Settlin'

Author's Note: This is something that I have honestly planning for quite some time. I have it completely mapped out right now to the bitter end, and I'm quite proud of what I have in my notes. If you find this familiar, then you might be right. It's loosely based off of Elizabeth Noble's “Alphabet Weekends” with my own Harry Potter-world twists. It originally started out as a simple short story, only to blossom into much more.

Updates are likely to be once a week unless something comes up with school or work. I hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Prologue

Fifteen minutes left to throw me together

For Mr. Right Now not Mr. Forever

Don't know why I even try

When I know how it ends

Looking like another `maybe we can be friends'

I've been leaving it up to fate

It's my life so it's mine to make

I ain't settlin' just gettin' by

I've had enough so so for the rest of my life

Tired of shootin' too low so raise the bar high.

So, I'm just not waiting up this time

I ain't settlin' for anything less than everything.

Hermione Granger grumbled to herself as she moved around her flat in an effort to get ready. She had less than twenty minutes before her date was scheduled to arrive. She was never one to say no to people, and that certainly didn't change when she found herself agreeing to go to dinner with her former Hogwarts classmate Blaise Zabini.

It was an ongoing joke between her and her two best friends. Hermione laughed to herself as thoughts of her friend's teasing came to mind. The love life of both Hermione and one of her best friends, Harry Potter, was actually more of a joke to Ron. She was sure the next time she was to see Ron, his first question would be “So, who's the current Mr. Right Now?” which would be followed by his wife of two years, Luna, slugging him in the arm.

Hermione felt the smile come across her face as she applied a light layer of makeup to her face. She heard a familiar pop come from the entrance of her flat. Hermione glanced at the desk clock that was in her bedroom.

There were only a select few who had the clearance to apparate into her flat, and she knew Blaise wasn't one of them.

“Hello?” she shouted from her bathroom.

She was surprised to see Harry appear from around the corner. “Well, look at you, Miss Granger! All dressed up, and who's the lucky guy?”

“Oh shut it. You know damn well who I'm going out with tonight which is why you're here, and Ron isn't.”

Harry grinned as he held up his arms in defense. “Guilty. Ron wanted to come, but I thought it would be better if I came instead. Word has it that Blaise asked Ron if he could ask you out.”

Hermione nodded with a look that Harry couldn't quite define. “Really? He didn't ask you?”

Harry shrugged. “The impression is that Ron is the big overprotective brother I guess. The Boy Who Lived doesn't do much scaring anymore, I s`pose.”

She laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Really now? Surprising since I'm the oldest of the group. Why aren't you the over protective big brother?”

“Ron's the married responsible one. I'm just the Boy Who Lived,” he told her with a boyish grin.

A knock on the door interrupted the duo's banter. Harry brought Hermione into his arms. “Have fun tonight, love. You can owl or floo me if you need anything,” he added, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

Hermione nodded against his chest before pulling away. “Bye Harry.”

She didn't wait for him as he apparated out. She stood before her door, taking a deep breath before opening it. “Blaise. Hi,” she said with a smile.

“Hi there, Hermione,” the dashingly handsome Blaise greeted in return.

If anyone had told her that five years ago, she would be on a date with the former Slytherin student; it was likely that Hermione would laugh. Blaise Zabini along with Draco Malfoy proved to be their most reliable allies during the war. They were the only students from the Slytherin house who chose to fight with Harry instead of against him alongside Voldemort. For that, she was grateful.

To this day, Hermione remained close with Draco Malfoy. She was, after all, the godmother his daughter, Emily. Yes, Draco and Ginny Malfoy were very happy and had two wonderful children. Emily Jane Malfoy was turning two years old in a few months, and Ryan Harrison Malfoy was turning one this weekend.

The big party was planned, and she had no doubt a big interrogation would take place with Ronald Bilius Weasley as the head interrogator.

Several hours later, Hermione sank down onto her couch with a glass of red wine. The date hadn't gone bad. Blaise was nice enough, but he wasn't Mr. Forever.

He wasn't a man that Hermione felt she could love. He was more of a fun night on the town guy.

He was a friend.

Hermione sighed to herself knowingly. This is typically where the teasing persisted because every date ended up the same result.

She knew the root of the problem, but she wouldn't admit it to anyone else. Ginny had cornered her several times, but Hermione always denied the red head's suspicions.

The only problem with every Mr. Right Now was that they didn't have raven colored hair, green eyes, glasses or a lightening bolt scar on their forehead.

They weren't Harry James Potter.

Several weeks passed when Hermione found herself sitting among her group of close friends. It was no longer just the “trio”. The trio had extended to Draco and Ginny Malfoy as well as Luna Lovegood Weasley. It was hard to believe how “adult” they had all become. She smiled over her glass of wine at Harry who had his eyes glued to her.

He raised his eyebrow questioningly, mouthing, `Are you okay?' She silently nodded as she listened to Ron tell the group his latest Quidditch story.

