A/N: Well here's the next chapter. You've all seemed to really enjoy the story so far, so I think you'll really like this one. Since it was originally three chapters, a lot happens (and a lot of fluff happens too…I can't help myself). Also, a few readers (and my best friend) have asked me why they were painting by hand. Harry and Hermione both grew up as Muggles, and Harry hasn't even been able to do magic outside of school for a whole day yet. So it makes sense that he'd be using a paintbrush. To everyone who reviewed: thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I hope I was able to reply to all of you. Happy reading!
xo Allie
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First Date
When you smile, I melt inside.
I'm not worthy for a minute of your time.
I really wish it was only me and you,
I'm jealous of everybody in the room.
Please don't look at me with those eyes,
Please don't hint that you're capable of lies.
I dread the thought of our very first kiss,
A target that I'm probably gonna miss.
Harry awoke to sunlight dancing on his face. He remembered he wasn't alone. He looked at Hermione sleeping peacefully under his arm. He would have loved for her to wake up in his arms, but he was afraid she'd find it awkward, so he decided he'd go downstairs and cook them some breakfast instead. He brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead and planted a quick kiss there before going downstairs.
When Hermione woke, she felt cold. She opened her eyes and realized that she was feeling Harry's absence. She smelled bacon, and figured he must be making breakfast. She wished she could have woken up in his arms, but figured that he probably woke up feeling awkward enough about the situation as it was. She stretched a bit before making her way to the kitchen.
Harry was in front of the stove, Hermione occupying his thoughts. He found himself humming "The Way You Look Tonight" as he cooked. Hermione heard him and smiled to herself. He must be thinking about our dance last night. That's a good sign, right?
"Good morning," she said brightly, gratefully noting that he was still shirtless. I wish he was for breakfast... Hermione! Stop it! This is Harry...you know, your best friend? It's not my fault he's so yummy-looking. But it is your fault that you're staring and thinking dirty things. Oh, sod off. Besides, I could always be thinking much dirtier things…
"Feeling better?" Harry asked.
"Much. Thanks for letting me stay in your room last night. I felt a lot better knowing you were right there."
"No big deal. I'm glad it helped. Hungry?" He gestured to the table.
"Wow, this looks amazing! What is it?"
"Banana-stuffed French toast. I saw the recipe in an American cookbook." Harry brought the bacon to the table and poured them each a glass of pumpkin juice. He pulled her chair out for her. She thanked him, and he smiled broadly while pushing in her chair.
Hermione took a bite of the French toast. "Harry, this is fantastic!"
Harry flushed. "It's just breakfast Mione."
"Just breakfast?! Harry, this is the best breakfast I've ever had!"
"Thanks Hermione." If I can get you that excited about my cooking, I can only imagine how you'd be if you and I cooked something up... Harry was getting hard thinking about all the things he could do to her, so he quickly changed the subject.
"What do you think about yellow for the kitchen walls?"
"Yellow would be great! The room would be so much brighter," she added. "Plants would look nice as well." She thought about something for a moment before saying, "Harry? Do you mind if I leave for a bit? I need to get my things from home."
"Hermione, you don't have to ask my permission. You can come and go as you please. I'll do some shopping while you're out."
"Great. I'll just change and pop out. Breakfast was amazing, in case you needed reminding," Hermione said, kissing his cheek before heading upstairs to change her clothes.
Harry set the dishes to washing themselves before following Hermione's lead. This is the perfect opportunity to work on her surprise.
When Hermione returned a few hours later, Harry was painting the kitchen yellow.
"It already looks better," she said.
"Yeah," he agreed, "but there's still a lot to do."
"I'll just put my things away and I'll come help." She hurried up the stairs as a small smile crept to Harry's lips.
