Desires Which Laid Forgotten

Chapter 1 : The Unexpected Invitation

Three years had been quite a long time to be detached from a friend. Especially a friend you were so very close to. As much as I hated to admit it, it was my choice to begin with. I was the one who decided to distance myself from him, I was the one who was too wrapped up in my own life to notice his cries for help.

Every night, I would wish that Harry would just open the door to my room and declare that I had made such a mistake. But I knew he wouldn't. I had to keep telling myself that any desire I had for him laid forgotten, along with our friendship.

Call me crazy, but throwing away a friendship was a pretty selfish and stupid thing to do. But he probably didn't think so, at the time. Noone could ever prove me wrong, and so maybe the reason he hadn't stopped me was because he figured I was right, like I always was.

Well, being right is over-rated. A joy which sweeps through you for only seconds.

Now that I look back on things, that joy of being right was nothing compared to the joy I would've had, admitting I was wrong and getting Harry instead.

Feeling sorry for myself had become a natural occurrence for me lately. Maybe it was because I had seen something that reminded me of him. God, everything reminded me of him. But one particular thing I had, reminded me of him the most.

The golden snitch he gave to me.

One small gesture, meant so much. It was as if a promise was stained to the wings of the snitch itself, a promise that gleamed in the shine of the gold, his promise to give the world to me.

After his last match on the Gryffindor team, in seventh year, he dismounted his broom, and I was honoured to be the first person he ran to, even though the whole population of the stands was spilling out onto the pitch. None-the-less, he ran to me. He picked me up and twirled me in the air, gently touching me back down on the ground, he handed me the snitch quickly and winked, placing a finger to his lips, gesturing for my silence.

Who knew that three years later, after he defeated Voldemort, the promise stained on the wings of that never-again air-born snitch would vanish without a trace.

When I saw the snitch in the pocket of a pair of his old jeans, at that moment, my tears betrayed me and burst the boundaries of my eye. Why was I so down about all of this? It was all for a greater good. He would live his life, away from me. He would be happy, he would love again, and I would be reduced to tears every time the memory of him crossed my mind. But I had to wonder...

Was it really for the greater good?

I shook the thought out of my head and went about my day, pushing his now faded memory out of my head.

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Two weeks later, and I was sitting in a café in the center of London.

The hustle and bustle seemed as if it was trying to engulf the walls of the tiny café, but it wouldn't let it. The air smelled sweet, the place was peaceful, and a cup of coffee in my hands made them warm.

I peered out of the big glass window in front of me, watching the traffic conjested road as cars stopped momentarily in front of the street lights.

People crowded the foot paths, some walking hand in hand, others walking a distance apart, all with their own destination in mind.

I honestly thought my eyes had deceived me. I blinked as I watched a dark-haired man walk passed the cozy café, in which I currently resided in. But he stopped, looked up at the sign, and made his way in.

That's not... Could it be... H-Harry?

I looked at him carefully.

There he was, 'the boy who lived', walking right passed me and sitting down at a table nearest the other front window of the shop, all by himself.

He was truly amazing. His eyes twinkled with a boyish glint I thought had long gone. His glasses sat on the bridge of his nose. His cheeks were slightly red from the bitter wind outside, and his smile was infectious.

I had to go over to speak with him -- to see him look at me one last time.

And before my mind could speak against it, I was up out of my chair, my mug of coffee set on the table. I walked over to him, halting a few feet away from where his back faced me slightly, my mind arguing furiously with the feeling of joy that swelled inside of me.

"Harry?" My lips uttered before my mind could catch up, and stop them.

He turned around. For a moment, I thought I had seen the same seventeen year old Harry Potter I knew... My Harry Potter. But that Harry Potter was gone now.

He looked at me for a loss of words. His mouth dropped, his eyes widened, and he clutched his heart in surprise. "Hermione?" He said, almost not believing himself.

I nodded smilingly, "Unless you know another Hermione who's directly behind me." I said, chuckling softly.

"Sit! Sit!" He said, gesturing the chair in front of him.

I did so, looking at him slightly, as if he was a figment of my imagination.

"It has been too long!" He said enthusiastically, "Where have you been? I thought you had moved to Bulgaria with Krum!" He finished, still shocked.

"Krum and I didn't work out. I never even moved. I still have the same flat on Queen's Street." I said, smiling slightly.

"You mean to tell me that you didn't move at all, and this is the first time I've actually bumped into you in three years? Where have you been hiding!?" He said jokingly, laughing slightly, the surprised glint never leaving his eyes.

"Well, I've been rather busy. I work as a healer, part time, in..." I leaned in to his face and whispered, "In St. Mungo's." I finished, leaning back, Harry nodded knowingly.

"I always knew you had it in you!" He smiled joyously. "Ron would be absolutely shocked to see you! You know, we must all get together soon, you know, for old time sake, eh? What do you say?" He asked giving me a look I couldn't say no to.

"Sure! When, and where? I'll make sure I'm free," I said, smiling to him. I went back to my table, grabbed my purse, and coffee and came back, sitting down again, across from him.

"How about... This Saturday night at ten o'clock? We'll meet at the little pub I saw just on my way here, Kingsmith's?" He said, as I pulled out my day planner. He smiled when the cover of it was exposed. "I always pictured you with a day planner. You being so organized." He murmured chuckling more to himself then to me.

I looked up from its pages and smiled, pulling a pen out of my pocket. I thumbed my way through the pages and saw that Saturday was completely free. I grinned looking back up at him, "Well, Mr. Potter... It seems that I might be able to, squeeze you in!" I said in a playful, business-like, tone.

"Well, Ms. Granger, I am delighted!" He replied, in the same playful, business-like tone, smiling at me boyishly. "We have a lot of catching up to do!"

As much as I wanted to stay with him, I knew that if I didn't go, I would ruin this perfect moment, that I wanted to hold forever in my heart.

"Anyway, Harry, I've got to run! I have some last minute shopping to do!" I said a little too quickly. And with that, I picked up my coffee, knocked back the last swallow, pulled out my wallet, got up, and placed the money I owed on my table, leaving with a quick wave and grin back at Harry.

The events of that day were quite unexpected.

An invitation from an old friend sent me soaring for the rest of the day. I couldn't come back down. That entire day was absolutely perfect. Everything fit into place, as if a jigsaw puzzle, and all I was left to do was wait. I just had to wait for three more days until it came.

And I did so...

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Saturday finally arrived, in a blur of potions, shopping and healer duties.

I found myself standing infront of my bathroom mirror, a blue tank top clashed nicely with a black jean skirt as I undid the cap to my strawberry lip gloss. My mind raced as I smeared it carefully on my relaxed lips.

Why did he want to meet me after three years? What if he's not single? What if I was supposed to bring a date? Oh, God I'm going to look foolish if I don't bring a date!

But I had no time for that now. With a flick of a light switch, a mad dash for my purse and keys, a bolt across the room, a close of the door, and I was gone...

Fifteen minutes later I stepped out into the shadows of my street. Walking was the best way to go, considering driving would be a nightmare in the traffic. I took a moment to draw in the city air, and breathe it back out again.

Tonight, was going to be a good night. Come what may tomorrow. Bring rain, snow and sleet. But nothing was going to ruin this night...

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Twenty minutes later, and fate had brought the snowstorm, in the form a of a skinny blonde tramp wearing a short skirt and a halter.

She sat beside Harry, her arm laced around Harry's shoulder as I slithered my way through the crowded bar, thick with puffs of cigarette smoke, boozers and old folk music. Why Harry had asked me to come here, I'll never know.

"Harry!" My voice croaked over the music once I reached the table. Thankfully he spotted me, no way was I to compete with the booming music.

"Hermione!" He grinned his old lop-sided grin. "Have a seat!"

I was quite pleased when he pushed the bimbo away from him to make room for me. I took a seat and saw, sitting across from me, Ronald Weasley. He hadn't changed much. He looked more grown up and all, but like Harry, he still had the boyish glint hidden behind his glassy eyes.

"Blimey!" Ron said once I sat across from him. His eyes became as big as saucers. "So Harry wasn't kidding then!"

"I guess things never change!" I said smiling back at him, practically roaring over the music. "Blimey is still you're chosen greeting!" I laughed, and Harry joined in, nudging me gently on the shoulder.

"So! How have you been, Herm?" Harry asked, then he winced slightly as if regretting what he had just said, "Sorry, I mean how've you been Hermione..." He corrected, catching the barman's eye and waving more drinks over to the table.

"Oh, no, it's cool!" I laughed in a relaxed manor, "People still call me 'Herm'," I finished, Harry nodding in remembrance. "Anyway, I've been good... As I said before, quite busy!" Yes, busy thinking about you! "So, how've you both been?! It's been three years and you guys already seem so...different!" I said enthusiastically, looking at Ron's stubbled face and Harry's new square rimmed glasses.

They both difinately looked different.

Harry had broader shoulders, all of those years of quidditch, really did him good. His muscled arms were bare up to the sleeve lines of his t-shirt. His expression was joyous, and laid back, his hair was still as messy as ever, his famous scar still peaking through his bangs. But most of all, he looked genuinely happy. Something I hadn't seen in a long time.

Ron, still had his messy flaming red Hair. He was as freckled as ever, but they seemed to suit him now. He no longer looked slightly out of place. Every limb on his body look properly proportioned and he also, had broad shoulders and a laid back grin.

"Well, Harry and I are on the English team," Ron said winking smartly.

I knew straight away which team he was talking about. It was as if it was a wizarding code, we all knew what the other was saying, while a muggle didn't. "That is great you guys! Are you seeing anyone?" I blurted out before my mouth could stop me. My lips curled in and my face made a slight wince at my stupidity.

Ron went slightly flushed, but Harry just grinned at Ron's reaction, not showing one of his own, really.

"Well, there is this one girl... She's pretty special..." Ron said, taking a shy sip of his beer.

"Oooooh!" I said playfully, a wicked grin spreading across my face.

"Oh, come on Ron! You shared a pizza with her! That's special!" Harry said teasingly, punching a playful fist into Ron's shoulder, the other hand occupied a half-empty beer bottle.

For some reason, I had to push this matter further -- get an answer out of Harry. "What about you Harry?" I said quickly, looking at him over my drink that was just brought over by the barman. I took a deep sip from the glass, not knowing exactly what it was, but knowing it contained alcohol.

"No - no... Not attached. I'm more of a, bachelor!" He said grinning, before taking another sip from his beer bottle.