“So, Miss Granger, who is the flavor of the week this week?” the red headed wizard asked with a smirk.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she took a sip from the wine glass. “There is no flavor of the week, Ron. Last date I had was with Blaise, and now he won't leave me alone. He wants to go out on a second date soon.”

“So, does that mean we need to change it to flavor of the month?”

Hermione scowled. “Shut up. Why am I the one that gets the worst of this? Harry dates too!”

“Not like you. We never hear about the girls he takes out. Bloody hell, you've both date enough wizards and witches, I'm surprised you haven't tried going out with each other.”

Harry's eyes widened. “Ron-“ he began to protest only to stop when he felt Ron kick him underneath the table.

Hermione stifled a laugh. “Harry and I are best friends, Ron. Best friends don't date. They listen to each other's dating horror stories instead,” she finished the last of her wine with a smile. “Next round is on me. Same thing for everyone else?”

Once getting everyone's order, Hermione left the table with Ginny and Luna in tow to help.

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry. “You're a git, you know that right?”

“How the hell am I a git when you're the prat who's kicking me under the table. Damn Ron, that hurt,” he told his friend as he reached on the table to rub his now throbbing shin.

Malfoy laughed loudly. “I think what Ron was non-discreetly trying to tell you was that you should take Granger out. Everyone has been watching this little song and dance going on between you since our Hogwarts days.”

“Yeah, sure Malfoy. This is Hermione we're talking about. She doesn't care for me in that way.”

“But she could,” Ginny said quietly.

Harry quickly turned his eyes to hers. “What do you mean?” he questioned her.

Ginny stole a glance at Hermione who was still waiting in queue for their drinks. “You care for her, don't you? I mean more as friends, that is.”

Harry shrugged nonchalantly, but he knew she was right. He had always cared deeply for Hermione. He had always wanted to opportunity to prove to her that her Mr. Forever was right under her nose.

“I have an idea if you're up to it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What is it?” he asked, apprehension evident in his voice.

“Prove to her that you're the right one. That you're the one who is perfect for her and she is perfect for you.”

Draco nodded his head. “Ginny is right, Harry. We know how Hermione is. We know how you are. You're both stubborn as bloody hell. I say you give her twenty-six weekends. Each weekend has to be spent together.”

“Why twenty-six?” he asked as the others looked to Draco for an explanation.

“There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Pick something to do each weekend that takes after a letter in the alphabet.”

Ginny smirked at her husband. “Draco, you're a genius!” she said as she placed an enthusiastic kiss on her lips.

“Yeah, nice idea Malfoy but how do you expect for Hermione to agree to this?” Ron asked.

“Hermione agree to what?” a voice said from behind.

Harry turned to see Hermione carrying a tray with their drinks. He quickly got up from his chair to help her pass the drinks around.

“What am I supposed to be agreeing to, Harry?”

“Potter, here, is going to take you out on a date. Actually, he is going to take you on twenty-six of them,” Draco told her with a smug smile as he took a drink of the pint Harry sat in front of him.

Hermione stared at the blonde blankly. “He-what-excuse me?”

Harry shot a glare at Draco before turning his attention to Hermione. “Look. I know we have had our share of bad luck lately, but I have an idea.” Draco coughed leading Harry to roll his eyes. “Okay. Draco had an idea. It seems that everyone else thinks we need to give each other a try. I say why not? For the next twenty-six weekends, let's spend them together. Each weekend we'll fix an activity to do together that coincides with the alphabet.”

Hermione looked at her best friend skeptically. “I don't know Harry. This is a big thing.”

He nodded. “It is. I couldn't agree more. Give me a shot, `Mione and I'll blow all of those other dates out of the water. I'll show you that we're perfect for one another. No one knows you like I do. If all else fails, it will just be two best friends who had a fun twenty-six weekends together.” He could feels his hands begin to shake in anticipation. He wanted her to agree to this. He needed her to agree to this.

“Do you promise that no matter what it won't ruin our friendship?”

Harry nodded. “I would never want that to happen. We might even be better friends after this.”

Minutes seemed to pass rapidly as the group waited for Hermione's decision, Harry most of all. Suddenly, she nodded. “Alright. I'll give it a shot. I have a few rules first.”

He gestured with his hand for her to proceed.

“No seeing anyone else during this. If we're going to give this a shot, then we're going to make it real. Second, we'll switch off on picking the dates. You take one week and I take the next. No matter the activity, we do what the other picked out.”

Harry nodded. “I can agree to those terms.”

Hermione smiled. “Good. A is mine, by the way so you get B.”

He laughed with the rest of the group. “Wait a damn minute here.”

“Nope. A is mine. Be ready to go Friday night, Mr. Potter. Our first date is then.”

The group of friends continued to laugh at Harry's shocked face, and Hermione's smug grin. The new couple failed to notice the satisfied smiles on Ginny Malfoy and Luna Weasley's face.

