Chapter One:
The war was finally over. Voldemort was defeated and thousands were saved from his horrible wrath. Harry Potter, the boy who lived, stood against his foe and struck the final blow that took his mortal enemy's life forever. Voldemort had destroyed nearly everyone and everything Harry held dear. First his parents, leaving him to live for years in complete agony with his mother's sister and her family the Dursley's. When Harry learned the truth about his parents and himself, he felt as if he was finally given a chance at happiness. That was until he learned the truth of his parent's deaths and he was the one person Voldemort had failed to destroy. Learning that you are a wizard would be hard enough to swallow, much less learning you are a wizard with a target on your back. Everyone thought Voldemort had been destroyed that fateful night when he tried to kill Harry. Instead of Harry being killed, Voldemort was destroyed leaving Harry with a constant reminder of that night, a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. He couldn't go anywhere in the wizarding world without someone whispering and saying things about "the boy who lived." If he hadn't had his best friends, Ron and Hermione with him, he probably would have gone mad a long time ago. Harry couldn't deny that sometimes he almost wished that Voldemort would come and take him away from all this pain, but one look at his best friends' who always stood so strong and proud beside him always gave him the courage to fight.
The last seven years of his life had been the most difficult. Along the way he had lost so many people he held dear. First Cedric fell at Voldemort's hands, then his beloved Godfather Sirius was killed by Voldemort's wench Bellatrix, Professor Dumbledore betrayed by Snape whom he had so foolishly trusted, and tonight...tonight he had lost Lupin, Tonks, Hagrid, and Ginny. If that wasn't horrible enough, Harry's best friend Ron was barely clinging to life. He just didn't know if he could handle losing him on top of everything else.
Harry looked around at the faces of everyone who stood by Ron's bedside. Molly and Arthur held on tightly to each other, crying for the child they lost and the child whose fate had yet to be decided. Fred and George stood behind their parents each with an arm around them, looking solemnly down at their fallen brother their eyes that almost always sparkled with mischief now sparkled with unshed tears. Luna and Neville, both covered in gashes, bruises, and grime from the battle looked on with tears in their eyes. Then there was Hermione. She sat beside Ron on his bed, holding his hand, tears streaming from her big brown eyes. Seeing her so upset made Harry's heart hurt even more.
Harry had known since the end of their sixth year that his feelings for Hermione had grown from friendship to love. He wasn't quite sure when it had happened. Maybe it was when she rallied their classmates to stand with him as Dumbledore's Army, maybe it was when she stood with him as they fought Voldemort's death eaters, or maybe it was when she held him as she cried for his Godfather. He'd come to realize it didn't really matter when he had fallen in love with her, he just knew he loved her so desperately. Harry wanted nothing more than to go to her, pull her into his embrace and keep her there forever, but he knew he couldn't do that. Hermione and Ron had always had a strange sort of relationship. Everyone knew they fancied each other, but neither of them ever acted on it. Ron would send her looks from across the table or the room, but the moment she looked at him he would pretend to be looking at something else. Anytime Harry mentioned it to him he would fiercely deny such a ridiculous accusation. Harry thought Hermione felt the same way Ron did. During their fourth year they had the Yule Ball. It was obvious to Harry that Ron was jealous to see Hermione there with Viktor Krum. Ron watched them all night long, jealousy radiating from his body. After an argument with Ron about Viktor, Hermione told him next time to ask her to the dance first before someone else and not to ask her as a last resort. That proved to Harry that she cared more for Ron than just a friend. Now watching her at Ron's side, it seemed to prove that she still felt that way. Harry bit back tears as he slowly backed out of the room. He just wanted to get away and go somewhere he'd always felt happy. He made his way to the darkened side of the Quidditch field and fell hard onto the grass. As he lay there looking up at the stars, all of the tears he had been holding onto began to fall down his cheeks. His body began to shake as choked sobs came. There alone on the Quidditch field, he finally let himself go.
