You Were Meant For Me
Chapter 1
The Horcrux hunt, Winter/Spring 1997.
So, where do I begin? I suppose we always shared a common bond that not many did. Both of us were raised by muggles, both of us with our own burden to bear. For her, being the brightest witch of a generation while being muggle-born carried its own problems. We had our arguments of course, but they were never long term or especially serious. She always stayed loyal to me, trusted me and trusted my judgement. Ron's abandonment during the Tri-Wizard Tournament hurt, but Hermione's dedication, cool logic and belief is something very special to me.
It was during our year hunting Horcruxes that we first really shared a moment. Ron had abandoned us two months previously. She really missed him; I'd never seen her so upset. After a while she seemed to have accepted that he was gone, the words he parted with still rang clear in my ears, - "I get it, you choose him." I look back now and realise that he considered me a huge threat even then. I wasn't sure what I was feeling regarding her, the mixture of fear, anger, and betrayal mingled together and clouded my judgement. Did she have feelings for him then? I think she did, but she was in the same situation as me, the mixture of feelings, emotions, hunger, clouding and confusing things. I wish to this day that I had done more to comfort her but I simply couldn't find the words.
One night, just like any other it seemed, we had used a little polyjuice and purchased food from a local supermarket. The difference in mood in the tent after good meal was vast, listening to the wireless after the first hot meal in weeks and I had the urge to take her hand and dance, she reluctantly took my outstretched hand. I placed my right hand upon her slim waist as we began to slowly sway and rotate. It was the first time I'd really studied her face up close; her cheeks had a slightly pinched, hollow look to them, but some of the warmth and sparkle had returned to her soft brown eyes. I grinned ruefully and she smiled back, the first time I'd seen that for more than six months. We never spoke, she looped her arms around my neck and we drew closer. A weight, a burden seemed to lift from us as we enjoyed the warmth, the comfort, the safety as she gently rested her chin upon my shoulder.
The song ended and the wireless crackled into soft static, she looked up at me and I squeezed her, expecting her to move away, to resume her brooding. She paused, just for a second and pressed her lips to mine, she closed her eyes as I closed mine. The kiss was but a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. We broke apart; I squeezed her hand and smiled softly. There seemed to be a slightly awkward pause as we drew away, I flicked my wand and at the kettle and busied myself making tea. She had curled up in the armchair as usual, staring wistfully at her jar of blue flames she kept burning. I silently handed her a cup of tea and perched on the arm of the squashy chair, she gave me a small, crooked half-smile as she gratefully sipped the hot drink. We sat in silence for the next few moments before I'd finished my tea, I put the cup down and placed my hand gently on her shoulder.
"I'm going to turn in," I whispered hoarsely.
She nodded, turned her head and softly kissed the back of my hand, I flushed, embarrassed for a second.
I'd pulled on my pyjamas and was just settled as she came quietly into the bedroom, carrying the jar of blue flames, illuminating just how pale and drawn she was. She placed the jar on the bedside table and slipped her dressing gown from her shoulders, wordlessly she climbed into bed with me, her back pressed against my chest. She took my left arm and tucked it over her, resting just above her belly. I worried, embarrassed for a second, but it felt so good, just the warmth and the comfort, she seemed to not mind me pressing against her but drew me closer. I kissed her just below her ear and just on her shoulder before I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke to birdsong, alone. I shivered as I pulled on my dressing gown and made my into the living area of the tent, Hermione stood in the kitchen area making tea, wearing just one of my old T-shirts, seemingly unperturbed by the early morning chill. This is how it all started, from that day on we shared a bed, and it just seemed that having someone to hold made us stronger.
Ron returned and that practice ceased by our silent mutual consent, after seeing Ron's vision in from the locket Horcrux, I realised just how deep his feelings were for her, his vision was truly his version of hell. She and I still shared something, some bond, something unspoken. We could never tell Ron, or have him find out we'd shared anything more than siblings love; the betrayal would seemingly destroy him.
oooOOOooo
Hogwarts – Summer 1997.
I stood in the middle of the Great Hall, surrounded by well-wishers, being hugged, grabbed, squeezed, and slapped on the back. Ron and Hermione stood over to one side; she with a cut across her cheek, her clothes tattered and frayed. Ron was staring emptily into space, his eyes rimmed red and face streaked. I nodded to the pair of them; Hermione stood on tiptoes and whispered something in his ear. His expression didn't change but he shuffled away to where I knew the bodies of fallen lay.
She came to my side as together we trudged up the many flights of the stairs, avoiding debris and stepping over chunks of masonry. The seventh floor corridor seemed mainly undamaged and the Fat Lady swung open for us without a password, The common room was deserted, there was no fire in the grate. I flicked my wand and repaired the smashed windows, I lit a fire which crackled merrily and brought new light and warmth to the room. She stood next to me, holding her left side, her breathing a little laboured. I motioned for her to follow me; we made our way to my former dormitory, noticing my name was still on the bed plan. I settled Hermione in the chair next to my bed and busied myself cleaning the room, fitting fresh bedclothes and sourcing fresh towels while she rested with a book from the small case. Finally out of things to do, I perched on the bed and addressed my companion.
