A/N: Well, time to do a bit of jumping ahead. It's now Harry and Hermione's one-year anniversary. Please enjoy and please review!
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I can't believe that I've been married for a whole year already! I've been Harry Potter's wife for 365 days. How great is that?
Tonight, Harry has promised me a beautiful dinner. I told him I didn't need it because as long as he was with me, it would be a perfect night, but he insisted. What can I say? I'm married to a hopelessly romantic guy … and I wouldn't have him any other way. It's so great to have a man that thinks like I do.
So, we took the day off and spent it together doing … matrimonial activities. It's been a very good day.
Harry is out doing something now. He wouldn't tell me what, but he said he had some things to pick up, so I'm left here to get ready alone.
Now, as I step into the shower, I realize what a whirlwind year it has been.
We've been a fairly normal couple, doing normal things (at least as normal as a wizard and witch who saved the world can get). We've dealt with the barrage of "when are you having kids?" questions, endlessly from my parents, Molly and Arthur, Ron and Luna, Ginny, Bill and Fleur, Minerva, Patty, most of Harry's 7th year Defense class … well, you get the point. And our answer is always the same: When we're ready.
I wanted to wait a year, that way we could enjoy each other. It's not that I don't want kids, far from it, I'd love kids. I just know how much they change your life. And I want to make sure that Harry and I have had time enough to be a married couple before we turn into parents. I think that's fair, at least. But, I understand that it is only natural for people to ask that question of newlyweds, so I have yet to jump down anyone's throat (much to Harry's surprise, he's told me).
As for everyone else, over the summer, Fred and George proposed to Alicia and Angelina. They're getting married in 2 weeks. It's going to be a double ceremony (big surprise, I know). Hard to believe that those two are finally settling down. But, they've been dating those girls for years now, and for whatever reason, Alicia and Ang don't seem to mind the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes way. Bless them. At least the girls vetoed the idea of having the wedding at the shop. Instead, it's going to be another Burrow wedding.
On Christmas day, Neville proposed to Ginny. They'll be getting married in June. He's so cute whenever he talks about her. His face positively lights up. And this is exactly what she needed - a man that wouldn't take advantage of her, but one that will love and respect her. I can't wait to stand up with them as they finally tie the knot.
When we went into the Department of Mysteries that night in fifth year, I never expected the six of us to pair off like we did. (Well, I had hoped that two of us would, of course.) But now that group of six daring rescuers has turned into three very wonderful couples. Kinda scary to think of the pairs any differently. I shudder to think of a world where it would be Neville with Luna, Harry with Ginny and myself with Ron. No, that would certainly never work. I'd drop an anvil on Ron's head within the first week.
But regardless …
And of course, on their one-year anniversary, Ron and Luna renewed their wedding vows and had the big ceremony that they didn't have the first time. Luna looked amazing in her wedding gown that we modified from the first wedding. Cordy and Sophie were adorable in the little gowns Molly made for them. Cordy in red and Sophie in bronze (true to her word, Luna dresses the girls in different colors for Ron's sake … but he's getting much better at differentiating between them). Harry and I each held one of them as they watched their parents marry again.
It was a beautiful ceremony and a very fun reception - and we even saw another Miskinip, so now Luna is convinced that they are destined to have a perfect marriage. I told her she didn't need the Miskinip for that, and she agreed, but this was just the final sign that it was right for her. "Whatever makes her happy," seems to have become Ron's motto and I would have to agree.
For now, however, it's mine and Harry's special day.
I honestly don't think it's possible to put into words how he has made me feel this past year. I've tried, honestly, but I can't do it.
I've never felt so loved, so wanted and so cherished. Harry makes me feel like there's no other woman on this earth. I can't believe how special I feel with him around.
As I step out of the shower, I see a note on the sink. How did he get in here without me knowing? Was I that deep in thought?
Regardless, I wrap the towel around me, pick up the letter and read:
Dearest Hermione,
I know that I have told you several times over today, but I love you so much. Our anniversary only serves to show all those cynics out there how wrong they were. I can't believe how lucky I have been to have you in my life for 10 years now.
