A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Goodness gracious, they were wonderful and I appreciate the time you take to leave me such kind notes. They are always appreciated and make me want to keep on writing. I was planning this as a one-shot, then it grew into two chapters and now I'm wondering if it's going to grow into more. I guess it depends on all of you. Tell me what you think and if you want more after reading this chapter. I always consider my reader's opinions and thoughts. Not only that, but I have a very selective memory when it comes to JK's books. I tend to ignore R/H and H/G ever happened. In a perfect world, it's H/Hr all the way baby!! Enjoy!
MATCHMAKERS TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER TWO
"I'll go see who it is," Harry said in a tone that left no doubt he was pissed. He got up from the bed slowly and went to the living room.
Hermione got up as well and took a much-needed breath. She was ready to kill whoever had the audacity to interrupt them so early. She put on her robe and walked into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she walked back out to go and see who it was.
Harry had his bag opened on the bed and was rummaging through it. Hermione had to stifle a laugh as she heard him murmuring something along the lines of redheaded gits and bloody interruptions. He looked up when he heard her.
"I take it Ginny or Ron were at the door?"
"Ron, the insufferable git! He wanted us to come down for breakfast so we can then hit the beach. Don't know what his damn hurry is. He's just going to go out there and burn his arse."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his words. He looked like a little boy pouting. "I guess we should go then. Want to shower first?"
"If you don't mind. A cold shower would do me wonders right now."
"Cold, huh?"
"Like you couldn't figure that one out," he said as he stormed into the bathroom.
Hermione laughed even harder. Frustrated as she was, she had to admit the situation was hilarious and seeing Harry so out of control made her wonder if this trip was going to turn their lives around for the better. She was still smiling as she opened her own bag to look for her bathing suit.
~*~
Ron joined the others at the restaurant table, his ears still red. Luna noticed right away and gave Ginny a knowing look.
"Everything okay, Ronald?" she asked after he sat down next to her.
"Dunno. Harry was acting like a right git, to tell you the truth," he said as he reached for the juice pitcher.
"Why?" asked Ginny getting a bit worried.
"I don't know! I just knocked on the door and he snapped at me. He seemed out of sorts. I did tell him last night I would go and get them early in the morning so we could get an early start on our day, didn't I?"
"You did. Did you see Hermione?" Luna asked.
"No, just him. I thought it was a bit strange that he was still wearing last night's clothes. Maybe he went to bed late and didn't get much sleep," Ron told them as he buttered some bread.
Ginny and Luna looked at each other again. This time, however, Draco did not miss the look.
"Do you two mind telling us what's going on here?" he asked looking pointedly at Ginny and then at Luna.
Ginny knew him enough to know he would not drop the subject until he knew what was going on. She looked at Luna again and she nodded.
"We sort of planned this trip to try and get Harry and Hermione together," Ginny said while looking down at her hands. She wasn't sure what their reaction would be at the news.
Draco started laughing and Ron glared at his sister.
"No wonder he bit my bloody head off! I probably interrupted something. It would have been nice if you had told us this before now, Ginny."
"We didn't want them to find out about it, otherwise they wouldn't have come with us," Luna explained as she patted his hand lovingly. "If Harry was upset, that means our plan might be working!"
"Now that I know this, I am not knocking on their door again. Once was enough for me!" Ron said as he stuffed half of the bun in his mouth.
Twenty minutes later, they saw Harry and Hermione walking their way. Harry was still frowning, but his hand rested on her lower back. Hermione looked like she wanted to laugh, but knew better than to do so.
"Morning!" she said cheerily as Harry pulled out a chair for her. After she was seated, he sat down next to her and glared some more at Ron. Ginny and Luna had to stifle a laugh. Ron blushed again and Draco hid a smile behind his coffee mug.
"Morning, Mione," Ginny said smiling at her. "Sleep well?"
"Wonderful. How about you?"
"We left the balcony door open and the sound of the waves put me to sleep in no time. It was wonderful. I already told Draco this is going to become a favorite place to visit at least once a year."
"Let's order breakfast," Luna suggested noticing that Ron had already emptied their basket of bread. "The sooner we eat, the sooner we can go out to the beach."
~*~
After they finished, they headed out to the beach. Ginny had already arranged for them to have a spot with several umbrellas and lounge chairs. After making sure to put on plenty of sun block, the guys went to check out the rentals.
"Hermione, can I ask you something and get an honest answer?" Ginny said as she looked over at her friend. The three of them were sun tanning.