Hermione opened her door and stared in shock. In the short time she had been gone, Harry had given her room a complete makeover. The walls were a lovely pale green. A large espresso-finished canopy bed was the room's focal point, flanked by matching nightstands topped with crystal vases of black cherry calla lilies and orchids. The bedding was a fluffy, luxurious cream color, with matching curtains flapping at the open window and running the length of the canopy. An espresso-finished vanity was against one wall, opposite a matching dresser. Several black-and-white photographs were hung, including one of Hermione and Crookshanks, the lot of them at the Quidditch World Cup, and last night's picture of Harry and Hermione dancing.
Hermione gasped and brought her hand to her mouth, awestruck.
"Do you like it?" Harry called from the doorway, where he was lounging lazily against the frame.
"Harry, this is absolutely amazing!" she cried, flinging herself at him. Harry was quite pleased. "Thank you," Hermione whispered, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before moving to unpack her clothes.
Harry headed back to the kitchen in a daze. Hermione had kissed him. He lifted his hand to his lips. He could still feel where their lips had touched. Although it had been brief, it had been electric. I felt more in that one small kiss than I ever felt with Ginny, and it was certainly better than that disastrous kiss with Cho. That was bloody brilliant. I wonder if she likes me. She must. Why else would she kiss me? She probably was just really excited you git. He picked up the paint roller and resumed painting as if on autopilot.
Hermione flopped onto her incredibly comfortable new bed in shock. She had just kissed Harry. Her body felt like it was
on fire. No kiss had ever made her feel like that before. It hadn't lasted very long, but the short moment it had
lasted had been magic. I wonder if he felt what I felt. I probably shouldn't have done it. What if he gets mad
at me? Silly girl, Harry won't yell at you for kissing him. He may act a little funny, but you'll be alright. I
want to kiss him again. Control yourself Granger! But it was amazing, and his lips are amazing, and he's amazing….
That may be true, but you're acting ridiculous. Get a grip, girl! It'll be alright.
__________
When 2 o'clock came around, Harry and Hermione had painted the kitchen, moved in a new breakfast table and chairs, and successfully removed all the grime from the appliances. There were new dishes in the cabinet and rubber plants in the corners of the room. Harry had just fixed them some sandwiches when a soft knock came at the door. Harry answered to find Professor McGonagall.
"Professor, please come in," he said, ushering her in the door.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." She followed him into the kitchen, where Hermione was making lemonade.
"Miss Granger, this is a pleasant surprise," Professor McGonagall said, eyebrows raised.
"Hello Professor," Hermione said warmly. "Would you like some lemonade?"
"Thank you dear, that would be lovely," she responded, sitting in a chair Harry had pulled out for her.
"What brings you here, Professor?" he inquired.
"Business," she replied, "but first, happy birthday Mr. Potter." She handed him a long parcel. He opened it to reveal an old broomstick.
"That was an old broom of your father's. I thought you might like to have it."
"Thank you Professor." Harry ran his hands over the polished wood handle. This had been his father's. Harry felt an incredible connection to his father just then.
"Hagrid is sorry he missed your party, but he sends his regards, and this." Harry unwrapped the package she had given him to find The Complete Book Of Owl Care.
"Give him my thanks, Professor."
"Will do, Mr. Potter. Now, down to business. Professor Dumbledore left me a few instructions in regards to you. First, he wanted you to have his pensieve." Harry's eyes widened as she procured the stone basin. "Also, he left Fawkes to you, but if you are unable to take care of him, we can find other arrangements."
"No," Harry said as Fawkes flew in and landed on his shoulder, "I'll take care of him." Fawkes made a pretty, musical sound.
"It was the Headmaster's wish that you receive this as well, to aid you against Voldemort." Harry and Hermione both gasped as Professor McGonagall handed Harry Gryffindor's sword.
"P-Professor? Are you sure?" Harry asked, unbelieving.
"It is what Dumbledore wished. Now, I know you have decided that you won't be attending Hogwarts this year, but it was the Headmaster's sincerest wish that you be given this." She handed him a Head Boy badge. "Please think about it, Harry. There is still much you can learn."
