I Still Love You

I Still Love You

Description: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were the talk of the school in their Hogwarts school days: Not only were they very best friends; they were childhood sweethearts, too. But after they go their separate ways and life intervenes, will their paths ever cross again? Will the love that they've held secretly in their hearts ever be rekindled?

A/N: This story is much different from my usual writing style, so please read everything carefully, it kinda skips about. This story is based off of the song I Still Love You by the McRaes.

1941

Harry Potter was sweet on Hermione Granger—and the whole school held bated breath, waiting for the day when he would finally ask her to go to a Quidditch match with him or on a date to Hogsmeade for a butterbeer. Everyone knew that they would be the perfect couple: after all, their love was seen by all and they had been the closest friends for so long.

So it was to no one's surprise—but to everyone's pleasure—when Harry finally asked Hermione to go to Hogsmeade with him on Valentine's Day. The romantics said it was a day planned by God himself, the cynics said it would never last, but all were curious to see what would come about from Harry and Hermione going out together.

When Valentine's Day arrived, everyone from year three up went to Hogsmeade, many swearing they were only going for fun despite the fact that their eyes darted about everywhere, searching for the anticipated couple. Thankfully, Harry and Hermione were blissfully unaware that anything was out of the ordinary. In fact, the notion that they were sitting together at the Three Broomsticks, holding hands and laughing while sharing a butterbeer with two straws, seemed completely normal. True, they had never openly admitted their feelings for each other, but now that their love had been shown, it seemed like second nature to them both. All the girls of the school watched from the shop window as Hermione in her medium lengthed skirt and bobby pinned back bushy hair sat jiggling her Mary Jane clad foot, blissfully unaware of anything except her love's face. Harry was unaware of everything, too, as he watched the soft peached skin of the love of his life, her shining brown eyes, and her melodic laughter that filled the air whenever he spoke.

When it was time to leave, Harry paid for the butterbeer and walked with Hermione out of the shop, holding hands gently. They stepped out into the cold and walked up the hill before being greeted by a flurry of soft snowflakes. Hermione's cheeks were tinged pink with the cold, while Harry's dark hair was covered with the small crystalline forms. Hermione let go of Harry's hand and spun around in the snow, giggling with mirth and dancing to the beautiful rhythm with which the gift from above fell. She spun around abruptly to find Harry directly behind her. He took her two hands in his own and looked down into her eyes. She blushed out of necessary manners and leaned towards him. He leaned his head down slowly, slowly, slowly, until their lips were mere inches away. And then, to the delight of the watching school, Harry kissed Hermione, taking her breath and her heart away. When they broke away, her heart pounded and she knew that he was the one she was going to marry.

The next four months were heaven on earth for the couple. They spent every waking moment together, fishing in the lake, making cotton candy with an old machine, and taking moonlight walks underneath the stars. Before either knew it, graduation day was upon them, Hermione as Valedictorian and Harry as Salutatorian. They gave their final speeches and went to the Class of 1941 party before packing their things and preparing to enter the real world.

The night of the party, Harry and Hermione snuck off early, having scheduled previously one last walk around the lake. They walked silently, hand in hand, not knowing what to say to each other. Harry led them to a large boulder protruding over the lake and sat down, allowing Hermione to sit in his lap. They watched the moonlight glistening over the water until Harry tilted Hermione's chin up towards his head and looked into her glowing brown eyes. He kissed her soft lips and held her to his beating heart before letting her go with a sad look. Fear filled her eyes and she gave him a knowing look, asking him what was wrong. He told her that he had been drafted, and that in one month's time he would be leaving her behind to join the English army in fighting at the front. The very next morning, he would be leaving for training camp. She began to cry and begged him not to leave, knowing all the while that it was his civil duty as an English citizen and that to refuse would ensure a certain punishment. All she could think about, though, was the fact that Harry was her best friend and love, and the war would certainly tear them apart, separating them with distance, pressure, and possibly death.

Harry knew that Hermione would take the news hard, and it broke his heart to see the tears pooling in her eyes. He held her close, rocking her back and forth until she fell asleep from teary exhaustion. He held her and watched her sleeping until daybreak, when he conjured up a blanket and a pillow for her and left her reluctantly, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead before he went away down the twisting path of destiny.

When Hermione awoke the next morning, she found herself alone on the rock, her arm curled gently beneath her body and a pillow under her head. A lavender colored envelope sat in the palm of her hand. She sat up quickly and read it.

Dearest Hermione,

I love you so, so much, and I hope you will never forget that. It broke my heart to have to leave you like that last night, but I couldn't bear to have to say goodbye for what may be the final time. I don't have a long time to write; please pardon the fact that this letter is so short, but time could never allow me enough to tell you of my love. Don't forget to remember me, no matter what you do. How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways…

Ever Yours,

Harry

Hermione read the note over and over again, her tears staining the parchment. As the sun crept upon her, it made her face glisten with the tears she feared would never stop.