But I was blessed for whatever reason and now I have the honor of spending my entire day with you. I wake up to your beautiful face and then get to spend the morning with you, getting ready and preparing for the day. We travel to work together and see each other throughout the day. We have meals together and finally come home. Our evenings are relaxing and make the day seem perfect, even if it was a rough and complicated time at work. Finally, when it's time to go to bed, the last thing I see is that crinkle on your forehead as you sleep. Normally, you do fall asleep before me. Perhaps I stay awake a bit longer just for that moment where I can see you at complete peace. You look like an angel as you sleep.
But you're an angel during the waking hours as well. You have gotten me through the roughest times of my life. And I don't just mean the final battle (but that's certainly part of it). When I would return to the Dursleys every summer, my first thought would always be you and just how long it would be until I saw you again. It was easy for me to convince myself that I wanted to leave the Dursleys and to see my other friends and the school, but I realized, after some time, that it was you … always you.
For almost half of my life it has been you, guiding me, watching me, teaching me, catching me, loving me. How can I even begin to repay you for that? I could buy you anything you wanted, but I know you wouldn't want that. I am taking you to a fancy dinner tonight, but it's not enough, and it's not really what you would want either.
So, instead, I thought I would try to write all my thoughts on this parchment. I'll bet you never expected me to write so much, eh? Well, I guess I just can't help it. When it comes to you, my heart soars and I guess my quill does as well.
As I write this, you are sleeping peacefully as usual, angelic as ever. Hedwig is watching me closely, fluttering. I think she knows this is for you and she's just as happy as I am. Even Crookshanks is weaving in and out of my legs approvingly. It's good to know that they're with me on this.
I was thinking the other day about our trip into the Department of Mysteries. So much could have happened down there, Mione. Any one of our friends could have died. We almost lost Sirius. I almost lost you. I've never felt so much rage as I did when I saw you get hit by that curse. I don't know how the entire building didn't explode with the energy I was throwing off. But my world stopped when I saw you lying there … motionless. I had nothing left to live for. And when Neville told me that he was sure he felt a pulse on you, well, I don't think I could tell you how happy I was then.
But let's focus on happier times, yes? The day you agreed to be my wife was, of course, a bit of a roller coaster, but since then, I've known that I did something right in my life, because that's the only way an angel like you would stay in my life. The day we got married, I was convinced that you were Heaven sent. I was never raised with much religion in my life, but after seeing you in that gown, well, I knew there had to be some sort of God to make that kind of beauty. You were gorgeous that day! (And every other day as well) I loved dancing with you that night because I could feel all the envious stares. But you were mine and I was yours and I knew that neither of us would even consider looking at anyone else.
I love going out into public to just to see the people looking at us. Maybe it's wrong of me to enjoy their jealousy, but I'll admit, I do like it a little bit. Just knowing I have what they want … well, it's nice.
And any other day that I am blessed to spend with you, well, that's just icing on my cake. And today? Today is one of the most special days of my life. I can tell the world that I've been married to most perfect woman for an entire year and I hope to keep doing that year after year.
Wow, I really got long winded here, didn't I? Sorry about that, but I guess I just wanted to keep trying to express just how much I really love you.
Happy anniversary, my sweetheart,
Love,
Harry
PS, So, now that you've been reading this letter and not noticing that I'm standing in the doorway, turn around.
I gasp as I read the last line and spin around. There stands Harry in a black tuxedo, holding a single red rose.
"Harry!" I cry as I run into his arms.
"Mione, are you ok?"
"Of course I am, you wonderful man, you! That letter was beautiful!"
"So I did good?"
"Better than that. Oh, Harry, I love you so much," I sob.
"I love you too, Hermione. I didn't write the letter to make you breakdown, though. I just thought you would appreciate the written word more than anything else."
"And you were so right," I say as I finally back out of his embrace and take the rose, noting its lack of thorns. "It's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you."
I blush.
"Well, I'd like to note that I am way overdressed at the moment, so would you like to get dressed?" he says.
I glance at the wet mark my hair left on his tux.
"Oh, Harry! I'm so sorry!"
"No worries! This is why we have magic!" He waves his hand over the spots and they dry instantly. He does the same to my hair and it's suddenly dry and tangle free.
He does wandless magic better than anyone I know.
"Ok, so, since I am dressed and you're … well, not … I picked something up for you. I hope you don't mind."
