Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: I wanted to apologize profusely for not updating until now, since that is not my usual style (hangs head in shame). I re-read the entire story and decided to give it another go. Hope you are still interested in it and that you enjoy this next chapter. As always, thank you for the lovely reviews.
Soul Mates
Friday night came sooner than she had expected. Hermione was in the kitchen putting some snacks together for their meeting since Harry had insisted on ordering pizza so she would not have to cook after a long day at work. He was taking a shower and she had been tempted to join him, however, knowing what happened every time they showered together, she'd decided against it. She had showered by herself and was now putting the last few things together.
The past week had been unbelievable. She was glad the weekend had arrived again, since she was exhausted and the lack of sleep was finally getting to her. She would have to talk to Harry about that. They were insatiable for each other, and every night they made love at least twice. Then a third time in the morning before getting ready for work. It was as if they were trying to make up for lost time. Who would have thought the little bookwork would turn out to be such a sex maniac! Still, they needed to rest just a tiny bit more. Instead of three times a day, maybe they should go down to two!
She loved being with Harry and it showed. Everyone at work commented about the new glow she seemed to have. She was happy and she felt loved like never before in her life. Harry made sure to tell her and show her everyday. She had called her parents with the news, and while not surprised in the least, they had been overjoyed with the reports of her new relationship. Her mother even told her they had been waiting for the news for quite a while now. Hermione was once again floored by that. They really had been blind and stupid!
She finished putting the trays together as Harry walked into the room, his hair still wet from his shower. He was wearing jeans, a black t-shirt that outlined his chest to perfection, and was barefoot. He loved walking around barefoot.
"You look positively yummy," she said wiggling her eyebrows. "I could eat you up, my love."
"Can we cancel on our friends then?" he said walking up to her and putting his hands on her waist. He lifted her onto the counter top easily and spread her legs to settle between them. He had grown rather fond of the kitchen counters.
"Of course not! They'll be here any second now." She started running her hands through his hair, murmuring a drying charm. "There, much better. Now you look roughish and sexy!"
"Thanks," he said and moved closer to her and kissed her. He could not help it. His need for her did not waver and he took every available opportunity to kiss her or touch her. She wrapped her arms around his neck while his hands rested on her arse, pulling her even closer to him.
"Oi!"
At the sound of Ron's voice, they broke apart. Harry glared at his best friend.
"You have rotten timing, you git! I'm going to block your arse from apparating into this flat."
"Keep it in your pants, prat. You knew we were coming! I might not live here anymore, but I still consider this my home away from home!"
Hermione laughed at them and Luna joined her. Ron had decided to move in with Luna once they had gotten back from the cottage. He spent most of his time there anyways, and he wanted to give Harry and Hermione the privacy they needed as they started their new relationship. Besides, he did not want to run into them while in a compromising situation since they seemed to like making out everywhere these days.
Hermione went to get down from the counter and as she did, she rubbed intimately against Harry and he sucked in his breath.
"Later," she whispered in his ear and dropped a quick kiss on his mouth.
Luna was standing next to Ron, smiling at them. "Hello."
Hermione walked up to her and gave her a welcoming hug and a kiss. "So glad you could make it. Where are Ginny and Neville?"
"I'm sure they'll be here soon, unless they're doing the same thing you were," Luna joked and Ron blushed. "They are, after all, in a pretty new relationship as well."
"My sister does not shag, Luna, I've told you that plenty of times. Neville is under death threat over that and I don't care if Ginny says otherwise."
"Right, love, if that makes you feel better," Luna said smiling as she patted his cheek affectionately. She exchanged a knowing look with Hermione and they giggled. Yes, Hermione had now started to giggle and they had teased her about it unmercifully. Not that she paid them any mind.
"Who says I don't shag?" Ginny asked walking into the kitchen followed by a nervous looking Neville.
She hugged Hermione and Luna quickly and then kissed Ron and Harry. Neville kept his distance since he wanted to have children in the future!
