Forever Yours and Other Tales of Fluff

Dearest Harry,

I find myself in one of those moods to tell you exactly how much I love you. I love every single thing about you from the tips of your messy black hair to the soles of your feet. But aside from your devastatingly good looks, I love your heart. I love the little things that you do to show me that you love me like roses and cards and the way you like to have me sit in front of you cross-legged while you brush my hair. I love how you always burn the toast when you try to make me breakfast in bed and how you know that I like orange juice with excess pulp and no skin on my apples. I love the way you kiss my nose when you think that I am sleeping and every time you look at me like you've never seen something so wonderful it makes me weak in the knees.

I love the intimate time that we spend together and how you know to touch me just so in all of the right places. I love feeling you move inside of me and telling me you love me and meaning it. I love that I can touch that spot in the lowest part of your back and bring you to your knees in pleasure. And I love how right before we make love you tell me, "I love you more than anything on earth and being yours makes me the happiest man alive." And I love how you cuddle up to me and throw one arm over my body like you never want me to leave your side.

But the part I love most about you is that you gave me three beautiful children. Lana, Tate, and Ella are daily reminders to me of how strong and deep our love is. I remember when I almost lost Tate and how you sat crying with me because you loved that unborn child so much. I believe to this day that it is the miracle of our love of each other, and of our children, that saved Tate's life. Our children are precious gifts and every time I look at Lana I see so much of you in her; Her ambition and certain disregard for the rules, but also her passion for helping people and trying her hardest to be the best that she can be. Tate has your passion for Quidditch and your love and warmth that he extends to everyone he meets. Both of them have your interesting sense of humor but they also share with you that lack of knowing when to keep their mouths closed. They never take anything lying down. Ella I am pleased to say, reminds me very much of myself; Book smart and her 'insufferable know-it-all' charm make her extremely funny. It's hard for me to accept that perhaps I was once that way. Those three kids are absolutely wonderful and there is no man on this earth alive today that I would rather have as my husband and their father.

I suppose the point that I am earnestly trying to make is to tell you, in case you have ever forgotten or doubted, that I love you more than my own life and all of the other things that I really really love.

I love you, my darling, always and forever.

Yours Forever,

Hermione

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The Wedding

After all of the misfortunes I have suffered in my life, I thought that my wedding day would follow suit by being disastrous. Don't get me wrong, I hoped against all hope that everything would go smoothly, but I was convinced that something would put a hitch in my special day. In the months, weeks and then days before my wedding, I had resigned myself to be prepared for some kind of misfortune to throw off the perfect planning that I had insured. I could not have been more wrong.

*

I spent months planning my wedding. Harry gave me free reign to do whatever I wanted, cost not important. He said that it was my day and that he wanted it to be everything that I had ever hoped and dreamed. He was involved some; with guest planning and his tuxedo, but that was about it. It wasn't that he didn't want to be involved, it was more a matter of that he wanted everything to be just the way I wanted it. So for eight long months I slaved over floral patterns, seating charts, cakes, bridesmaid dresses, various decorations, and the biggest task of it all: my dress.

It took me almost five months to find that perfect dress. The first time I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the one that I would have to have. It was white, even though I had long since been deflowered, and patterned with miniscule pearls and diamonds around the skirt and train. The top was corset-like with lace down the middle that was encrusted with a trail of small diamonds like the ones on the skirt. At the base of the corset in the back, the dress had a fabric slit that widened to the bottom and the under fabric was lace. The edges of the slit were also encrusted with small diamonds. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen and it made me cry the first time I was fitted for it just to know that it was mine. Harry's tuxedo was the traditional black and white, only he wore an ascot instead of a bow tie. The ascot was encrusted with diamonds that matched the ones on my dress.

