A/N: Part 2 of The Beginning of Always!
Disclaimer: Oops, I forgot the disclaimer in the last chapter. How scandalous. But yeah. Nope. Don't own Harry Potter. Never will I claim to be the genius that is JK Rowling.
A new day brought with it a new city to explore. After spending a few days in France, Harry and Hermione continued their honeymoon in the United Kingdom, with plans to enjoy the wonderful sights in London. Although they'd lived in the nearby area, between their childhoods and Hogwarts, they hadn't quite had the opportunity to explore Muggle London thoroughly. Knowing they'd have the rest of their lives to spend in the city, they passed up mundane experiences like the cinemas to be able to do something impactful, serene, loving.
Waking up late, just in time for a quick brunch, the young couple headed out to The Shard. 70 floors up, in the tallest building in London, they gasped at the breathtaking view of the city. Hermione stood staring out of the glass windows, trying to locate every major icon she knew of in the city, and Harry stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. It was a sweet gesture that had become so commonplace for them, just standing there, hugging, him listening, her detailing her latest read or a new spell she had found. There though, surrounded by the 360 degree view, she pointed out the landmarks.
"Oh look! The parks all look so pretty from up here. I almost feel like a giant, looking down on all the people and the cars. It's like being in an airplane almost!" she gushed. "We have to hurry though. Yoga is about to start."
Harry did a double take. "Yoga?!" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, didn't I tell you?" she said with a smirk.
He narrowed his eyes playfully, "No. You certainly did not."
"Oops," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she turned to saunter off, "Must have forgotten."
"Sure. 'Forgotten,'" he answered, making little air quotes. He followed her anyway.
When they met up with the instructor and the group, Harry wasn't sure why he was there, and doing yoga, but was thankful there were a few other men, clearly dragged to the class by their girls. He soon found out just how famous the yoga classes were at The Shard, for good reason to. The bright sunlight coming in through the glass windows had a wonderful calming mood that insisted on focus. A greater force was active though, a distraction, in the form of his Hermione. With every new pose or stretch the instructor assigned, he watched Hermione bend and flex and show off her curves. If he hadn't realized how flexible she was before, he certainly did now. The view was wonderful, and he'd never say no to yoga again, just as long as he got to see her move the way she did.
Hermione, completely oblivious to the direction Harry's mind was wandering in, looked over at him and smiled, relaxed and happy. Harry returned the smiled, even as his mind went into overdrive. That innocent smile, she didn't even realize what she was doing to him. Not to mention, her breath was slightly heavier than usual from the exercise, and a thin layer of sweat coated her body.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost missed the questioning look she threw his way, wondering why he was moving so sloppily, so robotically. Harry quickly moved to correct it and try to will his thoughts back to something a lot more innocent, somehow managing to make it through the whole class.
The moment the couple left, however, he pulled her against him and kissed her, startling her. She responded quickly, immediately realizing why he'd been so unfocused earlier. She pulled back with a smirk, the look in her eyes a clear promise of the things to come that night.
"You, my love, are positively wicked," he murmured in her ear.
Her smirk widened. "I know." She slipped her hand into his, and began leading him away, on to their next destination. "I'll prove just how much later." She paused for a few moments and then suggested they go on to the London Eye.
Harry was so excited to see the Eye; he'd wanted to visit for years. They stepped into the car, somehow managing to have one to themselves. The view from there was just as spectacular as that from The Shard. Standing in the middle of the car, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her towards him, she linked her hands behind his neck, leaning up to kiss him. Hermione couldn't help notice how the sun surrounded him with a glow. He was her angel. He was her angel, and her source of sin, loving, yet just as wicked as she sometimes. Harry enjoyed the sights before him, all of London sprawled down below, but more importantly, the woman in his arms. Then, she was kissing him again, and every though was gone besides her.
As the ride around the Ferris Wheel ended, the two disembarked, heading to Westminster to grab a quick lunch and to see another couple of famous London icons, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Both were spectacular sights to see, and neither could believe they hadn't visited before. They proceeded to Buckingham Palace. It was definitely worth the visit. The many soldiers in uniform marched evenly, Changing the Guard being a very memorable performance. Every step, every note was perfectly executed.