"I guess it depends on what you want to ask me, Ginny."
"Do you love Harry?" Ginny asked not beating around the bush.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at the question. "Of course I love Harry. Don't we all?"
"I guess Ginny didn't phrase that right. What we want to know is if you're in love with him," Luna said.
Hermione blushed. She couldn't help it. "I, er…that is…"
Her words trailed off as her gaze searched down the beach looking for the raven-haired man in question.
"I thought I'd never see the day when I would see you at a loss of words, Mione," Ginny said.
"The question caught me off guard, is all," Hermione said defending herself.
"What's the answer then?" Ginny pressed. "The reason I'm asking is not to pry into your personal business. It's just that it's rather obvious to all of us that there is something more between the two of you."
"What we don't know is if you ignore the obvious on purpose, or if you're too afraid of the future to risk letting go," Luna finished softly.
Hermione looked at her dear friends and nodded. "It's actually a combination of those for me. There's also the fear of not having my feelings returned."
"He loves you, Mione," Ginny said squeezing her hand. "I can see it in his eyes. He looks at you the same way Draco looks at me, and Ron looks at Luna. There's so much longing in his eyes it just makes you want to melt at his feet."
"I know. We had a moment this morning. Well, almost! Then Ron came by and it was gone. That's why he is in such a foul mood now."
"Oh, great!" Luna said. "What happened, if you don't mind us asking?"
So Hermione told them and it felt good talking to someone about the feelings she had been bottling up inside her for so long. To have her friends support meant the world to her.
~*~
They spent the entire day at the beach. They had lunch together and then played some more. Harry's mood improved as the day passed, but Hermione noticed that he was keeping his distance from her. As much as she hated the tension between them, she gave him the space he obviously needed.
He was over at one of the tiki bars set out throughout the stretch of beach when Luna joined him in line.
"Are you having fun, Harry?"
"It's been nice," he replied while looking at Hermione as she and Ginny walked down the beach, talking animatedly.
"You've seem out of sorts for most of the day and Ronald said you were a bit annoyed this morning. Is something the matter?"
"I over reacted this morning, but I already apologize to him."
"Oh, I'm sure you did, Harry. You're nothing if not a gentleman."
"Thank you for saying that."
"Would you care for a bit of advice from a worried friend?" she asked smiling sweetly at him. Ever since their fifth year at Hogwarts, they shared a special connection and Luna was counting on that now.
"Sure, why not?"
"I know how you feel about Hermione, Harry. Your eyes are too expressive and I can see the love you hide from her lurking in there. Don't you think this is the perfect setting to talk to her about that?"
Harry couldn't hide the surprise from his face. "Is that the seer in you again?"
"No, just the woman in me. And also a friend who wants to see the two of you finally happy and I don't think anyone else will do for either of you." She leaned over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Think about what I've said at least. Give your heart a chance to fly and let that Gryffindor courage shine through."
Before he could say anything, she walked away leaving him there, pondering on her wise words.
~*~
That night, after they had all showered and had dinner together, Harry asked Hermione if she wanted to go back to the beach for a stroll. Nervously, she nodded and they bid farewell to their friends. All four of them had identical looks on their faces, and Ginny and Luna were even crossing their fingers behind their backs.
They walked for a while in silence, and at one point, wanting to feel closer to him, Hermione took his hands in hers. Harry squeezed her fingers softly and smiled at her.
"Are you feeling better now?" she asked after a while. The silence was getting to her.
"A bit. I guess I did overreact and ruined the day."
"Don't be silly, Harry. We all had a wonderful time."
"Tomorrow will be better."
Silence overtook them once again, and they were both lost in their own feelings.
~*~
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, are they going to get on with it or what?" Ron asked exasperated. They had followed them to the beach and were crouching behind some bushes.
"I know. Damn, I never figured Potter for a coward, but that's exactly what he's acting like," Draco said, also annoyed that he was out there instead of upstairs with Ginny in bed.
"Be nice, Draco, he's just taking his time," Ginny said.
"It's not like either of you were so sure of yourselves either," Luna said looking pointedly at them. "I remember making the first move on Ronald!"
Ron blushed while Malfoy laughed.
"Oh, come on, Luna, did you have to say that?"
"I wouldn't laugh if I was you, Draco. I asked you out first too!"
Draco's laughter died instantly. From that point on, they were wise enough not to say anything else.
~*~
"Do you want to go back inside?" Hermione asked. They had been walking for close to an hour and Harry was just quiet.
