A/N: My apologies for the delay in posting this chapter, but life has a way of intruding sometimes. My muse went on vacation, plus I was pretty sick and didn't have the energy to write. I guess I should also let you know that I'm getting ready to start a second job, which will leave me even less time to write. However, I will try my best.
This story only has a couple of more chapters ahead. It has been so much fun writing it, but I have to work with new plot bunnies that have been jumping for my attention for a while. I hope you enjoy this chapter, since it is mostly Harry and Hermione as some of you requested. As always, thanks so very much for the reviews, since they are wonderful to read. I appreciate the time each of you take to drop me a quick note. Enjoy.
MATCHMAKERS TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER TEN
Harry slowly came awake when he felt Hermione trashing about on the bed, murmuring incoherently. If he was to judge by the look on her face, she was having a nightmare. He tried to shake her gently awake, but she was struggling against him. She pushed him away with all of her might, and before he could react, he was sprawled naked on the floor next to the bed. He swore as he fell hard on his arse.
Hermione finally woke up and called out his name. He sat up rubbing the back of his head.
"I'm here, Mione."
Hermione's head peaked over the side of the bed, her hair mussed and confusion marring her features. "What are you doing down there?"
"You know, love, if you don't want me to sleep in our bed anymore, simply say so. My arse hurts I fell so hard on it," he said as he got up and rubbed said part.
"What do you mean?"
"You were having a nightmare and you pushed me off the bed."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "I did?"
"Yes, you did."
"I didn't mean to."
"My arse would say otherwise," he grumbled.
"Let me see," she said motioning for him to turn around. He did as she asked and she smiled.
"I'm probably going to have bruised arse cheeks now. I won't be able to sit down for days," he said feeling no shame that he was milking the situation to his advantage.
"Oh, poor baby, come here and mummy will make it better," she told him as she put her hands on his waist and pulled him back towards her. Before he knew what was happening, she kissed him. "Is that better?"
He was so surprised that she had kissed his arse cheek that it took him a moment to react. "The other one hurts, too," he finally said.
So she kissed his other arse cheek and he loved every minute of it. However, he wanted to know what her nightmare was all about, so he ignored how much he wanted her then.
"Mione," he said in a choked voice.
"Yes, darling?"
"You really need to stop kissing my arse now."
His comment made her giggle. "Why? You have such a lovely arse."
Her turned around and smiled at her. But it didn't take him long to realize his mistake. Turning around put his already stirring member in direct contact of her face and she smiled knowingly at him.
"Oh, I get it now. You want kisses on a different part of your body."
Before she could reach for him, he stepped away from her and sat on the bed against the headboard, gathering her close to his chest.
"Enough of that now. I want to talk to you."
She snuggled against him and brought the blanket up to cover them. "About what, darling?"
"The nightmare you were just having. You were thrashing about and you seemed very upset."
Hermione closed her eyes and tried to recall her nightmare. It had been about the attack, only her powers had failed her and the men had gotten too close to them for comfort. She told him as much.
"It was so scary, Harry. I was not able to defend my friends or myself. Luna and Ginny were waiting for me to do something, as if I was their leader or something, but I was vulnerable."
"I don't think it's possible for you to lose your powers, love."
"But what if it does happen? What if these new powers we have faded with time?"
"Even if that happens you still have your original powers, Hermione. You were a powerful witch before this happened and you know it. There aren't many witches or wizards today that can top you."
She gave a deep sigh. "I'm just glad it's over and those men were arrested. I cannot imagine what it was like for those women before us. I don't think I fully appreciated our new powers until last night. You won't hear me complaining about them ever again."
"I'm grateful as well. I swear I would have killed them if they had gone through with their plans."
"Oh, sweetheart, don't talk like that, please. If you had done something like that, you would have gone to Azkaban and where would that leave me? Us? I wouldn't have let you hurt them any more than was necessary. Now that we're finally together, I wouldn't let anyone get in the way of our happiness."
"I guess you're right, love. I'm just upset that you had to go through that."
"I'm awake now and the dream is over. Let's not talk about it anymore," she suggested snuggling closer to him.
