Hermione's Gifts
I am not JK Rowling and do not own her characters because if I did, Harry & Hermione would certainly have coupled up in Book 6.
Harry sat around the table in Ron's apartment feeling content as he watched all of his friends joking around in such a carefree manner. It was game night and the usual crowd had gathered. Ron, Luna, Ginny, Neville, Fred, George, and Hermione were all there along with Ginny's new boyfriend and a couple of girls Harry had never met before. Harry especially enjoyed Friday nights because it gave them all something they were never able to have while Voldemort pursued him. Because of him, his friends had to put their lives on hold and endure years of danger. Now that Voldemort had been defeated, he relished in the fact that they could all now lead normal lives. But the pursuit & battles with Voldemort had in fact left Harry a changed man, and he would never be able to look at the world the same way. He was no longer innocent & naïve. Since those dark times, he had changed so much that his relationship with Ginny had just fizzled out. He was no longer fun or carefree enough for her. Their parting was mutual and they still remained good friends, much to the delight of Ron.
Harry was not the only one who had changed over the last few years. Ron had just completed a successful rookie season as Keeper for Puddlemere United and was now heavily involved with Luna, whose father delighted in all of the exclusive interviews with Ron for the Quibbler. Neville had become quite the ladies man after his heroics during the war. He had single-handedly found and destroyed one of Voldemort's horcruxes and vanquished Bellatrix Lestrange. In fact, that very night he had arrived at Ron's with two new girls by his side. Hermione's changes were more subtle. She was more solemn and seemed to avoid Harry's eyes. Since the end of the war, she seemed to go through one relationship after another. Although she was Harry's best friend, this was the one thing he could never talk to her about. He worried about her, especially since her parents were killed during the final weeks of the war. It wasn't so much the many short lived relationships that concerned him, but that Hermione really seemed indifferent every time she decided to end one. She never got too upset about it and seemed lost and alone. Harry wanted to help her, but he just felt too afraid to cross the line into relationship issues with her. He liked the familiarity of their friendship and it was one of the few things he could always rely on.
Harry was abruptly brought out of his reminiscing and into the present conversation. "Your turn to ante-up Harry", muttered Ron with a knowing look on his face. He had caught Harry staring at Hermione.
"Remember everyone, this is a no-magic round, so you can't use magic to cheat", announced Neville.
"Sure, whatever you say," grinned George.
The game started and the usual chatter began.
"Hey Fred, what's up with these cards," Ron asked.
"Well, they are from the joke shop," suggested Luna. The deck of cards had been enchanted to have Fred's image winking mischievously on all the Jack cards.
"Just something for the girls," grinned Fred, "I usually make myself the Joker, but you don't use Jokers in Wizard's Poker."
The girls began giggling about some inside joke. After a couple of hands, the conversation turned toward Hermione's love life. Harry didn't realize it, but he began listening intently to the conversation he had previously been tuning out.
"Hermione, where's Michael? I thought you were finally going to introduce us to that boyfriend of yours tonight?" inquired Ginny.
"Oh, well, I, uh, well, we're not dating anymore," replied Hermione softly.
"You know you're starting to get a reputation," chimed in George, "one Ginny is enough for this lot."
"It's not like that," Hermione said.
"Yeah," Ginny stated, "Hermione is waiting for the perfect man, that's why so many of her relationships fizzle, she dumps them before the snogging turns into shagging."
The room went silent and everyone was staring at Ginny & Hermione. Hermione's face was a mixture of embarrassment and anger and Harry could tell she was trying hard to control her emotions. Ginny looked as though she couldn't believe those words had come out of her mouth and was looking very apologetically at Hermione.
"Hermione, I….", Ginny began, but before she could finish, Hermione stood up and yelled, "Well at least I don't shag every man I go out with or turn private conversations with friends into public debates."
Without warning Hermione suddenly apparated and Ginny began sobbing. "I didn't mean to, it just came out, I was only worried about her…".
"It's okay Ginny, she just needs to calm down." said Ron.
"Where could she have gone? I need to find her and apologize." Ginny insisted.
Finally, Harry spoke up, "I think I know where she went, but she probably needs some time alone. I'll go and check on her in a little while and see if I can convince her to talk things over with you".
Harry spent the next hour puzzling over what had just happened. He had just found out that Hermione was waiting for the perfect man. It didn't seem completely surprising to him knowing Hermione's personality so well, but what did surprise him was that this information made him feel happy. She was his best friend and he felt protective of her. He felt better knowing that she wasn't just casually giving herself away to random boyfriends. That was Ginny's expertise, although it seemed to work for her.