Their female counterpart was finally going to get her Mr. Forever.

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A is for Arsenal

The last week had left one Hermione Granger in a whirlwind. She typically prided herself in not having distractions. Harry's proposition had stunned her. She would be lying if she weren't the least bit curious as to how the next half-year would go.

She couldn't help but feel apprehensive. She feared that the outcome of this dating game would somehow hinder their relationship, and Hermione couldn't imagine ever losing his friendship. She depended on his friendship. She needed him to be there.

She also wasn't sure of his feelings towards her. Did he actually feel for her as more than a friend? When she voiced the question to Ginny and Luna earlier that week, they laughed at her.

It wasn't even a straight answer, they simply laughed. Hermione found herself frustrated at her friend's lack of answers for her, and in turn refused to tell them her plans for `A'.

To go along with her friend's wisecracks, she had barely spoken to Harry. She had seen and spoken to him once that week, and even that was brief. She was working her late night shift at St. Mungo's when Draco and Harry had been sent in to be checked out by one of her colleague's after a raid.

Their conversation lasted no more than five minutes. He assured her that he was okay, and they would speak on Friday to finalize plans. He left her with a light kiss on the cheek before disapperating.

She sighed to herself as she continued to poor over one of her patient's charts. It was closing in on noon. Fridays were typically days where both Hermione and Harry had half days, so they had planned to meet at her flat around four after owling each other that morning.

She vowed to finish the last of her paperwork before apparating back to her flat to get read for weekend A of Draco Malfoy's brilliant plan. Shaking her head, she got to work.

Harry Potter found himself in much the same position as Hermione. Friday's were typically days that he and Draco reserved to catch up on their paperwork. He found himself grow more anxious as the minutes ticked by, and Draco was quick to pick up on the raven-haired wizard's demeanor.

“You keep up like this on the date tonight and Granger is liable to tell you to fuck off entirely,” the blonde said with a laugh in his voice.

“Sod off, Malfoy. I'm nervous enough without your commentary to add to it.”

“Do you know what you're doing yet?”

Harry shook his head. “All her owl said is to dress muggle casual, but warm. We're grabbing a bite to eat at a pub first before her planned activity.”

“Where the bloody hell is she taking you where you have to dress warm? And you have to dress muggle at that? Do you have any idea whatsoever?”

“None,” he said as a smirk graced his face. “That's `Mione for you.”

“Well, all I have to say is that if you plan on shagging her senseless tonight at least make sure you both make it to my son's first birthday tomorrow. Ginny would hex off my bits if his godparents didn't show,” Draco said as he grimaced at the thought.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. “Ginny loves me too much to hex off my bits. Her mother would be deeply angry with her if she did that because then she wouldn't get any grandchildren from me.”

Harry's laughed deepened when a piece of rolled parchment flew at him, and missed by a long shot.

Hermione smiled as she pulled a jumper over her head. Harry was due to arrive at any minute. She grabbed an ID and some muggle money from her dresser before she left the confines of her bedroom. She wasn't surprised to see Harry already sitting quietly on her couch flipping through a magazine.

He looked up the moment she entered the room, and smirked. “You know, my dear sweet, innocent Hermione, if you're so interested in finding out how to seduce a man. .I have no problem being used as a test subject,” he said smugly as he held up her most recent copy of Cosmopolitan.

Laughing, she stepped forward to snatch the magazine out of her hands. “Hush. You ready to go? We don't have to be there until seven o'clock so we can grab a bite to eat first. Is that okay?”

“Sure. I'm famished. Malfoy wouldn't shut up today so I didn't exactly get to enjoy lunch with him.”

Hermione laughed knowingly. She explained to him that they would simply take the bus to where they needed to go since the pub was within a block from her date destination.

“Have you picked up Ryan's birthday present?”

Harry shrugged sheepishly. “Not yet. I thought I'd stop in Diagon Alley tomorrow morning before the party.”

“Don't bother. I got one of those kiddie brooms at Quality Quidditch Supplies. It can be a gift from both of us,” she told him, lowering her voice so they weren't heard.

“Are you sure?

“Positive. What better than him godparents giving him his favorite gift? Ginny said he would be ecstatic and Draco is livid that he didn't get to buy the gift.”

“A way to piss of Malfoy and make me the best godfather? I'm in.”

Hermione laughed as she shook her head. “Sometimes you guys will never change.”

She mused about how far they had come since their Hogwarts days. It was hard to believe that Draco and Harry were both partners in the Elite Auror Division, but they were the best the Ministry had. It made her proud to see how far Draco and Harry had come to actually become partners and friends. Though they picked on each other every now and then, it was all in good fun.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked softly with his mouth close to her ear.

She shivered slightly feeling his hot breath on her. “Just thinking how things have changed.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Everything okay, love?”

“Of course. Look! Here's our stop.”