He dropped a kiss on top of her head. "You see now why I didn't want to leave you alone? I knew something like this could happen. I wouldn't be surprised if Luna and Ginny had similar dreams."
"It was just a nightmare, Harry. I'm okay now," she was quick to reassure him.
"If anyone knows about nightmares it's me, love. I've been having them for years and you know it's no fun. You've been there for most of it and now it's my turn to repay your kindness."
"I did it out of friendship and love," she said as she kissed his chest.
"Just like I'm doing now. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, love. It was a bad dream, but it is over and I'm in your arms. Do you want to go into the office and work on some of the changes we're going to make?"
"It's the weekend, Mione. I want to spend it with you. I haven't seen you in two weeks and I would rather enjoy the weekend at your side. Maybe we can spend the day walking around London, doing the tourist thing."
"That sounds lovely. Let's take a shower and have breakfast somewhere close to the river. We haven't been there in a while."
"I already had something else in mind for breakfast," he told her as he dropped a kiss on her lips.
"Oh? What would that be?"
"You!" he said simply and proceeded to kiss her.
It was a while before they made it to the bathroom and out the door.
XOXOX
By late afternoon, they were sitting on a bench, facing the river and talking quietly. They had spent the day walking all over London, stopping wherever struck their fancy, eating at cafés and just enjoying each other's company.
"Mione?"
"Yes, love?"
"There's something I want to talk to you about," he said seriously.
She tilted her head to look at him. "Is something the matter?"
"Not really. But I want to talk about the future."
"Work wise?" she asked teasingly making him smile.
"No. I want to talk about our future. Where do you see us a few years from now?" he asked sitting sideways so he was facing her.
She placed her hand on his thigh and smiled at him. "I see myself with you, maybe a baby, still working at the Ministry, and basically feeling happy and complete."
"You really want to have my baby?"
"Of course, silly. But I would like more than one. We both grew up without siblings and it was no fun. Your cousin Dudley does not count. I would like to have at least two."
"I'm glad you feel that way."
"How about you? Where do you see yourself?"
"I see myself with you. Married to you and helping you raise our kids. Making a difference through my work at the Ministry and having regular visits with our friends and their kids. It's going to be fun."
"How many years before all of that happens?" she asked curiously.
"That depends on you."
"Why on me? Shouldn't we make that decision together?"
"I'm ready when you are, love. I'm sure about my feelings and I know I want to spend the rest of my life at your side. I know we haven't been together that long, but when you add to that everything we've been through I don't see much need to wait."
She took a shaky breath and looked at him. "Is this about last night?"
"Last night made me realize that life is too short and you have to enjoy every moment to the fullest. The thought of having something bad happen to you drove me crazy. I know better than anyone that life has no guarantees and I'm not taking any more chances when it comes to our happiness."
"What are you saying Harry?"
"I'm saying I want to marry you, Hermione Jane."
Before she could react to his words or say anything, he dropped on his knee and took a black velvet box out of his pocket. He flipped it open and she gasped when she saw the ring nestled inside of it. It was a platinum band with a square cut diamond in the middle. The diamond was set between two sapphires.
People and couples walking by actually stopped to look at the young couple. They were all smiling and whispering amongst themselves, knowing they were witnessing something special.
"Oh, Harry," she whispered as tears pooled in her eyes.
"Will you marry me, Mione?"
"Oh, Harry, of course I'll marry you! Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife."
Harry took the ring out of the box and placed it on her ring finger. She couldn't help noticing it was a perfect fit. "I love you with all of my heart, Mione, and I plan on spending the rest of my life showing you just how much."
"And I love you, Harry James."
She grabbed his head between her hands and kissed him as their tears mingled together. Those standing around them started clapping and some were even drying their own tears discretely. Hermione leaned back and laughed when she saw the crowd that was watching them. Harry sat back down and smiled sheepishly.
"Doesn't seem to matter where we go, darling, but we always manage to call attention to ourselves," Hermione commented as the group of curious people started dispersing.
"I don't care as long as I'm with you."
"I love the ring, Harry. Where did you find it? And when?"
