Harry and Hermione were seated in Harry's sport car on the way home from the mall. There were several bags in the backseat with Hermione's clothes and Crookshanks curled up on the floor. Harry pushed away his feelings for Hermione that day because right now she needed a friend not a lover.
"Thank you again Harry, but are you sure you don't mind me living with you," she thanked him for the thousandth time.
"Honestly Hermione, I don't mind at all. I have an extra bedroom for you. Anyways I get lonely with no one there. I'll enjoy the company," he said sincerely.
"I promise I'll pay you back as soon as possible," she replied.
"Please Hermione," he said laughing. "I'm doing this because I want too and because you're my best friend for what twelve years or however long it's been. I'd do anything for you."
"Harry you're so sweet," she took his hand making Harry blush a bit.
After a few minutes of silence they finally pulled into Harry's driveway. Harry lived in a suburban neighborhood, Godric's Hollow. He lived in a two-story red brick house with a small yard, patio, and an in-ground pool.
They both got out of the car. First Harry grabbed a few of the bags, forgetting about the roses. Next, Hermione got the rest of the bags and Crookshanks. "Harry, who are the roses for?"
"Oh…um… What roses," he asked stupidly.
"The ones in your backseat," she replied, handing him the roses.
"Oh, there… um…for my dining room. It's looking a bit dull," he said quickly.
Harry quickly closed the car door and headed for the house as Hermione followed. He opened the door and led her to the spare bedroom.
"I hope you like it," he said, setting down the bags on the bed. "I mean it's a bit small."
"No Harry, it's perfect. I love it," she assured him.
"I'll let you get settled," he said, starting to leave.
"Wait Harry," she placed her hands on his. "I really want to thank you." Then she kissed him on the cheek. Harry gave her a goofy smile and left the room in sort of a daze.
Minutes later Hermione emerged from the room and came over and sat down next to Harry.
"Since I'm not a very good cook, "Harry confessed. "How about we go out to eat?"
"No, that's alright. You've really done too much for me already," she argued.
"Come on, Hermione. It's just dinner," he replied.
"Oh…fine," she pouted.
"Thank you.
Come on, let me get my keys," he smiled getting up.
Hermione
slowly arose, grabbed her coat, and followed him out the door. Then
they both got in Harry's sport car.
They drove for about fifteen minutes until Harry asked," Where do you want to eat?"
"You pick. It was your idea to go out and eat, so you choose," she smiled.
"Fine…um…How about that diner," he pointed ahead.
"That's fine with me," she replied as they pulled into the parking lot. They got out, walked in, and were seated in the small diner.
"Well, this is nice," Hermione commented. "But it looks as though we're the youngest people here."
"I didn't know there would be so many old people would be here," he said a bit too loud.
"Harry," she hissed kicking him as an elderly woman glared at them for a moment. "I didn't mean I didn't like the place. It's nice; I just observed that we are the youngest people here."
"Well, I'm sorry that when you observed I took it seriously," he said sarcastically. Before Hermione could respond the waitress came to take their orders.
"I'll have the special," Hermione said politely.
The waitress turned to Harry. "I'll have the same." The waitress quickly wrote it down and left.
"By the way Ron is proposing to Luna," Harry told Hermione.
"Oh, really, that's so sweet," Hermione smiled. "Did you see the ring?"
"Yeah, I helped him pick it out," he answered. The rest of the meal was light conversation. Then Harry paid the bill and they left.
"Thank you so much Harry," Hermione said as they go into the car.
"Hermione, please stop thanking me," Harry laughed.
"I'm sorry, but I just want you to know how much I appreciate this," she replied.
"I understand Hermione," he said sincerely.
The next morning Harry awoke hearing rain pouring down. He slowly got up and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. When he opened the door he found Hermione just wrapping a towel around herself. She had water dripping off her from the shower.
"Oh, Hermione I-" he stuttered. He was staring at her and he knew it. "I'm really sorry. I should have knocked. I'll…um… I'll go so you can finish," he started to leave.
"It's alright you can stay. I'm done anyways," she smiled, blushing madly.
"Again I'm really sorry," he stuttered slightly, blushing beet red. Hermione quickly grabbed her clothes and left Harry standing there with a goofy kind of smile.