Ron leaned over the table and pretended to whisper something urgent to me, looking back at Harry over his hand every few seconds as if he wasn't allowed to hear. "Harry isn't much of a 'one-woman-man', you see." Ron said matter-of-factly.

I nodded knowingly and pulled back, taking another sip of 'who-knows-what'. "Ah well, I'm sure you've had one steady relationship since I've last talked to you!" I said with all of the mock sadness I could muster. Really, my stomach was dancing inside. He was un-attached! He was un-attached! So what if he wasn't a one-woman-man!?

Harry suddenly looked slightly solemn. He looked down at the beer-bottle in his hand and looked up at me, his head still pointing downwards.

This can't be a good sign.

He cleared his throat, concentrating on the beer bottle, now twirling it slightly in his hands. "N-no... Never had a serious relationship. Not after the one I had with..." A pause, "You..."

My stomach did another flip, but my heart went out to him at the same time. I could tell this was my fault, and possibly the way he was now, - not committing to one relationship - that was my fault too.

"Well! It's good to see you two again!" I said cheerily, patting Harry on the knee and smiling. I suddenly realized what I was doing, and pulled my hand away quickly as if it caught fire, a tingle being sent up my arm in the process. This was going to take weeks of therapy to recover from... And I didn't even go to a therapist!

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Three hours later, and as pissed as ever, Harry and I were leaving the bar. Ron had went home an hour before, saying he was going to his girlfriend's house.

Both Harry and I stayed, consuming more alcohol and remembering the 'good old days'. But it was funny... I never had to get so pissed I threw up several times to remember the 'good old days' before.

Harry and I were arm in arm, walking zig-zag down the street, and we were not a pretty sight. All I remember is going back to my flat with him in tow and crashing out on the couch.

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The next morning, I woke up to the smell of eggs and a pounding headache.

My eyes flew open and I realized I was in my place, in my bed. I looked over at the empty place beside me and saw that it had been slept in. This was not a good sign. I looked under the covers and saw that my skirt, tank top and shoes were still fully intacted, and my heart went back to its normal rate.

I pushed the covers off of me and got out of bed, clutching my head in agony in the process. Who ever invented hangovers was going to be getting a kick up the ass from me personally.

I stumbled out of my bedroom door, light-headedly made my way to the kitchen and plopped down on a chair at the kitchen table. I looked over at the stove, and sure enough, there was Harry, cooking eggs.

I looked at him carefully, "How did I start out on the couch and end up in the bed?" I said thickly, yawning and stretching all the while.

"I carried you into the bed... I figured, since I was the guest, I would take the couch." He said, smiling at me from his place beside the stove.

He was such a gentlemen.

"But the place beside mine looked slept in." I blurted out, wincing simultaneously at my increasing stupidity.

You USED to be the brightest witch of your age, damnit! Look what's happened to you! One - nil to the world!

Harry looked at me slightly bewildered and all I could do was smile awkwardly, back. Then a look of understanding dawned on his face and he blushed slightly.

"You were hugging onto me as you slept, I was merely trying to de-tangle myself from your grasp," He said matter-of-factly, still blushing slightly.

"Right." I nodded, not completely buying it, but not daring to say so. "Thank you, Harry." I added softly, smiling at him genuinely this time.

He turned around and looked back at me carefully, returning my smile shyly. The look he gave me, took me right back to a day long ago, when we resided in the walls of Hogwarts.

I shook my head slightly and bracingly, pulling myself back to the present.

Those times are gone now. That Harry is dead and buried. You are two different people, living two different lives, and quite frankly, those desires lay forgotten.

But was I really right? Were my thoughts correct? Was it true, or did I just want to make myself believe that it was true? I honestly didn't know at that moment what I was truly doing. It was as if the last three years of my life I had lived as a dead person. And here, Harry was, suddenly breathing life into me.

Although, I had to admit, he was the kind of friend that did that. He was the kind of friend that would pull you up when you fell down. The kind of friend that was there for you every step of the way.

For once in my life, I wasn't too mature, or busy to see that. Now, suddenly everything was so clear...

When Harry spoke next, he completely pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Hey, what are friends for, right? Isn't that like one of the rules of friendship? 'Thou shalt not get his friend pissed, and leave them to humiliate themselves'?" He said, looking at me and chuckling, his cute lop-sided grin spreading across his mouth and becoming infectious.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." I said, smiling back.

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Chapter 2: Rainy Day Confessions

A week later, and I was sitting home alone, looking out of my window.

The rain was coming down in buckets, as I resided on the fourth floor of my building, looking down and pitying all of the people still outside in this weather.

'Ring, ring!'

I jumped up, from my chair, startled, and dashed for the cordless phone which sat on it's charging dock. Within seconds I was speaking into the receiver.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone, waiting for the reply.

"Herm?" Came a deep and familiar voice.

"Harry?" I whispered in slight awe. Something in my voice must have given away my shock because his next reply was trapped within a chuckle.

"Is it really so hard to believe that I'm calling you?" He asked, seeming slightly amused on the other end.

"No, I just wasn't expecting you to call now, of all times." I bit my lip, the half of a lie escaping my mouth. It was hard to believe. I figured he wouldn't want to call me again. I had given him my number, but didn't get my hopes up.

"If you want, I can call you some other time then, you must be busy," Harry said, seeming a little put out.

"Oh no! No, no, no. Not busy, just a little stunned," I answered, almost desperately.

"The good kind of stunned, or the bad kind?" He asked, his playful air back again.

"The good kind," I replied smiling into the receiver. "Anyway, Harry, why'd you call me?" I asked, curiousness evident in my voice as I walked over to the couch and plopped down onto it.

"Well... I just came back from training and I was passing the cinema. I saw a great movie poster and it reminded me of the type of films you said you liked." A pause, a gulp and he continued. "I guess I was just wondering if you wanted to come and see it with me?" He asked nervously into the receiver.

I must admit, at that moment, I was truly touched. Harry was always very clumsy and stumbled over his words a lot when it came to talking to girls. He never used to be this way with me, until he liked me that is. But by then, it wasn't that much of a problem, because he knew me quite well, and never had to ask me out on a date to get to know me, or anything.

But here he was, on the other end of the phone, asking me of all people to go to the movies. I thought I couldn't be any more stunned that night, but right there, I stood corrected.

"You're asking me to the cinema?" I said in the same breathless and shocked tone I had used to speak his name, not even moments before.

"Yes..." He said in his amused air, "Yes, I guess I am."

I could almost hear him smile after he replied. It was as if I was sitting on a cloud at that very moment.

Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the chosen one, my long, lost friend, was asking me to the cinema!

"Yes!" I replied quickly before he had a chance to change his mind. "Yes! I'll go!" my voice rang with excitement as it passed my lips.

"Brilliant!" He said in the same excited tone, "I'll see you in about thirty minutes then, yeah?" He asked.

"I'll be there," I replied happily, now grinning into the phone.

"Alright, bye Herm." He breathed.

"Bye!" And with that, I took the phone from it's position by my ear and pressed the 'hang up' button.

With all of the composure I could muster, I placed the phone gently beside me on the couch. Feeling as though my excitement was about to burst forth from me if I didn't let it out soon, I grabbed a pillow on my other side, got up and danced around the room happily, the pillow clung tightly to my chest.

One - One to Hermione Granger.

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Thirty minutes later and I was out in the rain with all of the other poor saps I had been pitying not too long ago.

But I didn't care, I was seeing Harry, and that's all that mattered.

"Hey Hermione!" Harry called from his place at the doors.

I walked over to him and put my hood down once I was under the canopy. "Hey, Harry!" I said happily halting in front of him and smiling.

There was a pause. A moment in which I stared into his eyes and felt like I could see into his soul. It was like old times, as if the Harry I grew to love was staring back at me.

But just with one blink, and it vanished without a trace. He fixed his glasses and looked into the glass doors. "Come on." He said with a boyish grin. He took a few steps forward, pushing open a door with one hand and gesturing me to follow him with the other.

We made our way to the ticket booth, bought our tickets and headed for the sweet stand.

"M&M peanuts, right?" Harry asked, looking at me for approval.

"How did you know?" I asked, looking at him in slight shock.

"That day in London? You know, it was a week before we went back to school for seventh year?" Harry said, looking at me carefully. My expression was slightly curious and confused, so he took this as a sign to continue. "Remember, when you and I shared a bag of M&M peanuts? I only liked the yellow and green ones, and you only liked the blue and red ones?" He asked, giving me a hopeful look as if wanting desperately for me to remember.

Suddenly it all clicked. "Oh yeah! I remember. We split the colours up in a coffee shop, both of us sharing the brown ones because we didn't mind them so much." I said, smiling back at him, amazed that he remembered something so small from a day we shared together.

We reached the counter and Harry asked for a bag of M&M's and a large drink for both of us to share. "You grab the straws." He said to me, dipping in so that his mouth was close to my ear. His hot breath clung to the side and back of my neck, making me shiver slightly.

I was completely disarmed by our closeness and could only nod. I back away slowly, turning around and going to the seperate table with the straw dispenser. I got two straws and a hand full of napkins, then turned on my heel and made my way back to Harry, who had already paid for the stuff.

"Okay, let's go!" He said cheerily, gesturing to the screen in which the movie would be showing.

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An hour later and both Harry and I were sharing a seat big enough for two at the very back of the cinema. I had my head rested on his shoulder and he had his arm around my shoulders.

I had to admit, it was the most comfortable feeling in the world. All those years of friendship had brought us a tranquility when together that took a long time to form. Even after three years, it was amazing how much it felt like I hadn't left his side at all.

"This is a really good movie," I whispered into Harry's right ear. I felt him shiver slightly, maybe because it was cold, or maybe because of my breath.

He turned to me and smiled, "Yeah, I figured you would like this film."

And it happened again. While his face was drowned in light from the screen and his eyes were so humble and sincere, he looked at me, and I could see into his soul.

I couldn't help but stare at him carefully, watching every part of his face convey his feelings. His eyes were like glassy pools with such depth. His face was a creamy colour, being bathed in a bright light. His glasses sat gently on the bridge of his nose, and the smile he wore was that of a genuine one.

He looked at me, and it was as if every other person in the room was gone. As if everything was slightly blurred and in slow motion, and the only person I could see clearly was him.

I don't exactly know how it happened, but one minute he was smiling at me, and the next he was leaning in, closer to my face. He stopped a few inches from my lips and looked at me carefully, as if trying to see my deepest thoughts through my eyes.

