AN: I had to re-upload chapter one because i accidentally uploaded my first draft. It's basically the same with a few read and review. I am not Jk. Hope you guys like this. I am having writing it.
Harry nearly fell out of the fireplace when they flooed back to Grimmauld Place. Hermione was holding herself and looking sad as she waited for him in the sitting room. Harry wished he knew what to say. There was nothing. He couldn't comfort her. She had lost years.
"You alright?" he asked.
It was a stupid question.
Hermione shrugged, "I feel lost," she admitted. "I am just not sure what to do. There is so much I want to know-"
"I promise I will tell you everything," Harry said. "Let's get some lunch and we can talk it all out."
With his words Kreacher appeared and asked, "Is Master Harry and Mistress Hermione ready for lunch?"
"Kreacher," Harry said with a smile, "I told you to stop all that master and mistress business. It's just Harry and Hermione." Harry had tried to set Kreacher free. He offered to let him live at Grimmauld place or go to Hogwarts or anywhere but Kreacher had a meltdown every time Harry offered him clothes. So, Harry let things alone but he tried to treat Kreacher as he did all house elves- as free magical creatures who deserved respect. Kreacher refused payment but would take time off. He was getting old and it was hard for him to do what he used to. Harry had a cleaning lady who did most of the housework. He and Hermione did a lot of the cooking. But he felt it was kind to let Kreacher do what he could. It was what Kreacher wanted after all. "Sure, we were just about to go and cook us up something."
"Allow Kreacher to do so, Master Harry," Kreacher croaked.
Harry thought it best not to correct the master thing again he also thought it best to let Kreacher cook for them. He couldn't handle a house elf break down today. "Alright. Need help?" he asked.
"No, Master Harry. You and Mistress Hermione rest," He looked past Harry to Hermione. "Is Mistress feeling better?"
Hermione nodded, "I am Kreacher. Thank you."
Kreacher looked at Harry, "Mistress Andromeda wanted me to tell you she took young master Teddy home and would bring him back tonight for the-"
"Fine," Harry interrupted Kreacher. "Thank you." With that Kreacher left to make their lunch.
Harry wanted to take a shower but he didn't want to leave Hermione. She might snoop through things and discover things that needed explaining. He didn't want her to freak out or get upset. Harry wasn't sure what to do. He was overwhelmed and he was tired after a long night at work.
Harry looked at his watch. It was a little after noon. He had seven hours until the party. He wanted to cancel it but when he mentioned that to Alicia before they left she said they needed to behave as normally as possible. The normalcy might stir Hermione's damaged memories.
This was heart breaking for Harry but he knew it had to be worse for her. He couldn't focus on his own pain right now. He needed to focus on hers.
"Harry?" Hermione asked pulling him out of his reverie. "Are we just going to stand here or-?"
"Want to watch the telly while Kreacher makes lunch and then we can talk?" Harry proposed.
Hermione shrugged. Harry walked into the sitting room and flipped on the TV. He and Hermione sat on the couch (on opposite ends) in silence. Harry flipped the channels trying to find something innocuous to watch.
Hermione folded in on herself and let her head hit the back of the couch. She sighed a few times and Harry wanted nothing more than to hold her and not let go. But he didn't think that would help right now. He had a lot to tell her first.
Then there was the other issue of how this happened. Alicia believed it was a memory charm gone wrong. But who in the hell did it? And how? Harry had more wards up than anyone in the world. It was nearly impossible to get in this house without his permission. The idea that someone had crept in here as Hermione and Teddy slept made him so angry he thought his head would explode. He needed to speak with Kingsley- soon.
Harry found a rerun of an American sitcom. He looked at Hermione. She nodded at him and then her eyes went back to the telly.
Harry looked at his watch again and sighed. Nearly one now. This day seemed to be flying by. He didn't have long and he had so much to say. But he wanted to get some food in her so she could take the potions Alicia gave him and if he told her everything right now she might not eat.
"Are you ok?" Hermione asked without looking at him.
Harry looked at her and couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Hermione was truly spectacular looking but she had no idea. In fact she would disagree vehemently with anyone who dared to tell her how bloody gorgeous she was. But even dressed casually with no makeup and wild hair every where she was stunning.
"Harry?" Hermione said. This time she turned and looked at him. "You're acting squirrely. What is your deal?"
"I am just concerned about you," Harry said.
"I am fine," Hermione replied.
"Except that you lost five years of your life," Harry pointed out.
"Thank you for reminding me," Hermione snapped. "I almost forgot." She turned and glared at him, "You're acting like this is harder for you than for me."