"I guess we should. We have to get to bed, since I'm sure Ron will be knocking on our door at the crack of dawn again."
"I have a feeling he won't after this morning." Hermione said as they turned around and headed back.
Just as they were nearing the resort again and Hermione was losing her hopes, Harry stopped walking and looked down at her.
"What is it?" she asked.
Harry just shook his head and kept on walking. She sighed softly. It was no use. He didn't feel the same as she did and it would do her well to forget about it. She let go of his hand and he didn't grab it again.
~*~
"I should just Crucio his arse and knock some sense into him," Ron said as the pair walked back into the hotel. He was mad!
"Now, Ronald, that's not very nice. One of Ginny's hexes would suffice," Luna said.
"No shit," added Malfoy. He was beyond annoyed at this point. "He is such a git."
"I swear to Merlin, if he doesn't do something about this by the time we have to go back to London, I'm going to give his happy arse a love potion! I know Hermione won't be mad," Ginny said as they started heading back to the hotel. "He had ample opportunity, and she was all for it. What the hell is wrong with that bloody man?"
~*~
They got to their room and Harry headed for the bathroom to change into his pajamas. Hermione went out to the balcony and leaned on it, her gaze lost in the ocean below. Harry walked out to her, wearing only lounge pants riding low on his hips. Hermione had to stifle a moan when she saw him illuminated by the moon. He was beautiful to look at.
Harry didn't miss the look. "The bathroom is free."
"Thank you," she said as she walked by him and caught the scent of his cologne mixed with the saltiness of their surroundings. It did funny things to her stomach and it was all she could do not to grab him and kiss him senseless.
By the time she came out of the bathroom, Harry had turned the lights down and was laying down. She didn't even bother going to bed, since her emotions were still raw and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep for a while longer.
Since he seemed to be asleep, she took off her robe and laid it on the bed. She walked back outside and resumed her previous position. She wasn't sure how long she was out there when she heard some noise behind her.
"Mione," Harry said sleepily. "What are you still doing out here? It's past one in the morning."
She turned around to face him and remembered what she was wearing when his gaze trailed hungrily over her body. She felt her nipples harden as his eyes stared openly at her.
"I couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to bother you."
"Why can't you sleep?" he asked moving closer to her. "Want to talk for a bit?"
"No, that's okay, Harry. You go back to bed. I'll be there shortly."
Harry nodded and started to turn. Just as she was about to turn back around, he grabbed her by the waist and crushed her body to his, as his mouth descended on hers and he kissed her passionately. Her brain seemed to have a short circuit as her hands moved up his chest and wrapped around his neck.
He kissed her for a long time, breaking just enough to catch his breath and kiss her neck. Then he would claim her mouth once again. Hermione gave as much as she took and a while later, he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed.
He lay her down gently and lay next to her. He framed her face tenderly with his hands and looked deep into her eyes.
"I love you, Mione. And it's eating me inside not to tell you. I can't hide it anymore. I don't want to go back to London and not tell you how I feel. You are my life, the very air I breathe, and I can't ignore my feeling anymore."
Before she could say anything else, he kissed her again. His hands started roaming hungrily over her body, and little by little, touch by touch, kiss after kiss, their passion grew to feverish heights. His mouth and hands were doing wicked things to her body and she couldn't help but want more. Kisses and heated caresses were not enough after a while.
"Oh, Harry," she said moaning as he took a nipple into his heated mouth. Her fingers were tangled in his hair, bringing his head closer to her. Somehow, while he'd kissed and caressed her, her clothes had disappeared. She was laying naked under him and she could feel his hardness pressing against her.
"I can't wait anymore, Mione, I need to be inside of you."
"Then take me, Harry, and make me yours," she said as she kissed him.
"Is it safe?" he asked tenderly as he positioned himself between her legs.
"Yes."
He nodded and pushed his tip into her wet entrance. As he slid into her, he looked deep into her eyes and she could see all of the love he felt reflected in his eyes. She gasped when he was fully sheathed inside of her and started moving her hips in invitation.
He wasted no more time and started moving in and out of her, slowly at first, letting her get use to him, and then faster as their passion increased. It felt so good to finally make love to her that he called upon every ounce of strength he possessed to make it last as long as possible. He felt her inner muscle squeeze around him and knew she was close. He started moving faster still, kissing every part of her he could reach. Suddenly, he felt her body stiffen under him and she hit her peak. She said his name on a strangled moan and hugged him closer to her. He kept on moving, pleasuring her a bit more before finally letting go himself. Her name left his lips as his body shook on top of hers.