"Hermione, would you push me away if..." A pause, a blink of his eye, and he went on, "If I kissed you."

I was paralyzed. This is what I had been waiting for, wasn't it? So WHY couldn't I move?! Make some sign of recognition? I tried with all of the strength I could muster to shake my head no. And then, I did so.

A smile played across his face and he leaned in, even further, closing the gap between our lips and meeting me half way in a polite and resigned kiss.

It was as if fireworks when off all around me. The softness of his lips against mine sent me speeding in a downwards spiral on a roller-coaster. My stomach did flips, my heart pounded freely against my chest, and my eyes closed as I sighed in content.

I moaned into his lips as I felt his tongue slide across mine, as if silently begging entry. I opened my mouth to him, massaging his tongue with my own. I could feel his hands place themselves carefully on my waist and the small of my back and pull me even closer to him. I let my body comply with this action, as my hands made a path to the back of his neck, pulling it slightly closer as I desperately tried to deepen the kiss.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Why are you kissing Harry?! What happened to your plan of letting him have a happy life?!

As quickly as the kiss started, I ended it, pulling away and breathing heavily. I could see in Harry's eyes a glint of disappointment and fear. He looked at me and his eyes silently questioned if it was his fault. I shook my head and answered his silent question.

"No, Harry. It's not your fault," I whispered, picking up my coat and purse from the floor. Standing up, I straightened my shirt out, still taking in heavy breaths and I made my way for the doors. I could feel Harry's gaze upon me, almost disarming me completely and making me want to melt to the floor.

Two - One to the world.

As quickly as my legs would take me, I walked down the isle, across to the front of the screen, and instead of leaving through the doors to enter the room, I left through exit, and straight outside. I pushed open the door and was immediately hit with heavy rain drops. But I kept on walking, not thinking to put my coat on, and not stopping long enough to look

behind me.

"Hermione!" Harry's voice rang out from behind me as I heard the exit open and close, again. I made out the sound of hurried footsteps against the heavy rain pounding in my ears. At this point I was drenched, shivering and wanting nothing more then to get home. But in spite of myself, I turned around to face Harry.

"What?" I said quickly, wanting to get this over and done with.

"Why are you leaving?" He asked desperately, giving me an apologetic look as if he still thought it was his fault.

"I can't do this with you right now Harry," I asked pleadingly, a tear already sliding down my face along with the rain.

"Can't do what? You can't have this discussion, or you can't spend time with me?" Harry asked me sharply. I could tell he was anxious and slightly on the edge of irritation. I had to tread lightly.

"Both, Harry... Both." I answered solemnly.

"Hermione! Damnit! It's been three years! I mean, we don't have to kiss, but you're telling me we can't even spend time as friends?" Harry asked me, his voice raising slightly.

"Harry, I don't know!" I said, my voice matching his tone. I threw my hands up to the heavens in frustration.

"What is wrong Hermione? What is it! Honestly, Hermione, if there's something wrong, I'll help you." Harry said, his voice changing it's note of impatience to sympathy. He took a steady step towards me, and I took a steady step backwards.

"Harry, I just can't do this with you," I said, my facing twisting into a hurt look as tears spilled from my eyes. I shook my head slightly wrapping my arms around myself in comfort. "Harry, I want you to be happy. I want you to have a great life, you can't do that with me."

"What about what I want, Herm? What about what makes me happy, huh? Didn't you ever think that maybe you were a part of that list?" His words hit me like a bucket of warm water.

"You don't want me, Harry... You don't." I said, shaking my head more vigorously this time.

"No, you're right. I don't want you Hermione." Harry said, looking at me with hurt and longing in his eyes. "I need you." He finished, taking another step towards me.

His words caught me off-guard and I didn't have time to take another step back.

"Harry, I'm not good for you!" I cried, trying to reason with him. I never felt good enough for him. I never felt like I amounted to anything compared to him. I always clung to my books and cleverness and let him be the hero. He saved the whole world, he could have any girl he wanted. So, what was he doing with a girl like me?

"No, Herm. You're perfect." He said softly, finally closing the gap between me and him and wrapping his arms around me.

I was so hysterical, I didn't fight him, but instead I wrapped my arms around him as well, leaning my head on his chest and crying deeply into it, his soaked shirt muffling my cries.

"Harry, I love you." I whispered into his shirt through sobs.

"I love you too, Herm." He whispered back, smiling down at me. "I have for a long time." He finished.

Two - Two to Hermione Granger.

There it was. His confession of his love for me. I almost thought I hadn't quite heard him right. How could he love me after only seeing me for two days after our three years apart?

I guess I just dwelled on the fact that some part of him had always loved me. It didn't matter that I was absent in his life for quite some time. His love for me never went away.

And I have to admit, it felt good to have him back. It felt good to hear him say my name. It felt good to hold him, to touch him, to talk to him, to even be in the same room with him. Everything that came with being with him, felt so right. I had to wonder to myself...

How could I have thought before, that something so right, was so wrong?

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A/N: Hey people! I would really like it if you would review! The more reviews I get, the quicker I update a chapter! So please people, I really want your input! Oh, and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who read & replied to the first chapter, you guys are AWESOME!

Chapter 3: A Surprisingly Good Monday

Monday morning. Oh Mondays, what joy!

Monday is a day I would like to erase from the week, terrible things happen on Mondays, and that coming Monday was no exception.

To be honest, I think the Gods of fate wanted to test especially me on Mondays.

Anyway, how was I to know?! It started out like any other Monday, really.

I was late for work - a usual Monday occurrence - and today, was health inspection day, which of course, I completely forgot about.

I arrived at work at nine-forty-five and I was supposed to be there at nine-thirty. Which only added on to the fact that I had put my uniform on inside out, and had forgotten my name tag. Our inspector was very picky about things like this, and she seemed to really hate me.

While doing my rounds that day I had forgotten one of my patients I was assigned to, and they complained to my boss, who is also another pain in the ass. She called me in at lunch to have a talk. Well, more like a bitch session, and guess who was the one who got to bitch?!

"I am very disappointed in your tardiness, Miss Granger." Her stern voice cracked at me like a whip. I fidgeted under her gaze, staring around at the big office.

Lavish furniture spread out around the office neatly. A big desk stood near the massive window, paperwork, among other things littered it completely. Shelves and shelves full of different moving photos stood proudly near the side wall, the inhabitants, unknown to me. A soft light from the dull grey sky poured in the window and cast shadows on the objects in the office, but the scenery only amused me for a short time, because her voice brought me crashing back to reality.

"Miss Granger?" She repeated in an annoyed fashion.

"Sorry Mrs. Smith," I mumbled, obviously too late for her liking, looking down at my clean white uniform shoes, as I stood on her tacky rug. I looked at them like they were the most appealing thing in the world.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you." She cut across the room at me sharply.

I lifted my head up in spite of myself and fixed her with a penetrating stare. "Yes, Mrs. Smith." I gritted my teeth angrily.

"Now, Miss Granger, I think it is safe to say that you are not trying your hardest." She said coldly to me, never breaking my gaze. She sounded exactly like a teacher pestering a slacking student. The trouble was, I was never tardy like this in school, I was never talked to this way, and it was making me quite irritated.

"Mrs. Smith, I am trying as hard as I can at the moment. I know I can do this, I just have to gritted my teeth and try a little harder." I said politely, smiling in a sickly sweet fashion. If she was going to treat me like a child, I was going to treat her like a teacher - be sickly sweet to her face, and childishly rude behind her back.

"That's the spirit! Now I want to see you work harder, if you don't change your attitude towards your work, I will have to demote you." She said cheerily, as if she loved the part that came after my next failure. She clapped her hands together in signal that she was finished having this conversation.

I nodded my head in understanding, and turned on my heel, lunging for the handle on the office door and pulling it open. Once I did so I walked out into the busy hall, and accidentally and bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry." I mumbled, not looking up to see who I bumped into. Suddenly, the person latched on to my wrist uncomfortably and I wrenched it away immediately, acting on instinct.

"Who do you think you-?" I started angrily, I looked up, and there was the person I had wanted to see all day.

"Geez, I thought you were going to attack me there, for a moment!" Harry smiled his boyish way, looking at me carefully, his mouth creasing even more, as if he was ready to laugh. "You're quite funny when you're angry." He added simply, a quick chuckle escaping his lips.

I smiled, "What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise, following him as he started to walk down the hall.

"Oh, I'm visiting one of my mates on the Quidditch team. Got hurt real bad during practice today." He said, turning to look at me carefully. "You look cute in your uniform." He then winced suddenly, I could recognize that look, he had regretted being so stupidly blunt.

My smile became broader, thinking it was quite cute that he was so vulnerable. "You don't look so bad yourself!" I replied, gesturing to his clothes.

I was quite surprised that things between us weren't awkward, considering the episode we had only a few days before. My mind raced with possible reactions from Harry, his mouth opening again, willing himself to speak.

"Herm, we should do something, you know, after your shift." He turned to me and smiled, waiting for my reaction to his suggestion.

"Yes." I nodded smilingly. "Yes we should."

There was a slight pause as I turned around a corner, and halted in front of a closet. I had to get some new bed sheets out of it to re-make a bed in a room down the hall.

God, healer rounds suck!

I opened the door to the cupboard, Harry standing somewhere behind me. I reached in and grabbed a sheet, but somehow lost my footing and toppled head first into a pile of pillows. I made a slight scream of surprise as I fell through the air and hit the soft bed of pillows. I could almost hear the grin spread across Harry's face, as I turned my body around as I was in a lying position, and I stared at him in slight irritation.

"Harry! Don't just stand there laughing at me, help me up, damnit!" I snapped, sitting up and watching him double over, laughter engulfing him completely.

"S-sorry." He said through fits of chuckles, holding a stitch in his side. He straightened himself out, laughter still etched in his face, and he bent over, reaching his hand out to me.

Now, was my moment to strike...

With all of the strength I could muster, I grasped onto his hand and tugged determindly, trying to pull him down as well. The element of surprise was my friend, at this moment, because Harry still hadn't recovered from his laughing fit, and within seconds landed right beside me on the pillows.

"Hey!" He said in slightly surprise sitting up and poking me playfully in the side. "What was that for!?"

"For laughing at me!" I said smugly, sticking my tongue out in his face and giggling childishly. I felt like I was four years old as him and I broke out into identical fits of laughter. But I had to admit, it felt good.