"Ron. He thinks of you as saintly," Hermione told her. "All he does with Luna is hold hand as well I presume."
They all laughed and Ron blushed. "Harry, give me something strong to drink. These three are going to be the death of me yet."
"Oh, suck it up and be a man. Next you're going to say that Molly and Arthur don't do it either," Harry said as he pulled some beers out of the fridge.
Ron covered his ears with his hands and started humming loudly. Luna laughed at him and Ginny shook her head.
"I guess he thinks we're all adopted then," she said. "If it wasn't for the hair, I would think he was, but that's just me! Besides, we know from Luna just how much my dear brother loves to shag!"
They all laughed while Ron blushed even more. "Yeah, you're all bloody funny."
While Harry stayed behind to order several pizzas, the rest went into the living room carrying the trays of snacks Hermione had put together. Ron immediately piled his plate and started eating while pretending to ignore his friends.
"So, Mione," Ginny said as she sat down next to her on the sofa. "Did you happen to see the pictures of you and Harry in the Prophet? They are having a field day with the news of your new romance. They're dying for confirmation!"
"I did see, and they've tried to contact us several times. Harry and I are staying mum on the subject, which is driving them insane. I refuse to let such a rag print something so important to us."
"They've contacted my office several times already," Luna said. "As if I would give the competition any inside information! They must really think I'm daft! You'd think by now they would know better, since The Quibbler is doing much better business than them."
"They owled me as well, but I haven't returned the letters. My secretary knows better than to put their correspondence on my desk. She just throws it all away," Ginny told them.
"It's ridiculous! Will they ever let us live in peace? I mean, Voldemort is long gone and you would think they'd had gotten over us by now," Hermione said shaking her head.
"It'll never happen," Ginny said sadly. "The trio will always be followed, photographed, and bothered for as long as you all live. The things you accomplished together will never be forgotten. You're all celebrities of the wizarding world."
"It's unfair, because we were all a part of it. We all fought and we all lost loved ones. Yes, the bloody trio was responsible for Voldemort's ultimate demise, but we were all there. There's no need to single any one out," she continued heatedly. It had been her argument for years now and she never failed to mention or praise her friends whenever the press asked her.
"We know, Hermione, but it's been the golden trio since your first year at Hogwarts and we don't mind at all. Better you than us, I say," Neville told her and smiled.
"I'm still not giving anything to them. If anyone gets to confirm the story it's Luna," Hermione said and squeezed her friend's hand.
"That's sweet. Thanks Hermione," Luna told her squeezing back.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, sweetie."
"Pizza's should arrive really soon," Harry said as he came back into the room a few minutes later. "You have to love muggles!"
"It's something I'm glad you introduced us to, Harry," Ron said smiling widely. He was on his second plate of snacks.
The others nodded in agreement, as Harry took his place next to Hermione. "If we were to learn how to combine the two worlds, imagine how things would be like."
"We could, if we decided to go into business. Hermione already proved that with the radios," Neville said shyly.
"The radio idea was brilliant," Ginny agreed.
"Thank you! On a more serious note, and hating to be the first one to sound like the voice of doom, I have thought about Neville's proposal quite a bit during this past week. After careful consideration, my answer, unfortunately, has to be no."
Hermione looked at Harry, who nodded in understanding, since she had already told him of her decision. The others seemed surprised, but not as much as she had thought.
"I'm sure you have a good reason for that, since you never do anything unless carefully planned," Ron said.
"I have two very important reasons. The first one is Harry, and the second one is my job," Hermione explained. "As much as I would love to be a part of such a group, I wouldn't have the time to be available whenever I was needed. I have never done things halfway and I am not planning to start now. I'm sure some of you are disappointed with my decision, but I'm being honest."
Neville did look very disappointed, but nodded all the same. "I had a feeling you would say no for those exact reasons. And after thinking about it a lot, I figured it would be the answer of all involved. We all lead rather busy life's and now we're all in good relationships, so the time left over for something like this would be minimal."
