When your whole world fits inside of your arms

katediggory

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 17/04/2006
Last Updated: 17/04/2006
Status: completed

A short fic based on Jack Johnson lyrics. Harry/Hermione, and as mushy and hopelessly romantic as possible. Please read and review.

Chapters

1. Better Together - Part One

2. Better Together - Part 2

3. Better Together - Part 3

1. Better Together - Part One

Hermione Granger should have been concentrating on the conversation going on around her. Ron and Ginny were having a heated discussion about the Quidditch World Cup, and while she usually would have been mediating or teasing Ron about his obsession, she was gazing at a spot on the far wall, although not really seeing it.

Harry had been gone for three weeks and she had never known it was possible to miss someone so much. The first two months after the end of the war had dragged on, and it seemed as if every day was spent in and out of St Mungo's where they had held vigil over friends and strangers, all those injured in the fighting. Harry had been exhausted, yet focused on watching over them all, seemingly oblivious to the celebrations sweeping the country because of him. He had fulfilled his destiny, but Hermione knew that it wouldn't be over for him until the fate of those lying in hospital beds was decided. He had always felt guilt for everyone injured in battle and he agonised over those who had lost their lives.

When Remus was at last declared to be stable, Hermione had watched as Harry's shoulders had sagged with relief. She had put her hand on his arm and been rewarded with a tight hug, his arms wrapped securely around her waist, his face buried in her hair. They stood hugging one another, as Tonks was allowed back in to the hospital room to see her fiancée, neither saying a word. Ron was at The Burrow resting, and being fed more than Hermione had known was possible by his relieved mother after he had woken two days after the battle. After several minutes Harry broke the silence, pulling back a little to see his friends face.

“Hermione…I…”

“What is it Harry?”

“Everyone's stable now and…”

“You're not?” She asked softly.

Harry looked at her half smiling, knowing she understood him and nodded sadly. A tear slipped down her cheek.

“You're leaving aren't you?” She whispered, unable to meet his intense gaze.

“I'm sorry `Mione - I wish I could stay. But I think I need to figure this out by myself for once. Please don't think I'm rejecting…”

Hermione cut him off at this point.

“It's ok Harry. I know this is about you, not me or Ron, but…that doesn't make it any easier.” She said, crying silently. “You'd better promise to come back. Or I'll track you down Harry.”

“I promise, and I promise I'll be in touch. I'll send you postcards so you know where I am, and that I'm ok.”

Hermione nodded, and Harry kissed her forehead gently before stepping backwards.

She watched him, taking in the details, not knowing when she would next see him.

“I'll explain to the others.” She said with a half smile.

“Thanks `Mione” Harry replied, clearly relieved. “I'll see you soon. I promise.”

She closed her eyes slowly, and on hearing the distinctive popping sound of someone apparating from a building only Harry could apparate from she opened them to take in the space before her where he had stood only seconds before. She sighed and took a seat once more on an uncomfortable hospital chair.

That had been three weeks ago now, and while Harry had kept his promise and sent her a postcard every few days she was still miserable. Ron was back to 100% which she was thrilled about, and he was revelling in his new status as war hero, almost as much as he was enjoying following Luna around like a lovesick puppy. Ginny seemed to have had a weight lifted off her shoulders now her family were safe and well once more, and was the life and soul of every gathering, now much less shy about her humour and femininity as she previously had been with all her brothers. Remus was now safely at home with Tonks at Grimmauld Place though still recovering very slowly, it was heart warming to see the couple together without constant fear and worry. It seemed to have done them the world of good, she had never heard Remus laugh so much, and Tonks appeared to be less clumsy. It was just Hermione who was in limbo. She knew Harry had gone away to figure out what he should do now, but in typically male fashion he hadn't bothered to think that by going away she was unable to figure out what to do next. There were so many different offers and opportunities, and right now she couldn't care less about any of them. There were always going to be downsides to being in love with your oblivious best friend. In the back of her mind she'd hoped he'd just figure it out once the weight of the Wizarding world had been lifted from his shoulders, but this was Harry and she should have known better.

She had told everyone that she'd insisted Harry take a holiday, and had sent him off with instructions not to come back until he'd relaxed. A lie that saved everyone's feelings except her own, everyone had nodded and smiled saying that if anyone deserved a holiday it was Harry, a fact she knew all too well, and she felt guilty for begrudging him this chance to sort his mind out and let his body rest.