Soon, the laughter subsided and Harry cleared his throat awkwardly. I seized this moment to get up and shake the awkwardness off. I cleared a spot on the floor, picking some pillows up and placing them on top of the folded, white sheets on the shelves. I reached my hand down, and helped Harry up onto a cleared space on the floor.

"Thanks." He mumbled into my neck, still bent over slightly. He gained his composure, as footsteps could be heard outside. Suddenly, Harry and I froze in surprise. But instead of the person coming in to the cupboard, they simply closed the door after us, now shrouding us in darkness. The only light that could be seen was coming from the crack under the door.

"Harry." I whispered, turning to him and looking over at his face, that I could only just make out in the dim light.

"Yeah?" He asked softly into the dark, turning to me as well.

"Let's go." I whispered, feeling his face lean slightly closer into mine. I could now feel his warm breath on my neck, and it sent tingles up my spine, as it had before at the cinema. It again, disarmed me completely, and it was as if I was now putty, waiting to be molded.

"Yeah, let's go." He whispered in agreement. But his actions told me otherwise as he leaned in closer and his lips brushed against mine in a light kiss.

Half of me wanted to push him away, the other half welcomed these feelings. It welcomed the butterflies in my stomach, the rapid beating of my once calm heart, the tingles his hands caused when they connected with the small of my back and the feeling of his soft lips pressed against mine.

All of this happened at once, making me somewhat dizzy and light-headed. But that didn't stop me from returning the kiss. As Harry was just about to pull away, a defeated look in his eyes, I placed my hand gently on the back of his neck and brought him closer to me for another heart-stopping kiss.

You are in a cupboard, with the guy you like, AT WORK! What are you thinking? You're already in enough trouble as it is!

My head was screaming thoughts of reason at me, but I pushed them aside as the kiss grew in passion. His tongue slid along my lower lip, waiting for entry. I opened my mouth to him, his tongue now sliding over my own as I felt his hand place itself on my hip. This sent shockwaves of satisfaction through my body, for my uniform shirt was pulled up slightly, and his hand was caressing bare skin.

My free hand made it's way to his back, as his lips left mine and began to press themselves lightly against my neck. I could feel his warm breath escape his mouth and caress my bare skin softly. I shivered, but only just, rolling my head back slightly and giving him easier access to the rest of my neck, my whole body urging him to continue.

He silently obliged, sliding his tongue out onto my skin in the process. I sighed in pleasure, his hand beginning to creep up my uniform carefully, as my other hand left his neck and ran through his hair softly. My breathing became somewhat labored with desire, as his hand continued to caress the bare skin of my side, making it's way north. In no time at all, his hand reached my chest, and cupped one of my clothed breasts in the process.

I gasped in surprise and satisfaction as his lips kissed their way back to mine, now massaging my breast in the process. My head spun happily, my body shivered in delight my breath caught in my throat, and I seemed to be driving him crazy with longing, for all of his actions towards me screamed, 'I want you'.

We were so caught up in the moment, we didn't even hear footsteps drawing nearer, well, at least I know I didn't. Whether he did or not, I had no idea. Suddenly, the door to the cupboard opened, and we were bathed in light. Him and I sprang apart, immediately getting up and straightening ourselves out.

I knew my eyes were glazed over with passion, I stole a quick glance at him and his seemed to mirror my own. I looked over at who had opened the door and sighed in relief.

"Miranda!" I whispered quickly. I gave her an awkward look. Clearing my throat, and giving her time to remove her stunned expression, I decided to break the silence.

"This is Harry," I gestured towards Harry and he gave her a nod of recognition, muttering his greeting. He cleared his throat also, his hand connected with the back of his neck and began to scratch at the skin there. I could tell he was nervous, he always seemed to clutch at his neck, racking his brains for something witty to say. I smiled over at him, despite being cheerier and looking more mature, he hadn't really changed at bit, still the same old habits.

"Nice to meet you." He muttered, now looking down at the ground carefully.

"Harry, this is Miranda," I gestured towards Miranda who gave a smile and a quick wave.

"Hey, Harry, nice to meet you! Don't look so embarressed, I've seen it all before. Something about a hospital gets people horny!" She laughed softly, as Harry blushed.

"Oh stop it Miranda!" I said through laughter of my own as I hit her playfully on the arm. "Anyway, I was just finishing up my rounds. Did you want to meet up tomorrow some time? Maybe after work? I'm kind of busy tonight." I said, looking over at Harry and grinning.

"Oh, I see how it is!" Miranda said in a mock offended tone, placing her hand on her hip and staring at me carefully. She looked as if she was trying to stop herself from laughing, when she gained her composure, she proceeded. "Go on, go shag him, see if I care!" She finished, turning her back on me, folding her arms dramatically across her chest and sticking her nose in the air.

Now I was the one to blush slightly, I leaned into her shoulder and whispered desperately into her ear, "Miranda! Stop it!" I gave her a pleading look as Harry and I stepped out of the closet and closed the door behind us.

"Oh alright! But don't bail out on me again! You already did once because of your muggle job, so you better be there, this time!" She grinned playfully. "Anyway, I've got to go check up on Mr. Myers, I'll talk to you soon!" She opened the closet again, and grabbed a handful of folded sheets. Then, with a nudge, a wink and a smile, she left, making her way quickly down the hall.

I turned to Harry, looking at him carefully. He cleared his throat again, now looking up to meet my gaze, a slight smile breaking across his face. "Anyway, Herm. I've got to get going myself, I have to go find my friend and wish him well. So, how about I come by your house at around say, seven-ish?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, that'd be great, I'll see you then!" I said cheerfully, watching him walk quickly down the hall after giving me a kiss on the forehead and a wave.

I sighed happily, leaning against the closet door. As I watched Harry grow smaller and smaller as he made his way down the hall, I thought to myself...

Okay, so maybe this Monday wasn't so bad after all!

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Later that night, I was sitting on my couch, in front of my TV, watching the news.

"Clear skies for the next few days, with cloudiness and dry spells." The weather forecaster announced, as he stood in front of a big chart, covered in a map of England, decced out with pictures of small suns, grey and white clouds, and puffs of what looked to be wind.

I sighed, grabbing the remote and turning the TV off in frustration. I flung the remote across the couch as I continued to wait for a call from Harry. I sat there, with shoes, tank top, jeans and jewelry on, and a pouty look etched on my make-up covered face.

'Ring, ring'

I made a dash for the phone, I was so quick it was as if I was a blur, moving up from my place on the couch to the phone receiver on the kitchen table.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone, my heart beat quickening already, as I stood, leaning against the wall, waiting for the answer to come.

"Hermione!" Harry answered. I could almost hear the grin in his voice as I smiled into the receiver.

"Hey, Harry." I said, taking a strand of her chestnut hair and twirling it around my index finger, making it -if possible- even curlier then it already was.

"Are you coming over to mine? I figure we'll watch a few movies, you know." Harry asked, his nervousness coming back, somewhat. He gulped slightly, I could tell he was probably wondering if that sounded too desperate.

Well, desperate times, call for desperate measures.

"Sure, where do you live again?" I asked into the receiver, feeling just as nervous.

For some reason, I doubt we're going to be watching any movies...

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Thirty minutes stuck in traffic, and twenty pounds cab fee later, I arrived outside of his building. I opened the door to the lobby and made my way to the intercom. My hand pressed the numbered button corresponding to the number on a tiny, crumpled peice of post-it paper in my hand.

"Hello?" Came Harry's voice through the small speaker near my forehead.

I pressed the 'talk' button and stood on tip-toe to let my mouth reach the speaker. "Hello? It's me, Hermione." I called into the intercom.

"Oh, come on up!" His last words were followed by a loud buzzing noise letting me know he had unlocked the door. I shrugged, turned on my heel and opened the door into the apartment building. Three flights of stairs later I was standing outside of his door, my hand made into a fist as it poised itself in mid-air, ready to knock.

Should I really be doing this? I mean... What if we...? Damnit. It's too late now, I'm all the way over here! Pull yourself together Granger!

Suddenly I let my hand slip from it's position in the air and hit the wooden door with a loud thud. The door opened, and on the other side stood a grinning Harry.

"Come on in! Ron's over at his girlfriend's for the night." He piped up, standing back and gesturing me inside. I smiled weakly in his direction and stepped into the roomy flat.

"Nice place." I said, taking in my surroundings as I slipped my arms out of my coat sleeves. I placed my coat on the back of a chair in the dining room as Harry gave me a small tour of the flat.

"Down that hall and to the left is the bathroom, this is the living room, and the kitchen is over there." He said, pointing to the places in which he was talking about.

"What movie are we watching?" I asked, watching him carefully.

"Anything, I don't mind." Harry said lazily, making his way over to the kitchen. "I've got some popcorn, you want any?" He called over his shoulder, continuing on his quest to the kitchen.

"Yeah, sure." I answered, walking over to his tv, and sitting down by the movie cabinet. I opened it carefully and surveyed the movies inside.

A few moments later he came back, and sat down beside me on the carpet with a bowl of salted popcorn. "What movie did you pick?" He asked me, his smile never fading.

"The Notebook." I answered.

Harry groaned.

To be quite honest, I didn't even like this movie. I was just testing him. I figured if I picked a movie he didn't like, he would become more interested in me, then the movie itself.

"Why?" He asked, looking at me pleadingly.

"Because, I haven't seen it, and it looks like a good movie. Hey! You're the one who owns it!" I said, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

"It's not mine! It's Jessica's!" Harry said, rolling his eyes as he took the movie case off of me to read the back.

"Who's Jessica?" I placed my hands on my hips automatically, my suspicious look becoming less playful.

"Ron's girlfriend! She's always leaving stuff behind." He sighed, getting up and opening the movie case. He dropped to his knees in front of the VCR and took the movie tape out. He slid it in the slot and pressed play on the VCR, as I made my way to the couch and sat down.

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Surprisingly, during the whole movie, Harry made not one peep. He didn't touch me or anything. The only body contact we had was his arm around my shoulder. I found this quite odd, and once the movie finished, Harry got up to get the tape out of the VCR.

I watched him get up, stunned slightly as he pressed the eject button. I regained my composure and shook my head slightly. "I'm just going to go to the loo, I'll be right back." I said carefully, getting up and making my way down the hall.

I arrived in the washroom and flicked the light on, halting in front of the sink. My hand reach for the tap and I turned it carefully, water gushing out of the faucet. I ran my hands under the cool water and brought them up to my cheeks, gently dabbing them. I looked in the mirror and jumped in fear.

There was Harry, standing behind me. I turned on my heel to face him. "Merlin! Don't scare me like that!" I said in a breathless way, clutching at my heart.

