A/N: Alright, first things first: THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY. Well, not really. In all technicality it is-but I'm planning to make an epilogue. They are just so much fun to write and I have the perfect picture in my head about what to write. Along with the epilogue I will post the links to the soundtrack and score of this story that you guys seemed to like the idea of. The score is proving tough for me to make but I hope that it turns out alright for the sake of the story. It's so sad that the story is coming to an end =[ But rest assured! After a short break, I'm coming back with a new story! It was clear from your reviews that you want a humor fic and I have the perfect one in mind. It's going to be called My Confusing (and Hard to Believe) Love Life and is (surprise!) another AU. You'll have to wait to see what the main plot will be but if you want a sneaky peak, visit my webpage. Since my link last chapter didn't work out so well, I'll just put the URL here:
http://www.addictedxdreamer.webs.com/Brainstorming.htm
Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine, people! If you think I'm JKR, I'm flattered but have to dispute it. Besides, we all know she's too delusional to be on a HHR site in the first place, right? Pun totally intended.
Enjoy!
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A Perfect Ending
She didn't know whether to be relieved or burdened with the distraction that Mrs. Weasley's lamb stew provided. On the one hand, she was saved from worrying too much on her upcoming conversation with Harry. But on the other, a distraction was keeping her from thinking of more ways to sway Harry to stay with her. Even though she didn't want to admit it-there was a chance, a rather large one at that, that Harry would go to help capture the remaining Death Eaters. His "saving people thing", once appealing, was now making her feel as though she might die. Why would he even have to think about choosing between her and giving his life over to the darkness? If his destiny was fulfilled, why would he go back to it?
She shoved another spoonful of the hot stew into her mouth and swallowed greedily. All of this was getting to her head. She needed to relax and not think about the situation for a while. Of course, it was easier said than done. Unfortunately for her the reminders around her were endless. Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Harry, Ginny, and even Draco-they were all reminding her in one way or another. The specifics of why and how they were doing so is endless and rather complex, even in her mind. It seemed as though no matter how hard she tried, there was no escaping the inevitable. Harry was going to make a decision. A decision of which was more important: her or the Death Eaters. Well, not exactly but close enough.
Was it a bad thing that she was seriously worried about what he would choose?
Her mind answered that for her: Yes.
She felt a shove on her shoulder and saw Draco smiling at her warmly from his seat beside her on the cot. He had woken up as soon as Ron had opened the stew and made him pour some for his greedy self. Ron's face was priceless when he saw that Draco was asking for his mother's stew. It was like a mixture between disbelief, worry, and something so uniquely Ron that it was impossible to describe. But as Draco tried to silently encourage her, though he did not know what for, she couldn't help but give him a shrug in return. No smile, no words of wit, just a shrug. She could tell that he wanted to help her, but it was hopeless. She was far beyond help. More like far beside herself with worry.
Draco opened up his mouth (probably to ask what was wrong with her) but was interrupted by the doors of the infirmary opening and revealing a grinning Mrs. Weasley holding two rather large boxes to her chest. As she bustled over to them Hermione could see the labels more clearly: Madame Beatrice's Magical Bubbling Bath Salt, guaranteed to cure any aches and pains or your galleons back!
Hermione couldn't help but smile as she finished reading. Molly Weasley never gave up when it came to her family and their well-being, did she?
"I've asked Professor Dumbledore to secure a place where you can wash up and he locked down the Prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor! Isn't that just lovely? Now, as soon as you're done with your stew you can-oh! Well it looks like you've already ate it all right up. Come on, then. I'll walk you to it."
Hermione glanced down at her bowl and realized that she did consume the whole thing. Harry seemed to have eaten all of his as well and was getting up off of his cot. He had chosen to eat at his own bed instead of by her side, which was currently occupied by Draco. Since he had a later start than the rest of him, he still had a good half of his stew left to eat. So when he got up as well, the voice of Mrs. Weasley stopped him in his tracks.
"Oh no Draco, dear, not you. Just finish up your stew and you can join them after."
