Hogsmeade Pizza

A/N: Well here I am starting this sooner than I planned. I got a bit inspired last night, so here you go, the prologue to Hogsmeade Pizza.

If you’ve seen the movie Mystic Pizza, this story will be following that one for the most part.

Pairings are: Harry/Hermione, Ron/Susan, and Lavender/Henry

Cheers! And Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I don’t own a damn thing. So sue someone else!

Susan Bones closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She willed her body to relax and make her heartbeat go back down to it’s normal rate.

“Susan…calm down!” Hermione Granger adjusted the neckline of her bridesmaid’s gown so it laid lower on her shoulders. “You’re getting married, not walking down death bloody row!”

“Hermione…” Lavender Brown glared at her cousin and went over to Susan. “You look gorgeous, no one is going to be laughing at you, I promise.”

“Really?” Susan asked in a tiny voice. She was excited about marrying Ron; they’d been planning this day since they’d graduated from Hogwarts a few years before, but now that it was actually happening… “What if I fall on my way down the aisle?”

“Be glad it’s not Hermione falling, or her dress might go down with her!” Lavender snickered, and Susan finally let out a peal of laughter.

“At least I have something to hold my dress up with.” Hermione shot daggers at her cousin. She threw her head back, letting her long dark brown curls fly over her shoulders and stuck her chest out, patting it proudly.

“You’re disgusting.” Lavender told her cousin dryly. The three girls all burst out laughing as a knock sounded on the door.

“Ready?” it was Susan’s father, ready to walk her down the aisle. “You three girls look gorgeous.” He said warmly, his eyes slightly misting over as he rested them on his daughter.

“Thanks Mr. Bones!” Hermione smiled sunnily at him as she strutted out, followed by Lavender. With the absence of her two friends, Susan started to feel the nervousness coming back in leaps and bounds.

“You look beautiful.” Mr. Bones said softly, hugging his daughter to him. “My baby’s getting married, I can’t believe it.”

“Me either.” Susan choked out as he took her arm. Hermione and Lavender smiled reassuringly at her as they stepped from the room and went to the main doors of the church.

Hermione pasted a large smile on her face as the doors opened and she began to step in time to the music. Behind her was Lavender, silently counting and blushing as people looked on at the two of them. The two of them reached the front, where Ron and his five brothers stood in a line, Ron twisting his hands in anticipation of seeing Susan. Hermione bit her lower lip hard as she caught a fit of the giggles; Lavender poked her in the back.

“Stop it Hermione!” she hissed. They finally came to their places and Hermione managed to stop laughing, although a tiny snicker emerged before she put her face back into it’s bright smile.

The music changed and everyone turned expectantly to the back, where Susan was being led down the aisle by her father. There were several sighs of delight from the rows where relatives and close friends sat, for Susan’s elaborate dress looked stunning on her. Her veil covered her long red curls; Lavender had helped her fix her hair that morning. The lacy veil hung down her back, trailing on the floor, and then rested softy in front of her face.

Susan felt as if she were smothering. Every single eye in the room was upon her, and it was all she could do to keep her pace along with her father as they came closer and closer to the altar.

“Ron…” she murmured almost silently. He looked so handsome, his dark robes hanging off his broad shoulders, his red hair hanging over his forehead. His face spread in a large grin as their eyes met, she managed a tiny trembling smile underneath the veil.

“All right honey?” Susan’s father was now bending down to say in her ear. She turned and barely nodded, and he kissed her cheek through the veil before passing her over to Ron. He tucked her arm into his tightly; turning to grin at her once more as the music ended and the minister began talking.

“We have come here today to witness the marriage of Ronald Jonathan Weasley and Susan Marie Bones. To join together in holy matrimony, as long they shall live, to break the bind of marriage is risk of eternal damnation…” the priest’s voice became a loud hum in Susan’s ear, and the room, including Ron, began to spin around her in a crazy pattern of faces and words. Sweat broke out across her forehead; her breath began to come in short gasps. The last thing Susan heard before blacking out was Ron’s shout of surprise as she toppled backwards….

A/N: Well isn’t that a great beginning ;)

This story will be a romance/comedy, with some lighter and darker moments, nothing too bad I promise ;)

Next chapter: since this is AU, some intros as to how the characters are in this story, Hermione sees Harry for the first time, and Lavender gets a new job.

Don’t forget to R/R! :) No flames!!)

Chapter 2

A/N: Thanks for the response so far with the prologue! I hope you will all enjoy this story, and keep in mind, it’s totally AU!

Here is a bit of history:

Hermione, Susan, Ron, and Lavender all graduated from Hogwarts at the same year. Harry was sent to a private academy, they are all still the same age. They are all in their early 20’s.

Voldemort attacked the Potters when Harry was one; therefore he still has the scar. None of the Potters died, although Voldie was still weakened, till he came back when Harry was 10 and James killed him forever, earning the title Minister of Magic. Therefore he’s got two siblings, a sister about a year younger than him, Alexa, and a 16 year old brother named Jordan.

Lavender and Hermione are cousins. Lavender, when she was 13, came to live with Hermione because her parents were killed in an auto crash. Before that she went to Beauxbatons, and received top grades her entire school career. Hermione also got good grades, but she has done nothing with her knowledge since leaving Hogwarts. She still likes to read, but not as much as in the books, she really likes Quidditch and racing brooms.

Harry is still famous, although he and James do not always get along so well, Harry is a bit of a smart ass and gets himself in a spot of trouble every now and then. James expects a lot out of Harry, yet Lily has a strong soft spot for him. He’s not really a bad guy, just a tad lazy ;)

Ron works with his father in a family company. He and Arthur run a small fishing company (as Hogsmeade is a fishing town in this). He’s still got all the brothers and sisters and such, but he’s the last of his brothers to be married.

Susan is an only child, her father runs a small store in Hogsmeade, and her mother is a housewife. She’s obviously scared out of her mind to marry Ron, but why?

If there’s anything else to be known about how the characters are, I’ll explain it in a new author’s note. If something confuses you, please email me and I’ll clarify it as best I can! Now onwards with chapter 2! :)

“Watch out!” Hermione cried as Lavender almost beaned her across the head with a pizza dish. “I don’t have eyes in the back of my head you know!”

“Sorry!” Lavender called out as she whisked across the restaurant, placing the dish down on a table. “Anything else you need?” she asked her customers, who shook their heads and thanked her. “Enjoy!” she said as she turned and went back to the kitchen.

“I swear, tips just get worse and worse these days!” Hermione leaned against the counter and pulled a few Sickles out of her pocket. “I mean, I slaved for this table and look what they left me!”

Lavender tried not to smile. She had gotten a few Galleons that day, but saw no need to mention that to her cousin.

“I need a tankard for butterbeer.” Hermione was now saying to one of the kitchen elves, Trippy. The elf pulled one out of the vat of hot water and dried it off, then handed it to her. “Thanks.” She said, grabbing a jug of butterbeer and sweeping out of the kitchen.

“Good turnout today.” The owner of Hogsmeade Pizza, Leonora, was obviously very happy as she used her wand to make 6 crusts spin flat into the air. Lavender watched in amazement as they settled back down onto the boards, and Leonora started to ladle her special secret sauce onto them by hand.

“What’s in that sauce?” Lavender asked, trying to catch her boss off guard. Leonora was a terrible secret keeper, but remained hard as stone when asked what she put in her sauce. She, Hermione and Susan had been trying to find out what she did to it ever since they started working there, but had been unable to get Leonora to spill her ingredient list even once.

“Nice try.” Leonora said, whisking cheese from three graters onto the top of the pizzas.

“Can’t blame me for trying!” Lavender grinned and went back out to the main floor, making her rounds to the tables.

Hermione set the tankard down on the table and began to pour some butterbeer for the gentleman. She glanced up from the cup and out the window, and saw the door to the Quidditch shop down the way open, and a young man with messy black hair came walking out, what Hermione could tell was the newest racing broom, the Windrider. Along with him was another young man with short brown hair; he seemed to be fawning over the broomstick. She leaned over to get a closer look at the guy carrying the Windrider; he seemed familiar for some reason.

“Miss!” Hermione was startled and horrified as she looked down and saw that she had emptied the jug of butterbeer and it was dripping onto the man’s lap.

“I’m so sorry!” she cried, mortified. She grabbed a napkin and pressed it gently on the man’s lap, covering up her embarrassment by smiling brightly and making her eyes apologetic.

“It’s…quite…allright…” the man’s face was now bright red and he was the one apologizing. “Think nothing of it, I can clean it right up myself.”

Hermione smiled again. “All right then.” She straightened back up to look out the window, but the black haired guy and his friend were gone. She pouted briefly but shrugged. If he lived here in Hogsmeade, Hermione knew she’d see him again; it was a tiny enough town. Crossing back over to the bar, she was surprised to see Susan trudging up the stairs.

“Hey Sue!” Lavender called, carrying two more flat trays.

“Susan why are you here so early?” Hermione asked, pushing the empty jug over the counter to Trippy.

“I had to get away from my father!” Susan exclaimed, tossing her bag behind the counter. “Do you realize he just paid 5000 Galleons, just to watch me pass out? If I hear him complain about it one more time, I’m going to go absolutely MAD!”

Hermione giggled. “That had to be the funniest damn thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

“Hermione!” Lavender frowned. She put a comforting arm around Susan’s shoulders. “Are you okay, really?”

Susan shrugged. “I guess so. Ron still won’t talk to me, I’ve sent him three owls and been over there twice.”

“Why did you pass out?” Lavender asked.

“I saw myself fat and pregnant, cleaning up Ron’s clothes and his boots every night, slaving over a stove for meals, and doing nothing….” Susan stared at the wall. “And now I don’t know if he’ll ever want to marry me.”

“He’ll come around, men always do.” Hermione said confidently, tossing her dark curls back over her shoulder. Three guys at the counter sat up straight as she did this, and she winked at them.

“Do you really think so?” Susan asked.

“Oh I know so.” Hermione said. She motioned with her head, and sure enough, there was Ron, standing at the entrance to the restaurant.

“Well if isn’t Romeo and Juliet!” one of the guys who had been gawking at Hermione said.

Ron glowered at him. “It’d do you a world of good to shut up.”

The other guys started laughing as a different one started humming a wedding march. Ron snarled and took a step closer, but Susan shoved past the jerk and pushed Ron back.

“Asshole.” Hermione snapped at the troublemaker. She and Lavender hurried to the window as Susan yanked Ron outside.

“Ron, please, don’t leave I really want to talk to you.” Susan pleaded.

“Yeah, okay, I just want to go kick their bloody asses!” Ron’s loud voice echoed down the street.

“Fine, later, but now, please stay and talk to me?” her eyes were large, and Ron felt something inside him soften.

“All right.” He said, and took her hand. They walked a few paces down the street silently. “So what happened?” he finally asked.

Susan sighed. “I don’t know…when I got up there, and everyone was staring at me…I just couldn’t do it…”

Ron looked away from her. “Do you love me?” he asked.

“Ron of course I do!” Susan said immediately, stopping and turning so that they were facing one another. “I just…I need a little more time to get used to the idea of us living together, same name, same life….” She leaned onto him and rested her head on his chest, staring up at him imploringly. “I love you so much.”

Ron looked at her a few moments, and she stuck her lower lip out in a small pout.

“Please Ron?” she was now near the point of begging.

A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I guess we’ll have to get used to people staring at us wherever we go.”

“Let them stare.” Susan said, bringing her arms up around his neck. “I’ve got you and that’s all that matters to me.”

A full-fledged grin had now spread itself across Ron’s face as he leaned down and kissed her, bringing her body up against his tightly. After a few moments of blissful lip contact in the middle of the street, Susan pulled away and smiled.

“All right now then?” he asked, not letting go of her waist.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” She felt ten times better now that Ron wasn’t mad anymore.

“Well, how about November then?” his question caught her off guard.

“Um…uh…how about we talk this over later?” she pulled away and tugged on his hand, walking down the street together.

“Say hi to my mom for me.” Hermione closed the pizza box and placed a heat charm on it to keep it warm.

“Hermione, I’ve got to leave for my interview, I’ll be late!” Lavender protested, drawing her sweater over her head.

“Well then, hurry!” Hermione turned her cousin around and pushed her out the back door. “Lavender’s the best girl in the world!” Her cousin rolled her eyes in reply and slammed the door shut.

“Where did we go wrong with little Hermione?” she said sarcastically. Leonora smiled.

“You’d do yourself just fine if you used your brains a little more.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Well, don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself, whether it be working here the rest of my life or marrying some rich guy.” She swung the door back open to the main part of the restaurant.

“It’s the best restaurant you’ll ever work in!” Leonora called out.

Lavender sighed and tied the box to the back of her beaten down broomstick. It was her pride and joy, old but reliable. Hopping on, she took off down to the pier where her aunt worked, packaging the fish that the men caught. She parked the broom down near a post and picked the box up.

“Hi Aunt Jane!” Lavender called out as she approached. “Got you a cheese pizza today.”

“Lavender!” Her aunt put her tools down and hugged her niece. “That’s so sweet of you.” She took the box and placed it aside. “Why don’t you sit awhile and have a piece?”

“Oh, I’d love to but I can’t.” Lavender said apologetically. “I’ve got an interview over near Shrieking Shack Road.”

“Another job? You work too much!” Jane said affectionately.

“Well, I still need more money for school, it was only a part scholarship.” Lavender had received a half scholarship for a prestigious wizarding college; she was starting late in order to get the rest of her tuition together. “Babysitting this time, I hope I can juggle it along with the waitressing job.”

“You’ll do just fine.” Her aunt said reassuringly. “I’ll see you later at home then?”

“Yes, I’ll be around this evening.” Lavender said. She waved and headed back to her broom. She loved her aunt dearly, they had a real mother/daughter relationship that Lavender hadn’t been able to have with her own mother. She sometimes wondered if Hermione was bothered by the fact that Lavender was closer to her mother than she was, she’d never said anything but it was always a thought in the back of Lavender’s head.

As she neared the address she had gotten from the ad in the Daily Prophet, she wondered what sort of child this person had, she loved kids and hoped there wouldn’t be any real problems. Lavender hopped off her broom and brushed her chin length hair back behind her ears, hoping she looked comfortable yet presentable. She left her broom on the porch and rang the bell.

“Hello?” she called into the open door.

“Come in!” a man’s voice answered from what seemed like the second level of the house. “Are you Lavender Brown?” he asked, coming down the stairs.

“Yes.” She answered as she opened the door and stepped inside.

“I’m Henry Bowers.” The man said, holding out his hand. She shook it firmly. “I’m sorry about the mess, ever since my wife left for the States the house has been in some sort of disarray.”

Lavender smiled. She loved cluttered houses; there were so many interesting things about them.

“Gloria!” Henry called. “Come on down here!” Lavender looked up as a beautiful young child shyly came down the stairs.

“Lori, this is Lavender.” Henry pulled his daughter into his arms.

“Hi Lori!” Lavender bent down so that she was eye level with the girl, giving her an engaging smile. “How old are you?”

Lori stared at her a moment. “Seven.” She finally answered.

“Four.” Henry corrected. “She’s a bit shy, as you can see, but when she gets to know you she’ll—“ the phone rang at that moment, cutting him off. “Excuse me, just one moment—Hello?” he spoke into the receiver.

Lavender crossed the room, noting a pile of toys and books in the corner. She grabbed the first book she came upon, a picture story about a princess in a tower. “Ahem!” she cleared her throat loudly. “Wow, nice pictures!”

Lori turned, peering at Lavender. Her ploy was obviously working. She smiled brightly at the child once again, and the little girl left her father’s side and hesitantly came over to her.

“Want to read this with me?” Lavender asked, and Lori nodded. She hopped up next to her and turned the page. Lavender began reading in a quiet voice, and Henry could hardly believe it when he finally hung up the phone.

“Talk about a magic touch. You use a spell?” he joked.

“Just the fact that I’ve been babysitting since I was about nine.” Lavender said.

Henry smiled. “Do you fly?”

“Yes, I have my broom outside.” Lavender replied.

“Read!” Lori tapped the book with her finger. Lavender looked back up at Henry.

“Job’s yours if you want it!” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“Great.” Lavender smiled at him then back down at Lori, and continued.

(A/N: Well that’s it for chapter 2, in chapter 3 there is MUCH more romance, including a cameo by one of my readers (you know who you are Jenn) and a certain hottie Quidditch player…plus *drumroll* H/Hr!!! :)

Don’t forget to read and review, if you want the next chapter quicker! Heehee thanks!!!!)

Chapter 3

(A/N: Thanks again for the reviews on chapter 2, all you patient people, it’s time for some H/Hr, wouldn’t you agree? ;)

Onward!)

“Ron, your broom smells like fish!” Hermione announced as Ron landed himself, Susan, Hermione and Hermione’s date Hayden near the sidewalk to their favorite pub in Hogsmeade.

“Well Hermione,” Ron said with forced patience. “That’s because I carry fish with my broom. It’s a part of my job.”

“Well now I smell like that!” Hermione snapped back, smoothing her white satin shirt down.

“Hermione, you’re a witch, you have a wand, use it!” Ron said, and Hayden and Susan laughed.

Hermione sneered slightly at him and freshened herself up. Hayden looked on with a male’s appreciation at her low cut shirt and tight black skirt.

“You’re looking very good tonight Hermione.” He said, grinning at her.

Hermione smiled politely at him. “Thanks Hayden.” She didn’t normally like going out with him, he had the IQ of a tadpole, but he was cute and she needed a date.

“Come on!” Susan was saying. “I need some ale.” Ron grabbed her around the waist and they all went inside.

“Hey Hermione!” a chorus of male voices rang out as soon as she stepped through the door.

“Hey John, Michael!” she nodded her head and smiled at two men standing near the pool table. She loved Imran’s Mug Pub; it was a wizarding bar run just like a Muggle one.

“Buy me a drink?” she asked Hayden, setting her bag down by Susan’s.

“Sure.” Hayden loped off to the bar and Hermione sat back on her stool, looking around for any fresh meat.

She didn’t have to wait long.

A young man with black hair and glasses was coming in the door, helping his blond toothy date along. Another couple followed, a man with short brown hair had his arms around a girl with long chestnut colored hair. Hermione narrowed her eyes as she tried to place where she knew the two guys from, and then it hit her, she had seen them earlier that day from the window!

“He’s hot!” Susan motioned her head towards the black haired one. “He looks familiar.” She handed Hermione a bottle of ale.

“I know. I saw the two of them from the window at work today.” She looked at Susan. “He’s got a Windrider.”

“Oooh.” Susan smiled. “You going to go after him?” she asked.

“We’ll see.” Hermione grinned as she watched him hand two glasses of white wine to the girls and some beer for himself and his friend. “Wait a minute…”

“What?” Susan asked.

“That’s Harry Potter!” Hermione exclaimed quietly.

“No!” Susan was shocked. “What in the world is he doing in here?”

“He’s gorgeous.” Hermione ignored Susan’s question. “I read about him back in school, but they never mentioned how good looking he was.”

“Not unless you were reading Witch Weekly.” Susan said dryly.

Harry looked around the pub with a slight smirk on his face. He, Oliver, Cassandra and Jenn had decided to skip the country club and go to a normal pub; this was the first one they had come across. So far it looked a bit dull.

“Ten Galleons says I get these three darts in that bulls eye.” Harry said to a rough looking fat older man.

The man laughed. “Make it 50 Galleons…and take a shot of vodka between each shot.”

Harry turned to the counter. “Three vodkas please!” he called over. Oliver stared at him.

“Are you sure—“ he began to say.

“Yup, we need a little action here.” Harry spoke with an air of confidence. Jenn and Cassandra stood together, looking at Harry and whispering as Oliver returned with three shot glasses of vodka.

“This should be really good.” Hermione remarked as she and Susan pressed through the crowd. “No one’s ever won a bet to Carl, they’re too afraid of what he’ll do…but he seems pretty sure of himself.”

Susan raised her eyebrows but said nothing as Harry took the first glass and downed the shot.

Aiming carefully, Harry threw the dart, and it went right into the bulls eye. “That’s one!” he smirked cheerfully at the man who glowered.

“He’s out of his rotting mind!” Oliver whispered to Jenn. “That guy will kick his ass!”

“How do you put up with him?” Jenn asked Cassandra, leaning against Oliver as he slid his arm around her waist.

“Oh I just don’t know.” Cassandra said, flipping a blond curl over her shoulder and looking at Harry with exasperating adoration. “He’s just so adventurous and brave!”

Hermione couldn’t help overhearing this and let out a loud snicker. Cassandra heard it and turned to glare at her. Hermione gave her a tiny smirk and gave her attention back to Harry, who had just taken his second shot.

He aimed carefully again and the second dart flew straight beneath the first.

“Two!” Susan mouthed to Hermione. She had gone back to the bar and was sitting with Ron, who was completely uninterested in the bet and nuzzling her neck.

Harry turned to a grinning Oliver, who handed him the last glass of clear liquid. Downing it, he began to turn back to the dartboard when two of the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen captured him. He took what seemed like ten minutes to him to stare into them, they were hypnotizing. Dragging his eyes away from hers, Harry took in the rest of her face, oval shaped framed by long chestnut curls. Her body was hugged by a tight shirt and skirt, her legs long.

Hermione smiled inwardly as Harry’s eyes roamed up and down the length of her body. He looked back up at her face and she cocked an eyebrow, letting one side of her mouth quirk in a tiny smile.

“Make the shot would you?” Carl’s loud voice interrupted. “I’d like my 50 Galleons!” his friends laughed roughly.

Harry narrowed his eyes and aimed for the third and final bulls eye. The target swam before his eyes, the vodka finally running through him. It sailed through the air and landed about three inches above the target. Loud laughs surrounded him as he shook his head and pulled 50 Galleons from his pocket. “How about some pool?” he asked Oliver, who looked stunned.

“I really like playing pool, but why can’t we do it at my house?” Jenn was saying as they went over to the table. She looked meaningfully at Oliver who couldn’t control the grin on his face.

“Cassandra?” Harry held out a pool stick to his date.

“Oh no, not me. I couldn’t play this game to save my life!” she tittered. Harry looked at Oliver and Jenn, he needed a partner.

“Come on, play!” Jenn urged her. Cassandra shook her head.

“I’m the worst!” she said.

Harry turned away from Cassandra and spotted the dark haired girl sitting alone on a stool, drinking. Wasting no time, he crossed the pub.

“Pardon me.” He grinned one of his most irresistible smiles her way. “Do you play?”

She set her bottle down and stood; up close she was even more breathtaking than he had originally thought. He held out the pool stick to her and she smiled, running her hand over his and taking it.

“Sure,” was her only response as they went back over to the pool table.

“You want to break?” Harry asked Oliver.

“All right.” Oliver bent over the table and sent the white ball flying, scattering the balls in each direction, however none of them went into the holes.

Harry was next; he carefully aimed (still under the vodka influence) and managed to shoot in a solid. He looked up at the girl and she raised an eyebrow.

“Nice job.” She offered.

Harry smiled and aimed again, but the white ball went around the two solids near the hole. “Sorry, partner.” He said with an affected accent.

Hermione cocked her head in mock disappointment and moved away from the table so that Jenn could take her turn.

“All right, you want to aim for that one there, the one with the blue stripe.” Jenn bent over the table and Oliver moved directly behind her, placing his arms on top of hers to help. “Move your arm back like this…and…” she shot the ball and it hit perfectly, going right into the hole.

“I made it!” she said in delight. She and Oliver grinned at each other.

“Want me to help you make the next one?” he asked, leaning in to kiss her.

“Please do.” Her voice clearly stated she didn’t need the help but wanted Oliver next to her. He didn’t bend over with her this time, but as she was about to take her shot, he slid his hands around her waist. The white ball flew off the table and headed right for Cassandra’s face, she managed to duck out of the way just in time.

“Jenn!” she cried out. “Watch it!” Harry turned away to muffle his laughter.

“Sorry.” Jenn replied, involved in what Oliver was doing with his hands around her waist. He leaned in and whispered something to her, making her eyes widen and her face flush red.

Harry looked back over at the girl, who looked slightly bored. Looking back at him, a slight smile crossed over her face as she stepped up to the pool table. She bent over and hit the white ball, sending in a solid.

Hermione scanned the table a moment, then made her way to the other side and hit the ball, two solids rolled into two different holes. She looked up at Harry, who seemed extremely impressed.

Coming around to the other side, she held the stick back to hit the ball when she felt it poke something. “Excuse me.” Hermione said coolly to Cassandra, who rolled her eyes and moved away. Harry watched in amazement as the girl raised her eyes to his and hit the ball, knocking in another two solids.

Hermione crossed back over the table, ready to knock in the 8 ball and win the game. She leaned over, lining up the ball with the hole and Harry took the opportunity to admire her long legs.

“You’re a hussy aren’t you!” Cassandra suddenly spoke out. “Like in all those pool hall movies!”

“Cassandra!!” Harry’s voice was angry and his emerald eyes shot sparks at her.