"Sorry." Harry smiled. "Do you know how cute you look when you're helpless?" He said, using his hand to stroke my cheek and push a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

I smiled at him reluctantly, finding it too hard to fight back.

Harry closed the door gently with a small snap. He then turned on his heel, leaning against the door and facing me with a smirk on his face.

And that's when he began to advance towards me. And before I knew it, he backed me into the wall opposite, his hands grasping carefully at my waist.

I didn't stop him, but instead I obliged to his movements towards me, my body arching into his as he leaned in and captured my lips in a kiss. My head spun, as my body become putty in his hands. My whole body wanted this, I had to admit.

As his lips left mine and kissed my neck, I rolled my head back slightly, giving him easier access, as my skin tingled and my neck ached for him to go further. As his hands touched bare skin, pushing my shirt up slightly, I placed a hand on his, sliding it up my shirt, and onto the bare skin of my side, urging him to continue.

My legs slid up the lower half of his body and wrapped around his waist desperately, clinging to him like the rest of me, as his lips met mine once more. He pressed me against the wall more firmly, as I tightened my grip on his waist and brought him closer to me still, my temperature rising in the process.

The room around me began to swirl, so I shut my eyes. My breath began to get heavier, my chest heaving into him. He must have found this provoking, for in no time at all, his hand was under my bra, and caressing my bare skin. I moaned into his mouth, my tongue slid across his bottom lip, before entering his mouth altogether.

His free hand left my waist, my shirt in it's grasp, and in no time at all, my shirt was over my head and across the room. Moments later, my bra joined the clothing pile, as Harry's hand gently hiked my skirt up to the top of my thighs. I gasped loudly, his hand placing itself on the inside of my thigh. His fingers tickled the skin there, lightly, making me shiver involuntarily.

I bit down on my bottom lip, looking at him carefully in the eye. His eyes mirrored my own. They were filled with a burning desire, a point of no return shone in his pupils. A one way ticket to nowhere slithered onto his face in the form of a grin, and all I could do was sit back and enjoy the ride.

I moaned again, his fingers tickling awfully close to my knickers. Pretty soon, his index finger peeked it's way in, and I had to break lip contact, to perhaps regain my breath. Any chance of keeping my composure was thrown out the window, as his finger made it's way further up, and began to stroke artfully. My head rolled back, my eyes shut tight, and I bit down on my lip, trying hard to surpress more moans, which I was doing a very bad job of.

Harry leaned into my neck, and kissed it carefully, "Your drenched! Are you trying to tease me?" He whispered hotly in my ear, now making me gasp in surprise, and open my eyes fully in shock as he slid a finger into me.

Oh dear God, is he trying to make me pass out?!

He pressed his lips hard against mine, and once I regained what composure I had left, I moaned into his mouth, his finger teasing me so. You wouldn't know this from the looks of him, but he had very nimble fingers. Something I had just discovered that night.

His finger wiggled inside of me and his tongue swirled in my mouth. I was in a complete state of bliss. For once in my life, I was completely speechless and thoughtless before him. My hips rolled, pushing his finger further, without my consent. It was as if someone else was controlling my body, and I was away, up on cloud nine.

Suddenly, a door, from somewhere far away closed. It seemed very distant, almost as if it was someone's door across the hall. I could barely hear it, but someone Harry could. He knew, as well as I, it was the door to his apartment, and Ron was home. His movements went from slow and calm, to quick and frantic.

The change of movement sent shockwaves of pleasure through my entire body. It was as if he wanted to push me over the edge, and come hell or high water, he was going to do it. He deepened the kiss between us, his finger moving faster and faster as I moaned loudly into his mouth.

He grinned on my lips as my body began to shake from my core. It was as if there was and earthquake in my stomach, as my body shoke slightly, shivers being sent up my spine. He loved every moment of this, I knew. I didn't even have to see the look in his eyes, and I could tell.

"Harry? You here?" Ron yelled from far off. The finger moved faster.

Harry broke the kiss for only a second. "I'm in the bathroom, give me a moment!" He yelled to Ron, the he crashed his lips into mine once more, plunging his tongue into my mouth, trying to muffle my moans of pleasure.

Suddenly, I could feel something start to erupt within me. An explosion of pleasure, a tidal wave of bliss. Shockwaves were sent through my body. His finger moved within me still, as I broke the kiss, arching my back involuntarily, as an orgasm was sent through my entire body. Shockwave, after shockwave passed from my core to the tips of my fingers and toes, my back arching further, still.

I gave one last moan, and finally it let loose, as I fell gently into Harry's arms, eyes closed, smile plastered across my face. Harry let go of my legs gently, and I touched onto solid ground once more, almost falling from sheer bliss. Harry picked me up slightly, straightening me out. I opened my eyes to see a smug grin on his face.

I looked at him, still seeing stars behind my eyes. I blinked a few times, still in a daze, and Harry grinned, knowing him must have done a good job.

Harry blushed slightly, "Anyway, could you possibly apparate out of here and to the front door? See then, I can invite you in properly." Harry said, laughing slightly. "It looks bad if you're in here with me. You know how Ron gets. He would never shut up about this." He gestured the space between us, a playful glint in his eye.

I nodded, once again, straightening myself out, and regaining my composure. My mind was almost too befuddled for thoughts as I slipped my skirt down properly over my thighs and ran my fingers through my hair carefully.

There was only one thought in my mind, as I 'popped' out of the bathroom and back out at the front door, knocking softly on the wood.

I fucking love Mondays!

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A/N: Hey people! Hehe, pretty hot chapter, eh? *blushes* It gets better soon, don’t worry! The next chapter is called “Closer”.. So, you know.. I think that’s very implied, there! Anyway, remember, more you review, quicker I update! Oh, and I would like to thank everyone who read, and reviewed! YOU GUYS ROCK! *grins* Well... Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Chapter 4: Closer

I went home that night, just-a-fucking-glowing!

When I looked back in the mirror in my bathroom, I don't think I had seen a grin that big on my lips before! It was unbelievable! For God sakes, the guy had me lusting over him all the way home in the cab!

My thoughts were a mess! My breathing was heavy, my chest heaving in the effort to calm my stomach down,(which, by the way, was doing summer salts!) I was the epitome of aroused!

My head spun as I sat down on the couch, laying back on the head rest and staring up at the ceiling. Everything was right in the world.

'Ring ring!'

I leaped up from the couch, and grabbed the phone, which resided on the coffee table, for I was too lazy to put it back on it's charging dock the last time I used it.

"Hello?" I said into the phone, breathily.

"Is it just me, or are you happy to talk to me?" Harry said on the other end.

I grinned into the phone, "Don't get your hopes up!" I chuckled, pushing a stray chestnut curl out of my face as I sat back into the couch, crossing one leg over the other. "So, are you going to tell me why you've called, or am I going to have to start a 'block caller' list?" I added playfully.

"I just wanted to see how you were!" Harry said slyly.

"Ah, I see. Well I'm grand, is that it?" I continued on my fishing spree, all the while being playful.

"No, I want to see you again." He said, finally breaking down.

I wasn't too shocked, but I didn't think he would ask me this soon, I wasn't prepared! I wanted to be witty and charming, and prepared! "Really?" A pause. "When did you have in mind?" I said, my breathing picking up it's pace, once more.

"Well, my mind is reeling, here. Right now, would be good. But, it's three in the morning. How about... Tomorrow?" He said, carefully, gulping slightly.

"Tomorrow would be great, but I told Miranda I would spend time with her tomorrow night." I said, frowning slightly into the receiver. "How about the day after that?" I suggested.

"Not soon enough." Harry practically chocked into the phone.

I grinned. Geez, he really wants me bad, here!

"How about... Tomorrow morning, around, nine or ten? I can spend the whole day with you, I don't have to meet

Miranda until about seven o'clock." I took another stab at a suggestion.

"That sounds great. Breakfast at my house!" I could almost hear him grin into the receiver.

"Uh, Harry." I said, my mind racing. "Is there any possible way we could have breakfast here?" If anything was going to happen between us, I wanted no interruptions!

"Uh... Sure! Your flat it is!"

"Oh, and I have a quick question, before you go." I piped up, remembering why we were interrupted in the first place.

"Okay, shoot."

"Wasn't Ron supposed to be with his girlfriend the whole night?"

"Yeah, he was. There was a slight hitch in his plan. You see, they ended up getting into a fight. Ron thinks it's over for good. But I doubt it, you women are very complicated sometimes. Usually you spend a night broading over how the whole fight started and realize that it was something silly and end up forgiving us the next day." Harry said, I could even hear him shrug. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, Herm!" He finished excitedly.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep." I grinned, placing a finger on the 'hang up' button.

"Oh, but that's where your wrong." Harry said. "You're already beautiful." And with that, there was a pause, and a then the sound of a dull 'click', and the line went dead.

I smiled, hanging up myself, sighing happily, and laying back on the couch once more, the phone receiver resting on my stomach as I grinned inwardly, looking up at the ceiling.

How the hell am I supposed to sleep NOW?!

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'Knock, knock!'

I jumped up and went to the door, one hand fumbling with the lock, the other hand gripping onto the doorknob. I turned the lock and it clicked, I twisted the doorknob, and I opened the door. There I stood, in my pink bathrobe and slippers to match, staring at a fully dressed and clean-shaven Harry.

My mouth dropped slightly, and I looked down at what I was wearing. I suddenly jumped as if I was standing on hot coals, and hid behind the door. My head peaked around it at a grinning Harry.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and held up two cups of coffee from the local café and blushed slightly. "I didn't know what to bring, so I figured a caffine boost would work wonders."

I retrurned his grin. "Good choice." I said, taking one of the cups and gesturing for him to come inside. I looked over at the big clock on the wall and it read nine-thirty am. I wasn't expecting Harry for another hour or so, but here he was, looking around at all of the moving pictures on the shelves in my sitting room.

"Nice place." He said in awe, looking around carefully at all of the pictures on the walls, and the furniture spaced out around the room.

I watched him shuffle around the room, taking in every inch. "Give me a moment, okay? I'm just going to change." I said to him.

"Oh, don't bother. It's only me!" Harry said, turning his full attention to me. His grin stretched to his ears, it seemed, as he stood, watching my every move.

I gulped, deep in my throat, walking over to the kitchen and opening the cupboard door, rooting around for the biscuits. "Would you like some biscuits?" I asked, my back still facing Harry.