After a couple more rounds of Wizard's Poker, Harry decided it was time to look for Hermione, so he excused himself from the table and apparated to the one place he was sure she would be, at her parent's beach house. After Hermione's parents were killed, this was the one place she could feel safe & close to her parents. She went there each year on the anniversary of their deaths and any other time she needed to study or concentrate on her projects or problems. Harry reappeared in the living room and gazing around his eyes adjusted to the light. The room was illuminated only by the moonlight streaming in the many windows, and a single candle that was on the table. His gaze turned toward the windows overlooking the blackness that would turn into the ocean in the daylight. Sure enough, Hermione was there. She was sitting on the deck overlooking the waves created by the high tide and was curled up in an oversized chair with a quilt wrapped around her thin frame. He walked quietly over to the door and then proceeded through with enough noise not to startle her.
"It took you longer than I expected for you to find me," Hermione casually said.
"Actually, this was my first guess, but I wanted to give you some time to calm down first," Harry replied.
"I'm fine and I'm not upset. I just was tired of the same old crowd," she defiantly said.
"Look Hermione, I know you better than anyone, and I could tell by the look on your face that Ginny really hurt you."
"She hurt and embarrassed me, not to mention she betrayed my confidence…," Hermione started, but she burst into tears and began sobbing uncontrollably. Harry knelt down next to her and wrapped his strong arms around her body. He began slowly rocking her and whispering in her ear. "It's okay, I'm here for you, I'll always be here for you."
Without warning, Hermione sat back and pushed herself away from him. "No Harry, I don't want you here. I don't want you to see me like this and I want you to leave."
"That's too bad Hermione, because I'm your best friend and you're stuck with me".
"Really?," she shouted, "that's funny. You've never seemed to "stick" with me when I've needed you in the past." Harry looked confused.
"You don't understand. This isn't really about Ginny. It's about you and me. I don't want you to be my best friend, and I don't want you here torturing me."
"Torturing you?", Harry replied with a puzzled expression on his face. How did all of this suddenly get turned to him?
"Yes Harry, torturing me. You see, it's too hard for me to be here alone with you, smelling your hair, feeling your body, and not being able to be with you in the way that I want to."
Harry drew back. "What do you mean, Hermione".
"Oh, Harry, why do I always have to point things out to you. Why can't you ever figure things out for yourself? I'm in love with you Harry. I've been in love with you for years, but every time I was about to confess to you something happened to stand in my way. The last time I was about to try you hooked up with Ginny and you seemed so happy. I didn't want to ruin that for either of you. And forget the friendship part. . I've been your best friend for years, comforting you, helping you solve problems, battling with you in war and yet you were always too distracted to return the favor. Where were you when my parents died…oh, yeah, off celebrating with Ginny."
Harry looked stunned and knew he needed some time to process this information. "Okay," he muttered, "I'll give you some time."
He quickly apparated back to Ron's apartment and everyone began asking if he had found Hermione and if she was okay. He didn't quite know what to say, but felt that he should talk to Ginny about this since she would have insight on Harry as a boyfriend and would also give him a female perspective. After relaying the conversation with Hermione, Harry noticed that Ginny didn't look a bit surprised.
"Oh, Harry, everyone has known for a long time now that Hermione has been waiting for you. Why else would she dump perfectly good boyfriends time and again? She's in love with you and she thinks you are her perfect man. But I guess now the question is how do you feel about her?"
"I love her of course, but she's my best friend, at least I thought she was. I mean, I've always thought she was beautiful and smart, and I must admit I felt a little elated when I found out she wasn't sleeping around. Without all of her encouragement and support I don't know where I would be today, I just can't imagine not having her in my life and I….I love her. Oh Merlin, what do I do now Ginny? She's so upset with me and she's right, I haven't been a very good friend to her. I don't want to lose her now. What am I going to do?"
"Don't worry, I know Hermione well and I think I have an idea," Ginny said with a sly grin on her face.
The next day Harry apparated once again into the living room of Hermione's beach house. He looked around and hoped she hadn't left. He walked out onto the porch and peered into the endless ocean finding a calm come over his nerves. He spotted her running along the beach and walked down the steps to greet her.
"Harry, I thought I told you I wanted to be alone.", Hermione breathlessly whispered. Suddenly Harry realized he was seeing her with fresh eyes. She looked beautiful in her jogging tank & shorts with her skin glistening from sweat and her hair up in a messy ponytail.
"Look, I don't want to upset you, but I thought a lot about what you said and I really would like to try to make things up to you. Please let me stay until after dinner, and then if you want me to leave, I will."
"Well, alright. I'm feeling a little more like my old self today anyway. I've had some time to think things over, and I am sorry about just blurting things out to you yesterday. I know you weren't expecting it," she said.
"No, you don't owe me an apology. I owe you one. " Harry smiled knowing that this was going to be his biggest and most important apology ever. "Besides," he continued, "your confessions didn't seem to be news to anyone else, only me," he chuckled. She smiled in return, although she seemed a bit nervous.
"First, I want to say that I thought a lot about what you said yesterday and you are right. I haven't been nearly as good of a friend to you as you have been to me. I'd like to give you a few gifts that are representative of my thankfulness for your friendship."