A week before the wedding Harry and I decided that we weren't going to be intimate again until our wedding night. This was a hard decision to make because we had been sleeping together for three years. I couldn't remember what it was like not to wake up beside him. Harry stayed at our home that we shared with Ron and his girlfriend, and I went to my parent's. We still saw each other every day at work, which made it even harder that we wouldn't go home together at the end of each day. The day I left for my parents' house, Harry and I almost broke our agreement. We met at the door and he gave me a goodbye kiss, but soon it turned into more than a mere kiss. We were passionately intertwined and before I knew it, Harry had me up against the wall, my legs wrapped around his waist for support. Only during a small break for air did we both realize what was about to happen. Harry put me down and I straightened my clothes, grabbed my suitcase and left.

That week was almost unbearable. I missed Harry so much that I could hardly stand it. My bed felt so empty without him beside me and I cried myself to sleep most nights. It feels silly looking back on it, but at the time it was absolutely horrible. The night before the wedding, Ginny and my cousin Alexandra threw the most incredible bachelorette party. They rented out a popular night spot and hired male strippers. We danced, drank and got completely trashed. Lucky for me the next morning Ginny put a Sobering Charm on me so that I was in the mind I needed to be in for the wedding.

*

When I woke up I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life. Time seemed to speed by at an incredibly alarming rate and before I knew it, I was in my dress fully made up with ten minutes to go. Ginny handed me the bouquet and we all lined up. When the music started playing and my father joined me to walk me down the aisle, tears welled up in my eyes. I could hardly believe that I was finally going to marry the man that I loved more than my own life. The doors opened in front of me as my procession of bridesmaids entered and then my father and I were standing at the door, facing the altar. Everyone turned when the wedding march began and suddenly all eyes were on me but the only pair of eyes I cared about seeing me was Harry's. He turned to look at me and I will never forget the expression on his face. He looked as if he was looking at the most beautiful thing in the entire world. There was a mixture of awe, pride and excitement written on his handsome face and before I knew it I was standing in front of him, our hands joining together. I looked into his vivid green eyes and realized that we were both shedding silent tears of joy. He was so incredibly handsome in his tuxedo that I could hardly stand it. Harry has always been gorgeous to me, but something about him in that tux made me want to throw everyone out of the church and make love to him right then and there. I suppressed this urge, however, and soon Albus Dumbledore, who was conducting the ceremony, stepped down and whispered in my ear.

"Hermione, I daresay that you are the most beautiful bride that I have ever seen. I would also wager, judging by the sight of him, that Harry agrees with me completely." He kissed my cheek and resumed his position in front of us.

Our vows were wonderfully touching and sincere. I went first and I will always remember what I said to him because it was straight from my heart.

Harry, I have known you since we were eleven years old. You were my best friend through thick and thin and I knew that I would never in my life be without you. The day I realized I was in love you with you, I knew that we would grow old and grey together. I knew that there is no other man on this earth that I would ever give my heart to. As I stand here before you today, I love you more than I have ever loved another person. I promise to give myself to you wholly, for better or worse, through all of the things that life has in store for us. I swear that I am yours, and yours only, and that I will love you until the day that I die, and after. I love you Harry, so very much.

As I recited those words from my heart, Harry smiled at me through his tears; then it was his turn. I wasn't sure what to expect but I know that his words still ring in my head.

Hermione, I have never had anything that was truly mine. I never knew the love of parents or of family, really. I was sure that I was destined to be alone in this world forever. That is, until I met you. You have been my driving force, my life support for so many years. We were eleven when our friendship blossomed, but my life truly started the day that I counted you as my best friend. We have been through so much together and I know that I never would have survived if it hadn't been for you. Your love has sustained me, has given me life. I haven't been this happy since the day you agreed to marry me. I stand before you today promising you that I would die for you, that my heart as always and will always belong only to you. You are the love of my life, my sun, moon, and stars. You are the air that I breathe and the reason that I wake up in morning. I will never leave your side and I will love you until the sun no longer burns in the sky and all the stars fade out. And even after that, I will still love you.

