AU. Harry and Hermione go out one night. What happens when there is an accident? How will Harry deal with it?
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/8161/
Chapter One
Oh where, oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to Heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world
---------------------------
Twenty-one year old Harry Potter paced the room in front of the fire in the living room of the house he shared with his two best friends. Ron Weasley was an Auror, as was Harry, but Ron was on an assignment. Hermione Granger worked in Flourish and Blotts. She was due home any minute. Harry was going to ask Hermione out tonight. Ron had told him to go for it. That whatever feelings him and Hermione had had for each other was gone now.
Harry turned towards the fire when he heard the front door open. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He turned when Hermione walked into the living room. Harry couldn't believe he was about to do this. Him, Ron, and Hermione had been friends for ten years. If Hermione didn't agree, it could ruin their friendship.
Hermione smiled at Harry as she sat down. Harry came and sat next to her. She laid her head on his shoulder. "Hey, Harry. How was your day?"
Harry smiled. "Fine. How was yours?"
"Uneventful, but my shoulders are killing me," Hermione said, slyly.
"Turn around and I'll massage them for you." Hermione turned sideways and Harry began to gently massage her shoulders. He gently kneaded the tension out of her shoulders.
Hermione sighed and leaned back against him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You are so wonderful, Harry. I like it just being the two of us." She turned her head sideways and looked up at him. His face was only inches from her. Her heart started to race. Next thing she knew, she closed the distance and gently kissed him.
Harry kissed her back. Hermione pulled away and laid her head back on Harry's shoulder. "Hermione, I-."
"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione interrupted.
"For what?"
"For kissing you. I shouldn't have done that."
Harry lifted her face. She looked up at him. "Don't apoligize. I want to ask you something."
Hermione looked at him curiously. "Yes, Harry?"
"I leave first thing Monday morning. I was wondering, if you weren't to busy, if you would go out with me on Saturday?"
"I would love to, Harry." Hermione smiled at him. He gently hugged her.
"You mean it? You really want to go out with me?"
"Of course I do." She looked at Harry. Harry leaned down and kissed her.
Hermione ran her hand along his arm as they kissed. He pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers. "Thank you so much."
They heard someone clear their throat. They jumped apart as they looked towards the fireplace. There floated Ron's head. Hermione ran and knelt down in front of him. "Ron! How are you?"
"Hey, Herm. I'm doing pretty good. Did I just see you and Harry kissing?"
Hermione blushed as Harry came over to talk to Ron. "Hey, mate. How's it going?"
"Pretty good. Did you do it?"
"Yeah, I did."
"She said yes."
"How did you know?"
"Because I saw you two kissing. You finally worked up the courage, huh?"
Hermione glared at Ron. "Actually, Ronald, I kissed him first."
"Ah hah. So you were kissing him." Hermione blushed again.
Harry laughed at them. He slid his arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I think I am going to go to bed. I'll talk to you later, Ron." He kissed Hermione on the cheek and headed towards the stairs. "Night, Hermione. Night, Ron."
"Night, Harry," Hermione and Ron chorused. Harry stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to look at Hermione. Their eyes met and Hermione smiled.
"So, Hermy, you finally cracked."
Hermione's head shot around. "Shut up, Ron."
"I knew it wouldn't be long before you would go out with him, or kiss him."
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron. "I don't know what made me do it, but I'm glad I did. You know I've liked him since the end of Seventh year."
"Well, what happened that made you kiss him?"
"I don't know. I had just gotten home from work and said my shoulders hurt. He was massaging them for me, like always, and I leaned against him. I said something and turned to look at him. His face was only a couple of inches from mine. The next thing I knew I was kissing him."
Ron smiled at her. "I'm happy for you, Herm. Look I have to go, but I'll talk to you on Sunday when I get home. Alright?"
"Alright, Ron. Night."
"Night." Hermione stood up and headed to bed. She stopped by Harry's room and saw that he was fast asleep. She walked over and gazed down at him. She was happy that he could finally sleep peacefully. She kissed his forehead and went to bed herself.
Saturday night, Hermione was tearing through her closet trying to decide what to wear. She finally decided on her black dress with her black heels. After she did her makeup and hair, she headed down to meet Harry.