Draco plopped back down on the cot and Hermione shot him a pitying look. He gave her a look in return that said "It's okay" and encouraged her to go on. So, without further forces pushing her, she followed behind Mrs. Weasley and Harry out the door and into the large hallways of Hogwarts. She had to keep her distance for fear of accidently bumping into Harry and jumping him. Not the good kind of jumping, either. The kind of jumping that resulted in physically injuring the recipient in any area that was available to her bare hands. She chose to leave behind her wand because she saw no use to need it. Plus, it was digging into her lower back since she had not removed it from her back pocket. She rubbed the spot idly, feeling a slight patch of raised skin and wincing.
They approached an odd looking statue of a wizard with his gloves on the wrong hands and Hermione raised an eyebrow. She didn't have much time to observe the statue, however, because they quickly passed by and went a few doors past it. Mrs. Weasley mumbled what Hermione assumed was a password and the door easily opened. She followed at a safe distance behind Harry and took in a large intake of breath as she saw the interior of the bathroom. Well, it didn't look like a bathroom at all really. It was more like a large indoor pool, which was complimented by a single diving board on the far end. The walls, floors, and single in ground bathtub were all carved in white marble and lit softly by a candle-filled chandelier that looked like something out of a palace. The tub was lined with around a hundred water taps, each with a differently colored jewel set into the handle. She didn't know what the significance of that was. Maybe for decoration? But as Mrs. Weasley approached them and twisted a few of the handles, the water that poured from the spout was a differently colored form of bubble bath.
She straightened up with a smile at Harry and Hermione and reached behind the boxes she was holding to produce two small pieces of fabric. She extended them with her free hand and Hermione and Harry approached her and took one each. With further examination, she saw that she was holding a deep blue swimming costume and as she looked to her side she saw that Harry was holding a bright orange pair of swimming trunks. They looked up at Mrs. Weasley simultaneously and she hurriedly explained. "I flooed home quickly to pick up some swimming costumes that you could wear. I can't have the two of you swimming around in the buff around each other! That's just unheard of."
Hermione could help but giggle. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen every part of Harry before. But Mrs. Weasley didn't have to know that. The elder woman continued in the same tone as if she hadn't heard Hermione's slight outburst, "You can go ahead and put those on while I fill this tub with my special salts. Go on!"
Hermione quickly found a pillar to change behind and proceeded to strip off her clothes while Mrs. Weasley walked around the parameter of the tub and sprinkled the salt into the water. She quickly slipped on the one-piece suit and pulled the straps over her shoulders. She assumed it was Ginny's because of the low cut of the bust. As she emerged from the pillar she had to cover her mouth because another giggle threatened to come out. She hadn't noticed when Mrs. Weasley handed them the suits, but the one Harry was wearing was an ode to the Chudley Cannons. Their logo was along one leg while the other had what looked to be autographs of each player stitched into it. That was most definitely Ron's.
Mrs. Weasley returned to them a moment later and looked the two of them up and down. She nodded to herself and grinned. "The bath's ready. I'll be just outside if you need anything."
"You mean-you're not staying?" Hermione asked.
"No, dear. You don't need me in here washing your hair do you?"
"Well no…"
"Then I'll be just outside."
Before Hermione could make another plea for her to stay, the door shut behind her. She really needed to stop underestimating the speed of that woman.
She turned awkwardly towards Harry to see him already walking towards the diving board. She watched as he mounted it and tested out its flexibility before walking backwards and doing a flawless front flip and making a wide splash that spilled over the edges. There was no doubt in Hermione's mind that he had done that before. Before he emerged, she chose to enter through the small steps descending into the water. The hot water felt wonderful on her skin and as she took the final step into the water, she caught the small scent of lilac. She did a single butterfly stroke with her arms as she pushed away from the stairs and towards the opposite wall. She twisted so that she was floating on her back and let the water carry her, not caring where she went as long as she continued to feel like this.
Her moment, however, was spoiled with the sound of a very whiny voice echoing against the walls.
"Hello Harry!"
She didn't realize that she had floated particularly close to him until she heard him let out a quiet curse. "Oh umm… hello Myrtle."