When it was over and he could move again, he lay on his side, brining her close to him. He wasn't ready to let go of her warmth. Hermione snuggled against his chest and felt his arms surround her.
She looked at him and smiled. "You never gave me the chance to tell you that I love you as well."
"Yes, but you showed me. I love you, Mione. With all of my heart. There's never been anyone else but you in my heart."
"Oh, Harry," she said as tears filled her eyes. "I've loved you for years now! But I was so afraid to tell you. I didn't think you would return my feelings, so I buried mine deep inside of my heart."
"I felt the same way. We were both idiots. What happened to all of that Gryffindor courage we used to posses?"
"We left it at the battle fields?" she suggested smiling. "I don't know. I guess fear of rejection would do that to you."
"At least it's not too late. And we have the rest of our lives ahead of us."
"Is that what you want Harry? To spend the rest of your life with me?"
"Yes. Every time I think of myself with a family, your image flashes before my eyes. When I think of getting old, it's you I want by my side."
She kissed him tenderly. "I didn't know you were such a romantic, love. You sure know how to melt a girl's heart."
"Oh, stop! You should know you inspire those words in me. I've never said that to anyone before."
"And I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, Harry James Potter. I'm lucky to have you."
"I think it's the other way around. I'm going to be thanking my lucky stars for the rest of my life."
Having said that, and because he couldn't wait anymore, her moved her on top of him. He spread her legs softly and entered her once again. She lifted herself and sat on his hips, taking him deeper inside of her.
"You feel so good," she said as she started moving her hips.
He grinned at her as he lifted his hips making her gasp again. It was a long time before they actually got around to sleeping. By the time they did, they were spent and unable to move.
~*~
The next morning, they woke up early and after kissing and cuddling in bed for a while, they took a shower together. Their shower was so long, that by the time they finished and went downstairs, their friends were already out on the beach. They had a leisurely breakfast on the outside patio by the pool, and then decided to join their friends.
As they walked down to beach, no one missed that they were holding hands and smiling like two silly idiots.
"Finally," Ron muttered under his breath.
"He saw the light," Draco said.
"Oh, I'd dare say he saw more than the light," Luna said giggling.
"About bloody time, too, if you ask me" Ginny added nodding at Luna in satisfaction.
"I swear if they're holding hands just as friends, I will beat him," Ron added.
"Nah, they did it. Just look at their faces. They're glowing!" Ginny said and then they all pretended to be interested in other people as the pair finally reached them.
"Morning," Hermione said cheerfully and smiling.
"Good afternoon," Ron said and he and Draco sniggered.
Ginny and Luna shot each a look that quieted them on the spot.
Hermione looked at them and smiled. Nothing could bother her now. She was so happy she could shout. "I guess you're right, Ron, its way past morning time."
"You haven't missed much. We've just been relaxing and placing bets," Draco said and Ginny kicked his chins. "Ow! Why'd you do that?"
Harry laughed at him. "Who won?"
"Luna," Ginny said. Luna smiled up at them.
"What did you win?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Oh, I get to shag Ron in a place of my choosing, and he has no choice on the matter!"
Ron blushed to the roots of his hair. They all burst out laughing at this and he looked away embarrassed. "Bloody bets," he muttered under his breath, which made them all laugh harder.
"Oh, don't worry, Ronald, I'll make sure you enjoy it!"
That just made his turn a deeper shade of red, something none of them had thought possible.
Harry felt bad for him and decided to change the subject. "What on the agenda for today?"
"Same as yesterday. We could stay here or we could rent some bicycles and explore the island."
"Exploring sounds good for a bit later," Harry said. "Now I feel like taking a nap!"
He sat down on one of the lounge chairs and leaned back against it. He took Hermione's hand and she sat between his legs and rested her back on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and closed his eyes.
Ron and Draco rolled their eyes at him and gagged. Luna slapped the back of Ron's head and Ginny kicked Draco again. Hermione watched them and giggled.
"Ow," Draco said again. "Woman, I swear I'm going to punish you for that!"
"Mmm, sounds good to me," Ginny said flirtatiously.
Ron rubbed the back of his head, but was wise enough not to say anything. Hermione could feel a vibration from Harry's chest and knew he was holding his laughter in. She laced her fingers through his and closed her eyes as well.
Ginny and Luna smiled at each other and clapped hands. The deed was done and all was finally as it should be.
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