Chapter Two
A Bond For Something More
Harry woke to Hermione knocking some Black family heirloom to the floor, while she wrestled and twisted about in her sheets in her sleep. He recognized the signs of a nightmare, having more than his fair share. Rushing across the room, as he conjured a damp washcloth. He sat next to her and tried to soothe her mind and wake her up. "Hermione? C'mon 'Mione, wake up for me. It's just a nightmare. It isn't real. Everything's okay." he said in the most soothing voice he could considering he was actually quite scared out of his mind because it was often him having nightmares and screaming awake. Not Hermione.
Finally she calmed down and was waking up. The very moment she saw Harry, saw he was alive and okay, she threw her arms around his neck and buried her head into his shoulder, whispering "You're okay…You're okay…He didn't kill you…." Harry did the only thing he could do. He held her while she cried her fears away. Later on, he tried to lay her back down and go back to his own bed. But Hermione had different plans. Since her nightmare had obviously centered around Harry dieing, she didn't want to wake up without the affirmation that he was not dead and quite alive and well physically. She held on tightly to his neck and started whimpering until he spoke again.
"It's okay. I'm not going anywhere 'Mione. I just need to expand the bed since it isn't big enough for us both at the moment, okay? It'll only be for a second." he soothed as he laid her back down on the bed. The entire time he felt her watch him, making sure he was still there, as he made his bed disappear, moved the nightstand to where the bed had been, enlarged her bed and linens, and conjured a pillow for himself. Then he stuck his wand under the pillow, gathered her in his arms, and covered them both, rubbing her back until she fell into a restful slumber with him following suit.
The next thing Harry remembered was waking up to see a pair of rested chocolate colored eyes watching him. "Morning. Sorry about last night." she said, sitting up.
"How many times have you done the same for me whenever I've had a nightmare? I only helped out my best friend." he replied, confused about why she was acting like this.
"Yeah, but I should have let you go back to your own bed. Not doing that was weak of me. We don't have time for weak." She said, more to herself than Harry.
"So I was being weak by asking you to stay whenever I had a nightmare?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"NO! It's different for you. You've seen things I haven't. Things I wouldn't wish on Malfoy or Voldemort. Although the fact that Voldemort caused and did most of them, makes it a moot point, but you understand my meaning." She said, putting a hand on his cheek. He put his over hers and pulled them down to rest, together in her lap.
"So I'm allowed to have nightmares about my deepest, darkest fears; while you, my most trusted friend and confidante, has to suffer her burden and the one I have when I have a nightmare? I don't think so. Spill. What had you in tears and clinging to me like there's no tomorrow? I remember you saying something about me being alright and not dead." he said sitting up next to her, as she rested against the wall.
Hermione looked like she had been told to take Trelawny's class again. And pass it too. "Fine. We were back at Hogwarts, and McGonagall made us Head Boy and Girl. (a/n: I think she really will too) And we go into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room for class and Snape's in there. As soon as he sees you, he turns into V-Voldemort and he shoots the Killing Curse at you. I didn't react fast enough and you die right there in front of me and I couldn't save you. That's what Voldemort kept saying when he killed me too. That the mudblood couldn't save the most important person to her. She was too stupid." by this point Hermione was in tears again. Harry pulled her into his arms again and held her while she cried. When she was all cried out, he pulled up her chin so he could look into her puffy and red chocolate brown eyes.
Then he spoke. "Voldemort did not kill me or you. He will have to kill me first to get anywhere within shooting distance of you. That's the only possible way for your nightmare to happen. Neither of us will die anytime soon. That will happen when we're old and warm in our beds, asleep. I'll do my damnedest to make sure of that! Okay?" he flicked his gaze to her lips which were slightly parted.
She unconsciously ran her tongue over her lips. He realized what he was doing just before he met her lips with his. Her lips felt so soft, pliant and slightly chapped from endless study sessions with little to eat. The moment felt like it lasted forever but really only was a few seconds. Harry pulled away expecting a slap in the face, but when nothing came, he opened his eyes to see Hermione looking at him with love in hers. 'Wait! Hermione Granger loves me? That can't be possible! She'd be--' his thoughts went unfinished because she kissed him.
This kiss started out much the same as the first, but then it quickly changed. It became much more passionate. Harry ran his tongue along the seam of her lips begging for entrance. She granted and they both alternated between exploring the other's mouth and a sensual, passionate, heated dance of tongues.
Only when oxygen had become an necessity, did Harry pull away. This time, opening his eyes proved what he had seen before. She loved him. And he knew that his own emerald green eyes reflected the same love back to her.
If only Ron and Ginny saw things the same way as Harry and Hermione.