"I have to agree. Once we start playing again, Ron and I will not be around much between practices and games. And whatever time we do have free has to be for our girls, right, Ron?"
"Right you are, mate. They would skin us alive otherwise!"
"Oh, Ronald, I would never skin you alive," Luna said. "I'd just refuse to shag you senseless," she finished in her usual upfront way. They all laughed as Ron blushed once again.
"I'm out! Forget catching criminals or finding lost kittens. I'm going to be home with my lovely bride-to-be having lots of mind-boggling sex!"
That just made everyone laugh harder. Ron was never so open about his private life and hearing him say such things was a rare treat.
"I guess that means Neville and I can go right back to shagging, since my dear brother seems to have seen the light," Ginny said and Neville's eyes widened at her comment. His only action was to cover his bits by crossing his legs tightly and looking down at his hands.
"No! You are still not shagging Neville!" Ron all but roared.
"Sure, Ron, you go on living in your little fantasy world while I go home tonight and have my way with this lovely man that's sitting next to me. If it makes you feel any better, you can even pretend I'm still a virgin and all that!"
"Ginny, love, I think that's enough," Neville whispered into her ear.
Hermione and Harry exchanged glanced and smiled at their friends. Hermione decided to get the subject back to more neutral ground.
"Well! Getting back to the business at hand, I also wanted to add that should the need ever arise, I'll drop everything in an instant to go help, just like we did this past weekend with George and Fred. I consider all of you family, and no one messes with my family," she finished with feeling.
"We love you too, sis," said Ginny and Ron nodded.
Hermione reached out to Ginny and hugged her tightly. Ron joined the group hug. Harry smiled while watching. It still amazed him at times that they were still together after all of the things they had faced. And the best part was that they all had someone to love. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Harry got up.
He opened the door to see the pizza deliveryman there and smiled at him. After paying and tipping the guy, he closed the door. He walked back into the living room and Hermione made room on the table so he could set the boxes down. They decided to watch a movie while they ate, since Harry had a big screen TV and a surround sound system they all loved. Another muggle invention that Ron thought was bloody brilliant mate!
When the movie was over, Hermione made tea and they finished talking about their reasons for not opening the business at all. It was agreed that they would all be available should the need ever arise for any of them or their friends. Everyone, even Neville, left satisfied with the mutual decision.
~*~
After tiding up, Hermione and Harry sat on the sofa once more, snuggling. After sharing a long and thoroughly satisfying kiss, Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.
"Are you happy, Mione?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Of course I'm happy, Harry. You shouldn't have to ask." She lifted her head to look at him curiously. "Is there a reason why you are asking?"
"I wanted to make sure, is all."
"Hmm. It seems like more than that to me. Why ask that all of a sudden? Are you having doubts about us?"
"No! Of course not. I just really wanted to make sure we both feel the same way before I ask the next question."
"And what question is that?"
"Do you want kids?"
"Yes I do, Harry. I certainly don't want to pull a Mrs. Weasley, bless her heart, but eventually, I would like nothing more than to have your children."
"I'm glad to hear that. How many are we having?"
"Definitely not one. I grew up with no one close to play with and your own childhood was horrible. Three would be my limit, but two sounds wonderful. A boy and a girl. And they're going to have lots of cousins thanks to Ron and Ginny, and an extended family in the Weasley's."
"You really have all of this planned out, don't you love?" he asked her smiling.
"Well, those are my ideas, but we also need to take into consideration what you want."
"I want the same. We both have busy careers and I would never ask you to give up yours just so we can have many kids. Two sounds perfect, and if we like it and if it seems like a good plan, we'll have three."
"When do you want to start?" she asked curiosity getting the best of her.
"Well, that depends on you."
"Why on me? It's something we should decide together."
"Yes, but I already know what I want, and if it was up to me we would start soon," he said and took her hand in his. Before she knew what was happening, he was sliding an engagement ring on her finger. Her eyes widened as he stopped half way and looked back at her.