Harry nervously paced the living room. He heard a sound and swung around. His jaw dropped when he saw Hermione at the bottom of the stairs. She looked beautiful. She had on two-inch heels. Her black dress came to about mid-thigh and clung to her showing off her curves. Her hair was down and the sides pinned up, just like he liked it. Harry blinked when he heard Hermione laugh.
"Well? What do you think?"
Harry tried to say something. It took him three tries before he could speak. "Hermione, you look- you look- wow."
Hermione walked towards him. "So do you, Harry. You look so wonderful."
Harry smiled at her. "You ready to go?"
"Just need to grab my coat." Hermione picked up her jacket off of the couch and slid it on. She held her hand out to Harry. He took it and they headed out. They went out to eat and then to a club. They were sitting in a booth talking, when a slow song came on. Harry stood up and held his hand out to Hermione. When she wouldn't take it, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet and onto the dance floor.
"Harry! What are you doing?"
"I am going to dance with you."
"Harry, no. I can't dance."
"Now that is so not true. I remember someone that was quite the dancer at the Yule Ball in Fourth Year." He pulled Hermione to him and slid his arms around her waist.
Hermione slid her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest. Harry gently swayed with her to the music. The song was "Last Kiss" by Pearl Jam.
Harry and Hermione returned home at around one o'clock in the morning. They threw their coats on the couch and headed off to bed. Harry walked Hermione to her bedroom door. He gazed down at her. He gently laid his hand on her cheek. He rubbed her cheek softly with his thumb. "I had a good time tonight, Hermione."
Hermione smiled. "So did I, Harry. Thank you so much."
Harry leaned down and gently kissed Hermione. "Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Harry." She went into her room. She kicked off her shoes and fell back onto her bed. She squealed in delight. She changed and went to bed.
Harry went to his room. At the door, he heard Hermione's squeal and laughed. He went into his room and changed. He slid into his bed and sighed. He laid his glasses on his night stand. He turned on his side and fell asleep.
Chapter Two
We were out on a date in my daddy's car
We hadn't driven very far
There in the road, straight ahead
A car was stalled, the engine was dead
I couldn't stop so I swerved to the right
I'll never forget the sounds that night
The screaming tires, the busting glass
The painful scream that I heard last
--------
Harry walked into the kitchen one morning and saw Ron and Hermione talking. Hermione looked up when he walked in and smiled. "Morning."
"Morning, Harry. I've got to go to work. I'll see you later." Ron leaned down and kissed Hermione on the cheek. She smiled at him as he left.
Harry hugged Hermione. "How are you this morning?"
"Fine. Harry? Can I talk to you?" Harry took Ron's seat. She took Harry's hands in hers. "Harry, we have been dating for almost six months now. I need to know something."
"You can ask me anything, sweetheart."
"Are you happy with me?"
"Of course I am. Why? Aren't you?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes, I am. I just want you to know something."
"What is it?"
"I love you, Harry."
"I love you, too, Hermione." Hermione threw herself into Harry's arms. He kissed her gently. He pulled her onto his lap as she buried her face into his shoulder. "Let's go out tonight and celebrate. I'll borrow Ron's car and we can go into London. Can you be ready by seven?"
"Yes."
Harry kissed her again. "I have to get ready for work. I will see you tonight at seven." He lightly tapped her nose. She slid off his lap and he went to get ready for work.
A six-thirty that night, Hermione sat waiting for Harry to arrive. Half an hour later, she heard a car horn honk. She ran outside and climbed into Ron's car. She leaned over and kissed Harry.
Harry entwined their fingers as he slowly pulled away from the curb. They talked as Harry drove into the heart of London.
"Where do you want to go, love?"
"Why don't we Floo to Hogsmeade from Diagon Alley? We can park at the Leaky Cauldron and Flew to the Three Broomsticks."
"That sounds like a good idea. I haven't had one of Madame Rosmerta's butterbeers in ages."
Harry pulled up in front of the Leaky Cauldron. They got out of the car and took Hermione's hand. They walked into the Leaky Cauldron together. They had no more than shut the door behind them than they were grabbed into a hug.
Hermione looked up and saw that it was Hagrid. Hermione hugged him back. Once he released them, Hermione smiled at him. "How are you, Hagrid?"