Hermione had been pretty silent until now. "Harry," she said tentatively, "going back to school could be a good idea. There are so many resources there that we don't have here. Plus, this year's lessons are more advanced, and it would help us to know more advanced magic than we do since the Death Eaters know more. I'm sure we could negotiate some terms or something."
Harry glanced at Hermione's eyes, full of hope and near tears. It broke Harry's heart to see her like that. I can't say no to her. She lives for learning. She's wanted to be Head Girl since our first year, and everyone knows that if she goes back she'll get it. But she won't go back unless I do. I can't stand in the way of one of her biggest dreams. Besides, she's right.
"Okay," he whispered, touching her hand.
Professor McGonagall watched this exchange with interest. Harry turned back to her. "Ron, Hermione and I, and possibly a few others, need to be able to leave the grounds whenever we need to, have access to all potions ingredients, and access to the Restricted Section. Also, we may need to miss classes from time to time."
"Professor Dumbledore said something like this might happen, so I will accept your terms. As Head Boy, you already have access to the Restricted Section. As do you Miss Granger," she added, handing Hermione a Head Girl badge.
Hermione was positively elated. "Oh thank you Professor!" she squealed.
Harry gave her a big hug. "Congratulations Mione," he grinned, "I knew you'd get it." Hermione blushed and mumbled something that sounded like, "Thank you, but nobody could have known."
"Here are your letters," Professor McGonagall said. "Your duties are explained in full. I'm terribly sorry, but I must be off. And so you know, your quarters will have the apparition bans lifted, but only in your quarters, and only for you two. The only way anyone else can apparate in there is if you side-along them. Goodbye Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. The kitchen looks lovely, by the way." She nodded to them and left.
"Well," Harry said, turning to Hermione. "This is cause to celebrate! What do you say we go out for dinner tonight?"
"Okay," she smiled, "sounds good. I'll just go owl Ron with the news." She ran upstairs, thinking that dinner would be very much like a date.
Harry was nervous now. He and Hermione were going out to dinner. Alone. It would be almost like a date. Harry decided he should take a shower. He was walking from his room to the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, when Hermione walked into the hallway. They both froze, blushing.
"I'm, er, going to take a shower," Harry stammered.
"Okay, I'm going to, er, go play with Fawkes."
"Okay then," Harry said. "I'm just going to take a shower."
"Right," Hermione said, trying to avert her eyes but finding herself unable to. She finally just ran downstairs, feeling that was the best solution to her little staring problem.
Harry headed into the bathroom, embarrassed, yet slightly pleased, that she saw him in his towel. I wonder if she
liked what she saw.
Hermione definitely liked what she saw. Her mind strayed to the well-defined lower abdominal muscles just
above his towel. Oh to have been that towel...
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Harry didn't know what to wear. Normally he didn't care, but tonight was special. Tonight he was taking Hermione out for a congratulatory dinner. Eventually, he decided on a pair of dark jeans, a green polo shirt that matched his eyes, brown shoes and his new jacket from Charlie in case it got a bit cold later.
He went downstairs to wait for Hermione. When she appeared, Harry had to remind himself to breathe. She was wearing a white strapless eyelet sundress with emerald green lace-up espadrilles. She had a green 3/4 sleeve cardigan over her shoulders, and her glossy chestnut curls hung down her back, pulled off her face with a silver barrette.
"Do I look okay?" she asked, giving a little twirl.
"You look amazing," he said with such sincerity that she looked at his face, as if searching for a hint of exaggeration. Finding none, she asked, "Where are we going?"
"I was thinking about this Muggle restaurant that serves great Italian, but we can go somewhere else if you like."
"That sounds perfect Harry," she said as they headed out the door.
__________
Enjoy the Silence
All I ever wanted, all I ever needed,
Is here, in your arms.
Words are very unnecessary,
They can only do harm.
"I'm really glad we came to a Muggle restaurant," Hermione remarked, taking a bite of her penne with pesto.
"Me too," Harry agreed. "It's nice to go somewhere without being hounded by reporters."