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Over the next month, Hermione wrote to Harry daily while he prepared for war. She wrote about how much she missed him for a week or two before she just wrote things such as the weather, or who was doing what, just filling up space as an excuse to stay in contact with him. Her letter writing continued for a year or more as her life went on without Harry. She became a trainee at St. Mungo's, quickly becoming a certified mediwitch two years later. As time dragged on, her letters to Harry become less and less frequent. He had replied to her letters at first, but after a year she had lost all contact with him. Finally, after faithfully writing for almost three years, Hermione tearfully wrote her last letter, sure that Harry must have been killed, having not written her back. Little did she know that all her heartfelt letters had been either lost or misdirected, and Harry had no clue that Hermione was contacting him. In fact, he gave up on writing to her, too, and began to live a separate life from the one that he had imagined at Hogwarts.

Hermione, working at the hospitals, fought to help wounded soldiers. One day in the closed ward, Hermione met Sgt. Steven E. Wright from downtown London. He was a wizard like Harry who had been wounded at the front. Hermione nursed him back to health, daily becoming more interested in him as his health improved. He had a great sense of humor and was a good listener and a good speaker. Hermione couldn't help but fall in love with him. True, Harry was still in her heart, but he had apparently forgotten her. When Steven was released, he asked Hermione to go on a date. They both fell in love, and, six months later, they were married in a small country church.

Meanwhile, Harry was touring Europe, seeing everything he could see. His heart was still with Hermione, but he tried to forget her as he met new and exciting people. He went to Ireland and met a beautiful girl, Katie O'Flaugherty. They married despite the fact that Hermione was still on his mind. Harry and Katie had a good marriage, producing three beautiful boys: James, Michael, and Tyler, and a porcelain-skinned girl named Lily. Steven and Hermione had a son named Harry James and a daughter named Laura Elizabeth. They both lived good productive lives despite the fact that their minds often wandered back to their first loves.

So their lives went separate ways; que sera sera.

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Chapter 2:

Fifty Years Later; 1991…

Hermione woke up early in the cool morning of winter and blinked to clear her vision, shivering beneath her quilt. Early mornings were a lot colder, now alone. Hermione's eyes pooled up in spite of herself. Steven had died from cancer five months ago, but it still hurt her to think of him absent from her life. They had been married for 36 years, and she missed him terribly. She wiped her eyes with wrinkled hands and moved slowly to get out of bed. She groaned as her bones creaked, realizing that at age 62 she was no spring chicken. She wrapped up in a faded pink bathrobe and moved slowly to the huge plate glass window in an attempt to straighten out the cricks in her body. She conjured up a cup of coffee and looked outside, watching the sun come up slowly. After Steven had died, she never took the sunrise for granted ever again, despite the fact that the rising sun had previously reminded her of sad goodbyes.

When she finished drinking her coffee, she heard the ringing chime that meant that someone was calling her by floo powder. She went to the living room to find her 35 year old daughter Laura's head in the fireplace.

“Hello, Mum. How are you doing today?”

Hermione smiled and brushed her peppery gray hair out of her face. “I'm fine, dear. Did you need something?”

“Well, me and Jason were wondering if you'd come out to eat with us and the girls this evening. We're going to Chili's, and we were just hoping you'd come along.” Laura shook her spiky red hair to avoid a flickering flame.

“I'd love to go, dear. What time will you pick me up?”

“Is half past six good?”

“Sounds great. I'll see you then.”

“Goodbye, dear. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mum.” With that final phrase, Laura's head popped out of the fireplace and Hermione gave a little smile. Both of her kids had grown up quite nicely and were living perfect lives. Hermione was absolutely crazy about her two granddaughters, Hope and Penelope, aged 18 and 16. She watched the fire flicker slowly down before going to her kitchen to dispose of her coffee cup.

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That night, Laura and Jason picked Hermione up promptly. Hope and Penelope greeted her with hugs and chatter about the upcoming school dance. Hermione smiled sadly, remembering her life when she was 18. Laura turned around from the passenger's seat, her bright green eyes shining. Hermione had never known how Laura had gotten green eyes—she had brown eyes and Steven had had blue eyes.

“Girls, that's enough. I'm sure your Grammy doesn't want to hear about the dance.”

“Oh, no, Laura,” Hermione smiled. “It's okay. I don't mind.” Jason laughed from behind the wheel.

“Don't let them bore you to death, Hermione.”

“I won't.”