Hermione dragged her mind back to the present and grinned to see that Ron and Ginny's disagreement over Quidditch selections for the World Cup had degenerated into arm wrestling. She laughed softly before breaking up the battle between the laughing siblings. Ron left soon after to meet Luna for dinner, giving both girls big hugs before half running out the door. Hermione and Ginny grinned after him, before relocating from the kitchen of Hermione's flat to the comfortable sofas in the living room. Hermione had bought the flat the day after Harry had left, intending it to be a place for her, Ron and Harry to live. Grimmauld Place was Remus and Tonks' home now, and Hermione knew Harry would never want to permanently live somewhere which for him would always hold memories of those lost. In reality it seemed that Ron might end up moving in with Luna if her instincts were correct, and with Harry away Hermione found that although she enjoyed having time to herself and her own space, this too was on hold in her mind, she wouldn't truly enjoy her flat until Harry was back.

Hermione and Ginny sat chatting, Ginny noticing her friends gaze returning to the open window every few minutes. She paused, and smiled sadly.

“When did you last hear from Harry?” She asked.

“A few days ago, he's been learning to surf, even on holiday he has to be doing some kind of sport.” She said with a wry grin.

“He's not really on holiday is he?” Ginny asked softly, suddenly understanding why her friend had been so distant over the last few weeks. Hermione looked up at her in surprise.

“No, not really. He needed to get away, he just waited until he knew that everyone was ok.” Hermione said sadly.

“Do you think he'll be ok?” Ginny asked.

“In time…I just don't know how much time he's going to need.”

“And in the meantime you're stuck waiting for him to figure out that what he needs has been here the whole time.” Ginny observed with a smile. Hermione's eyes widened and she laughed softly.

“I'd forgotten how well you can read me Gin. Is it obvious?”

“Not to anyone else, except maybe Remus. It's obvious that you're the best thing to happen to him, and I know from how you've been over the last few weeks that you've had to put all your plans on hold until you know what he's going to do.”

Hermione nodded at Ginny's observation.

“Gin…what do I do if he doesn't see it? What if he figures out what he wants and it isn't me? I'll have to support whatever he chooses, I wouldn't be his friend if I did anything else - he deserves to have whatever he wants…but I think over time it would destroy me.” Hermione allowed herself to cry for the first time since Harry had left, her biggest fear finally voiced. Ginny moved to sit next to her friend, an arm around her shoulders.

“We'll figure everything out as it happens Herms - we always do. And if it helps, I always knew that Harry and I were never going to work out, even before Dumbledore died. In the long term he and I never fit the way you and he fit together. I could see in his eyes that he would always come back to you. It was you and Ron he took on the search for the horcruxes Herms. You know it had to be three of you. You have a greater bond with him than anyone, and you're the most important in his life. One day he'll tell you that, but you know Harry, he's rubbish with girls!” Ginny grinned. “I'm going to trust my instincts on this one, and as they've saved my life several times I think they're pretty trustworthy, and every one of them tells me that Harry will see what we see one day.”

“Thanks Gin. Now, back to the reason you were here - what are you going to wear for your date with Neville tonight?” Ginny grinned and the girls were soon mentally analysing both of their wardrobes to come up with the perfect first date outfit.

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2. Better Together - Part 2

Harry closed his eyes and tipped his head up, the sun beating down on him as he sat on the beach. He'd never been abroad before but he was enjoying it, having found a secluded resort where people didn't ask questions - one benefit of being so rich he supposed. He finally understood the appeal of warm weather - things just seemed so much more relaxed, and all problems seemed smaller when the sun was shining, and you didn't have to constantly be on the lookout for rain. As much as he had loved Hogwarts, and had loved being in Scotland, maybe one day he'd settle away from Britain. The idea of being permanently away from the prying eyes of the press only made the idea more attractive. A flush of guilt spread through him as he remembered that everyone at home would still be dealing with the press, well, that Hermione would be dealing with everything if he was honest with himself.

His thoughts had been drifting back to his female best friend a lot recently. Since he'd been away he had spent the majority of his time sitting on the beach thinking, remembering and trying to look to his future. It still felt a little odd to be planning his future when such a short time ago he hadn't known whether he would have a future - it was invigorating, just having that luxury of time, and the knowledge that no one was trying to kill him for the first time in his life. He lay back on the sand and opened his eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the sunshine, before focusing on the palm leaves above his head, and the blue sky he could see through them. Hermione would love this, although she'd probably have a pile of enormous books with her for light reading…Harry thought wistfully and mentally scolded himself for yet again drifting back to thoughts of Hermione instead of sorting himself out. Sitting up again he gave up hope of making any further progress and picked up the blank postcard and pen sitting beside him on a towel in the sun and began to write.