Cassandra leaned back against the wall, her mouth set in a firm line. Hermione stared at her for a moment longer, then leaned forward and shot the ball in.

“That was…. fast.” Oliver said.

“Thanks.” Hermione smiled at Harry.

“Play again?” he asked, gesturing to the table. “Perhaps some one on one?”

“Anytime.” Hermione replied, rather hoping he was referring to something else.

“I think I want to go home.” Cassandra snapped, setting her glass on the table and turning on her heel. Oliver and Jenn looked at Hermione and then Harry, turning to follow Cassandra out.

“I uh…” Harry was at a loss for words, he didn’t want to leave, but he had to. “Here…” he handed her his pool stick, leaving his hands on it as long as possible.

Hermione watched him leave; he turned and looked at her one more time before disappearing out the door. “Shit!” she muttered to herself.

Oliver steered the broom down to Jenn’s yard. “I’ll be right back.” He told Harry and Cassandra as he grabbed Jenn’s hand and they went up to her porch.

“I had a good time tonight…” Oliver said as he hugged her body close to his.

“Me too.” Jenn lifted herself up and pressed her lips against his, bringing her hands around his neck and stroking his hair.

“I…. have…. take… Harry…. home….” Oliver gasped out.

“Maybe you can take them home later?” Jenn asked suggestively. “I still owe you for the pool lesson…. Hey!” she cried out as Oliver pulled away.

“Be right back!” he shouted. He jogged down where Harry and Cassandra sat, refusing to speak to one another.

“Potter…. sorry but…pressing issues at hand. You’ll have to find your own way home.” Oliver put a locking spell on his broom.

“What? Oliver!” Harry yelled as Oliver ran back up to the porch and he and Jenn went inside, slamming the door behind them.

“Nice, real nice.” Cassandra said angrily. “Oliver’s starting to take after you now Harry.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Harry asked, spinning around. They began to walk down the sidewalk.

“It means you pretty much blew me off for another girl tonight Harry, and I didn’t appreciate that!”

“Who am I here with now?” Harry’s voice was loud and annoyed. “Did I leave you there?”

Cassandra stopped in the middle of the walk, causing Harry to bump into her. “You may as well not be here Harry, for all I know your mind is still back in that pub with HER!” she turned and began walking again. “Do me a favor, don’t call me anymore….” Her voice trailed away as she walked off.

“Good riddance.” Harry muttered. He ran a hand through his raven locks as he flagged down the Knight Taxi Service to take him to his family’s home on the outskirts of town. Thoughts of the dark haired girl ran through his head as he got in, he definitely had to find out who she was.

(A/N: Well there’s chapter 3, this story isn’t going to be as long as I thought it was, but who knows how some of the later chapters turn out. Don’t forget to R/R to let me know what you think!!)

Chapter 4

(Well, thanks for what reviews I got on chapter 3, I know that ff.net does not make reviews go up very easy, but I do appreciate the people that took the time to do so, here and at my group. It’s VERY much valued to know that you guys are enjoying this!

If you’re an anime fan, please go check out the story One Crazy Life by Ryoko Blue. I’m not much into anime, but I’m enjoying the story so far, and if I can follow it, anyone can. So go read it, after you’re done reading and reviewing this of course ;)

Also, I love to chat about H/Hr and Harry Potter on AIM or MSN, please feel free to page me if you see me on!

Anyways, on with chapter 4!)

Lavender and Jane jogged up the front steps to their modest house, which was off the main street in Hogsmeade. Lavender held the door open for her aunt, who thanked her and headed inside.

“Hermione?” Jane called up the stairs, pulling off her sweatshirt and hanging it on a hook by the stairs. “Are you home?”

“Yes Mum!” Hermione called down.

“Why didn’t’ you come jogging with us?” Lavender questioned.

“I uh…” Hermione looked around her room with something to cover herself up with should her mother come upstairs; she knew how her mother hated the color black. “I needed to sleep in, late night.”

Jane looked disapprovingly up the staircase then over at Lavender. “I need to get lunch ready, neighbors are coming over.” She headed down the hallway to the kitchen. “Hermione, you come down now and help me get lunch!”

“Lav will!” Hermione called down.

“Thanks, Hermione.” Lavender frowned as her cousin’s head appeared at the top of the staircase.

“She gone?” Hermione whispered. Lavender went down a few steps and nodded.

“Wow!” Lavender said, her cousin looked gorgeous. She was wearing a short black strapless dress; it ended a good five inches above her knee and was glittery across the bust. “Where did you get that?”

“Gladrags.” Hermione answered, pulling up her wild curls so Lavender could see the back and twisting around. A small white tag fluttered off the back and Lavender grabbed it.

“Three hundred Galleons, are you out of your mind?” she hissed in shock. Hermione pulled away from Lavender.

“I’m going to return it, after…. I’ve worn it!” Hermione smiled brightly at her cousin. “Somewhere!” she grinned again and rushed back up the stairs.

“Hermione!” her aunt’s voice echoed down the hall. Lavender sighed, and went into the kitchen to help.

*** *** *** ***

“Wait up Lori!” Lavender laughed, running after the little girl. Henry had asked her to bring Lori by about three, and they were fifteen minutes early.

“Daddyyyyy!!” Lori shouted as they went inside the house that Henry was working on.

“Hey you!” Henry grinned as his daughter came running towards him. “How was your story hour?” Lavender had taken her up to the library, where they told Muggle fairy tales once a week.

“I got a book!” Lori said delightedly, holding it out for her father to see.

“Quidditch Through the Ages…uh oh!” Henry playfully slapped the heel of his hand to his forehead.

“She picked that out herself.” Lavender said, smiling fondly at the child. Henry reached back and grabbed a bag.

“Here’s your lunch, you can go out on the porch and I’ll be right there.” He handed the bag to Lori and she scampered outside.

“Here, Lavender, this should keep me paid up.” Henry handed her a small bag with her pay inside.

“Thanks.” She said, putting it in her pocket. “You’re all doing an amazing job on this house, the renovations must have been really vast.”

“Oh, they are, and the new owner keeps wanting more things done to it.” Henry groaned. “Would you like to see the best part?”

“Sure!” Lavender replied. They went up the stairs, to the very top floor. Henry pushed aside a plastic covering and led her out onto a deck that overlooked the expansive yard to one side, and the whole town of Hogsmeade to another. “It’s gorgeous up here!”

“Well the original owner of the house had it built so he could watch the ships come and go.” Henry said. He came over and stood next to her, leaning on the rail. “He’s got a really sad, tragic tale to him.”

“Really?” Lavender asked, intrigued. She loved folklore, whether it was true or not. She came up right next to him and leaned on the rail as well.

“Well, Charles Rochester was a rich man who spent about half his year here in England, and the other half in the United States, bartering and trading. During one of his trips, he met a lovely young woman, Katrina. They fell instantly in love, and planned to marry as soon as she was able to come over here to England. Charles came back first, Katrina was soon to follow, but her ship was lost at sea. He was devastated, of course, and would come out here every night to watch for her ship.”

Lavender sighed. “What a sad story.”

Henry turned and smiled at her. “Well a story like that makes us appreciate our significant others a little more, doesn’t it.”

Lavender smirked. “Well if I had a significant other….” She trailed off as Henry turned away again to look over the town, and something in her stomach gave a tiny lurch as the sunlight danced on his face and through his brown hair, weaving in flecks of gold.

“You know they say on stormy nights, you can hear old Charles walking around out here.” Henry said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye, a slight smirk on his face. She smiled but didn’t respond. “Of course, it could be this old, squeaky board.” He stepped on it and it let out a rather loud creak.

“Are you going to fix it?” she asked.

“Nope.” He replied. “I wouldn’t dare.” He looked down and glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to go down, I don’t’ want to leave Lori alone too long.” Lavender followed him back to the main floor. “Would you like to stay and have lunch with us?” he asked.

“I’d love to.” Lavender replied immediately. She followed Henry outside.

*** *** *** ***

“So what really happened, the day of the wedding?” Hermione asked as she, Lavender and Susan walked down by the docks later that evening. “I mean, I’ve never seen anyone pass out that way.”

“Sod off Hermione.” Susan frowned down at her. “I was scared to death, having everyone stare at me like that, and I’ve heard enough from my father about!”

“All right, sorry.” Hermione relented, grinning. Lavender glared at her and patted Susan’s arm sympathetically.

“At least everything is fine between you and Ron, and you can set a new date now!” she said.

“I guess.” Susan said, wrapping her jumper tighter around her. They walked along a few more moments in silence until they came to Ron’s boat. “Look, that was his wedding present to me. It used to be called Molly after his mom.”

“What a prince.” Hermione said dryly, hopping into the boat. She pulled on a rope that hung off the back and from the water came a six-pack of beer. “Actually, a God, make sure to tell him so.”

“Hermione, don’t take that it’s Ron’s!” Susan tried to take it from her.

“Susan, relax, when he finds out, you take off your shirt and he’ll forget all about it.” Hermione snapped, pulling a can off the ring. “I never knew he had such a fondness for Muggle beer.”

“Right.” Susan said, accepting the can Hermione handed her. Lavender grabbed one as well.

“Great Wizards, is that Saint Lavender with alcohol?” Hermione’s voice was tinged with sarcasm.

“I like to drink once in awhile, just not every weekend!” Lavender shot back.

“You’re a real lush.” Hermione teased. “You go out with ten guys every weekend too huh.”

“No that’s your department.” Lavender grinned back. “Sleeping with the town of Hogsmeade.”

“Hey now, there’s only been two, and both times it was a less than satisfactory experience.” A grimace now crossed Hermione’s face.

“Ron, on the other hand…is fabulous.” Susan interjected. “I mean, I don’t know what I’d do if…”

“Yuck, Sue, really.” Hermione said.

“I can’t help it. I get really turned on by him.” Susan said as they started walking back down the dock. “Especially by his wrists.”

“His wrists?” Lavender and Hermione looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Yes, his wrists! They’re so big, and strong…” Susan sighed and looked up at the sky. “I think there’s something the matter with me.”

“I think so.” Hermione commented dryly.

“You’re in love, that’s all.” Lavender said in Susan’s defense. “Do you always mean to sound that bitter about love?” she asked her cousin.

Hermione stopped and sighed, turning to face them. “No, I’m sorry Susan. I really don’t intend to sound so harsh, just sometimes I always wish I knew if there was someone out there for me.”

“I’m sure there is.” Lavender said, putting an arm around her cousin’s shoulders. Susan came up around the other side of Hermione and they leaned against one another. “Now for me, on the other hand…”

“There’s always…what’s his name…Henry?” Hermione said, turning around and looking wickedly at Lavender.

“Oh, come off it Hermione.” Lavender said. “I’m his babysitter, not his mistress.”

“Not yet…” Hermione grinned slyly. “Look, seriously you two have it made, I’m going to be stuck here the rest of my life.”

“You are not…” Susan started to say but Hermione interrupted.

“Look, Lav, you’re the smartest person in the entire wizarding world, you’ll get to leave here soon, you’re going away to university. Susan, you and Ron, once you get married, can leave to start a family of your own.” Hermione paused. “All I’ve got is my smile and three beers.” She began to walk backwards as Susan’s eyes widened. “So to hell with you guys!” she shrieked and ran.

“Hey!” Susan shouted, running after her.

“Wait!” Lavender also laughed, jogging down the dock. The laughter of the three girls echoed off the water and faded into the night.

*** *** *** ***

Hermione tucked her long legs underneath her as she flipped a page in her book. She absolutely adored Muggle romance novels, and this one was no exception. Her eyes skirted quickly across the page as she became involved in the tales of Francesca Cahill and her love life. Much more exciting than her own, at any rate. On days like this when she didn’t bother leaving the house, she let herself go, her hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail high on her head, one curl falling over her forehead. She had baggy khaki colored pants on, and a tank top.

“Ding!” the sound of the doorbell reverberating through the house jolted her from her novel. She looked up to see if her mother or cousin would answer the door, but she remembered that they were still out jogging together.

“Damn it, I’m coming…” she muttered as she put a marker in her book and pulled herself off the couch. Hermione padded across the hallway in her bare feet and yanked the door open.

“What is it?” she began crossly, and froze, for none other than Harry Potter stood on her porch.

(A/N: Heehee…a cliffie huh ;) Well to get the next part, I have a teensy little favor to ask of all my readers, and that’s to leave me a review to let me know how you’re liking the story.

Francesca Cahill is a real character in the Deadly novels by Brenda Joyce. They are so amazing, if you like romance and mystery, READ these!

And a little bit of news- there is a real sequel in the works for Return to Me…I’ll keep you posted as the plot forms ;) Anywho, R/R and above all, enjoy!)

Chapter 5

(A/N: Well I expect to see everyone telling me how much they love me, since I didn’t leave you at a cliffhanger for long ;) Just kidding.

Well this chapter is ALL H/Hr….so sit back and enjoy!)

Hermione gasped and slammed the door shut. “What is he doing here?” she asked herself frantically. She pressed her hands to the side of her face, realizing what she had just done.

“I’m sorry!” She yanked open the door again. Harry wore a stunned expression on his face that quickly turned into a quite endearing smile. “Um…hi.” She forced a smile onto her face and tried to regain her composure.

“Hello, Hermione Granger.” Harry grinned even wider. “You are a most difficult woman to find, you know.”

“Oh really?” Hermione cocked an eyebrow and held open the door a little wider. “Come in, if you like.” She looked around quickly and ashamedly at her home, it was so tiny.

“Thanks.” Harry stepped through the doorway, not once taking his eyes off the beauty in front of him. Even dressed down she took his breath away.

“Can I get you anything?” Hermione asked, closing the door and leaning against it. He was obviously going somewhere after this, he was dressed nicely in a suit and jacket.

“No, thank you.” Harry said. “But you can answer a question for me.”

“And what would that be?” Hermione asked, coming away from the door and up next to him.

“Would you like to have dinner this evening?” Harry asked, producing a single red rose out of thin air.

Hermione looked at him, a smile slowly crossing her face. She put one hand on his chest and pushed him back into the living room. “Sit.” Hermione grabbed the book she had been reading and handed it to him. “Read. I’ll be right with you.”

Harry leaned over to look at her as she dashed up the stairs. Looking down as she reached the landing, she gave him a dazzling smile. About twenty minutes later, she reemerged, her hair done perfectly in long curls that brushed halfway down her back, flawlessly done makeup, and a tiny black dress that made Harry feel like pushing her down on the sofa and snogging her right then and there.

“I just have to leave a note…” Hermione was saying, as she scribbled on a scrap piece of paper. “All right.”

“So…” Harry said. “Do you like Italian food?”

*** *** *** ***

“You know, when you asked me if I liked Italian food, I didn’t realize you were taking me all the way to Venice for it.” Hermione set her fork down on her empty plate. “Not that I mind or anything.” She smiled and Harry laughed.

“Only the best for you.” He flirted, leaning over close by her. She smelled so tantalizingly sweet, like rosebuds.

“So, what brings you to Hogsmeade?” Hermione asked over small dishes of gelato. “I mean, it’s not exactly a place you go to for fun.”

“My father just bought a house near the town for vacation purposes, he asked me to go check it out.” Harry leaned back and smirked. “Who was I to refuse an offer to get away from him for a week or two?”

“You don’t get along very well with your father?” Hermione guessed correctly.

“No, not especially.” Harry replied, looking thoughtful. “He wants me to be exactly like him, but I’m too much of a free spirit.”

“I know that feeling, all too well.” Hermione nodded. “So you don’t go to university or anything? My cousin was accepted to one, but she’s only got a part scholarship, she’s got to save more.”

“I needed a break from school, I’m in training to become an Auror for the Ministry of Magic.” Harry made a face. “I’d rather play professional Quidditch though, my friend Oliver Wood is co captain of Puddlemere United.”

“THE Oliver Wood?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, he was with me the other night, he and his girlfriend are the ones who couldn’t keep their hands off each other at the pool table.” Harry laughed.

“Oh right.” Hermione remembered his other date all too well but didn’t say anything.

“Excuse me, Mr. Potter, I hope you’ve enjoyed your dinner.” The waiter was leaning over the table with a piece of parchment in his hand.

“It was delicious.” Hermione answered. Harry signed the parchment and they left the restaurant.

“Do you need to get back, or would you like to take a walk?” Harry asked, desperately hoping she wanted the latter.

“Oh, I’d love to take a walk.” Hermione replied. “I’ve never been here before so seeing the city should be exciting.”

“It will be.” Harry said, tucking her hand in his and intertwining their fingers. They strolled down the walkways, chatting comfortably. After about a half hour, they came to St. Marks Square.

“Did you know back during the time when witches were feared they used to burn them right here in this square?” Hermione said, looking around. “Not that it affected them, you know. They only felt a tickling sensation and then apparated away slowly so it wasn’t let on that they were still alive.”

Harry stared at her wordlessly.

“What?” she asked.

“I didn’t take you for the knowledge type.” Harry replied. He leaned towards her; his green eyes were deep forest pools. “It only makes you more attractive.”

Hermione blushed and turned away. She never usually felt this flustered around the men she dated. “Most people don’t, because of the way I look.”

“Well I didn’t mean for it to sound that way…” Harry’s tone was apologetic.

“I know you didn’t.” Hermione stopped and turned to face him. She smiled. “It’s all right. I think in a sense, we’re in the same boat.”

“How do you figure?” Harry asked, as they resumed walking.

“Well people make judgments on me because of how I look.” Hermione paused. “The same goes for you, if you think about it. People expect you to act a certain way because of who your father is.”

Harry smirked. “You’re right.” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. “But enough about how we’re supposed to act….”

Hermione grinned. “What, we should do something totally outlandish?”

“Maybe just a little.” Harry winked and then stepped up to a small cart loaded with what looked like bags of dried corn. He pulled some Muggle lira out of his pocket and handed them to the girl holding the cart, and she gave him one of the bags.

“What is that for?” Hermione asked, as Harry tore the bag open.

“Watch.” Harry had a devilish look in his eye. “Here, pour it all in my hands.”

Hermione did as he asked, then watched as he threw his hands up high in the air and the corn scattered all over the square, bringing in about a thousand pigeons.

“AHHHH!!!” people screamed as the birds dive-bombed to the ground to eat the corn. Harry grabbed Hermione’s hand and they ran away, laughing hysterically.

“Now that was something unexpected.” Harry said, as they calmed down a few moments later.

“I’ve never seen people run so fast in my life!” Hermione said gleefully. “It was only a few birds!” they laughed again and began once more to stroll along the walkways through the city.

“Oh!” Hermione cried out a few moments later, they had come to a canal and it was lined with a few gondolas. “Gondolas!”

“Would you like to ride in one?” Harry immediately offered.

Hermione turned to him, her eyes sparkling. “Can we?” she asked excitedly. She had always wanted to ride in a gondola, with a gorgeous Italian male pushing her along. Although, riding with Harry, to her, was better than any dream she’d had.

“Of course.” Harry motioned to the gondolier and he pushed away from the dock and towards them. “Anything for you.” He stepped down into the gondola and held his hand out to help her in.

Hermione sat down and straightened out her dress. Night had fallen, above them the sky was covered with stars. Harry squeezed in next to her; it was a tight fit but neither of them minded. He put an arm across the back and on her shoulders and she shivered from his touch.

“Cold?” he asked.

“Not anymore.” Hermione purred, lowering her eyes demurely.

“I bet I could warm you up.” Harry leaned close to her, and marveled at her beauty again.

“And just how do you propose to do that, Mr. Potter?” Hermione asked, knowing exactly what he intended, and she didn’t care, as she was completely lost in his emerald eyes as soon as she looked up.

Without another word, he dipped his head down and gently pressed his lips against hers. His arm left her shoulders and he let his hand caress her bare arm gently. She raised her arm and let her fingers trail through his hair; she was surprised at how soft it was.

Hermione knew how to kiss. At first, she held back, responding but not a lot. She could feel Harry press his mouth harder against hers, hot and wanting. His hands roamed down her body and wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him, as close as possible.

Harry began to lightly stroke her back with his hands, his light touch making her body respond involuntarily. He noticed this and ran his tongue along her closed lips. She opened her mouth underneath his, and he gave a victorious moan as he swept his tongue into her mouth and explored. Harry brought his hands from her back to cup the sides of her face, rubbing his thumb gently across her cheek.

Hermione responded with more vigor, clashing her tongue with his and then wound her hands around the back of his neck, playing with his hair that was sticking up at the base of his head. Her body rose a bit under his, enough so that he could slip his arm back around her waist and pull her body against his.

“Ahhh so nice to see two young people in love…” sighed the gondolier. Harry and Hermione broke apart, and Hermione turned red, but neither bothered to correct the man.

“That was…pleasurable.” Hermione said coyly as they stepped out of the gondola. She smiled up at Harry and he grinned back.

“It certainly was.” He brought his arms up around her waist and pulled her close to him again. “In fact…” he never finished his sentence because Hermione raised herself up and pressed her lips lightly to his.

“Do I have to get you home soon?” Harry regretfully asked as he pulled away a few moments later.

“I don’t know. What time is it?” Hermione asked, turning his arm to look at his watch. She made a face. “Yes, unfortunately. The joys of living with an overprotective mother.”

Harry smiled. “Well there will be other nights, I hope.”

Hermione looked at him from the corner of her eye as they walked to a darker section of the street to use the portkey. “There will be.” She replied with certainty.

Harry produced a small golden key, he had explained earlier that it was his personal portkey, it was a gift from his parents on his 21st birthday and it would take him anywhere in the world he wanted to go. They both touched it and it took them back to the front porch at Hermione’s.

“Well, this is goodnight then.” Harry said, stepping forward. He brought his hand up to take hers, first kissing her hand and then her lips.

“Goodnight.” Hermione said softly, watching him apparate away.

(A/N: Whoa do those two like to snog or what?

Next chapter: Lav and Henry, Ron and Susan stuff

Thanks for all the GREAT reviews on my last chapter! They are all really appreciated!

Don’t forget to R/R this one as well! And make sure and read Ryoko Blue’s One Crazy Life, an anime fic as well as the rest of her amazing stories!)

Chapter 6

A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter; we’ll have more H/Hr in the upcoming chapters. I have to give the other characters a little time, as hard as that may be. Harry and Hermione want this story all to themselves ;)

As always, the more reviews, the more enthused I am to write a chapter, and that means you’ll get it quicker. So please, take the time and leave a review, whether it be short or long, they ALL matter!!!

Hermione stretched her legs on top of her comforter as memories of last night rushed through her mind. She brought her index finger to her lower lip and ran it across it slowly, remembering the feel of Harry’s mouth on hers.

“Oh man, I’ve got it bad…” she grinned and sighed, getting out of bed and stretching again. She pulled off her nightshirt and tossed it aside, pulling on some fresh clothing from her closet.

“Good morning!” Hermione sang as she swept into the kitchen. Her mother and Lavender stared at her as she went over and got herself some eggs from the skillet. “How did you two sleep last night?”

“Fine…” Lavender replied. “Um, Hermione, do you know what time it is?”

“Nope.” Hermione grinned at her most cheerfully.

“It’s eight in the morning.” Jane said, still staring with concern at her daughter. “Hermione, dear, are you feeling all right?”

“Never better!” Hermione said, still grinning as she began to eat.

“Wait, I know this look.” Lavender said slyly. “What’s his name?”

“What, I can’t just be happy in the morning?”

“No.” Lavender and Jane chorused together.

Hermione only grinned wider. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She said, and turned back to her eggs.

“You can’t hold out on us, Hermione.” Lavender said. She sat down next to her cousin. “Please?”

Hermione’s smile got even wider, if possible. “Harry Potter.”

Jane dropped the cereal box she was holding on the ground, and the rice puffs scattered across the floor. “Who?”

“Harry Potter.” Hermione repeated smugly. “He took me to Venice.” She fought to keep her voice from rising with excitement.

“Venice, as in Venice Italy?” Jane asked.

Hermione nodded, her eyes taking on a dreamy look. “Yes, Venice Italy, it was so amazing, we had real Italian food, then we walked around the city, then took a gondola ride…” she got up from her seat and went over to the window and stared out. “I think I’m in love!”

*** *** *** *** *** ***

“You went where last night? Venice?” Alexa Potter asked her older brother. “You must have been trying to impress her.” She teased.

Harry grinned back. “Maybe.” He said. “She’s amazing, though, she really is. She’s smart, and she’s gorgeous.”

“Wow, like a two in one package huh.” Alexa laughed. “What’s her name?”

“Hermione Granger.” Harry rolled the words around in his mouth, thinking back to the time he had spent with her the previous evening. It had been only about twelve hours since he had taken her home, but he already longed to hold her in his arms again and snog her senseless. He suddenly realized that Alexa was talking to him.

“You should be careful.” She was saying. “You never know if a girl is after you because of who you are.”

“It’s not like that with her, I know it.” Harry insisted. “When we were walking around St. Marks Square, she started spouting off history about it, and I told her that I didn’t take her for the knowledge type.” Harry shook his head as he remembered how she had defended herself. “She hates it when people judge her before they get to know her, I don’t think she’d be after me for who I am.”

