Chapter 11- Come Fly With Me
The next morning, Harry woke up alone; Ginny had spent yet another night in the guest room. Although he felt a bit lonely in his king size bed, he didn't really miss sleeping next to his wife.
Dinner the previous night had been a quiet affair, except for Lily's play by play recount of the match. She was too excited to notice that her parents were barely speaking to each other.
Harry looked at the clock, it was already 11AM. He usually did not bother to set the alarm clock since Ginny woke him up in the morning. Knowing he had to meet Hermione in an hour, Harry quickly got up and jumped in the shower.
After his shower, he put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and went downstairs to have a quick breakfast. Ginny had left him a note on the kitchen table.
Harry-
I'm leaving for my reunion brunch and dropping Lily off at the Burrow for the day. After brunch, I'll be going to see Ron. I got an owl from him this morning - he's staying with George and Katie for the time being.
Ginny
So Ron was staying with his brother George and his wife Katie. He wondered if Hermione knew. Harry made himself a bowl of cereal to quell his hunger, but he knew he'd be eating a big picnic lunch soon and didn't want to spoil his appetite.
Just before noon, Harry went into the garage to get his Firebolt. It really was a beautiful broom, and the top of the line, too. He couldn't believe that Ginny spent so much money on something he didn't use on a regular basis. He remembered at Christmas, she wrote on his card that perhaps he would take her flying again, something they did regularly during their courtship and in the early days of their marriage.
With another twinge of guilt, he realized that the way things were going with Ginny, his days of taking her flying were far behind him. He tried to remember those times, with just the pair of them on his broom, soaring through the air.
Ginny would sit in front (the driver's seat, as she called it) and Harry would sit behind her with his chest flush against her back and one arm around her tiny waist, the other hand on top of Ginny's as she steered. He would often whisper sweet nothings in her ear as they flew. By the time they got back on ground, they couldn't wait to tackle each other. Harry sighed, recalling those days.
They seemed so far away, like they were in another lifetime or someone's wet daydream.
"Harry?"
Hermione's voice shook him out of his reverie.
She stood in the doorway of the garage, carrying a picnic basket. She was dressed in a pair of jeans, a v-neck t-shirt and a lightweight hoodie. Her hair was up in a ponytail with some loose tendrils curled around her face.
He smiled upon seeing her. "Hey. I'm just getting my broom. I was going to pick you up in a minute."
"Well, I'm ready to go. I packed a lot of food, so I hope you're hungry."
Harry picked up the broomstick and left the garage, locking it with a wave of his wand.
"So where are we going, Harry?"
"Close your eyes and take my hand." Harry requested.
"Are we apparating?" Hermione asked, as she closed her eyes and held out her free hand.Harry laced his fingers through hers and thought hard about his destination.
A moment later, Hermione opened her eyes. She found herself standing in front a screen of handsome fluted Ionic columns.
"Oh, Harry! We're at the Grand Entrance to Hyde Park! I haven't been here in ages!"
Harry was pleased to see Hermione so excited. "I thought you'd like to come here. I used to go flying over the park years ago. The views are incredible and we can even leave the park and go flying over London."
Hermione looked nervous. "London? Maybe we should just stick to the park first."
A young Muggle couple, also carrying a picnic basket, walked by them arm in arm into the park's entrance. The young woman looked at Harry and Hermione with a quizzical expression.
Hermione noticed. "Harry, I think you should do something about your broom."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose a grown man carrying a broomstick might look a little odd."
He looked around to make sure nobody was watching and with a flick of his wand he miniaturized his Firebolt so that it fit in his jeans pocket.
"Oh, and don't worry that people will be staring when we go flying later. We can do a disillusionment charm, so the Muggles won't notice."
"Well, I was just about to suggest that." Hermione said, as they headed into the park.
"Where should we set up our picnic?" Harry asked.
"There's a nice area next to the Rose Garden, which is a little further up this way."
A few minutes later, Harry and Hermione found a nice spot next to a shady tree. There were some other people enjoying a nice Sunday picnic in the vicinity, including some families with young children and a few couples enjoying romantic dates.
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a day outdoors. The sky was blue and the temperature was just right for a late September afternoon.
Harry helped Hermione spread a blanket on the grass and she opened her picnic basket. While the basket looked quite small from the outside, Hermione had transfigured the inside to not only be twice the size but so it also acted as a refrigerator to keep everything nice and cold. She had packed a potato salad, several turkey and cheese finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and bottles of water.