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Hermione wiped the tears from her face as she looked down at her fallen friend. She couldn't believe what had happened just hours ago. Voldemort was defeated. Everyone was safe...Harry was finally safe. The moment she saw him fall by Harry's hand, for a brief moment Hermione felt a wave of happiness wash over her. Then as she looked around at all of their fallen friends, the weight of what had actually happened settled on her chest. So many people had died by Voldemort's hand, so many of their friends. When Ron was taken back inside Hogwarts to be treated, Hermione felt as if her heart would never mend if anything were to happen to him. Ron and Harry were the two people Hermione cared about most in her life. They were her best friends and they had been through so much together in the last seven years. Life without either of them just seemed unbearable. Finally tearing her eyes from Ron's still form, she saw the others standing behind her. Ron's family, Luna, and Neville, all crying over those they had lost and the possibility of losing Ron. She frowned in confusion when Harry was no where to be found. She quietly left the room, not at all surprised when no one acknowledged her as she slipped out of the room. She had to find Harry. First she tried the Gryffindor common room and the boy's dorms, then she tried Hagrid's cabin trying desperately not to think about the fact that Hagrid would no longer open the door with his great big smile and offer them tea and uneatable treats. She was on the verge of tears when her eyes saw the darkened Quidditch field. Hermione dashed across the courtyard and headed to the field. It only took her a moment to find him. He was laying on the grass in a darkened corner of the field. She slowly walked toward him wringing her hands nervously not quite sure what to say to him. Hermione had known for quite some time now that she had fallen for her best friend, it just wasn't the friend who had her attention early on in her seven years at Hogwarts. Ron was a wonderful guy and a fiercely loyal friend whom Hermione knew she would love always, but it was Harry not Ron who now held her heart. Of course no one knew how she felt. Everyone kept expecting her and Ron to become something she knew wouldn't make either of them happy. Ron's infatuation with her is part of what kept her from telling Harry how she really felt, but the main reason was plain old fear. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if it ruined their friendship and she lost him forever? She just couldn't bear the thought of never looking into his beautiful green eyes again and hearing him laugh at some ridiculous thing she's said. Tonight she had almost lost him to Voldemort. Could she really go on after everything that's happened without telling him how she felt? It was a risk she was afraid she was going to have to take.
When she finally reached him, she sat down beside him, hugging her knees to her chest. Harry sat up with a heavy sigh.
"How's Ron?" he asked, his deep and masculine voice sending chills down her spine.
"The same. What are you doing out here Harry?"
He refused to meet her gaze, "I just had to get out of there. I mean Ron...Ron may die and it's all my fault."
"That's not true!"
"Yes it is," Harry's voice quavered. "Maybe we'd have all been better off is I'd never gotten my letter from Hogwarts." Hermione seized his face in her hands, forcing him to look into her eyes. When he finally looked at her, she saw tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Don't you ever say that," her voice cracked with emotion. "All of this happened because it was meant to be, Harry. Everyone knew the consequences when we stood with you tonight. If Ron were sitting here, he'd tell you to stop being an irrational git and be happy that you saved so many innocent lives from Voldemort's wrath."
Harry's chin began to tremble as fresh tears fell down his cheeks. He pulled her roughly to him in a fierce hug, clinging desperately to her, so afraid to let her go. Hermione let her tears fall freely, soaking his shirt, not thinking about anything but how good it felt to be in his arms. Harry's arms tightened around her small waist as if he were afraid she'd disappear. Neither were sure how long they sat there holding each other, but Harry was the first to begin to pull away. He pulled away just far enough so he could look into her eyes. He gently took her face in his hands, wiping at her tear stained cheeks. Hermione's breath caught in her throat, anticipating what was going to happen next. Harry leaned in closer, gently brushing his lips across hers, pulling back to gage her reaction. Before he could look into her eyes, she leaned back into him, pressing her lips more urgently against his. To her surprise, she felt Harry bury his hands in her abundant waves as he pulled her closer to him. A soft moan escaped her lips as he teased her with his tongue, his hands moving to her waist inching underneath her shirt to caress the bare skin of her back. Her body began to shiver in anticipation, not knowing what would happen, but knowing she wanted to share a part of herself she hadn't shared with anyone.
She wasn't exactly experienced with this kind of thing, but in fourth year she did have a relationship with Viktor Krum. They had of course kissed and touched, but nothing more. Hermione knew Harry and Cho dated just last year, their relationship ending at the end of that school year. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if he and Cho had ever touched each other the way she wanted him to touch her. She forced those thoughts from her mind as she focused on what Harry was doing. His hands massaged her bare back, slowly moving around her to gently brush the undersides of her breasts. Even though they were still covered in the lace from her bra and his fingers barely touched her, she felt a bolt of heat shoot straight to her core causing her to gasp in surprise.
Harry took it as a sign to continue his exploration of her body. For the past year he'd been imaging what it felt like to touch her soft skin and kiss her perfect lips. It was as if his most fevered wish was coming true. After Cho, Harry had become very well acquainted with the female form and where to touch to get a certain kind of response. She had been his first, and he had cared for her deeply, but toward the end of his sixth year he realized it just wasn't meant to be. Cho couldn't quite understand why he was breaking up with her, but Harry never told her the real reason. There was only one reason...Hermione. He didn't want to lead her on any longer and pretend anymore. He'd told everyone, including Ron and Hermione that with Cho leaving Hogwarts they just decided it best to end things, but only Harry knew the real reason.