I was bawling at this point. We both were. We exchanged the rings and Albus pronounced us husband and wife. Harry grabbed me tenderly and kissed me as though he had never done so before. We turned to face the crowd of crying onlookers and walked back down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter. At that moment I knew that our life together may not be perfect, but we would be together and that was all that mattered.

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The Proposal

The day that Harry asked me to marry him is one that I will never, ever forget. It wasn't like most proposal stories one hears. There was no bright sunshine on a warm spring day accompanied by the enthusiastic chirping of birds. It was not the typical private moment shared between two lovers; it was quite the contrary. It was a wonderful end to a less than wonderful day. When put that way, it sounds as if the proposal was not something I wanted, but that is not true. I, in fact, had been waiting for the "popping of the question" for quite sometime. It was the circumstances that brought about the question that I, at one time, wished had been different. I should have known, however, that my engagement to Harry Potter would be no less than a rather large spectacle, no matter how private he wanted it to be. I find that I am getting ahead of myself, so I shall start at the beginning of that infamous day.

The alarm went off at six a.m. just like every other morning. Harry woke up first and jumped into the shower while I rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep. It seemed like I had just gotten back to sleep when I awoke to a steady drip of water on my face. Harry had turned me onto my back and was positioned over me allowing the water from his soaking head to puddle on my cheeks. I opened my eyes to the sight of him staring at me intensely with his intriguing green eyes. Neither of us said a thing, we only stared at one another in complete silence, and I knew that it was about to be the best start a day could have. I moved my hands onto his back in order to undue the towel that was wrapped firmly around his slender waist. Before I got too far Harry stopped my fingers loosening the knot and flashed his dazzling smile. I could only look at him with what I hoped was an extremely shocked expression. In answer to my shock he smiled even more widely and spoke in a soft whisper.

"Not just now darling. We need to get to the school as quickly as possible and we are going to be late as it is." He kissed my lips quickly and jumped off the bed, dressing hurriedly. I dragged myself out of bed, threw on a turtle necked jumper and a beige tweed skirt, plaited my hair untidily and followed Harry down to the kitchen for a spot of breakfast. Due to my continued state of shock I burnt the toast but Harry ate it anyway and we apparated into Hogsmeade Village. Our journey to Hogwarts Castle was silent but all the while Harry maintained a slight grin. We reached the Entrance Hall and he kissed me chastely as we went our separate ways. I watched him follow the corridors down to his first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. When he disappeared around a corner I headed off toward the teacher's lounge. My first Arithmancy lesson was not until ten a.m. so I found a nice chintz armchair and plopped down and closed my eyes. I replayed the events of the morning and found myself in a rather foul mood because for the first time in our three year relationship as lovers, Harry had refused my advances.

The day continued on as did my less than happy mood and I looked to the lunch period as a time to sit and possibly talk to Harry about that morning. However, much to my annoyance, he did not join me at the teacher's table for lunch. The seat that he usually occupied was quickly filled by Minerva McGonagall as she greeted me cheerily and helped herself to some treacle tart. Noticing that I was rather ill and trying to cheer me up, she was soon telling horribly corny jokes and it was only her effort that earned a grin from me in the end. She had apparently noticed Harry's absence as well.

"Where is Harry this afternoon Hermione? I actually have not seen him all day."

I snorted into my spoonful of rice pudding.

"I have absolutely no idea where he is Minerva. I have not seen hide nor hair of him since we arrived this morning. Perhaps he is giving a student remedial lessons." She grinned a little and continued eating.

I was on my way to my last lesson of the day when little Professor Flitwick came running down the corridor and grabbed the sleeve of my robe. He was very out of breath and seemed like he had some urgent message for me. He took a deep breath and I stooped down a little in order to hear him better.

"Good afternoon, Hermione. I have a very important message for you. Harry has asked that you meet him under the tree beside the lake in five minutes time." Flitwick was smiling broadly and looked rather pleased with himself.

