Chapter 2
AN: Thanks a lot for everyone's reviews and encouragement.
By the time night came and dinner was served Kreacher made arrangements for Hermione to stay over. Harry was insistent that Hermione stayed with him because there was no other choice. The Borrow was not an option since Harry and Hermione had clearly stated that they needed some time for themselves. As did the rest of the Weasley family. All with Ron's possessive nature and Ginny's disapproval on taking immediate custody of Teddy things had gotten quite rough in no time, among them.
Harry didn't want Hermione to sleep alone at night, he knew since the horrible night spent in Malfoy Manor and the war, Hermione too suffered from sleepless nights with nightmares. Thus again he led her to his room. They sat in silence for a while and then Hermione left to get ready for bed saying, "Harry we should get ready to sleep it felt like a long day!" before leaving, when she kissed Harry on his cheek he held her arms tighter, confused she looked up at him, and met his troubled but intense gaze, in a hoarse voice Harry said, "come here….sleep here…with me." It was more like a statement of plea than a question. Hermione's eyes filled with tears, barely audible she started saying, "Harry you don't need to…" in that instant Harry simply closed the little distance between them and brushed his lips on hers. Hermione closed her eyes and let the tears fall by, one more time Harry kissed her lightly and pulled away. Harry got scared just for a minute when he realized what he had done, but when Hermione kissed him again he felt all the worries disappear. She then wrapped her hands around his neck and softly smiled and whispered, "I'll be right back!"
They spend the whole night in each other's arms talking about nothing in particular about the last few days with Ron and Ginny and how things have changed drastically somehow both of them couldn't stay with the other they were tired of explaining everything to others and pretending to be happy. There were a certain things which Ron was not capable of providing Hermione with…nothing monetary it was more of space and mutual understanding and sacrifices. Harry made a mental note to not forget what Hermione needed he realized that these were the things a girl expected out of a person with whom she decides to spend the rest of her life with. And Hermione wasn't demanding them as her wants, she needed it just for the way she was. In the same manner Harry had some of his own needs which Hermione had been, willingly, fulfilling for the past… god knows how many years….probably since the time they met.
They were up most of the night, no wonder none of them woke up to even Teddy's cry. After a year they were able to have something that could be called as 'sleep'. Comforted in each other's warmth they found some solace after what seemed like an eternity. The pair lazily woke up and got ready in their respective rooms, Harry hurrying a bit since he felt like he ignored Teddy but now that he had Hermione…he wasn't willing to sort his priority…especially among them.
During the delicious breakfast served by Kreacher Hermione asked Harry if he would free him considering his age and all, Hermione really felt bad about all the work he did." The moment I came back." Harry started between bites of his beacon. "I offered Kreacher a pair of my socks just like I did for Dobby but Kreacher refused to take them, he said he wanted to serve me and remain in the Black House till the end, I also offered him to live here freely without taking my orders, but then he started begging for me to keep him. You know Hermione we really can't take an elf getting all emotional. So I agreed to keep him."Harry ended with a shrug. With all this explanation Hermione had a big proud smile on her face and she kissed Harry for the umpteenth time that morning and whispered a' thanks'. Harry chuckled and thought that Hermione probably had that proud smile even when he defeated Voldemort. He then offered to clear the breakfast plates when Hermione told him her wish to take care of Teddy.
