Hey All! This is my first shot of writing a H&H fic in many MANY years. Constructive criticism is welcomed, but please be kind. I'm having a lot of fun writing this story, and I hope you all enjoy it! It is a mature/smut/romance story so if you're easily offended, you should turn back now ;)
I'll try to keep on top of the story and post every few days. Please just be patient.
As always, I do not own these characters. They will forever belong in JKs world, I just play in it.
Harry Potter nurses his butterbeer as he sits in the isolated corner of the Leaky Caldron. He sighs heavily as he places the bottle down. He knows his two best friends dont always see eye to eye but this is the 3rd time this week he has received a frantic message from his dear friend asking if he could meet her in their usual spot. He knows that the fights are getting worse and he hates being stuck in the middle but he can't stand seeing her hurt. So when Hermione asks if he could meet her he never refuses, and by the sound of her voice in the message this was a bad fight. He finishes his butterbeer and signals for a second one when he sees her walk in. Wrapped tightly in her cloak, water droplets dripping from her curls and eyes looking as if she'd been crying for days.
"On second thought, I think something a little stronger might be in order, and make it two" –Harry says to the barkeep as he stands up to greet Hermione. He opens up his arms and she smiles sweetly as she hugges him tightly. Harry sighs deeply into her hair as he holds her before letting her sit down. The barkeep returned with two glasses of firewiskey. Hermione takes it and finishes the glass quickly
"Another, please." -Hermione Says handing the glass back to the barkeep.
"Thirsty?"- Harry asks with a small smile. Hermione stays silent at his remark. Harry studies her closely.
"You've be crying…A lot "- He adds sadly
"Is it that obvious?" - Hermione asks as the barkeep returns with her drink. She thanks him quietly before taking a much smaller sip this time.
"What happen"- Harry asks leaning back into his chair. She paused for a second before answering.
"He wants children"-she answers not looking at him.
"Of course he does, he's a Weasley"- He answers matter of factly.
"No, I mean now"- she answers looking at him with piercing eyes. Hermione takes a sip of her firewiskey before continuing.
"His drinking is getting worse, after his practice he went out with the guys and came home completely zonked. He started demanding that we run off and elope right then and there. When I suggested that he go to bed and sleep it off he started screaming at me and insisted that I didn't love him and that I was having an affair."- Hermione finishes with tears beginning to form in her eyes. Harry takes a deep breath and continues to listen.
"I love him Harry, I really do, but I don't want to bring a baby into a home like ours, I can't and I won't. Loving him is not enough anymore. I wake up every day having to convince myself that I still love him and not just the man that he used to be."- she finishes tears now falling from her eyes."- She takes a large sip of her drink to calm her nerves for what she is about to tell Harry.
"I'm scared of him Harry"- she says looking into his eyes. Harry can feel his entire body tense at her words as he gets closer to her.
"Why, he hasn't hurt you has he?"- Harry asks quietly. Hermione doesn't answer, she just stares at her hands.
"Hermione answer me"- he pleads reaching for her wrist. She winces even at his gentle touch. Harry's heart drops into his stomach as he gently lifts the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a fresh bruise.
"Hermione what has he done to you?!"- Harry asks furiously
"It's nothing"- she says wrenching her arm back and pulling down her sleeve.
"What do you mean it's nothing. How long has this been going on?"- He asks as he moves to the edge of his seat.
"He doesn't hit me Harry, tonight he was just a little too aggressive"-she answers slowly. Harry shakes his head furiously as the anger at his red headed friend rises.
"Don't be angry with him Harry. He's not the same, something changed in him after the war. I know he loves me, and he always apologizes, but I feel like he's always trying to prove something. It feels like he almost wants to control me. If he knew that me and you meet like this he would go bloody mad."- she finishes, wishing she didn't say the last remark. Harry's head snaps towards her
"What do you mean?"- He asks feeling his anger only increase.
"You're my best friend, have been for 15 years. Why would that bother him"- He asks in disbelief Hermione shakes her head at herself for not thinking before speaking.
"Remember how he thinks I'm having an affair, well he thinks it's with you"- she replies finishing off the rest of her firewiskey and signaling for another.
