Card Company Holiday

Disclaimer: If you really believe I own Harry Potter, then I have some great ocean front property for you …

A/N: This was written long ago for a Valentine’s Day challenge at HHDA. I’m just in the mood to post something since my “Love of a Lifetime” muse has left for a vacation. I’m working on drabbles and such to get her back!! Please enjoy and please review.

***

Harry Potter never liked Valentine’s Day. For his entire life, no one loved him, so why bother with a holiday that revolved around love?

Harry walked into the Great Hall, depressed and thoroughly alone. He accepted the chocolate from the house elf dressed as Cupid at the door and headed towards the furthest corner he could find. What was there to celebrate? He was alone on Valentine’s Day, same as usual and that was certainly no cause for happiness to him.

Taking a seat far from others, he observed the rest of the ball. All of the other students were dancing with their sweethearts, reveling in the holiday. And the hearts! Great Merlin, were all those red, shiny hearts necessary? The cherubs and the hearts and the sugariness of it all were just too much.

“Stupid card company holiday,” he muttered to himself.

“Actually, Valentine’s Day has a lot of history behind it,” a voice said from behind him. “And I could tell you all about it if you would like,” she added with a wink.

Harry smiled warmly. “Maybe later.” He turned to face his best friend. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mione.”

“Same to you, Harry. Now, tell me why Hogwarts’ most eligible bachelor is sitting here in the corner all alone at the school’s fabulously over-decorated Valentine’s ball?”

He chuckled sarcastically. “Well, the most eligible bachelor had lots of invites …”

“But Harry didn’t?

“Exactly.”

She huffed. “Well, they don’t know what they’re missing.”

Harry smiled. “Thanks, Mione. That means a lot to me.”

She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t mention it. I mean every word.”

“You always do. Hey, by the way, you look really nice tonight,” he said.

“Why thank you! And you look quite handsome as well. Dress robes suit you.”

Harry blushed. “I really like that shade of green on you, too.”

Then he took a long look at Hermione’s gown. That color was familiar. He saw it everyday in the mirror. But surely Hermione wouldn’t pick a gown the same color of Harry’s eyes on purpose … right?

And then he noticed the glitter. It must have been Lavender’s idea to put the body glitter on her. But why did she have to put it right there … on her chest. He didn’t want to stare at her cleavage, but the sparkling kept catching his eye.

“Lav’s idea,” Hermione said with a deep sigh.

“Oh, Hermione! I’m so sorry!! I didn’t mean to look there, it’s just that it was shiny and my eyes were drawn to them … the glitter, not your … oh bloody hell.”

“Harry, it’s ok. Seriously. That’s probably the effect Lavender was looking for.”

“You think?” Harry laughed. “So would you like to dance?”

“I would love to!”

Harry led Hermione to the dance floor and they immediately fell into a rhythm together.

“Thanks for dancing with just Harry,” he whispered.

“Well, frankly, ‘just Harry’ is much easier to be with. I find Hogwarts’ most eligible bachelor to be a bit high maintenance,” she said with a giggle.

“Tell me about it!”

“I don’t think I have to!” Hermione laughed, but then she turned serious. “Honestly, Harry. No one here knows what they’re missing by not getting to know the real you.”

“A danger seeking prat with a thing for saving people?”

“No, that comes with the ‘Chosen One’ package. Just Harry is the nicest guy I know.”

“You always know how to cheer me up. You know that, right?”

She just nodded.

Harry began to concentrate, thinking of something to give to her. Suddenly, a perfect, thornless rose appeared in his hand. He tucked it behind Hermione’s ear.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

She blushed. “Not me.”

Just then, it occurred to Harry that he had said that outloud. And suddenly, he didn’t care.

“Mione, I meant that. You look amazing tonight. Completely breathtaking.”

“Harry, you don’t have to say –”

“Let me finish while the Gryffindor in me is working. I think you’re always gorgeous no matter what anyone else says. And I’m finally not scared to say it.”

“Why would you be scared?” she asked timidly.

“I wish I knew. Being with you is the easiest thing I could do, and yet here I am challenged with every word that I’m trying to say.”

Her face showed her confusion.

“You’re so good with words, this would go easy for you. Hermione, what I’m trying to say is that my feelings for you are changing. In a good way. I think I’m falling for you.”

“Falling for … me?”

“Is there anyone else?”

“Well, I mean --”

He put a finger on her lips. “It was a rhetorical question, Mione. There is no one else for me. Never has been, never will be.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, you could start with you feel the same. Otherwise, my pride may force me to Obliviate you and remove this conversation from your memory.”

“Oh Harry. Of course I feel the same. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this moment.”

“We both have been.”

“So you really mean it?”

“More than anything.”

She smiled brightly, melting his heart. That smile would always be the end of him and he decided right then and there that there would be no better way to be defeated.

He leaned in slowly, giving her time to reject what was he was trying to do. Instead, she leaned in as well, shortening the distance between them.

And in a magic moment, their lips met in a powerful and loving kiss.

As the kiss broke, Harry sighed. Maybe Valentine’s Day wasn’t so bad after all.

