Chapter 6 - Promises
2nd Week of August, Hogsmeade
Hermione, Ron and Harry were standing outside the gates of Hogwarts. The boys had accompanied Hermione to help get her settled in the school for a couple of weeks before term started. She needed to get her lesson plans ready and get acquainted with the other staff.
She had been surprised when Harry had said that he would accompany her that day. She knew that he had had training that week and had been wondering how he had been able to get a day off. They've had a few conversations here and there and somehow - the awkwardness and tension between them had been already cut down to a minimum.
When Headmistress McGonagall owled Hermione and said that she should be at Hogwarts at least a couple of weeks before school starts, she originally had asked Ron only to go with her, knowing that Harry wouldn't have been available. To her surprise, Harry had come to her room last night and had said that he would go with her as well. It had been also the first real conversation they had in weeks, since she announced her acceptance as being the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts.
Hermione was doing some last minute packing and checking if she left anything else. "Well, that's about it," she said to herself packing the last book she had on her shelf inside her trunk.
"Time to prepare for bed now and a shower first is the best way to do that," she said aloud and smiled to herself. She went to her dresser, got out some sleeping clothes and walked to her bedroom door. She was surprised when she opened it and found Harry standing outside with his fist raised to knock.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Er - I wanted to talk to you," he said, lowering his hand. They stood awkwardly facing each other for a few seconds before Harry broke the silence and asked, "Can I come in?"
"Oh! Yes, of course. Silly me," said Hermione. She opened her door and ushered Harry in, then closed it once they were inside.
Harry shuffled his feet for a few moments before sitting down on Hermione's bed. He noticed Hermione holding her pajamas. "I guess you're just about to go to the bathroom, then?" he commented.
"Uh, yeah. I was just about to take a shower and turn in early. You know - have to be up early tomorrow," she replied, placing the clothes on the table next to her cabinet. She faced Harry and asked, "So, what brought you here?"
"So," Harry started, looking directly at Hermione. "You're really leaving now, huh?"
It took a few seconds for Hermione to answer, "Yes." She sat down on her dresser opposite her bed where Harry was and looked at her feet, not quite meeting Harry's eyes.
"I'm going with you tomorrow."
Hermione suddenly looked up, surprised. She blinked and said, "You will?"
Harry smiled. "Yes, I will. I want to be there with you when you enter Hogwarts and officially become a professor. I want to be there when you finally realize your dream."
Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes but she willed them not to fall. She didn't want to cry in front of Harry, not now. She smiled when she realized that this was the first time that Harry talked to her about her job.
She walked towards him and knelt in front of him and placed her hands on his knees, her smile never leaving her face. "It means so much to me to hear you say that," she said softly.
"Of course, `Mione. What are best friends for?" said Harry, placing a hand on her cheek. Hermione leaned into it. "You were there when I needed you. You were and are always there. Now, I wanted to do the same to you."
"Oh, Harry!" she said and placed her arms around his neck. She thought she heard her door open and close quietly but didn't really register since she was feeling so overwhelmed about Harry's statement.
The impact of her embrace sent him tumbling back on Hermione's bed sending Hermione on top of him. He laughed when she didn't let go and instead shifted so that her head was on his chest but stopped when he heard her sniffling.
"Hey," he said, caressing her hair. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just happy, Harry," she sniffled. "I have you back."
"You always had me, Hermione. What made you think you didn't?"
Hermione looked at him and said, "You weren't really speaking to me for the last weeks, Harry."
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, `Mione. I guess I took your decision too hard. I was selfish and wanted you to always be with me. But lately, I've been thinking and realized that we are all bound to grow up and live our separate lives. I have no choice but to just accept what you wanted to do and just simply be here for you, always," he explained, absently making circles on her shoulders.
Hermione smiled and went back to lean on him, her arms still encircled around his waist. "I'll always be here for you, too Harry. And for Ron, too."
Harry didn't say anything after that as everything had been already said in their earlier conversation
Hermione smiled as she remembered their conversation last night. They even had fallen asleep together that way, not bothering to change clothes and move their positions. And this morning - all three of them were in a good mood. This day was bound to be a great day.
She stepped forward through the gates first, hearing the two boys following her. Hermione stopped and admired the castle she had grown to love and consider her home for the last 7 years of her life. She felt the boys stepping on either side of her to stop as well to look up at the castle.
"Well, here we are," she said and looked at her boys, no, men.
"Yep," said Ron. "It's good to be back. Even though the last time I was here was only a couple of months ago."
Harry was quiet, simply looking at the castle. He was having mixed feelings at going back and seeing the place that he called home for the last 7 years and where the final and bloody battle between him and the greatest evil ever to live happened.
Hermione sensed this and she reached out for Harry's hand. Harry looked at her and she gave him a small encouraging smile. He entwined his fingers with hers and squeezed lightly, smiling back. I'm fine, he mouthed to her and Hermione squeezed his hand back.
Ron noticed this short interaction between Harry and Hermione and smiled at the simple gestures that they exchanged, which showed how much they really do care for each other. He even saw them together last night at Hermione's room. He wanted to check if Hermione was all set and was surprised but glad to see Harry there instead. Luna was right. They really love each other.
