A/N- Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! This is quite a long chapter, just because it's a date and I couldn't just stop the chapter in the middle of a date! So sorry for anyone that doesn't like long chapters! This is the start of the mushiness, Happy reading!
**Islanzadi** J
Harry awoke the next morning with several thoughts going through his mind. The first was that hopefully Hermione would come back today. The second was that unfortunately Ron would come back today. The third was that Ginny was still in the house, and the fourth was that he was unbelievably hungry. He shoved the blankets off of him and sat up groggily. The smell of bacon and eggs hung in the air, and he remembered Mrs. Weasley's fantastic cooking. He shoved on some clothes and quickly made his way down stairs, deciding to take care of his hygiene after he had eaten.
He walked into the kitchen to find the whole Weasley family sitting at the table. The whole family because they had apparently brought Ron home from St. Mungo's when Harry had been sleeping. Harry stopped dead in his tracks as Ron lifted his head to stare at Harry.
"Come in Harry!" said Mrs Weasley brightly, noticing that Harry was lurking by the door "Have some breakfast! I daresay you need it after last night!"
"Yeah," said Ron darkly "I'll bet he does." He shoved a piece on sausage into his mouth rather violently and stared at the table. Harry inched his way into the kitchen and sat at the far end of the table. Ginny was smirking at him over the top of a magazine called 'Which Witch is fashionable?' which seemed to have a witch on the front cover with rather see through robes on. Harry averted his eyes quickly and Ginny grinned. Mrs. Weasley served Harry some eggs, bacon, sausage and toast. Harry ate hungrily and had three servings. He hardly noticed the evil looks Ron was throwing him as he simply sat and stared at Harry. After Harry's third serving, Luna and Susan walked in.
"Good morning," said Luna brightly "Goodness, I'm quite hungry! Last night seemed to take away all my energy, if I would have used my brain I would have eaten before I fell asleep."
"Oh," said Ron rather snippily "Harry kept you up late did he? He's got quite a habit of that. You want to watch yourself Luna." He then stood up from the table and walked angrily out of the kitchen. Part of Harry wanted to follow him, to try and explain. The other part said 'Fuck him, I don't have to deal with his childishness right now. Just let me have some time to myself first.' As if reading his mind Luna said gently -
"I'll talk to him first Harry. He's still too angry with you right now, your bruise is only just going away," Harry smiled gratefully at Luna and began to relax as Mrs. Weasley poured him a cup of tea.
"What's going on?' asked Ginny suddenly "Why did Ron hit you Harry?" Harry looked from Ginny to Luna and Susan. They were suddenly very interested in the Daily prophet that had been delivered moments ago by Hedwig. Harry rolled his eyes and made a mental note to get them back later.
"We had a fight," said Harry simply
"About what?' said Ginny, her face getting a little pink with frustration. Harry sighed, he knew she would fine out eventually so he might as well get it out of the way. Besides, it would be killing several birds with one stone, Ron's parents were in the room too.
"Hermione," he said quickly. Ron's parents looked at Harry with a slight grins on their faces.
"What about Hermione?" asked Ginny, gritting her teeth.
"Erm, he wants Hermione. She doesn't want him, but uh, well…" said Harry, feeling awkward in front of Ron's parents.
"Hermione wants to be with Harry," said Susan in a loud and clear voice "Harry wants to be with Hermione, and Ron doesn't seem to like the idea at all. So they got into a fight…Anything I'm leaving out Harry?"
"Erm, no. That's about it really." finished Harry rather lamely. Ginny stood up so quickly that she knocked over the cup of tea her mum had just poured for her. She glared angrily at them all before leaving the kitchen and walking very loudly up the stairs to her bedroom. Harry had been expecting Mrs. Weasley to jump to the defence of her son and daughter. He had expected the silent treatment at best, and outright shouting at worst. To his great surprise she sat down at the table with her cup of tea and looked at her husband fondly.