He turns the door a bit and hanging there is a beautiful red gown. It's got spaghetti straps and it's ankle length and it's just gorgeous.
"Do you like it?" he asks.
"Like it? I love it! It's stunning!"
"Great! Put it on, and get ready. I'm taking you to that new restaurant in London."
"London? We're going Muggle tonight?"
"Yeah, I want to stay incognito. We don't need everyone wishing us a happy anniversary while we're trying to eat."
I place the rose on the bed, remove my towel (and receive a catcall for it), and get my undergarments on. "Harry, they're just trying to be nice."
"Yes, they are. And I appreciate it, but tonight is for us, not them."
"True enough."
I slip into the gown and instantly feel like a princess.
"Harry, this is such a beautiful dress. I love it," I say as he zips me up.
"You're beautiful," he murmurs as he kisses my shoulder.
"Keep that up and we're not going to dinner," I tell him as I turn around. "Now, let me fix my hair."
I sit down at my vanity and twirl my wand above my head so that the front part of my hair is pulled back and it all falls into curls on my back.
"I love it that way, you know," Harry says as he watches.
"I know."
I quickly apply some makeup and put on the necklace and earrings Harry got me for Christmas.
"Your present is on the nightstand," I tell him as I clasp the gold chain.
Harry picks up the box and opens it. Inside is the pocket watch I bought him.
"Hermione! It's wonderful!"
"What I had hoped was that you could give it to our son someday."
"Son?" Harry says with a strange look.
"Not yet, tiger. But, since we've been married for a year …" I trail off.
Harry gasps. "Are you ready?"
"Only if you are."
"You know I am. I can't wait for us to be parents."
"Well, then looks like it's time to retire the contraception spell."
He grins in that way that makes me melt and hugs me. Then he sneaks and picks me up to spin me around.
"Harry! I'm not pregnant yet!"
"Doesn't matter. One day you will be," he says, setting me down.
"Yes, sweetheart. One day."
We both smile at each other, knowing what a big moment this is.
"Ok, how do I look?" I ask, twirling slowly.
"Like a queen," he replies as he picks the rose up, breaks off most of the stem and tucks it behind my ear.
I smile.
"Are you ready to go, your majesty?" he asks, offering his arm.
"Of course, King Harry," I reply with a laugh.
"Hold on. I'm going to Apparate us to a place nearby the restaurant," he says, and suddenly we're off.
We reappear and walk the short distance to the restaurant. Harry gives our name and we're seated in a pretty private location.
"I like this place," Harry says, looking around.
"It's very nice," I agree.
The waiter comes and takes our orders.
"Harry, I feel so bad. You wrote me that beautiful letter and I have nothing like that for you."
"Hermione, you know better. I love that pocket watch! Besides, I don't need anything from you but your love. You could never get me another present for the rest of our lives and I would still be the happiest man in the world. As long as you are with me, that's my gift."
My eyes begin to tear up again.
"You've done an awful lot of crying today," he laughs.
"You've been awfully sweet today," I explain.
"I can't help it. You must bring out the poet in me."
I laugh.
"What?" he says, pretending to be offended. "Are you saying that I can't be a poet? I'll have you know, Mrs. Potter, that I am a brilliant poet!"
"A brilliant poet are you? Right then, let's hear something poetic."
Harry freezes. "Um … ok. Roses are red, a song is a ditty, your eyes are brown, and they're very pretty."
I smile, trying to hold in my laugh.
"It's ok. Go ahead and laugh. Take down my pride. I see how it is," he says. "See if I write you any more poetry."
"No, Harry, it was wonderful. Thank you very much! You can write me all the poems you want. I'd love to hear more."
Harry laughs as the waiter brings our salads.
Dinner is just as delicious as I expected it to be and our conversations remain light and comfortable. Just like every other day of our lives.
Harry apparatus us home and carries me to the bed. We make love one more time before Harry falls asleep.
He thinks he always stays awake longer than I do, but that's not always true. I love watching him sleep. He's so serene as he sleeps. And it makes me happy to think that I had something to do with that.
As I notice the smile on his face, sleep begins to claim me as well and I think of what a wonderful anniversary it was.
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A/N: Harry's note was to get his POV in this chapter. It's a bit choppy, I know, but I wanted it to be like he was just writing and writing from the heart.