Disclaimer: You know, not mine.
The Bad Assumption
Chapter: 6 Together Forever
Harry wasn't sure if he had heard Hermione correctly, or had he been dreaming? Or was it worse, had he gone stark raving mad and hallucinated that she said she would be back in a few minutes? No, he was not mad and he had not imagined anything. He had heard his love correctly and now his level of happiness was off the scale. He called Dobby informing him that Miss Granger would be joining him for supper, and could he make something a bit special. Dobby was grinning from ear to ear at hearing this, he was so relieved that Harry Potter wouldn't be alone for dinner like he normally was.
"Harry Potter, that is wonderful sir, that Miss Hermione is having supper with you tonight. At least you won't be lonely for a little while," said the little house elf as he grinned broadly.
After hearing what Dobby said, it dawned on him that the little house elf was unaware of what had taken place between himself and Hermione just a few short hours ago. Dobby didn't have a clue about the important life altering events that had taken place right there in Grimmauld Place, that Harry and Hermione had finally realizes their true feelings for each other and were now engaged to be married. Harry thought about how concerned Dobby always was about him being alone, sad, and depressed. He guessed that this little bit of information would cheer up the little house elf.
"Dobby, I need to apologize to you for not telling you about some very important events that happened here earlier, but so much has occurred in the last few hours I almost can't believe it myself. Err, Hermione won't just be having supper with me tonight. As a matter of fact, Hermione will be remaining with me the rest of our lives. Because of a caring friend, our eyes were finally opened to the true way we feel about each other. Since we realized how much in love we are I asked her to marry me and she said yes," explained Harry with a huge grin on his face.
Dooby's face went completely blank for a moment until the impact of what Harry had said finally sunk in. Once it did, Dobby's face erupted with the largest grin he had ever seen from the little house elf. In an instant he was hugging Harry around his leg congratulating him as tears of joy rolled down his face.
"Master Harry, this is wonderful news! Now you won't be lonely and sad, you can finally be happy," said Dobby cheerfully.
Dobby finally let go of Harry's leg and looked up at him with a more determined look than was normal. He assured Harry that he would indeed make something special befitting the occasion. Grinning broadly at Harry, he bowed to him and then vanished.
Harry was quite nervous, but he was still looking forward to Hermione spending the night and he knew just which room she could stay in. Two rooms down from his, on the same side, was a beautifully renovated guest room. In the room was a queen size four poster bed with white and gold
lace hangings. There was also a matching dresser with a mirror and a wardrobe, plus it also had its own full size bathroom. It would be perfect for her.
Harry was startled out of his thoughts by a loud pop. He had hoped it was Hermione returning from her flat, but it turned out to be Dobby. He wanted to report that preparations for supper were going well and that it would be chicken parmagiana with a side dish of pasta in a white wine Alfredo sauce, fresh garlic bread, broccoli in lemon butter, and pumpkin pie for dessert. He also wanted to know if Harry would like some wine with dinner. He thought for a moment, he knew Hermione fancied a bit of wine with dinner and he was completely free from the affects of the butter beer so he didn't see any reason not to. He looked down at the little house elf and instructed him that a white wine would be very nice. Grinning broadly at Harry, he bowed and then disappeared.
Harry was getting concerned now about Hermione. Supper was getting very close to being done and she had not returned yet. She was only suppose to be gone long enough to pick up a few things so she could stay the night. But, she'd been gone over forty-five minutes. He hoped she hadn't had a change of heart, or worse, that something had happened to her.
Before he could think of something else horrible that could have waylaid his future wife, he was again startled by a pop, but this one was much louder than the last one. Standing before him looking beautiful as ever was Hermione. She was standing there smiling brightly at him at the same time holding on to several canvas bags. She stood there meeting his gaze with eyes filled with intense love and happiness.
"Hermione, I was getting worried. You were gone for quite some time, is everything all right?" asked Harry quite concerned.
"Everything is wonderful, Harry, I'm so sorry I worried you. I have changed my plans a little from earlier so it took me a bit longer to get ready," said Hermione.
"Changed your plans? In what way? You're still going to stay the night, aren't you?" asked Harry a bit concerned.
She smiled at him brightly as she explained things to him.
"Oh yes, Harry, I'm staying tonight. I'm staying tonight, tomorrow, and forever. When I went back to my flat to pick up enough things just to stay tonight, I started to think about what you said about being alone and miserable. I realized that I felt the same way at my flat that you feel here at Grimmauld Place. All I think about when I there is you, how much I love you, but that you couldn't possibly feel the same towards me. However, knowing now how you feel about me, I just couldn't stay there another second with my sad, depressing memories. I used several shrinking charms and put everything I own in all of these bags I have here. I called the landlord and since he is a muggle he had an answering machine. I told him I needed to move out and that I would settle up with him about the lease within a couple of days."