"No thanks, I'm alright." He answered from somewhere behind me. I straightened up and turned around, and saw him sitting at the kitchen table. He had his coffee in his hand, and he was sipping out of it carefully. Mine was left on the counter, untouched.

I walked over around the counter and sat down across from him, folding my legs up so that my heels were on the edge of the chair, and my knees were bent and just under my chin. I hugged my legs close to my chest and rested my chin on my knees, looking across the table, at him. A small smile creeped onto my face, as he watched me, almost ublinkingly.

"Harry, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice slightly muffled because of my knees.

"Watching something interesting." He said with his grin still intact.

Here I was, sitting right across from the guy I spent hours lusting over, and I didn't know what to do with myself!

I cleared my throat quietly, now looking at the egg-shell white wall.

I really need to repaint this place. WAIT! What am I thinking?! I'm sitting here, all alone, with Harry Potter, and all I can think about is painting the living room?! Dear Merlin, I am a freak!

My thoughts were cut short when I felt a hand place itself on my arm. I looked over and saw that Harry had moved from his place on the chair, and was now kneeling on the ground in front of me. My legs slipped down from the chair and my feet rested on the ground once more.

I watched him carefully, his hands turning me around to face him. My knees pointed in his direction as I continued to watch him carefully. His hands slid up to my knees and suddenly I felt him push my knees away from eachother gently.

He scooted in between my legs, not making a sound and he then, looked up at me, his arms resting over the top of my legs, his hands placing themselves on either side of my waist.

I didn't really have much strength to fight him off. My body wasn't being controlled by my brain anymore, it was almost as if it was turned into auto-pilot.

"Harry, what are you doing?" I whispered again, the volume in my voice being turned down invulentarily, so that I was almost mute.

I saw him wink his eye at me, and knew straight away, that whatever happened next was going to rattle my insides. I closed my eyes carefully and began to think of placing the silencio charm on the room.

Silencio! Silencio! SILENCIO!

The voice in my head became frantic, as I felt his hand slide up my bare thigh. I gasped slightly, but then began to take calm, steadying breaths as my mind continued to repeat the charm. Suddenly, I opened my eyes and heard the tiny 'click' the charm made, once activated.

Some how, I could tell Harry had heard it too, for he grinned up at me, and slid his hand further up my thigh, under my bathrobe. It was almost as if I had given him premission to go further, for his other hand went to fumble with the tie on my robe, and with little effort, he untied it, and pushed my bathrobe back.

He now exposed my silk nightgown and he grinned even broader, for it was short, and hiked up to the top of my thighs. His hands slid up to my waist, and his thumbs peaked into my knickers. I let out another gasp, as my eye lids drooped, this time without my consent.

"You won't be needing these anymore." He whispered to me, and I bit down on my bottom lip, when his hands slid my knickers down my waist, thighs, pulling them down my legs and off of my ankles, throwing them in some unknown direction.

I shivered slightly, his hand creeping up once more, tickling his fingers against the inside of my bare thigh. My breathing became slightly laboured, when he suddenly scooted in even closer to me, his shoulders now being hugged by my knees.

I was breathless, speechles, thoughtless and motionless all in an instant.

Dear God, he's going to...

That train of through tore out of the station and down the track, getting lost in an instant, when my eyes grew wide as his tongue plunged itself into me. He took my legs and placed them over his shoulders, as I let out a gasp, that turned into a slow moan.

Once my legs dangled over his shoulders, he placed his hands on my backside, and pulled me in slightly closer, his tongue plunging to greater depths all the while. I let out another moan, and gasp, as a grunt left his mouth and vibrated against my skin.

His tongue began to twirl, sending tingles all over my body, my breathing became even heavier, my chest heaving with the effort. I placed a hand on the table, and a hand on the chair, as if bracing myself. My back arched, pushing my lower half into him, pushing myself firmer into his tongue.

He didn't seem to mind, his teasing tongue only moved faster, leaving me to moan and grunt in pleasure. A few moments of this, and my moans were bouncing off of the walls, and I knew I was at my breaking point already. I didn't have the strength to hold off the sensations ready to sweep through my body. I guess he could tell this too, because he suddenly let go of my waist, and removed his tongue from me. He grinned from ear to ear, as I leaned in and pressed my lips hungrily into his, still shivering slightly from what he had done.

But I knew, from the glint in his eye, and the smile etched on his lips, we weren't finished yet.

We stood up, my hands sliding down his sides, and meeting around the front of his pants. I fumbled carefully with the button and the zipper, and pretty soon, they were undone, and his pants were pushed down to his ankles. We never broke lip contact, as he stepped out of his jeans. I stood before him, my knees weak, my heart pounding and my breathing heavy, but I was left wanting more.

"Where?" He said against my neck, huskily.

I grinned a devilish grin and answered. "Against the wall." My voice came out just as raspy as his, and I almost couldn't believe I was the one who spoke.

Harry must have loved this idea, because I don't think I'd ever seen him grin as wide as he had then. He picked me up, my legs wrapping around his waist instantly, and he turned around, backing me into the living room wall. He pressed me against it firmly, and I could feel his erection against my thigh, through his boxers.

I moaned, the voice in my head now screaming the protection charm. We would had no time for wands. Well, maybe his wand.

Protectio! PROTECTIO!

I shouted in my head, over and over again, closing my eyes, and letting out another moan as his hips pressed themselves provokedively into mine. I suddenly felt the warm tingle that came with the charm, in between my legs. I opened my eyes, and he gave me a look, as if wanting to know whether I was ready or not. I could see the sweet agony etched on his face.

I grinned, and nodded in his direction, leaning in and crushing my jaw firmly into his as we met at the lips. I plunged my tongue into his mouth, as I could feel his hands fumble with his boxers. I couldn't hear his boxers drop, but I felt skin on skin as his erection pressed into my thigh once more.

I let out another moan, the vibration bouncing off of the inside of our mouths, as my tongue sought out for his.

Without warning, he positioned his tip at my entrance, and slowly but surely plunged himself into me. I gasped loudly, my eyes wide in shock as he slowly pushed in, and then drew himself out, almost completely. His next thrust was much quicker and deeper, giving me no time to recover from the first. I let out a loud moan, breaking lip contact as I gasped greedily for air. He was much bigger then I expected.

He then continued to thrust, in, out, in, out. My head was spinning as our skin would make a small "clap" as his hips met mine with each thrust. My back arched, as I moaned louder, muttering unintelligable words like.. "Mmph" and "Mmmm-ahhhh" louder each time.

"Ahhh!" I said, letting out a groan. "Faster Harry, faster!" I said raspily through another moan.

I could hear him grunt in the back of his throat as his thrusts quickened, our hips meeting harder, as he plunged himself even deeper.

In, out, in, out, in, out.

I was seeing stars, as I now began to scream at the top of my lungs, Harry's name tumbling out of my lips every five or six moans. I could hear Harry grunt into my neck, as his head dropped onto my shoulder, but it was nothing compared to my mutterings and moans.

In, out, faster, deeper.

My back was now pressed so firmly against the wall it was almost numb, my hips moving up and down on him as he thrust deeper into me. I could feel myself inching closer to the edge of a large cliff, just waiting to be pushed off. I rolled my hips harder onto him, hearing him grunt slightly louder into my neck. His head suddenly picked itself up, as he thrust within me. He leaned in, pressing his lips into mine hungrily, his tongue almost immediately plunging itself into my mouth.

I was even closer now, his pace quickened even more, as I felt him get even harder within me. My chest heaved, pressing itself into with each laboured breath. I was going to be pushed over the edge soon, I could tell.

"Ahhh... Harry I'm going to-!" I said within another moan.

A few more thrusts, and I could feel myself clench around him as sensations were finally let loose, washing over my entrie body, like waves at sea. My body grew limp, as Harry let out his first proper moan, when I tightened around him.

My head dropped onto his shoulder, and with a few more thrusts, I felt him explode into me. I let out a long sigh, trying to calm my heart beat and breathing. We stayed in that position for a moment or two, as we regained out breath. Harry leaned in and pressed a kiss against my neck affectionately, as he held onto me tightly, walking over to the couch, and placing me down onto it. He pulled his boxers up over his waist and plopped down beside me.

Both of us were absolutely spent.

"That was..." I said breathlessly, trying to find a word to discribe it.

"Amazing?" Harry asked, looking over at me and grinning.

I smiled back, and nodded. "Yes, amazing."

At that moment, thoughts rushed around through my head, but there was one thought in particular that seemed to stand out.

Thank God for wandless magic!

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That night, I was beaming on my way to the local Chinese restaurant to meet Miranda.

Down the dimly lit streets, through a few dark alley-ways, and across a busy main road, and I was standing under the brightly lit sign of the restaurant. Miranda sat at a booth closest to the window, and when she saw me, she tapped on the glass frantically, gesturing me inside.

I smiled, and pushed the door open, making my way to the front desk.

"Where would you like to be seated?" A plump woman asked me sharply, behind a small desk. She poured over a big, thick, leather-bound, black book, a pen in hand.

"Oh, my table is already booked, my friend is already inside." I answered politely, taking in my surroundings carefully. I hadn't been here for two years, atleast. Everything had changed.

Red coloured paint seemed to be neatly smeared all over the walls. Chinese lanterns hung from the ceilings, and the booths were all decorated with Chinese symbols and designs. A massive red dragon was painted across the front desk, where the plump, unpleasent-looking, woman sat, gawking at me.

"Last name?" She practically barked up at me, as I stood. I jumped slightly, and gave her a withering look.

"Della-Rosa." I said simply, as she took the back end of the pen and began to trail it down the page, beside the names of all of the people who had reserved places.

"Della-Rosa, Della-Rosa." She muttered to herself, searching for the name on the clean, white page. "Ah." She finished, flipping the pen around and ticking the name off. "Table nine." She said simply, pointing in the direction of the cluster of tables.

I nodded my head in thanks, and made my way passed the front desk in search of Miranda. I looked around the place, it was full of customers. I looked to my left, a table in the far corner, staring at the back of a raven-haired head. I squinted slightly, and saw the hair standing on end slightly.

I gasped, jumping to conclusions way too quickly, assuming it was Harry. I turned my attention to a table three spaces to the left of it, and saw Miranda sitting there, waving me over.

I walked over quickly, my blood beginning to boil. The closer I got, the more I could see of the people at table number twelve. I halted in front of the chair opposite Miranda, not even aknowledging her presence, as I craned my neck to get a proper glimpse of the people sitting at the table in question. I sat down in my seat clumbsily, after drawing the chair out slowly, still staring discretely.

