Have A Nice Life

Author's Note: I apologize, this is my first story, and I know that I already posted it, but I realized that I forgot to write and Author's note, as well as a disclaimer. This is my first story on Portkey, (I post on fanfic.net), and I would really love some feedback. Portkey made me love HP fan fiction (only pumpkin pie though) so I am honored that my application was accepted. Please read and review! (Sorry again for the double post!)

Disclaimer: If I was JKR I wouldn't be posting fan fiction on a website as a way to procrastinate on my history paper that may or may not be due tomorrow cough

Have A Nice Life

Present

I had always said the phrase as a joke, but now I'd said it and had to actually mean it. Sitting on our rock with him, next to the lake where we'd first met, we said good-bye, and I'd just let it slip, out of habit. But silence descended as we realized the weight of my words.

* * *

Flashback

As I rubbed in the last dot of sunscreen on my face, I sighed. Though my parents though otherwise, I never wanted to go on this vacation. Though the idea of visiting new places was exciting for me, there was no allure about Lake Winnipeg in Canada. It was too much like the United States. But it doesn't really matter, because I had promised my parents that I would enjoy this break. Even pull my head out of my books. And though I always keep my promise, the taking a break from reading wasn't going to happen. But I had told them that I would make the best of our vacation, so I grabbed a beach bag and filled it with a spare change of close, towel, extra sunscreen, a picnic lunch, and in slipped my latest book.

“I'm going to the lake,” I called out to my parents, and walked out the door, slipping my wand into its disguised holster.

As I walk towards the lake, I spot a small weeping willow tree in the distance. I head towards it, as I slip between its branches, I see a rock by the stump. It was the perfect hideaway. I crawled up onto the rock and pulled out my book with a content sigh. Maybe this vacation would be better than I thought

* * *

Present

We both laugh awkwardly and share an embarrassed glance. “Wow, I never thought I'd say that and mean it seriously,” I say with an apologetic blush.

“I know what you mean, but I guess it's true this time.”

I sigh, “It doesn't feel like goodbye.”

He sighs deeply, “I know, I feel the same.”

“It was never really good bye before.”

“I know, but now it is.” We both look down in sadness.

* * *

Flashback

That morning I followed my new normal routine. I woke up, took a shower, ate breakfast, packed my stuff, and went down to my tree. As I say reading, I heard a rustling among the branches. I looked up to see a gorgeous guy, probably around my age, standing in from of me. He had dark messy hair, emerald green eyes, and a body to die for. He blushed when he saw me, and I couldn't help thinking he was adorable when he blushed like that.

“I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was here.” I felt my cheeks go read at his distinct British accent.

“Oh, its fine. It isn't as though I own the place.” He smiled at my response and I started to melt.

“Well, I really shouldn't disturb you, so… um… I'll be off,” he said awkwardly.

I felt something tug inside me at his good bye. For some reason, I didn't want him to leave.

“No. Wait, I was just about to go for a swim. Care to join me?” I asked with courage that I never knew I had.

He smiled, “I'd love to.”

We both blushed and simultaneously turned around. I shed my skirt and shirt to the bikini I work under. I turned to see his well toned back, and blushed deeply. In a vain attempt to hide my embarrassment, I yelled, “Last one to the dock is a rotten flobberworm!” As soon as I said it, I regretted it, for I saw him freeze up, and so I turned and ran as quickly as I could to the dock. As I was running, I felt him gaining on me, and I tried to run faster, and skidded at the end of the dock, and fell into the water with a splash. As I resurfaced, I saw him laughing down at me, and reached up, and pulled him into the water. We both laughed, then fell silent, as we remembered my previous words.

“So, I guess I'm a rotten flobberworm, huh? I suppose it could be worse. I could be Blast -Ended Screwet.” He smiled at me as I stared at him in shock.

“So you're a-” he broke me off. “My name is Harry. I'm going to be a 7^th year at Hogwarts next year.”

Still in shock, I numbly nodded and responded, “I'm Hermione, and I'm going to be 7^th year at Wandsworth Academy.”

He smiled and stuck out his hand. “Well it's nice to meet you Hermione.”

* * *

Present

“What's wrong?” Harry asks me in concern.

“Nothing, I was just thinking about everything that has happened. You honestly saved my vacation, you know.”

He smiles and blushes.

* * *

Flashback

“So have you made any friends, `Mione?” my mother asked me knowingly a couple of weeks later.

I blushed. “Actually I have. I met someone magical in face. He's going to be a 7^th year at Hogwarts next year. He's…” I trailed off, not knowing how to properly describe my new friend.

My mom smiled at me. “You've been bitten by the love bug.”

“Shut up Mom! We've just met!” I said in shock.

“You know it's true,” my mother replied smoothly, then laughed and turned to finish making dinner.

That night I lay in bed thinking about what my mother had told me, and thought about my recent experiences with Harry, and realized with a shock, that I started to fall for my young British friend. I fell asleep with a smile on my face, not being able to wait for the next day.

* * *

Present

“Well it wasn't all me. I still can't thank you enough for my birthday,” Harry said quietly. We smile at each other.

“It was nothing, Harry. I had to. Honestly, I enjoyed it just as much as you did.”

* * *

Flashback

As I entered the willow, I could instantly tell that there was something wrong with Harry. His normally sparking green eyes were dull and lifeless.

“What's wrong, Harry?”

“It's nothing.”

“No. It's not nothing. You're never like this. What's wrong? Don't lie to me, Harry.”

He sighed in resignation. “It's my birthday, and my family forgot again. And so did my friends at Hogwarts it seems.”

