A/N: Okay folks, sorry this is a long time coming, but I had…several different types of difficulties that I will spare you from having to listen to. In a nutshell, I had to retype this chapter and I'm praying ill get the other chapters back from my dead computer… So, if this isn't up to your standards, I apologize. I had to write fast to fit you guys in! So sorry, hope you enjoy though. It's going to be a fluffy chapter, with one flashback.
1 - one, you're like a dream come true
Two, just wanna be with you
Three, girl it's plain to see
That you're the only one for me and
Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one.
Back at One, Brian McKnight
Harry strode swiftly along a cobblestone pathway leading up to a large house. Every step he took he got shakier and shakier, until his hand shook so much it was hard for him to hit the doorbell. He heard footsteps coming from the home and he broke out into a cold sweat. Sure, he had been here before, but for nothing as serious as this…Oh, if only Hermione knew. Ever since her encounter with the red parchment and the miscreant behind it, Harry knew for sure what he had to do. It took him about a week to get up the guts, but with a little help from Ron, found himself standing here, on the front porch, sweating.
The moment the door swung open, Harry James Potter knew there was no turning back now. The woman who greeted the door beamed brightly and gave him a hug that could have rivaled Mrs. Weasly's.
"Harry! How good to see you!" Mrs. Granger, Hermione's grandmother, said. She squeezed his arms and looked at him. "Your thin, have you been eating well?" Harry laughed and nodded.
"I've been eating fine, Grandma. Sorry it's been so long to visit, I can only stay for a bit. I need to see Mr. Granger, its rather urgent." He said, the nervous feeling in his gut growing. Grandma gave him a sly smile and led him in the house. She showed him upstairs to a door. She paused before knocking, turning to Harry.
"My son is recovering still. The doctors are letting him work, but only at home. He's restless and not always in the best mood. I hope you catch him while he's happy. Good luck my boy," and with a wink, the elderly woman went down the stairs. Harry breathed deeply, calming himself before knocking.
Harry sat quietly, watching the elderly man over the brim of his teacup. Ever since he had asked the life altering question, Mr. Granger had just sat there, looking at the small tray of chocolate chip cookies next to the sugar bowl. Needless to say, Harry nearly spilled the piping hot tea down his front when the man spoke.
"Why now, Harry?" he asked, still staring at the cookies as if they were the most interesting thing he had ever seen.
"I've been thinking about it a lot lately, actually. When I first realized it I was in the middle of a battlefield, watching her fall. That's when I was kind of hit with all my emotions…I think she gave me the strength that day to defeat Tom Riddle. Then there was…uh, the recent events," Harry said, referring to the accident. Mr. Granger understood and nodded for him to continue, "And then this note we got...sir, I have to admit, I am not one to be easily scared by stupid threats fans write me…but this note scared me to death. It made me realize how much I don't want to lose her…then there's also the fact that I love her. You can read lines any where and they could be the corniest thing. Ron laughs every time we go to the market looking for a card or something…but what Ron doesn't know is that those cards aren't exactly far from the truth. They just…don't quite sum up how much I love your daughter, Mr. Granger." Harry said. He sighed and sank back, having spoken his piece. He had a whole long speech prepared to give to Mr. Granger when he had come over here, but the sight of the six foot tall man was quit intimidating….even though he leaned his weight on crutches and walked around in old slippers.
There was a moment of silence where only the gentle crackling of the fire filled the room. Harry watched the steam rise from the cups as he nervously waited Mr. Granger's decision.
"Ever since Hermione was a little girl," he sighed, finally meeting Harry's eyes, "I tried to protect her. My father was never good to me, and I was determined to give her everything I could. When we got that letter from Dumbledore when Hermione turned eleven…I was scared. Oh sure, I put on a smile and celebrated with everyone else…but I told my wife what I feared. We argued about it, she thought it would be good for Hermione to go and experience something new. She said it was probably safer there…I didn't want to go. I was selfish, Harry. I wanted to keep her under my roof, locked away so nothing could hurt her.
"When she came back after the first year, she was different. I could tell she looked at the world a lot differently. Before she had a child's view, that the world was a perfect, safe place that nothing could hurt her. She didn't say much, or much that her mother and I could follow, but I could tell she was happy. Oh, was she happy…she never stopped talking about her two new friends, Ron and Harry. We had read all about you.
"Then, in the second year, we were less than thrilled of having her away. When we found out what was going on at school…I was irate. I blamed everyone, Dumbledore, my wife for letting her go, myself for not making her stay…even you and Ron for not protecting her. I know you couldn't be everywhere at once, and you were so young then. When I heard how you saved her and nearly died, I was so grateful.
"At the end of your fourth and fifth years, however, I didn't want her to be near you, Harry. It seemed that where ever you went, something bad happened. This is because Hermione wouldn't, or couldn't, tell us of what was going on in her world. The worst feeling in the world is to know that your daughter has a lot going on and she can't tell you. It hurts.
"After Dumbledore died and you three made the decision not to go back to Hogwarts, I was livid. I didn't want her to see or hear from you again…I admit my actions and words were harsh and foolish. Thankfully, you and Ron found it in your hearts to forgive me. Now that you have defeated Voldemort, I have my little Hermione back. She is much more open and she seems happy…all thanks to you Harry. As much as I wanted to keep her sheltered, I'm so grateful that my wife made me let her go…because if I hadn't she would have never experienced things that are wonderful to experience, things that could make her the best woman she could be, enrich her brain with all sorts of…of wonderful things…" Mr. Granger had tears in his eyes as he grabbed Harry's hand, brown eyes meeting emerald, "but most importantly, Harry, she met you. So, my answer to your question... Yes Harry, you can marry my daughter…if she agrees. As long as you promise me, that you will cherish her and protect her in the best ways known to you. Only if you promise to support her and be there for her when I can't. You can have my daughters hand…if you promise to be true to her and love her forever."
Harry stared at Mr. Granger and locked eyes. They sat in a moment of silence, the men shaking their hands.
"I promise."
A/N: FINALLY!! I UPDATED!! Folks, I am so sorry for it taking so long and that it's so short. I had hardly any time to write this but I was determined to get it finished. Please forgive me for any mistakes I make…I hope you guys enjoyed it and a review, however short, is ALWAYS appreciated.
~~~ B.
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