`Mione

He paused - what did he have to say? He sat chewing the end of the pen, he'd said all the usual pleasantries in his previous postcards and he knew Hermione would have been disappointed with their lack of content. If he was truly honest with himself he wanted her to be here with him, thinking of things to do, telling him what she'd read, smiling that mysterious smile of hers. He thought to himself about her different smiles for different situations, his particular favourite being that little half smile she only smiled for him, her eyes twinkling with private jokes. He hated that when he'd last seen her he had made her cry. Harry opened his eyes with a start, having not remembered closing them, and he suddenly knew exactly what he wanted to say to Hermione.

There's no combination of words that I could put on the back of a postcard, No song that I could sing, but, I could try for your heart.

This time by myself has made me realise that Dumbledore was right all those years ago, love really is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart - why are we here? Where do we go? How come it's so hard? It's not always easy, and life can be deceiving. The only thing I know - the only constant in my life - is that it's always better when we're together.

Harry didn't even reread his words, he just grabbed his towel, and with a grin that left several young girls on the beach staring after him in awe, he jogged back to his room and grabbed some shoes, a leather money pouch, shoved his sunglasses onto his face and prepared to use some magic for the first time in three weeks. At least he could be thankful to Tom Riddle for one thing, Harry Potter would never have trouble detecting magic - he could sense it from far away - and he knew that he emitted highly powerful magic. When Hermione had run up to him at the end of the final battle, she had looked at him thoughtfully before throwing her arms around him. “You've got that magical aura Harry - well, you've always had it some extent, but it's amazing - Harry, you're more powerful than Dumbledore.” He must have looked terrified at this idea until as always she had put things into perspective. “That doesn't mean anything unless you want it to - but Harry, just think of all the good you could do.” That little seed of an idea planted in his mind, put another smile on his face as he followed the traces of magic until he found the nearest magical village, the idea slowly taking form in his mind.

Half an hour later Harry grinned to see an owl fly overhead. He saw it fly through the window of a shop not far down the small but distinctly different street. He entered the owlery and was reminded of Sirius as he saw the exotic birds gathered there sharing posts with owls of every shape and size. His heart gave a small pang, but he was happy to realise that his overwhelming feelings now on remembering his godfather were happy ones, thinking of the good times - yet another progression that would have taken him many years without a certain witch's direction. He shook his head. How could he possibly have been so blind. He wanted to see her to admit just how stupid he had been, and to find out how she felt - had there been a deeper meaning to things she had said and done over the years?

Sending her the postcard didn't seem like enough anymore, and buying a piece of parchment and an envelope from the clerk he quickly scribbled a message on the envelope, before holding his hand steady over the piece of parchment and silently casting a familiar spell. Gathering the envelope and postcard together he approached the counter and quickly paid an extortionate amount to engage the services of a large orange coloured bird. He left the shop and wandered the others on the street, buying himself a wizard camera, having always wanted one, but subconsciously not wanting to willingly create more memories to be left behind should he fail to fulfil the prophecy in the way he hoped. He then wandered back along the beach to the resort, pausing to take a picture of the view of the beautiful ocean. He studiously ignored the Cornish pixies who appeared to have taken residence in his stomach, and fought the urge to acknowledge the little voice in his head who sounded remarkably like Ron that was shouting `what have you done you great prat?' Harry decided that a mature response was called for and hummed a tune he'd once heard on the radio to block out the voice. “Even Ron would look worried if I told him I was hearing voices in my head again - oh bugger - now I'm talking to myself” Harry chuckled and sank onto the sand, ruminating on the fact that he was clearly a lost cause.

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Hermione was fast asleep when she heard the magical bell ring in her flat - still half asleep she got out of bed and went to the front door until she realised the bell meant someone was at the window. Her bleary eyes flew open as she saw the majestic orange bird sitting patiently on the windowsill. She rushed across the room, grabbing a handful of bird treats from the table as she went, and opened the window, knowing that logically this letter could only be from one person, and that worried her as Harry had been sending his postcards through the muggle post until now. She gratefully took the postcard from the pouch on the birds leg and waited for it to leave, but by its tilted head she guessed there was something else for her - she withdrew an envelope from the pouch, and the bird flew off with an elegant cry. She shut the window and took a seat in an armchair by the window. A quick muttered `lumos' and she was able to look at the postcard in her hand, the image showed an idyllic beach much like a previous card Harry had sent. She flipped it over expecting to hear more promises that he was ok followed by a comment about the weather, what she read knocked all the air out of her.