"I remember when they were young. Ron couldn't have been older than six at the time. He had this teddy bear that was given to him my his grandmother, though he didn't like it very much. Ginny on the other hand, loved that raggedy old bear. She would sneak into Ron's room at night and take it from whatever corner Ron had thrown it into. Then she would sneak it into bed with her, until Ron would notice it missing and demand that she return it. Ron didn't want that bear Harry, but he certainly didn't want his little sister to have it. Eventually though, he felt guilty. He knew he was keeping that bear away from Ginny out of spite, so eventually he just gave it to her. Of course Ginny was simply thrilled at first, but after that first week the novelty wore off and she discarded that bear just as easily as Ron had done before her." said Mrs. Weasley, staring at the table with a slight smile on her face.
"Ron didn't want that bear Harry, but he didn't want anyone else to have it either. Ginny wanted that bear desperately because everyone else was so fond of it. It was her grandmothers and she knew that everyone loved it. But look, when she got it she became bored. She loved the idea of having the bear that was Ron's, the bear that everyone wanted because they loved their grandmother so much," she looked up at Harry once again and gave him a smile "I know my children very well Harry, and I also know you very well. You don't make up feelings to hurt someone. If you and Hermione want to be together then just do it. Life is too short to miss out on the things that mean the most to you. Now, if you will excuse me I had better go and have a word with Ginny."
Harry watched as Mrs. Weasley exited the kitchen, leaving Luna, Susan, Mr. Weasley and himself. He looked at Luna who seemed to have a dopily affectionate expression on her face…he picked up at napkin and threw it at her. She seemed startled at first, then a grin broke out on her face. Mr Weasley began laughing at her bug eyed expression, then collected the Daily Prophet from the table.
"Well," he said "Off to work I suppose. See you later!"
They were discussing the previous nights events when there was a crack in the hallway. All three of them looked around to see who had arrived, and Harry's heart leapt at the sight of Hermione walking into the kitchen. She smiled rather shyly at Harry and sat down on the chair next to him.
"How were your parents when you found them?" asked Susan in a muffled voice, her mouth half full of toast.
"A bit surprised to see me, and a little worried that Lupin and I were virtually screaming in their faces to hurry up and get out of the house. They thought we were over reacting of course. The, uh, the house was burned to the ground later that night." said Hermione, her voice ending in a whisper "it's all gone…" Harry leant over and put his arms around her shoulders. She leaned into him gratefully and rested her head on him. He kissed the top of her head gently and sighed. Poor Hermione, she shouldn't have to suffer like this all because of him. Luna rolled her eyes towards the door and Susan stood up quietly, both of them leaving the kitchen rather quickly.
"What happened Harry? Lupin met me but said he had a lot of things to do and that you'd fill me in. How's Ron? Where is he?" said Hermione anxiously
"Ron's fine, well…he's healthy anyway. He's upstairs actually, and so is Ginny…: said Harry quietly. Hermione moved off of him to look him in the eyes, her face showing anger and slight suspicion. Harry moved his hand to her face and began to slowly stroke her cheek.
"I missed you," he said quietly "It was weird not having you in the same place as me. I'm sorry about your house, you don't deserve something like that to happen to you."
"Harry," she answered with equal quietness "Don't worry about the house. It's just pictures and memories. At least no one was hurt. I, uh, I missed you too Harry. A lot…" He stared into her eyes and leaned closer to her, he'd been waiting to kiss her since Ron had found out. He Didn't realise how desperately until now. He put his hands around the back of her head and pulled her towards him, kissing her thoroughly and showing her just how much she was missed. She broke away suddenly, her face very pink and her breathing laboured.
"You know what," said Harry "How about we go out. I can fill you in on everything that's happened and we can spend some time alone. We can do whatever you want, but we have to go to muggle London."
"You mean like a date?" asked Hermione, sounding a little timid.