She stood from her seat, and took Harry's hand in hers as she guided him off the bus. Their hands, unbeknownst to the, stayed joined together even as they entered the pub.

They talked quietly throughout their meals. It was mostly idle chat about their busy weeks with Hermione discussing some of her current patients while Harry told her about the case he and Draco were working on.

“Alright, spill it. What are we doing tonight?”

Hermione smiled. She knew he was dying to know the answer to the question since the previous week. “You really want to know?”

He nodded his head. “Tell me already!”

She reached into her bad pocket and slid two slips of paper across the table to Harry. Curious, he picked them up only to realize that they were tickets. Two tickets to see the Arsenal football club play Fulhem that night at Emirates Stadium.

He may have been a Quidditch player, but he grew up in a muggle household. He knew who the Arsenal was.

“Where in the world did you get these, Hermione? This game has been sold out for weeks!”

“Daddy gave them to me a few weeks ago. He was originally going to go with my uncle but something came up. I was actually planning on asking you to come anyhow, but once you brought up the A to Z idea I knew that I should take `A'. I remember you telling me a few weeks ago that you always wanted to go to an actual football game. Is this okay?” she asked a bit sheepishly.

“Okay? This is bloody brilliant!” He stood from his seat to go to her. She felt his arms quickly lift her out of her seat. “You're amazing. Thank you.”

She wrapped her arms around his torso to hug him in return. “My pleasure. I'm going to go play the bill so we can get out of here.”

Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulder as they started towards the stadium. Once they found their seats, Hermione smiled as she watched Harry's bright and excited face.

Hermione knew next to nothing about football. She knew that there were players on the field who kicked a ball back and forth, but that was the extent of it. Harry fully enjoyed being the teacher when she had told him this little fact as they walked into the stadium together.

She listened intently as Harry explained positions, rules, and penalties. Harry had to admit that he enjoyed being the teacher in place of Hermione's usual role. By Halftime, Hermione was fully into the game just as much as he was.

Two and a half hours later, the friends walked hand in hand to Hermione's apartment.

“'A' is complete,” Harry said as they approached the door to her flat.

She nodded. “'A' is done,” she repeated softly. “I would have to say it was a success, wouldn't you?”

Harry's brow lifted in surprise. “You mean to tell me that I already won a Miss Hermione Jane Granger over?” he asked, full well knowing that it wasn't what she meant.

Laughing, she pushed him playfully. “No, you prat. I had fun. Thanks for explaining the game of football to me. Daddy will be proud that I'll actually know what he's talking about now.”

Harry shrugged. “Might as well keep up the tradition. I had to explain Quidditch to you. Why not explain football as well?” He ran a hair nervously through his already messy dark hair. “Did you want to head over to the Malfoy's together tomorrow? I can meet you here around noon.”

“That sounds fine.” Without thinking, Hermione leaned towards Harry to wrap her arms around her waist. While hugging him tightly, she placed a soft and light kiss on his cheek when she felt his arms enwrap her body. “I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Potter.”

He smiled as he pulled away. “Aye, Miss Granger. Thanks for a great first date. Your idea was brilliant. Now, I've got to one up you.”

Hermione laughed as she stepped away to open her door. “Goodnight, Harry.”

With a wink and small wave, he said, “Night `Mione.” Suddenly, he was gone and Hermione smiled to himself.

She never could understand how he could apparate without a sound.

“Aunt Mimi!” Hermione smiled softly when she saw young red head make a beeline straight for her and Harry. The young girl stopped in front of the duo and looked at Harry with a wide smile. “Hi Uncle Harry!”

Harry crouched down to meet the young girl at eye level. “Hi there, Miss Emily. How are you?”

She giggled as she threw her tin arms around Harry's neck allowing him to lift her. “I'm great! Mommy said we get to have cake after Ryan opens his presents! Daddy told me we could taste it before though. You know. Just to make sure it's okay for everyone to eat.”

Hermione had to cover her mouth as to not laugh at Draco's antics. “Where is your Mommy, Emily? I want to make sure she doesn't need any help.”

“She is inside changing Ryan's nappy. Gramma Malfoy and Grammy Weasley are inside with her.”

“I'm going to go inside, alright Harry?”

He nodded, playfully jiggling the young Malfoy in his arms. He smiled while the young girl giggled. “This one is going to show me where her uncles and Daddy are hiding. Let me know if you need anything, Hermione.” He told her as she walked towards the house.

Harry talked with Emily as he made his way over to the backyard where the pint sized red head had told him where her uncles and father were. Her cousins were played a few feet from the men of the Weasley family, and Harry immediately realized that they had babysitting duties while the `women' prepared for the party. The group was gathered around a large picnic table with glasses ale in front of them. Behind them was another table loaded with gifts and a spot where the birthday cake was to go.

The small pint started wiggling in his arms wildly. “Uncle Harry! Let me down!”