"I'm fine, 'ermione. Jus' fine. 'Arry, it's be'n fore'er since you be'n 'ere. Remus and me was star'ing to wonder w'en we'd be seein' you again."
"Sorry, Hagrid. I've been busy."
"We need to get going, Harry. It was great seeing you, Hagrid." Hermione pulled Harry towards the fireplace.
Harry noticed Hagrid's eyes widen when he saw their fingers entwined. Harry groaned.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
"Hagrid noticed we were holding hands. I just remembered that I never told him and Remus. I have been so busy at work that I never got a chance to. Remus is going to yell at me."
Hermione smiled. "I'll come have lunch with you tomorrow and we can explain it all to Remus."
"Alright." They flooed to Hogsmeade. When they stepped into the Three Broomsticks, they heard a squeal of delight.
"Harry Potter and Hermione Granger! Where have you two been hiding?" A short red-head stood in front of them with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face.
"Hey, Gin." Harry hugged her and then Hermione did.
"Come and join me and Neville." She pulled them over.
"Hey, Harry. Hey, Hermione." Neville put his arm around Ginny as she sat down.
Harry and Hermione sat down. "Hey, Nev." Harry slid his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
Ginny's eyes widened. "Nev, why don't you guys go get us drinks?"
"Sure. Come along, Harry." Neville and Harry stood up.
"Do you want a butterbeer, Mione?" Harry asked her.
"Yeah." She squeezed his hand as he headed off towards the bar.
"Hermione Jane Granger! Spill now. When were you planning on telling me about you and Harry?" Hermione smiled shyly. "How long? When? How?"
"We have been together for six months. A little over that, he asked me out on a date. As for how, I'm not really sure. The day he asked me out, I kissed him. Just out of nowhere."
"Are you ladies talking about how much you want my body?" Harry sat down next to Hermione and handed her her butterbeer.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, love."
Harry kissed Hermione's cheek. "You know you love me." Hermione stuck her tongue out at him.
An hour and a half later, they bade everyone goodnight. Once back at the Leaky Cauldron, they got in the car and left. They drove out of London and headed home. They were talking and Harry glanced over at Hermione.
"Harry! Look out!" Harry looked forward and saw a car directly in front of them. He had no time to stop. He jerked the wheel to the right. The car went into a ditch and flipped. He heard the windshield break and glass flew everywhere.
The car skidded to a stop but not before throwing both him and Hermione out of it. The last thing he heard before he blacked out, was a high-pitched female scream.
"Hermione," he mumbled and then lost consciousness.
Chapter Three
Oh where, oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to Heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world
--------
Harry felt like he was floating. He kept seeing images of everyone he loved. He saw his friends, Hermione, Sirius, Dumbledore, his mum and dad. He reached for his mum, but every time he got close she moved out of his reach.
He kept seeing lights flashing, felt water falling down on his face, heard people talking.
"Mum! Don't leave. Come back. I don't want to lose you again. Mum!!"
Lily reached out, but Harry couldn't touch her. "Not today, Harry. One day we will be together again. You need to wake up, love. Hermione needs you. She doesn't have much longer. Wake up, Harry. Go to her. I love you, Harry. I will see you again someday. Goodbye." Lily's form started to disappear.
His world suddenly went to black. Every now and then it would flash to white. Everything started to lighten up. He heard voices and lights were shining in his eyes. Everything was still fuzzy but he could see the outlines of people. He heard a familiar voice talking to him. He felt someone holding onto his hand and crying.
"It's alright, mate. You'll be just fine."
Harry tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. He let out a groan of pain. His body felt so heavy. All he wanted to do was sleep.
"He's waking up! Harry, can you hear me?"
"Excuse us, please. We need to attend to him.
Harry could see everything coming into focus. He finally was able to speak. "W-what happened?"
"Mr. Potter, my name is Leighanne Anders. I am a paramedic. You were in a very bad car wreck."
"Where's Hermione?" Everything suddenly came back to him. "Oh no! Hermione!" Harry tried to sit up but the paramedic wouldn't let him.
"Mr. Potter, you have to stay down."
"You don't understand. My girlfriend was in the car with me. I have to find her. I won't lose her." The paramedic forced him back down. All the movement made Harry black out again.