They talked about dances the whole way to the restaurant, the girls telling of what was to be and Hermione telling of past dances she had attended. They got to the restaurant and went inside, getting seats by a large plate glass window that displayed the Thames River perfectly. The family sat down and selected what they wished to eat. When the waiter left, Hermione looked absently over the river, quite aware of the loneliness she felt almost constantly. Laura looked too and, sighing, patted her mom's hand. Hope began to look around the restaurant, her beautiful brunette head held erect by her long, slender neck. Hermione loved to brag about how beautiful all of her family was. Blond and petite Penelope followed her sister's gaze around the restaurant, her eyes resting on someone at the table beside them. She got a smile on her face and leaned over to her grandmother.

“Grammy, I think that man is looking at you. He probably thinks you're hot.”

Hermione snorted lightly. “I'm sorry dear, but that—“ Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the man who was watching her. He had thinning gray hair, slight wrinkles, piercing green eyes, and, to her surprise, a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. “H-Harry…” she breathed, daring her heart to stop pounding and terrified that this could possibly be Harry. He was sitting alone at his table; taking glances every few moments towards Hermione.

“Mom, what's wrong?”

Hermione shook her head, realizing she was acting illogically. “Nothing, dear. I just…need to go talk to that man.” She left her chair despite the giggles from her granddaughters. She was aware of every heartbeat as she walked over to the man's table. There was no way that it could possibly be Harry: he was dead, she reminded herself again. When she reached the table, the man looked up at her in surprise.

“H-Ha…I'm sorry, but you look like someone I knew, someone named Harry.”

“Hermione?” The man's eyes began to shine. Hermione couldn't stop staring at the man she now knew was Harry. Her eyes filled with tears.

“You were dead!”

“Whatever are you talking about?”

“You never wrote back to me and—and I thought you had to be dead!”

“You never wrote to me but twice! I figured you had gone on with your life and forgotten all about me!”

“Oh, Harry… This is certainly surprising.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Well, where have you been all these years?”

“Please, sit down.” Hermione sat across from him, ignoring the stares from her family. “After the war I traveled to all the places in Europe before finally going to Ireland. There I met Katie and we got married and had four kids, all of which have families of their own.” He blinked and looked down at his plate. Hermione spoke up.

“Well, that's great!” Hermione said, although the thought of Harry married to another woman and sleeping with her to give her children made her feel strangely sad. “I mean, you're happy and have everything perfect! But why are you here in London?”

“Katie died a year ago, and I just wanted to get away.”

“Oh,” Hermione said. “I'm sorry. Steven died only five months ago, and I miss him terribly.”

“I'm sorry. Who's Steven?” The green of his eyes were as intense as ever.

Hermione smiled feebly. “Steven was my husband. I met him in the hospital during the war and we fell in love and got married.”

“I'm sorry that he died.”

Hermione shrugged. “I'll survive. I'm just here tonight with my daughter Laura and her family.”

Harry looked at them and smiled. “You have a beautiful family.”

“Thank you. Would you please come eat with us?”

Harry smiled and shook his hand. “No, no, I couldn't intrude…”

“Oh, please! It'll be just like old times…”

Harry smiled. “Okay, I give in.” He moved to Hermione's table and pulled out her seat for her.

“Thank you,” she nodded to him and he nodded back. “Everyone, this is Harry Potter, my best friend and first love.” Harry blushed crimson. “Harry, I'd like you to meet Laura, Jason, Hope, and Penelope.” Everyone smiled and gave a “Howd'you do?” Harry slowly took his seat and looked to Hermione.

“Wow, it's been too long.”

Hermione smiled and pulled her peppery hair behind her ear. “Yes, much too long.”

“I'm just glad we chanced to meet up again tonight.”

“Quite fortunate.” As the dinner went on, Harry and Hermione talked about old times, completely ignoring the rest of her family, who were trying to hide their smiles. When it was time to go, Harry and Hermione stood by each other, not knowing how to say goodbye again.

“Laura, would you mind if I took your Mother out tonight? We still have a lot of catching up to do.”

Laura smiled knowingly. “Not at all! You two have fun.” She winked at Hermione, making her blush a dark maroon shade. They watched as the family walked off and Harry looked to Hermione.

“May I suggest a walk in the park or a drive around?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Harry took her to his car and opened the door for her. They drove around for a while before Harry parked the car near an entrance to the local park. He helped her out of the car and they walked together in silence.

“You know,” said Harry when they were halfway on the path. “I never forgot you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don't get me wrong, I loved Katie. But my whole life, you were always in my heart. I just never thought our paths would cross again.”

“I know what you mean. It's just weird, because it seems as though we're picking up right where we left off.” She paused for a moment. “Why did you leave so early on that last morning?”

“I couldn't bear to tell you goodbye.” He placed his hand in hers and she took it willingly. They walked on.

“This is so weird to me.” Hermione sighed and leaned towards Harry. “Here I am, widowed for five months, and I'm holding my best friend's hand.”

“You still call me your best friend?”