I was shocked. I knew that Harry's family life was less that satisfactory, but to forget your own son's birthday? I turned to him. “Your family? Harry, what exactly aren't you telling me?” I said to him forcefully.

He looked up at me, and suddenly everything spilled out. He spoke of how he was sent to live with relatives who hate him after Voldemort killed his parents. How he is the only one who can defeat the dark lord, and that the only reason he is here is because Dumbledore, his headmaster, and mentor wanted him out of the country for a while. At that moment, I knew that all he needed was to be loved, and that maybe my mom was right, and maybe I could give him that love. I grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

“Today is your day, and I will mate sure that it is the best birthday of your life. Let's start with a swim.” He cracked a smile, and we ran to the shore. Once in the water, he came up behind me and grabbed me by the waste and threw me back under. As I came up in anger, I jumped onto his back, and dunked his head under the water. We spend the next content hour fighting amiably in the water.

“Hey Harry, how does heading down to Mark's sound for lunch? My treat.” I said to him, suddenly hungry.

“Your treat? How can I refuse that offer?” I glared at hi, and swatted his arm, my fingers tingling at the contact. As the day wore on, I found myself noticing more and more things about Harry. How every time he smiles, his eyes twinkled and danced. How he always had time to pay attention what I wanted even thought it was his day. And the most amazing thing was that every time he made me laugh, he instantly looked happier. I found myself shooting glances at him from time to time, and on the occasion that we would make eye contact, we would both look away embarrassed, but moved on. It was the best day of my life. After lunch we went to the theatre and saw a movie. Afterwards we both agreed that it was totally shit, but still work it. Though maybe it wasn't worth quite the ten dollars that each of the tickets had cost. We stopped by my house and my mom gave me more money, and I quickly change into warmer clothes, while Harry go to know my parents. We went to dinner at the nicest restaurant in town and spent the entire meal laughing and having a good time. I gave him the birthday present I had snuck off to buy. It was a gold watch that I had charmed to tell you the time anywhere in the world with a tap of your want. I thought it would be useful to him, as he wanted to be an Auror. When he saw the give, the stunned look on his face was more than enough to know that I had given the perfect gift.

“Oh my god, Hermione. This is amazing! You didn't have to give me anything! This day has been more than enough!” he gushed.

I blush, “I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. You deserve so much more than this.” We smiled at each other, and finished dessert in companionable silence.

* * *

Present

We locked eyes, and for a moment all the work ceased to exist.

“I'm going to miss you,” I whispered.

“I'm going to miss you too, `Mione,” he said back quietly. We moved imperceptibly closer, and my eyes fluttered shut.

* * *

Flashback

After dinner we went back to our tree. We leaned against the rock, watching the sunset, and talked.

“Is Hogwarts as beautiful as it us rumored to be?” I asked him curiously.

“I suppose that depends on how extravagant the rumors are, but yes, it is beautiful up there. Even this doesn't quite match up.” A dreamy and faraway look crossed Harry's face as he talked, and I couldn't help wishing that I could cause that look to cross his face.

“You seem to love Hogwarts,” I said thoughtfully.

“It's the only place I've ever really been able to call home. I'm sure that it is kind of hard for you to understand, but the truth is, until I got to Hogwarts, I felt constantly lost. I never had any friends till Hogwarts. I…” He trailed off.

“I know what you mean. Until Wandsworth, I always felt different. I went to Muggle School because my parents are muggles. But I was always different, and until I got my letter, I could never understand why. But when I went, suddenly I was with people who understood the same things I did. But it was hard. Though I think the prejudice is higher in the UK, the prejudice against muggle-borns is prominent here as well. I didn't have many friends, and I devoted myself to my studies. I got the highest score in the school history on my O.W.L.s. My parents were of course, very proud of me. It felt nice to show the Wizarding World that muggle-borns were just as talented as pure bloods.”

Harry smiled. “You are an amazing girl Hermione. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I blushed, and we sat in a companionable silence, watching the sun fall behind majestic mountains. I found myself laying my head against my shoulder, and when he did move, I snuggled closer. I felt him wrap his arm around my waist and pull me closer to him. I smiled up at him. “Happy birthday, Harry. I hope this day was as fun for you as it was for me.”

He smiled down at me. “It's been good, but still not quite perfect.” I frowned, wondering what I had forgotten. He laughed quietly, and moved his hand to cup my face. My eyes fluttered closed. Caressing my cheek, he leaned down and touched his lips to mine. I stiffened at first, and then kissed him back. He pulled back, and we rested our foreheads against each other. He smiled at me, “Perfect,” and leaned down to kiss me again.

* * *

Present

As the kiss ends, I feel the cold moisture of tears running down my face. Harry gently wipes them off with his thumb.

“Don't cry `Mione, I promise we'll see each other again. I'll write to you as often as possible, and when school gets out, and I finish off what I have started with ol' Voldie, I promise I'll come back for you. You were the first person to ever see me for who I truly was, and I love you for it.”

I look up at him in shock. “You love me?” I ask him.

“Yes Hermione, I love you, and I think that I have since the moment I first laid eyes on you. You are beautiful inside and out. You make me feel like I can achieve anything, and I love you. I'll say it as many time as I need to for you believe me, Hermione, because you have to,” he looks at me with pleading eyes.

“I do, Harry, and I love you too,” a smile crosses his face, and he leans down and kisses me passionately. As we pull apart he says, “and don't worry. With you by my side, I know I'll have a nice life. I love you, `Mione.”

“I love you too Harry.”

<Fin>