"Whatever happened to you happened under our roof in our bed while I was gone. With Teddy in the next room. I have a right to be upset."
Hermione scrunched up her nose, "Our bed?" Hermione asked. "What do you mean our bed?"
Harry wanted to slap himself. Before he could answer he was saved by the house elf.
"Lunch is ready," Kreacher said.
Harry stood up and offered Hermione his hand. She stood up without assistance and walked into the kitchen in a huff. Harry almost smiled. He loved Hermione like this all anger, and big hair and even bigger attitude. But he couldn't smile because he felt like a man off to an execution.
They sat down. Harry dismissed Kreacher with a thanks and started to serve their food. The two were quiet as they started eating. Harry knew he needed to say something to break the silence but had no idea what how to begin.
"It's been five years?" Hermione asked.
Harry swallowed his food and nodded, "It's July of 2003," he told her. "July 31st is the exact date."
"Happy Birthday," Hermione said with a slight smile.
"Thanks," Harry replied returning her smile with one of his own.
"You're an Auror?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded.
"What do I do?" Hermione asked.
"You're head of the M.L.E," Harry replied.
"M.L.E?" Hermione echoed. "Magical Law Enforcement?"
"Yes," Harry said. "You went back to Hogwarts after the battle and finished your education. You started at the ministry almost immediately after. First in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures but you got frustrated there. You transferred after a year to the M.L.E."
"I am not an Auror?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. "You could have been. Kingsley wanted you to. But you said you had enough chasing bad guys. You wanted to deal with actual justice. You process the criminals we bring in, you interrogate them, you handle their transfers to Azkaban. You prepare for trials and so on."
"What about everyone else?" Hermione asked.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt is Minister for Magic," Harry told her. "Arthur Weasley is deputy Minister. Molly is still Molly, taking care of us all. Bill is still at Gringots. He and Fleur have a daughter, Victoire who was born two years after the final battle to the day. They have another baby on the way- due any day in fact. Charlie is still Romania. Percy is Junior Under Secretary to the Minister for Magic. He is married to a really nice witch who works at the ministry. Her name is Audrey Worthington Weasley and yes, she goes by Audrey Worthington Weasley. They have 2 daughters- Molly is 2 and Lucy is 3 months old. George is still running the joke shop. He bought Zonko's about three years ago. Lee Jordan runs that- Lee is married to Alicia by the way. George is married to Angelina Johnson. They have a daughter Roxanne who is almost a year old. Ron is an Auror and Ginny is a chaser for the Hollyhead Harpies."
Harry felt like he gave too much information at one time. He babbled a bit. He was nervous. Hermione was quiet. She was taking small bites of her food and looking at her plate. Finally she took a sip of water and spoke "Earlier you said Ginny was married?"
"To Neville Longbottom, who is an Auror," Harry said.
Hermione's face lit up, "Neville? Really? Any kids?"
"Not yet," Harry answered. "Ginny doesnt want to take time off from playing."
Hermione cleared her throat and asked, "Ron is living with someone?"
"Yes," Harry told her. They were getting closer to where they needed to be but Harry was scared to continue. This was going to be a shock.
"Whom is he living with?" Hermione asked.
"Pansy Parkinson," Harry said quietly.
Hermione choked. Harry reached out to pat her back. Once she could breathe again she snapped, "Come again?"
"Ron is with Parkinson. They are living together," Harry told her.
"How the hell did that happen?" Hermione demanded.
"I am not entirely sure," Harry answered truthfully.
"You're not sure?" Hermione said. "He is your best mate."
Harry shrugged, "Ron and I aren't as close as we once were. We drifted a little."
Hermione looked devastated, "Why?"
This was it. The moment. No turning back. "We fell out over a girl," Harry told her.
Hermione snorted, "How ridiculous!" she said. Hermione shook her head, "I cannot believe two good and sensible young men let their friendship fall to the wayside over some bird."
Harry shrugged.
"Who was she?" Hermione asked.
"Huh?" Harry replied.
"Who was the bird who drove a wedge between the two of you?" Hermione huffed. "She must be one nasty piece of work." Hermione gave him a disgusted look, "Please tell me it wasn't the pug because I will beat you both soundly."
Harry took a deep breath and answered, "It was you."
Hermione choked again. Once she was breathing normally again she glared at Harry, "Explain yourself Potter."
"I will," Harry said. "It's just complicated."