"There's no chance of Rita Skeeter hiding behind the salt and pepper shakers here either. By the way, you've got sauce on your chin," Hermione laughed, reaching up to wipe it off with her napkin. He is so adorable!
"Thanks," Harry laughed. "I'm glad I have you to look out for me," he said seriously. What would I do without her? Other than walk around with sauce on my face, that is.
Hermione squeezed his hand. "Glad I could help."
They stayed like that for a few seconds, stuck in the moment, gazing into each other's eyes until the waiter appeared with the check. Harry paid, and the pair headed outside. The sun had nearly set, and a few stars were barely visible above the bright lights of London.
"Care for a walk?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded.
They walked in a comfortable silence for awhile, each simply enjoying the closeness of the other. They passed all sorts of people as they walked; children out for an ice cream with their grandfather, couples walking arm-in-arm, street entertainers and people walking their dogs. Hermione stopped to pet one that had wandered over to her, and Harry noticed how happy she seemed. After they had walked a bit more, Harry noticed Hermione quietly shiver, so he removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.
"Harry, you didn't have to do that." He's such a gentleman. It almost makes me want to swoon. What am I talking about? I don't swoon! Maybe I would for Harry.…
"I know," he replied, "but I wanted to. I'm comfortable, and you're obviously chilled. Do you want to go home?"
"No," she answered, "let's stay out a little while longer. It's a beautiful night."
"It sure is," he said, gazing at her.
They walked by a small park. Hermione sat down on a swing. Harry stood behind her, pushing her forward. Moonlight shone
off Hermione's hair, her dress flapping gently around her knees. It was difficult for Harry to control himself.
I don't think she has any idea how beautiful she is.
Hermione was acutely aware of Harry's hands on her hips each time he gave her a push, and they sent chills down her
spine. From Harry, even the lightest touch is electric.
"I can't believe Dumbledore wanted me to be Head Boy," Harry remarked.
"Why wouldn't he?" Hermione asked. "You make high marks, you're a good leader, you're well-liked and respected, and you're the most powerful student at Hogwarts."
"I believe that honor goes to you," Harry laughed.
"No Harry," she said, exasperated. "I'm smart, and I learn quickly, but my power pales in comparison to yours." She gave him such an intense look that he didn't release the swing, but instead held firmly onto her hips.
"If you say so. It'll be nice to have our own quarters. I'll actually be able to get a little sleep without Ron snoring in the next bed."
Hermione gave a tinkling laugh. "It will be nice. I imagine it will be a lot like us now at Grimmauld Place, just with less space. Maybe it's a good thing we'll be used to having each other around all the time before school starts."
"Yeah," Harry said, "it's been nice having you here Mione."
"You know, I like when you call me Mione." Hermione stepped off the swing and took Harry's large calloused hand in her small soft one. "Let's go home Harry." She gave him a soft smile.
They walked home in the same silence in which they came. They swung their linked hands between them as they walked, each thinking that things between them would soon change.
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You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This
I got a funny feeling
The moment that your lips touched mine.
Something shot right through me,
My heart skipped a beat in time.
When you kiss me like this,
I think you mean it like that.
If you do, baby, kiss me again.
Voldemort let out an evil laugh. "You will die soon enough, Potter, but not before you watch your beloved Mudblood die first."
Harry heard a small whimper, and turned to see Bellatrix Lestrange holding Hermione's arms behind her back.
"Hermione!" he yelled, rushing toward her.
"Not so fast Potter," Voldemort said, hitting Harry with a body bind so powerful that it knocked him into the wall.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, tears flowing freely down her face.
"Quiet, you insolent Mudblood! Crucio!" The yellow light hit Hermione in the abdomen, and she began to writhe in pain.
"No!" Harry yelled.
"Now comes the fun part Potter. For me at least. I'm sure your Mudblood will find it less enjoyable." Voldemort laughed and raised his wand, pointing hit at Hermione's chest.
"AVADA KEDAVRA." Hermione crumpled to the floor as the green light hit her.