Hermione opened her eyes to see who Harry was addressing. And, more importantly, who had interrupted her tranquil float throughout the tub. She let her body fall from the floating position and almost bumped into Harry. Seriously, how did he get so close? She thought agitatedly to herself. But all thoughts of Harry's close proximity to her were forgotten as she saw the transparent form of the person-well, not really person, more like phantom-that had interrupted her float. She looked very squat from her position around ten feet above their heads with lanky hair, slight acne, and thick glasses similar to the shape of Harry's. Not surprisingly, she liked them better on Harry. They made her head look a little too small for her body. Well not body but-oh what was the point? What really mattered was that there was a ghost floating above her and Harry's heads and he was somehow on speaking terms with it!
"I heard that you defeated he-who-must-not-be-named earlier today." She commented quietly.
"Yeah." He said shortly.
"Oooh that's simply wonderful!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "You know there's going to be a-who's that?"
It took Hermione a moment to realize that she was directing the comment at her. But before she could properly introduce herself, Harry beat her to it. "This is Hermione Granger. She's my friend."
Friend?! Hermione mentally screamed. She opened her mouth to protest, but she was again beaten to it. This time, by the ghost named Myrtle. "Friend, hmm? She looks like something more to me."
How could she tell that? "I don't think that's any of your business." Hermione said quickly before anyone else could speak before her.
Hermione realized that she must have said the wrong thing. Because not even a moment after she let the remark flow out of her lips, Myrtle soared down to her level with her face contorted into one of disgust. "Anything in this school is my business. I make it my business to know everything that goes on in here. You want to know why?" Harry was making a shaking motion of his head that indicated: No, they did not want to hear why. But Myrtle ignored this and pressed on. "Because in case you haven't realized, I'm dead!"
"I think I realized it the moment that I saw the chandelier while I was trying to look at your face."
Myrtle's eyes narrowed, "You think you're smart?"
"I know I'm smart."
"Well then stay away from Harry! You're bad news-I can sense it."
"With your supernatural ghosty powers?"
There was a pause. "Is that a fat joke?"
Hermione was floored. "What? How in the world could that-"
"I knew it! You're the second coming of Olive Hornby!" She sniffed. "Same… old… petty… jokes about -hic- my weight! Next it's going to -hic- be my glasses and then my… stringy… hair! You living girls are cruel and deserve the same fate as -hic- me!"
Hermione was speechless and could only watch as Myrtle exploded into hysterics and flew out of the room through the nearest wall. Even after she disappeared she could still hear the high pitched whines and sobs. She couldn't help but wonder… "What did I do?"
"Don't mind her." Harry said calmly. "It's just Moaning Myrtle."
Hermione turned to him, "Moaning Myrtle? That's suitable."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah. She usually haunts the girl's bathroom on the second floor but I think she has some sort of radar that tells her when I'm here. Nearly every time I'm here, so is she."
"Creepy."
"She's not so bad once you get used to her. She did offer to share her cubicle with me when I went to the Chamber of Secrets. It was a nice gesture-even though at the time I wished I could live just so I wouldn't have to take her up on that offer."
Hermione giggled and a thought struck her. "I bet she reacts like that every time you bring a girl in here."
"That would be true if I ever did that. I think you're the first girl that she's seen me with."
"Lucky me. I get to feel the wrath of an undead student with a supernatural crush on you."
He laughed, "It's not as though she could do anything to you."
"Are you kidding? She could sick the Bloody Baron on me if I'm not careful."
"Don't worry." He said, wrapping a protective hand around her shoulder. "I'll protect you."
Hermione felt the heat of his wet arm radiate throughout her whole body and pulled away. She faced Harry, staring directly into his green pools. He must have seen the seriousness in her eyes because he sighed. It was now or never. She had to know.
"You know what I want to hear, Harry. And don't tell me you haven't made your decision yet because before Mrs. Weasley came into the room, you were about to tell me." She said evenly. It was a wonder that she could even form a single sentence with all of the pressure building up on her shoulders.
He leaned against the edge of the tub and she saw his chest muscles flex as he relaxed slightly. "I just want you to know that I… well that I've never really had a reason to stop fighting before now." He sighed, "Before you came, I had already made up my mind that if I defeated Voldermort then I would spend the rest of my life helping ensure that someone like him would never rise to power again."
"But what about Ron-Ginny?" she asked curiously. Surely he wouldn't leave his friends behind like that?