Alexa sighed and smiled. “You’re a pretty good judge of character, most of the time. I know you’ll be all right. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Harry reached for his sister and hugged her. “I know, Lex, and I love you for it.” He and his sister were the best of friends, they looked out for one another.

“There you are, Harry.” His father strode into his bedroom without knocking. “Have you heard from your school, about your test?”

“No.” Harry’s voice was cool as he addressed his father. “And I don’t care either. I’m not going back there.”

“You will, if you want to succeed.” James looked at him pointedly. “Quidditch players make next to nothing, I won’t have my son begging for charity.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Harry snapped. “Co captains of professional Quidditch teams make more than most of the men in your department!”

“I don’t want to hear another word!” James said, the tone of his voice indicating that the argument was closed. “If you don’t hear from your school by the end of this week, you tell me and I’ll go there myself and have a word.”

“Fine.” Harry muttered, turning away and grabbing his cloak from the closet. James turned and left the room, Alexa casting a sympathetic glance in her brother’s direction before following.

*** *** *** *** ***

Lavender sighed as she entered the figures in the accounting book. When she wasn’t working at the pizza parlour or babysitting, she worked for a witch that posed as a Muggle fortune teller. The woman had a ton of faithful clients; Lavender was very respectful of Sibyll Trelawney. She was going to be majoring in Divination when she finally went away to college, and working with a true Seer was helpful to her.

“Lavender dear, how is it coming?” Sibyll was peeking out around the curtain that led to where she kept her ‘office’ which consisted of a crystal ball, tarot cards, and teacups.

“Oh just fine.” Lavender answered. She wished she could help assist in the readings, but so far Sibyll had only given her menial tasks to do, nothing involving real Divination. However, the woman had also given her free reign of her personal library, which meant that Lavender had read nearly every novel and text on Divination that there was, so she felt very well versed in the subject. “I’ve got almost all your figures for last month organized in here, and then I’ll start on this months.”

“Thank you dear, you’re too sweet.” Sibyll smiled mistily at her. “October is always my busiest month, you know, so many people think something terrible will happen to them.”

Lavender smiled the fear of All Hallows Eve, or rather, Halloween, always kept people on their toes. They flocked to Sibyll, pleading for her to tell them that nothing would happen to them that day.

The bell attached to the main door rang and Sibyll ducked back into her office, and Lavender prepared her best Divinator smile for the approaching customer.

To her utmost surprise, it was Henry and Lori who stepped through the partition, grinning widely at her.

“Hi Lavender!” Lori giggled, leaving the comfort of her father’s embrace for Lavender’s.

“Hi Lori!” she said, stunned. She looked up at Henry, who was still grinning.

“I uh…I didn’t know you were um, coming here….”

“Ahhh, well we went to see you at the pizza parlour but your cousin, I believe, told us you were working here today.”

“Oh, um yes this is my third job.” Lavender mumbled, blushing bright red as she fumbled her words.

“You’re very dedicated, aren’t you?” Henry asked, leaning down to her level. “What does this employer have you doing?”

“So far mainly bookkeeping, but I get to read all the Divination novels that I need and soon she’ll let me sit in on some of her readings so I can get a taste of what having the Inner Eye is like. She thinks I’ve got the makings of a really good Divinator, so I’m very lucky I get to work with her, as she’s a true Seer…” Lavender trailed off as she realized how she had been rambling.

“Lavender?” Sibyll’s misty voice travelled from behind the curtain. “You may bring them in now!”

“Oh, Sibyll, they’re not here for—“ Lavender was cut off by Henry.

“Oh, let her read, it’ll be fun.” His eyes were twinkling at her and she could only follow he and Lori back behind the curtain.

“You may sit in, Lavender.” Sibyll said as they came back.

“Thank you.” Lavender replied, taking the chair closest to her mentor. Henry and Lori sat across from them. She could hardly believe her luck.

“I shall do a crystal ball reading for you.” Sibyll decided. “Everyone must join hands, we need to get the vibes flowing throughout the room.” She motioned with one hand to Lavender, the other to Lori.

Henry extended his hand to Lavender, and she slipped her smaller hand in his larger one. She tried not to pay attention to her sweaty palms and hoped he didn’t notice them either.

Sibyll closed her eyes and took in the vibes that the rest of them were sending out, mentally preparing herself for the visions she would soon be seeing in the ball.

Lavender watched in fascination as Sibyll broke the circle of their hands and began to look into the foggy depths of the ball. She recited in her head the steps she knew her mentor was taking.

“Your future, Mr…” she looked at Lavender.

“Bowers.” Lavender supplied, sneaking a glance at Henry.

“Your future, Mr. Bowers…it starts out clear, clear as can be…your path seems to be set straight. But…soon, very soon, it seems, you will be thrown an obstacle, and it could ruin your life as the way you know it.” She looked up through her thick spectacles at Henry. “You must pay careful attention, take heed at everything in the coming months.”

“All right.” Henry said, his face set seriously, but his eyes were betraying him. He obviously was not taking this seriously. Sibyll, not noticing, sat back and lowered her head, her signal that the reading was done.

“Come.” Lavender motioned to Henry and Lori, who followed her back out to the front. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think she’d want to do a reading.”

“It’s quite all right.” Henry smiled. “I found it highly entertaining.”

“Well, the Divination I’m looking into is more of what the centaurs look at, being able to read the stars and such.” Lavender explained, not wanting him to think her future profession was funny.

“You’ll be fine, Lavender.” Henry chucked her lightly on the cheek. He picked Lori up. “Ready to go home, my little lovely?”

“Yes!!!” Lori giggled. “Bye Lavender.”

“We’ll see you later, Lavender.” Henry turned and winked at her as they walked out the front.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Leonora sat in the empty pizza parlour, she had all three girls on staff that day but it was a slow afternoon, only busy when the supper crowd had come through.

“We’re going to have to do better…” she said glumly as she pored over the ledger books.

“Oh come on, it’ll pick back up when the holidays roll around.” Hermione said, trying to be supportive. Lavender and Susan privately agreed that it had been much more pleasant to be around Hermione since she had started seeing Harry on a regular basis, all of their dates left her in a wonderful mood for days afterwards.

“Yeah, Leonora, we’ll be fine, we always are.” Susan said, coming in with a pizza and the newest Witch Weekly. “Oooh, Hermione did you see this?” she teased, opening her magazine to a full page photo of Harry and waving it at her. “If it isn’t the most eligible wizard…”

“Shut up.” Hermione laughed and snatched the magazine away. She stared at the picture. “Can I keep this?” she asked.

Susan shrugged, and she, Lavender and Leonora all turned away to muffle their laughter. “Fine, if you want.” She grinned. She turned back to Leonora. “You know, perhaps if you told us what is in your sauce, we could make more and business would pick up?”

“Ha.” Leonora’s smile was firmly planted on her face. “You’ll never get that one out of me, until I retire. Then, and ONLY then, I will teach ONE of you the secret to my sauce making. It’s tradition, passed down from one member of one generation to the next.”

“And you don’t monkey with tradition!” Hermione, Lavender and Susan all cried out at once.

“We know, we know…” Lavender said. She reached back and turned on the Wizarding Wireless Network they had behind the bar.

“Just in time.” Susan laughed. “Your boyfriend, Leonora.”

The hard and haughty voice of the Wizarding Warlock Food Critic filled the room as Lavender turned up the volume.

“A place called Moonlight Menagerie, in Diagon Alley…over priced, service takes forever to come around…food, don’t even ask about the food, I’m not even sure it’s food…”

“I despise that man, I really do.” Leonora sneered. She picked up her books and went into the back of the restaurant as the chimes rang, announcing customers.

(A/N: Well I lied, no Ron/Susan in this chapter. That’ll be the next chapter. Anyways, please, don’t forget to read and then review!

While you’re waiting for more, you can check out my other stories, Ryoko Blue’s stories, and the Mas Tequila stories by God of Fire, they’re just too great for words!)

Chapter 7

A/N: Something I forgot to mention in the last chapter, the scene where all the girls are in the pizza parlour takes place a week after the previous scene, with Lavender and Henry. Just trying to space out the relationships a bit more so everything isn’t as rushed.

This is mainly a R/S and L/H chapter, but as always, there’s a bit of H/Hr thrown in, and the next chapter, I believe, is fully H/Hr….*giggles* it’s going to be a good one!!! Carl, you know what chapter I’m talking about. This chapter most likely will not be as long as the last one.

As always, thank you VERY much everyone, for reviewing. It’s made me that much more enthused to write!!!

And on we go!

Henry had put a classical station on, and the music poured from the WWN through the house. Lavender had agreed to help out that evening while he finished up some important plans for his next house he was constructing.

“Good!” Lavender smiled at Lori, who had just finished brushing her teeth and smiled widely at her. She helped the child jump down from the step next to her sink and Lori hopped into her room while Lavender grabbed a brush from the counter.

“Okay, into bed with you!” Lavender helped her on top of the sheets and then began to brush her long blond hair.

“My mummy lives over in America now.” Lori said after a few moments.

“Oh no, sweetie, she’s just over there for work. She’s going to be home in a few weeks.” Lavender reassured her.

“I know.” Lori replied. “They’re not going to get divorced are they?” she asked after a moment.

“Well….no...of course not!” Lavender said, somewhat flustered.

“Time for bed!” Henry announced from the doorway. His face was red and Lavender knew he had heard what Lori just said. He came over and helped tuck in the young girl. “I don’t know where she picked that up from.” He muttered.

Lavender nodded. “Well, goodnight Lori.” She hugged the child.

“How about a story?” Henry asked, sitting down next to his daughter.

“Yes!” Lori said, grabbing a book from her nightstand.

“Bye, see you tomorrow.” Lavender said, from the door.

Henry looked up and smiled. “Bye Lavender.”

She paused before leaving, the sight of Henry and Lori together on the bed made her want to stay. ‘That should be us, as a family…’ she thought wistfully. ‘I’d read to her every night, and then Henry and I would come back downstairs and have some wine, and then he’d read to me…’ she sighed and went down the stairs; it was no use wasting time on a dream that would never come true.

“Lavender, wait a minute.” Henry was coming down the stairs after her. “It’s a bit chilly tonight…” he stopped on the step above her and pulled off his forest green jumper he was wearing. “Here, take this.” He held it out and she obediently put her head through it and when she came out the other side, she looked up to find Henry staring at her with the strangest look in his eyes. She was unable to speak as they looked at one another for what seemed to be an hour.

“Daddy!!” Lori’s voice broke through their trance.

“I’d better go.” Henry said softly. “Coming!” he called to Lori. He backed away and went back upstairs.

Lavender was still stunned as she left the house, new confusing emotions washing over her like tidal waves. Why had he looked at her like that? Was he falling for her as she had for him?

“No, that’s crazy!” Lavender told herself as she got on her broom and flew back towards her house. “He’s got a wife, and a child…and what would he see in me, anyways?” these troubling thoughts stayed with her as she arrived home, flying into the back and propping her broom up against the side of the house, placing a locking charm on it. She was about to go in when she heard voices from the front; she peered around the side of the house to see Hermione and Harry arriving in the front.

“That has got to be the best broomstick I’ve ever ridden.” Hermione said as Harry helped her off. She ran her hand up the smooth polished handle and looked up at him. “Smoothest ride I’ve ever had…” she looked up at him with a spark in her eyes.

Harry pursed his lips in a mock pout. “Sometimes I think you like my broomstick better than you like me.” He said.

Hermione grinned and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Can’t have one without the other I suppose.” She joked. Harry laughed and wound his arms around her waist.

“I suppose that’s all right.” Harry intoned softly, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers. Hermione brought her hands up and ran them gently over his chest, enjoying the way his muscles became taut under her touch. Harry leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, nudging her mouth open gently. She responded immediately, bringing her hand up to the back of his head and running her fingers through his hair. He crushed her body against his, his mouth plundering hers.

Lavender sighed and turned away, she wasn’t a voyeur and she didn’t want to be caught by her cousin. Hermione was so lucky, she had guys falling at her feet constantly, Lavender had never had that sort of fortune. She tugged at a lock of her short blond hair and hugged Henry’s jumper tightly around her.

The loud snobby voice of one of the rich and famous lifestyles shows came loudly at her through the door, her aunt loved those programs. Lavender went into the living room to see Jane sprawled out on the sofa, fast asleep. A moment later, Hermione came through the front door, grinning broadly.

“Hi Lav!” she said loudly and Lavender put a finger to her lips, and covered her aunt with a wool blanket that was draped over the back of the sofa. Hermione crossed the room and listened to the program a moment, then snapped it off.

“Well, goodnight.” Lavender said as the two girls went up the stairs to their rooms.

“Whose jumper is that?” Hermione asked.

“Henry’s.” Lavender said, mentally preparing herself for an onslaught of questioning from her cousin. She pulled it over her head and folded it neatly.

As if on cue, Hermione’s head appeared around the doorway. “Really.” An excited gleam entered her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Honestly, Hermione, nothing. It’s chilly out tonight, as you well know, and he didn’t want me to be cold while riding home.” Lavender answered with a long suffering sigh.

“I wasn’t cold.” Hermione boasted.

“Well no, I suppose snogging would keep you quite warm.” Lavender shot back.

“Yes it does.” Hermione answered. “Are you going to keep it?”

“No!” Lavender said. “I’m just…borrowing it.” She hugged the jumper tightly to her.

“Looks to me as if he’s putting the moves on you.” Hermione said mischievously.

“You’re sick.” Lavender said. She went over and pushed her cousin out of her room. “Good night!”

*** *** *** *** *** ***

*Two days later*

“Susan!” Leonora’s voice boomed across the restaurant. She looked over the partition, but Susan was nowhere to be seen. “Where is she? Lavender, have you seen Susan?”

Lavender shook her head and looked down at the sauce she was ladling out onto the pizza crusts. She kept her head down so she wouldn’t have to look at Leonora as she passed by. Hermione heard the whole exchange and was giggling, for both of them knew exactly where Susan was.

An elderly customer waited outside the women’s room, it was locked for some strange reason, and it had been locked for a while. She leaned her ear against the door and listened.

“Ow!” a girl’s voice was saying. “Ron that hurts!” A male voice, which was too deep and soft to understand, mumbled something back.

The woman knocked, and frantic whispers were heard. “Just a minute!” the female voice called out, and a second later, Susan emerged tying her pouch around her middle.

“Sorry.” She said to the woman as she passed by. A moment after that, as the woman was about to go in, she was startled by a red headed man who was tucking his shirt in his pants.

“Excuse me.” He said, patting her arm as he went by. He looked over to Susan as he was about to leave, and she blew him a kiss as she disappeared into the back room.

“Sorry Leonora!” Susan called out. “Hey Lav, table six is asking for dessert!” she untied Lavender’s pouch and it fell on the floor.

“Susan!” Lavender cried, annoyed.

“Sorry, I have customers waiting, no time to chat!” Susan said hurriedly, dumping leftover pizza in a box and running back out the door.

“Sue, wait a second!” Lavender abandoned the sauce as she rushed out after her. Leonora rolled her eyes; she knew exactly what Susan had been up to.

“Here you are, thank you!” Susan said as her customers paid and she gave them change.

“This is the most fabulous pizza…” the man was saying.

“What’s in that sauce?” the woman asked, leaning forward as if she was about to be revealed the secret of the century.

“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s top secret.” Susan said. “She won’t even tell us what she puts in there!”

The man and woman laughed, took their box and left. Susan turned to Hermione and Lavender.

“Hey, a little warning next time when someone’s been waiting for awhile?” she asked.

“Hey, you should be used to it, Ron comes by and you disappear for a half hour every time you work…” Hermione said dryly.

“Susan, will you do me a favour?” Lavender asked. “Will you switch days off with me?”

“I guess I could, why?” Susan asked.

“Henry needs me this Friday.” Lavender replied, wishing her cousin would leave so she could escape a sarcastic comment for once in her life.

“Don’t do it Susan.” It was like clockwork with Hermione. “You’ll be a contributor to the downfall of Saint Lavender!”

“Oh, bugger off, will you please?” Lavender was slightly annoyed. “Talk about downfalls, I’m surprised you haven’t plastered your room with pictures of Harry Potter and his Windrider!”

Hermione and Susan laughed. “You’ve got me there, Lav.” Hermione winked and they all went in back.

A/N: Well, hopefully that wasn’t too boring *haha* Well please don’t forget to read and review, and next chapter, it’s for all you H/Hr fans!! :)

Chapter 8

A/N: Well I can’t seem to stop writing, so here’s chapter 8. It’s rated R, but don’t let that scare you away! Fully H/Hr, so without further ado, here we are!! :D

Hermione had her arms wrapped around Harry’s middle as he descended them down near the vacation home he had been checking out for his father. It was cold, the wind nipped at her exposed nose and cheeks, so she buried her face in Harry’s back. During the past few weeks they had begun seeing each other, almost four already, she had grown to love how he smelled, a woodsy pine that reminded her of being outdoors.

“We’re almost there!” he called over his shoulder. Hermione looked down and she could see the top of a roof poking out among the trees.

“It’s huge!” she shouted. By most standards, the house was a decent size, but to Hermione it looked like a palace. Harry deftly landed them down in front; up close the place looked even bigger to her.

“This is a vacation home?” Hermione asked in disbelief. “Shit, you could fit the entire town of Hogsmeade inside!”

Harry laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. “It’ll do for a vacation home, although I’d rather it just be us inside, and no one else.” He pressed his lips to her neck, and Hermione closed her eyes. She had an idea of why he had brought her here today, and as she was sure that she was in love with him, she needed to hear it back before things went so far.

“Come on.” Harry let go of her waist and took her hand. They went up past the porch and Harry produced a key.

“Why do you need a key?” Hermione asked.

“My father puts anti magic charms on the house since no one’s living here.” Harry replied. “We’ll have to make do like Muggles.” He grimaced on the last word and Hermione laughed. Harry finally managed to work the key and they went inside.

Everything was draped in sheets, and the fact that it was a dark day made the whole inside look dreary and shadowy.

“Can I sit here?” Hermione indicated a sofa in front of the fireplace.

“You can sit anywhere you want.” Harry said, brushing past her to light a fire. He turned to watch her; she was wearing a short grey skirt and ivory blouse, it contrasted nicely against her dark hair. She pushed the sheet aside and sat down, now she was the one watching Harry. As he lit the fire, the strengthening flame danced off his shiny black hair; he took his cloak off and tossed it aside, revealing a sky blue jumper and black trousers.

“This place seems very lonely.” Hermione said after a few moments.

“That’s part of it’s appeal.” Harry answered, stirring the fire.

Hermione looked at him a long moment. “You bring women out here often?” she tried to keep her tone light.

Harry turned and looked straight at her, then left the fire and sat next to her. “No. You’re the first.” Hermione was astounded to see hurt flicker through his eyes.

“I’m sorry…” she said, looking down. “I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“I know.” Harry brought a hand up underneath her chin, tilting her head back so he could look at her. He leaned in and kissed her, pressing his mouth gently to hers. “Hermione, the real reason I brought you here, I just wanted us to have a chance to talk, to get away together without interruptions.”

Hermione nodded, her eyes still closed from kissing him. She opened them up and was surprised to see that their faces were still mere inches apart. Taking her hand, she traced down the side of his cheek with her index finger, and Harry turned and pressed his lips into her palm.

“Harry, can I ask you something?” Hermione asked softly a few moments later.

“You can ask me anything.” Harry said.

“I know how you got this, but why do you still have it, so many years later?” she brushed aside his midnight hair to reveal his scar. “Wouldn’t it have faded?”

Harry sighed and leaned back on the sofa. “No, there are a few good reasons why I still have it.” He covered her hand with his own and pulled her so she was leaning against him. “Because I still have the scar, my father knows if Voldemort is planning on coming back. It burns whenever there is dark activity going on, and that’s the way he can monitor these things.”

Hermione shifted and looked up at him. “So in a sense of speaking, the fate of the entire wizarding world rests in these hands.” She picked up her hand that was inside his. “Wow, we’d all better try and stay on your good side then.”

Harry snickered. “That’s very true, my dear.” They laughed together for a moment and then Harry grew a tad serious. “You’re the first person I’ve told about that, ever. My sister and mother are the only other people that know, for obvious reasons.”

“Well I guess it’s a night for firsts.” Hermione said, unaware for a moment at what she was implying. Harry caught on, however, and grinned.

“Is it?” he leaned in close to her, and Hermione was looking straight into his eyes, which had grown dark in his desire. She could feel her heartbeat quicken, and her breath was coming in shorter gasps.

“I love you.” She heard herself say suddenly. His eyes widened and Hermione felt like slapping herself. Why had she said that, why?

“Really?” Harry managed to find his voice a few seconds later.

“I shouldn’t have said that!” Hermione was terribly embarrassed. She turned away from Harry, not wanting to see his reaction.

“Hermione, look at me.” Harry said. She shook her head, tears ready to spill from her eyes down her face. “Look at me.” He repeated.

‘What is wrong with me?’ Hermione asked herself. She successfully managed to bite back her tears and turned to face Harry.

“Did you mean that, do you love me?” he asked. Hermione was unable to reply for a moment, but then she nodded.

“I was looking for the opportunity to tell you this, and the timing couldn’t be better, well for me I guess.” Harry ducked his head down a bit, but then looked back up straight into her eyes. “Hermione, I love you too.” She opened her mouth to say something but he put a finger on her lips. “Let me finish what I was going to say.”

Hermione nodded, and some of the embarrassment she had felt ebbed away.

“I just want you to know this; I don’t throw around that term very often. And I’ve never said that to a girl just to try and get her in bed. As I may be stubborn and quite a bit cocky at times, I’m still not that type of guy.”

Hermione smiled softly, all her fears gone. “Thank you for telling me that.” She said quietly. “I’m sorry I reacted so badly, I just didn’t think you’d feel the same way, especially so soon.”

“Well, when it comes to love, I don’t think it can be too fast.” Harry said. They looked at each other for a very long moment.

“Have you ever been in love before?” Hermione ventured.

Harry seemed pensive. “There have been times I thought I have, but when it’s ended, I have never been all too upset.” He looked at her. “How about you?”

“There have been two times when I thought I was in love with someone.” Hermione said. “They were both really using me, I found out AFTER we had sex.”

Harry bit his lower lip in sympathy. “There are so many assholes in this world, taking advantage of people.” He reached out a hand and stroked her hair, she had straightened it that day and it felt like silk between his fingers.

“Well it’s in the past, I don’t like thinking about that anymore.” She said. “Besides, I think we’ve gotten serious enough for one day don’t you?” Hermione laughed softly and Harry grinned.

“The only thing I want to be serious about right now is you…” he pulled her against him once more and brought his lips to hers. He kissed her gently at first, and moved his hand from her waist up to cup her cheek. Harry caressed her face gently and ran his tongue along her lips, seeking entrance. She opened her mouth to his and he gladly clashed his tongue with hers.

Hermione could hardly contain herself as Harry’s other hand travelled from her hip up her side, gently brushing the side of her breast through her blouse. Her hand made it’s way from his shoulder down his chest, feeling his tight muscles contract under her touch. He pulled his mouth from hers only when he felt as if his lungs would burst from lack of oxygen.

Harry began to press small opened mouth kisses down the side of her neck. He breathed in her scent, it almost smelled like spicy flowers, he had never smelled that on anyone before and it turned him on. He began to fumble with the buttons on her blouse, opening the top few and slipping his hand inside, gently stroking her through the lace bra she wore.

“Harry…wait…” Hermione said, pushing him away. “Not here.”

“What?” Harry asked, panting lightly.

Hermione looked up at him a moment, her eyes betraying her outer calm. “If we’re going to make love, I don’t want it to be just on a sofa.”

Harry nodded, he understood she wanted it to be something special, and he intended to make it as perfect as he possibly could. “We can go upstairs.” He began to get up from the sofa but Hermione pushed him back down.

“Close your eyes.” She said, and he obediently shut his emerald greens. Hermione leaned down and kissed him, then stood back up and laid her cloak on his lap.

Harry could hear the rustling of cloth as she laid something over his lap; he assumed it was her cloak, then nothing after a few more moments. “Hermione?” he asked aloud. He opened his eyes to find the room deserted. Harry got up and picked up a candle, then turned to the fire and lit it. “Hermione?” he called again.

“Follow the breadcrumbs, Harry!” Her voice came from upstairs. Harry went towards the stairs and found her heels she had been wearing, one on the bottom step and the other about halfway up. At the top, hanging off a banister, was her the ivory blouse she had had on, and then as he walked down the hallway, her skirt was tossed down on the floor.

Harry walked on a bit longer; he had not seen any more clothes for a few moments and was beginning to think he missed her when the candlelight caught a glimmer of something else lying on the floor. Harry moved forward swiftly and picked it up; he gulped hard when he saw it was her lacy navy blue bra. His breathing came a bit more swiftly as he went down a few more paces and then saw her panties lying directly in front of the door that ironically, when Harry had come there the first time, had picked to be his bedroom.

Hermione had just barely had time to wrap a sheet around her as the door slowly creaked open and Harry’s head appeared around the frame.