He wanted to make sure he took things slow and easy with her and vowed to stop if he saw signs of reluctance. So far she had met him kiss for kiss, touch for touch, without any hesitation. He felt her hands reach underneath his shirt, running over his firm chest and up his back. She'd fantasized about this for so long, she almost felt the need to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Before she lost her nerve, she gathered up his shirt and pulled it over his head revealing his beautiful form. Hermione looked at him, drinking in his image, burning it into her brain for all eternity. She took a deep breath before quickly discarding her shirt as well, leaving her sitting in front of him in her pink lace bra. Harry stared at her for a moment feeling his jeans tighten even more around his groin, his body aching with need to touch her and feel her quiver with need for him. He could see desire in the depths of her big brown eyes, but he also saw uncertainty. His eyes fell to the cut that ran across her stomach, a wound she had gotten during battle. He brushed his lips softly against the cut flesh before pulling her to him once more, taking her lips in a searing kiss. She shivered as his hands reached around her back to unclasp her bra. She felt it tighten for a moment before it fell loosely around her shoulders. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest as her bra joined their shirts on the grass behind them. Harry laid her down, his eyes raking over her nearly naked form. Her pert breasts rose and fell as she breathed nervously under Harry's burning gaze.
"You are so beautiful," he murmured as he kissed her once more, his hands gently kneading her breasts bringing her nipples to rock hard peaks almost instantly. His lips began to burn a path from her neck to her collar bone, until he took one of the hardened peaks into his warm mouth. Hermione gasped, her hands immediately burying themselves into his unkempt hair, holding him in place. She writhed underneath him, almost wanting to cry from the pleasure just his mouth on her sensitive flesh was giving her. He quickly switched to the other breast giving it the same attention he had bestowed on the other. His hands moved between their hot bodies to the button of her jeans, quickly undoing them before reaching inside to touch her most intimate spot. Hermione's body immediately rose to meet his searching hands, urging him to touch her more. He slowly slid his hand underneath the edge of her knickers as his mouth continued to assault her breasts. Her breath was coming in short pants as Harry buried his fingers inside her warmth. She arched her back as his fingers worked their magic on her senses. Hermione felt a fire begin to burn deep within her until she felt as though she would melt right then and there. Before she knew it, she felt her muscles spasm as a wave of intense pleasure rocked her small frame. He slowly withdrew his hand, bringing his lips back up to hers. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him tightly to her chest. Once she'd regained some of her composure, she ran her hands down his chest to the waist of his jeans. She could feel him straining against the zipper of his jeans, begging to be released. She quickly unbuttoned his jeans, her small trembling hands reaching inside. Harry groaned in pleasure as she took his throbbing member in her hands. She stroked him gently, smiling in satisfaction as he eyes closed, his facial expression showing just how much pleasure she was giving him. He knew if he let her continue touching him that he wouldn't last long. He reached down and tugged her jeans and knickers down her long, shapely legs, smiling when she nervously placed her hand over her womanhood, looking slightly embarrassed. Harry quickly rid himself of the rest of his clothes before kissing his way back up her body. She opened herself up to him, welcoming him into her arms, wanting him to love her. He kissed her again with all the passion and love he felt for her. She was so overcome that she felt she might cry. Harry knew the next part was not going to be pleasant for her, so he entered her quickly burying himself deep inside her. She cried out in pain for just a second. It took all of his control to keep himself from moving inside her. His need was so strong, but he didn't want to move until she was ready. Slowly she began to move underneath him, telling him without words that she was ready. He began to move his hips slowly at first. Hermione moaned as she felt the fire begin to burn inside her once more. She began to rise and meet Harry's hips with her own, creating a rhythm together that had their hearts racing. Their bodies began to glisten in the moonlight as a sheen of sweat coated their writhing forms. Harry never felt this kind of pleasure before in his life. He didn't want this moment to end, yet part of him thought he'd die if it didn't. Hermione felt her release approaching. She dug her nails into his back as she felt herself falling over the edge once more. The moment he felt her closing around him, he fell over the edge as well.
They lay there for a while, Harry placing soft kisses over her face and lips, Hermione enjoying the feel of his weight on top of her and the completeness she felt with him still inside her. Reluctantly, Harry slowly withdrew from her warm body and Hermione immediately missed his fullness inside her. He sat up and began to distribute their clothes with a sly smile on his handsome face.
"We'd better get dressed before someone catches us." He laughed when he saw the blush creep into her cheeks. A couple of minutes later they were both fully dressed, but neither was sure what to do next. Harry pulled her to him, holding her close as he planted soft kisses in her hair. Hermione rained kisses along his neck making him shiver once more. They stood in their embrace, both completely unaware that someone was coming up behind them.
"Harry!" Neville yelled, his voice winded from running across the field. Harry and Hermione immediately stepped away from each other, both wearing guilty looks. Neville was completely oblivious and didn't let on that he suspected anything out of the ordinary. "Harry, I've been looking everywhere for you. It's Ron."