"That's ridiculous."- He says slamming his hand on the table.
"I know but like I said, he's always trying to prove himself and control me and I think it stems from school and how everyone assumed that we would end up together."- She says after thanking the barkeep. Harry stares at her as she seems to find her glass suddenly interesting. She looks tired and stressed, like she hasn't slept in days and somehow is still one of the most beautiful women he knows. She has turned into a very successful and respected woman as he always knew she would. After the war she felt the need to help those injured and decided to pursue her knew found desire to become a healer at St. Munguns. She is one of the top healers on her unit. Harry notices fresh tears starting to brim her eyes and decides to break the silence.
"What are you going to do?"- He asks knowing she understands what he is asking.
"I don't know. I don't want to go back home tonight….maybe I'll stay by parents."- She finishes whipping the tears away before they have a chance to fall.
"You'll scare them half to death if you go there at this hour, you'll come stay with me."- He says before tossing a couple of galleons on the table. Hermione looks at him with a skeptical look.
"I'm not asking, I'm telling"- He says with a small smile as he gets her cloak and holds it open for her.
She smiles sadly as she stands up and stumbles a bit.
"It also seems like you're incapable of apperating safely."- He says slipping the cloak over her shoulders. She smiles and nudges him playfully in his ribs before taking his hand as he leads them out of the bar.
"Make yourself at home, I'll be right back"- Harry says as he throws his jacket over the loveseat in his small yet cozy flat. Hermione pulls off her cloak and crosses her arms across her chest as she surveys the pictures on the mantel piece over the small fireplace. She feels a pang of sadness as she watches the pictures smile and wave back at her. They are pictures of them during Hogwarts. Even though a war raged on, things seemed so much simpler back then. A shiver runs up her spine as she steps away from the mantel piece. She sits on the couch opposite the dark fireplace which suddenly roared to life. Soft music fills the room as Harry comes in carrying two glasses of red wine.
"Thanks"- Says Hermione as she takes the glass from Harry.
"You still haven't heard of a CD player have you?" Harry eyes her as he sits down.
"You hear those lows? Better sound"- He answers. Hermione smiles as she brings her glass up to her lips with shaky hands. A floor board creaks behind her and she gasps as she turns around expecting to see Ron. Harry grabs her hand and settles her back down.
"Relax Herm, I put up wards. No one is coming in unless I let them." Hermione sighs and relaxes into the couch, putting her feet into Harrys lap. Harry begins rubbing the soles her feet. Hermione sighs as she takes another sip of her wine.
"Thank you Harry"- Hermione say sadly.
"Happy to be of service"- Harry says smiling down at his friend.
"No really, thank you. You have no idea how happy I am that you're my best friend. You're always there for me, I'd really be lost if I didn't have you" – Hermione says through a sob. Harry sighs and pulls Hermione closer to him so he can pull her into a hug. He holds her for a long time. When her cries don't stop and he can feel her tears soaking through his shirt he takes her face in his hands and looks deep into her eyes.
"Listen to me Hermione, Ron is my best friend, has been for 15 years and I would die for the man…but you are my best friend too, and it doesn't take a geniuses to see that what he is doing to you is wrong. Hell, if I didn't know him, I'd beat the bloody piss out of him." Hermione sniffs and lets out a small giggle as Harry wipes away a tear with his thumb. Still holding her face in his hands harry continues.
"I'm serious Herm, you deserve better. Deep down I know you know that. I also know that deep down you know what you have to do, and I promise to be there for you no matter what you decide." Hermione lets out a sob as she wraps her hands around Harry wrists.
Harry kisses her forehead before pulling her back into a tight embrace. Harry realizes in that moment that he wanted to kill Ron for doing this to the woman he so call loves. How could he be such an arse, does he not understand how truly lucky he is to have this kind, brilliant and downright gorgeous woman love him back. If it were him, he would move mountains just to see her smile. He would rather eat dirt than to see her cry. Hermione's cries soon quiet down till the only sound in the room is of the crackling fire and her slow steady breathing. Knowing Hermione has fallen asleep on his chest, Harry slowly sits up till he is able to scoop her into his arms. Harry carries Hermione to the guest bedroom which is adjacent to his own and gently lays her down before tucking the covers under her chin. He bushes a piece of stray curly hair out of her eyes and Hermione lets out a content sigh. Harry stares at her for a while, holding back the sudden urge to reach out and stroke her cheek. He lets out a deep sigh and stuffs his hands in the pocket of his jeans instead.
