I don't own Harry Potter at all
A/N: Takes place after fifth year
Harry Potter sighed as he laid his head on his best friend's shoulder.
"Tired Harry?"
"You have no idea, I think Moony and Tonks want to kill me" Harry mumbled.
"Oh Harry, they aren't try to do that, they want to make sure you're ready for Voldemort" Hermione said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"That's what you say, I say they want to kill me" Harry mumbled.
Harry has been training since the battle at the Ministry. He didn't even go to the Dursleys as Dumbledore thought Harry was old enough for some serious training. Hermione of course jumped at the chance and begged Harry to go with him so she could train too. Harry was reluctant because he wanted Hermione to spend time with her parents. Hermione though saw otherwise and wrote to her parents and they gave her permission, which shot down Harry's main argument and in the end decided that arguing with Hermione wasn't worth it. Ron begged off and decided to stay at the Burrow. He said he'd join them later on in the summer.
It's been two weeks of intense training in a home Dumbledore set up just for that purpose. The house looked ordinary, but down in the basement was were all the training would take place. It had a mixture of muggle training equipment and dummies for target practice. It was also protected by a Fidelius charm too, along with multiple wards.
"Come on Harry, you should go to bed and take a nap" Hermione said gently.
"Comfy, don't move" Harry mumbled into her shoulder.
Hermione blushed as Harry snuggled in close and she could feel Harry's arm wrap around her waist. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Did I hurt you?" Harry asked suddenly.
Hermione glanced down and saw the worried look in Harry's eyes. She then remembered her injury she sustain during the battle in the Ministry. She shook her head.
"No, I'm fine Harry" she said gently.
"You're sure?" Harry asked worriedly.
Hermione smiled gently at her best friend.
"I'm sure, now go back to sleep" she said quietly.
Harry nodded and fell back to sleep.
Hermione sighed and leaned back slowly so not to jar Harry and got comfortable.
/Scene Break/
"Well I see you didn't wait long" Tonks said smirking.
Hermione's head shot up from the book she was reading.
"What do you mean?" she asked gently as she closing the book.
"Well it's been only two weeks and you already have him using you as a pillow" Tonks said now grinning.
Hermione blushed.
"He's just tired, besides he's done this before after a long Quidditch practice" she said.
"Sure, but what I've heard he stayed by your bedside until you woke up" Tonks said.
"He's just returning the favor, since I do the same for him" Hermione countered.
"Oh girl, quit fighting it, you fancy him and I think he fancies you. So what's stopping you two?" Tonks asked taking a seat in a chair nearby.
"Ron" Hermione answered simply.
Tonks frowned for a moment and thought.
"Okay, why would he be a problem?" Tonks asked.
Hermione sighed.
"He's fancied me since probably third year, fourth for sure" she said.
"So what if the git fancies you, it doesn't mean you can't get together with Harry" Tonks said not looking convinced.
Hermione felt a bit uncomfortable having this conversation with Harry sleeping on her. She glanced down and saw that Harry was still fast asleep.
"Don't worry Hermione, he's worn out. He's been pushing himself really hard" Tonks said frowning a bit.
"I know, but that's Harry, he'll never do a partial job especially when it comes to protecting the people he loves" Hermione said gently caressing the boy's hair.
"Okay, we know that Ron likes you, but you didn't give me a reason why you can't be with Harry" Tonks said getting back to the topic.
"Because he's too bloody noble, he'd let Ron have me instead of going after me like he should" Hermione said knowingly.
"Then you've got to make the first move" Tonks said.
"But what should I do?" Hermione asked hoping for advice.
"I can't help you with that, you know Harry the best, which makes you the only one who can get through his defenses" Tonks said wisely.
Hermione frowned. She knew what Tonks was talking about. She was the only one that Harry let through. Not even Ron got to see the real Harry. The redhead only saw a mask. Like the rest of Hogwarts and the wizarding world, they only saw a mask. She saw what was behind it.
"Don't go" Harry mumbled.
Hermione glanced down and saw Harry was slightly fidgeting, which she hoped was just nothing and not a nightmare.
"No Mione, don't go, I need you" Harry mumbled louder.
"It's okay Harry, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere" Hermione whispered gently as she caressed his hair.
This calmed Harry down and he relaxed, which made Hermione relax too.
"You two are too cute" Tonks squealed.
Hermione glared at Tonks.
"What you are" Tonks said.
"I have to agree with you on that Tonks" Moony said.
"Moony, how long have you been there?" Hermione asked shocked.
"Oh long enough, and I think Tonks is right, you shouldn't care about Ron" Moony said.
"But he's our friend" Hermione said.
"Yes, but has he ever done anything to show you that he has any feelings for you?" Moony asked.
Hermione thought back and found that she couldn't really find one. It was always Harry that watched over her.
"I can tell that you haven't found one" Moony said smiling slightly.