"I bought it last week when I was in Paris. I walked by this jewelry store and saw it on display at the window. I bought it that afternoon with the intention of proposing a few months from now, but I guess it wasn't meant to be that way."
"Why did you want to wait?"
"Because I figured you would think it'd be too soon to get married, since we haven't been together for long. Last night changed my priorities a bit and made me realize some things."
"I wouldn't have said no, just so you know," she assured him.
He smiled at her. "That's good to know. We don't have to get married right away, Mione, but I wanted to make sure you knew how serious I am about us spending the rest of our lives together."
"I'm ready when you are, love. You are my one true love and being your wife is just icing on the cake for me."
"Then we can plan the wedding?"
"As long as it's not too big of an event. I want something private, with just family and close friends there."
"Not that I don't agree, but why?"
She took a deep breath at his question. "Harry, we have been living our lives in the spotlight since we were eleven. You more than me, but all the same. This is our wedding and I don't want the wizarding world going crazy because of it. We wouldn't have a minute of peace and you know it."
"How about we plan it without anyone knowing? We can invite everyone to the house with the pretence of having dinner and when everyone is there, we tell them they're there for our wedding," he suggested with a smile.
"That's a great plan," she exclaimed excitedly. "I love it!"
"Seriously? I didn't think you'd go for that. I figured you'd at least want Ginny and Luna to help you plan for it."
"As much as I would love to have them involved, I'd rather do as you suggested. We can have the wedding and then Luna can break the news through The Quibbler."
"She'd love nothing more than to one-up The Prophet once again."
"Are we really going to do this?" she asked him with wonder in her eyes.
He smiled knowingly at her. "Yes, Mione, we're really going to do this. When do you want to start planning and when do you want to get married?"
"Let's get things settled at work on Monday and then we can decide on the date. Do you think Minerva would be willing to marry us?"
"I think she would be more than happy to do so," Harry assured her.
XOXOX
A few weeks later…
"I know you're up to something," Luna said unexpectedly to Hermione.
They were having lunch in Luna's office since they had not seen much of the other since the almost attack. Hermione took a sip of her water before answering.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Luna."
"If you can say that again while looking at me in the eyes, maybe I'll believe you," Luna told her with a smile.
Hermione tried to do just that, but looked away at the last second. Luna smiled knowingly. "I really hate that you're a seer some times, and now would be one of them."
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me what's going on. I just wanted you to know I know something is," Luna said audaciously.
"It's nothing bad."
"Oh, I know that. You've been really happy lately and it shows."
"Harry makes me very happy. These past few weeks have been nothing short of wonderful."
"You make him deliriously happy as well. Ronald tells me all he does is talk about you and how much he loves being with you. He's driving Ronald and Draco crazy."
Hermione's smile grew at her friend's words. "Who would have thought it, right?"
"It didn't happen sooner because you are both so stubborn it's not even funny. You could have been together back in school. I think it started way back then."
"I've always loved my boys, but I didn't think I would love Harry as much as I do now. No offence, but I never loved Ron the same way I do Harry."
"None taken. Besides, you weren't supposed to be with my Ronald. Your destiny was to love and be loved by Harry. Many good things will come of your union."
"What else do you see in our future, if you don't mind me asking?" Hermione asked curiously.
"A lifetime of happiness, three beautiful children, a house in the country and lots of success at work. You will grow old together and live to see your great-grandchildren."
Hermione was surprised Luna knew so much about her future with Harry, and what she was telling her was all wonderful. "It sounds too good to be true."
"Oh, there will be problems and trials, just like in any marriage, but your love will see you through those times and it will only grow stronger because of it. You have nothing to fear, my dear friend. Your future is bright and promising. The years of war and uncertainty are behind all of us now."
"How many kids are you and Ron having?"
"Five."
Hermione choked on her water. "Five?"
"Yes. And my third child is going to fall in love with your daughter," Luna informed her kindly.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at the revelation. "Merlin, I can see Harry and Ron battling over that one now!"
"Oh, it gets better. Your oldest son, the one you already saw, is going to be in love with Ginny and Draco's daughter. That relationship is the one that will give them a coronary. Harry and Draco will end up as in-laws!"