“I love you, Hermione Granger,” he said, holding his new love very close.

“And I love you, just Harry Potter,” Hermione replied, snuggling into his embrace.

A/N: And here’s the brief sequel I wrote to “Card Company Holiday.” I liked this ending better. And I know it’s really short, but I gotta do something to get me out of my writing funk.

***

The music had stopped, but Harry and Hermione continued to dance. To say that they were lost in each other would be an understatement. They didn’t even know how many songs had played since they started dancing.

Finally, Ron and Luna approached them.

“Um, mate. The music has stopped. Did you notice that?” Ron said, trying desperately not to laugh.

“Go away, Ron,” Harry muttered.

Ron lifted his hands in defeat. “Fair enough.” And with that, Ron and Luna walked away, laughing with joy. Harry could have sworn he heard Ron say, “Finally!”

Hermione lifted her head. “I guess we were the only ones who didn’t see this coming.”

“I suppose that’s true. What does that say about us?”

She looked away, in thought. “That we were blind, I guess. But it doesn’t matter anymore. What matters now is us and that we’re together.” She stopped and her eyes shot to Harry’s. “Are we together? I didn’t mean to presume anything, and I mean –”

Harry put a finger on her lips to quiet her again. “Mione, of course we’re together. Do you think I’d kiss and run?”

“Well, you are Hogwarts’ most eligible bachelor,” she said with a grin.

“Was Hogwarts’ most eligible bachelor. I renounce my title with pleasure.”

Hermione gave him the smile that he knew would always be his weakness. So warm and loving.

A fast song started and Hermione beamed.

“Mione, I promise, I will dance a fast song with you tonight. Just not yet, ok?”

“Fair enough.”

As they walked back to the table, Harry noticed the strange looks they were getting. (And a few mean ones.) But before he could say anything, he and Hermione were quickly accosted by Lavender with Parvati hot on her heels.

“Hermione!” she shrieked.

“Bloody hell,” Hermione mumbled.

“Um, why didn’t you tell us?” Lavender asked suspiciously.

“Tell you what?” Hermione said as innocently as she could.

“Hello! That you’re dating Harry!” Parvati said.

“Why didn’t you tell us that you were a couple?” Lavender asked.

“I thought we were friends!”

“You could have mentioned that you were secretly dating Hogwarts’ apparently not so eligible bachelor!”

“Um, hi. I’m standing right here,” Harry said, trying to save Hermione.

“Yes, Harry, we see you. Now, Hermione –” Parvati began.

Harry couldn’t take it anymore. He had noticed the strange glances they were getting as they danced, but he had more or less ignored them. Now it all made sense. It wasn’t that Harry Potter was dancing; it was that Harry Potter was dancing with a girl … closely. And that girl was Hermione Granger.

Oh boy. Might as well pull the bandage off quickly, he thought. And without really giving it a lot of consideration, he began to walk towards the stage.

Hermione noticed Harry walking away, fearful that he was angry. But then she saw where he was heading. The stage?

He climbed the stairs and said a quick word to Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore and then grabbed a microphone.

“Um, hello?” he said, and suddenly a spotlight was shining on him, hurting his eyes. “Well, I suppose you all know me. And from the looks I’ve been getting tonight, I think you all know something else about me. I’m up here because it’s a little difficult to climb to the top of a mountain and shout this, so here I go.” He paused and from nowhere came that Gryffindor courage again. “I love Hermione Granger!”

A collective gasp came from the crowd.

“And I’ve seen the looks most of you have been giving her. I’m up here to ask you to stop. She’s a wonderful woman and doesn’t deserve it. I love her and will protect her with my life. And you don’t want to cross me.”

The speech had gone a different direction than he had expected so he wrapped it up. “Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. Thank you.”

He ran back to Hermione, who was now joined by Ron and Luna.

“Wow, mate. I didn’t think you were so good at speeches,” Ron teased.

“Shut up,” Harry said with a smirk.

“I thought it was wonderful, Harry. Way to stand up for your woman!” Luna said.

“I would have done that for you!” Ron said, defensively.

“Don’t lie, Ronald. It’s not becoming,” Luna sweetly said, pulling him away.

“I would have! Do you want me to go up there right now?” Ron’s voice faded away as they joined the crowd.

“Well, Harry. You never fail to make holidays interesting,” Lavender joked.

“Yeah, this is one Valentine’s Day that Hogwarts won’t soon forget,” Parvati added.

“Congratulations, Hermione. Come on, Parvati. Let’s get back to the boys,” Lavender said as the girls walked away.

“Wow, Harry. I don’t think anyone has threatened a school for me before,” Hermione said, giggling.

“Oh hush, Granger. I’d threaten the world if I had to. No one wants to cross the Chosen One!”

“I suppose I have to take all the packages now, don’t I?”

Harry gave her a confused glance.

“Well, I get famous no-longer bachelor Harry, Chosen One Harry and my personal favorite, just Harry.”

Harry pulled his new girlfriend close and kissed her forehead. “Trust me, Mione, just Harry has always been yours. Always.”