Hermione looked at Ron and saw him smiling down at them. She smiled back and took his hand as well. "Shall my two knights escort this damsel to the one castle they all have grown to love?"
"Surely, my lady," said Ron, bowed slightly and pointed the way which had Hermione laughing and Harry chuckling.
Together, the Golden Trio walked towards Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the one place they all agreed to call home.
------------------------------------------------------------
Headmistress McGonagall herself welcomed her three former students and was delighted to see Harry and Ron with Hermione, not entirely surprised that they would be coming with her. She enlisted the help of several house-elves to bring Hermione's luggage to her soon-to-be quarters. Hermione didn't say anything upon seeing the house-elves scurry to do the Headmistress' biddings but looked disapprovingly at the way they were all curtsying before them. Harry and Ron both noticed this and decided not to say anything as well. Though Ron chuckled and turned it into a well-placed cough after Harry nudged him.
After which, McGonagall met with Hermione privately, to brief her about what the Transfiguration job entails, giving Ron and Harry time to roam around the castle.
"It's so bloody quiet," said Ron as they walked along Hogwarts corridors.
Harry nodded his assent. "It's just like during Christmas holidays. But at least then, there were a handful of students that made some ruckus around the school. Now, it's a bit eerie. No students. Just the professors. And you barely even see them."
"How can Hermione survive this last couple of weeks before school starts? She would go ballistic here!" Ron exclaimed.
"She wouldn't," said Harry. "She prefers the quiet. She spent lots of time in the library to get used to this kind of silence."
"But I sure wouldn't want this."
Harry chuckled. "Knowing you, Ron - I'm sure you won't."
They keep walking and walking until their feet led them to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady was still the painting guarding the common room's entrance. Memories of the past 7 years of escapades sneaking by her came back to both Harry and Ron as they stared at the Fat Lady's painting and the surroundings.
"Well, if it isn't the two of our Golden Trio," said the Fat Lady. "What are you doing here?"
"We dropped off the third of our Trio," explained Harry. "As I'm sure you've already heard -"
"Oh yes!" she gushed. "Miss Hermione Granger will be teaching in this most prestigious school of magic!"
"Er - yep, that just about sums it all up."
"Harry! Ron!"
They both turned around to see Hermione running towards them breathlessly. "I've been looking for you. I should have thought I would find you here. Minerva wanted you to stay for the rest of the day and possibly eat with the rest of the staff," she said, stopping in front of them as she gasped for air.
"Wow. So you're now on a first-name basis with the Headmistress? When did this happen?" asked Ron bewilderingly.
"Hush, Ron," said Hermione, coloring a bit. "I'll have you know that all of the staff and professors here call each other by their first-names."
"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure it would take a while for me to call my former professors by their first names. You sure are getting pretty at-home here already, aren't you, Hermione?" Hermione playfully punched Ron's arm as a reply.
"Uhm, Hermione?" asked Harry. Hermione turned to look at him as well as Ron. He fidgeted for a while. "Can I talk to you outside?" he turned to look at Ron and shyly added, "Alone, if it's ok."
"Sure, Harry," said Ron answering for Hermione, understanding why his best mate wanted to have some alone time for a while with their other best friend. "She's all yours. I'll be in the Great Hall when you're done." He turned from them both and walked away.
Together, Harry and Hermione quietly walked towards the front doors and out to the lake side, where the Giant Squid was idly grazing the surface with its tentacles. They walked the perimeter of the lake, savoring the warm summer air and the cool shade of the trees surrounding the lake. They both stopped at the spot where they usually sat down together to study or simply idle around back when they were still students.
Hermione sat down on the grass and patted the ground beside her, asking Harry to do the same. Harry sat down and together, they looked out onto the lake, watching the Giant Squid. The silence was companionable this time around between them.
After a little while, Harry lay down on the grass, his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He sighed contentedly. Hermione smiled at the contentment that showed on Harry's smiling face. "I could get used to this, you know," murmured Harry.
"Uh-huh."
"If things could only be like this when we were back at Hogwarts. Not a care in the world. Everything so normal…" he trailed off. Hermione looked at his direction and was surprised to see him looking intently at her. "I know," she replied quietly.
Harry sat up once more and gazed into Hermione's eyes. "Are you really, really, 100% sure that this is what you want to do?"
Hermione chuckled. "Of course, Harry." She looked back towards the lake. "It has been my dream, to teach. And now that the opportunity is here, I think it's only right for me to grab it." She turned to Harry again. "I've given it some thought, actually, when I told you more than a month ago about this offer. If you didn't agree with this, I wouldn't pursue it. I have a nice job waiting for me at the Ministry where I could be close to you, so it wouldn't be a really big deal. Except that it was." She sighed and looked down. "When I stepped here a while ago, I knew I was making the right decision. And since you already gave your ok…" she trailed. She looked back up to see Harry studying her. "You did say this is already ok with you, didn't you?"
This time, it was Harry's turn to chuckle. "Come here," he motioned for Hermione to sit closer to him. Hermione scooted closer and Harry wrapped his arms around her shoulders, making her lean into him, her head on his shoulders. "It is ok, `Mione. It's ok." He kissed the top of her head. "I've thought it over as well, you know. With you being here at Hogwarts, you'll remain safe all the time and doing what you've always loved to do."
