Chapter 2: Harry

Harry Potter was surprisingly perceptive. He was perceptive and also in possession of the Marauders Map. It didn't take long for him to find out about them. He'd seen her name running alongside his for years.

But it was during a snowy night in November of his sixth year that he noticed them sneaking back into Hogwarts through the Honeydukes passage, which wasn't unusual, especially since her companion no longer attended school. What was unusual, was the little dot that marked her current location. He'd read her name a million times before, Hermione Granger, but this time it didn't say that. Hermione Granger, was no longer a Granger, the map clearly showed a Hermione Weasley running next to Fred.

He could hardly blame them, trying to find a little happiness in this hell, the world needed their bit of love. The following morning he took his usual seat next to her, she was still the same girl he'd known for the last six years, with the same wild curls, with the same soft eyes, and even with the same battered copy of Hogwarts: A History in her hands. But she looked different, glowing, smiling with her eyes, with a soft rosy blush dusting her cheeks.

"You look happy," he mention.

She turned to him and tried to flatten his hair with one hand. "I am," she replied, her eyes sparkling.

The next time he saw her as happy was during Bill's wedding. She danced and laughed wrapped in her husband's arms. She looked so blissfully happy that he considered leaving her behind if it'd mean sparing her the pain that was to come. Their happiness was so pure, completely unblemished by the war. He had to look away, he couldn't face the idea of robbing her this love.

When he looked up again, he found her dancing with Charlie, and felt her husband coming to stand next to him.

"She means everything to me," he heard him whisper. "You keep her safe."

"I will," promised Harry.

"She won't stay behind, and you'd probably die without her," said the red headed man.

"Yeah, I know," said Harry.

A strong hand gripped Harry's shoulder and an amazed whispered left Fred's lips. "I married her."

"I know."

"Hermione Granger is my wife," he said with a broken a chuckle. "I-I can't lose her."

Harry wasn't able to reply, for Kingsley's patronus lit the large tent with its warning and chaos quickly ensured. Hermione was by his side in an instant, letting her delicate fingers ghost over Fred's face before taking his arm disapparating him and Ron.

She cried herself to sleep on most nights. And a few times he'd even heard her call Fred's name. It was during those nights that he'd crawl next to her, he had to keep her safe, he'd promised he would, she'd be safe even from her own nightmares.

Each day that went by with meager meals and fruitless research broke her heart a little, when Ron left, her heart broke a little more. But even then, she stood firmly by his side, relentlessly faithful, and for that, he owed her more than what he'd ever be able to repay.

"Tell me about him," he asked her over a bowl of watery stew.

"Who are you talking about?" She asked, not bothering to look up from her copy of the Tales.

"Your husband," he said.

She looked up, the book falling forgotten to the ground. "How do you...? Why?"

"Your last name changed, in the map I mean."

"I-I..." she stuttered.

"It's just us here, you shouldn't have to hide that, at least from me."

"I miss him. I miss him so much."

She told him about their little wedding in the flat above the shop. She told him that they toasted with warm butter beer and had shared a bar of Honeydukes' finest instead of cake. She showed him her ring and the "I solemnly swear" inscription on it. That night they went to sleep feeling lighter than they had felt in months.

Her heart didn't mend when Ron came back, or when they finally had the sword in their hands. She was tired, of people dying, of having to hide, of Voldemort and this war.

He tried to forget everything that followed Ron's return. And for the most part he succeeded, except at night, when he's mind took him back to the Malfoy Manor and he heard her tortured screams. The Final Battle was horrible. So many died, and so many more were left injured and broken. But they survived. At the end of it all, he stood, like always, with Hermione to his side.

Even though he was exhausted, and his whole body hurt, and his heart was ripped with grief. He had one last duty to fulfill. Gently taking her hand in his, he led Hermione back into the castle. Quickly locating a huddled group of redheads he pulled her in their direction.

He spared Percy a quick nod, relieved that the collapsed wall had merely broken his bones and he'd be fine in time. He went straight for Fred instead. He had a nasty cut on his arms, but looked whole otherwise.

"Fred," called Harry.

The somber twin looked away from his injured brother. His eyes immediately going to the girl next to the-boy-who-lived.

"Hermione has been the closest thing to a family I've had. She has been mine to protect, she has been mine to take care of for the last seven years," he started.

"I haven't been very good at it and she has suffered terribly because of it. She deserves to be happy now, to be the most important person in our lives. I wasn't there when you got married, but I am here now and I'm trusting you with her happiness," tears prickled in his eyes.

"Make her feel as important and as loved as she deserves," he place her hand in Fred's. "Promise me Fred, promise me like I promised you."

"I promise," Fred vowed.

Hermione threw her arms around Harry and held him close, her tears damp against his chest. "I love you Harry Potter," she whispered, pulling his face closer and placing a kiss on his forehead.

"I love you too," he replied, shifting her into Fred's waiting arms.

He watched them hold each other, both crying tears of relief and grief and happiness and of terrible sadness. He watched as Fred gently kissed her and whispered in the only words that could sooth the wounded girl. Their reunion made his grief a little lighter and their love assuaged his guilt.

They gave him something he hadn't had in a long time; hope. And hope was something he'd protect fiercely. Hope was precious.

He'd always watch over Hermione, she'd always be his sister and one of the most important people in his life. She deserved everything the world had to give and Harry was glad he had Fred to help him give it to her.

He watched the couple until he felt a small hand slipping into his. Instinctively he squeezed back, knowing immediately who it belong to. It took him a moment to shift his eyes to the girl next to him.

"I think it's time for us to be happy too," he told her.

"Yes, it is," said Ginny closing her eyes as his lips fell over hers.

AN: Please Read and Review!