Harry felt his heart stop in his chest, "What? Is he...dead?"
"No, he's awake and he's asking for you. For both of you." Relief rushed through them with the news of their friend's recovery, but it was quickly replaced by dread. How could they face Ron after what just happened between them? Harry knew Ron liked Hermione and he let what he wanted get in the way of that. Harry and Hermione risked a quick glance at each other before they fell into step behind Neville as they made their way back to the castle. Hermione moved closer to Harry and took his hand in hers. He smiled down at her and gave her hand a squeeze. They were still holding hands as they walked into the hospital. Ron was trying to sit up in bed with Luna's help, much to his mother's objection. He looked horrible. He was paler than usual, if that was possible, and dark circles had formed around his eyes. Ron gave Luna a grateful smile once he was sitting up in his bed. He looked toward the door and was relieved when he saw his two best friends.
"Harry, Hermione," he said, his voice hoarse. "I guess we won."
Harry gave him a half smile, "I guess so. I'm still here." He paused for a moment, "I'm glad you're okay."
He nodded, "Yeah."
"I'm so sorry Ron."
"For what?"
"For everything that happened. If it wasn't for me none of you would have been in danger and...so many wouldn't have died."
Ron looked over at his parents who were looking down at him with tears running down their cheeks. Fred and George continued to stare down at the floor saying nothing. His chin began to tremble as tears began to fall down his cheeks, "Ginny..." his voice cracked as he began to speak. "Ginny died fighting to help you kill the most evil wizard ever to walk this Earth. The same for the others. Sirius, Dumbledore, Ginny, and all the others knew what we were up against and they knew the risks." Harry felt fresh tears fall from his bright green eyes. Ron took a deep breath, "Don't keep blaming yourself. The only one to blame is Voldemort and you saved the rest of us from him." Harry still gripped Hermione's hand in his own. He felt her step up even closer to him and wrap her other hand around his arm, leaning her head against his shoulder. Harry could have sworn he saw something flash in Ron's eyes, but he wasn't quite sure what it was. All Harry knew was that he just couldn't bring himself to let Hermione go just yet. He needed her too much. Suddenly Madame Pomfrey came rushing in sending everyone except for Luna who had begun helping her in the hospital earlier that year. Luna had discovered a desire to heal others after their battle with the death eaters the year before, and Madame Pomfrey was happy to have someone to take under her wing and teach what she knew.
Once everyone was outside of the hospital, they stood there in awkward silence. Arthur gently rubbed his wife's shoulder as he cleared his throat.
"We'd better go tend to Ginny dear, now that we know Ron is okay." Molly simply nodded against her husband's chest. It wasn't until then that Harry let go of Hermione's hand and walked up to them. He placed an unsure hand on Molly's shoulder causing her to look up at him.
"I'm so sorry." Molly pulled Harry to her in an almost crushing embrace. He said nothing and let her hold him, feeling another set of arms surround him as Arthur hugged him as well. Molly finally pulled away and looked up at him with a sad smile, the love she'd always shown him shining in her eyes despite her pain.
"Harry, you are so much like our own. It wouldn't have been any easier to lose you. None of this is your fault. Ginny...we will see her again someday." Molly's face crumbled into tears once more and buried her face in Arthur's chest again. Arthur offered Harry and Hermione a sad smile as she turned to his sons.
"Come Fred, George." He looked at Harry again, "Tell Ron we'll be back in the morning." Harry simply nodded as he watched the Weasley's apparate, leaving Harry, Neville, and Hermione behind.
After a moment of awkward silence, Neville spoke, "We're all exhausted. We'd better head back to the dorms and get some sleep." As if being led by a leash, they both followed Neville toward the Gryffindor common room. It was so quite inside. The rest of the students at Hogwarts had been sent home a couple weeks back when the news of the pending war came. Only those willing to stay and fight had remained behind. As they looked around the empty room, none of them could bring themselves to going up to their own beds.
"Why don't we all sleep in here tonight? I really don't feel like being alone after what's happened," Hermione suggested. Harry and Neville nodded their response. She quickly summoned blankets and pillows for each of them, then lay down between Harry and Neville feeling tired all the way to her bones, yet she didn't want to sleep. They had only been laying down for a few minutes when they heard the sound of Neville starting to snore softly. Harry and Hermione laughed softly at their friend. He reached over and took her hand in his. That was the only invitation she needed. She turned over and nuzzled his neck as she settled into his arms.
"Goodnight Harry," she whispered against his lips. He closed his eyes, reveling in the sweet kiss she placed on his lips. He made no move to deepen the kiss, knowing neither of them could act on their feelings with Neville asleep just a few feet away from them. Harry broke their kiss and smiled down at her.
"Goodnight `Mione." She laid her head on his chest and let the steady sound of his heartbeat lull her to sleep.
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