As they were eating, Hermione told Harry her plans for the rest of the day. “ Well, for the afternoon and early evening, I figured we could just relax, you know? Lay about and maybe play some chess. I want the day to be relaxing for you since you hardly have any time off. And then I have another surprise for you tonight. We'll need your cloak though.” Hermione was speaking to him, but her eyes kept darting up to the teacher's table as she spoke.

“ Mione, what are you looking for?” Harry questioned. Hermione's gaze jerked towards him and she smiled.

“ I was just wondering if Rowen told him yet, but I don't see either of them up there. I hope it goes okay..” Hermione spoke softly so no one would overhear. Harry had completely forgotten about Rowen's news, and he too began to wonder about her.

“ Well, maybe we could pop over to see her this afternoon. That still constitutes as relaxing time right?” Harry asked.

“ As long as you don't have to hurt Snape then, yes , it's relaxing time.” Hermione grinned as she spoke. They agreed that they would still go to the common room first, and head to Rowen's later on.

The afternoon was the best one Harry could remember in a long time. Even though they were surrounded by other students, Harry and Hermione had ensconsed themselves in a corner of the common room, playing chess and just talking softly. Almost no one bothered them and they were left pretty much alone the whole time. Harry couldn't remember the last time he had been able to just sit and not have to work on anything or think about anything. Around four they reluctantly got up deciding to visit Rowen before dinner.

Harry was nervous when he found himself in front of Rowen's portrait. He really didn't want to interrupt her or anything, but at the same time, he was worried about how it had gone. When Rowen opened the door, she was smiling.

“ Harry! Hermione! I am so happy to see you today! I didn't expect it, but I gather you are checking up on me.” As she spoke she led the to the fireplace where they all sat down.

“ Where's Professor Snape?” Harry asked fiercely. He had thought that having found out news like this, he wouldn't want to leave Rowen.

“ Well Harry, he went to London to find Albus. And to go to the Ministry to acquire a license.” she said. Hermione squealed from the chair next to him.

“ Really?!! Congratulations, that's great. When?” Hermione asked.

“ Probably withing the next few weeks. It'll just be simple, small, we don't want to attract to much attention to it.” Rowen said. Harry found himself wondering if this was how it would always be with girls. Him fifteen steps behind in the conversation, and no one explaining it to him. Hermione saw the look on his face and laughed.

“ They're getting married Harry! The license, you know! I assume he's speaking to Dumbledore to get him to officiate.” Hermione explained. Harry was surprised, but happily so. He had been worried he would have to hurt his teacher. Harry offered his sincere congratulations, and sat back and stared as Rowen and Hermione discussed wedding and baby details. He had endured so much of it That when Snape appeared, Harry almost leapt out of his seat with joy at another male presence, even if it was his.

“ Severus! How did it go? Did you find Albus?” Rowen asked as soon as he sat down.

“ Yes I did and it's all taken care of. Didn't I tell you to rest while I was gone?!!” Snape asked, looking at Harry. Rowen smiled softly at him.

“ I am pregnant, not an invalid. I am fine, if I was tired I would have asked Harry to leave. Don't even think for a second that you'll be dictating what I do for the duration of this pregnancy.” Rowen spoke quietly but with conviction. Harry grabbed Hermione and stood.

“ This is our cue to leave I think.” Harry stated walking towards the door. Rowen tried to protest but Harry waved her off saying that they had things to do anyway. They left and walked together towards their dorm.

Harry had tried to get information out of Hermione about his surprise all night, but she wouldn't tell him anything. Around ten, she indicated that Harry should get his cloak and meet her outside in the hall with it. Harry practically tripped over himself running to get it. They draped the cloak over them and crept along the halls until they reached the Room of Requirement. Hermione walked three times in front of it until a door appeared.

When they entered, Harry saw soft candlelight flickering on the walls. The room looked rather like a large bathroom, with a tub larger than the prefects in the center of the room. It was filled with hot water and all kinds of bubbles. Next to it was a pile of fluffy towels, and two swimsuits. Harry looked at Hermione, who shrugged and smiled.

“ I thought it would be relaxing. Now turn around while I put my swimsuit on.” she said. Harry grinned but turned around waiting for her to get dressed. He grabbed his trunks and threw them on while he was waiting. When Hermione told him to turn around he did, taking a moment to appreciate the view of Hermione in a swimsuit. They walked over to the tub and sank down into it together. The water was hot and felt absolutely lovely.

Harry pulled Hermione over towards him and laid her in between his legs. “ Have I told you today how very much I love you?” he asked softly, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her smile and lean back.

“ Not in the last five minutes, at least.” she teased. “ I am glad you enjoyed today, Harry. It was actually really nice to be the one doing the planning. We should take turns from now on. Next year's your turn.”

Harry's heart rose as he heard her speak of the future so casually, as if it were a given that they would be together. “ Enjoyed today? No I loved today. Not just what you planned, but just spending it with you. I couldn't imagine anything that would make me happier.” Harry said softly. Hermione turned to look into his eyes and leaned up to kiss him softly. Harry returned the kiss, and took it deeper. They floated there in a relaxing haze as the world drifted away and they only saw and felt each other. It was several hours before two very waterlogged teenagers headed back to the Gryiffindor dorms.

A/N: Well, a bit of fluff for everyone! Ah sweet fluff, lol. Alright, I won't be posting again until Monday evening as it's a long weekend here in Canada and I'm going away. But be sure to leave me lots of lovely reviews to read when I return, okay?