Harry laughed trying to keep a hold on her. “Why would I want to do that, little one? I want to keep you!”

“What are you doing to my daughter, Potter?”

Harry sent a smug smirk at his partner and friend. “I'm spending quality time with my goddaughter, Malfoy. Problem with that?”

“I do! I want to spend some quality time with my niece, Harry!”

Harry looked to see his oldest friend sitting amongst his family of five brothers with the `adopted' brother Draco Malfoy, his blonde hair a dark contrast to the Weasley's red.

“Oh hush up Weasley,” Harry joked back as Emily finally broke free. The young girl laughed as Harry chased her towards the swarm of men. Within minutes, she found her seat in her father's lap.

But not before placing a wet kiss on her Uncle Ron's cheek. Harry couldn't help but smile. This was his family, and the only thing to make it complete was for Harry to be with Hermione. He was determined to prove to Hermione that it was supposed to be Hermione and Harry in the end. They were perfect together and they were perfect for one another.

Harry was so mixed up in his thoughts that it took Malfoy throwing a napkin at him for Harry to realize that Draco had asked a question.

“What?” he asked, a bit annoyed.

“The date, Potter. How did the date go?”

Harry smiled. “It went really well. We grabbed a quick bite at pub in North London and then walked a block to go to a football game.”

Draco laughed. “She took you to a bloody football game?”

Emily giggled. “Oooh! Daddy said a bad word.”

Ron took the opportunity to get his dig in while he could. “Yes he did, Emily Jane. You need to make sure you tell Mommy that, you hear?”

The young girl looked at her uncle with curiosity before turning her attention back to Draco.

“Don't listen to your, Uncle Ron. He doesn't know what he's talking about. You don't want Mommy to get mad at me, do you?”

Emily shook her head with a frown. “No! I won't tell, Daddy. I promise. Uncle Harry. Can I ask a question?”

Harry couldn't help but smile at the young girl's curiosity. “Of course, love.”

“Are you and Aunt Mimi getting married?”

He could help but laugh loudly at the shocked expressions of the old men's faces. “Merlin no, Emily! Where did you get that idea?”

She shrugged as she leaned against Draco's torso. “I heard Uncle Ron tell Uncle Bill and Uncle Charlie and Grand pappy that you went on a date with Aunt Mimi. A boyfriend/girlfriend kind of date,” she explained. She looked to Arthur Weasley in confirmation that she had her comment right and smiled when the older man nodded. “Well, then Daddy said he wished you were get married and get it over with. Why aren't you getting married to Aunt Mimi? I want you to get married!”

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the men around him laughed. “You guys are no help at all.” He leaned in closer to where the young girl looked at him. “Do you promise to keep a secret, Emily Jane?” he whispered in her ear. He smiled when she nodded energetic yes. “I plan on making that happen eventually. Not now, but eventually.”

Emily Jane Malfoy smiled brightly. “Really?” she asked when her godfather pulled away.

“Really. That's our little secret though, right Miss Malfoy?”

She nodded her head again. With a big smile she patted her father's chest. “Down Daddy. I want to go inside and see Mommy and Aunt Luna and Aunt Fleur and Aunt Mimi.”

Harry scooted over so Draco could set her on the ground. The group watched as the young girl ran into the house.

“What did you say to my daughter to get her so excited, Potter?”

Harry smirked as he folded his hands calmly. “Oh no. That's a secret between Miss Malfoy and myself. So, boys, who's up for a game of Quidditch?”

Inside, the conversation seemed to somewhat mirror the conversation between the boys.

“That's all you're going to give us, Hermione? It was nice?”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “What else is there to tell, Ginny? We went to a football game, and we had a good time at the said football game. Now, it's up to Harry for the next date next weekend.”

“Is Uncle Harry your boyfriend, Aunt Mimi?”

Hermione stood still. Not knowing what to say, she turned her attention to the newest body in the kitchen.

Little Emily Jane Malfoy stood in the doorway looking at Hermione expectantly.

“Is he, Aunt Mimi?”

“Um. Uncle Harry? My boyfriend?” Hermione looked to the woman in the kitchen for help. Luna and Ginny were looking t her with a knowing smile while Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, Angela, Katie and Penelope looked on with curious expressions. Upon entered the kitchen, she was immediately bombarded by the Weasley woman with questions about her date with Harry.

“Where did you go?” came from Ginny. “Did you have fun?” came from Angelina Weasley, Fred Weasley's wife. “Was he surprised?” Mrs. Weasley asked. “Did you kiss?” asked a dreamy eyed Luna. “Why didn't you take him to a Quidditch game?” Katie Bell Weasley, George's wife asked excitedly. “Iz he ze one?” Bill Weasley's pregnant wife, Fleur, asked.

Exasperated by the questions, she had turned to Charlie Weasley's newlywed wife of a few months, Meghan, to ask, “Have they been talking about this all afternoon?”