Harry helped himself to the food and spread some potato salad and sandwiches on a plate. Hermione handed him utensils, napkins and his drink, and she began to serve herself as well. Harry was hungry again, as his morning cereal had been digested long ago. Hermione laughed as he put the entire finger sandwich into his mouth.
"Slow down, Harry. There's plenty of food and time. Besides, the last thing I need from you is to be sick all over me while we're flying!"
"Sorry, I'll slow down. I'm just really hungry."
"You remind me of Ron." Hermione commented sadly.
"It wasn't intentional." Harry said. "Speaking of Ron, have you heard from him?"
"Not yet. I was going to owl him again to check in. I would like to talk to him again about telling the kids. I feel so guilty that they don't know anything yet."
"Well, Ginny heard from him, she's going to see him later this afternoon. He's staying with George and Katie."
"He is? Nice of him to let me know." Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "You know what? I don't want to talk about Ron today. This is our day to forget our problems and just have fun."
Harry raised his bottled water. "Here, here. Here's to forgetting our problems and having a great afternoon, just you and me."
Hermione raised her bottle and clinked it with Harry's. "I suppose this works better with champagne and glass flutes."
"Well, we could transfigure it." Harry suggested, reaching for his wand.
Hermione grabbed his wrist. "No! Harry, there are Muggles around. Besides, you shouldn't fly if you're going to drink!"
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. I don't want to be arrested for FUI." Harry laughed.
"Flying under the influence?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Harry, sometimes I forget that you're a father of three."
"Sometimes, I'd like to forget that too." Harry murmured.
Hermione looked her best friend quizzically. He didn't mean that, did he?
Harry saw her look. "I didn't really mean that. You know I love my kids. It's just that…."
"Ginny?" Hermione asked sympathetically.
Harry nodded. "Things are getting worse. We're not even sleeping in the same bed."
He proceeded to tell her about what happened the last couple of nights, including Ginny's botched attempt at seduction.
"She just doesn't appeal to me anymore. The Ginny I fell in love with has been replaced by a woman I barely recognize."
"In personality or looks?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed. "Both. I mean she's a great mom and a good cook, but that's about all I can say about her. I feel like we have nothing in common anymore except the kids."
"Well, that's the same way I felt with Ron." Hermione agreed. As much as she wanted to avoid their problems today, they couldn't ignore them. "Has Ginny brought up the baby thing again?"
Harry shook his head. "No, but I assumed that she was trying to get pregnant the other night in that getup. It was ridiculous because she looked like an overstuffed sausage."
"Do you think if she lost some weight you would find her attractive again?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, I don't know. I think to really love someone, you have to love them on the outside and inside, no matter what they look like. I hate to admit this, but I think when I fell in love with Ginny, it was because of her beauty."
Hermione nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"I had this perfect image of her, where I thought she was beautiful inside and out. But after almost twenty years in the relationship, the outer beauty has faded and the inner beauty she had faded, too….or perhaps was never there in the first place."
Hermione was shocked to hear Harry say this, after all of these years. While she never thought Harry and Ginny were soul mates, she was surprised to hear Harry admit that he had fallen in love with an illusion, and not the real thing.
"So, to answer your question from a few days ago, no, I'm not in love with Ginny anymore."
Harry finally said aloud what he was reluctant to admit. He was sure part of him would always love her, in that she was the mother of his children, but he was sure he didn't want to be married to her anymore. He wanted his wife to be his best friend and his lover. Ginny was neither.
Harry's confession sort of hung in the air, making light conversation nearly impossible so they sat in silence, finishing up their lunch.
Harry moved closer to Hermione on the blanket as she started to clean up. "Sorry for being a mood killer. I'll understand if you want to go home now."
"Why would I want to go home?" Hermione turned to him in surprise. "Harry, it's still a beautiful day and we should go flying. That's why we came here, right?"
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"Yes, unless you don't want to?"
"No, I think a good flight is exactly what I need right now."
The pair stood up, folded the blanket and Hermione put it back in the basket. Harry headed for the nearby men's room behind the bandstand while Hermione headed for the ladies'. After relieving herself, Hermione transfigured her picnic basket and put it in her pocket. She also performed a disillusionment charm on herself, which would make her invisible to Muggles but not to witches or wizards.
She washed her hands and looked at her reflection, the woman next to her oblivious to her presence. The woman reached over and turned off the running water that had magically turned on by itself.
Hermione giggled to herself and walked outside, looking for Harry. She was certain that he'd be waiting for her, as there was no line for the men's room when they had arrived.
After a few minutes, he did not show and she was beginning to feel anxious. Then she felt a pair of hands covering her eyes.
