More Than Anything

A/n: Hey there everyone! I wrote this right after DH, hope you enjoy!

*For those of you who have read that one shot turned new story I wrote: “Safe Choice” If you haven't heard, I decided to continue it. I'm working on the next chapter...and I want to thank all of you for the many positive, uplifting, funny, helpful reviews I've gotten!

**Now, I don't want ANY comparisons to the story, “The Scene that Should Have been” by reimanr06! I DID not still this idea from the author nor did the author steal this idea from me! We wrote it at separate times. I wrote mine directly after DH but never posted it; she wrote hers a little later and DID post it. So they will be somewhat similar...but I did not copy that story!

Now, here you go:

~*~

Ron made a sudden movement: Harry reacted, but before either wand was clear of its owners pocket, Hermione had raised her own.

“Protego!” She cried, and an invisible shield expanded between her and Harry on the one side and Ron on the other; all of them were forced backward a few steps by the strength of the spell, and Harry and Ron glared from either side of the transparent barrier as though they were seeing each other clearly for the first time. Harry felt a corrosive hatred toward Ron; Something had been broken between them.

“Leave the Horcrux,” Harry said.

Ron wrenched the chain from over his head and cast the locket into a nearby chair. He turned to Hermione.

“What are you doing?””

“What do you mean?”

“Are you staying, or what/”

“I...” She looked anguished. “Yes—Yes, I'm staying. Ron, we said we'd go with Harry, we said we'd help—”

“I get it. You choose him.” (A/n: damn straight. Look who got smart)

“Ron, no—please—come back!”

She was impeded by her own Shield Charm; by the time she had removed it he had already stormed into the night. Harry stood quiet still and silent, listening to her sobbing and calling Ron's name amongst the trees.

After a few minutes she returned, her sopping hair plastered to her face.

“He's g-g-gone! Disapparated!” She threw herself into a chair, curled up, and started to cry.

Harry felt dazed. He stooped, picked up the Horcrux, and placed it around his own neck. He dragged blankets off Ron's bunk and threw them over Hermione. Then he climbed onto his own bed and stared up at the dark canvas roof, listening to the pounding of the rain.

~ Deathly Hallows—Chapter 15—pg. 309-310

It had been a little over an hour since Ron had left, and nothing had changed. Harry was still lying on his back, while the pounding rain came rushing down, listening also to the sobs of Hermione. They had quieted a bit, but were still there.

It was then he heard a whimpering voice call, “Harry?”

“What? What? Is everything okay?” He sprang up, his sense on full alert.

“Yes--no--I...he just left! Why would he leave you and why, why did he leave me?” She cried.

He turned over to face her, and it broke his heart in two to see the tears pouring, the red eyes. Why did Ron leave her? Why did he want to hurt her? Ron and Harry had gotten in fights before, but Ron had never gone so far to completely leave both of them. “He left because of me. Because i had no idea what i was doing. You probably should've left too,” He finished softly.

“Harry James Potter, don't you dare! Why would I leave you? We swore! I swore! I've not left you! I won't leave you! You can be so bloody arrogant sometimes!” She stood up quickly, hysterical tears falling.

“Excuse me, Hermione!” He got up. “Why are you so bloody worked up, he left cause of me. He gladly will come back to you, he asked you to leave with him! It's my fault!”

“Oh, Harry, get over you!” She stormed out of the tent, followed by him, not caring that it was pouring. “I'm Harry bloody Potter and I can conquer the world by myself! Everything s my fault and I don't need any body but myself!” She mimicked him.

“So that's how you feel, eh? Then why did you stay?!”

“This isn't about me staying it's about him leaving!” Hermione croaked, the rain making her hair fall loosely around her face, dripping wet.

Everything stopped. The only constant was the raindrops hitting the ground. Staring at each other, Hermione slowed her breathing, as furious tears continued to fall, and swallowed a lump in her throat. Harry had no idea how it got so out of control.

“Harry,” she cried, falling to her knees in the mud soaked ground.

