"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 19 Honeymoon
A/N: As usual, all disclaimers apply. I own nothing, JKR does. First things first, I would like to express my heart felt gratitude to everyone who read the story and to everyone who reviewed the story. All the wonderful sentiments that were expressed in the reviews were greatly appreciated and they were what gave me the incentive to keep going. Alas, we have arrived at the point that was inevitable, the last chapter. I have really enjoyed doing this, as I have two new stories in their second drafts and one I'm working on now that isn't completed yet. There will be more stories to come but it will take some time. As far as this last chapter to this story is concerned I hope you like it, I just hope it isn't too anti-climactic.
Hermione was suddenly brought back to the present by the sound of someone coughing very loudly. She looked up and saw Harry standing there with two ice cold butter beers in his hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry Harry. I was just day dreaming about all the things that have happened in the last few months," said Hermione thoughtfully.
"By the look of that sunset I'd say there isn't much day left. By the way, here is your butter beer, madam," said Harry.
"Oh, thank you, boy. Merlin, I just love having my own personal servant," said Hermione playfully.
"Well! Is that all I'm good for? A servant?" asked Harry feigning a wounded pride.
Hermione looked up at him, and with a devilishly wicked look in her eyes, she said,
" Well, among other things."
"If I had my choice, I think I'd choose the 'among other things'," said Harry with a grin.
He leaned down and kissed his new wife. She draped her hands around his neck and held him there for a moment while she kissed him back, then gently released him. He sat down in his own lounge chair to watch the sunset.
"Isn't it beautiful, Harry?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes it is, but it's still not as beautiful as you," said Harry lovingly.
She looked over at her husband, stood up, and joined him in his lounge chair. She snuggled up close to him as he put his arm around her and gave her a little hug. They just sat there enjoying each other's company while they watched the beautiful sunset as it neared its end.
"Harry, can we stay like this forever?" asked Hermione.
"If that's what you really want, Hermione. I love you with all my soul and my lot in life is to make you happy," said Harry.
"I just feel so safe when I'm with you like this, as if no one could ever hurt me again," said Hermione softly.
"Hermione, I swore to you, not even three days ago, that I would love you and protect you forever, and I intend to keep that vow. No one will ever hurt you again. If anyone ever tries to harm you there will be hell to pay, because they will have to answer to me," said Harry very firmly.
She looked up at him in the growing darkness and saw his green eyes blazing with emotion. She moved up a little and kissed him firmly. He returned her kiss and tightened his embrace on her. They separated after a few moments gasping for air.
"I love you, Mr. Potter," said Hermione playfully.
"I love you too, Mrs. Potter. Mrs. Hermione Potter, that has a nice sound to it, don't you think," asked Harry, grinning at her.
Returning his smile, she said, "I think it has a wonderful sound, but it is going to take a little getting use to, though."
Still gazing at her, he nodded in agreement, but then he noticed a slight look of concern on her face. He was confused as to what was wrong.
She continued, " Uhm, Harry, I almost forgot, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. I truly don't mean to ruin this romantic mood, but what about your Auror training?"
Harry just looked at her with his mouth agape.
"Leave it to you Hermione to think of studies at a time like this," said Harry with mock exasperation.
"Oh, Harry! I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. You're right. We can talk about his later," she said almost in tears.
"Hermione, I was just playing. Please don't cry. I'm not upset you brought it up. It's probably good you did, because I was going to talk to you about it anyway. Uhm, I've had a change of heart about becoming an Auror," said Harry.
Hermione looked shocked.
"But, Harry, your grades are more than enough for you to enter the program. You even have recommendations from Professor McGonagall, Alastor Moody, and Professor Dumbledore. It's what you have always aspired to do, I don't understand," said Hermione looking quite confused.
"I've been thinking very seriously about it for some time. I've weighed out all the pros and cons several times, and I keep coming up with the same conclusion. I don't want a career that I know would cause my lovely wife any undue stress and worry. We both know you would be constantly worried whether I would come home again every time I would go to work. You would be going spare. Don't deny it, I know you too well. Now, I think it would be much more enjoyable, for the both of us, to spend our time managing the large fortune we now have. We definitely need to be preparing now for our children's future," said Harry.
Hermione smiled at him and blushed slightly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to embarrass you, but you would like to have children, wouldn't you? I think you would be such a brilliant mother," said Harry.
"Harry, of course I want to have our children. I know how much you want a family and I feel that to have your children would be the most precious gift I could give you, and Harry I think you will be a wonderful father. I just didn't think we'd be thinking about children immediately," said Hermione.
He smiled at her for the sentiments she had expressed and the little compliment about being a wonderful father touched him deeply. After a moment, though, he realized she was gazing at him with a wicked look in her eyes. After quietly staring at each other, Hermione finally spoke,
"We can discuss the size of our family later. Right now, I think we should get back to the moment at hand. You know, our honeymoon," said Hermione with a purely wicked tone to her voice.
"Yes, I couldn't agree with you more, Mrs. Potter. Well, since the sun has finally set, what do you suggest we do? We could go out for a bit of supper, or take a moonlit walk on the beach. Hmm, that sounds really nice. We could check out a nightclub, but you know I'm not much on dancing, unless of course it's a slow dance," said Harry
They had both gotten up out of the lounge chair, Hermione slowly working her way towards the open doorway that led into the beach house.
"I don't know, Mr. Potter. There are so many choices," said Hermione.
She had just stepped past the doorway that led into the darkened living room. The lights were still off from when they were watching the sunset. The only light now was from the stars and the half moon that had risen into the sky.
"Harry, I know something we can do that will definitely meet with your approval," said Hermione in a very mischievous way.
He could hear her, knew she was just past the doorway, but he couldn't see her. It was much darker in the beach house than on the balcony.
"What have you got in mind, Mrs. Potter?" asked Harry hesitantly.
"Well, I thought we could try some of those other things I had mentioned earlier…boy," she said, in the absolute wickedest of ways.
Harry was caught completely off guard by Hermione's last words, but before he could say anything, something soft hit him in the face and started to fall to the floor. Still with the quick reflexes from years of Quidditch, he caught whatever it was, before it hit the ground. He held it up between his hands into the moonlight and realized it was Hermione's tee shirt. He held it close to his face and inhaled, slowly taking in the combination of aromas. Her shampoo, her body wash, the slightest hint of her perfume, and whatever else there was that made up that which was the essence of Hermione, and only she knew what affects that had on him.
"Hermione, I thought you said you didn't want to have children quite this soon," said Harry.
"Yes, it's true I did say that, but, I never said anything was wrong with practicing," said Hermione in a voice that was pure wickedness.
All Harry could do was shake his head and smile to himself. After all these years they had been together she still never ceased to amaze him. This was the same young woman who, as a first year, he had to save from a mountain troll. However, this same young woman, just a short time ago, had fought beside him fiercely, risking her life to help destroy one of the evilest wizards of all time.
His love for her grew stronger with each passing day, if that was even possible. He was looking forward to spending the rest of his life making Hermione happy, and showing her how much he really loved her. Harry thought to himself, this will be a nice beginning. He paused for a moment looking up at the beautiful night sky. As he gazed at the twinkling stars and the half moon, he sent a silent 'thank you' to the powers that be. Harry then entered the living room and slid the glass door shut.
The End