"Waiting for someone?" Harry asked, as she turned around, and saw him waggling his eyebrows at her. Hermione was about to give it to him, but Harry was in a playful mood, so she forgave him for worrying her.
He took her hand and they walked quickly to stand in front of Little Nell's statue. Harry let go of Hermione's hand and mounted the Firebolt, while she stood warily nearby.
"Are you getting on?" Harry asked.
Hermione nervously shook her head. "When was the last time you rode one of these?"
"Um, it's been a while. But it's like that Muggle expression - it's just like riding a bicycle, once you do it, you never forget."
"Well, this isn't a bike, it's a broom. I'd like to see you give it a test run before I get on with you."
"This isn't a delay tactic, is it Granger?"
Hermione smirked, it had been ages since someone had called her Granger. "Harry, please?"
"Okay." Harry counted in his head, one, two three, and kicked off the ground. Before he knew it he was soaring above the trees. He looked down at Hermione who was waving at him, a small brown dot in a blue outfit on the ground.
Harry flew around the perimeter of the park, over the parade ground, through the Meadow and over the blue water of the Serpentine, and then past the Boathouse. It was just like riding a bike, Harry thought and he momentarily forgot he was a 37-year-old father of three with a failing marriage. He was eleven years old again and discovering the freedom of flight. Harry looked down and spotted the statue, where Hermione was waiting for him. He slowed down and prepared his descent.
When he reached the ground, Hermione's face was shining. "Oh, Harry, I watched you the whole time. How did it feel to be up there again?"
Harry was breathless. "Amazing! I can't wait for you to share it with me."
Hermione felt nervous again, now that Harry proved to her that he could still fly well, she had no more excuses. When she made no move to mount the broom, Harry noticed her hesitation and he dismounted, placing his broom gently on the grass.
He put his hands on her shoulders and looked down into her deep brown eyes. He saw trepidation there.
"Hermione, I know you're scared. But you'll be up there with me and I won't let anything bad happen to you, okay? You trust me, don't you?"
Hermione was lost in his green gaze for a moment, her heart beating fast.
"Yes, of course I trust you. I trust you with my life." She whispered.
He squeezed her shoulders in encouragement. "Then let's do it."
Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. She could do this.
Harry picked up his broom again and mounted it. Hermione looked uncertainly at him.
"Should I sit in front or in back of you?"
"Um, why don't you sit behind me? I'll need to steer and it should be easier if you're behind me."
Hermione did as she was told and mounted the broom, her legs shaking.
"See that wasn't so bad." Harry said, turning to see her scared but determined face. He was reminded of a long time ago when he and Hermione rode Buckbeak together with her trembling arms tight around his waist.
"Why don't you put your arms around me, like you did when we rode Buckbeak?"
She did as she was told, albeit a bit too tightly. "Um, Hermione, I'd like not break any ribs today."
"Sorry," she said and loosened her grip.
"Ready?"
Without waiting for an answer, Harry took a deep breath. One, two, three…
Once again, Harry kicked off the ground and they soared upward. Hermione screwed her eyes shut and leaned into Harry, her head resting between his shoulder blades. Her stomach jumped as her heart hammered between her ribs. For a moment, she thought she might faint. She held onto Harry for dear life, knowing that if she let go she would certainly fall to her death.
Meanwhile Harry could feel how tense Hermione was, and her grip around him was uncomfortably tight. They weren't even flying that high, they were just scaling the treetops. He doubted she was even aware of her surroundings.
He mentally willed her to relax and he took in some deep breaths, in spite of her death grip around his diaphragm. Hermione felt Harry's ribcage rise and fall into her stomach and almost automatically she mimicked his breathing pattern.
After a few moments, Hermione felt herself relaxing a bit and she loosened her grip and lowered her arms so they rested in a circle around his hips.
"How are you doing?" Harry asked his flying partner.
Hermione nodded against his back. "Okay," she breathed.
"Have you opened your eyes yet?" He smirked.
He knew her all too well. "Not yet."
"You're missing some beautiful scenery." Harry said, as he directed his broom over the Serpentine.
Hermione opened one eye and looked down at the blue water below. The afternoon sun was shimmering on the lake.
She opened her other eye and turned her head, and took in the view of the park as they steadily climbed a little higher. Harry was right, it was beautiful. In the distance, Hermione could see the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.
"Harry?" She shouted, as the wind whistled around them.
"Yeah?"
"Can we go flying over London?"
Harry laughed. "Of course we can, let's go."
He took them even higher and faster as they left the green safety of Hyde Park, past St. James Park and then they were flying over the Thames. Hermione could make out the time on the Big Ben clock, it was just after 2.