“Cute, Hermione.” He grinned and came into the room. “How did you know this is the room I’ve been staying in here?”

“I didn’t.” She said, moving towards the four poster bed. “I just guessed.”

Harry looked on appreciatively at the way the sheet fell around her; it almost looked like an old Greek toga. He set the candle down on a dresser and moved towards her slowly, almost as if he were trying to torture himself and her by prolonging the inevitable.

“Granger…” his voice was a low whisper as they met at the foot of the bed. “How did you know that navy blue is my favourite colour?”

“Another guess.” She leaned forward and their lips came together in an explosive kiss, immediately tangling tongues, Hermione’s body was pressed against Harry’s. He brought his arms around her and they fell back on the bed.

*** Here’s where I leave you to your imaginations ;) ***

Some time later, Hermione lay in Harry’s arms, still basking in what they had just done. It had been marvellous, absolutely perfect, and she felt no regrets. Her eyes began to shut from drowsiness when Harry’s voice jerked her back into full consciousness.

“Hermione…” Harry said softly, moving his arm a bit to wake her.

“Mmmhmm…” her voice was barely audible as she tried to cling to sleep.

“Hermione!” his voice was a bit louder now.

“What?” she asked sleepily, raising her head to look at him.

“I need to tell you something.” Harry said seriously. She finally pulled her head up fully. “Remember when I told you I was just taking a break from school?”

“Yes.” Her eyebrows were knitted together in confusion.

“Well, I lied.” Harry licked his lips nervously. “I was kicked out.”

“Why?” she asked, immediately feeling sorry for not waking up before.

“I was failing a course, and I cheated on the final.”

“People flunk courses a lot; it’s not a big deal.” Hermione said.

“Well yes, but that sort of thing doesn’t happen to me, I mean, I’m James Potter’s son, I am supposed to do everything right.” Harry’s tone was bitter.

“Harry, you shouldn’t have lied, I can handle things like that.” Hermione propped herself on her side and looked down at him. “But I am glad you told me.”

“You are?” Harry’s eyes flicked over to hers.

“Just don’t do it again.” She replied.

“What, cheat or lie?” a ghost of a smile was on his face.

“Either.” Hermione’s voice was soft as she smiled back at him. Harry leaned up and kissed her, then rolled back on top of her for another round.

A/N: Well, here’s ch 8, unfortunately the only shag chapter for them in this story…

AideeEight, your turn ;) LOL

Thanks for reading, and as always don’t forget to read and review. Your responses so far have been terrific!!!

Chapter 9

A/N: Well I’m glad everyone enjoyed the H/Hr shag ;) I know I did LOL….

I do apologise for the delay in this chapter, I have been busy with LOADS of schoolwork and then me and three friends went to the Jenny Jones show, which was a blast!!

All my writing now, I’m sorry to way, will only be done on weekends due to a slip in my grades, so bear with me a few more weeks till I’m done with school and have two weeks to write!!!

This chapter wasn’t supposed to have H/Hr in it, but once again, they’ve taken over my mind and I’m giving them a little scene…. But it will mainly be R/S since they’ve had almost no airtime so far ;)

Harry landed them slowly on Hermione’s front porch, the lantern on the wall flickered on as soon as it sensed movement and Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Honestly…my mum does this to spy I swear!” she said, referring to the lights.

“Let her watch then.” Harry grinned, a devilish look coming into his green eyes.

“Yuck.” Hermione frowned; her mother watching was just too gross a thought. “That’s really disgusting Harry.” He laughed in reply, then leaned down and brought his lips to hers, immediately sweeping his tongue into her mouth. She pressed up against him, throwing her arms around his neck.

They stayed on the porch for a long while, and Hermione finally pulled away to gulp some air into her lungs. Breathless, they both just stared at each other for a few long moments.

“Stay here tonight.” Hermione heard herself say.

“What?” Harry looked taken back.

She licked her lips. “I want you to stay here; I don’t want our evening to end.”

“How would I…come in?” Harry asked. “I mean, if your mother is right there inside your house she’ll see me.”

Hermione thought a moment. “I’ll go in, and then in about three minutes, you fly up behind the house, and my bedroom is the second window on the left. I’ll let you in that way.”

Harry was still gaping at her. Hermione brought her hand up under his chin and snapped his mouth shut. “Close it, you’re letting in flies.” She raised herself up and kissed him lightly. “See you in three minutes.”

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Susan giggled as Ron pinned her beneath him and kissed her again.

“Ron do that thing you did the other day at the pizza parlour.” Susan said, needing him. She wanted him so badly at the moment; she’d even marry him to get him in the sack. Again.

“I just did!” Ron protested, but Susan raised a finger to his lips.

“Well, do it again!” she insisted, rearranging her body beneath his. One smile from her was all it took, so he bent over her once more, and began to work his way down…he would start kissing her lightly, teasingly, from her forehead, down her face, her cheeks, her lips, then go to her neck, suckling her skin lightly.

“Ohhhh Great Wizards….” Susan moaned as Ron’s hands began to explore where his mouth wasn’t.

“Shhhh do you want to wake your parents?” Ron pulled himself away from Susan.

“Ron don’t stop!” Susan cried out.

“But you’re so loud!” Ron said in a loud whisper.

Susan looked around for a moment. “All right, okay, we’ll just go to my room.”

“Your PARENTS!” Ron hissed for the second time.

“They’re asleep!” Susan said sharply, beginning to be a bit frustrated. She pulled Ron’s head down to hers, pressing her lips to his urgently. Ron groaned and began to respond; Susan tugged on his trousers until they were off.

“Ummm…Ron….” Her back was arched as his hand travelled down her side lightly, with the most fluent of caresses. “RON!!!” her voice rose to a low shout and Ron almost dropped her on the floor.

“I’m leaving!” his voice was finite.

“No, Ron!!” her pleas now fell on deaf ears as Ron got up and tried to walk to the door and pull his trousers on at the same time. “Come on Ron…”

“Sue…I’ve got to go.” He tried not to look at her, because he knew if he did, she’d convince him to stay. Susan walked over to him until his back was to the door and pressed herself against him.

“Just one more kiss.” She simply said, resting her chin on his chest and staring up at him imploringly. Ron sighed, and then smiled as he looked at her. He bent his head down and kissed her again, and she raised herself up on her toes to deepen it. Susan teased his mouth for a few minutes and then began to open his shirt back up and press opened mouth kisses to his chest.

“What are you doing?” Ron’s voice was breathless and his head was thrown back against the door.

“Your little guy…” Susan answered. “He just needs a bit of fresh air…” she successfully managed to pull his trousers back down and began to tug on his knickers.

“Sue!!” Ron’s voice was the loud one now. “Cut it out!!!!”

“What?” she asked innocently, bringing herself back up.

“I’m telling you, we should be making a commitment before this keeps going on!” Ron exclaimed.

“All right….” Susan would say anything right now to keep things going her way. “But first things first.” She began to go back down when Ron grabbed her arms and pulled her back up. “What?” she asked again.

“I think we should be married!” Ron’s voice was now insistent. “Susan, I love you, why do you keep avoiding the topic of us being married?”

“Ron, I swear, if you keep talking about getting married I’m going to scream!” Susan warned.

“Marriage, married…” Ron said.

“AHHHHHH!!!” Susan let out a scream.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!” another voice answered her. Ron and Susan jumped apart and were horrified to find Mr. and Mrs. Bones standing in the doorway.

“AHHHHH!!” Susan screamed again.

“WHAT THE HELL?” Mr. Bones thundered. Ron was terrified of the shorter man as he lunged into the room. The worst part of all this was that Ron’s trousers were still down around his knees. He ran behind the table as Mr. Bones tried to jump over it to get at him. Susan screamed and jumped on his back, while she shouted for Ron to run.

“Nothing happened, I swear!” Ron kept saying as Susan forcefully held her father back.

“Run Ron!!” she was yelling as her father swore and shook his fist at Ron. Ron finally got his trousers up and stumbled out the door.

“Thank you Mr. Bones!!!” he yelled back as he fell over onto the lawn and collapsed on his broom.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

“So there was my father, all 130 pounds of him, trying to kick the shit out of Ron, and Ron’s trying to be a gentleman and say nothing happened while pulling his trousers up….if I wasn’t so scared of how red my father’s face was, I’d have laughed myself silly.” Susan was giggling as she told Hermione and Lavender what had happened the previous evening.

“So close to a clean getaway.” Hermione said, wiping her eyes.

“Why don’t you and Ron just get married?” Lavender wondered aloud.

“Because…it’s more convenient this way.” Susan struggled to find the right words.

“What if you get knocked up?” Hermione asked.

“I’m not going to.” Susan replied confidently.

“Susan!!!” a male voice cut through their conversation. “Hey Sue!” it was Ron; he was sailing by on the river on his way out to get the catch.

Susan looked up, an expectant smile on her face, which faded as soon as she saw the boat.

“What do you think?” Ron asked, grinning widely as he slapped his hand against the side of the boat. Instead of saying Susan, like it had, it now read Shag Fiend.

Hermione and Lavender both began to laugh uproariously, they clutched onto one another to keep from falling over.

“That’s not funny!” Susan was angry; her red hair was flying as she charged down to the docks. “Whose side are you guys on?”

Ron and his friends were laughing as well as Susan came to the end of the dock.

“You know something Ron? You are the biggest ASSHOLE!” Susan screamed. “I’m so glad now I never married you!”

“Oh come on!” Ron was no longer laughing.

“You think this is going to make me want to marry you? Well it’s not, because I don’t have to be married to a daft prick like you!”

“Sue, I’m just joking!!” Ron was now beginning to look worried.

“You can’t force me to do something I’m not ready to do!” Susan screamed as she reached the edge of the dock and the boat went sailing by. Hermione and Lavender had come up behind her, still laughing. “And until I am, IF I EVER AM, THE ANSWER IS NO!!! NO!!!!” she stamped her foot to make her point.

“Sue, I was joking!!!!” Ron’s voice faded away as the boat went further down the river.

Susan turned around and glared at her two friends. “Thanks a lot, you two.” She said, marching back to the pier. “Nice to know I have two such great friends.”

“Oh come on Sue, you heard him, he was joking!” Hermione used the same tone of voice Ron had, and Lavender nearly collapsed in a fit of the giggles.

A crowd of people had gathered and were now applauding as the three of them reached the pier. Susan set her mouth in a grim line.

“Asshole.” She said as she walked by, jerking her thumb over her shoulder.

A/N: Well that’s it for ch 9 :)

Next up: a bit of a fighting chapter, and only one of them turns out good…R/S and H/Hr

Please don’t forget to read and review, and hopefully the next chapter will be up soon!!!

Chapter 10

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews on chapter 9, everyone who took the time to do so; it’s much appreciated to know you’re enjoying this!

“Hurry up Lavender!” Susan cried. She looked around to make sure Ron wasn’t coming out of the pub.

“No kidding.” Hermione laughed, taking another swig of her beer from the bottle. “Ron get your big dumb ass out here!” she shrieked.

“Shut up, both of you!” Lavender snapped. Susan had come up with the bright idea of stealing Ron’s broom as revenge for his little shenanigan he pulled earlier. However, Ron put a locking spell on his broom that none of them could seem to undo, so it was up to Lavender to try different spells.

“Where’s Harry this weekend?” Susan asked Hermione as she swigged from her own bottle.

“He’s in Paris, with his family.” Hermione answered, her eyes taking on that dreamy look she always had when thinking of Harry. “They should be back tomorrow night.”

“How come you didn’t go with?” Susan teased. “I mean, he’s already taken you to Venice right? Why not Paris, and Sydney, and Chicago, and New Orleans…” she snickered.

“Because his whole family went, and I hardly think it’s appropriate for me to go along when I haven’t even met them yet.” Hermione replied.

Lavender and Susan stared at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word appropriate come out of your mouth before.” Lavender said, almost in shock.

Hermione sneered at the two of them, then widened her eyes and pointed behind them at the door to the pub. “Ron!” she cried out.

Susan and Lavender both whirled around, their eyes wide with the fear of being caught, but no one was there, and Hermione was doubled over with laughter.

“That was the best deer in the headlights look I’ve ever seen!” Hermione shrieked, nearly falling over.

Lavender glared at her and resumed her spells while Susan went over and tried to take her bottle away.

“Hey!” Hermione squealed and the two girls laughed while playing tug of war with the bottle.

“Found it!” Lavender called out triumphantly a few moments later. The three of them clambered on and Lavender pulled them up and away from the pub.

“Get a horse you asshole!” Susan screamed as they flew into the trees. After a minute, they were extremely high above the trees and had nowhere to go.

“Where do we head to?” Lavender asked, pulling her jumper a little tighter around herself.

Hermione and Susan thought hard for a moment. “The country club!” Hermione said excitedly.

“Yes!” Susan agreed.

“No, that’s boring!” Lavender said. She hated going to the club, all they did was sit on the lawn while Susan and Hermione drank and goofed off.

“Come on, live a little!” Hermione’s voice rang out. Lavender sighed, then steered the broom down to the large white building. She landed them softly on the lawn and Susan and Hermione tumbled off, laughing their heads off.

Music poured faintly from inside the club, a jazzy upbeat tune. Susan looked at Hermione.

“Herm? You want to do the jitterbug?” Susan asked, referring to an old dance move that was popular some years ago. Hermione laughed.

“Do I? I get to lead! Here Lav hold these for us.” she handed Lavender the two bottles of beer and scrambled off the bench. She and Susan began hopping around the grass in a crazy dance.

Lavender laughed at them and began to walk across the sloping lawn towards the clubhouse. She dumped the two bottles on an empty table next to a trophy of some sort and gazed into the large bay window. People were dancing on a floor, she admired the glittering dresses that many of the women were wearing, and the men were dressed formally in dress robes, a few in Muggle tuxedoes. She began to envision herself and Henry dancing around in a club like that when she saw something that made her blood run cold.

Harry Potter. He was sitting inside, a drink in his hand. He was laughing and chatting with a few other people his age, and at that moment, a stunning redhead tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a cloak, which he helped her put on.

Lavender turned away from the window. “Come on, let’s go!”

“Why?” Susan and Hermione stopped their dancing and started to walk over to her.

“Because, this is boring.” Lavender said, coming away from the window rapidly.

“This isn’t boring, it’s fun!” Hermione said as she came closer. Her eyes moved to the window and the expression on her face went from smiling to shock.

Susan caught on and she and Lavender looked at Hermione with sympathy. Hermione went up even closer to the window, she stared inside with disbelief.

Harry was taking one last sip of his drink and he held his arm out to the girl and smiled at her endearingly. She took it and they started threading through the crowd of people, waving goodbye to their friends.

Hermione’s mouth was set in a grim line; she began walking away towards the broom very quickly.

“Hermione…” Lavender and Susan started after her. “Hermione wait…”

“I am SO STUPID!!!” she screamed, kicking at the handle. “Stupid!” she turned around, her breath coming to her in short ragged gasps. A couple on a broom whizzed by, leaving a space wide open in front of a gleaming broom, Harry’s Windrider.

A gleam entered Hermione’s eye as she began marching over. Grabbing Lavender’s wand as she came up behind her, Hermione muttered what she knew would unlock Harry’s broom. She took the handle in her hands and ran over to a tree.

“Hermione no!!” Lavender and Susan cried out. Hermione paid them no attention as she proceeded to smack the broom against the strong tree trunk.

Harry was just coming out of the club when he saw a figure grab his broom and whack it on the tree. “HEY!!” he screamed, leaving the girl at his side and rushing over.

Hermione slammed the broom against the trunk several more times before Harry reached her. She whipped her flying curls out of her face and threw the broom at his feet. “Wonderful, isn’t it!” she cried out.

“What are you doing?” he asked weakly as he came to a stop in front of her. His broom, his amazing Windrider, was now in a sad state on the ground, smoking and hissing.

“Paris, my ASS!” Hermione took a swing at Harry but he ducked and grabbed her around the waist.

“Hermione, look!” Harry spun her around to face a small crowd of people. “Hermione this is Alexa Potter, my sister. Alexa, this is Hermione Granger.”

“Uh…Hermione…hi…” Alexa was obviously trying hard not to laugh.

Hermione’s mouth fell open in total and utter embarrassment. “Hi.” She managed to mutter. She pushed away from Harry. “How the hell was I supposed to know? You told me you’d be in Paris until tomorrow!”

“My mother wanted to come back early…I tried to get a hold of you when I got back but you were out!” Harry said, trying to take one of her hands in his.

Hermione looked sheepishly at the broom, which gave one final hiss and sank into silence. She had never felt so stupid in her life. “I screwed up.” She finally said in a tiny voice.

“Yes but you gave it a hundred percent effort.” Harry said, flashing her the grin that she found so irresistible.

Hermione stared at him in shock, she had expected him to yell and carry on, and possibly even break it off with her. A smile began to spread over her face as Harry began to laugh softly. “You…are so odd!” she managed over her own laughter.

“I’m odd? I’M odd?” Harry looked down at his broom. He stepped forward and pulled her close to him. “Think you can fly us home?” he asked, and Hermione nodded. “Come here.” Harry said softly, hugging her tightly. Hermione felt small tears behind her eyelids; she couldn’t believe that Harry had forgiven her for everything. She wrapped her own arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. Everything was going to be all right.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

The next morning Susan got up early and put on her favourite, rather, Ron’s favourite green sweater, the one he always said brought out the red in her hair. After witnessing the display between Harry and Hermione the night before, she realized she wasn’t very angry at Ron. Slipping quietly out the door, she hurried down to the docks where Ron’s father Arthur had just pushed off and Ron was about to follow with some of his guys.

“Ron!” she called out, trying to catch him before he left.

“Hey!” his eyes lit up as she approached.

“I’m sorry for taking your broom.” Susan said, smiling down at him a bit shyly.

“It’s okay.” Ron grinned back. “I’m sorry too. It was only a masking spell, I took it off.”

Susan looked over at the name; once again it was her own. “Guess what?”

Ron shrugged. “I don’t know, what?”

“My parents are going to London next weekend for four days and four nights.” Susan looked gleeful at this news.

“Yeah?” Ron grabbed what looked like a heavy container and lifted it like it was full of nothing but air.

“What do you mean, yeah? Ron, we have my entire house for four days and nights!”

“I heard you.” Ron set the container down and picked up another. “I don’t want to.”

“Ron, please, I told you I was sorry!” Susan thought he was angry about the broom after all.

Ron set the other container down and came up to her, his mouth in a tight line. “Your house, my house, the bathroom at the pizza parlour…” his voice trailed off as some of the other men on the boat laughed. “What’s so funny Neville?” he glared menacingly at one of them, who shut his mouth immediately. “I’m telling you Susan, I love you, does that mean anything to you at all?”

“Of course it does Ron, how can you say it doesn’t?” Susan was flabbergasted.

“Then tell me you’ll marry me.” Ron said, his voice gruff. “Tell me right now that you’ll be my wife.”

Susan could only stare at him, words unable to come out of her mouth.

“Susan, right now, either you tell me you’ll marry me or it’s over, I can’t do this anymore.” Ron was obviously upset, but he had to do this. “You say the word, and we’re either broken up or we’re engaged, but it’s got to be one or the other.”

“Ron I….” Susan stammered, the growing alarm in her mad her unable to even utter a syllable. They stared at each other for a few long moments and then Ron pulled himself back on the boat.

“I’m sorry Sue….but I’m done.” Ron turned to the man who drove the boat. “Let’s go.” He looked back at Susan again who still had her jaw dropped. “I’m sorry.” He repeated, as the boat pulled further and further away.

A/N: Awww *sniff* Susan and Ron broke up :( Think she’ll ever work up the courage to marry him? You’ll have to keep reading!!

Also, everyone, this will be the LAST story I post on fanfiction.net, as I’ve had it up to here *makes motion with hand at head* with their outages all the time, I don’t think I’m getting the reviews I should be because it’s always down.

So from now on everything will be going up at my group, I would REALLY appreciate if you’d join, and I’m working on getting my stuff up at FictionAlley as well.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/heavenfanfics

Hope to see everyone around!!!

Chapter 11

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Along with tons of schoolwork, my grandmother passed away at the end of August and I’ve just had a lot to deal with in the past few weeks, and haven’t been able to concentrate on a comedy story like this one. I did write a 5th chapter to It Was Bound to Happen, and Ryoko Blue and I have started our co story, called Bridge to Caliadrien. Please make sure and check them out!

Susan had no idea how she had gotten home that day. As she fell onto her unmade bed, the fog in her brain lifted and she realised what had just happened.

“What if I’ve lost him forever?” she whispered desperately, tears coming to her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. She put her face in her hands and sobbed for a few long moments. “Great Wizards, what am I going to do without him?” Susan’s pillow grew increasingly wet from her tears. She felt completely despondent for awhile, and her sobs gradually went down to sniffles, and finally her eyes were dry.

In a haze, she got up and pulled her work clothing out of the closet. Changing quickly, she remembered she wasn’t on the schedule for today, but decided to go in anyway, with any luck she could convince Hermione or Lavender to give up their shift. She could not stay in the house; she needed to do something as to not dwell on her current situation. Susan managed to dodge her parents as she slipped out the front door, and hurried through the softly falling rain towards the pizza place.

“Hi everyone!” she called out loudly as she came through the back entrance. “Hi Leonora, hi Trippy…” she said to the small house elf stacking dishes on a shelf. She tied her apron around her waist and went out to the main restaurant area, where she grabbed a tray and started putting napkin holders and silverware on it.

Hermione, Lavender and Leonora all stared at her wordlessly.

“What? Why are you all staring at me?” Susan asked as she pulled some chairs down from the tabletops.

“Susan, you’re not on the schedule to work today.” Leonora said carefully.

“So what?” Susan crossed her arms and glared at the three of them.

“Are you pregnant Sue?” Leonora asked softly.

Susan snorted. “No.”

“Something’s wrong.” Hermione said.

“Nothing is, well, nothing really…it’s just that well…I broke up with Ron this morning.” Susan managed to say with only a slight tremor in her voice.

“Oh, shit.” Hermione said, sharing a stricken look with Lavender.

“No, Hermione, it’s fine!” Susan looked up and she smiled, but her eyes were stinging with small tears. “We weren’t getting along lately at all, you know, and it’s just something I had to do….everything he wants in life, I don’t…the marriage, having kids…I want all that, I really do, but just not now. If he really loved me like he said, he’d wait….but I guess if I loved him I’d marry him right?”

Hermione, Lavender and Leonora all stared at her; none of them knew what to say.

“But I don’t need Ron…” Susan continued. “I mean Leonora, when you retire; you’re going to teach me how to make your sauce right?”

Leonora nodded. “Of course, when I retire. I’ll teach you everything.”

Susan shook her head vigorously. “Good, see, I don’t need Ron to run this place, I could even go take some Muggle courses at a University to learn how to manage money….” She spun off a tale of her life and it sounded better and better to her, until she realised something. It was a life completely, totally and utterly without Ron.

“I uh…” Susan stopped her tale midsentence. “I think I need to go to the bathroom…” she said, tears finally spilling over her eyelids and down her cheeks. She felt like she was going to be seriously ill. Hermione and Lavender both rushed behind her, Leonora following them.

*** *** *** *** ***

“When Saturn is in the Fifth House…” Lavender muttered as she made some marks on her star chart. The balcony at the Bowers house was in the perfect position for stargazing. “When Jupiter crosses Mars in the middle of the month…” she trailed off as she saw Henry coming up the driveway.

“Hi Lavender!” he called up to her, smiling as he leaned his broom against the side post on the porch.

“Hi.” She grinned back; the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering madly. “I hope you don’t mind me being out here on the balcony, I made sure I could hear Lori if she needs me.”

“How is she?” Henry asked as he climbed the stairs.

“She’s fine.” Lavender set her charts aside and got up as he went in the door to the kitchen.

“Would you like something to drink, a Fizzy, some juice?” he asked as he uncorked a bottle of red wine and poured some for himself.

Lavender paused for a moment. “I’ll have some wine.” She replied as she turned back to the bench she had been sitting on. Henry stared after her a second or two, but poured her a glass of wine as well.

“Here.” He handed her the glass. “So what are you up to, out here?” he settled on the bench next to her.

“Well my boss asked me to make some new star charts for her, and this is really a perfect night for it.” Lavender replied eagerly.

“What are the star charts for?” Henry asked.

“Well she uses them when she does readings; they help guide her Inner Eye to make the right predictions. Every month I have to make a new set for her.” Lavender replied.

“Can you do a reading for me?” Henry asked, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

“Oh um…” Lavender blushed furiously. “I’m not sure if I’m qualified enough to do that yet.”

“Sure you are.” Henry said. “You got a scholarship in this field didn’t you?”

“Well yes…okay I’ll do one, but just don’t take it seriously.” Lavender said.

“I never do.” Henry said lightly.

Lavender fumbled around her charts for the correct one, then studied it intently for a few long moments. “This is really strange.”

“What is?” Henry asked, leaning over and looking at the chart.