Hermione burst out laughing at that. "Oh, that is going to be priceless. Thank Merlin we have a few years before all of that happens."
"Our families will finally be related by blood, and not only by love."
"Are we really going to be that happy, Luna?"
"Yes, Mione, we are. We already paid a high price for our lives during the war. We have all suffered and cried more than any human being should ever have to. Our futures will hold mostly happiness. Life has a way of fixing its wrongs."
"I can't wait!"
"When is the wedding?" At Hermione's look of shock, Luna pointed towards her ring finger. "I know you're hiding the engagement ring with a charm, but I can tell it's there."
"You're really scary sometimes, you know that, right?"
"So I've been told a few times, but you are changing the subject. Can I see it?" Luna insisted.
Hermione sighed and removed the charm hiding her ring. Luna smiled when she saw it. She took Hermione's hand in hers and admired the ring for a moment.
"Our Harry does have good taste. Are you sure you don't need help planning the wedding? Ginny and I would never say anything to anybody."
Hermione knew when she was defeated. "It's not that we don't want the help. We just want a very private affair, with only family and close friends present. I don't want the news to be leaked to the press. You know they would hound us to death if they find out. Everything is basically set already; we just need to find a date that everyone can attend."
"Are you having it at your flat?"
"Yes, and McGonagall has already agreed to perform the ceremony. After it's all said and done, we want you to be the one to break the news to the wizarding community."
"I'll make sure to bring a trusted reporter and photographer with me," Luna assured her.
"Actually, we want you to write the story," Hermione informed her.
Luna smiled at her. "Oh, Mione, I would be honored to do so. Can we tell Ginny?"
Hermione nodded in defeat. So much for having a surprise wedding, she thought smiling. Luna went to the fireplace and contacted Ginny. A few minutes later she apparated into the office and the first thing she noticed was Hermione's ring. After much squealing, they got down to business.
XOXOX
"Harry?" Hermione called when she got home.
"I'm in the kitchen, love," he called out.
She walked in that direction and found him making dinner. "You know your cooking skills are one of the reasons I'm marrying you, right?" Hermione asked as she walked up to him and kissed him.
"Are there other reasons?" he asked as he nuzzled her neck.
"You also have a great arse!"
Harry couldn't help but laugh at her. "I'm glad you like it, Miss Granger."
"And I love you."
"Me, too. Why don't you go take a quick shower? Dinner should be ready by the time you're done."
"Sounds like a plan. I also need to talk to you about something."
"Everything alright?" he asked with concern.
"Everything is wonderful, love."
Hermione kissed him again and then left the kitchen. Thirty minutes later, she was back and decided to set the table while Harry served their plates. They sat down and talked about their day for a while before Harry finally asked her what she had wanted to talk about.
"Well, you now how we wanted to plan the wedding ourselves and surprise everyone with it?"
"Yes. Is that not the case anymore?"
"Nope. We forgot that one of our best friends is a seer," Hermione explained with a smile. "I had lunch with Luna today and she knew all about it."
"I'll be damned. Ron better walk on the straight and narrow the rest of his life or she will hang his arse."
"She sure will! Anyways, she knows, and so does Ginny. Luna insisted we tell her and we did. They have basically taken over and the wedding will still happen here, but they will take care of everything and keep it under wraps until that day."
"Do Draco and Ron know as well?"
"I asked them not to tell them and to leave that decision up to you."
"I guess I better tell them then, otherwise all hell will break lose. Ron has a temper and Draco is a prat."
"And you love them both, so stop pretending!" Hermione said with a laugh.
He smiled sheepishly. "You're absolutely right, love. I will call them and tell them tomorrow. So much for keeping this quiet, eh, love?" he asked while caressing the back of her hand.
"We should have known better."
"Are you upset it didn't go as planned?"
"Oh, not at all. I'm actually happy to be sharing this time in my life with my friends. I can't wait to marry you," she finished softly.
Harry's heart melted at her words. "I'm the luckiest wizard in the world."
He leaned over and kissed her. It was not long before she was laying on the counter top with Harry between her legs, making sweet love to her.
-->