Hermione started to protest but Harry continued, "I know that the war is over, Hermione. But Tom's supporters are still out there. Who knows, they might just be biding their time. I realized that if you worked at the Ministry with me, you would be more susceptible to that than if you are here at Hogwarts. Plus if I go out on missions, which could take weeks or days, you are going to be alone at Grimmauld."
"I could take care of myself, Harry. Plus Ron would be there with me," said Hermione, a bit indignantly.
"Are you saying now that you don't want to be here at Hogwarts and do what you love most?" asked Harry teasingly. "Because if that is so - I would gladly tell the Headmistress that you are backing out and choosing to be with me again, instead."
"Oh, shut up, Harry. Honestly!" she replied, pinching Harry's side. Harry laughed but didn't release his hold on Hermione. "So you were really decided still to take the Auror position then?" she asked. "You told me before that you were having second thoughts about it. Remember, I told you to give it some thought and just postpone answering it than saying outright `no'?"
"Well, yeah," said Harry. "Your announcement helped trigger my decision, to be honest." He smiled sheepishly.
"But you want to do that, too, right?" she asked, looking at him. Harry nodded. "Ok," she said and placed her head once more on his shoulder.
They stayed quiet for a short while, contented in each other's presence. Harry was the one who broke the silence. "Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you promise me one thing?"
Hermione looked up at him. "What's that?"
"Can you always keep in touch with me?" asked Harry quietly, not looking down at Hermione.
Hermione smiled and placed one hand on Harry's cheek. "Of course, I will Harry. I will," she replied softly.
Harry turned his head to look at her and smiled. She was so close to him, her face mere inches from his. "I'll meet you here at this same spot at the start of Christmas break, ok?" he said quietly. "I'll bring you back to Grimmauld and we'll celebrate Christmas together like we always do, together with Ron." Hermione nodded and he noticed that her face seemed closer than before. "When it's the right time, you will meet me, ok?"
"I will," she whispered.
Hermione was so close to Harry, their noses were almost touching. Harry could see his reflection in her golden chocolate eyes. It was the first time he noticed that her eyes had specks of gold in it when you look closely enough. He usually just thought they were brown. As he was gazing at her, he realized that there were just a few millimeters between them. He could actually lean in and kiss her senseless. But where did that thought come from?
To Harry's surprise, Hermione pulled back. She probably realized how close they suddenly were. He suddenly became unsure of himself, ashamed even. What just happened? What were these feelings that he was having for his female best friend? She was supposed to be only his best friend, right?
"I - Hermione - I'm - I really," he stuttered.
Hermione smiled one more time and shook her head. She removed herself from his arms. Harry didn't even notice that he had had both arms around her waist. She stood up and brushed the seat of the jeans she was wearing and looked down at him. He remained seated and was looking once more at the lake.
"I'm going back in, Harry. Do you want to go with me?" she asked.
Harry shook his head. "I think I'll stay here for a while. Gather my thoughts." Hermione nodded and walked back towards the castle.
------------------------------------------------------------
As Hermione walked back towards the castle, she started to think about what just transpired between her and Harry. Was he about to kiss her? Because she was pretty sure that was what Harry was about to do. Or was she just imagining things? But they were so close already and if she wasn't mistaken, she saw a little bit of desire there in his emerald green eyes. She was also pretty sure that if she hadn't pulled away at that precise moment, he would have leaned in.
Sure, they kissed before. Either on the cheek or on the lips, but all of those was just friendly. Really. But what happened back there by the lake was hardly friendly. The way their noses were almost touching. The way he was looking at her. She didn't want to think that Harry was harboring more than feelings towards her. But what just really happened out there?
Plus he made her promise to correspond with him all the time. Of course, she would do that. She would always write to him and to Ron as well. They are her best friends, for Merlin's sake. He didn't need to remind her of that. She would do it anyway regardless of him not making her promise. Was he afraid she would forget them when she started her work here at Hogwarts? The idea was even preposterous to think about.
She shook her head and realized that she was still standing on the stairs going towards the main doors. She quickly took a glance at Harry by the lake and saw him still looking towards it, occasionally throwing a stone to it. She heaved a sigh and walked inside the castle. Things started to get complicated since the Final Battle ended and they had to decide which they had to pursue as their careers. Life was easy back then when all they had to think about was Voldemort and the pending battle with him. Honestly.
She walked towards the Great Hall and stopped thinking about it for a while as she was introduced by the Headmistress to the other school staff she would be starting to work with.
------------------------------------------------------------
Ron smiled as he looked out of the window of one of the castle's towers towards the lake where he saw two figures starting to lean in towards each other. From what he could see from his vantage point, they were about to engage in a not-so-friendly kiss. Finally. That's all he thought of.
He left the window sill to give them some privacy, and headed down for dinner in the Great Hall, the grin never leaving his face.
------------------------------------------------------------
(A/N: My love and appreciation to my wonderful beta, Lady Starlight. She does amazing work every time.)
-->