They continued their flight, taking in the scenery and just enjoying the day. Hermione forgot about her fears and her problems and just lived in the moment, taking in the views and knowing that she was with her best friend in the world. Hermione wished she could bottle this feeling, she now understood why Harry loved flying so much.
Meanwhile, Harry hadn't felt this free in a long time and was glad to be sharing his joy of flying with his best friend. He noticed that her heart, while still beating hard against his back, had slowed since they had taken off and her breathing was coming in even breaths, instead of tense gasps. He was thrilled that Hermione seemed to be over her fear of heights and she encouraged him to keep going.
They were now well past London and flying east. Harry didn't want to leave the country, so he began to steer his broom so they would be heading back to Hyde Park.
"Are we going back?" Hermione shouted.
"Yeah, I don't know if our disillusionment charm work in other countries. I don't want to take the risk of being caught by the Dutch Ministry."
"Well this is something I should investigate when I start my new job." Hermione joked.
Harry was reminded of her new position with the IWR. Although he was happy and proud of Hermione, it suddenly hit him that the job was real. And she was going to be gone for weeks at a time. He was going to miss her terribly.
All too soon, Harry and Hermione descended onto the green at Hyde Park, near the Little Nell statue. When they reached the earth, Hermione got off the broom first and lay on the grass, kissing it. Harry flopped down beside her, laughing.
"So you're happy to be back on land I see."
"Oh yes, I'm glad to be safely on the ground." Hermione agreed. "But that was so amazing Harry, I loved it! Can we do it again sometime?"
"Of course, we'll have to go before you leave for your new job."
"That's right. I can't believe I start in two weeks. I have a huge week ahead of me and I have to start my transition with Trinny. No more sick days for me."
Harry stood up and pulled Hermione to a standing position. Her legs were a bit numb from the flight and she stumbled into his arms.
"Whoa, are you okay?" he asked.
Hermione looked up at him, giggling. "I guess I'm not used to standing up."
Harry looked down at her, and for a moment he was captivated. The afternoon sun was hitting her hair, creating golden highlights. Her face was still flushed from the flight and her lips, had they always been so full and…
"Earth to Harry!" Hermione's voice brought him out of his not so innocent thoughts about his best friend. "Are you in there?"
Harry blinked, and the moment was gone. "Yeah, I sometimes space out after a ride, too much oxygen to the brain."
"Well the next time we go, we'll need to decompress for a bit longer."
Harry shrunk his broom and they performed the charm to make them visible again. They decided to spend the rest of the afternoon like Muggles, enjoying the park. They walked and talked arm in arm through Hyde Park, stopping for ice cream along the way. Harry took notice of other couples on dates, some snogging on park benches or making out on picnic blankets on the grass.
Normally, this wouldn't have fazed him, but now that his marriage was all but over and feelings that he once felt for Hermione two decades ago were starting to bubble to the surface again, he was keenly aware of her physical presence at his side. Maybe it was the closeness of the broom ride or maybe he was just sexually frustrated, but he felt very envious of those couples.
Soon, it was time to head back home. Harry and Hermione returned to the Grand Entrance and disapparated back to their homes in Ottery St. Catchpool. They were soon in Harry's garage where Harry returned his Firebolt to its storage space.
He then walked Hermione through the garden to her back door.
"Harry, I had a wonderful time today. Thanks so much for taking me flying and helping me get over my fear."
"Thanks for coming with me. I had a lot of fun, especially when you stopped trying to do the Heimlich maneuver on me while we were on my broom." Harry smirked.
Hermione smacked Harry on the arm. "Oh stop it, I wasn't that bad. You know, next time, you should let me sit in the driver's seat and I won't have to hold onto you to stay on the broom."
The words `driver's seat' brought back memories of his younger self riding his broom again. Although this time it wasn't Ginny's waist he was holding or her ear he was whispering into.
"Harry?"
This was the second time today that his mind drifted elsewhere, Hermione thought. He was probably distracted over the state of his marriage.
"Sorry, Hermione. I guess I'm just tired."
She put her arms around him and gave him a hug. "I know, and you have a lot on your mind. If you need anything, let me know."
Harry appreciated her solicitousness and her affection, but having Hermione pressing herself against him was the last thing he needed right now. Mercifully, she let go of him before his body betrayed him.
"Bye, Harry, thanks again." And with a wave she closed her door.
Harry stared at her door for a moment and sighed. Feeling randy around your best friend was not a good thing. With a sigh, he turned around and headed back to his house. When he reached his back door, Ginny was standing there. She did not look happy to see him.
TBC
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