Joining a tour of the Palace, Harry and Hermione were led through and given a general overview of the different rooms, their purposes, and other interesting historic fact. Meanwhile, Hermione kept up a running commentary, leaning in to her husband and whispering her own additions to whatever she felt the guide had missed. Occasionally, the tour guide mentioned something that she hadn't yet read in some book or another. Harry chuckled at the way she subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand, her fingers itching to write down new information. He was fairly sure she even had a small notebook in her purse, though he was surprised she had yet to use it. Taking notes of everything important, or just anything in fact, was a habit she'd never quite shaken. Harry certainly wouldn't stop her; her notes and her boundless information had saved his life on numerous occasions. It also, in his opinion, was what made her her, and that made it more endearing.
As the tour ended, Hermione checked the time, suddenly gasping, "Harry! We have to go! The wine tasting begins in a few minutes!" They had reserved tickets for a wine tasting exhibition. Harry enjoyed trying new wines, especially those from around the world, while Hermione mostly wanted to compare those from France with those made elsewhere. She had read that they were affected not only by the grapes used, but also by the various traditions used.
Sipping the wine, she giggled, happy and carefree. Blushing, she slapped her hand over her mouth, the slightest bit annoyed at making such a ridiculous sound as giggling. Harry looked at her with an amused expression on his face. "It's all good as long as you're drunk on life, and not this tiny bit of alcohol."
She mock glared at him. "Of course it's not the alcohol. Come on now. I just love being here with you."
"I know," he replied. "I like it when you giggle. It's adorable."
She let out another involuntary giggle at that statement. "Okay let's go now, before I do something really embarrassing, like giggle even more."
Harry laughed, "Oh yes. Hermione Potter, the witch who embarrasses herself by giggling and being happy." Dodging the swat she sent his way, he took her hand and pulled her up out of her chair. "Where to next, milady?"
On their way, they stopped by a small store on the corner of a side street. In the window was a beautiful red scarf that Hermione fell in love with. Harry of course bought it for her, and when she put it on, he couldn't help but agree that she looked adorable in it.
For their last event of the night, the couple strolled doewn to Hyde Park. Hermione had memories of seeing the fireworks there from her primary school days. Harry, of course, had yet to see non-magical fireworks. In fact, the only ones he had seen were those from Fred and George, the year they made their grand exit from Hogwarts.
The couple laid down a thin blanket over the grass, sitting side by side. Hermione reached into her bag, still charmed with the Undectectable Extension Charm, and pulled out a large, fluffy blanket. They wrapped it around themselves, revelling in the warmth they shared between them. They just sat there and talked as the sun set, sprawled on their sides, propped up in an elbow. Never did they run out of things to talk about, even after so many months, years, of being together. As the minutes slipped by, and the sky darkened, they shifted. She sat up again with Harry resting his head on her lap, lying on his back, mentally confirming that she was definitely brighter, more beautiful, a stronger token of hope than any of the stars that shined above her. She lazily ran her fingers through his hair, forever messy, never cooperating, same as hers. He leaned into her touch, earning a smile from her.
As a bright red rocket whistled through the air, bursting into a shower of multicolored sparks, her smile widened. Harry's eyes grew at the sight of the fireworks. The were something beautiful and wonderful and innocent, the hint of a childhood he never had. He found though, that at this moment, he didn't care. If it wasn't for how he grew up, wasn't for fate, he wouldn't be where he was, his arms wrapped around his beautiful witch. Her legs were thrown across his, and she leaned back against his chest. The fireworks continued to burst above them in fascinating displays of red, blue, gold, and green, an awing sight if there ever was one. As the show continued overhead, Hermione turned her head and captured Harry's lips, the sparks between them just as perfect as the glittery gold raining down from above.
A/N: As always, reviews are welcome. Love you all!
~EternalVeritie