"I am very clever. I am sure I can follow along," Hermione hissed. She crossed her arms and blew a stray piece of hair out of her face. "I am not a hussy who comes between two friends. Two brothers, essentially."
Harry held a hand up, "Just stop. Let me speak." He ran his hands through his hair and sighed, "When the battle ended Ginny and I never did make a go of things. Apparently, while I was searching for Horcruxes with you and Ron, she developed feelings for Neville. After Fred's funeral she and I talked and she told me she needed to try and make a go of things with Neville. I let her go. I wanted her to be happy. I moved out of the burrow so things wouldn't be uncomfortable. But I was still on great terms with all of the Weasley's. Eventually I moved on and started dating. I was happy with my job and my life and Teddy. Teddy lives with Andromeda but spends a lot of time here. Most weekends and a whole month in the summer. I was fine." Harry took another breath and moved on, "You and Ron did make a go of things. You dated all summer and the whole time you were at Hogwarts. But shortly after graduation you and he decided you were better off as friends and you split," Harry knew that wasn't the whole truth but he couldn't bear to tell her anything else that would distress her or confuse her any more today. "You moved out of the Burrow and in here with me."
Hermione sighed in relief,"Oh, so you and Ron fell out because you took my side?" Hermione asked. "That makes sense. I-"
Harry shook his head, "it's more than that," he said. Harry started shredding his napkins into little pieces as he spoke again, "When you moved in here everything was great. We started renovating this place. You helped me with Teddy. We became like a little family. Eventually we developed feelings for one another- romantic feelings," Harry heard Hermione gasp but he pushed on. "We battled it a little but we couldn't fight it. We started a relationship and we kept it secret because we worried about people's feelings. Our secret didn't last long. Ron found out and freaked. He was furious. Surprisingly enough Ginny and the rest of the Weasley's didn't mind. People weren't as shocked as I thought they would be and most were supportive. But not Ron. He stopped speaking to you and he and I had several violent confrontations. We dissolved our work partnership. He and Neville became partners. I was paired with Draco Malfoy-"
"Malfoy?" Hermione sounded disgusted.
"He has turned over a new leaf. He is a dedicated Auror and a better match for me than Ron anyway." Harry explained. "It took Ron almost a year and half to get over the whole thing. It wasn't until he started dating Parkinson that he accepted it. You and Ron are best of friends again."
"And you and Ron?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged, "We haven't thrown a punch at each other in several years. He calls me Harry again instead of that Potter git. We are friendly-ish? We speak at work and at functions. He cracks jokes and smiles. He stays at the burrow when we come for dinner instead of running out the door in a temper. That is about as good as it is ever going to get."
"Why is he ok with me and not you?" Hermione asked.
Harry made a face, "I think he blames me more than you."
"That absurd," Hermione said. "Were both responsible for our actions."
"Yes, but he just doesnt see it that way," Harry saw a look of pity flash on Hermione's face. "It's fine. I made my peace with it a long time ago."
Hermione pursed her lips and then asked, "We are still together?"
Harry smiled," Three and half years strong."
"That is why I was in your bed this morning," Hermione mused.
"Our bed," Harry corrected her.
Hermione's eyes widened, "We have had sex?"
Harry covered his mouth to hide his smile, "Well, yes," he replied. "We are romantically involved. We share a house and a bed. It was bound to happen at some point." He tried not laugh. "It just keeps happening."
"Harry," Hermione warned him with a look.
"Sorry," Harry muttered. Then he dropped another bomb," We are actually engaged."
Hermione's eyes went to her left hand. There was no ring but an obvious line where there should be a ring. "You're ring is at a shop a Diagon Alley being cleaned. It was my mum's ring. I am having it deeply cleaned. It was in the Vault at Gringots for a long time. I am also having something sappy engraved on the inside. I was going to surprise you with it tonight at the engagement party."
"Engagement party?" Hermione echoed. "is that a good idea at a time like this?"
"I thought about canceling it but Alicia told me we should go on as normal," Harry explained. "I asked her about it when you were filling out paperwork. Although I think she just wants an excuse to get drunk off the booze I paid for." Harry was glad to hear Hermione chuckle slightly. He looked at her properly. He was trying to gauge her reaction. "Are you ok?"
"Just a bit shocked," Hermione admitted. She wasn't looking at him. "It's just a lot to take in. You know?"
"I understand," Harry replied. And he did. But he wondered if she still loved him? Did she feel anything at all but friendship for him? How could she when she didn't remember what they shared and all they had been through.
Hermione looked up," We were in love?" she asked.
"I still am," Harry replied.