Harry was at a loss for words as the joy that welled up in him was so overwhelming that he felt as if he would burst. He walked over to his love, took her into his arms, and just held her in a firm embrace. He noticed his eyes were stinging and tears were flowing down his face as he thought, finally he would be able to have a normal, happy life. After all the years of horror, death, and agonizing over the safety of the ones he loved, he would finally learn what it would be like to live as a normal, loved human being.
They were both startled by a loud pop as Dobby appeared to announce that diner was ready. Seeing the condition that Harry and Hermione were in, the embarrassed house elf bowed to them.
"Dobby apologizes for interrupting master Harry and mistress Hermione, but supper is ready."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, then at Dobby, quite puzzled at his choice of words in addressing Hermione.
"Dobby, why did you refer to me as 'Mistress Hermione'?" she asked softly.
The little house elf looked a bit confused at the question at first, but after a moment he explained to them why he said what he did.
"Dobby is sorry if he offended mistress Hermione, but has not master Harry chosen you above all others to be his mate for all of eternity? I believe he has, and that makes you the mistress of the manor at Number 12 Grimmauld Place."
When he finished talking, he bowed to Hermione, which is a sign of great respect to a house elf. Once he straightened up, Harry requested that he take Hermione's bags to the quest room, that he would take care of serving dinner. Dobby grinned broadly and acknowledged that he would start on it immediately.
As Harry started to leave for the kitchen, Hermione told him to go on and that she would be along shortly. She wanted to talk to Dobby for a moment or two. Smiling at her he nodded and exited the room.
Moments later, Hermione strolled into the kitchen and instantly stopped in her tracks. The table was set for two, all the food was in place, a bottle of wine was chilling in a cooler of ice that was also setting on the table, and to top it all off a beautiful arrangement of red roses was the table centerpiece. The only light came from several floating candles. Everything looked absolutely perfect. Harry stood by the table smiling at her and motioned for her to come over and join him. She walked right up to him and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"May I help you with your seat, mistress Hermione?" he inquired playfully.
She smiled at him as she sat down, then he helped her scoot her chair up closer to the table.
"Thank you master Harry," she said sweetly.
He just rolled his eyes and smiled at her. They had a wonderful dinner, just the two of them. They discussed many things as they enjoyed the excellent food Dobby had prepared. He had definitely pulled out all the stops. Everything was delicious and the wine was an excellent vintage, and to top it all off each had a huge slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top. They had enjoyed being with each other so much just sitting and talking that they hadn't realized how late it had gotten.
"Hermione, it's after eleven, I am so sorry to have kept you up so late. We need to get some rest since we both have training classes tomorrow. You go on up to bed, I'll take care of tidying up a bit. To get to your room go up the main staircase to the second floor, keep straight ahead and it will be the third door on your left. The first door is the master bedroom and the second door is a rather large storage closet. You won't have any trouble finding it," said Harry.
"Don't worry Harry, I know where I need to be," she said sweetly.
She left the kitchen as Harry put a few cleansing charms here and there.
After levitating the clean dishes back into the cabinets, he gave the kitchen another quick look over to make sure he hadn't missed anything. Once he was satisfied that everything was done he headed upstairs.
It had been such an amazing evening. One he never thought he would ever see considering all he had been through in his life, especially not even knowing if he was going to survive his years in school. But he had survived and the only reason he had was because of the love he had for the wonderful young woman that was now going to be his wife. She was the only reason he was still alive. Professor Dumbledore had been right all along, because it was ultimately the power of love that brought Voldemort down. It was the love he'd always had for her, but was only now able to tell her about it, and it's the same love he will eventually show her he has for her in a more physical way once they are married.
For the first time in his life he could actually say he was happy and he so much enjoyed the feeling. He thought back over the events of the day and knew he couldn't have asked for more because the woman he loved returned his feelings and they were going to be together forever. He couldn't wait for the wedding so it could be official.
Being so lost in his thoughts he looked up and realized he had walked right past his room until he was at the door to the guestroom where Hermione was staying. Whether it was coincidence or his subconscious that willed him there, he didn't know. But since he was there he should at least tell his love goodnight.
He knocked on the door to announce his presence. He didn't want to barge in, what if she was changing clothes or had just finished showering, that would be quite embarrassing. Although, seeing his future wife starkers would be an amazing sight to behold. But enough of these thoughts, he said to himself. He promised her he would wait and he would keep his word. He realized now that here was no sound coming from the room. He knocked again a bit firmer, but she still did not answer. He slowly opened the door and peaked in. there was no sign of Hermione or her belongings.
Harry was positive he had asked Dobby to bring Hermione's belongings to this specific guestroom. He clearly remembered hearing Dobby say he would get right to it immediately. Could Dobby have put her things in the wrong room, he wondered. He then checked every room on both sides of the second floor, but there were no signs of Hermione in any of them. Harry was getting quite worried now, he hoped nothing had happened to her, although he couldn't think how it could at Grimmauld Place. Next to Hogwarts Castle, Number 12 Grimmauld Place was probably the safest place in the UK. He decided to go to his room and call Dobby to see what was going on.