Hermione looked intrigued. "Harry, you don't have to give me anything."
"I know," he replied, "but I want to. Just promise you will let me have my say without interrupting me and then at the end if you want me to leave I will. Why don't you go shower off and get ready for dinner while I set things up." Hermione looked questioningly at Harry, but decided it wasn't worth arguing and left to go freshen up.
A short while later Hermione emerged from the back bedroom looking as beautiful as her. The crisp white shirt and tan shorts looked stunning against her tan body. As she entered the room, Harry handed her a rose and her eyes widened as they took in the scenery. Dozens of vases filled with flowers took up most of the space in the small living room. "Merlin, what are all of these for Harry," she asked.
"They are for my best friend and each bouquet represents every time you've directly or indirectly saved my life. Without you I couldn't have figured out Voldemort's plans or overpowered him in the final battles. You were my lifeline these last few years and these flowers are merely a simple gesture of my gratitude."
Hermione seemed taken aback, but she also seemed to be relaxing a little bit.
"Now, for my next gift," Harry said. Looking into the kitchen, Hermione could see bags full of groceries. "I am going to prepare dinner for you, Muggle-style, in appreciation of all the right ingredients you've added to my life…nourishment, flavor, spice. Your friendship has added so many dimensions to my life, and the least I can do is prepare dinner for you." Hermione laughed and Harry had to agree it did sound a bit corny. "Just don't expect anything gourmet, though", he added.
"While I'm preparing the food, I want you to open another gift. This gift is simply because I think you're beautiful."
Hermione glanced up at Harry with a shy smile and then proceeded to open the box. She pulled out a beautiful burgandy-colored dress. "Oh, Harry, it's beautiful", she cried.
"Not as beautiful as you. Please, go and try it on while I finish making dinner."
Harry lost himself in thought while setting the table, and was startled when he heard a noise. He glanced up from the kitchen to see Hermione standing in the living room. She was wearing the dress and it fit her perfectly. Ginny did a good job helping him pick it out he thought. It was sleeveless which showed off her tone arms, and the material clung to her body so that all of her curves were accentuated. The color was perfect for her hair color & skin tone, not to mention it was a Gryffindor color. "It fits, and I love it.", she said.
"You look….a.a..amazing," Harry stuttered. "Uh, dinner is almost ready, just waiting on the bread. Here, this is my next gift for you."
"More gifts? Harry this is too much," Hermione began.
"No," he replied, "it's not enough. These gifts are merely tokens of what I owe you. This next gift is because I'm thankful for your intelligence." And he handed her a copy of Hogwarts: A History .
"Oh, thank you! I've missed checking this one out of Hogwart's library!", she laughed. This book was a symbol of just how important Hermione's intelligence and hard work had saved them both on numerous occasions.
Over dinner they fell into a normal conversation reminiscing about their days at Hogwarts. Harry noticed that she was more relaxed and he felt a surge of adrenaline. Anticipating what was coming next, Harry thought, please let this go well.
After dinner he said he had 2 more gifts for her and then she could decide if he could stay or not. He handed her a small box and when she opened it her face fell with a look of disbelief. "Harry, this is too much," she began. It was a beautiful necklace with a deep amber stone that had a tiny heart shaped speck in the center." The amber stone symbolizes the foundation of our friendship," Harry began. "You are my rock, Hermione. You have always been a solid friend to me and you are one of the only people I can completely trust. Just as amber protects whatever it encases, I will protect you from now on. Here, let me help you." He carefully put the necklace on Hermione and then stood back to look at the view. It was the perfect accessory for the dress and Hermione was now looking like the princess he felt she deserved to be.
"Hermione, you've always been the one to help me sort through all the muck and see what's important," began Harry. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to see it for myself this time, but I'm so glad that you came to my rescue once again and helped me realize that you are the perfect woman for me. I have loved you for so long, but I pushed those feelings down, not wanting to lose the friendship or the familiarity of what we had. Now that I know how you feel, I am freer to express my feelings, too. I want to spend the rest of my life being your best friend, protecting you, cherishing you, making you feel like the beautiful, talented woman you are. I am truly sorry for neglecting our friendship, but from now on you will be my top priority. Hermione Jane Granger, I love you." Hermione's eyes glistened and her face glowed with love and excitement.
They spent the next few moments staring into each other's eyes and kissing passionately. Then Hermione broke the silence. "Wait, I thought you said there was one more gift for me?" she said.
"There is. You see, you've not been the only one waiting. I've been waiting for the perfect person, too. Everyone just assumed, especially since I dated Ginny, that I've been around the block so to speak. But it never felt right…that is until now. So? What's the verdict, can I stay?"
Hermione gazed into his eyes and seductively said, "Well, what are you waiting for now?" Harry gave her a mischievous grin, then picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. The wait was over.
PLEASE REVIEW - THIS IS MY FIRST FANFIC! :)
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