“Well, predictions are supposed to change from month to month, and this one is the same as when you came in that one day with Lori and Sibyll read for you.” Lavender’s brow furrowed as she read further into it. “In fact, it’s exactly the same. Whatever was supposed to happen to you, the big event she was talking about obviously hasn’t happened yet.”

“I see.” Henry said, sitting back and sipping his wine.

“But, like I said, don’t take it seriously.” Lavender said. “When my Inner Eye is developed more, that’s when you should pay more attention.”

“Inner Eye?” Henry chuckled. “Do you have an eye inside your body that just floats around or something, and foresees people’s futures?”

“No!” Lavender cried out, but she started to giggle at the thought of an eye just meandering around inside of her. “It’s more of a perception sort of thing, and if we DID have an eye inside of us, I’m SURE it’d be in our heads somewhere.”

Henry laughed and Lavender flushed. “Am I babbling again?”

“Yeah.” He joked. “But keep going, I like it.”

“Well I’ll tell you one more thing then. This happens to be the best night for stargazing and making star charts, I’ll bet you all Divination apprentices are out doing just what I’m doing.” Lavender said.

“Well then can I propose a toast?” Henry asked, lifting his glass.

“Sure.” Lavender replied, a bit nervously. ‘This is a bit romantic…’ she thought.

“To the best stargazing night a Divination apprentice could ask for.” He clinked his glass softly against hers and they both sipped the dark wine. “A floating eye in the body…” he smirked and they both started laughing.

*** *** *** *** ***

“I had a really good time tonight Harry.” Hermione said as he landed them gently in front of her house.

“Me too.” Harry said, clasping her hand in his as he walked her to the front porch. “Listen, I have a question to ask you.”

“What’s that?” Hermione asked.

“Well, my mother has asked me to ask you if you’d like to come over for dinner next week, they’re coming to the vacation house and would really like to meet you.” Harry said.

“Your mother wants to meet me?” Hermione’s eyes widened. Everyone knew Lily Potter, being she was the wife of the Minister of Magic and one of the most beautiful witches in the world.

“Well I’d like you to meet them too, I’m sure they’ll love you as much as I do.” Harry said, resting his forehead against hers.

“What day?” Hermione asked.

“Next Tuesday? Is that good for you?” He replied.

“I have to work until six.” She frowned.

“Well we don’t eat until half past seven.” Harry said. “And you don’t have to wear anything especially fancy either; we only dress up for dinner on certain occasions.”

“All right.” Hermione smiled up at him. He grinned back and bent down to kiss her lightly.

“I’ll pick you up at seven then.” Harry said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her body tightly against his.

“You don’t have to leave right now do you?” Hermione purred softly in his ear.

“Nope.” Harry said immediately.

“Good.” She replied softly, giving his earlobe a seductive lick.

“I’ll have you know that there isn’t a shameful bone in my body, and if you keep doing that I’ll be forced to shag you right here on your porch.” Harry warned her, his green eyes growing dark.

“I suppose that means you should get your ass up to my room right now.” Hermione said, kissing him and opening the door to her house. “See you in a minute!”

A/N: Well that seems a good place to leave things off ;) LOL

Sorry this chapter is so short, but the next few will be longer, lots will be happening soon!

Please don’t forget to check out the stories I talked about at the top, and be sure and join my Yahoo Group so that you can get my stories, they are also going up at the Astronomy Tower!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/heavenfanfics

Chapter 12

Thanks again to all who reviewed! And a special thanks to those who had kind things to say about my grandmother, it’s truly appreciated. I’m glad that now I’ve got myself focused on this again, and I’ll try to even get another few chapters out as fast as they come…..

For those of you who enjoyed Return to Me and It Was Bound to Happen, you’ll be happy to know the sequel to both those stories is up now, called Within the Shadows of Hatred.

R/R!!! :)

“Sue!” Hermione called out breathlessly as she charged up the stairs of the pizza parlour. “Susan!”

“What?” Susan asked, coming out from the kitchen. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, fine…I just have a big favour to ask of you.” Hermione replied. She stuck her bag behind the counter. She grinned widely at Susan, who smiled wanly in return.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.” Susan said warily. “This doesn’t involve Ron does it, because I really don’t think I can handle…”

“No, it doesn’t.” Hermione said. “It’s a pretty big favour though…”

“Well what is it?” Susan asked, almost impatiently.

“Well see, Harry’s friend Dean Thomas is coming in from Scotland this weekend, and it’s sort of last minute, and all his friends are busy, and we just need someone to be a double….”

“No, Hermione, no way.” Susan crossed her arms. “I’m not ready for dating, not at all.”

“I know, that’s why I wasn’t sure about asking, but you were the only person I could think of.” Hermione wheedled. “Please, please do this for me Susan I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Hermione, I just don’t think I would be very fun for Harry’s friend.” Susan argued, but Hermione could tell she was weakening.

“Nonsense, you’ll be fine….” Hermione retaliated.

Susan sighed heavily. “Fine, on one condition, you tell Harry to tell his friend that I’m definitely not interested in being….romantically connected…this is a favour for YOU.”

“Thanks Sue!!!!” Hermione practically shrieked, hugging her.

Susan sighed again, wondering just what she’d gotten herself into.

*** *** *** *** ***

“So Dean, Harry told me you play for the Cannons.” Hermione settled back into Harry’s arm and smiled at his friend. They were at a restaurant in London, waiting for their meal.

“Yes, I’m a Chaser.” Dean replied. Harry sniggered.

“This comes from a guy who swore that football was the best sport, even over Quidditch, and that he’d never play anything else!” he laughed. Dean snorted.

Susan smiled briefly as well, but it faded fast. She had never been a huge fan of Quidditch, and this discussion was boring her. Dean seemed like an awfully nice guy as well, but her mind was solely trained on Ron. She wondered what he was doing that evening, probably somewhere with his younger sister Ginny, or at home.

“Do you like Quidditch, Susan?” Dean was asking her, and Susan mentally shook herself awake.

“Well, kind of. I’m not really into sports.” Susan said. “I’m more of a spectator if I do watch it.”

“Have you ever been to a game?” Harry asked.

“Back when we were at Hogwarts, we all went to the World Cup one year.” Susan answered. “I think that was the last game I went to, though.”

A silence fell through the four of them. “So when is your next match?” Harry asked Dean.

“A week from tomorrow.” Dean replied. “Against Puddlemere.”

“You’d better not tell me more.” Harry joked. “You’re forgetting Oliver Wood’s my best friend.”

Hermione smiled, she liked hearing about Quidditch, but she felt bad that Susan was being left out of the conversation. At that moment, however, their food arrived and she was saved from attempting to draw her friend in further.

*** *** *** *** ***

Susan made a mental note to kill Hermione when she got the chance. After leaving the restaurant in London, they’d decided to go to Imran’s for a drink, and one drink turned into two, and so on. Hermione and Harry were now practically draped over the pool table in the corner, leaving her alone with Dean.

“Susan, do you come here often?” Dean asked her.

“Sometimes, with friends.” She answered politely. She didn’t like being here actually, it reminded her of Ron. Everything reminded her of him these days. All of a sudden, Susan felt like if she didn’t get out of there, she’d burst. “Excuse me; I think I need to…” Toppling her stool, she dashed for the door, knocking over the fat man Carl and some of his friends.

Dean looked over towards Harry and Hermione, who were still too engrossed in their game (which was now practically on top of the table) to notice that Susan had just run from the bar. “Great.” He muttered, taking off after her. He hardly knew this girl, yet he was going to comfort her while he didn’t even know the reason she was upset.

Susan went around to the side of the pub and wrapped her arms around herself to keep the cold away. She sniffled and forced back the tears that came to her eyes.

“Susan?” a low voice made her jump. Dean stood at the corner of the building looking apologetic. He saw she was cold and pulled his cloak off his shoulders. “Here, you’re freezing.”

“No, I’m okay.” Susan denied. “Thanks.”

“Nonsense.” Dean draped it over her shoulders. “Look, I’m sorry; did I say something wrong back there?”

“No, no it’s not you…” Susan replied. “It’s me…I’ve just had a rough time of things lately.”

“Need someone to talk to?” Dean offered.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to bore you.” Susan said, a bit shyly. “It’s a really long story.”

Dean stood up and for a moment, Susan thought he was going to leave. But he peered in the window and grinned. “Well, I think we’ve got lots of time, it doesn’t look like those two will be leaving the pool table for awhile.”

In spite of herself, Susan smiled. “Okay…” Dean sat down next to her, and for the next half hour she found herself spilling the details of her entire relationship with Ron.

“I didn’t mean for you to think I had anything against you.” Susan finished. “I just don’t feel like things are over between Ron and me, not yet…I just need to find a way to approach him about it. He’s stayed pretty adamant about hiding from me.”

“He must be mad, to let you go.” Dean said. “I won’t lie and say I don’t find you attractive, and from what I’ve seen you are a really nice person.”

“Thanks.” Susan said. She was rather flattered at his compliments.

“Perhaps we can be friends.” Dean was now saying. “I’d really like to owl you once in awhile.”

“Sure.” She was feeling better after talking about her troubles. “I’d really like that too.”

“Come on, how about we go back inside now, maybe we can challenge Harry and Hermione to a game of pool?” He offered.

“All right.” Susan smiled and accepted his hand to help her up. She tucked her arm in his and they went back to the front of the building.

“It didn’t take you long to find someone else!” Ron’s angry voice made Susan look up in shock. He was standing near the entrance to the pub with his friend Neville.

“Ron!” she paled. “This isn’t what it looks like!”

“Sure it’s not!” Ron glared at her and Susan removed her arm from Dean’s. He shook his head in disgust as Dean’s cloak slid off her shoulders.

“No don’t leave, please Ron!” She dashed forward and tried to grab hold of him, but he pulled away and leaped onto his broom. With one last glare, aimed specifically at the flustered Dean, Ron took off.

Susan sat down hard on the gravel and buried her face in her hands. The whole situation had just gotten a million times worse in her mind, and she couldn’t stop the tears from gushing over. Vaguely, she heard Dean rush into the pub and come out moments later with Hermione.

“Great Wizards Sue, what happened?” Hermione kneeled down next to her friend.

Susan tried to explain, but couldn’t through her tears. Hermione looked up at Harry and Dean.

“I think I need to get her home.” She said, and helped Susan get up. Harry brought his broom around, and the four of them got on. The only sound heard besides the wind while flying was Susan’s muffled sobs every now and again.

“Shall I wait for you?” Harry asked Hermione, his green eyes dark with worry. “Will she be all right?”

“No, go ahead, I’ll see you later.” Hermione patted his arm. “Bye Dean, it was nice meeting you.” She said as Susan hiccupped loudly and began walking herself towards her house. Hermione blew Harry a silent kiss as he flew away.

“You can go home, I’ll be fine.” Hermione was startled by Susan’s voice cutting through the darkness.

“No way, not till I get you inside.” Hermione replied as they went into Susan’s house quietly. Sneaking upstairs, she saw Susan’s mother peeking out from behind their bedroom door, Hermione reasoned that it must be quite late.

“Really, I’m fine.” Susan said stuffily.

“This is all my fault.” Hermione fretted, ignoring what her friend said. “I made you go out tonight.”

“Hermione, it’s not your fault, I don’t blame you, okay?” Susan replied, peeling her cloak off and hanging it on her bedpost. Hermione bit her lip and watched her carefully.

“Do you want me to go talk to Ron?” Hermione offered, only half serious.

“Great Wizards, no.” Susan replied. “I just…need some time to myself now.”

Hermione nodded. “As long as you’re sure.” She replied.

Susan smiled wearily. “Go find Harry, I feel bad I had to cut your time together short. I know you two weren’t ready for good night yet.” She attempted a joke and Hermione grinned slightly.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow then, okay?” she came forward and gave Susan a tight hug.

“Okay…” Susan echoed as Hermione disappeared. She flopped back down on her bed and sighed heavily, but felt determined all of a sudden. She had to get Ron back.

A/N: Wow, determined! Susan, that can only be good right?

Anyways, please don’t forget to review! It’ll help get the next chapter out faster!!

Chapter 13

Lavender sighed as she read the last lines of her novel. She normally didn’t read romances but Hermione had shoved this one in her hands a few days before and she’d found herself quite caught up in it.

“Good book?” Henry was leaning over her.

“Yes, very.” Lavender smiled, and she flushed lightly as she recalled how she’d placed herself and Henry in the main character’s positions as she’d read. “You’re home early today.”

“Ah, well we managed to finish up sooner than expected.” Henry smiled. “Before I forget…” he dug into his pocket. “This should keep us up to date.” He handed her a small pouch of coins, which Lavender accepted.

“Thanks.” She said, getting up and brushing herself off. They walked down where Lori sat playing with some of her toys.

“Hi baby!” Henry called to his daughter.

“Hi Daddy!” she said back gaily. Henry smiled.

“She seems to be in a good mood today.” He said to Lavender.

“Yes, she’s excited that her mum will be coming home soon.” She replied, not without a pang of jealousy.

“Just a little longer.” Henry said, although to Lavender it didn’t seem like he was quite enthusiastic.

“What’s she like?” Lavender asked, unable to pique her curiosity on her own.

“Nicole?” Henry seemed surprised by her question. “She’s a great woman.”

“Where did you two meet?”

“At University, our first year there.” Henry replied. “We had a Muggle Studies course together.” He grinned at her. “It’s strange to think you still have all that ahead of you. You remind me a lot of myself when I first started out.”

“Really?” Lavender could hardly believe her ears. “Were you excited?”

“Yes, and scared shitless.” Henry replied. They both chuckled. “But, at the same time, I felt like I was really going to….live.”

“And you did, didn’t you?” Lavender asked.

“Well, here I am.” Henry spread his arms wide out. His eyes caught Lavender’s and they held their stare for a few very long moments. “Lavender…stuff happens, you know?”

Lavender said nothing, just continued staring into his eyes, it was having quite a hypnotic effect on her.

“Aren’t they going to kill you at the pizza parlour?” Henry asked, inviting her to stay for the evening without saying a word.

“No, my cousin will cover for me tonight.” Lavender said. “I’ll send an owl over with the message.”

Henry smiled, and Lori jumped up into her father’s arms.

“Fly me!” she giggled, and Henry swung her around in circles, while Lavender sighed. This was her family, her family for tonight.

*** *** *** *** ***

“Where the bloody hell is Lavender, she was supposed to be here at half past?” Hermione yelled as she burst into the kitchen.

“She sent an owl, they needed her babysitting.” Leonora said as she spun some crusts around in the air. “She said you would cover for her.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped. “I’m supposed to have dinner with Harry’s parents tonight! She knows that!” She stormed across the kitchen and grabbed a piece of parchment.

“Sweetie, that won’t get to her in time.” Leonora said. “And I’m really sorry, but I need at least one of you here tonight.”

“SHIT!” Hermione slapped her hand hard against the wall. She heard the clanging of the bells on the door and saw Harry coming up the stairs to pick her up.

“Hi, Hermione.” He grinned at her. She took him by the arm and pulled him back down outside.

“We’ve got a problem, my cousin never showed up for work tonight, I have no idea where Susan is, and it’s too busy for her to let me go.” Hermione said in a rush, she feared if she spoke any slower her words would be bogged down with tears.

“Oh no.” Harry looked terribly disappointed. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not okay.” Hermione was fuming. “I’m going to kill her!”

“Look, Hermione, we’ll do it another time. My parents will understand.” Harry said, touching her cheek lightly.

“Your mum’s going to think I blew her off though and your dad…”

“Listen, my Dad will probably respect you more for staying and working, that’s how he is, and my mother, don’t worry about her, I’ll make sure she knows it’s not your fault. We’ll do it another time.” Harry repeated.

“Are you sure?” Hermione asked, her large brown eyes looking sorrowfully at him.

“It’s fine.” Harry repeated firmly, leaning in and kissing her gently. “I’ll owl you later, all right?”

“Okay.” Hermione said as he squeezed her hand and got on his broom. He blew her another kiss as he flew away. She stared after him for a few long moments.

She was absolutely going to kill her cousin.

*** *** *** *** ***

Lavender sighed with a bit of trepidation as she peeked in the windows of Hogsmeade Pizza. Leonora insisted the place be cleaned the Muggle way once a week, and usually it only took a few hours but it was half past midnight and Hermione was still there. She owed her cousin an explanation, and with that in mind, she quietly opened the door and went up the stairs.

“Hi, Hermione.” She said softly. Hermione turned around and glared icily at her, then wordlessly turned back to where she was mopping the floor.

“Look, I’m really sorry I didn’t show up tonight.” Lavender was stung by her cousin’s rebuff. Hermione still ignored her, and seemed to be concentrating extra hard on her mopping. “I said I was sorry.” She said, a little louder this time. “Why are you being so bitchy about it?”

“Right, I’m bitchy, and you’re saintly, no matter what happens!” Hermione loaded her words with sarcasm.

“What’s the big deal?” Lavender was annoyed. “You always dump your shifts on me when you have plans!”

“You KNEW I was supposed to have dinner with Harry and his parents tonight!” Hermione finally exploded.

Lavender felt like she’d been hit by a ton of bricks. She felt awful. “Oh, Hermione…I’m sorry…I forgot…”

“Let me guess, Henry needed you, right?” Hermione asked. “Just what exactly do you two do together?”

“If I told you it wouldn’t sound any good.” Lavender replied hotly.

“You’re right, it would sound pathetic.” Hermione said dryly. “Daddy screwing the babysitter is such an old story!”

Lavender glared at her. “We talk, we read poetry, he helps me with Divination charts, we listen to classical music…”

“If you REALLY think this 30 year old man is going to leave his family and live happily ever after with you, you’re living in a romance novel!” Hermione sneered.

“Oh, you’re one to talk about screwing!” Lavender screamed. “You’re nobody’s fool, are you Hermione? Just how much IS Harry paying you for sex; he certainly doesn’t seem to mind taking you to exotic places. Is that how you’re repaying him?”

Hermione streaked across the room and delivered a resounding SLAP to her cousin’s cheek. “Wipe your conscience.” She threw the mop at Lavender’s feet and stormed out of the restaurant.

A/N: Well here’s the chapter that a lot of you have been looking forward to! Heehee you’ll definitely enjoy this one!

After you’re done reading and reviewing this, make sure you check out Ryoko’s and my co story, The Art of Seduction. Our pen name is under my favourites list.

Thanks for all the fantastic reviews on the last chapter!

On with the story!

“Hey Mum?” Hermione poked her head into the living room. “I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be around this weekend.”

“Oh?” Jane looked up at her daughter. “Where are you going?”

“Harry’s invited me to the Caribbean!” Hermione’s voice was filled with excitement. She stepped fully into the room and grinned widely. “What do you think about that?”

Jane looked back down at the novel she was reading. “He’s not going to marry you…” she said mildly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking about marriage at all; I’m just talking about a weekend away.”

Jane set her novel down and got up from the sofa. “Hermione…just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Hermione stepped back from her mother. “You can’t ever JUST be happy for me can you?” she shot out before she could stop herself.

“It’s not that I’m not happy for you, I’m just worried! You spend all your time with Harry and none working towards any sort of career. Look at your cousin, look how hard she works for herself!” Jane felt herself grow irritated.

“I am nothing like Lavender, don’t you dare compare me to her!” Hermione snapped, her eyes blazing. “You’re always comparing the two of us, why can’t you accept how I am? I’m NOT going away to college, so you’ll just have to deal with that!”

“Hermione, I don’t want you to feel like I’m comparing you to your cousin.” Jane’s voice grew softer. “I know that you are your own person, but I just want you to make something of yourself. I get worried about you sometimes.”

Hermione bit her lower lip. “Look…I’m perfectly fine with myself. And I…appreciate…your concern but I can take care of myself.” Her voice also lowered in volume. “I’ll be fine, with or without Harry.” She turned and walked up the stairs.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Susan took a deep breath as she knocked on the door to Ron’s house. When no one answered, she knocked again, and then heard footsteps approaching.

“Hi Susan.” Ginny Weasley’s red head peeked out from around the door.

“Hallo Ginny.” Susan replied softly. “Is your brother home?”

Ginny’s eyes widened. “Are you sure you want to talk to him?” she asked, opening the door so Susan could step through.

“I have to.” Susan replied. “Why?”

“Well the other night he came home in such a rage, I’ve never seen him so angry before…but he wouldn’t tell any of us why. He’s still furious about whatever it was.” Ginny said, her voice hushed.

Susan paled. “Ron saw me with another guy, it was a favour I was doing for Hermione and he got the wrong idea.” She leaned up against the wall, putting her hand to her forehead. “I just need to tell him…that what he saw was a mistake. I need to tell him how much I love him and that I want to be with him so badly I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Well he’s on the roof right now; at least I think he is.” Ginny said. “Things stopped banging around in his room about an hour ago.”

“Thanks.” Susan said as she began to climb the stairs. The door to Ron’s room was shut but not locked, and she inched it open slowly. His room was empty, but the ladder descending from the ceiling indicated that Ginny had been right; he was up on the section of roof right above the room.

“You can do this.” Susan coached herself softly as she began to quietly climb up the ladder. Her head came through the hole and she saw Ron sitting near the edge, his knees pulled up tight against his chest and his arms locked around them. He was wearing the ratty green sweater she had made for him when they had been going out for a year; Susan took that as a good sign. She stepped out on the roof, trying to be quiet so he wouldn’t hear her, but her foot came right down on a creaky shingle.

Ron was startled out of his trance by the loud creak. He turned and saw the last person he expected to see coming up the ladder. He looked at Susan for a very long moment, and then wordlessly turned back away. She was probably coming to tell him all about the new man in her life, and he didn’t want to hear any of it.

Susan sucked in a breath; well perhaps this would not be as easy as she thought. Still, she kept moving until she was right next to him, and then sat down. They were silent for a few more long moments, until Susan finally spoke.

“Ron, can we please talk?” she asked, settling back on the roof.

Ron grunted. “What could we possibly have to talk about?” he asked, his voice sharp.

“A lot of things.” Susan replied. “I want to tell you the truth about what you saw last night.”

He only shrugged and continued to look straight ahead. “What is there to tell? You’ve moved on.” Ron’s tone was flat and emotionless.

“Well for starters, there’s the fact that last night I was only doing Hermione a favour, that man you saw me with was a friend of Harry’s.” Susan said, her voice growing stronger. “I was telling him about you and I got upset.”

“Sue….” Ron said, his voice trailing off. “I just don’t know what I should believe about you anymore. We’ve been through too much to be together.”

“Ron that’s not true.” Susan said, a flurry of panic rising up in her. “Please, just let me tell you everything.”

“Everything?” Ron turned to her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean everything. About last night, about why I fainted, about how I missed you so much….” Susan said. She gently put her hand on his arm and was relieved when he didn’t shrug away. “Last night, like I said, I was just doing a favour for Hermione. She asked me to double with her and Harry with this guy Dean. He and I aren’t together. Ron, there is no way I could get over you in just a week’s time.”

“Really?” his voice came out somewhat thick, but hopeful.

“Yes, really.” Susan replied. “We’ve been together since our 6th year at Hogwarts, and that means the world to me.”

“Then why are you so scared to marry me?” Ron asked.

Susan paused for a moment before replying. “It’s just that I’m scared of how our lives will be once we ARE married…what if I have kids and grow fat and ugly and you get bored with me?”

“Susan, I’ll never be bored with you.” Ron said immediately. “How could you think that?”

She hung her head. “I don’t know. And I wish I hadn’t thought like that.” Now she inched closer and rested her head against his shoulder. “Ron, I can’t keep on going without you.”

“I don’t like being without you either.” Ron admitted. “But I can’t just keep up the relationship the way it’s going. I don’t like having this casual sex; I want to start a family with you.”

Susan was quiet. “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last few days, and especially after last night. I need you Ron. I really need you in my life. You still want to get married? Then let’s plan a date and do it.”

“How do I know I can believe you?” Ron asked. “I mean, say we get back together, in one week you could be back to the way you were.”

“Then let’s go right now.” Susan stood up. “Get your broom and we’ll go right this second and get married somewhere.”

“What?” Ron looked flabbergasted.

“I mean it.” Susan looked determined. “Let’s go get married.”

Ron reached his hand out and grabbed hers. “Susan…we don’t have to get married right this second. I believe you when you say you will.”

“You do?” Susan asked, sitting back down but not removing her hand from his.

“Yes, I do.” Ron finally smiled at her. “That you are willing to go and do this right now proves it to me.”

Susan stared at him a moment, and then a huge grin broke across her face. “Ron Weasley I love you!” She shrieked, flying over at him. Ron fell back, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She put both her hands on the side of his face and held it as she brought her mouth to his. Susan shifted her body on top of Ron’s as he responded to her kiss, opening his mouth to invite her tongue inside.

She moaned softly as his hands splayed across her back and moved up and down. Ron’s touch was making her mad, she wanted to be with him so badly she could almost taste it. Susan pressed her mouth harder against his and fisted her hands in his hair.