"NOOOO!" Harry woke in a cold sweat, sheets twisted around his legs. Hermione.... He jumped out of bed and ran to the next room, flipping on the light. Hermione was turning over in bed. She opened one eye.
"Harry? What's wrong?" she asked as she sat up, worry evident in her voice.
"I-- I had a nightmare, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Oh Harry, I'm fine. Come here," she said, pushing back the covers. Harry climbed into her bed and she wrapped the covers around the two of them. "Tell me what's wrong," she whispered, smoothing his hair.
He looked into her big brown eyes. "It was you," he said finally. "Voldemort had you. I tried to get to you, but he wouldn't let me. Then he did the Cruciatus Curse on you. It was horrible. And he LAUGHED. I was so angry, but then he-he-he hit you with the Avada Kedavra." Silent tears were falling down Harry's face. "I-I just wanted to make sure you were alright," he choked. "I don't think I c-could g-go on without y-you."
"Harry, if something like that does happen, you have to keep going. You have to kill him. The entire wizarding world needs you to kill him, and you know it has to be you. Saving millions of people is far more important than saving me."
"Nobody is more important than you Mione. I'd die myself before I'd let anyone cause you any harm." Harry's words touched Hermione so much that she began to cry. Harry thought he had upset her. "Don't cry Mione. I'm sorry, but it's true. You're the most important person in my life."
"It's not that Harry," she said, wiping at her eyes, "it's just that in a weird way, that was probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"I meant every word. I'll always protect you."
Hermione gently wiped the tears from Harry's cheeks. "I know you will," she said softly, kissing his scarred forehead. He held her in his arms and she rubbed his back until he drifted off into sleep. Hermione decided that she never wanted to fall asleep without his arms around her ever again. I guess I'll have to tell him. I can only hope he feels the same. She kissed Harry's forehead once more before falling into a dreamless sleep.
__________
Hermione opened her eyes and was surprised to see Harry's gorgeous green eyes staring back at her. "Good morning," he smiled, brushing a lock of hair out of her face.
"Hi," she whispered, horrified that he was looking at her first thing in the morning. My hair must look awful. But I'm still in his arms…. She smiled a smile so dreamy that it was Luna-worthy.
She's so sleepy and adorable and I really just want to kiss her. Harry could no longer fight his thoughts, and he brought his lips to hers. If that first brief kiss had been electric, this kiss was of volcanic proportions. He pulled her closer to him, and Hermione tangled her hands in his messy black hair. His tongue ran over her lips, begging for entrance to her mouth, and she parted her lips to allow him access. They kissed hungrily until they needed air. Hermione panicked and started to get out of the bed, but Harry grabbed her wrist. "Wait Mione. I think we should talk about this."
"It's okay Harry, I know it didn't mean anything."
"Didn't mean anything? Hermione, it meant EVERYTHING! To me, at least. Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to do that?"
Probably not as long as I've wanted you to do that. "Really?" she asked, hopeful.
"Mione, I-- I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. It just took me awhile to realize it, and I've been too afraid to tell you." Realizing what he just said, his eyes widened. "But now I have. I just can't hide it anymore."
Hermione laughed, causing Harry to frown. "Harry," she said, "I think I've loved you since you saved me from the troll. I just never thought Harry Potter would see little bookworm Hermione Granger as anything but a friend. I tried to move on with Viktor and Ron, but if anything, they only made me want you more,"
"So what does this mean? Are we a couple now?"
"Do you want to be?" she asked.
"More than anything," he assured her.
"Then yes," she said, "I suppose we are." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with such an intense passion that Harry momentarily forgot who he was.
"You know," she remarked, "I really enjoy waking up in your arms."
"And I really like having you in them," he said, kissing her throat.
__________
The next couple of weeks passed much more quickly than expected. They spent their days redecorating, and their nights out or in the library. Harry cooked, Hermione cleaned, and they always ended the day in the same bed (usually Hermione's).
The day of Bill and Fleur's wedding arrived before they knew it.