"Ginny… she… she wasn't the love of my life and I knew that. But she was all I had. The only person that I could love that way-well that I knew of." He shot a meaningful look at her, "I clung to her for years and never even considered that there would be someone else. But when I thought about what would happen after Voldermort-if there even was an after for me-I didn't really see her in my life as potently as she was then. That scared me. What was life if she wasn't in it? And then you came along and you asked me to try. Not in so many words but just the fact that you stuck by me up until the end made me realize that I could never bear to lose you. In Malfoy Manor, when I was being tortured, all I could think of was what my life would be like if I survived and you know what I saw?"
Hermione shook her head out of reflex, totally captivated by his words.
"I saw you." He smiled fondly, as if he were re-picturing it right then and there. "The two of us we-we lived in a big house just off the coast. You were in a rocking chair and holding a… a baby while two other toddlers were running around in the sand. And I was looking at the whole scene as if I was there. It was like a painting-it was so serene. There was no looming darkness, no responsibilities. Just us."
"Harry that's-" she wanted to say `beautiful' but he interrupted her before she could say it.
"Wait, I'm not done yet." He held up a finger and Hermione couldn't help but smile at the formality of it all. "And then I saw me, well, a younger version of me, I think it was my-our son. And he said `Dad can you teach me to fly like you and Uncle Ron?' at first I didn't really understand what he meant. But then he handed me my Firebolt and in the reflection of his tiny glasses I saw me in a Puddlemore United uniform. I wasn't an Auror. I was with you, with a family and doing the thing that I love most in the world."
"Does that mean…?"
He nodded and grinned. "Yeah. I choose you."
Hermione didn't realize that she had been crying until that moment. She let out a giant sob and tried to smile, silently telling him that these were happy tears. He didn't catch it, however, and pulled her to him in a warm embrace. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and squeezed him tightly to her. He had chosen her! She didn't remember ever being this happy. There was a small feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her she would look back at this moment in the future.
Slowly, she pulled out of his embrace and put her forehead against his, her eyes closed to prevent more tears from coming. She felt his head move against hers and she pursed her lips in anticipation. His cool lips met hers softly, just heavy enough to provide a small sort of pressure. It was a kiss of redemption; a kiss promising her the world. A kiss sealing their fate. If this was what it felt like to know that you have the love of your life in your arms-then she had a lot to look forward to.
She returned the pressure with her own lips and he moved his hands to her waist. He twirled them around so that her back was against the edge of the tub. The water swirled around them and reminded her that they were still in the bathroom. But if it weren't for the water up to her mid-stomach, she would have thought that they were back in the boy's dormitory. Harry's hands began to wander as he pressed her further up against the hard surface. In response, she wrapped her legs around his waist and fisted her hands in his hair. His tongue probed at her lips and she let him in without hesitation. She began to grind her body against his, silently telling him what she wanted-all of him.
He smiled against her lips and tugged down the straps of her bathing costume. His lips left hers to make a path down to her shoulder. She suddenly hated one-piece suits. If it weren't for them, she would have what she wanted without all of this avoidance. Or maybe he wanted to tease her? That was just cruel. But as he pulled the suit down to her stomach and took one of her breasts into his mouth her complaint was soon forgotten. She moaned deep in her throat as she arched into his touch. His tongue made a delicate circle around the small dot of sensitive skin and then moved to the next to give it equal attention. She sighed as the cool of the room made it to a small peak. Her legs unwound from his waist in ecstasy and she leaned against the wall to enjoy his ministrations. He didn't stay in that region for long, much to her disappointment. He removed his mouth from her chest and leaned up once more to capture her lips. Her hand, once immobile on his nape, began a hot trail down his shoulder to his abs and ending at the bulge in-between his legs. He tore his lips from hers to hiss and she gave him a wicked grin and began to stroke softly. Now who was teasing whom?