“Sue…” Ron said breathlessly as he regretfully tore his mouth from hers. “Susan want to go back to my room?” his eyes were extremely lustful as he looked up at her.

“You want to?” she was surprised.

“Uh huh…” he answered huskily, kissing her again, then pulling her to her feet. Susan jumped down the ladder, pulling her wand from her pocket and muttering a locking charm. Ron tripped down after her, pulling the door to the roof shut.

“Get over here!” he grinned, pulling her body tightly against his. Susan giggled softly and raised her lips to his again. They kissed passionately for a few more minutes, and then Ron pushed her over onto his bed. Susan landed with a soft oomph and he fell on top of her, hooking his fingers under the hem of her shirt and lifting it over her head.

And a few moments later, the two of them were indefinitely ‘back together’.

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Harry’s hand was resting on her waist, his thumb stroking up and down absentmindedly on her back through her shirt. Hermione smiled to herself and tried not to fidget as he dutifully filled out the information on the hotel slip.

At the next station, Oliver Wood was trying to fill in his own slip, but his eyes kept darting to Hermione’s legs sticking out beneath her short skirt she was wearing. She was gorgeous, that was for sure. Oliver bit his lip to keep from smiling as he noticed Harry’s hand on her waist, as if staking his claim.

“She’s pretty.” Jenn was saying. “Don’t you think, Oliver?”

“Uh…yeah.” Oliver muttered. He bent over the slip once more as Jenn sidled up next to him.

“Hurry up…” she whispered in his ear. “I can’t wait to see our room.”

“Right.” Oliver said, grinning at his girlfriend, his thoughts of Hermione flying from his head as Jenn leaned against the counter.

Hermione drummed her nails idly on the counter as Harry signed the slip with a flourish. The clerk took it and handed them two cards, one of which Harry handed to her.

“What the hell are these?” she asked, turning the card over in her hand.

“Apparently some sort of key.” He replied. “Strange, how these Muggles do things.” Harry added quietly. Oliver and Jenn joined them a few moments later. “What are you two up for tonight?”

Oliver looked at Jenn. “Want to go walk around the town for a bit?” he suggested.

Harry nodded. “Sure, that sounds great…how about we meet up in ten minutes?” he asked as they approached their adjoining rooms.

“Okay…” Oliver and Jenn waved as they disappeared into their room. Harry turned to their door and shoved the key in the tiny slot.

“How the bloody hell did they do that thing?” he muttered as the door buzzed but refused to unlock. Harry jammed the card back in and yanked it out quickly, but the door still remained locked. He looked up at Hermione who was smirking. “Think that’s funny do you?” he asked.

“Quite.” She answered, taking her own card out of her pocket and sliding it into the slot. A moment later, she pulled it back out and the little light on the lock turned green. “Ta da!” she announced, opening the door. Harry stared at her as she picked her up her small bag and proceeded inside.

“How did you do that?” he asked, bringing in his own suitcase and settling it against the wall.

“I followed the instructions on the back of the card.” She replied smartly. “It’s really not hard.” Harry flipped the switch and soft, dim light filtered through the room. Hermione’s eyes widened in appreciation as she glanced around, taking in the large, king size bed, the open doors to the balcony outside, and the large hot tub in the bathroom. “What a room…this must be where celebrities stay…OOOH!” she let out a squeal as Harry grabbed her around the waist and spun her body up against his.

“Who cares where celebrities stay?” he asked as he pressed his mouth against hers. Hermione immediately wrapped her arms around his neck as he slid his hands around her and up her back. She kissed him back with a passion that surprised even herself. Harry began to back her up so that he could push her against the wall, but Hermione stumbled over his suitcase and would have fallen if it weren’t for his grip.

“Ouch.” She muttered as she rubbed her ankle. “I cannot believe you have a bigger bag than I do, shouldn’t it be the other way around? Will I have enough clothing for this weekend?” Hermione’s tone turned worried.

Harry laughed. “I’m sure you will, and if you don’t, you can charge anything you want in the shops downstairs to the room. This whole weekend is on me.”

Hermione’s lips curved up in a smile. “Everything is ALWAYS on you.” She said, poking him with her index finger.

“You know what I like best on me?” Harry asked, his emerald eyes lighting up as he brought her body up to his again. “You.”

Hermione snickered and raised her lips to his. “I’ll agree with that.” She said, as he whirled her around the room for a few moments then gently dropped her on the bed. She pulled on his shirt and he fell down on top of her, immediately ravaging her lips. Harry loved kissing Hermione; to him it was the greatest feeling, well, next to making love to her.

After a few minutes of some deep, heavy snogging, Hermione suddenly pushed him away.

“We forgot about Oliver and Jenn!” she said, looking up at him. Harry smirked.

“I doubt we’ll be seeing them again tonight, you put those two in a room together and it’s only a matter of moments before they’re going at it.” At that moment, almost as if on cue, a loud thud was heard against the wall, followed by some feminine giggling. Harry looked back down at Hermione, an ‘I told you so’ expression on his face.

“I see.” Hermione’s own expression was one of amusement. “Maybe we should follow their example later.”

“Later?” Harry asked, his eyebrows shooting up. “What do you mean, later, we were doing pretty well just a second ago…”

“I’m hungry.” Hermione said, pushing Harry up so she could sit.

“Oh.” Harry felt at a loss for words as she walked across the room to the table. “I’m hungry too.” He got up from the bed and came up behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder as she opened the menu. “Here get that.” Harry brought one hand around and pointed at the most expensive item.

“I don’t need to get that.” Hermione said. “Besides, it cost too much. You’re just spoiling me.” She turned her head halfway and smiled at him.

Harry pulled back from her. “Well if you don’t like it…” he turned away and started to walk back across the room.

Hermione dropped the menu on the table and grabbed his hand. Spinning him back around, she kissed him hard. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” She pushed Harry back across the room, onto the bed. Practically leaping on top of him, Hermione straddled him and leaned down. “I don’t feel so hungry anymore, not for food at least…” she whispered in his ear.

*** The Next Morning***

Harry stretched as luxuriously as possible without waking Hermione, who was sleeping with one arm slung across his chest and her head on his shoulder. He smiled as he looked down at her, she was such an incredible person and he had never been happier since the day he searched her out. He leaned over to kiss her awake when a flourish of wings distracted him.

A large white owl was swooping in the open window. Harry immediately recognized it as his family’s owl, Theseus. He groaned inwardly and sneaked his arm out from underneath his peacefully sleeping girlfriend.

-Harry

I have arranged with your school that you shall return in two weeks time. The record of your test shall be taken from your record. Do not mess up this chance; it’s the only one you have left.

-James

Harry snorted as he read the note. “He couldn’t even sign it as Dad.” He muttered and balled up the note. He was about to throw it across the room when Hermione yawned loudly.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, mid yawn. Harry silently handed her the ball of paper and rolled out of bed as she unfolded and read it. He went across the room to look out the window at the early morning sun of the calm, quiet Caribbean island.

“My guess is that you don’t want to go back.” Hermione said, coming up behind him.

“Good guess.” Harry replied. He folded his arms over his bare chest and sighed, thudding his forehead against the glass. “He’s trying to run my life again.”

Hermione sighed too; she didn’t want Harry to feel bad. “I have an idea!” she exclaimed a moment later. She crumpled the note back up and threw it into the wastebasket.

“What’s that?” Harry asked, turning around, a slight smile crossing his lips.

“Well for starters, since we never got any food last night, let’s have breakfast in bed, then we’ll get our bathing suits on and go out to the beach….” Hermione started.

“I like this idea so far…” Harry wrapped his arms around her waist.

Hermione grinned and continued. “Then we rent one of those…what do you call them…those little things you ride out into the ocean…. um…”

“Wave runners?” Harry asked. “I think that’s what they’re called.”

“Yes that’s it.” Hermione said. “And then we’ll lie on the beach again, then come back here and shower….” She rattled on and Harry grinned. Hermione was perfect to help him forget his troubles.

“…and then we’ll all have dinner somewhere quiet and…” she was cut off by Harry’s mouth on hers.

“How about we try that shower idea out first?” he asked softly.

A/N: Well woo hoo, look at those two! Actually, both couples ;) Hahaha

Don’t forget to leave a review!

Next up: Lav and Henry have an ‘evening’…dum da dum dum…. And someone comes home from a trip…eek!

Chapter 15

A/N: Well I do apologize for the delay in this chapter…. No H/Hr, sorry! But we do get some R/S and L/H…. dun dun dun dun…

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Please make sure and check out my other stories, as well as Ryoko Blue’s, AND our joint account, we’ve got two GREAT stories on there!!

Susan raised her arm and knocked on the door to the Bower’s house. Lavender answered the door after a moment.

“Hi you guys!” she said, her eyes bright. She opened the door and let Susan and Ron inside.

“So…” Susan said slyly, looking at Lavender. “Why exactly did you need me to baby-sit tonight?”

“Because…” Lavender felt tongue-tied. “Henry and I are going up to see if Charles Rochester really haunts the house he’s remodelling.”

“Who?” Ron asked.

“No one.” Lavender said, blushing furiously. She grabbed her cloak, and put it on. “Lori’s playing in the other room, she’s probably pretty tired and will go to bed soon.”

“All right.” Susan said, smiling as she leaned back against Ron. He put his arm around her waist.

Lavender grabbed a pizza box. “Well I’m meeting him over there…thanks again you guys!” and with that she gave a hurried wave and was out the door.

Ron stared after her for a moment. “Sue…what’s going on with her?”

Susan sighed. “Isn’t it obvious Ron? I just hope she’ll be okay….” She shook her head and then pulled her cloak off and put it on the chair in the hallway. They went down to the living room where Lori was sitting on the floor.

“Hi!” Lori beamed up at them. With her blond hair and large blue eyes, she was a beautiful child. Susan grinned back and sat down next to her.

“What are you reading?” she asked.

Lori held the book up. “Lavender gave this to me.” It was a book called “Mr. Snuffles goes to the Shrieking Shack”.

“Does she read it to you?” Susan asked, looking up at Ron who had sprawled on the sofa.

“Uh huh.” Lori said. “She even does voices.”

“Really!” Susan exclaimed. “Would you like me to try?”

“Okay!” the young girl said, sitting next to her and leaning against Susan’s shoulder.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Lavender pulled her hood up over her head as the first drops of cold rain began to fall. She hurried up the drive and into the open front door.

“Hello?” she called out as she stepped inside.

“Up here!” Henry called back. Lavender climbed the dusky stairway, it was growing darker due to the storm and she wanted to be up where Henry was.

“Hi!” she said breathlessly as she reached the top. Henry had a blanket on the floor, with candles around. Romantic, she noted, although she wasn’t sure if that was his intent or not.

“Hi Lavender.” Henry smiled at her. She pulled her cloak off and set it aside, holding the pizza box in front of her.

“Food!” Henry seemed extremely pleased. Lavender laughed and sat down on the blanket.

“Come on then, let’s eat before this heating charm wears off.” She opened the box and pulled a slice out. He flopped himself down on the blanket next to her.

“You can’t possibly believe in that story I told you.” Henry said, ravenously biting into his own slice.

“Oh why not?” Lavender asked in her own defense, turning to look out the window as lightning flickered. The storm had come on full force.

“Because it’s just a story.” Henry replied, looking up at her with a teasing glint in his eye.

Lavender sat back on her elbows, stretching her legs in front of her. “But it’s a proven fact that all stories come from a true source, so if it’s not Charles Rochester, then it’s someone else haunting the house.”

Henry sat back as well, right next to her. “You surprise me sometimes.”

“I do?” she asked.

“You’re just so full of knowledge, you remind me of myself so much.” He turned and looked at her.

“Is that good or bad?” she asked teasingly, a bit flustered at having him so close.

“Good I should think…” he grinned, and was about to say more when a loud and long creak was heard from the floorboards outside. Lavender and Henry both turned at the same time to look.

“What was that?” he asked, a smile spreading slowly over his face.

“Charles Rochester!” Lavender cried triumphantly. “I TOLD you so!!” she leaned forward and pushed lightly on his shoulder. But before she could lean back, Henry had grabbed the front of her shirt, pulling her closer.

He looked down at her, her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open in surprise, and before Henry could stop himself, he was leaning down to lightly kiss her lips.

Lavender felt her body stiffen as Henry’s mouth touched hers. However, at that moment, her mind took over and her arms were snaking around his neck, pulling him closer for a deeper kiss.

Henry responded, forcing her lips apart with his tongue, giving in to what he realized he wanted for a while now. His hand came up to lightly touch her cheek, caressing her face gently. His other hand began to tug at the buttons on her blouse slowly, giving Lavender time to stop him if that was what she wanted.

She didn’t want to stop. Her body rose underneath his as he got the last button undone, then they both sat up as he gently peeled it off her frame. It was discarded on the floor, and moments later his shirt fell on top of it. Henry ran his hand up her smooth arm, pulling her back to him for another mind searing kiss.

Lavender felt a small cry escape from her throat as Henry pushed her back onto the blanket. “Please…Henry…” she whimpered as he trailed his lips down her neck.

“Lavender…” his voice was husky as he raised himself up. “We shouldn’t be doing this….”

“No, we shouldn’t…” she said, her voice faint. “But I don’t think we can stop…”

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Lavender huddled close to Henry, resting her head on his back as he flew them home. The rain was still lashing down quite fiercely, but she still felt quite warm from the activity that had just taken place.

Henry loved her! She was sure of it. Everything was falling into place. Henry would divorce his wife, propose to her, and she would be Lori’s mother and Henry’s wife. She would be Mrs. Henry Bowers, Mrs. Lavender Bowers. She hugged his midsection tighter as he manoeuvred them down in front of his house.

He flew them right under the roof of the porch, where he sent them down gently. Lavender hopped off as he set the broom against the railing. They stared at each other for a long moment, and then Henry came forward and kissed her once more.

“Come on, let’s go in.” he said, grabbing her hand. She smiled and pressed close to him as he opened the door.

“Oh there you guys are!” Susan popped up immediately, her eyes wide. “Lavender, did you get that medicine for your aunt?” she asked loudly.

Lavender looked at her in confusion. “What?” They trailed behind Susan as she slowly backed into the living room.

Henry’s eyes went wide as they came into the room. “Nicole!” he exclaimed.

Lavender stared in shock. His wife had come home.

A/N: Awww aren’t I mean? I don’t give you any H/Hr and poor Lav; the ‘other’ woman has come home…

Anyways, please review, I’ll try and have the next chapter up ASAP. I’m also working on the second chapter of Shadows, hopefully that’ll be up soon!

Chapter 16

A/N: Well I’m sorry for leaving you off at that cliffie, and I really hope you guys won’t totally hate me after this chapter *cowers in corner* I’ll explain more at the bottom….

Thanks to all you guys who reviewed! I do appreciate it, like I say every chapter :D LOL but it makes a huge difference in how I feel about writing, when I see you guys did or didn’t enjoy something.

Also, I know I said in the second chapter that Harry has a younger brother, but he really doesn’t fit in like I wanted him to. So he’s gone….

Within the Shadows of Hatred IS coming, I promise. I’m just experiencing (Ryoko’s) writer’s block on it, and it’s slowly but surely being written. Should be up soon :)

Anyways, enjoy this…I hope…. *eek*

Lavender stared in shock as Henry finally moved across the room and gave his wife a hug. “It’s great to have you back.” He said, still in a bit of shock.

“I was lucky and was able to come back sooner than I thought.” Nicole smiled up at him. She turned to Lavender, who was still in the doorway. “Hi, I’m Nicole Bowers, you must be Lavender.” She came forward and shook her hand.

“Hi.” Lavender managed back.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for Lori, you’re all she would talk about.” Nicole said pleasantly.

“She’s an amazing child.” Lavender uttered. She sent Henry a pleading look, wanting him to do something, SAY something, anything. He only stared back at her, his eyes filled with sorrow.

“Lavender, we should probably be getting back to your aunt…” Susan said softly after a long moment. She had come up next to Lavender without her even knowing it. Ron stood in the doorway, holding their cloaks, looking at Lavender sympathetically.

She would later remember nothing of the ride home, nor how she got inside her house. In fact, she didn’t even realize she was trudging up the stairs until her cousin’s face appeared right in front of hers.

“I can’t believe you took my boots!” Hermione fumed. “I told you those weren’t supposed to get wet, and you wore them in the rain! And you used my brush while I was gone with Harry too!”

Lavender ignored Hermione, instead she brushed past her and into her room.

Hermione glowered at her as she slammed the door shut. “Lavender, are you alive?” she called sarcastically. She roughly pushed the door back open and was stunned to see her cousin sitting on the side of her bed, sobbing. Hermione was immediately ashamed of herself.

“Lavender what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice softer and sympathetic. Sitting down on the bed next to her, she brushed back Lavender’s wet hair in a comforting manner.

“She came back tonight…” Lavender said, turning her tearstained face towards her cousin. She didn’t care if she and Hermione had been fighting; she needed a supportive shoulder at the moment.

“Oh shit…” Hermione said, resting her hand on Lavender’s arm.

“He just stood there looking at me once we came in the door! He wouldn’t talk to me, he just stared at me!” she burst out, tears gushing once more. “I felt so stupid!”

Hermione made a small sound with her throat and hugged her cousin tightly. “You’ll be all right.” She said soothingly. “It’s going to be tough, but you’ll be all right.”

“Why does it hurt so much?” Lavender sobbed. “Why did he have to act like that?”

Hermione just held her and stroked her hair for a long while, until Lavender’s sobs began to cease. “I’ll go get you some tea, okay?”

“No…please…I don’t want to be left alone.” Lavender said. “But tea sounds good…” the two girls went downstairs. Hermione lit the kitchen up, and began hunting through the cabinets.

“I know Mum just bought some more…aha!” Hermione crowed triumphantly as she pulled a small box from the cupboard. She quickly heated water and sat two mugs before herself and Lavender.

“Thanks.” Lavender said. She was starting to feel tired, she’d been on an emotional roller coaster all day and her mind felt like it was in overload now.

Hermione looked at her cousin as she sipped her tea. “Lavender?” she asked, setting her mug down.

“Hmm?” she looked up from her own cup.

“I’m really sorry about earlier.” Hermione said. “I should have seen you were upset when you walked in, and instead I jumped all over you.”

“It’s okay, Hermione.” Lavender replied quietly.

“I know I get a little…. self absorbed…. a lot…” Hermione said. “And I’m sorry for the things I said that night at the pizza parlour.”

“I know.” Lavender looked up and gave a tiny smile. “And I’m sorry too, for what I said about you and Harry.”

Hermione came over and sat next to her. “Lav you’re too forgiving for your own good sometimes. Promise me if Henry tries to contact you, you won’t give in to him?”

Lavender’s smile slipped off her face. “Hermione…I don’t know what to think of him right now. I really fell in love with him.” A lone tear fell down her face.

“There’s a guy out there for you…you just have to find him. Henry wasn’t it.” Hermione said.

“I don’t want to be with a man ever again!” Lavender said vehemently as tears poured forth once again. Hermione knew it was useless to try and tell her otherwise, so she simply held her cousin while she cried. She’d be all right, but it would take time.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

“Harry are you sure this dress is all right?” Hermione asked as they walked up to the front porch of the Potter’s home.

Harry took Hermione’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. “You look gorgeous, love.” He said, kissing it.

Hermione smoothed her dress she wore under her cloak. When Harry had invited her again for dinner, he’d told her since his mother’s sister Petunia and her family were coming, it was to be a formal supper. She remembered her frustration that she’d had nothing to wear that was just right, until her mother had come in with a beautiful ivory sheath.

‘” It was mine, when I was your age.” Jane had explained, holding it out to her daughter. “I don’t know if you’ll think it’s modern enough but…”’ she’d been cut off as Hermione had come forward and hugged her tightly. Surprised but happy, she had squeezed her daughter tightly.

It was a perfect dress, Hermione reasoned, but she was still nervous that James and Lily Potter wouldn’t think she was good enough for their eldest son, and she was also terrified that his sister Alexa would act towards her after the whole Windrider fiasco.

“Wait one minute.” Harry was saying now, as they were about to go in the door.

“Why what’s wrong?” Hermione asked.

“Nothing.” Harry grinned as he looked down at her. “I just wanted you alone for a few moments before we go in there.”

“I see how it is.” Hermione said, her lips curving upwards. “But I tell you Potter, don’t you dare muss my hair.”

Harry laughed, and then bent his head down to kiss her softly for a few moments. “I don’t want to share you tonight…” he mumbled in her ear. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Harry!” Hermione pushed him away. “I already had to miss one dinner with your parents, I’m not doing that again!”

“Oh come on, please?” Harry tried his best to convince her, but she was firm in her decision. “Only you could convince me to stay here tonight…”

“Is your family really that bad?” Hermione asked, taking her index finger and running it along the lines of his face.

“You have no clue.” Harry smirked. “My aunt and uncle are terrified of anything magic, but they keep in touch with my mother because she and my father are so rich.” He rolled his eyes. “And Dudley…well you’ll see for yourself about him.”

He grabbed Hermione’s hand tightly in his and opened the door. Hermione smiled as she looked around, she had fond memories of that place, especially what had gone on upstairs. Harry hung their cloaks up in the foyer, and then led them into the dining room, where she got her first glimpse at his family.

James Potter was taller than she thought he would be, but she supposed that was where Harry got his looks. He had black hair, although his was not messy like Harry’s, and they both held themselves the same way. He was talking to who Hermione assumed was Harry’s Uncle Vernon Dursley. Vernon was as round as James was tall, with a thick moustache he kept touching as if to make sure it was still there.

Lily Potter was on the other side of the room talking to Alexa. She had red hair that was elaborately pulled up in a twist, and her slim figure was housed in an emerald green dress that matched her and Harry’s eyes. Hermione had seen pictures of her before in the Daily Prophet, but she was truly stunning in person.

And then in the middle of the room was a blonde woman with a long neck; talking to the fattest person Hermione had ever seen. He looked like a beached whale in a nice suit.

“That’s Dudley…” Harry whispered in her ear, squeezing her hand a little tighter. Before she got to respond, Lily had caught sight of them in the doorway.

“Harry, darling!” she smiled widely at the sight of her eldest son. She glided across the room, Alexa following behind her. He felt Hermione go stiff from nerves, and he gave her a reassuring smile. She relaxed as her eyes caught his.

Lily gave her son a hug, then turned to the girl standing next to him. “You must be Hermione.” She said, smiling warmly.

“Hello.” Hermione said, as Lily brushed her cheeks with an air kiss.

“We’ve heard nothing else but things about you since you and Harry started seeing each other.” Lily said, hooking her arm into Hermione’s. “Let me introduce you to my husband….” She pulled Hermione away from Harry.

“Looks like Mum’s taken to her already.” Alexa said, leaning up against her brother.

“That’s good.” Harry answered, his eyes following his girlfriend around the room. He noticed with disgust that Dudley was also eyeing her up.

“It’s about time he noticed something other than what’s on his dinner plate.” Alexa smirked, nodding in the Dursley’s direction.

Harry narrowed his eyes. “I just wish it wasn’t my girlfriend.”

“Afraid Dudley’s porky arse will woo her away?” Alexa teased. Harry turned and looked at her with an expression of horror on his face.

“If…no…shut up Lex.” Harry glared at her, and then playfully shoved her aside.

A servant came in with a large covered platter, and another followed behind with an enormous basket. They placed them on the table, and then moved back while everyone sat down.

Harry was hoping that Alexa would sit on the other side of Hermione, but somehow Dudley managed to dart in before she could. He heaved a sigh, then held her chair for her as she sat down.

“Thanks Harry.” She said quietly, smiling at him. He noticed that her nervousness seemed to have evaporated.

“Hi Hermione!” one of the maids leaned down and grinned at her.

“Parvati!” Hermione said in shock. Parvati Patil had been a classmate of hers back at Hogwarts. “How…how are you?” she asked politely.

“I’m great!” she exclaimed. Hermione looked up to see everyone else at the table watching the exchange between the two girls. “Are you still waitressing down at the pizza parlour?”

“Parvati.” James said, and she immediately ducked her head and went away from the table.

“Harry didn’t tell us you’re a waitress, Hermione.” James then said pleasantly. “Mrs. Potter and I consider ourselves pizza connoisseurs.”

There was a light chuckle from everyone at the table as Lily smiled at her husband.

“Remember when we spent that summer in Cape Cod?” Alexa said. “I worked in a pizza parlour there.” She looked down at Hermione, trying to make her feel more at ease. “Remember Mum?”

“Oh yes.” Lily said. “There’s certainly nothing wrong with waitressing.”

“It’s a noble profession.” Harry said, a bit sarcastically.

“It’s certainly a profession, at any rate.” James said crisply. Vernon nodded in agreement.

“As opposed to what I do?” Harry asked sharply.

“Just what is it that you do?” James asked, his tone low and dangerous.

“Come now, James, Harry…” Lily broke in, shooting both of them a warning glance. “Petunia, how are your escargot?”

“Wonderful.” Petunia said, her nose lifted slightly in the air.

