Hi everyone. Thanks for all the reviews :) A reminded this is my first shot at an H&H fic in a very long time, so please be kind. Also, it's been many years since I finished reading the books so some facts are a bit fuzzy. I try to keep close to the books as much as I can, but it is just a fanfic after all so something's can be changed.
Harry wakes up to light streaming through his window. He blinks a few times until a head of curly hair comes into view next to him. Harry stares at Hermione's peaceful face while she sleeps. The stress and sadness that was evident all over her face the night before is gone and she is breathtakingly beautiful. Harry's breath hitches for a second when he realizes he can't take his eyes off of her face. For several more minutes Harry watches her until he is pulled away by loud banging.
As carefully as he can, Harry removes his arm from underneath Hermione's without disturbing her and leaves his bedroom closing the door behind him.
The banging continues until he opens his door and sees a very angry looking Ronald Weasley on the other side of it. Harry is not surprised that Ron was able to bypass the wards that he put in place the night before. He was an auror after all before he decided it wasn't for him, and pursued his dream of being a professional quidditch player. Knowing that Ron would have been piss drunk last night, he wouldn't have been able to figure a way around them and knew he wouldn't have shown up till the morning.
"You look like shit mate"- Harry says still standing in the doorway.
"Where is she"-Ron demands as he pushes past Harry and looks around the living room.
"Where's who?"- Harry asks pretending he has no clue who he's referring to.
"You know who I'm talking about Harry! Now where the hell is she!"- Ron screams looking angrier by the second. Harry crosses his arms across his chest. Trying to keep his own temper tamed.
"I think you should leave Ron"
"Piss off Harry, I know she's here. I know you're sleeping with her."-Ron says with a crazy look in his eye.
"You're still drunk Ron. Go home and sleep it off"- Harry says calmly.
"Don't tell me what to do you son of a-"
"Ron"- Hermione says from the corner of the room Ron whips around quickly and stares at Hermione with angry eyes.
"I knew it, I fucking knew you were sleeping with him. You made me seem like I was the crazy one, but here you are, looking good and fu-" Harry grabs Ron by the collar before he could finish his sentence.
"Watch what you fucking say to her. Do you hear me?!"- Harry spits in his face
"Harry stop."-Hermione says as she places her hand on his arm that is still holding Ron tightly against the wall
"Let Ron and I have a moment alone" -she says softly.
"Hermione I don't th-"
"Please" she begs "I'll be fine" -she adds after he doesn't look convinced. Harry slowly lets go of Ron as he pushes him away.
"I'll be in my room if you need me"- Harry says looking deep into her eyes, speaking unspoken words. Hermione gives him an encouraging smile as he turns and walks away. He enters his room and slams the door before sitting on the edge of his bed. He holds his head in his hands as he tries to regain control of his anger. Harry is in complete and utter shock at how his best friend, the man he's known and loved like a brother for so long is acting. He's not himself and he hasn't been for some time now.
Minutes feel like hours as Harry sits in his room. He taps his foot impatiently before he stands up and begins to pace the room. That's when he hears the screaming. Harry bolts through the door and into the living room where he sees Ron towering over Hermione's small frame. Ron is holding Hermione by the arm in a tight grip and screaming in her face as she fights to get out of his grasp. He watches as Ron raises his hand to strike Hermione and he sees Red. Harry lunges at Ron, pulling him off of Hermione, and punches him as hard as he can in the face. Ron falls to the ground unconscious. Breathing heavily Harry waits for a moment to make sure Ron won't be getting up to fight back before he turns to Hermione who is sitting on the floor in complete shock.
Harry walks over to Hermione and kneels on the ground in front of her and gently places his hands on her shoulders. Hermione gasps in shock and snaps her head toward Harry and begins to sob uncontrollably.
"Christ Hermione, I am so sorry" -Harry says pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly. Hermione continues to sob as she grasps at Harry's shirt pulling him even closer.
"Shh it's ok, I swear to god I'll never let him hurt you again"-Harry promises into her hair. After a moment Harry pulls away and grabs Hermione's face in his hands.
"We're leaving"- Harry says and stands up pulling Hermione up with him.
"Where are we going?"- Hermione asks as she wipes her tears away and follows Harry into his bedroom. Harry grabs a suitcase from his closet and begins throwing items of clothing into it.
"Where ever you want. Paris, America, the Caribbean, the desert for all I care, but I'm taking you away from this."
"Harry-" - Hermione begins but is quickly cut off by Harry.
"Hermione he almost hit you! What would have happened if I wasn't there? I am getting you away from him." - He says as he slams his case shut. Hermione looks down at her feet for a moment before answering.
"I told him there was absolutely nothing going on between you and I. I said I just didn't want to startle my parents so late at night." - Hermione stops for a second before continuing.
"I also told him I was leaving him, that I not in love with him anymore. That's when he became so angry"- she says, tears welling up again in her eyes. Harry takes a deep breath and closes his eyes before closing the distance between them and pulls her into a hug.
"I'm sorry sweetheart"- Harry says into her hair.
"It's for the best"- Hermione says in between sniffs.
"Let me take you away"- Harry pleads looking into her eyes.
"I..."- Hermione begins but Harry cuts her off again
"Please"- He begs again taking her face in his hands. Hermione smiles and grabs his hands in hers.