However, when he entered the master bedroom, what he saw was quite unexpected. Many of Hermione's belongings were arranged neatly along one of the walls of the room and her suitcases were stacked neatly by one of the larger wardrobes. Harry was very confused, how could Dobby have misunderstood his instructions that badly?
While he stood there puzzling over what had happened, he was startled by the sound of his bathroom door opening, and what greeted his eyes was a most amazing sight. There stood Hermione in an old Gryffindor tee shirt and a pair of burgundy warm up pants that both seemed to fit her form nicely and her hair was pulled back into a bushy ponytail. She was absolutely beautiful. All he could do was stand there and stare at her for he was completely at a loss for words.
She noticed that Harry had temporarily lost the ability to speak. She really was amazed that she had this affect on him.
"Something wrong, master Harry? Kneazle got your tongue?" she said with a mischievous tone in her voice.
Harry slowly regained control of himself and his ability to speak.
"No, uh, not really. It's just, I thought I asked Dobby to put your things in the guestroom. I was just curious as to how he misunderstood what I had said," replied Harry looking at her curiously.
"I'm sorry Harry, but that's my fault, I hope you don't mind. Mistress of the manor's prerogative and all. When I was getting my things together back at my flat, I remembered what you said about having so many rooms. I know I said I would worry about what other people would think if I moved in before we were married, but I've reconsidered. I've come to the conclusion, Harry, that I don't ever want to be alone again. I also trust you to keep your word when you asked me to move in. So if it's all right with you I think we can handle this arrangement until we are married. After all, we are mature adults," said Hermione with hope in her eyes.
"Hermione, you know I love you and I have the utmost respect for you. You have nothing to worry about, I would never do anything to hurt you. If you are comfortable with this, I am too," said Harry smiling at her.
Hermione slowly walked over to him and gently placed her arms around his neck and eased his face down to hers until their lips met in a tender kiss. He rested his hands at her waist as they stood there enjoying their closeness. They gently separated and it was Hermione who spoke first.
"Harry, I want to thank you for making me the happiest I have ever been in my life. You have made my life nearly complete, the rest will eventually happen after we're married. I've so enjoyed our time together today and the revelations that took place, but right now we need to get some rest," she said lovingly.
"Hermione, I promised that I would spend the rest of my life making you happy and I meant it. We can talk more about our future plans tomorrow. I agree with you, it's time to rest. If you will excuse me, my lady, while I go change," said Harry.
They gently broke apart and he made his way over to his wardrobe grabbing his sleep ware then hurried to the bathroom to dress. Hermione walked over to the huge four poster bed, turned down the covers and crawled in.
She had never felt such a warm comforting feeling in her life. Harry was back in what felt like mere seconds. He had changed into some gray flannel pajama pants and a Chudley Cannons tee shirt. He crawled in on the side opposite Hermione facing away from her. He would love to take her in his arms and sleep all night like that, but he did give his word and he did feel a bit awkward having a young woman in his bed. It was an event he'd never experienced before and, to be truthful, thought he never would.
He muttered some words to himself and the lights extinguished themselves. They both reached down and pulled the covers up over themselves, as it was just a bit cool in the room. With two bodies under the covers now instead of the customary one, the warmth built up quicker and felt so much more comforting considering its source. Harry smiled to himself in the darkness as the feeling of awkwardness faded quickly.
"Hermione," said Harry softly.
"Yes," she replied.
"I love you, good night," said Harry.
"I love you too. Good night and sweet dreams," said Hermione lovingly.
He lay in the darkness listening to the gentle rhythm of her breathing and after just a few moments he came to realize what an amazingly soothing sound it was. Suddenly, he sensed her turn over so she was facing his back. A moment later he could feel her closing the distance between them. She continued this until she was nearly in contact with him. He felt her hand reach over his body and drape across his chest as she pulled herself tightly against him. At the same time she snuggled her head gently against the back of his neck.
He had never experienced such an immense feeling of comfort and inner peace as he did at that moment. He slowly worked his hand over to hers and gave it a gentle squeeze, which she returned just as gently. After a short time he knew she was asleep. He lay there thinking, before sleep took him, that he was not worthy of this beautiful, loving young woman that was Hermione. But, he knew he was the luckiest man on the face of the earth, because, above all else Hermione loved him.
End.
A/N: I had hoped this story would be my return to posting fan fiction, but unfortunately, due to personal circumstances that are out of my hands, this will be my last fan fic. I don't want to dwell on this so I will just say I have enjoyed doing this greatly and to all of you who have read my stories and those who have reviewed them, you have my undying gratitude. Thank you.