The table was silent as everyone dug into their food; the only sounds were the clink of forks and knives against the plates. Harry reached for more sauce, when he noticed Dudley’s piggy eyes aimed directly at Hermione’s chest. He cleared his throat loudly, and Dudley looked up.

“Stop.” Harry mouthed angrily. Dudley’s eyes widened in fear, he was scared to death of his ‘magical’ cousin.

The dinner went on smoothly enough, although Harry was growing angrier each passing moment. Dudley was careful not to look at his cousin again, but he managed to brush his hand and foot against Hermione repeatedly. She was increasingly uncomfortable with this, but unwilling to cause a scene in front of Harry’s relatives.

Hermione was just taking a spoonful of a flambé that had just been served when she became aware of Dudley leaning closer. His breath reeked from the amount and combination of food he had consumed during the meal.

“You’re a very sexy woman, you know.” He whispered in her ear.

“Excuse me?” she asked quietly. A quick glance around the table told her that no one was paying any attention to them.

“Why are you with Harry, when you could be with me?” Dudley asked, audaciously snaking his hand up to place on her leg.

“What?” Hermione asked, shocked. He squeezed her leg gently. “Would you kindly remove your hands from me!” she hissed. She tried to pry his chubby hand off her thigh but he squeezed harder.

Harry seethed as he saw his cousin’s hand. Unable to control himself any longer, he reached around Hermione and slapped the back of Dudley’s head. His fat face went down into the sticky dessert, splattering it across the table.

“Harry!” James growled. Harry glared back while Alexa stifled a giggle and Hermione simply looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, but Dudley had his hands on my girlfriend.” Harry said calmly, while shooting daggers at his cousin. “I told him earlier to stop.”

Vernon grunted and Petunia simply looked over at Lily and resumed her conversation. Harry went red with fury, but Hermione placed a hand on his arm.

“It’s okay Harry.” She said quietly, looking up at him. He nodded slightly and she managed a small smile. Inside however, he was still extremely pissed.

“Would anyone like more caramel?” Lily asked, trying to recover the easy atmosphere from before.

“Oh I would.” Vernon said. Parvati came forward with a silver dish and began to spoon some onto his plate, but instead drizzled it all over his arm.

“Oh honestly!” Petunia cut in scornfully, casting a nasty look at Parvati. “Is she a local?” she asked Lily, who nodded.

“I’m very sorry sir, ma’am.” Parvati said respectfully and almost tearfully.

“Well, no wonder.” Petunia went on, ignoring Parvati’s apology. “I would never hire a local, they’re simply too pathetic…. wretched…sleazy…and poor…they’re all gold diggers who look for nothing but a thick wallet…” Petunia rattled on as she tried to clean her husband’s arm.

Hermione bowed her head, feeling the comments were aimed at her. She bit her lower lip, feeling rage building up in her at the obscene comments of this Muggle woman.

“Shut up, Petunia!” Harry finally roared. His aunt let her mouth hang limply open; everyone in the room stared at him.

“That’s ENOUGH Harry!” James said, dropping his fork down with a loud clang.

“What, I’m just supposed to be quiet and sit there and let her go on and on?” Harry asked, fully enraged.

“You will not be rude to our guests!” James said, his brown eyes going dark.

“And they can be rude to me?” Harry asked, clenching his hand in a fist.

“Harry.” Hermione said quietly.

“I’ll handle this, Hermione.” Harry said sharply. Hermione was taken aback; he’d never used that tone at her before. “Petunia, you can’t even get Vernon to stay at home anymore, he can hardly stand you can he?”

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and wished for everything to end. Alexa stared at her brother, amazed at his audacity.

“And my father’s biggest frustration in life is that he can’t get me, he can’t get me to be exactly like him, he can’t get me to do what he wants.” Harry’s voice was loud and angry.

“You listen to me…” James began, his voice matching Harry’s exactly.

“If you can’t make a golden boy like me behave, how the hell is one of our trashy, sleazy, wretched, POOR town girls that aren't good for anything but screwing supposed to know what to do!” Harry yelled, directing his words both at his father and aunt.

Hermione felt tears begin to build up behind her closed eyelids at Harry’s outburst. She had a sneaking horrible suspicion about what it would come to.

“I said that’s ENOUGH, Harry James Potter!” James snapped, his eyes blazing even more fire than before.

“Fine, you got the last word, right DAD?” Harry sneered. “I guess that means dinner is over!” with those last words, Harry pulled the tablecloth out, smashing the crystal goblets and tipping the candles over. Hermione screamed as red wine spilled onto her mother’s dress.

“Damn you Harry!” she yelled. Their eyes met for a split second and Harry was shocked to see hurt, dismay, and anger in hers. When he said nothing, she turned and ran from the room.

“Hermione!” he finally called out as he ran after her. She grabbed her cloak from the foyer and pulled the door open.

She heard Harry behind her but didn’t stop as she pulled the cloak over her stained dress and then whipped around to face him.

“Hermione, look, I’m sorry…” Harry said, coming up to her. “They deserved that! I couldn’t let them do that to you!”

Hermione let out a peal of dry laugher. “Me? You were thinking of me when you said all that?” she asked sarcastically.

“They were being assholes!” Harry cried.

“The only asshole at that table was YOU Harry!” Hermione wiped away a tear that began to fall down her cheek. “They were just being themselves! I could have handled all that if you had just kept quiet!”

“That’s not true.” Harry said.

“My ASS it’s not!” Hermione screamed. “You planned this, didn’t you! You wanted me to be there tonight, your poor, trashy girlfriend. You wanted to shake up your family a little!”

“No, Hermione, that’s not the reason I wanted you here.” Harry began but Hermione cut him off with a wave of her hand.

“Look, I know I’m poor, and I’ll admit I hate it.” She sniffed. “I even thought I was desperate sometimes, but not nearly as bad as you are. And how could you say that I’m only good for sleeping with?”

“Hermione, I wasn’t saying that about you I –“ Harry tried to talk but she interrupted him.

“I would NEVER, EVER use you to get at someone.” Hermione said, tears now flowing freely. She glanced over and saw Parvati clambering on a broom. “Hey Parvati? Will you give me a ride?” she called out.

“Sure.” Parvati said, making room for her on the stick.

Hermione looked at Harry one more time. “I just want to go home.” She said, turning away from him. Right now, it sounded like the best place on earth.

A/N: *WAH!* I think to date that’s the worst thing I’ve had to write…I HATE making them fight I really do!

And before you flame, (which I hope you won’t!) I’ll tell you this…the make up scene I have planned for them (like I’d really leave it like this) is absolutely fantastic, and it comes in two chapter’s time.

Please make sure and leave a review, there are THREE chapters left to this story and that’s it!!!

Chapter 17

A/N: Well, next chapter we get H/Hr again, this is mainly a filler chapter that’ll be short, just to move on to what comes up next…a big event. Can you guys guess what it is? And no, I’m not referring to the big event being H/Hr making up ;)

Anyways, be sure and read my other stories while you’re waiting, and Ryoko Blue’s, and of course, our co fics. Both those usernames you can find under my favourites list. The Art of Seduction is our baby right now, thanks to Bookworm Sweetheart! :D

And like they say in the ‘biz’…. ON WITH THE SHOW!

Although the stain had come out of the ivory sheath with the help of several magic cleaning spells (and Lavender), Hermione didn’t think she’d ever be able to wear it again. She’d sadly handed it back to her mother (who didn’t know about the wine escapade) and insisted she hang it back in her closet, and that maybe Lavender would like to wear it. She literally became a zombie for the next week, not even leaving the house for work. Lavender and Susan covered her shifts without complaining.

Lavender hesitantly knocked on Hermione’s closed bedroom door. She’d tried her hardest to comfort her cousin, she had yet to get the full story of what had transpired that night at Harry’s, she only knew that they had fought. She also knew Susan was growing more worried about her as well.

“Hermione?” she called softly. “Can I come in?” when she heard no answer, she turned the knob and went inside anyway.

Hermione was sitting on the edge of her bed, staring out of the window. She didn’t flinch when her cousin sat down next to her, only continued looking straight ahead.

Lavender was shocked, to say the least. Hermione had never been one to let her appearance go; yet she was sitting there with unkempt hair, her face pale and makeup free, and the same clothes she’d been wearing for two days straight. “Hermione, come on, you’ve got to get yourself cleaned up.” She found herself saying. “Everyone was asking about you at work today…Leonora misses you, she wants to know when you’re coming back.”

Hermione still said nothing, but her eyes flickered over to her cousin.

Encouraged by this, Lavender continued. “A few of the customers were even asking about you…” she didn’t mention the fact that Harry had come in with flowers, to try and apologize. Susan had given him the cold shoulder, but Lavender had taken him aside and explained that Hermione was sick and not able to come. She wouldn’t tell him that it was only heartsickness. Her voice trailed off as they sat in silence a good five minutes.

“You don’t have to make me feel better Lavender, I know no one cares where I am.” Hermione finally spoke, her tone dull.

“That’s not true, Hermione!” Lavender defended herself.

“Has Harry come in?” Hermione asked perceptively. She turned her head fully to look at her cousin.

“Well…uh…” Lavender stammered. Hermione glared at her, and she nodded quickly. “Yes, he has. Three times.”

Hermione made a harsh noise in her throat and flopped back on her bed. “I really hope he doesn’t just expect me to forgive him.”

Lavender laid back next to her. “What happened?”

Hermione sighed deeply. “Well, everything started out well enough, his parents were really very nice. I was especially nervous meeting his father, because Harry’s never said anything very good about him, but he was kind as can be, his mother too.” She paused for a moment. “It started with his aunt and cousin, they’re Muggles and as snotty as they come. Dudley, his cousin, started to check me out, and I think that was when Harry started to get mad. Then the fat asshole actually put his hand on my thigh!” Lavender gasped and Hermione continued. “Harry slapped his head into the flambé we were eating, and then Parvati accidentally spilled caramel on Harry’s uncle’s arm.” Lavender smiled a little at the mental image. “When his aunt started insulting the ‘local’ girls, as she called us, he stood up and started yelling at everyone, even me.” Hermione sniffled a bit as she sat up again. “He used me to get back at his father, and that was the worst part about it.” Several fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Hermione…” Lavender said, also sitting back up. She put a comforting arm around her cousin. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t want to trouble you.” Hermione said, grabbing a tissue off her nightstand and blowing her nose. “You have so much going on right now.”

“Maybe so, but Hermione, I’m always here if you need to talk.”

“Thanks, Lavender.” Hermione gave a teary smile.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

It was Hermione’s first day back at work in a week and a half. Unfortunately for her, the restaurant was packed; people were waiting at the doors for tables to free up. She still felt like moping, her mind was a million miles away and she kept goofing up her orders.

“Excuse me miss, this isn’t cooked!” one woman cried. Her cluster of friends echoed her sentiments, but when Hermione turned around, steam was rising off the pizza. She gave the woman a strange look and turned back the other way.

Leonora rolled her eyes as she carried the uncooked pizza back into the kitchen, but she made no comment to Hermione. Lavender and Susan tried to stifle their laughter.

Hermione flipped to a new sheet on her parchment pad. “Hi, ready to order?” she came upon a man who had been sitting there for at least fifteen minutes.

“Yes, finally.” He answered, his tone clipped and nasal. “The…Hogsmeade Pizza please…I assume that’s your house special?”

Hermione’s eyes widened as she saw who her customer was, none other than the Wizarding Warlock Food Critic! “Uh, yes…that’s our special, there’s nothing like it!”

The man only raised his eyebrows slightly and pulled out a tiny parchment pad, much like her own, along with a quill. He dismissed her with a wave of his hand, and Hermione dashed towards the kitchens.

“Ohhh Merlin Leonora!” she gasped, swinging the doors open and nearly hitting Susan. “I need the best pizza you’ve ever made!”

“What? Why?” Leonora asked.

“Because the Wizarding Warlock Food Critic is here!” Hermione nearly shouted, pointing out into the seating area.

Leonora’s eyes widened in panic for a moment, but then her face fell. “So what?” she answered. “I don’t need him to tell me my pizza is the best thing he’s ever tasted!”

“Leonora!” all three girls were there now, looking at her pleadingly.

“Well…” Leonora looked down at the three pizzas she’d just pulled out. “Take your pick Hermione.”

Hermione grabbed the one in the middle; it looked extra cheesy, with lots of mushrooms and pepperoni on the top. She set it nicely in front of the man, and then slowly backed away as he began to pull a slice from the pie.

The three girls watched breathlessly as he took a large bite. He chewed thoughtfully, and then took another. Leonora held her breath and the girls watched closely as he grabbed up his quill and wrote a few words down on his parchment. He went to take another bite when he noticed all the employees were watching him.

Hermione bent her head and pretended to write something, and Lavender and Susan began to mess with the glasses and plates behind the counter.

The warlock turned away from them and took another bite, once again chewing slowly and he appeared to be thinking hard. He put the slice down and motioned to Hermione, who went directly over.

“Anything else?” she asked, her palms sweating. “Shall I get a box for you?”

“Just the check please.” Hermione cast a confused glance back at Leonora, and ripped the man’s check off her pad. “And your manager as well, I assume she is here?” he asked coolly.

“Uh…right away.” Hermione answered, and in three strides she was through the doors to the kitchens. “Leonora! He wants to speak with you!”

“What?” Leonora’s eyes grew wide. “What about?”

“I don’t know.” Hermione replied. “He told me he wanted a word with you.”

“Oh Merlin’s beard….” Leonora answered, wiping her hands on a clean cloth. She cast a worried glance back at the three girls, and went out to the seating area. The Wizarding Warlock Food Critic spoke to her for a few moments, and then to the surprise of Hermione, Susan and Lavender, they both went outside.

“What do you think he’s saying to her?” Susan asked, pressing her hands to the sides of her face.

“I’m sure he’s telling her that it’s the best pizza he’s ever had.” Lavender replied loyally.

“But he didn’t even eat a whole slice!” Hermione objected. “And he didn’t even want to take the rest with him!”

“Well I know, but…” Lavender trailed off as Leonora came back into the room, her face white as a ghost.

“Leonora, what happened?” Susan asked; she looked like she was ready to cry.

“He…” Leonora sat down heavily in a chair next to the door. “He loved it.”

“WHAT?” all three girls screamed at once.

“He told me…on the next show…he’s going to recommend it….” Leonora said weakly.

There was a flurry of movement in the kitchen as all of them flew into one large tangle of arms and legs.

“Leonora, that’s wonderful!” Hermione screamed.

“You’ll finally get the recognition you deserve!” Lavender said ecstatically.

“And I can run this place on when you retire!” Susan was excited. “Oh Leonora, this is wonderful!”

The atmosphere in the parlour was quite cheerful for the rest of that day.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Lavender was sitting at the kitchen table, finishing up some forms for University when Hermione appeared in the doorway.

“Lav?” she said tentatively.

“What?” she scratched her signature at the bottom of the last form and looked up.

“Um…Henry’s here. At the door.” Hermione said. “I didn’t want to let him in…”

Lavender took a deep breath. “It’s all right Hermione. I knew this had to be coming sometime.” She scraped her chair back across the floor and brushed past her cousin into the front hallway.

Henry and Lori were standing near the door; Lori seemingly excited to see her and Henry looking awkward.

“Hi.” Lavender said, more to Lori than Henry.

“Hi, Lavender.” He was the one to reply. “Uh…Lori wanted to come and say goodbye.”

She looked at Henry and gave a tiny nod, then squatted down. “Bye Lori…it’s been really fun getting to know you.” She hugged the child tightly and swallowed down her tears. She would miss Lori a lot.

“I uh…I also wanted to give you this.” Henry held out a sack with her last pay inside, and a slip of parchment with a Gringotts seal. “This is for you, for University… you take it to the bank and they’ll give you the gold.” he said. Lavender took them.

“Thank you.” She said stiffly. “Goodbye Henry.”

“Yeah…I guess we should go.” Henry said softly. He took Lori by the hand as they stepped out the door.

“Bye Lavender....” Lori’s voice faded as the door swung shut behind them.

Hermione moved herself from behind the doorway to the entrance of the hallway. “Are you all right, Lav?” she asked.

Lavender went past her into the kitchen. She dropped the money sack on the table and unfolded the note. Hermione went up behind her curiously, but before she could see how much the note was worth, Lavender had torn it up.

“Guilt money.” She said, throwing the pieces to the floor. “I don’t want his pity.”

Hermione nodded sympathetically as Lavender’s face crumpled. Wordlessly, she pulled her cousin into a tight hug, letting her cry it out once again.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

The house had a chill to it as the evening fell. Her mother insisted that she and Lavender accompany her out to dinner that night, as both her girls needed cheering up, but Hermione had declined, choosing instead to pull on some flannel pyjama trousers and a long sleeved t-shirt. She made herself some hot chocolate, and then grabbed a book from her bureau and got comfortable in front of a roaring fire.

She had been reading for about an hour when a knock sounded from the front door. Placing a marker in her book, she left her warm seat.

“Alexa!” Hermione said in shock when she’d opened the door. She wasn’t sure who she’d been expecting to see, but it certainly wasn’t Harry’s sister. “Please come in.” she said, stepping aside to let her through.

“Thanks.” Alexa said. She pulled off her cloak and tossed it on a chair.

“So…” Hermione said once they sat down in the living room. “What brings you over here?”

“I wanted to talk to you about my brother.” Alexa replied. She was known for her way to cut right to the chase.

Hermione’s face hardened. “Did he send you over here?”

“No.” Alexa replied. “I came over because I wanted to. I came over because he misses you.”

Hermione sighed. “Well, I miss him too, but it doesn’t excuse him for what he did. He really hurt me.”

Alexa stared straight at her. “I know he did, and I know he’s not excused for his behaviour. But he’s been miserable since that night. Harry and I are very close, as you know, and I’ve seen him be upset over girls before, but nothing like this.”

Hermione felt herself soften at Alexa’s words; perhaps she had a point.

“Harry really loves you.” Alexa continued. “Unfortunately, not even something like that can keep his temper from flaring around our father. They haven’t gotten along since Harry and I were young teenagers. Dad wants to run Harry’s life, and he’s too independent to follow orders like that.”

Hermione smiled at that remark. “That’s very true.” She said.

“Harry hasn’t been this happy since…well…as long as I can remember.” Alexa said, sitting up straighter. “And to your credit, I’ve never seen a girl handle him better.” She grinned. “That night you wrecked his Windrider…” she threw her head back and laughed.

“I thought you were another girlfriend.” Hermione said, embarrassed. Alexa only laughed harder and Hermione began to giggle as well. “I was so shocked he wasn’t angry at me over that.”

“Harry’s very forgiving; especially with the people he loves.” Alexa’s laughter subsided.

Hermione’s own laughter ceased as well, and she now looked thoughtful. “You know, you’re right.” She admitted. “He had every right to hate me after that night and he didn’t care.”

“Hermione, look…” Alexa began again, sensing that Hermione’s resolve was weakening. “He loves you, he loves you a lot. Will you at least agree to talk with him?”

“I don’t know.” Hermione said, staring into the fire. “Have you ever had someone use you that way?”

“No.” Alexa replied. “I’m sure I can’t even imagine how it must feel for someone to say things like that.” She leaned forward. “But if I felt for them as much as you and Harry love each other, then I know I’d find a way to forgive them.”

As much as she hated to admit it, Hermione realised that Alexa brought up a very good point. “Fine…I’ll talk to him.” She said. “But it’ll have to wait, I’m afraid, my best friend is getting married in just a few days and we’re all extra busy with her wedding.”

“I understand.” Alexa said, getting up from the chair. “This means a lot to him.”

“I’m not saying I’m forgiving him, Alexa.” Hermione said, also rising. “I’m just agreeing to hear him out. That’s all I can give at this point.”

Alexa nodded. “Thank you.” She said, turning to leave. Hermione followed her out to the hallway and shut the door behind her. She only hoped she was doing the right thing.

A/N: Well that was a bit more uplifting, than the last chapter don’t you think? Please don’t’ forget to leave a review after you’re done reading, if you’ve already taken the 10 min or so to read take 20 seconds more to review. Thanks and get ready for a big ol’ party in the next ch! And it’s H/Hr again too :D Oh happy day…..

Chapter 18

A/N: Well here it is…the ‘big event’ you all have been waiting for! I bet you all have guessed by now what it is :)

If you haven’t…come now, I’m not that hard to figure out ;)

Please don’t forget to review when you’re done, there’s only one more chapter after this!!!

And while you’re waiting for it, check out my new ficlet called ‘One Night in the Library’ it’s about H/Hr and how I think they would get together :)

This chapter seems a lot longer than it actually is, due to SONGS!

And I apologise if the formatting is screwed up, Word was being a little bitch when I was trying to transfer it over.

Thanks Huw, for helping me with that bit ;)

Ron put his hand against the door as Susan was about to open it. “Do we really have to go in there?” he asked, running his other hand up and down her arm.

Susan smiled at him. “You know we have to, Ron.”

“But I want to steal you away now.” Ron said, leaning closer to her. His hand left her arm and traced lightly across her cheek. “I don’t want to wait until later.”

She felt like melting into his embrace. “I don’t either Ron, but believe it or not we DO have to make an appearance at our own wedding reception!”

“I suppose you’re right,” Ron said, grinning at his new wife. “But first…” he bent down and kissed her. His arms wound around the beaded waist of her gown, and Susan eagerly pressed her lips against his. They stood there for a few long moments, enjoying the newest level of their relationship when the door suddenly opened.

“…I thought they’d be here already but—Whoa!” Hermione said as she was greeted by the sight of Ron and Susan Weasley snogging before the door to the reception hall. “Sorry you two!” she said, shutting the door again.

Susan and Ron grinned at each other as they heard laughter behind the door.

“Come on then.” Ron said, taking her hand securely in his. He pushed the door open and the room literally exploded in cheers directed right at them.

“It’s about time you two!”

“Congratulations!”

“Bloody hell Ron, why are you holding so tight to her hand?”

A few other choice comments came from the directions of Ron’s co-workers as the two of them made their way through the crowd of people looking to celebrate with them.

Susan had finally figured out why she could never make it down the aisle—she was scared to death of large crowds. Therefore, the only people at the actual ceremony were Susan’s parents, Ron’s parents, Lavender and Hermione.

Ron grinned as his mother came up to Susan and grabbed her arm, pulling her away. She’d wept throughout the entire ceremony, so happy that her youngest son had finally married. Molly Weasley adored Susan, and it was evident by the way she was hugging the young bride that she was absolutely thrilled that she was her daughter in law.

Arthur Weasley was in the corner, fooling around with what looked like a big black box. He kept plugging and unplugging various cords, and speaking into what looked like a black ice cream cone.

“Dad what are you doing?” Ron asked, escaping the crowd and going over to his father.

“I think this is the right PLUG!” Arthur talked loudly into the ice cream cone gadget and his voice reverberated throughout the room. Ron grinned and shook his head, his father and his great fondness for Muggle machines. “ATTENTION!” Arthur shouted, and everyone covered their ears. “WE WILL BE STARTING THE DINNER SOON!”

Ron tugged on his father’s arm. “Dad I don’t think you have to shout in that thing…” he said quietly. “Just talk normally.”

“Oh.” Arthur said. He raised the gadget back up. “Can everyone hear me?”

“Yes!” a general chorus rang out. Arthur grinned and talked through it for a while more, he got such a kick out of Muggle things.

After going through the receiving line, everyone began to drift to their assigned tables. Ron and Susan took their seats at the main table, and Hermione and Lavender slipped in beside them.

It took about two hours for dinner to be finished, mainly because Ron’s brothers Fred and George thought it would be funny to enchant everyone’s spoons to tap the glass whenever they lifted it. So during the appetizer, which was soup, they were interrupted about seventy five times a minute to kiss each other.

Percy Weasley tried to start the dancing, but Molly pulled him away from the floor. “It’s your brother’s wedding day, he and his wife need to start!” George took that as his cue and ran up to the small stage the Muggle Karaoke machine was standing on.

“My brother and his wife….” He paused here for some loud and raucous cheers. “Have picked a song for themselves that reflects their wonderful relationship.” He grinned in the direction of the bride and groom. “Get out there you two!”

Ron took Susan by the hand and led her to the middle of the floor.

“I wish everyone wasn’t watching us.” Susan said in a low voice.

“It’s all right love.” Ron said. “Just think that it’s you and me only.”

Susan nodded as Ron wrapped his arms around her waist. George hit the button and started the song.

As I look into your eyes
I see all the reasons why
my life's worth a thousand skies
you're the simplest love I’ve known
and the purest one I’ll own
know you'll never be alone

Susan closed her eyes and rested her head against Ron’s chest. He bent and kissed her hair softly.

“You okay?” he asked softly. Susan raised her head back up and looked at him.

“I think so.” She replied, a smile curving over her lips. “I love you Ron.”

“I love you too, Susan.” He replied. They kissed again.

My baby you
are the reason I could fly
and 'cause of you
I don't have to wonder why
baby you
there's no more just getting by
you're the reason I feel so alive

Though these words I say are true
they still fail to capture you
as mere words can only do
how do I explain that smile
and how it turns my world around
keeping my feet on the ground

Hermione and Lavender stood together at the side of the dance floor, watching their best friend.