"Yeah," said Harry "Why not? We've, erm, been seeing each other for a quite a few weeks now. It would be fun, and just the two of us. No one to interrupt our conversations. I can tell you everything that's happened without worrying in Ron's going to come in and start throwing punches again…"
"We can actually kiss in the open!" said Hermione excitedly "We can walk through the park like two normal people in l…well, erm, two normal people without having everyone staring."
"Exactly," said Harry quietly, leaning forward to press his lips tenderly against hers. "Why don't you go and get dressed in your muggle clothes. I'll make myself clean and presentable and we'll meet back here in half an hour?"
"Sounds fantastic…" said Hermione girlishly. She practically skipped up the stairs and into her room, thankful to find it deserted. She dreaded meeting Ginny again, but if she so much as tried to raise her wand at her she would be very sorry.
Hermione opened her trunk and began searching manically through her clothes for something to wear. She pulled out her favourite pair of jeans and smiled to herself. They were her favourite jeans because they fit her tightly around her bum and flared by her feet. Now to find a nice top. She rummaged through her trunk once more and pulled out a black v necked sleeveless shirt that had a pretty little feminine black trim at the bottom. She pulled it on quickly and adjusted her breasts quickly. She grinned slyly to herself and she looked at her cleavage…that would give Harry a little something to think about. She finally pulled out her long black coat, her black scarf and her boots. With a wave of her wand her boots became shinier and any wrinkles she had looked like they fell away from her clothes. Ok…hair and make up. Oh God, hair and make up. Almost as if they had read her thoughts Luna and Susan entered the room.
"Thank goodness," said Hermione a little breathlessly "You have to help me. What can I do to my face and hair in ten minutes that will make me look beautiful?"
"Hermione," said Luna reproachfully "You're always beautiful. BUT if you would like help enhancing what you already have then we can help." Hermione smiled affectionately at Luna as the two girls bustled around the room. Susan took charge of the hair while Luna began applying various things to Hermione's face. After only fifteen minutes they had finished, and Hermione stepped back to see their work and she smiled despite herself. Her hair seemed smoother than usual and was pulled back lightly with some black and silver ornamental clips. Loose tendrils hung about her face which seemed to frame it perfectly. Luna had made here eyes rather smoky looking and her blush made her look truly scandalous. Unfortunately she had put bright orange lipstick on her, but Hermione said thank you anyway and wiped it off the moment she had made her way downstairs laughing to herself all the way.
She saw Harry standing in the hallway pacing backwards and forwards. She stopped for a moment to look at him and to get her feelings under control. 'I am going on a DATE with Harry!' was a thought that seemed to spiral around and around in her mind. She knew she was acting like a silly school girl but she didn't care. She had never felt this way before, so what if she wanted to get a little girly and excited? She took a deep breath and tried to calm the random giggles that seemed to want to burst from within her. She walked down the steps a little louder than before, so as to announce her presence.
"You're late!" he said sounding unbelievably surprised "You're never late! What too you so-" Hermione was pleased to see that he seemed to be a little lost for words when he looked at her. She grinned as walked over to where he stood.
"Sorry," she said sounding rather flirtatious "But surely you can wait five minutes for me…"
"I would wait a lifetime for you," he said, then flushed at the comment. He cleared his throat before saying -
"You, erm, you look really nice,"
"So do you," she said quietly and allowed herself a longer look at him than was proper. He was wearing the jeans she had bought him from muggle London, a thick black roll neck jumper, a long black coat that looked almost the same as hers (though, thankfully, more masculine) and a thick black scarf.
"Well, we almost match," said Harry grinning "and these jeans you bought me are far too tight around my bum. I didn't know they made them like this!"
"They look fine Harry," said Hermione briskly
"You bought them too small…" said Harry with a grin, enjoying having her in the wrong for once.
"No I didn't," said Hermione slyly "I bought the tighter pair because I wanted to see your bum properly. Shall we go?" Harry looked a little shocked at Hermione's bluntness, but after a quick recovery he escorted her through the door.