"Hello to you, too." Came Miranda's voice. I turned over and looked at her slightly put out expression, and gave her an apologetic look.

"Hey, Miranda. One second, though, okay?" I said, turning my head back to the table.

It seems my possible 'Harry Imposter' just leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lady-friend's lips. I was completely shocked. My mouth couldn't form words, my hands dropped the purse I was holding, my mind spun and my eyes began to blink several times.

I did something completely drastic, and un-characteristic. I rose from my seat, stepping over my purse and stalking towards the table. My fists clenched, my face turning a deeper crimson, I was surprised to realize my ears weren't letting out steam. Half way to the table, I saw the guy turn his head, and for the first time I got a proper glimpse of his face.

My expression went from angry, to completely and utterly, embaressed.

Thank God, the couple didn't see me, even though the rest of the restaurant had. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned on my heel, and fast-walked back to my seat, Miranda staring at me in awe.

I pulled the leather-bound menu up to my face and looked across the table at Miranda, my face wincing at my stupidity.

"What were you doing?" Miranda snorted with laughter, leaning into the menu to see and hear me clearly.

"I...I" I stuttered, my mouth still unable to form words.

"You...What?" Miranda urged me to continue.

"I thought that was Harry!" I squeaked.

Miranda's expression changed from worried, to hysterical. She looked like she was ready to burst out laughing at me, and it was taking every bit of her being not to. I rolled my eyes in her direction, and sighed heavily.

"Go on, laugh. You know you want to!" I said, folding my arms across my chest stubbornly. And within seconds, she let the laughter she held back, errupt from her mouth. She clutched at her sides, her hand over her mouth as he shoulder shook with the effort of her laughter. She looked at me, and laughed even harder.

I picked up a napkin, scrunched it into a ball and threw it at her. "Shut up!" I snapped in an undertone, a smirk stretching out across my face. This of course, made her laugh even harder!

Once she was able to compose herself, she looked at me as if it all seemed to click.

"You really were jealous, weren't you?" Miranda smiled, as I began to blush a deep red.

"No, why would I be jealous?" I said, coming from behind the safety of the menu, my voice cracking under the lie. Miranda grinned.

"Liar!" She said simply, her eyes lighting up. She always loved moments like these.

"Okay, so maybe I was a little jealous! So what?" I shrugged, looking anywhere but at her.

"You really like him, don't you?" Miranda's hand came into contact with my shoulder, as she nudged me slightly.

"No." I said truthfully. "No, I love him." I smiled, looking over at Miranda carefully.

She squealed with joy and looked at me. "Well!"

"Well, what?" I answered, looking bewildered.

"Well! What are you going to do about it!" Miranda asked enthusiastically.

"He already knows I love him, Manda." I answered, using my favourite nickname for her.

"Oh don't 'Manda' me! Sure, he knows. But you aren't a couple, are you?!" She pressed the subject further.

"No, we're not. It's all very complicated. But I'm sure we're still friends. Maybe he thinks I'm not ready." I answered, shrugging slightly, and bringing the menu back up to my face. "What's good to eat, here?" I asked, trying to get off of the subject as quick as possible.

I tried to pay attention to the menu in front of me, but their was complete silence from Miranda's end of the table. I could almost place the expression on her face perfectly. Her eyebrow would be raised, her eyes would have a mischievious glint in them, and words would dance on her lips, just waiting to be released.

It was almost as if her stares were beginning to burn a hole in the menu, for I put it down and brought my attention back to her. "What?" I asked her politely, trying to ignore the fact that she was staring at me like I had six heads.

"You know 'what'!" Miranda answered. She placed her hands on her hips, her eyebrow almost disappearing into her hairline.

"Well what am I supposed to do, Miranda?! I can't make a complete fool of myself! I will go out with him, when he asks me. Other then that, NO! I am NOT going to make myself look stupid. I mean, what if he doesn't want to go out with me? What if when he said 'I love you, too', he meant, as a friend!?" I knew what I was saying was rubbish. I had just had the best sex of my life, only hours before, with the very same guy I was trying to make out to look like 'just a friend'.

And some how, I think Miranda could see it too. She suddenly perked up, looking at me carefully as if I was the patient, she was the doctor, and it was her job to examine me.

"What, now?" I asked impatiently.

"You seem different. You do something different with your hair or something?" She asked, her voice going off pitch slightly.

"No!" I blushed slightly, hiding my face with the menu, one more.

"I know!" She blurted out. "You shagged someone!" She said almost immediately.

My mouth dropped. I would honestly, love to know how friends can do that! It drives me absolutely bonkers to know that she is one step ahead of me, in my own life! Out of the blue, she was able to tell me a secret I would've liked to keep with me to the grave.

"Bu -- How!?" I stuttered.

"I don't know why I didn't see it before! You just... You have this glow about you, I guess." Miranda smirked. "Anyway, what are you doing, sitting here, talking to me?! You should be heading back to your house, calling Harry up on the phone, and inviting him over to your place!" Miranda's smirk turned into an enthusiastic grin.

My head was spinning once again. But then, it was as if a switch turned on in my head. "You know what? I should be!" I said happily, picking my purse and coat up.

"That's RIGHT! So, what are you still doing sitting here? Go on, then! Off with you, and think of me later when you're having the best sex of your life!" Miranda winked and waved as I rushed off, waving back at her excitedly.

Miranda was right. I had to define our relationship. I had to let Harry know I wanted to be more then friends, that I was ready to build a bridge, let down the barriers. That I was ready to form a bond once more.

As I walked off down the streets of London, on my way home, thoughts began to mesh themselves together in my head. I wanted to let him know that I wanted more then just sex, with no strings attached. That I didn't want to just be his friend. I wanted him to be mine, and no one else's. These thoughts seemed to scream at me, perhaps trying to drown each other out, and deafen me in the process.

But even as confusing as this may seem, it all finally made sense, and now, I began to wonder...

How do I let him know I want to get closer?

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A/N: Hey everyone! I’m REALLY sorry this took SO long! Omgosh, I just started school a few weeks ago you see, really tough year I’ve got ahead of me. I didn’t have time to read through this chapter, either. I just did a quick spell check, so I’m really sorry about the spelling errors, if there are any! Well, anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter. Again, a thousand apologies for being really late with updating! My’bad! lol. Please, review! This chapter has my FIRST sex scene ever, and I really want all of your opinions! Right, well, I’ll update as soon as I can!

Chapter 5: Desires Which Never Really Laid Forgotten

I went home after that, nervous as ever. I was shaking as I jiggled my key into the door.

As I opened the door, I heard the beep of the answering machine, the clicking of the phone as someone hung up, and the dull sound of the line going dead. There was another beep as I took my coat off, draped it on the chair and made my way to the answering machine, and sure enough, the little red glowing number read '01'.

I pressed the button carefully, as the answering machine turned on, reciting the standard start, before a message.

"You have, one new message, left at 9:22pm, Today..."

Beeeeep!

Straight away, I heard Harry's voice drifting through the speaker.

"Hey, ah, Hermione? I just figured I'd leave you a message. I know you're out with Miranda, but I was wondering, if you get this message before eleven tonight, do you want to do something? I'm just kind of bored right now. Ron made up with his girlfriend, as I predicted!" A chuckle, "And, so I've got the house to myself, and I'm left with nothing to do! What a bummer, eh?" A pause, and then a sigh, "Well, I really hope you call me back!" Another pause, "Bye, Herm!"

I smiled as the line went dead, and the beep of the answering machine told me the message was over.

"You have no new messages... To change your message greeting, press one... To change your pin code, press two... To listen to previous messages..."

Beeeeep!

I cut the automated person off in mid sentence, as I pressed down, mercilessly on the button. I bit my bottom lip, looking around the room carefully as if the answer was hidden behind the couch, or under the rug. Once again, in the same week, I didn't know what to do with myself!

Should I call right back, or would that seem too desperate? But, maybe he would like it if I was desperate. Maybe it would let him know I really want to see him, rather then me just seeming bored!

I grinned. I was going to call him!

I picked up the phone and pressed the 'talk' button, putting the phone to my ear and hearing the dull dial tone. I was just about to press the first number of his phone number, but then I froze, thinking harder.

But what if he doesn't want me to seem desperate? What if I should just be casual about it, and make it look like I'm extremely bored? Does he like it when people play hard to get?

I took the phone away from my ear, bit my bottom lip once more, and placed it down on the counter, turning my back on it and walking away. I sat down at the kitchen table, and looked around the room, trying to convince myself that I didn't have a telephone.

Every few seconds, though, I would look over at the phone, as if waiting for it to hop up and jump into my hand, yelling something like "RING HIM, DAMNIT!"

But I shook my head slightly, knowing that was just my imagination running wild.

"Out of sight, out of mind," I muttered to myself, looking away from the phone once more, and turning my back on it, as I sat in the wooden chair. A few seconds later, and I was looking at the phone longingly, again.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was up out of the chair and across the room with the phone in my hand. I pressed 'talk' again, and proceeded to dial Harry's number carefully. It began to ring in my ear. I heard a click, and then a sudden 'hello'?

"Harry?" I smiled, loving the sound of his voice in my ear.

I could hear his grin as he answered next, "Hermione! I wasn't expecting you to be home this early!" A pause, "It's only 9:30!" His enthusiasm was definately evident, and I was glad to hear it, because I knew that the first thoughts I had were true.

"Well, here I am!" I said in the same excited tone. "Anyway, what's on the agenda tonight, kind sir?" I asked in a posh accent, making him chuckle slightly.

"I really don't know, m'lady! Whatever you wish to do, we’ll do." He answered back in the same kind of voice, playing along.

I grinned, "Well, why don't we just go for a walk, then?" I took a stab at a suggestion.

"You know, a walk would be great. Where will we meet?" He seemed so content with just listening to my voice, it made my heart want to skip several beats.

"We could go for a walk down Main Street." I answered logically, "We'll split the distance, because it's in the middle."

"Wow, and so the real Hermione's back! I remember that voice, that's you're problem solving voice!" He chuckled into the phone, teasing me slightly, as I blushed a deep red.

"So what if it is?" I smirked, wondering how on earth he could have possibly remembered that.

"Aw, don't be like that! I think it's cute!" He answered back, he then cleared his throat slightly, "Anyway, I'll meet you at the top of Main street in fifteen minutes, okay?" He asked, cutting to the chase.

"Right. Bye Harry!" I said cheerily.

"Bye Herm."