She read and reread and reread the postcard, a smile slowly spreading from her toes to the tips of her curly hair. It was the most beautiful letter she had ever been sent. She then remembered the envelope, picking it up she saw that on the front just three words were written. “Think like Sirius” she read aloud. “What?” then she smiled thoughtfully, picked up her wand from beside her, tapped the envelope and said “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”, she grinned as words appeared on the envelope in her hand.

`Mione

It may sound just like something people say in postcards but I truly wish you were here. I'm hoping that maybe you wish you were here too…or maybe just that you wish you were with me? The parchment in this envelope is a Portkey - it's not timed - if you want to come it will bring you here as soon as you touch it.

Missing you

Harry

If the smile on her face before she read Harry's words was a happy now, the smile spread across her face now was beatific. Bless Harry and his complete lack of understanding of time zones, she thought glancing at the clock which read 3am. As if she needed to think about her decision, morning couldn't come soon enough for Hermione who had already packed what little clothing she had that was suitable for the tropics into a magically shrunken bag and was tapping her foot impatiently as she watched the clock tick by. She was waiting outside the shopping centre as it opened, and having a bought a few essentials and two hastily chosen bikinis she was practically jogging around the corner to find a secluded spot to disappear from. She paused for a moment before touching the parchment, knowing that she was about to repay Harry's favour in reference to time zones, but she'd had enough of waiting. She pulled the parchment from the envelope and felt a familiar tugging from behind her belly button as London faded behind her.

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3. Better Together - Part 3

Hermione landed with a soft thud, with her wand drawn she looked around her. She was standing in the living room of a moonlit wooden cabin, she could hear the melodious crash of the waves on the beach only metres from the door. Turning she saw a half open doorway, and quietly she crept across the floor and pushed the door fully open. Lying sprawled across the bed, dressed in pyjama bottoms was her best friend. She took in his darkened skin, and the relaxed expression on his face, and admitted to herself that this was exactly what Harry had needed after all the stresses of the last two years. She smiled affectionately as he mumbled in his sleep and rolled over to lie on his back. Hermione silently stepped backwards and returned to the living room area, enlarging her shrunken bag and pulling out a pair of shorts, a novel she'd been wanting to read for weeks, and a bottle of water, she ventured out onto the deck of the cabin, smiling in satisfaction to see the comfy looking hammock Harry had told her about in one of his postcards. She knew logically that to get used to the time change she should try and sleep now, but she was nowhere near tired, so she settled comfortably into the hammock, with a flick of her wand she conjured a lantern, and soft warm light illuminated the pages of her book. She sighed happily, she hadn't realised quite how good it was to get away from home, she was already feeling so relaxed, and knowing that Harry was once again near reassured her, while simultaneously causing butterflies in her stomach, a feeling she was well used to having spent so long in close proximity to her best friend, and a feeling that she'd missed.

Hermione was soon lost in the pages, and a few hours later as the sun softly rose over the waves, the sound of the birds lulled her to sleep.

Harry woke slowly, and as everything came into focus, an enormous grin spread across his face. She was here. There was no mistaking that distinctive magical signature; he could identify many magical signatures, but none more so than those of his two best friends. He scrambled out of bed, threw on a t shirt, and running a hand through his unruly black hair he walked into the main living area of the cabin. He smiled again on seeing Hermione's bag sitting there, and his grin widened once more when through the window he spotted two familiar feet poking out the end of the hammock on the deck. He walked to the door, and opening it leant on the doorframe, taking in the image of his sleeping best friend. If he'd had any doubts about his earlier revelations, or his decision to invite her to join him here, they were quashed by the intense feelings of happiness that flooded through him on seeing her.

He desperately wanted to wake her, but seeing her sleeping form he guiltily remembered what Hermione had told him several times about time zones, and realised his letter must have arrived in the middle of the night. Grinning sheepishly he decided to let her sleep a little longer, and heading back into the cabin he changed into some swimming shorts and jogged down the beach, straight into the warm water for his morning swim.

When Hermione awoke from her nap she smiled to feel the sun on her face, and the sound of the ocean and tropical birds singing overhead. Glancing at her watch she realised she'd been asleep for several hours, and swinging her legs over the side of the hammock she eagerly headed towards the cabin to find Harry. She stopped in her tracks however as she detected that familiar wave of powerful magic which followed Harry wherever he went. She spun around and her eyes scanned the beach, seconds later focusing on a figure slicing through the waves, she watched him silently as feelings she had tried so hard to quash flooded through her once more. His note had been so beautiful; she only hoped she hadn't got her hopes up in regards to the meaning behind Harry's words.