Once they exited the house they began slowly walking down the pavement. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand quickly and looked at her. He was walking down the street holding Hermione's hand, he grinned boyishly and held her soft hand tighter in his. This was going to be a great day, just him and Hermione in muggle London.
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Ron watched as Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand down the street. He watched them swinging their hands in motion to their steps. He watched them laughing together, and he watched them bump each other playfully on the shoulder…over and over. He turned around quickly and threw himself heavily onto his bed so he could spend some more time staring at the ceiling. His mum had visited him earlier and told him a mad story about a bear. He should have used a charm on the door so she couldn't get in. 'I mean what was she on about anyway? I gave Ginny the stupid bear because she kept whining about it. Why is she ok with Harry and Hermione anyway? Doesn't she care about her son's feelings?' He grabbed a small ball and threw it at the ceiling very hard. Naturally the ball wasn't impressed with this rough treatment and threw itself back at him.
He had just managed to restrain the insane ball when Luna glided into the room. She pointed her wand quickly at the ball and sent it hiding under the bed. Ron glowered at Luna and sat down on the bed. Luna glanced around the room for a bit, then shrugged and sat on the floor.
"Why don't you sit on that chair over there?" asked Ron grumpily
"I'm just fine on the floor," said Luna serenely
"Well it's not very comfortable on the floor. I feel bad being comfortable when you're, erm, on the floor…" said Ron edgily
"I'm just fine on the floor," repeated Luna, giving Ron a rather curious look.
"Fine," said Ron, and he got up from the bed and joined her on the floor with a thud. They sat in silence for quite a while. Ron wondering why she had bothered coming into the room if she didn't plan on saying anything, and Luna wondering how long she could get Ron to sit on the floor.
"How long did you know?" asked Ron irritably
"Since your first stay at Hogwarts," said Luna quietly
"Why didn't you tell me if they were too wimpy to do it themselves?" he said, his voice getting louder once again.
"They were trying to fight it for you Ronald," she said calmly "Besides, you're not stupid. You knew what was happening." Ron stood up in indignation.
"I did not! I didn't think they were shagging behind my back!" he said, his voice almost to the point of shouting.
"Do not shout at me Ronald!" said Luna, her voice echoing around the room. "I am trying to talk to you. I am trying to be your friend, don't speak to me like that!" Ron looked at the floor as a red colour tinged his face. He mumbled an apology and sat back down.
"They were not shagging Ron," continued Luna "They had feelings for each other. That's what you knew about. That's what you've known for quite some time. You just didn't want to admit it to yourself."
"I hate them," said Ron angrily
"No you don't," said Luna serenely
"How could he do that to me?" he asked bitterly
"He didn't do anything to hurt you. They couldn't control what happened between them. He should have told you when he realised that he wanted to be with her, when he decided to act upon his feelings rather than hide them for you. That's what he did wrong, everything else is just human nature." said Luna quietly
"I loved her. He knew that and he still went after her. He betrayed me. You betrayed me by keeping it a secret…" he said, his face getting redder as his anger began to reach boiling point once again. This time, it was Luna who stood up out of anger. He face became slightly flushed and she stared down at him, her eyes cold with anger.
"I did not betray you! How dare you say such a thing! I have been by your side from the moment we met, don't you dare try and make me out to be the bad person in all of this! You loved her did you Ronald? You have no idea what love is!"