He felt tears swelling up in his own eyes just looking at her. She was strained; hurt, confused...she looked beaten. He had no idea what was going on. What had happened? Why were his friendships choosing this moment to corrupt? When had it all gone wrong? Harry dropped to his knees beside her. She reached out to him and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly and he held her around waist as she was so close to him she was almost sitting on his lap. “Hermione, I'm so sorry—”

She shook her head. “I just don't understand...Ron is your best friend...and then, it was almost like we were-”

“Together,” Harry whispered.

She shook in his arms from her consistent sobs; it seemed she was lost for words what to say. “Harry...?”

“What is it?” He asked.

“Please...” She shook harder, clinging to him as if he would disappear if she let go. “Please...d-d-don't abandon me, too.”

His eyes went wide and Harry could tell she was probably worrying Harry was going to take off, too. Especially after the screaming match they'd just had. Didn't she know that he could never leave her? Looking upon her now, he wondered if he would ever be able to stay away from her. When did his strong, fearless Hermione become a torn, fragile, helpless person? He answered, “I-I could never abandon y-you, Hermione.”

“Are you sure?” She hiccupped, looking up into his emerald green eyes. The look made him absolutely melt.

“Positive,” He softly assured her. “Nothing could ever make me want to abandon you...nothing.”

“Do you promise?” She cried into his chest now.

“With all my heart. I promise, I swear to you...never.” He said truthfully, swallowing, wondering when he had gotten so emotional. He had to tell her, though. He had to make sure she knew nothing could pull him away from her.

She relaxed a bit, but not completely, still gripping him pretty tightly, as she tried unsuccessfully to control her sobs. “I-I-I'm sorry-”

“She,” Harry whispered, drawing her up and into the end. “You must be freezing,” he said.

She knew he was just as freezing as her, and yet he had been more concerned with asking her whether she was alright. “Kinda,” She whispered.

He drew his wand out, first cleaning off the mud, then casting a drying spell over her. First her chest, than down every inch of her body to her toes. That gave Harry's eyes a bit too much time to wander down her figure. Had he never realized how gorgeous she was? How perfect her body was? He shook the thoughts from his head. He was not supposed to think of her that way. But he did.

“Thank you, “She whispered, while he repeated the charms on himself.

The glow of the irregularly colored firelight was cast upon her face, as the only light. It made her look tantalizing. Her lips were alluring, teasing and provoking him to take a step forward and... Do what exactly? Kiss her. He couldn't stand it anymore. That's when he knew he had to kiss her. He had no idea why, when had he suddenly felt this way? But he could deny it. He knew she was thinking the same by the expression on her face.

And slowly, their lips met. This kiss was not simple or tentative; it became a needy feeling, tasting each other for the first time. Once she got over the shock of the feeling of his lips on hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he grabbed her waist, pulling her right against him. His tongue ran across her lips, begging for entrance; to which she happily obliged to as her hands strung through his hair, holding him in place. The kiss was intense, pure, passionate...everything; and yet nothing either had ever experienced. Harry thought she tasted incredible, but he could think much else.

Hermione lived the feel of him and moaned a little in the back of her throat. That's when Harry lost all conscious thought.

They separated for less than a second then; just long enough for Harry to breathe, “Bloody Hell,” before fusing their lips together again. Harry removed his lips from hers, taking them to her neck, traveling downward. He kissed her everywhere he could, sucking on the hollow of her neck, causing a breathy moan to escape from Hermione. “Never leave you...” He mumbled kissing her again. “Only mine...” He unconsciously muttered, kissing her neck, “Mine...” he kissed her on the mouth again.

“Oh god, all yours...” She answered him as he kissed her, not thinking. Her brain had turned off. Everything she was saying was not a conscious thought, but her want and need for him taking over and controlling her voice, she led him backwards to his bed, pulling Harry. Harry followed; he would've followed her anywhere; to hell and back at this point in time.

They collapsed in the shaky bed, kissing desperately.

She let her lips escape from Harry's too, hovering over him, kissing his face, and nibbling and sucking on his ear, causing Harry to break down. He wanted to taste more of her, so much more. He kissed her again; this time rolling on top of her. Their lips broke slowly and she somehow gained back the clarity she needed to wonder what the hell they were doing, she jumped up, covering her mouth in shock, staring at him as he stood in front of her.