"Goodnight Love" He whispers before turning off the bedside lamp and leaving the room.
Hermione wakes up in a panic, not knowing where she is. She glances around the room and realizes she is in Harry's guest bedroom. Memories from the night flood her mind as she brings her knees up to her chest and takes a deep breath to calm her nerves. The clock on the nightstand reads 2:30 AM. Hermione swings her legs over the side of the bed and stands up to get a glass of water. As she tiptoes out of her room trying not to wake Harry, Hermione can hear whimpering and moaning coming from Harry's bedroom. As quietly as she can, Hermione opens Harrys door and peers in. What she sees brakes her heart into pieces. Harry is thrashing around, his bed sheets tangled in his legs.
'He's still having nightmares' – Hermione thinks to herself.
"No! Stop! Get away from her! No!"- Harry screams out in his sleep. Hermione rushes into the room, and sits on the edge of the bed.
"Harry! Hey, shush. Everything is ok" – Hermione says gently shaking Harry's shoulders. Harry wakes up with a start looking frightened and helpless. His whole body is trembling and covered in cold sweat. Hermione's heart gives a little squeeze.
"H- Hermione?"
"Shush I'm here. I'm here Harry, everything is ok"- Hermione says as she cups his face in her hands. In the next instant, Harry grabs Hermione by the wrist and pulls her into his lap. Harry rests his head on her chest and holds her close. Hermione is startled at first but quickly relaxes and wraps her arms around him and begins running her fingers through his thick black hair. Harry holds her tightly for what feels like hours. He loves that Hermione doesn't press him about his nightmares. He loves that she doesn't scold him for not taking the potion that stops his nightmares, which sits unopened on his dresser. The truth is, his nightmares are reminders of what he almost lost. They are the reason he is the top Auror in the ministry of magic, why he is to be promoted to the head of the office next year. He doesn't have them every night, but when he does, they usually end the same way. However, tonight is different.
"I've got you"- She says tucking his head under her chin.
"Thank god for that"- Harry says as he looks up at her, his head still in her hands.
"Stay with me tonight, Please?"- Harry begs. Hermione stares into his deep emerald eyes and smiles.
"Of course" – She says kissing the top of his head. Harry releases Hermione and moves over in the bed, letting her slide in next to him. With his arm under her, he pulls her into his chest and covers them both with the blanket. Hermione places her hand on his firm chest and lets out a shaky breath.
"Are you ok?"- Harry asks
"Ha, I should be asking you that." – Hermione says lifting her head to look at him. Harry chuckles nervously.
"No I mean, A-are you ok with…well this? Me holding you like this, in my bed." Hermione smiles widely.
"Why mister Potter, do you bad intentions?"- She teases
"W-what, No! That's not-"
"I'm kidding Harry, relax"- She says with a giggle as she places her head back on his chest. They lay quietly for a few moments before Harry lets out a long breath Hermione hadn't realized he was holding.
"Thank you Hermione"- Harry says quietly.
"For what?"- Hermione asks without looking up.
"For bringing me back. For reminding me of what's real and what's just in my head. I can't tell you how many times I wake up from a nightmare and have to convince myself that it's all over, that we won and that everything is actually ok for once. "– Harry finishes giving Hermione a light squeeze.
"Is that why you send me messages in the middle of the night sometimes?"- Hermione asks, looking back up at Harry. Harry lets out a low laugh.
"Yes, That and the fact that Ron doesn't know how to use a cell phone"- Hermione frowns at the mention of Ron's name.
"Shit, I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to bring him up"- Harry said scrubbing the stubble on the side of his face. Hermione smiles sadly.
"It's ok Harry."
"Anyway, Just…thanks Herms. Really"- Harry says looking back at Hermione.
"Always" – Says Hermione with a wide smile.
"Now, sleep" Hermione kisses Harry on the cheek and places her head back on his chest.
"Goodnight Harr."
"Good night Herm."