"YES I DO!" shouted Ron, standing up to meet her angrily
"NO YOU DON'T! YOU NEVER LOVED HERMIONE! YOU JUST DIDN'T WANT HARRY TO HAVE HER BECAUSE THEN WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU'D HAVE RON, TWO FRIENDS WHO LOVE YOU DEARLY WHICH IS A DAMN SIGHT MORE THAN YOU DESERVE!" shouted Luna
"HOW DO YOU KNOW I DIDN'T LOVE HER? YOU'RE NOT IN MY HEAD, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW I THINK AND FEEL!" shouted Ron in reply
"I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE IN LOVE RONALD! I WOULD NEVER TREAT YOU THIS WAY. I WOULD NEVER MAKE YOU SUFFER THE WAY YOU PUNISHED HERMIONE FOR NOT WANTING TO BE WITH YOU! TRUE LOVE IS WANTING THE PERSON YOU LOVE TO BE HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT. IF YOU HAD LOVED HERMIONE THE WAY YOU SAY YOU DID YOU WOULD HAVE LET HER GO AND BE HAPPY. IF YOU HAD LOVED HER YOU WOULDN'T HAVE INSULTED HER ALL THE TIME BUT RESPECTED HER THE WAY YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO. AND FINALLY RONALD, IF YOU LOVED HERMIONE THE WAY I LOVE YOU THEN YOU WOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT LOVING HER IN THE PAST TENSE! LOVE DOESN'T JUST FADE AWAY BECAUSE YOU'RE ANGRY AT SOMEONE!" shouted Luna so loudly that the glass appeared to shake. Ron looked like he had been struck dumb and he stared open mouthed at Luna. Luna gave him one last glare before she stormed towards the door. When she reached the door she pulled out her wand and pointed it towards the bed. She then slammed the door shut loudly and stomped off to find Susan, trying to keep back the tears that were threatening to flow.
Ron stared at the door after Luna had gone, his mind filling with questions. He was suddenly struck hard on the head by the ball that had retreated under the bed, and his thoughts blurred together while he tried to fight with it once more.
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The Christmas lights in London had been put up and the different colours sparkled and bounced off the glass of the shop windows. There was a slight snowfall that made the air look almost glittery. The soft flakes landed in Hermione's hair and collected on her eyelashes. Harry found it hard not to keep staring at her perfect face in this perfect moment. He pulled her roughly aside on the pavement and, oblivious to the hundreds of muggles walking past them eagerly doing their Christmas shopping, kissed her thoroughly.
"That was lovely," said Hermione breathlessly afterwards, staring into his green eyes as if mesmerised "If not a little random."
"I couldn't help myself," said Harry grinning. Hermione grinned dopily at him, but was quickly shoved aside by an angry elderly Christmas shopper. They stared at each other for a moment in shock that a little old woman had so much force in her, before dissolving into laughter.
"Come on Harry," said Hermione briskly "We've got a lot to see…"
Harry's first trip to London had been with Hagrid just before he started his first year at Hogwarts. Though he had seen Big Ben and the houses of parliament on the television he had never actually seen it in person. He was practically a tourist and Hermione was more than happy to show him the sights. They went to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Harrods. Harry was amazed at the prices of the things sold in Harrods, and shortly became rather obsessed with a miniature car on sale for eighty thousand pounds. Hermione had to literally drag him away to the café on the floor above so that she could rest her feet and have a cup of tea. Whilst ordering the tea Harry decided to take a trip to the lavatory, where he was shocked to learn that he had to pay a pound to get it. He came back rather frustrated because he didn't actually have any money on him. Hermione laughed as he stood rather awkwardly waiting for a pound coin. She would have teased him a little longer, but she wasn't entirely sure how much of his desperation was a playful act and how much was serious. After he had returned, looking a little happier, he began jokingly complaining with Hermione about the toilet situation.
"What if I was here alone and didn't have a pound on me?" he asked rather loudly "would they just tell me to bugger off and that I had to go on the floor? I don't think it's very proper in this kind of establishment to let your customers go to the toilet on the floor!" Hermione was laughing loudly at Harry pretending to be really worried about the bathroom situation, which of course he wasn't. He just loved the way Hermione's eyes lit up when she laughed hard and he was enjoying it immensely. There was a slight cough next to them, which reminded Harry an awful lot of that foul Umbridge woman, and a stiff looking woman with harsh black glasses on looked down at them.
"Yes?" asked Hermione
"Well," said the woman rather obnoxiously "I would appreciate it if you would keep the noise down a little. I understand that you two are quite young and not used to being in an establishment like this, but we do like things to be calm he at Harrods."