"It's over then," I said quietly. "Seven years of our lives and it's over."
"Everything's going to change," she whispered.
We were interrupted by a sudden flash of silver light as a bright spaniel Patronus burst into the room. "Going back to the Burrow. Come whenever you're ready," came Ron's formless voice. The Patronus faded from sight and I caught Hermione's eye.
"I'm not ready to go there tonight. You?" I asked.
She shook her head. "He needs his family and he needs his space. I think Ginny will too."
I agreed with her, right now Ginny was the last thing on my mind, I'd planned on spending the night at Hogwarts before going back to Grimmauld Place. Hermione stood, a little shakily and held the arm of the chair. I moved over to support her.
"Could you take a look Harry, I think," she gasped, "I've broken a rib or two."
She slipped off her cardigan as I gently lifted her blouse on her left side. I traced my fingers over the large blue bruise, its felt lumpy, swollen and tender. I suspected at least one broken rib but I didn't want to bother Madam Pomfrey. I remembered a spell that Luna had once used on me; I placed my wand tip softly against the centre of the pain.
"Episky," I whispered.
There was a loud 'crack'; she took a sharp intake of breath as I again traced my fingers over her smooth, soft skin.
"All better," she smiled, stretched and picked up a clean towel. "I'll take a bath now."
I watched her retreat and I again busied myself around the dormitory, pulling out clean pyjamas from her beaded bag. I made up a pair of beds and lit a fire in the brazier before knocking on the bathroom door.
"Come in," she called.
I made my way into the hot and steamy room, pausing for a second to hang her pyjamas over the wooden screen around the bathtub.
"Do you mind if I shower?"
"Not at all," came the echoing reply. "I promise I won't look."
I thanked her as I blushed, flicked my wand at the shower before undressing and stepping under the stream of hot, cleansing bliss.
I later drew the curtains against the deepening night and put another log into the brazier before climbing into bed. I'd just got settled before she joined me, she faced me this time, something she'd never done before. A thrill of foreboding leapt through me. "Thank you Harry," she whispered. "Thank you for everything."
She leaned into me and our lips met, our eyes closing. I reached and placed my hand in her hair as the kiss deepened, our tongues met, the kissing became more urgent, more intense, more passionate as she ended up straddling me, her pyjama top half undone. She paused, as if to gain control her breathing.
"Harry, we can't," she said softly.
I rested my head back on the pillow. "I know," I said heavily. "I… just…"
She turned over as I did, she pressed her back into my chest and I put my arm over her.
"Hold me," she whispered.
I felt her breathing soften and her body relax in my arms.
oooOOOooo
Grimmauld Place - Autumn 1997.
Summer turned to autumn, her nights drawing in as the leaves grew golden and scarlet. I joined the Ministry of Magic under Minister Shacklebolt, starting the Auror training programme. Ron started work at Weasley Wizard Wheezes', Hermione and Ginny returned to Hogwarts to complete their seventh year of formal education. Hermione and Ron were seeing each other, Ginny and I had rekindled our relationship, starting out slowly. We had met twice during Hogsmede weekends, Hermione on the other hand, being 'of age' was free at weekends and could travel. Most weekends she'd stay at Grimmauld Place, Ron would stay too.
Christmas came and the four of us spent the holidays at my home, Christmas eve Ginny and I were first intimate and gave our virginities to each other. Ron confessed over the break that he and Hermione had not moved past kissing. Despite my feelings for Ginny, my loyalty to Ron, I felt slightly elated. He returned to work on Boxing Day, Ginny a few days after returned to the Burrow at her mother's insistence. One afternoon in early January an owl arrived with a note from Ron saying he was having a big stock-take and he'd be staying at the flat overnight. Hermione looked fed up, sighed and returned to her parchment. I stood up and put my hand on her shoulder.
"I'll just head out and pick up a few things for supper," I said.
She crumpled up her parchment and gently placed her quill down, she said she'd come with me, so we made our way to the narrow hallway. I pulled my cloak over my shoulders and I helped her into hers. She gave me that crooked half-smile I remembered from the tent and before I knew it she was in my arms, her legs wrapped around my waist, pressing into her as we kissed furiously, I ran my hands through her long, curly hair. We paused, both at the same time, out of breath, our cheeks flushed.
"Hermione," I breathed unsteadily. "We can't."
"I know," she whispered.
We left Grimmauld Place in silence and did not speak of the kiss again.
A/N: Thank you for reading. The next chapter takes us a few years into the future.
Just to let you know, I've finished writing this story and the intention is to publish a new chapter once a week. Let me know what you think!