The ocean looked so tempting that she headed inside, dug out a new bikini, changed quickly and headed back outside.

Harry stood in the shallow water, watching as a young father taught his son to surf, he smiled at the idyllic scene. A flash of emerald green in his peripheral vision caused him to turn his glance towards the beach, and what he saw there caused all the air to rush from his lungs as if a large wave had crashed into him, winding him. She was absolutely gorgeous, walking lazily towards the ocean, while pulling her beautiful curls into a knot on the top of her head. He'd never seen her in a bikini before, and was wishing he had, as if he'd seen her like this before he surely would have realised just how deeply he felt for her. Watching her transfixed, he walked towards her, rising out of the water, and as she glanced towards the water their gazes met and they both stopped. He watched as the most wonderful smile spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with happiness, the sun already highlighting the few freckles spread across her nose and cheeks. He grinned back at her, and ran the rest of the way out of the water until he reached her, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet, twirling her around. He could both feel and hear her laughter as they spun around, and as he put her down they stood face to face grinning at one another he gently rested his forehead against hers, his arms still locked around her waist.

“I've missed you so much” he said softly.

“I missed you too.” She said with a smile, looking at him thoughtfully. “I'm glad you decided to come though…you needed this.”

He hugged her to him again, lightly planting kisses on the top of her head.

“Fancy a swim?” He asked happily, taking her hand to lead her to the water as she nodded in response.

As they approached the water, Harry grinned to himself and instinctively picked her up in his arms and ran into the water, Hermione shrieked with laughter and wrapped her arms around his neck, both of them laughing as Harry threw them both into the waves. They surfaced, and Hermione laughed again, splashing water into his face, before pushing his messy hair back from his face.

Harry gazed at her face, water droplets slowly moving down her face, and resting on her long eyelashes as she smiled up at him, the palm of her hand rested against his cheek and he raised his own hand to keep it there, his eyes meeting her own, registering the slight confusion along with the hope and happiness, and suddenly the words were there, and he knew he meant them. Three words he had never said once in his entire life, he smiled at his best friend, gently kissed the tip of her nose before meeting her eyes once more.

“I love you” he said softly.

Hermione's heart seemed to skip several beats as Harry's words sunk in. Her eyes were locked with his, and she saw there what she had waited for, and hoped for, for so long. She smiled at him softly, moving her thumb to caress his cheek.

“I love you too.”

Harry reached out and cupped her face with his hand, his other arm gently wrapping itself around her waist to pull her closer to him. They stood smiling at each other like idiots in the ocean for several moments before Harry lowered his head to hers and kissed her. Initially it was a tentative, gentle kiss, but it deepened into a passionate kiss as Hermione's hands found their way into his hair and Harry's arms held her close to him. When they eventually broke apart they were both breathing heavily, and Harry couldn't have wiped the grin from his face if Voldemort had risen from the dead in front of them at that moment.

Hermione smiled at him.

“I can't believe it took me so long to do that” Harry said with a laugh.

“I think it was well worth the wait.” Hermione replied softly, smiling as she reached up to kiss him once more.

Neither of them noticed the flash of a Wizarding camera from the shore, capturing their moment of bliss for the eyes of the Wizarding world, and neither cared too much when they received the clipping of the Daily Prophet several mornings later in an owl from Ron, declaring, “Harry Potter and Hermione Granger in Love!” They'd giggled at Ron's scribbled commentary on the article “about time you two…”

Hermione snuggled up against Harry's shoulder, an arm around his waist, his arm around her shoulders, before pulling the covers over them.

“I guess we'd better be a bit more discreet in public now” She grinned.

“Alright, well you'd better stop seducing me in public places then Miss Granger” Harry teased, tickling her lightly as she giggled.

“That was just the once and it was dark!” She protested with a laugh, reaching up to kiss him softly.

“Next time we'll take the invisibility cloak.” Harry laughed loudly and kissed her again.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

"Better Together"

Jack Johnson

There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepia-tone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And, where do we go?
And how come we're so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing its always better when we're together

Mmm its always better when we're together
We look at the stars when we're together
Well, Its always better when we're together
Yeah, its always better when we're together

And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
But tomorrow night you see
That they'll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I'll be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We'll sit beneath the mango tree

Yeah, its always better when we're together
Mmm, we're somewhere in between together
Its always better when we're together
Yeah, its always better when we're together

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no song I could sing
And there is no, combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're Better together

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