She must have gotten her point across because he rushed to pull the rest of her suit down her legs. She helped him get his trunks down just as quickly and as he positioned himself at her entrance he looked in her eyes and said passionately. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
He plunged deep within her and she groaned. Her legs returned to their position wrapped around his waist. Their hips met each other in a rhythm only they knew. The room was filled with sounds of pure euphoria as two became one once more. No matter how many times she thought about it, the thought still made her stomach clench-but in a good way. In the same way that it was when she first met him. She was with Harry. She was with him and would remain that way for as long as she lived. This she knew. She was meant to be with him. Even if she never knew it a few months ago when she accepted this mission it was true.
Her vision began to get fuzzy as the beginnings of fireworks shot off. With each thrust, it got more and more visible. And then the moment came-the fireworks exploded into tiny sparks of bliss as she came undone. She was unaware of the moans and breathes she was emitting from her throat as the waves of pleasure moved through her with blessed ease. She rode them for what felt like an eternity and heard Harry meet the same fate as she. Soon, the room was back to the eerie silence it held before as they caught their breath and ended the connection between their bodies.
"JUST YOUR FRIEND?!"
Hermione recognized the voice immediately and clung to Harry to hide her modesty. They both turned to see Moaning Myrtle floating above them once more with transparent tears running down her face and neck. Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor soul. But as the room began to fill with her screeches she took it back.
"Myrtle…" Harry started warningly.
"Don't even try to defend the slut!"
"Hermione is not a slut!"
"Oh then what word would you use? Floozy, harlot, bimbo, hooker, hussy, tramp?"
Hermione leaned into Harry and whispered, "For a ghost, she sure has an extended vocabulary."
"I HEARD THAT!" Myrtle screamed. "I do engage in activities other than wallowing in my self pity."
"Could've fooled me…" Hermione said quietly.
"Shut your trap you who-"
"Myrtle!" Harry interrupted loudly. "Please could you just leave us be?"
"Yeah Myrtle." Hermione concurred.
Myrtle sniffed. "Well I suppose if Harry wants me to leave then I will."
Hermione kept her mouth shut as Harry spoke up again. "Thank you, Myrtle."
The ghost didn't respond. She floated sulkily through the same wall she exited earlier. Hermione had to make a mental note to never be within visual distance of that wall from now on. As soon as Myrtle was gone Hermione began laughing. She didn't know why-she just did. Harry pulled away from her and studied her face. She soon sobered up and bit her lip. "I'm screwed in the phantom world, aren't I?"
"You're going to be number one on their `Most Wanted' list by the end of the night."
"That's reassuring."
Harry chuckled and kissed her on the top of her head. "You know I'm just kidding. No one listens to Myrtle."
Hermione slapped him on the shoulder, "Harry!"
"What? It's true!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and felt around behind her. Her hand collided with a wet glob of fabric and she began to pull it back on. Harry's eyes widened, "What are you doing?"
"Putting my suit on, genius." She said smartly.
"But why?" He asked, putting his lower lip out.
"Because Mrs. Weasley is right outside the door and we need to get back to the hospital wing."
Harry sighed and looked behind him to the far end of the pool. His trunks were floating about ten feet away from where they were and he began to swim over to fetch them. Hermione pulled the rest of her swimsuit up and over her shoulders and saw Harry struggling with his trunks. She giggled to herself and pulled out of the tub. The excess water dripped off of her in a rush and she grabbed a towel from the pile in the corner to dry off. While she was working on her hair, Harry came up behind her with a towel wrapped around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him.
"I'm sorry for being such a prick." He said.
She shook her head. "You weren't. I expected too much of you-to give up your life for-"
"The only life that I have to live for is one with you."
Hermione smiled. "You're so corny."
"It's not corny if it's the truth."
Hermione rolled her eyes and shrugged out of his embrace, walking towards the door. She heard Harry follow after her shortly and opened the door, clutching the towel to her body. Mrs. Weasley was sitting on the other side of the hall knitting what looked to be a scarf. She saw them exit and quickly got up and pocketed her knitting in the front fold of her apron.
"Do you feel any better?"
Harry looked over at Hermione for a moment and smirked. "Loads, Molly. That salt was amazing."
"Yeah," Hermione agreed. "It was pure bliss."
She clapped her hands, "Fantastic! I knew all you needed was a nice relaxing bath and to fill your stomach with stew. Thank Merlin that matron was away on call at St. Mungo's or who knows what could have happened."