Hermione sighed when the brown haired witch nodded solemnly.

And that brought them to this moment. Hermione had expected the interrogation from her surrogate family, but not from her own goddaughter. “No, Em. Uncle Harry isn't my boyfriend. We're just dating right now. I know you're too young to understand. We might be boyfriend and girlfriend eventually, but we're getting to know each other right now.”

The young girl rolled her eyes. “You've known each other forever already. Daddy's right. I think you should just get married and get it over with. I want more cousins.”

The adult woman looked at the child with shock and bewilderment. No one knew what to say to the girl her simply responded to their looks by stomping her foot and running to the backyard to find her cousins.

A child's laugh rang out among the group, and Hermione turning to see young Ryan Malfoy laughing brightly in his mother's arms.

Ginny joined in her son's laughter. “Well. I think the minister has spoken Miss Granger.”

Hermione found herself rendered speechless for the first time. It was Harry after all. It was her best friend of over a decade. The first friend she ever had. He was her rock. But surely he couldn't be the one.

Could he?

Author's Note: WOW! I have to first say thank you for the overwhelming response to this story. It truly is amazing to see that people are reading this story and are enjoying it as much as I am enjoying writing this.

At the moment, this story is planning on being about 26-30 chapters long. Obviously, it will be at least twenty-six chapters because of the plot. Haha. I have a lot in store for Harry and Hermione.

The next chapter should be up within the week, and maybe even by this weekend. Next weekend is Harry's date, and he's got the letter `B'. Hermione went the safe route, but will Harry?

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A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the late update. This would have been finished and updated two weeks ago, but I have been really sick with a fever and all that jazz. I'm finally feeling like myself! Haha. I guess staying in bed with a book and water will do that to you. I also had a bunch of other stuff going on in real life. Things are back to normal though. I'm so glad that you're enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. I start graduate school in a week, but the weekly updates are going to stay as they are unless something comes up. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

B is for Boating and Brighton

Harry ran his hands over his messy hair as looked through the brochures that scattered his desk. He had four days to plan his date, and for what he wanted to do; it wasn't nearly enough time. It would take a miracle to pull this off, but he was Harry bleeding Potter. He was the Boy Who Lived. He was the boy in love with Hermione Jane Granger.

“Don't you look like a barrel of laughs,” a voice said from the doorway.

A second person laughed. “He's just gone mental because it's his turn to plan a date and I bet he doesn't know what to do.”

Harry looked up to see his best friend and partner standing in the doorway. Rolling his eyes, he went back to the brochures. “Sod off the both of you. Despite your lack of faith in me, I do have the weekend planned. It's just getting the details set in stone.”

Draco looked at Harry expectantly. “Well? What's the game plan?”

“Boating in Brighton,” he replied with a smile.

The blonde wizard turned his attention to Ron and nodded. “I have to say that the man is smart. Are you going to Brighton for the whole weekend?”

“Pretty much. We'll leave the moment she gets off work and then get back late Sunday night. I was planning on doing a picnic on a boat Saturday. I remembered Hermione mentioning something about a picnic on a boat being romantic. She read it in some book. Problem is, I'm having trouble finding a small flat to rent for the weekend. I wanted something that's waterfront. I wanted to romance her this weekend. We had fun last weekend. It was great for a first date. It's my turn to up the ante now.”

Ron shook his head slowly. “Harry. Are you sure this is a good idea? Look. I know that Hermione has feelings for you. She may be hesitant, but are you sure you want to come right out and do the whole romance thing?”

“Yes. Think about it, Ron. Think about who we're talking about.”

Draco walked farther into the office he shared with Harry, and took a seat at his desk. “I have to admit. Harry may have a point. He wants to woo Hermione right? The plan is to show Hermione that Harry is the one. Why not come right out and romance her? I think the best plan of action is to romance this weekend and next weekend. You have what, B and D?”

Harry nodded.

“Do you know what to do for D?” Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. “I was thinking about taking Hermione dancing.”

“And F?” asked Draco.

Harry grinned. “I don't know if I should tell you.”

Ron's eyes widened in surprise, and then he laughed when it dawned on him. “You wouldn't dare!”

“Would I?”

“She's going to kill you, Harry.”

Draco looked between his former classmates. “Did I miss something here?” he questioned.

Ron laughed. “Harry is going to take Hermione flying.”

Draco furrowed his brow allowing a confused look to come across his face. “I thought Hermione is afraid of heights?”

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. “She is. I'm going to teach her how to fly,” he told his friends. “She never had a proper lesson. That rubbish we got first year at Hogwarts doesn't count.”

Draco laughed along with Ron. “Weasley is right. You're going to be dead before you even get started, Potter. Give me those brochures and we'll help you make some calls. You're going to need those two good dates before F comes around because F might stand for Furnunculus because that's the hex she's going to hit you with when you spring this on her in a few weeks.”