"So you're saying that my laughter is awfully loud and rather detestable and you would like me to be quiet?" asked Hermione, her voice dripping in false politeness.
"Well dear," said the woman sniffing slightly "I wouldn't say that I find you're laughter detestable but the other customers like a tranquil atmosphere. Which you are not contributing to."
"Oh!" said Hermione with a large smile on her face "Well, when you put it like that how could I possibly be offended? Let's go Harry!"
She pulled Harry out of the café and towards an escalator, the café attendant still watching them with narrowed eyes. She headed for the escalator that was coming up towards them and Harry thought for a minute that she was so angry she didn't know what she was doing. He was about to say something when he noticed a smirk on her face. She grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the escalator that was travelling towards them…and started walking down it. She looked around quickly to see the woman looking furious and started to laugh.
"Oh my goodness Harry!" she called loudly enough for the woman to hear "I'm so uncivilised that I don't know how to use this bloody thing! We should never have come here!" Harry started to laugh at Hermione's damsel in distress act and followed her quickly down the escalator, passing irritable customers and some amused children. They reached the bottom of the escalator and started laughing hysterically. Harry couldn't remember when the last time he and Hermione just let their hair down. Well actually, he couldn't remember any time where Hermione had just let her hair down. He grinned at her, and was glad she was having fun. He felt a firm grip around the arm and turned around the see one of the Harrods guards. They were promptly escorted out of the building, Hermione laughing all the way.
They walked past a toyshop in Regent's street and Hermione stopped to look at a teddy bear in the window, with a cape, pointed hat and a wand. She smiled a secret smile to Harry and they continued walking. They found themselves in Hyde Park half an hour later, with steaming hot chocolates. Harry noticed that there were couples everywhere, some walking, come jogging and some sitting on benches. Hermione led him to one of the benches and they sat in companionable silence for a while, until she started laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" asked Harry with a smile
"That woman's face!" said Hermione, and started giggling again. "I don't know what on earth got into me! It must be your influence, I'm normally such a well behaved young lady!"
"I had nothing to do with it. I was just complaining about paying to use the loo and you get us chucked out!" said Harry laughing.
"What have you done to me Harry?" asked Hermione, her voice becoming quiet again "It feels nice though. Today we weren't two people with the possibility of death hanging over our shoulders; we were just two normal young people in London having fun. I think that's what we needed Harry,"
"Yeah," said Harry quietly "I think that's just what we needed. Can I ask you something Hermione?"
"Yes," she said quietly
"When did you realise that you wanted to be with me?" he asked, and searched her face anxiously. She moved closer to him and kissed him softly, then cuddled into him as he put him arm around her. She softly told him on her trip to Italy and how she had spent her time being tortured by his face and her dreams. Harry laughed a little and kissed the top of her head.
"Aren't you nervous?" asked Harry finally "I might not make it through this Hermione. I might not come back to you; do you really want to put so much faith in me? What if I break your heart?"
"Harry," she said quietly "I'm not worried about that. I'm just enjoying this, what we have and what we are right now. Who knows what will happen tomorrow or the next day, but today I'm glad that you and I can be together like this. Today I'm glad that you and I are out alone…. Just being…"
"Just being?" asked Harry softly
"Yes Harry," she said looking into his eyes "Let's just be. I know it's hard not to worry about the future; it's hard not to think about what may happen. But why waste the precious days we have on worry and fear? Just be Harry…just be," Harry smiled at her and brought his mouth to meet hers softly. A couple walked past them holding hands and gave each other that look. The one you get when you see someone as much in love as you are and you can't help but fell deliriously happy.
"It's in the air tonight," whispered the woman the man she was clinging on to.
"What is?" he asked affectionately "Love?"
"Yes love," she said whimsically "Love and magic…"
"Magic?" he asked grinning
"Yes," she whispered "there's magic in the air tonight, isn't it wonderful?"
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