Oh, what had they just done? What had they just done? They had gone very far...

“Hermione...” Harry searched for breath.

“Harry,” She gasped softly.

“I-I'm sorry,” he apologised, even though he wasn't.

“You are?” Was Harry imagining that or was that a trace of disappointment in her voice.

“N-no,” He shook his head honestly.

“We shouldn't have done it,” She said, trying to convince herself so.

“Perhaps,” Harry said. They stared at each other and without thinking said, “Say Kiss me.”

“Kiss me?” She inquired, “But-”

“If you insist,” He interrupted, crashing his lips back on hers, needing to taste her again. It was insane how much he wanted her, but he wouldn't go.

She didn't deny to herself that she wanted him too, but this simply was not right. Even though it felt right, this could not happen. She could not let herself get caught up in him once more. No matter how much she wanted it. “Why did you kiss me again?”

“Because I wanted-needed to,” Harry, out of breath, drew her closer.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Harry-' she looked as if she wanted to say something but could not form the words. “Its late,” She pulled away. “Let's go back to bed.” Hermione walked away, leaving Harry utterly speechless.

What had they done? Kissed? Merlin that kiss, unforgettable. It would haunt him forever if he didn't get to do it again. Feeling Hermione against him felt so perfect. And after? The look on her face told him she wanted more, but was facing an inner battle that wasn't allowing her. Perhaps she felt she had cheated Ron, no matter the fact that he had left her.

Meanwhile Hermione was lost in her own thoughts. Its not that she was still hanging onto Ron, for he had left without so much of a second thought, leaving his two best friends behind. But she didn't know if what they were doing was right. The kiss was unbelievable, like nothing she had ever experience. She wanted more of him that was for sure. But what about Harry...did he consider it a mistake? After all, he and Ginny were...in love. Right? He was in love with Ginny, surely he didn't want her.

Only half and hour past and neither had fallen asleep. It was then, Harry heard Hermione call, “Are you sleeping?”

“No,” he replied after a moment.

“I can't sleep, either. And it's cold, and-and I-I,” She didn't want to admit it to him. “I'm scared.”

He stared at her a moment, his resolve breaking at her voice and pale face. “Come over here.”

“What?” She asked, startled.

“Come. It'll be warm. Body heat. A-and we'll be together, so you'll be safe. I promise.”

She unsteadily got to her feet, bringing the blankets with her as she walked to him.

Hermione lay beside Harry as he made room for her in his small bed. Harry laid his blanket on them first, before resting the others on top of them. He opened his arms to her, and Hermione settled herself in them, letting warmth surround her. Now she felt safe, no longer scared or cold. This was where she wanted to be, she finally decided.

Harry was warmer too, holding her. She sighed, laying her head on his chest, as he rested his head on hers. “I'm not sorry I kissed you,” He suddenly blurted out.

“What?” She said, thrown off by his sudden confession.

To confirm what he has just said, he leaned in, capturing her lips in another strong, heated kiss.

“I'm in love with you, Hermione...” He trailed off. “I always have been.”

She looked up at him. “You love me?” Fresh tears began welling in her eyes.

“More than anything,” He whispered, in a voice that was promising her of that.

He felt her chest rise, slowing down as she said through her tears. “I've never been in love with Ron, Harry. I love you.”

Harry knew Hermione could have no idea how happy, how complete that made him feel. She loved him. “I love you, too,” He told her again, wanting the words to be imprinted in her brain.

“I can't ever lose you, Harry,” She clung to him tighter, crying.

“You won't ever lose me. I'll never leave you,” He assured her again. “Never.”

~*~

A/n: okay, well, there you go. That's they way the story should have gone. Lol. Even though JKR would probably never write that descriptive of a snogging session—heehee, that's what it would be like if she would.

I was, again, nervous, but loved writing it nonetheless. I wrote this really quickly, so I apologize if its not up to my normal par. Lol.

See what I mean when I said it was kind of like that other story? Well, I swear I wrote this way before she posted that! Trust me!

Oh, and you are to expect MANY more little DH one shots from me—I cant stop writing them! They're so addicting to write! Lol.

<3

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