Hermione laughed as young Ryan Malfoy bounced playfully on her lap. While Emily was the exact replica of her mother, Ryan was a pint-sized version of his father with his platinum blonde hair and gray eyes. Hermione had stopped by Malfoy Manor to have afternoon tea with Ginny.

“Are you in love with Harry, Hermione?”

For a while, Hermione said nothing. Ginny almost thought Hermione may not have heard her, but then Ginny could hear her friend quietly say, “I don't know.” Knowing Hermione would elaborate further, Ginny said nothing. “I never thought much about it. I think that if I did then I would be in love with him. Could I love him?” she questioned aloud. “Yes. I could. I think that is what scares me so much about the next twenty-five weeks.”

“Why Hermione? Love isn't a bad thing you know. It's a wonderful and amazing feeling. Do you want to get married at all?”

Hermione smiled. “Oh yes! I want to get married. I want to have children. There are these fairytale stories that muggle children are told when they're young about these girls who find their prince charming and ride off into the sunset. Daddy used to tell me about them when I was younger. When I was finally able to read the stories myself; I would read them over and over until my books were so worn down that the pages aren't even bound together anymore. I want that. I want my prince charming and happily ever after,” she explained to Ginny with a dreamy look to her eyes.

Ginny couldn't help but feel bad for her friend but she still didn't understand. “What is the problem then? Harry is right here ready to give that to you.”

The brown haired witch sighed as she reached out to run her hand over Ryan's head affectionately. “I'm scared that if I give myself the chance to fall in love with Harry then I'm going to lose him and I can't lose Harry. I just can't do it, Ginny. I don't know how to explain it to you for you to understand.”

Ginny dropped a kiss on top of her son's head as he giggled at nothing in particular. She stood from her seat at the kitchen table to place him in his playpen while she cleaned up the mess from the tea. “What are you going to do at the end of the six months?”

Hermione shrugged. “I'll just have to see where the next twenty-five dates take us, I suppose.”

Ginny nodded her head in acknowledgement but she couldn't help but feel her heart break for her friend. “Alright. I hope you know what you're doing though.”

“I do too,” she whispered in response. “I do too.”

The rest of the week passed without any significant surprises. Hermione was exhausted, but she couldn't help but feel excited for the upcoming weekend. That morning she received an owl from Harry before she left for work.

Pack a weekend bag. Bring the essentials. Enough to last the weekend. Make sure to pack a bathing suit and a jacket. The days are supposed to be hot and the nights are to be chilly. See you at five! Pick you up at St. Mungo's!

Love, Harry

A weekend away sounded amazing to Hermione. There were to be no prying eyes and no prying ears for two whole days. She was looking forward to spending those two days with her best friend.

The man she was now dating. The term was something she was still getting used to when speaking of Harry. She laughed to herself when she remembered little Emily once again making a comment about cousins. She made a mental note to speak to Draco the following week about keeping his conversations private from children who tended to repeat things.

“Hey beautiful,” a strong masculine voice said bringing her from her thoughts.

Hermione looked up to see Harry casually leaning against the doorway to her office dressed in a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt. Blushing, she smiled. “Hi Harry. Are you ready to go?”

“Ready when you are. We're just going to apparate there if that's okay? I still don't know how to drive,” he said with a small chuckle.

“That's fine,” she picked up her weekend bag that sat beside her desk. After muttering a shrinking charm, she picked up the bag that was now the size of a pound to stuff it in her jeans pocket.

The duo made their way to the apparition points hand in hand, and with a quick flick of his wand they found themselves in the middle of a room that Hermione didn't quite recognize.

With Harry's hand still clasped in hers, she set her bag down at her feet before glancing at her surroundings. “Where are we, Harry?” she asked once turning back to him.

“B is for boating in Brighton,” he told her with a trace of a smile etched onto his face, unsure of her reaction.

He was relieved when she broke into a grin. “Really?” she asked. Her smile grew larger when he nodded his head. “Oh wow! I haven't been here since I was a little girl!” she told him, excited.

He watched as she traveled from room to room of the small waterfront flat. The room in which they arrived was a small sitting room had a kitchen table in the far corner of the room as well as a large fireplace with a mirror hanging above it. There was a muggle telly in another corner of the room with a large oversize chair and a comfortable couch sitting against the wall opposite the fireplace. Off to the side of the room was a sliding glass door that led to a brick balcony.

He silently followed Hermione as she traveled into the master bedroom. Finding his voice a bit nervous when he spoke, “There is another room where I can sleep. You can have this room.”

Hermione turned her eyes to her best friend. With a small smile, she shook her head. “You can sleep in here. With me. I mean, we're adults right? We're just going to sleep.”

He nodded slowly as they continued their tour of the beachside flat. That night, they made their trek to a small grocery located a block away to find dinner for them. Harry wanted to cook that night, and felt that the meal would be great served under the night sky on the balcony.