Yet another click, and a dull dial tone told me he had hung up. I hung up also, placing the phone back on its charging dock. I bit my lip once more, wondering whether I should change or not. I looked down at my clothes.

Fitting blue jeans hugged my hips, flaring at the bottoms, covering most of my classic black and white converses. I wore a blue tank top, my mid-drift only just peaking out underneath the hem.

I thought better of changing, for I didn't have time. Instead, I walked over to one of the wooden chairs surrounding my kitchen table, and I grabbed a blue hoodie, pulling it carefully over my head in an attempt not to mess my hair up.

I walked over to the front hall by the door, and looked in the mirror placed there on the wall. I looked long and hard at myself, perhaps formulating a conversation plan for when I saw Harry again tonight. All the right things to say, phrases to change topics, it was all swimming around in my head.

I blinked, breathed deeply, and turned around, grabbing my keys off of the side table near the door. I checked my pockets, pulling out my wallet and mobile phone. I put them back in, reassuring myself I had everything.

With a flick of the light switch, a twist of the door knob, an open of the door, I was gone.

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I reached the top of Main street, looking around, hoping to see Harry.

It was dark, and slightly cold, the street almost barren, for the shops had closed long before. I looked all the way down to the end of the street, and saw a small number of people scattered outside of pubs, some waiting for others, some getting ready to have a beer, and some completely on their own.

At that moment, I felt like I was the only person there. The night was calm, and so was I. Looking up at the sky, I saw the city lights trying to out-shine the stars, it seemed, for I could only see very few. All of the dark places, like the alleyways, were dimly lit with the glow from the moon, as it bathed the shadows in light.

I looked over my shoulder, and sure enough, he was there, watching me. He stood, a few feet away, a smirk plastered on his face as he leaned lazily against a lamp post.

I smirked and called over to him, "You could have told me you were there... I thought I was alone."

Harry grinned and shifted himself off of the post, walking towards me. "I know, it's better that way." He reached me, and stopped, halting in front of me and looking down into my eyes carefully.

"People don't have any boundaries up when they think they're alone. No fears, no cares, only raw passion for what they do. I thought Hermione Granger, of all people, would know that." He smiled a warm smile, making my body tingle.

"Mr. Smarty Pants." I muttered up at him, smirking and chuckling all the while.

"Yes, for once in my life." He answered back playfully, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, protectively. "Come on, let's walk."

And so we walked, talking about everything, and nothing at the same time. It felt good just to have a normal conversation with someone for once. It was refreshing to know that he wanted to listen to me, that he wanted my opinions. It was like having the old Harry back.

We stopped near an alleyway, sitting on the wall under a street light.

"Hermione?" Harry said quietly, breaking the silence between us, as he looked up at the sky carefully.

"Yes, Harry." I sighed in content, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Why did you leave before?" He asked in the same quiet, humble voice. He looked down at me with complete sincerity.

He wanted the truth, but I didn't know if I could give it to him. I don't think I had even been honest with myself. I knew now, that everything I told myself about 'the greater good' was a lie. It was complete bullocks, and I knew it.

"I just... I thought it was for your own good, I guess." I looked up at him carefully, the glint in his eye never leaving.

Harry looked hurt. He looked deeply, and completely hurt. "You... You kept yourself away from me because you thought it was for my own good? But, what came of it, Herm?" He asked me pleadingly, his voice cracking under emotion.

I sighed once more, looking up at him still, "I don't completely understand why I did it. I just, I thought it was best. I figured you had a lot of your own problems, and you didn't need me to be added on your list of worries."

Harry turned away, breaking eye contact and looking straight ahead of him, across the street.

"I still worried... I worried about you every day. I don't think there actually wasn't a day when you didn't cross my mind. When I didn't think of how you were, or what you were doing. You just left so fast, I never even got a chance to say goodbye."

I could tell this was just throwing salt in an open wound. Nothing would come of talking about this, I figured the best way to change the topic was to be sincere. "I'm sorry Harry, I really am. I screwed up."

Harry's head snapped over and looked at me. His eyes were fierce and cold, his breath was becoming slightly rigid. "You're sorry?" He never broke eye contact. He stood up carefully, detaching himself from me completely.

"Harry, what's wrong?" I asked, traces of fear and regret evident in my voice.

He whirled around, "What's wrong?!" He said, the volume of his voice raising. "Herm... I want it back! I want it all back! I want back, the three years I spent worrying about you, I want back the time I could of had with you... I want it ALL back!" He said, his voice continuing to crack.

"What am I supposed to do, Harry?! I can't go back in time and change my actions! It's not exactly possible! I told you I'm sorry, but what else am I supposed to say?!" My voice rose with his, as I stood up as well.

"Sorry isn't good enough, Herm." He answered bitterly, his voice dropping again. He looked at me, his eyes cold, his heart beat rapid, and I wanted to crumble. I wanted to just crumble into millions of pieces. I had no idea how much pain I had caused, not only myself, but him too.

But suddenly, for some reason, anger began to bubble. I didn't just feel sympathy, I felt rage. How DARE he make me feel guilty for this! I already beat myself up for it enough! Every single night, I would be constantly eaten away by thoughts and memories of him. This was just all too much!

"So what are you saying, Harry? Hmm? Let's have it! Are you trying to tell me that you're just going to give this chance up now? After three years of my stupid mistakes, and a lucky chance of meeting again... You're just going to throw it all AWAY?!" My voice rose even higher, and began bouncing off of the alley walls.

"I didn't SAY that!" Harry yelled back, "You know what, nevermind, Hermione." He said, turning away and beginning to walk down the alley.

What the HELL does he think he's doing?! He's just going to... Walk away! He's got NO right!

Rage spilled out onto the surface as I chased after him. "What are you doing?!" I called to his back.

"Leaving, Hermione." He asked over his shoulder, not halting, or even slowing down.

"What gives you the right to leave?!" I screamed, speeding up, and catching up with him completely. I walked quickly alongside him, looking over at him carefully, my eyes being stung with angry tears.

"I have every right to leave." He answered, never looking over at me.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, and firmly tried to stop him. My strength alone, wouldn't have stopped him, but instead, he stopped himself. He turned around and looked down at me.

"Why are you doing this?! What is your problem!? People make MISTAKES you know!" I rose my voice, it was a pitch between normal talking, and yelling. I looked up at him carefully, sincerity in my eyes as I stared him down. I wouldn't let him turn away.

I was breathing heavy, anger and rage built up in my stomach as I continued to stare into his eyes. I wanted him to feel my agony, to feel my pain, to feel my passion. But I didn't know how to get him to see that I didn't want to let him go.

My heart was beating rapidly against my chest, my breathing was quickened, and my eyes had an angry glint etched in them. My face was red from emotion, and I could tell, that he realized all of this. His hand reached out, and cupped my chin, and within seconds, his lips were pressed against mine with force. I was pushed firmly into the nearest wall, as his lips crushed against mine once more, taking the breath from my very lungs.

This sudden anger of mine began to burn brighter, turning into something much more deeper. Some sort of longing, some sort of fire or passion. I couldn't explain it, and at that moment, I didn't want to. All I knew was that the his lips against mine was satisfying this feeling, his touch was quenching my longing, and I didn't want it to stop.

Reluctantly, I broke the kiss, breathing and gasping deeply for air.

"Harry." I whispered through gasps, looking up at him.

He gave me a look of knowing, "Shh, I understand." He said carefully, leaning in and pressing his lips into mine once more. I moaned in his mouth, as his tongue jut out across my bottom lip. I tried to pull in the reigns, I tried to stop my mind from wandering too far. I broke the kiss again, looking at him determinedly. I took a deep breath.

"Harry, we can't do this... here." I whispered carefully, looking up at him.

"You're right." He agreed quickly. Suddenly, his arms scooped me up, and he began to run down the alley, taking the nearest shortcut to my place.

"Harry, what on earth are you doing?!" I let out a giggle as he carried me up the street.

"Shh! Concentrating... Mind, numb... Yeah..." He began to babble mindlessly, which only made me want to laugh harder. He was so cute when he was like this!

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Moments later, and we were back in my flat. Harry couldn't keep his hands off of me, but I wasn't necessarily complaining!

Harry groaned in my ear, in longing, as a hand travelled up my bare stomach, underneath my hoodie and tank top. I gasped slightly. Pressing my lips into his desperately, as I was backed against the door, fumbling for my wand.

Sure enough, it was in my back pocket, and as he began to lightly suck on my neck, I whispered my favourite little word during a situation like this.

"Silencio!"

Harry groaned happily against my neck, and mumbled, before sliding his tongue out onto my skin. "Damn, I love that word."

I giggled, sighing in content, as his hands began to tug restlessly at my jumper, that was soon discarded, and flung across the room.

Needless to say, things only got worse, and in the end, we put the table, one of the kitchen chairs, the wall, the couch, and the bed to good use! I mean, DAMN! The guy kept coming back for more!

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It's been about a year now, and I have to say, the only thing I regret is leaving Harry the way I did. I've come to realize that I wasn't helping him, or myself either, I was just running from my fears. My fears of commitment, of love. But, all of that's changed.

Harry and I are engaged, and to be married in the summer. He proposed to me on the steps of Hogwarts, where we first kissed. I'll never forget the times I shared with him.

But, losing Harry and getting him back all in one life time made me realize how lucky I am to have found him. How love always prevails, and how making your own life-altering decisions doesn't just effect you.

During the time apart from him, I had constantly kept telling myself that I didn't have feelings for him, that anything linked with him was in the past, and that I was no longer attached to him. But now I see, just how attached I've always been to him.

He makes me appreciate all of the things I once took for granted. With him, anything seems possible. He's not just 'The Boy Who Lived' to me, anymore. He's become so much more then that.

I can honestly say, with all of my heart, that I love him. He was, and is, the only man that has ever made me truly happy. No one on earth compares to him.

He gave me a second chance, and for that, I will always be grateful.

I look at myself, and all of the things I've done, to get to this point. I remember what I used to tell myself, I remember the way I used to feel. I lied to myself over and over again, but no more will I do that.

No more will I tell myself that the desires I had for him, lay forgotten.

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A/N: Well! It’s been great writing this story, but, it is in fact, finished! Sorry everyone! :P Anyway, please review! Tell me what you thought of the WHOLE story! I know this chapter is a little cheesy, and I’m sorry about that, but, I think I might have a bad case of writers block! YIKES! Right, well, please R & R! Thanks for reading, you’ve been wonderful! :D