"Harry?" she asked in a small voice.
"Will you make an honest man out of me, Mione? Will you spend the rest of your days at my side, raising our kids together, and loving me? Will you marry me, your best friend and the man that loves you more than life itself?"
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. "Yes, Harry, I would be honored to be your wife."
He smiled as he finished sliding the ring on her finger. He kissed the back of her hand and she noticed for the first time that there were tears in his eyes as well. She looked down at the ring and her heart skipped a beat or two. It was a square diamond with an emerald on each side set on a platinum band.
"Oh, Harry, it's absolutely beautiful. I had no idea you wanted this so soon."
"I've wanted this for a long time, Mione, but I can wait until you're ready to take the next step. I just wanted to make sure you knew just how serious I am about us. I love you with all of my heart."
She kissed him. For loving her. For making her wishes come true. For surprising her in such wonderful ways. For becoming the man she always knew he would become. For making her the happiest woman on the planet. For wanting to raise their kids together in a loving environment. Finally, she kissed him because she loved him more than she knew was possible. And because he had the sexiest and yummiest lips of any man alive.
"When would you like for us to be married?" she asked a long time later as they lay on the sofa, spent from the loving her kisses had provoked.
He was running his fingers lazily up and down her back as she looked down into his smiling face.
"Whenever you decided. We don't have to do it right away. I'm just pleased you said yes."
"Were there ever any doubts?" she asked him surprised.
"There were always doubts, love. Just because you accepted to be with me and to become my lover did not mean you were ready to marry me as well. I didn't want to make any assumptions."
"You silly man, you should have known all along I would say yes. I have given you my all and my heart is yours and yours alone. As far as I'm concerned, we can start making arrangements and have the wedding in six months time."
His eyes widened and his smile could have lit the room. "Are you serious, Hermione?"
"We love each other, we are lovers as well as partners, and we already live together. Why wait for something we are going to do eventually? Besides, my parents, open-minded as they are, would love nothing more than to see us married. I'm daddy's girl after all!"
"I know! Let's go visit them this weekend. I want to tell them the news right away."
"We can visit them tomorrow and take them to dinner. Then on Sunday, we will go to the Burrow and tell the Weasley's all at once. You know how Molly loves to have any excuse to cook a big meal and to have all her children back at the house."
"Let's call your parents now, and then we'll owl Molly."
"I don't know how I'm going to resist calling Luna and Ginny as well," she said excitedly. "I just finished telling them last weekend I wasn't going to be marrying anytime soon, and here we are making plans!"
"So you didn't want to get married after all," he said and frowned at her.
Before he could say something else, she placed a finger against his lips. "I want to marry you. I said that at a time I didn't know you felt the same!"
"So we're still on," he said wanting to make sure.
"Listen, Mr. Potter, we're getting married in six months and there's nothing that will prevent us from making our dreams come true!"
"Good. I just wanted to double check. And of course, I'll have to ask Ron to be my best-man or risk personal injury."
"I'm the one that's going to have a hard time deciding between Ginny and Luna. They're the sisters I never had growing up."
"Then chose them both! And I'll add Neville as well."
"No wonder Luna likes you so much! You think alike so much it is no wonder you clicked right away during our fifth year. She had the same idea for her wedding."
"See, there you go then. We will have two maids-of-honor and two best men. Besides, no one will dare contradict the Boy Who Lived and his charming bride-to-be. They would be asking for the hexing of their lives!"
Hermione laughed at his words and he joined her. "You make me so happy, Harry. Don't ever change."
"I've become the man I am today because of your influence in my life since the day we met. You have been balancing my life for so long that I would never be able to go at it without you at my side. We are a team and always will be. You are my soul mate, Hermione Jane Granger."
"And you are mine, Harry James Potter."
~*~
A/N: Hope you like it and that it makes up for the long time between posts. Until the next one!
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