Hermione watched silently with a cold glass of wine in one hand, her hip perched against the kitchen counter as Harry began chopping and mincing food into a small saucepan on the stove.

She felt herself admire the way his hands maneuvered as he made dinner. He didn't say what exactly was on the menu, but she knew it smelled good.

Hermione felt herself move without thinking as she poured a second glass of wine for Harry. With his back to her, she picked up the second glass with her free hand and used her elbow to tap him on the arm. With a gracious smile, he took the glass from her. “Thanks,” he told her before leaning down to place a light kiss on her cheek.

“You're welcome,” she responded as a pink tint appeared on her cheeks.

Dinner was a relatively quiet affair. Harry set the table with candles, wine and a delicious smelling meal. He had made a nice ceasar salad as an appetizer with a parmesan crusted chicken breast with a chunky tomato sauce over it. The meal tasted just as great as it smelled.

“You're an amazing cook. I think you missed your calling,” she told him as she took a sip of her wine.

Harry laughed. “I think Kingsley may have something to say about that. I enjoy cooking. I'd rather do it for fun then cook for a living. I enjoy cooking for family and friends. I'm glad you enjoyed it.”

Smiling, she reached out to lightly touch his hand with hers. “I always enjoy it when you cook.”

“See now, the privilege of `dating' me is that you get to experience my cooking quite often.” He noticed a blush that appeared on her cheeks, and felt pride well up within him. He knew it would be a battle with her, and so far he was winning.

“Would you like to relax and watch a movie tonight? I have some things planned tomorrow so we have to be up a bit early.”

Hermione laughed. “You? Up early?”

He shot her a dignified look as he took a sip of his own glass of wine. “I can be up early, and I will be up early tomorrow. I'll clean this up-“

She stopped Harry with her hands. Smiling, she picked up the empty dishes that were on the table. “I'll clean it up. You go ahead in and get comfortable.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded her head as she made her way inside with the rest of the dishes levitating behind her. Harry couldn't help but smile at her retreating figure. The weekend was starting off perfectly. He had no doubt that the wooing of Hermione would be quite successful.

Hermione felt her body slowly awake as she stretched against something solid. She opened her eyes and groaned as they adjusted to the light from outside. She blinked rapidly before finally opening her eyes to see Harry staring down as her with a smile.

It was then that she realized that at some point during the night, she had snuggled up against Harry and he had his arm wrapped protectively around her. As much as she wanted to deny it, it felt good to be in his arms.

“What's the plan for today?” she asked before he had the opportunity to make a comment.

He tightened his grip slightly, knowing she was purposely changing the subject before he even brought it up. Smiling, he kissed the top of her head lightly taking note when her body tensed quickly. “Actually, we're going boating. I was going to back a basket for lunch and take you boating today. I thought it would be fun out of the water. We'll park somewhere and eat.”

She couldn't help but smile. “I think I like the sound of that. I'm going to go get ready then, okay? Did you want me to pack the lunch?” she asked.

Harry shook his head. “I'll take care of it, love. Get ready.”

It wasn't long after Hermione found herself waking up in Harry's arms, the duo sat at a small table at the back of a pontoon boat.

“Not bad, Mr. Potter. Do you do this for all the women you try to woo?” Hermione asked with a laugh.

Hermione noticed that Harry's light mood turned serious as the smile seemingly fell from his face. “I've never done this for anyone before, `Mione.”

The laugh stopped as she realized what he meant. “Ever?”

He slowly shook his head sitting back in his seat. “Never. I told you that I wanted to prove to you how good we would be together. How good I could for you. I have twenty-five weeks to prove it to you, and I will use those weeks to my advantage.” Harry looked at her waiting silently for her to say something. Anything. Hermione slowly turned her eyes to the blue water off to the side. When the silence continued, he leaned forward. Softly, he lifted his hand to bring her eyes back to his. He frowned when he saw her eyes glistening with silent tears. “Hermione! What is it? What's wrong?”

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. She felt herself calm down enough to open them again. “I'm scared, Harry.”

Shocked, he dropped his hand. “Scared? Scared of what? Me?”

She nodded her head slowly. “But not for the reasons you think. I'm scared of losing you,” she whispered softly.

“You won't, Hermione. Voldemort is-“

“I don't give a damn about Voldemort, Harry! It's not Voldemort. It's us. I'm scared of losing you, Harry. Of losing our friendship if we give us a chance.”

Harry took a moment to register what she said. He knew that was what she feared, but he had no idea how much she feared losing their friendship.

He stood from his seat across from her and held out his hand. He took her hand in his, pulling Hermione against him. He wrapped his arms tightly around his body and waited until she wrapper hers around his waist. “I won't let that happen, Hermione. I swear I won't. Trust me. Trust us. Trust the next six months. I'm a determined wizard, Hermione. You know that. We won't lose our friendship. I won't allow that to happen.”

Hermione had no choice but to trust his words, and nodded her head slowly.

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