"Well that is wonderful of Harry to request a meeting with me but unfortunately I have a lesson in five minutes so I am afraid that I will not be able to make it just now."

"No worry Hermione. Harry has arranged so your class can meet you outside but he was quite adamant about seeing you right now."

I sighed and agreed and soon found myself being lead to the grounds. I was still angry with Harry but I imagined that he must want to apologize for his peculiar actions so I reached the tree beside the lake but Harry was no where to be seen. Upon seeing my distress, Professor Flitwick assured me that Harry was on his way with my class. I waited no more than three minutes when Harry, followed closely by my third year class, came to meet me at the tree. I watched as they assembled themselves into a straight line against the shore of the lake. They all turned to face Harry and me, all of them wearing great big smiles. At this point I was becoming extremely annoyed mostly due to the fact that something was up and I did not know what it was. When I looked back at Harry he was leaning casually against the tree wearing the grin that I had come to associate with some kind of mischief. We stood there staring at each other for a moment and I decided that I'd had enough and spoke first.

"Would you kindly tell me what is going on Harry? Why have you dragged me and my class out here? If I wanted to teach outside I would have chosen a day when it is not about to pour buckets!" As if on cue on my last words rain starting pelting down on all of us. I was beyond annoyed now and Harry continued to lean against that tree looking rather smug. He finally stopped grinning long enough to speak to me for only the second time that day.

"I just wanted to ask you something. See, I have been thinking about this for a while now and I figured now would be as good a time as any to get your opinion on the matter." He moved from the tree to stand in front of me as the rain pelted us. My students were all now casting spells that made fireworks shoot from the tips of their wands and made arches of sparkling color around the two of us. Just as Harry opened his mouth to speak, there was a scream and a loud splash to our left. I turned quickly and saw that one of my students, Alisa McKentyre had fallen into the lake. Without thinking I pushed the rest of the class aside, threw off my robes and jumped into the lake after her. She had hit her head on a rock on the side of the bank and all I could see was her body floating toward the bottom of the lakebed. I swam as fast as I could to catch up with her and finally grabbed her before she went any farther. I took her around the waist and raised her up to the surface to the classmates that were waiting to hoist her out of the water. I was almost at the surface myself when something grabbed my leg and began pulling me down. A Grindylow had me around the ankle and the harder I fought, the harder it pulled. I was losing the air in my lungs and soon I felt the surge of cold water in my mouth as I fought to hang on to those last breaths. Black edged into my vision as a pair of strong arms grabbed me and pulled upward.

When I opened my eyes, I was laying face up on the bank, twenty some odd students looking down at me, and Harry leaning over my chest listening for a heartbeat. I coughed the water out of my lungs and sat up gingerly. Harry helped me to my feet and held me to him, caressing my hair and gently kissing my forehead. He looked down at me, concern and fear all over his face and I suddenly felt ashamed of being so angry with him all day. I smiled weakly and stroked his wet face.

"I believe you had something to ask me?" He laughed nervously and got down on one knee in front of me. The breath caught in my throat as tears welled up into my eyes.

"Hermione Anne Granger, I love you so very much, more than anything in this entire world. I was simply wondering if you wouldn't mind being my wife."

The tears were pouring down my drenched face and all I could see was Harry looking up at me, an open ring box in his hands. I choked a little and broke into the happiest smile of my life.

"I don't think I would mind too much," I said laughing. Harry rose up, put the ring on my finger and kissed me passionately. I was a little embarrassed to be kissing him in front of my class but they didn't seem to mind at all. On the contrary, they stood cheering and applauding and I distinctly remembering one of them yelling "it's about time!"

So that is the story of the day that brought about my engagement to Harry. Needless to say we made furiously passionate love that night. I had to punish him somehow for refusing me. So I made him pay by giving him the singularly most pleasurable experience of his life and reminded him that next time he refused, it would be even more so.

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