Hermione nodded.
"You remind me of Lily" Moony said.
Hermione's eyes widened.
"Yes, you and Lily would have gotten along famously. I mean both of you are wicked smart and love a reckless man" Moony said smiling.
Hermione blushed.
"You should tell him how you feel Hermione" Moony said.
"But I don't want to distract him" Hermione said.
"You wouldn't be a distraction Hermione, he needs you, he'll always needed you" Moony said.
Hermione pondered this and came up with the exact same results each time. She needed Harry and Harry needed her. There was nothing else. She knew she felt a strong connection to him as soon as she met him on that train so many years ago. The interference of a certain redhead got her from being friends with him sooner, but her dream came true that on Halloween night in the girl's bathroom with a troll. It was the most terrifying thing she ever encountered. She thought she was going to die, but in came Harry with his green eyes blazing. He saved her. From then on she dedicated her life to keep Harry safe and happy. Even if it meant almost costing their friendship, like in third year. But she stuck by him even when others, especially that redhead backed away. She would stand by even if it meant marching in to the pits of hell. Nothing would stop her.
"Hermione, you think too loud" Harry moaned.
Hermione jumped.
"Harry, I thought you were asleep" she said.
"I was, until the cogs in your head started working overtime" Harry said stretching.
"How'd you know?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I've been your best friend since I was eleven and I can always hear those cogs turn" Harry said grinning.
Hermione blushed.
"You know me too well" she said.
"That I do, but you know me just as well as I know you" Harry said smiling.
Hermione had to agree with that, since fourth year when they had a lot of time to spend together they learned a great deal about one another. It freaked other people out when they communicated with just a look. Ron called it creepy, but the gossip twins Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil called it romantic. As for Harry and Hermione this was their normal.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked.
"Better, you make a great pillow" Harry said grinning.
"Well I'm glad I have my uses" Hermione said smiling.
"Want to go for a walk?" Harry suggested.
Hermione nodded and they left Tonks and Moony alone.
/Scene Break/
"So what has gotten those cogs going?" Harry asked.
"Well, um, uh" Hermione began.
Harry looked at his best friend then smiled.
"Tonks told you to go for it, didn't she?" Harry asked.
This startled Hermione.
"I knew it, she's been on me for the same thing, I think she wants to win the pool" Harry said.
"Pool?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I've heard that there a few of them. One is for the Order and another is in Hogwarts" Harry said.
"How do you know this?" Hermione asked.
"The twins let it slip" Harry said.
"So the whole school and the Order have been placing bets on when we'd get together" Hermione said.
Harry nodded.
"What do you think of this?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I know I care for you and you're probably the most important person in my life" Harry said honestly.
Hermione was shocked, she didn't think she's ever hear this coming from Harry.
"You can't be serious" she said.
Harry wanted to say something about his godfather, but the pain was still too raw. Hermione sensed this and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's going to be okay Harry" Hermione murmured into Harry's ear.
"Thanks Hermione" Harry said wiping tears from his eyes.
Hermione realized that she was the only one who has ever seen him cry and that made it more special. She was the only one to see Harry Potter raw.
"Harry, what would you think if we did become a couple?" Hermione asked.
"Uh, I never really thought of it and since Ron fancies you I shouldn't get in the way" Harry said truthfully.
Hermione frowned.
Why does he have so bloody noble she thought.
"Okay, but lets say that Ron didn't fancy me, would you make a move?" Hermione asked.
"Um, well, I'd still be too nervous and scared of messing up and losing you" Harry said looking down.
Hermione sighed, "You could never do anything that would make me turn my back on you Harry, I'll always stand by you whether we were a couple or just friends."
"Really?" Harry said hopefully.
"Yes, really" Hermione said smiling.
"But Ron fancies you, and I can't do that to him" Harry said turning away.
"Sod Ron, who cares if he's your best mate. He shouldn't dictate who you can like or ask out" Hermione said furiously.
Harry stepped back a bit afraid of being an outlet of his best friend's anger.
"Sorry Harry, but you've sacrificed enough and I think you should be rewarded for everything you've done" Hermione said stepping closer to Harry.
"W-what do you h-have in m-mind?" Harry stuttered out.
Hermione had an almost feral grin on her face, which scared Harry slightly.
"Oh, I think of something" Hermione whispered as she closed the space between them.
The kiss was gentle and sweet Harry thought, nothing like kissing Cho. This time there was no tears involved, which was a bonus. Hermione was in heaven, she dreamt of her first kiss and it was usually with Harry. Her dream was come true, and boy did it exceed her expectations. When they pulled away they were both breathless.
"That was, wow!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione giggled, which Harry thought was a sweet sound.
"Does that mean we are" Harry said leaving it open ended.
Hermione smiled and hugged Harry.
"Yes it does, and I'm yours forever" she said.
End