“Well, yeah. You're the only real true friend I've ever had.”

“Oh.” Harry was surprised. “You want to know a secret?”

“What?”

“I don't think I've ever stopped loving you.”

“What do you mean?”

Harry smiled and let go of her hand. He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out his wallet, opening it carefully. Pulling out a weathered piece of parchment, he read it carefully.

“Dearest Harry,

I do hope you're safe wherever you are! I miss you more than words can say…”

She nodded, remembering when she wrote that one, a month after he had left. The next one he opened was old, too, but this one had teardrops on it.

“Harry,

My heart is breaking as I write this, for I know that you will probably never see this letter. I don't know why the gods have done this to us, but we have been separated, and there is no way my life will ever be the same. I—“

“Will always remember how much I loved you, and will always remember how much you loved me, my dear best friend.” She finished the last part by heart as the tears filled her eyes. “Oh, all these wasted years! We've both been living only half the life we would have had had we been together!”

Harry hugged her and smoothed her gray hair. “Oh, Hermione, I know… This definitely isn't what I had in mind when I made out with you at Hogsmeade.”

Hermione laughed and let Harry wipe away her tears. They continued walking down the path, hand in hand, hearts beating the same staccato as they always had.

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Harry stayed in London, spending as much time with Hermione as possible. They acted like the teenagers they had been despite their years. They laughed and they cried as they reminisced, and after a month, Hermione stopped constantly missing Steven in the wait of time spent with Harry. Her constant loneliness was gone.

Two months after their reunion, Harry took Hermione to the park they had walked in on the first night of their meeting. They walked quite a way down the path until Harry stopped at a park bench and took Hermione's hands in his. He pulled a very old velvet box from his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring.

“This is the engagement ring I bought for you in Paris.” Hermione began to cry at Harry's words. “I've kept it all these years, and now it's about time I finally give it to you. Hermione, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She sobbed, trying to wipe her eyes. Harry took the fifty-year-old ring and slipped it on her wrinkled hand. What was meant to occur half a century earlier was finally happening. They leaned in and kissed, and all fifty years seemed to melt away.

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Chapter 3

September 1991

Hermione stood behind the chapel doors nervously, despite the fact that she had already been married previously. This was completely different, though: She had loved Steven very deeply, but she was finally about to marry the man that she had always dreamed of spending her life with. Now, though, she would never get to spend a lifetime with him: they were both very old, and she knew they would never have as much time as she had imagined. Still, she would be his, and nothing would ever again separate them. She was dressed in her first wedding dress, declaring that this was the wedding she had dreamed of in her youth. The music began and the doors opened up, allowing Hermione to walk solitary down the aisle. The right side of the church was all of Harry's children and grandchildren; to the left was her family. Everyone in the audience was smiling at the pure sweetness of it all. Harry was down at the front in a tuxedo, and Hermione began to cry. He softly touched her face and led her onto the stage. The preacher said some words, but Hermione didn't hear them. She was too distracted by the fact that after fifty years, her dreams were finally coming true. It didn't even matter to her that she and Harry both were wrinkled and gray—in her heart they were both seventeen again.

When the preacher stopped talking, Hope and Penelope stood by the piano and sang a song that they had written for the occasion. Hope began with her soft voice, capturing the audience with her clear and perfect tone.

Who would've thought
That our hearts would cross once more
Just like they did so many years ago
Who would've imagined
That we'd love like this again
It must've been the Lord had a plan

After all the changes
And all that we've been through
We both can honestly say it's true

I still love you
I still hold you in my heart
And I've been dreaming of the day
We'd never be apart
I still love you
And if we only have a while
A year, a day, a moment
I want to spend it by your side
I still love you

Who would've dreamed
That this dream would become reality
And it's so, so sweet
Who would've guessed
That two could be so blessed
How can words describe this happiness

After all the changes
And all that we've been through
We both can honestly say it's true

I still love you
I still hold you in my heart
And I've been dreaming of the day
We'd never be apart
I still love you
And if we only have a while
A year, a day, a moment
I want to spend it by your side
I still love you

I needed a friend and you were there
It's like you came straight from heaven
Just to hold my hand
We've laughed and we've cried
At precious days gone by
And I cherish the time I realized

I still love you
I still hold you in my heart
And I've been dreaming of the day
We'd never be apart
I still love you
And if we only have a while
A year, a day, a moment
I want to spend it by your side
I still love you

When the girls finished, there wasn't a single dry eye in the audience. Harry and Hermione's love was perfect, even if it was a little late. They exchanged their vows, and after a emotional kiss, they were finally declared Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Potter.

They knew that they may not have a lot of time left on this earth, but they were just thankful that the days they had left would be spent together. And whenever they would leave this earth, they'd leave it together, to take an eternal walk together, hand in hand.

Que sera sera.

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