“She looks so happy.” Hermione said. “She’s so lucky.”

Lavender turned and looked at her cousin. “You all right?” she noticed a sad tone in Hermione’s voice.

Hermione sighed. “I’m all right.”

“You’re still thinking about Harry.” Lavender guessed.

“I thought for sure he’d come by to talk, especially after Alexa told me about how he was feeling. But I haven’t heard anything from him.” Hermione said.

“I’m sure he’ll come around…” Lavender said reassuringly.

“What about you?” Hermione asked. “I mean, how have you been since…”

“I’m…all right.” Lavender replied. “It hasn’t stopped hurting, but I can think about him without crying at least.”

Hermione smiled. “You’re tough Lav.” She said, patting her cousin’s arm. “You’ll be just fine.”

My baby you
are the reason I could fly
and 'cause of you
I don't have to wonder why
baby you
there's no more just getting by
you're the reason I feel so alive

I will soothe you if you fall
I’ll be right there if you call
you're my greatest love of all
My baby you
are the reason I could fly
and 'cause of you
I don't have to wonder why
baby you
there's no more just getting by
you're the reason I feel so alive
Arianna I feel so alive….

Ron and Susan grinned and kissed again as their song closed; the whole room burst into appreciative applause.

“That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” Ron asked, as they were swept to the side by a crowd eager to dance.

“Not once the song started.” Susan grinned back. “Kiss me again.” Ron obliged very willingly, and the two of them moved into a darker corner of the room.

“Hey Hermione, dance with me!” George Weasley said, jumping down from the stage. He grabbed her around the waist before she could protest and swung her around the floor.

Lavender smiled as she watched her cousin laugh as she danced. She turned to go get something to drink when she bumped into Leonora.

“Can I talk to you a moment Lavender?” Leonora asked. Without waiting for an answer she took Lavender by the elbow and steered her to where the crowd had thinned out.

“I know that you are close to having enough for University so…” Leonora pulled an envelope from her small bag. “Here…”

Lavender looked at her boss curiously as she opened it. Inside was a note from Gringotts similar to the one Henry had given her, but this one would put her over the top for what she needed. “Leonora no, I can’t take this!”

“No, no…Victor and I talked about this. We don’t have any kids…just you, Hermione and Susan.” Leonora pushed the envelope back at Lavender. “It’s just a loan, so don’t get too excited.”

Lavender laughed. “Oh Leonora, thank you.” She hugged her tightly.

“Oh come on George, I can’t dance anymore!” Hermione laughed breathlessly. “You’re too crazy, even for me!” she privately thought that George and Fred had spiked their drinks with some sort of dancing potion; Fred was out on the floor with his wife Angelina and they were tangoing across the room, even though the song was not that type. “I’ve got to get something to drink!” she fanned her face and left George.

Hermione watched the others dance as she sipped her glass of sparkling cider. She noted with glee that Ron and Susan had not left their corner for quite some time, and everyone was having so much fun on the dance floor that they hadn’t noticed. Downing the rest of her cider, she turned to put the glass back on the table.

Instead she found herself face to face with Harry Potter.

They stood for a very long moment just staring at one another, neither one could figure out what to say.

Finally, Hermione spoke. “What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice cool. She felt like she was failing miserably, the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering madly at his mere presence.

“I came to talk to you.” Harry said. He held his hand out to her. “Can we go somewhere a little more quiet?”

Hermione stared at him a moment, then slipped her hand inside his. He wove his way through the people and led her outside.

“I owe you an apology.” He said as soon as she’d shut the door behind them.

Hermione said nothing, but nodded slowly. “Okay…” she said.

“And what you said about me, and my father…” Harry said, taking the edge of his cloak in his hands and twisting it. “You were right…and I used you to make him mad…I’m really sorry.” He said. “You didn’t deserve that at all.”

“You’re right, I didn’t.” Hermione said, crossing her arms across her chest.

Harry gulped. “I realize you don’t want to forgive me so fast, and I can understand…but I’m just hoping you’ll agree to give me another chance.” He reached back out and touched her face gently. “I love you.”

“Harry…” Hermione began.

“Yes?” he asked quietly.

“I forgive you, Harry.” Hermione said, looking straight at him. “But it’s going to take awhile before I can fully trust you again.”

Harry’s mouth was agape. “You…you do?” he stuttered. “You forgive me?”

Without answering, Hermione took a step closer to him, and raised her hand up and rested it against his chest. “Are you really sorry?” she asked, tracing a light pattern over his shirt.

“Yes.” Harry said quickly, looking down at her.

“Really, really sorry?” she asked, coming closer.

“Yes.” Harry repeated.

Hermione brushed her lips against his in the tiniest of kisses. “Then prove it.” she said, and spun back around and was inside before Harry could even comprehend what had just happened.

He followed her back inside, hoping to find out what she had meant, but she had already disappeared into the crowd. Harry stood at the side of the room for a few moments, trying to think of something to do, something to show her exactly how he felt.

“Summer days…driftin’ away…but oh—oh those Summer Niiiiiiiiights!” two tall, identical redheaded men were crooning to one another across the room on a small stage. The audience around them screamed in approval as the two drew out the last notes of the Muggle song. Harry grinned; he had the perfect idea now. He started across the room.

“Thank you, thank you!” George was shouting into the microphone. “If you’d like to leave us a tip, please do so!” he and Fred slapped each other a high five as they replaced the microphones. George went to step downstage when a tap on the shoulder distracted him.

“Fancy showing me how to work this?” a young black haired man asked.

“Sure.” George replied, motioning to his brother. He turned back to the young man. “Say, you look really familiar.” He said after he’d explained how to enter in the song that he wanted. “I know I’ve seen you before.”

He smiled briefly. “That tends to happen when your picture is plastered in Witch Weekly all the time because of your father.” He stuck out his hand and George shook it. “I’m Harry Potter.”

George smirked. “I don’t read Witch Weekly.” Then his eyes widened. “I know! I’ve seen you in my joke shop!”

“Which one?” Harry asked.

“Weasleys Wizard Wheezes.” George replied proudly. “I’m George, and that’s my brother Fred over there. We own it.”

Harry looked impressed. “Really! That’s a fantastic shop, I’ve gotten so many pranks from there to play on my sister…”

George grinned, but it faded. “Well, I hope we’ll still be open for awhile, but things haven’t looked too good lately for us.”

“Why?” Harry looked astonished.

“Zonko’s has come out with a brand new line of jokes, and we haven’t the money to develop more until we sell…” George looked a bit downcast.

“Well…look I know I just met you, but if you need an investor…” Harry offered. “I’d be more than willing to help you guys out.”

George’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?” he turned and bellowed across the floor. “FRED!” An instant later, the other twin was standing by them.

“What Forge?” he asked, sipping something out of a glass. Harry couldn’t tell if it was frothing or smoking.

George clapped Harry heartily on the shoulder. “We’ve got someone willing to invest in our oh so wonderful company!”

Fred’s eyes widened. “Really?” he shouted, dancing around in a circle.

“Harry old chum, I think this is the beginning of something good!” George beamed.

Harry grinned. “So listen, how do I go about putting up a song? I’ve really got to see about a girl…”

“Right, right.” George said. “Who is it you’re trying to impress, anyway?”

Harry pointed. “Hermione Granger.” He replied.

“Aiming high are you?” George joked.

Harry now grinned. “We’ve been dating for awhile…then we had an argument a week or so ago.” He flipped through the song titles and settled on one. “So now I’m trying to make her realize I’m serious about wanting to get back together.”

“Well Harry, my chap…good luck.” George hit the button on the machine and Harry got onto the stage. He was a bit nervous.

Coughing a bit, he shielded his eyes from the bright light that shone on the stage. “Uh…hello everyone…” he spoke into the contraption in his hand. “I’d uh…I’d like to sing you a little something, to prove to a special girl just how much I love her.” Harry took a deep breath as the music started.

I’ve kissed the moon a million times

Danced with angels in the sky

I’ve seen snowfall in the summertime

Felt the healing of the powers above

I’ve seen the world from the highest mountain

Tasted love from the purest fountain

I’ve seen lips that spark desire

Felt the butterflies a hundred times

I’ve even seen miracles

I’ve felt the pain disappear

But still haven’t seen anything

That amazes me quite like you do

Hermione stepped out of the bathroom, holding the door for the next person waiting. She said hi to a few of her old friends from school as she made her way back out to the main floor. For some reason everyone seemed to be paying rapt attention to the person singing at the karaoke machine, who was just awful.

“What’s going on?” she asked Susan, who was snuggled in Ron’s embrace and giggling.

“Where have you been?” she asked, grabbing her best friend and spinning her around to face the stage. “Didn’t you realize who that is up there?”

You bring me up when I’m` feeling down

You touch me deep you me right

You do the things I’ve never done

You make me wicked you make me wild

`Cause Hermione, you’re my #1

An extremely large smile spread across her face as she realized what Harry was doing.

I’ve sailed in a perfect dream

I’ve seen the sun make love to the sea

I’ve kissed the moon a million times

Danced with angels in the sky

Harry was proving himself. A crowd of females of all ages had packed themselves around the stage, and were screaming in approval. Many of the older people present were standing away, with their hands over their ears. Hermione began to push her way through the crowd, shoving people aside. What did she care if they fell, it was her Harry was singing to, not them.

I’ve even seen miracles

I’ve seen the tears disappear

But still haven’t seen anything

That amazes me quite like you do

Hermione cringed a bit as she pushed her way in more; Harry was hitting some high notes and it was clear he was not cut out for those. One particularly annoying group of giggly teenagers were blocking her path now.

“Move it.” Hermione commanded, pushing one aside.

“Hey!” one of them spoke angrily. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

She gave the girl a superior smile. “I’m Hermione.” She answered, pushing her way past. She ducked into the shadows of the stage and waited for him to finish.

You bring me up when I’m` feeling down

You touch me deep you me right

You do the things I’ve never done

You make me wicked you make me wild

`Cause Hermione, you’re my #1…

Harry finished the song and all of a sudden, what seemed like a million flashbulbs went off in his face. “Ack!” he shouted. “Hermione?”

She shook her head and grinned. Grabbing his hand, Hermione yanked Harry from the spotlight and flashbulbs and back to the shadowy area.

“That was just horrible you know.” She said with as straight a face as she could manage.

“Well I didn’t have any warm up time.” Harry quipped back. “I could go out there and sing a few more, it seems I have a lot of fans.”

“None as big a fan as me, Potter.” Hermione replied, unable to stop her grin.

Harry grinned back and tossed away the microphone, the dull thud ringing throughout the hall. “So does this mean you’ve forgiven me?” he asked, tracing a line down her cheek.

“I already forgave you earlier.” Hermione said, she didn’t want to talk anymore she wanted to feel his lips on hers.

“Does this mean you trust me again?” he asked, nearing her mouth a little more.

“We’re getting there.” Hermione replied as their lips lightly brushed each other’s. “Now shut up and kiss me.”

Harry needed no further urging. He sealed his mouth over hers as someone grabbed the spotlight and yanked it up to reveal the two of them. Neither one noticed or cared as they kissed frantically. Harry’s tongue was plundering through her mouth so hard she figured her lips would be bruised but she didn’t care.

Ron groaned. “You know, it’d just figure that she’d be the one snogging him.”

Susan grinned at her husband. “You sound jealous Ron, are you sure it’s not you who wants to be snogging Harry Potter?”

“Oh you’re so funny aren’t you Sue?” Ron smirked, and she could tell he really wasn’t angry. “When are we going to start the honeymoon?” he whispered licentiously in her ear.

“Soon enough Ronald.” Susan said, slapping his wandering hands away.

Harry and Hermione broke apart several minutes later and grinned at each other. The spotlight was gone, and most everyone had gone back to dancing. Hermione kept a tight hold on his hand as they left the rear of the stage and wove their way to the back of the room.

“Nice, Hermione.” Ron said. “Why couldn’t you do this at your own wedding hmm?”

“Shut up Ron.” Hermione said, but she smiled at him. She wasn’t really mad. How could she be?

*** *** *** *** *** ***

“Hey Hermione, can you get Lavender and meet me outside in the back?” Susan asked some time later.

“Sure, why?” Hermione replied.

“I’ll explain when we get out there.” Susan’s eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed.

Hermione saw her cousin sitting near the back of the room talking to some old classmates. “Hey Lav? Susan wants us to come outside.”

“All right.” Lavender said, excusing herself. Susan was already outside with a bottle of champagne and three slim glasses.

“I thought we’d have a moment for just the three of us.” Susan said, filling the flutes.

“Good idea.” Hermione agreed, accepting the glass and leaning against the railing. “What a night!”

“You can say that again.” Lavender teased. “Which one of you will get luckier tonight I wonder?”

Hermione and Susan both laughed at her and all three of them raised their glasses.

“A toast…to us, that we’ve stayed friends for so long and we always will.” Lavender said.

“A toast that we all be happy with the choices we make, in life and love.” Hermione added.

Susan thought a minute. “And to Leonora…and whatever it is she puts in that damned pizza!” she finished.

All three girls collapsed in laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls and into the night.

A/N: AWWWW well they finally did it eh? And H/Hr are back together, and Lavender’s feeling better about the whole Henry situation….

The two songs I used in this are ‘My Baby You’ by Mark Anthony, and You’re My # 1 by Enrique Iglesias…. although I changed the lyrics just a tad ;)

Well according to the movie this story is OVER…but since I think there are some major loose ends, the next chapter has an epilogue.

Please R/R, and I’ll see you all next chapter!

Chapter 19

Wow! I cant’ believe this is already the last chapter, sometimes I feel like I just started writing this story!

Thanks to EACH and EVERY person who reviewed! All your comments meant a lot to me, and it helps to see all those things while I was writing the next chapter.

There won’t be a sequel to this, at least not anytime in the immediate future, but please make sure to read my other fics, and Ryoko’s, and of course, the ones she and I are writing together!!!

I hope you enjoy the epilogue; it pretty much winds up everything that has happened to the characters in the year after the wedding.

Please remember that fact, that it’s a year later!!!!! Ron and Susan got married at the end of November and it’s now early January of the year after.

“I really hope Ron and Susan get over here soon, we’ve got to get going in just a little while.” Lavender said, glancing at her watch.

“I’m sure they’ll be here soon enough.” Hermione reassured her. “Besides,” she added in a low voice. “I know the only reason you’re anxious to get back is so that you and Seamus…” she let her voice trail off suggestively.

“Hermione!” Lavender said.

“What?” Hermione asked, the picture of innocence. “You and he have been dating for about a year now, and you told me you’ve been sleeping with him for six months…you’ve been home for two weeks, only one of which he’s been here for…you’ve got to be hungry for him by now.”

“Honestly!” Lavender swatted her cousin on the arm, but she was grinning.

“Really though Lav,” Hermione said. “I’m glad you’ve found someone.”

“Thanks Hermione.” Lavender replied. “Seamus is so…. sweet to me, I love him so much.”

“Are you scared, you know, of falling in love like that again?” Hermione asked carefully.

Lavender sighed. “I was, at first. And I almost lost him, you know that.” Hermione nodded and Lavender continued. “But then he came into my dormitory one night, he had flowers, candles and champagne, and he sat right down and told me that we were going to talk out everything that was wrong, and we did.” Lavender hugged herself, remembering that night. “I knew I was in love with him, and he’s never given me any reason to doubt my feelings.”

“Awww.” Hermione said, giving her cousin a hug. “That’s wonderful, I’m really happy for you guys!”

“Are you ready soon, Lavender?” Seamus’s Irish accent preceded him into the room. He smiled at both girls as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend.

“Soon, I want to wait for Ron and Susan to get here so I can see them before we leave.” Lavender replied.

Seamus kissed her softly on the cheek. “Well you just let me know then, love.” He said.

“Ah- wait I think that’s them now.” Hermione said, going into the hallway. Sure enough, Ron and Susan were staggering up the steps to the front door.

“Sorry we’re late!” Susan called in. Hermione swooped in on them immediately.

“You brought my baby!” She cried, grabbing the pink bundle from Ron’s arms. When they’d had their baby three months ago, Hermione had doted on it from the start, and had developed a real bond with the little girl.

“You know, sometimes I think we should just leave her with you.” Ron said sarcastically, but he was grinning. It was clear to everyone when little Sara Elisabeth Weasley was born just how thrilled Ron was to be a father. “If you had to wake up in the middle of the night three or more times I’m sure you’d think differently.”

“No, never!” Hermione answered, peeling back the blanket and kissing Sara’s little face. “As her godmother, I reserve the right to spoil her and I’m starting now!”

Susan grinned as she took the blanket. “Her hair is starting to grow in already too.” She said, stroking the soft patch of red on her baby’s head while leaning down to kiss it. Being a mother, as she had found out, was one of the greatest pleasures of her life. If Susan had known it would be this good, she’d have married Ron the moment she met him.

“Let me say bye to her.” Lavender said, holding out her arms for Sara. “It’ll be months before I get to see her again.” Hermione carefully passed the infant over.

“Can’t I persuade you guys to make me the godmother instead of Hermione?” Lavender teased, kissing Sara’s peach coloured face. “What if you don’t have a second kid for me to fuss over?”

“Are you forgetting that Ron is a Weasley?” Susan said, smiling. “He comes from good stock. A Weasley never has just one child.” They all laughed.

“I suppose we should get going.” Lavender said reluctantly. She was definitely eager to get back to school, but she hated leaving home.

“Ready when you are.” Seamus said. Hermione stepped forward to hug him.

“It was wonderful meeting you, Seamus. You take care of my cousin now.” She teased. Seamus grinned.

“I wouldn’t dare face your wrath otherwise.” He joked. Hermione laughed, and Susan hugged him as well; Ron opted for shaking his hand.

Lavender hugged her cousin extra tightly. “You and Harry are coming for a visit soon right?” she asked.

Hermione nodded. “We’ll come by in March, I think.” She replied. “I’m seeing him in just a little while, I’ll make sure to ask him.”

“All right.” Lavender said. “Bye everyone!” she said as she and Seamus stepped into the fireplace, they were taking the Floo Network back to the University. Seamus spoke the name of Lavender’s dormitory and they were gone.

Hermione looked at the clock, which said ‘Running Late’. “Oh bugger, I have to dash, I’m supposed to be meeting Harry at the park right now.” She said, flying to the hallway. “I’ll be back in a while if you guys want to stick around.” She offered, tossing her cloak around her body.

“Nah, we were heading over to Molly and Arthur’s for the rest of today, they want to spend as much time as they can with Sara.” Susan said, wrapping her daughter back up in the blanket.

“All right.” Hermione grinned. “Sorry to run off like this.” She apologised as she swept out the door. The park was about fifteen minutes away from her house and she felt bad she would be late, but then again, Harry often was as well so neither of them ever thought much of it.

A large grin crossed her face as she thought about her relationship with Harry. Over the past year, since Ron and Susan’s wedding, they had gotten closer than ever. At her insistence, he had finally worked out most, if not all his differences with his father, and was now co captaining Puddlemere with Oliver. She and Jenn had become quite close as well; they both sat together cheering their heads off at every Quidditch game.

A cold gust of wind made her pull her cloak more tightly around herself and look forward to being wrapped in Harry’s warm embrace once she arrived. Hermione tucked her head against the wind and hurried on. When she finally got to the park, she was surprised to see the amount of people milling around. Usually on cold grey days such as this one no one in town was outside.

Hermione spotted Harry sitting on a bench, his back to her. He seemed to be hunched over, she figured he was probably freezing.

“Hey you!” she said, swooping down on him and immediately pressing herself against him for warmth. “I’m sorry I’m late.” Hermione went to kiss him but he turned his head and she found her lips on his cheek.

“Hi…uh…can we talk?” Harry turned to face his girlfriend of about a year and a half. His insides were churning with nervousness and anticipation at her reaction of what he was about to say to her.

“Sure.” She said. He took her hand in hers as they got off the bench and began walking slowly.

“Well…so…. I uh…I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately….” Harry said; he could feel his palms going sweaty despite the frigid air. “We’ve uh…we’ve been dating for a long time right?”

“Right…” Hermione answered hesitantly. ‘Where was he planning on going with this?’ she thought to herself.

“Yeah.” Harry started talking again. “So you understand right?”

“No…” Hermione said. “What are you getting at?”

“Oh right.” Harry pulled his hand from hers and rubbed them together. “So…I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately….”

“Yes you said that already.” Hermione said, a small ball of fear beginning to grow in her stomach.

“And….” Harry paused, trying to remember how he wanted to phrase this. ‘Damn it Potter, you had this all planned last night and now you go and forget it.’ He took a deep breath. “I’m just not satisfied with the way our relationship is going.”

Hermione felt herself grow pale. “What do you mean, you’re not satisfied?” her voice came out as a tiny squeak.

“No! I uh…I meant that I just can’t keep on like this.” Harry said hastily. Her eyes grew wide and he realised once again he’d said the wrong thing.

“Look Harry, if you’re trying to say something just spit it out!” her large brown eyes were going shiny.

“Okay…I uh…” Harry fumbled around in his cloak pocket. ‘Shit Potter, just do it, stop making an ass of yourself!’ his mind screamed. “I’m just going to say it all right?”

“Fine!” Hermione said, trembling.

He felt around until his fingers came in contact with what he was looking for. Dropping quickly to one knee, he held the box in front of her. “Marry me.”

Hermione stared at him for a few long moments, her mind reeling. “What?” she asked uncertainly.

“Marry me?” this time it came out as more of a question than a statement.

“You…you…JERK!” Hermione screamed, attracting the attention of many park goers as she pushed him over. “How could you do that to me?” she asked, turning on her heel to storm away.

“Hermione!” Harry called out, trying to get up, it was difficult; the snow was slippery. “Wait, Hermione!”

She stopped in her tracks and turned as he came up to her. “What?” she asked, still trying to calm her wildly beating heart. “Come to make an ass of yourself again have you?”

“No…look Hermione, that didn’t come out right at all.” Harry pleaded. “I had this whole speech planned last night and everything…and I forgot it all as soon as I came here today.”

“You scared the shit out of me!” Hermione said, turning back away. “I thought you were breaking up with me.” She didn’t want him to see the tears that were now falling down her face.

She was walking again, and this time it didn’t look like she intended to stop. Harry quickly thought of something; he dropped back to one knee and opened his arms as wide as he could.

“I NEED YOU!” he sang at the top of his lungs. “FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE GIRL! I NEED YOU!” many of the people had now stopped and were staring at him. “SAY THAT YOU’LL BE MY WIFE OH! I LOVE YOU!!” Hermione had stopped now and turned to watch him again. “WON’T YOU MARRY ME MARRY ME! I NEED YOU!” Before he could get any more of it out, he was knocked back down in the snow.

“Do you really think I’m going to come back to you every time you sing something?” Hermione asked, grinning tearfully down at him.

“It seems to have worked again.” He smirked back up at her. She pushed herself off him and he got back on one knee. “Marry me.”

“Two conditions.” Hermione said, her eyes sparkling, this time with happiness.

“What might those be?” Harry asked softly.

“One, you don’t sing anymore, please.” She joked. He laughed. “And two, I’d like to see that ring before I go accepting any marriage proposals.” Her grin was wide enough for Harry to see she was only giving him a hard time now. He flipped the box open for her to see a large diamond surrounded by gleaming, shiny rubies.

Harry stood up, removing the ring from the box. “The diamond explains itself, but the ruby stands for passion and love.” He slipped it over her ring finger. “No one will ever love you as much as I do.”

Hermione’s eyes filled with tears again. “Harry that was better than any speech you could ever have planned.”

“So that’s a yes?” he asked, his green eyes bright.

“Merlin’s Beard, that’s a hell yes!” she cried, leaping into his arms. Harry laughed and swung her around.

“You had me worried there.” He joked, wiping her tears away with his thumb. They grinned at each other for a moment, and then he could no longer hold back, and pressed his mouth against hers.

Hermione wound her arms around his neck. She no longer felt cold as his hands swept across her back, into her hair. Her mouth was hot against his, deeply and sensually kissing him as hard as she could.

Harry felt himself grow dizzy, and losing balance, he crashed back into the snow for the third time, taking Hermione with him. The world seemed to slip away from them as they kissed for what felt like hours.

“Ohhh!” Hermione pulled away.

“What?” Harry asked. “What’s wrong?”

“We shouldn’t just be sitting here!” Hermione pulled herself up, hauling Harry along with her. “Come on, we’ve got a wedding to plan!”

Harry grinned in reply as he wrapped his arm around her waist, and the two of them left the park, ready to start their lives together.

A/N: well WAHHHHHHHHHHHH I can’t believe that’s over! I really loved doing this story, and thank you guys for staying with it!!!!

Thank you again to all of you who took the time to review this, I hope to see you guys reading my other fics as well. Next up, I’m putting full concentration on Within the Shadows of Hatred, so expect an update there soon!

Ryoko Blue, you rock for helping me out :) Thanks girl!!!