"I was about to say that I've never been somewhere tropical before."- She says with a small smile. Harry grins at her before pulling her back into his arms.
"What about my work, what about yours?"- Hermione asks
"I'll take care of it. Stay here for a moment, I'll be back"- Harry says as he leaves the room and closes the door. Hermione sits, anxiously waiting on the edge of the bed for 10 minutes before Harry returns.
"What happen?" -Hermione asks standing up, twisting her hands nervously.
"I floo'd a friend from the ministry. He came and picked Ron up and is taking him to St Munguns to get checked out. Then he will be taken to their rehab unit, and don't worry I told him that it was imperative that it be kept as quiet as possible. I might hate him at the moment but I don't want him kicked off the team"- Harry says referring to the Chudley Cannons.
"What about my work?" - Hermione asks nervously.
"It's already taken care of and everything is ok"- Harry encourages.
"Thank you Harry"- Hermione says quietly. Harry smiles before lifting his suitcase off the bed.
"Shall we get you packed?"- Harry asks with excitement.
"Lets"- Hermione answers. It's the first time in a long time that Hermione felt like things might actually turn out ok.
They apperate to Hermione's apartment and she rushes to her bedroom.
"So where are we going to go? What should I pack?"- She asks frantically rummaging through her draws.
"You said you haven't been anywhere tropical, neither have I."- Harry says leaning against the door frame.
"But where? My parents talked about vacationing in Jamaica before I was born. Oh! How about Bora Bora, one of those huts over the water? No that's too much, and we'd never get a reservation."- Hermione continues to ramble on.
"Hermione!"- Harry laughs grabbing her attention. "You continue to pack, I'll take care of the reservations."
Harry heads out to the living room. Hermione grabs every sundress and bathing suit that she owns and throws them into her suitcase. She needs this vacation, this escape. She needs a fresh start to a whole new life without Ron, and she cannot think of a better person to spend it with. Harry has always been her rock, he has always kept her grounded and she knows that he would say the same thing about her. When Harry and Ginny broke up she didn't ask questions or pry him for answers, they just left. They didn't tell anyone where they were going. They rounded up Teddy Lupid, Harrys godson and took him camping in the forest of Dean. It was a relaxing weekend and by the time they returned home, Harry was ready to face reality.
Harry walks back in just as Hermione is zipping up her suitcase.
"All set, but I think we should go by your parents house before we leave. I don't want them to think you've been kidnapped"- Harry finishes with a laugh.
"Good idea, lets head out."- Hermione answers dragging her suitcase to the floor with a heavy thud. Harry steps forward and takes it from her hand.
"I got it, go ahead"- He says ushering her in front of them.
"Such a gentleman."
Harry responds with a cheeky smile.
Harry and Hermione arrive on the porch of Hermione's parent's house. Hermione lets herself in and Harry follows her into the foyer.
"Mum? Dad? Where are you?"- Hermione calls out.
"We're in the garden"- Someone calls out from the back door. They walk through the house and out a screen door where they find Mrs. Granger watering flowers and Mr. Granger reading a newspaper.
"What a pleasant surprise"- Mrs. Granger says as she walks over to Hermione and gives her a tight hug before turning to Harry and hugging him as well.
"Harry it's so lovely to see you. How have you been dear?"- She asks with a bright smile.
"I've been great, busy as ever. Could use a vacation actually"- He finishes and clears his throat as he shoots Hermione a look.
"Yea, mum can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure honey."- Her mother responds pulling off her gardening gloves. Harry can hear Mrs. Granger whisper if everything is ok as they walk into the house. Harry takes a seat next to Mr. Granger who eyes him over his reading glasses. Harry shifts uncomfortably in his seat trying to think of something to say. He's never felt uncomfortable around the Grangers. They've always welcomed him and treated him like a son. Why does it feel so different all of a sudden? Mr. Granger clears his throat before speaking.
"I take it Mr. Weasley won't be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner this year"- He says looking back at his newspaper. Harry chuckles, feeling a little more relaxed.
"How'd you guess?"- Harry asks. Mr. Granger shrugs before answering.
"Just a hunch."
Inside Hermione is sipping on a cup of tea at the kitchen island.
"You're going on vacation with Harry? I'm confused. What about Ronald?"- She asks as she drops two cubes of sugar into her own tea.
"I left Ron last night mum. I don't want to get into it, it's complicated."- She adds when she sees that her mother is about to speak.
"So you and Harry are together then?"- Mrs. Granger asks hiding a smile behind her mug.
"What? No, of course not"
Mrs. Granger just raises her brows at her daughter skeptically.
"We're not together Mum. Like I said, it's complicated and he just wants me to get away from it."- Hermione says finishing off the last of her tea. Mrs. Granger purses her lips and nods before placing her cup of tea back on the counter.
"Well, I hope you find what you're looking for and I wish you both a lot of fun."- She says smiling. Hermione smiles back and get up to fetch Harry.
"We best be going"- Harry says to Hermione. Hermione hugs her mother and kisses her father on the cheek as they say their goodbye.
"Keep my little girl safe"- Mr. Granger says to Harry as he shakes his hand.
"Always do"- Harry answers with a confident smile and they both nod in agreement.
Harry places his hand on the small of Hermione's back as he leads her back through the house and through the front door. Harry turns to Hermione and smiles.
"Lets go."
Until next time my readers :)