Harry and Hermione both laughed. They departed from the hallway following the exchange and Hermione groped on her side for Harry's hand. He caught it in his and gave it a squeeze. She felt her stomach tighten and her face heat up-if only Mrs. Weasley knew why they felt so much better. But it was probably better that she thought it was the work of her salts and stew.
They reached the hospital wing and when they entered saw a new occupant in the room. Hermione recognized the familiar long dirty blonde hair of Luna Lovegood on one of the empty cots conversing with Ron. He looked to be enjoying himself for the most part, not looking a bit out of it or bored. Perhaps they were actually having a stimulating conversation?
Draco was alone on his bed, chewing on what appeared to be a large bar of chocolate. She felt like she should go over and sit by him-to give him some company. But he looked up at her and gave her a small wink, telling her that he was fine. His gaze dropped to her and Harry's interlocked hands and she let her head droop guiltily. How could she be so insensitive? She was about to drop Harry's hand when he gave her another silent plea. The small smile he shot her way told her that it was fine. That he was going to be alright and not to worry about him. Hermione was thankful to have a best friend like him. To put his wants behind her own.
Harry led her over to where Ron and Luna were sitting and waited until one of the two noticed them standing there. Ron was the first to see them and grinned. Luna turned around after seeing that his attention was averted from her and immediately looked at their hands. Hermione had to wonder: Was there a shining light that their hands were giving off that got everyone's attention? It was a simple gesture. Surely it couldn't be that noticeable to everyone. Luna's eyes then met her own and she smiled dreamily.
"I hate to say I told you so but…" she fondled with one of her radish earrings.
"Luna you have every right to say that." Hermione said warmly. "After all-you're the one who brought me to my senses and made me see what was right in front of me."
"Yes I suppose I did." She said cheekily.
"Thank you, Luna. For everything."
"It was my pleasure. Although I'm sure I wasn't the only one who saw it."
"You're probably right." Harry cut in. "But you were the first."
Luna looked affronted, almost as though they had insulted her. "Of course I wasn't the first!"
"But then who…?"
"The nargles of course," She said hotly. "They're quite smart in their own right if you give them enough credit. They're the ones who pushed you into each other, remember?"
"Umm… right." Hermione said feebly..
"I believe you Luna." Ron said suddenly. Hermione and Harry turned their heads sharply to him and saw him smiling idly. "I mean, someone had to knock the sense into them. And if it wasn't you then it had to be someone-or something that you had confidence in."
Luna smiled brightly at him. "Precisely Ronald! I'm glad you understand."
Ron looked elated with himself and only sobered up when he saw Harry and Hermione's twin looks of bewilderment. "I uhh…" he tried to explain.
Harry held up a hand. "No need, mate. We'll let you get back to your conversation with Luna." He ended with a wink and led Hermione to her bed a few yards away.
She sat down gingerly and he mimicked her, sitting so close that their legs were touching. "What was that about?" she asked quietly.
"I think our Ronnykins has found a new friend. If you know what I mean." He said suggestively.
Hermione's mouth formed a small "O" and she looked back over at the couple. Ron was resting against the headboard with his hands tucked lazily behind his head, his feet crossed at the ankles and stretching across the vertical angle of the cot. Luna was sitting near his hip with her legs crossed Indian-style underneath her and looked to be telling a fascinating story using her hands to accentuate it. All the while Ron had a silly smile plastered on his face and Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's only a matter of time before we have to bring them to their senses." She commented jokingly.
"But before that happens," Harry said, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her tighter to him, lifting her chin with his fingers. "I think we need to focus on ourselves and those future children I saw running around."
He kissed her forcefully and Hermione pulled back, faking a look of detest. "Why Mr. Potter no one ever said that we were ever going to begin that this instant!"
"Yeah someone did!" He protested.
"Oh yeah? Who?"
"Me." He grinned cheekily before capturing her lips with his once more and she gave in.
The whole world seemed to fade in that moment. Their fate was now locked and it had nothing to do with missions or destinies. All that was laid out before Harry and Hermione was a bright future that was all up to them to decide themselves without anyone else telling them what they had to achieve.
In other words: It was the perfect ending to a not-so-perfect story.
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