Pairing(s)/Character(s): Harry/Hermione, Harry/Ginny (referenced), Ron/Hermione (referenced)
Warnings: EWE, AU
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Feedback: Yes, please
Notes: This is not so much as an alternate ending, as it is a continuation. So everything that happened in the first chapter happens as written.
Harmony ~ Harmony
"Hermione?" Jane's voice is filled with confusion and fear.
"Mom." Hermione's voice is a mere whisper.
"Yes Honey, it's me."
Tears are falling as Hermione lunges, hugging tightly. "I'm so sorry, for everything. It was to keep you safe and—"
"Hush." Jane softly commands and it has the intended effect. "It's okay; I know you did what you had to."
"Do I get a hug?" Dan Granger asks, amusement, along with worry, evident in his voice.
"Of course, daddy." She hugs him with all of her might. As Dan is hugging his daughter, he pulls Jane into a three-way hug.
Harmony ~ Harmony
Hermione is telling her parents about everything she has done, including her adventures with Harry and Ron. That last part had been against her will, but her parents had wanted to know everything.
"One more thing." Hermione smiles, but it seemed fake, even to her. "I'm getting married. I was proposed to the morning I left to come to Australia."
Dan frowns. Hermione smiles, this time more genuine, hugging her dad. "I'll always be your little girl, daddy. I promise."
Jane is clapping her hands. "To that lovely boy Harry, dear? I always knew it would happen. They way you talked about him. God!" She exclaims, obviously gleeful.
Hermione's fists are clenched. She feels angry, but isn't sure why. "Not Harry, mom. We're just friends. To Ron."
Dan, who hadn't looked happy before, now looks downright furious. "Isn't Ron the one who is always making you cry? What could have possibly made you say 'yes'?" He asks.
"Ron loves me!" Hermione replies, certainty in her voice.
"And you love him?" Jane asks, delicately prodding.
"Of course," Hermione quickly answers.
Jane and Dan exchange knowing looks, but Hermione chooses to ignore it. She knows that maybe she should be listening to her parents, but she doesn't want to. It would throw a wrench into her perfectly organized world.
Hermione continues to talk to her parents and they avoid the topic of marriage and Ron.
Harmony ~ Harmony
Harry is having lunch with Neville and Luna at their shared apartment, doing his best to forget about Hermione and Ron, and their impending engagement. It isn't easy with Luna and Neville talking about it over lunch though.
Finally at the end of his rope, his hands slam down onto the table, startling his friends. "I'm sick of talking about the wedding. Pick another topic or I'm leaving."
Neville and Luna exchange glances and seem to be having a whole conversation with their eyes. Nodding, Luna leaves the table.
Harry crosses his arms as Neville looks at him. "What?" He asks, sick of Neville's silence.
"Why are you allowing Hermione to marry Ron? Especially when it's so obvious to everyone who looks that you two are meant to be. Even Cho Chang had been jealous of your relationship with Hermione, believing that it had been more."
Harry glares daggers, but it doesn't faze the Neville that isconfident, comfortable in his own skin. "I don't allow Hermione to do anything. Hermione makes up her own mind; no one tells her what to do. And we are just friends."
Neville rolls his eyes. "Youare just friends with Hermione? That's why you are in such a bad mood, right?"
Harry stays silent.
Neville sighs. "Listen, I'm not saying you tell Hermione how it is. The only people who do that are the ones who have death wishes. I'm just telling you to be honest. You love Hermione; don't deny it. Tell her your feelings and then let her make up her mind. She deserves to have all of the facts before she marries Ron. She may be settling for Ron because she feels as if she has no chance with you."
Harry shakes his head. "Hermione as always liked Ron, ever since I can remember." He ignores the fact that he and Hermione have already spent a night together; that doesn't mean she wants Harry. After all, she did say 'yes' to Ron the morning after.
Neville shrugs. "Maybe so, but it could have been simply a school girl's crush more than the love that comes with marriage." Neville crooks a smile. "Face it. I like Ron. He's made some mistakes, but I think he's typically a good person. But at the same time, I think you're a better match for Hermione. Although you're not as bookish, you admire the fact that she is. You're both driven to help people and to succeed. The only thing that has ever really driven Ron is to surpass his brothers. I think you respect Hermione more than Ron ever could and I think you'd cherish Hermione the way that she deserves."
Harry scowls. "Ron is—"
"Harry." Neville interrupts. "I'm not trying to bash Ron. It's the truth as how I see it. Hermione deserves happiness. You agree with me on that, right?"
Harry nods. All he wants is Hermione to be happy.
"Then let her make her own choice. I really don't think Ron could make Hermione happy her whole life. Maybe for a few years, but I don't see how the marriage would survive. Even if Ron matures as he gets older, they just don't fit. Just like you and Ginny don't really fit, and don't you dare say it. You do not want to be with Ginny. You are only going to her because Hermione is going to Ron and you feel obligated. I think Hermione is meant for you and you are meant for her. Both of you deserve happiness. You owe it to yourselves to be honest about your feelings."
Harry looks at his hands. "And if she rejects me?"
Neville breathes deeply. "Then she's not being honest about her feelings. Anyone with eyes can see she is in love with you, has been for years. I'm actually pretty amazed that Ron never picked up on it."
Harry thinks back to the conversation when the three of them were searching for the Horcruxes and Ron had been overcome with suspicion and jealousy. Ron had asked Harry about their relationship and Harry had denied the idea that there were hidden feelings. "Maybe Ron has picked up on it." He mused out loud, ignoring Neville's shocked look.
Harry quickly leaves after that. He has some serious soul searching to do.
Harmony ~ Harmony
It's the night before the big wedding. Hermione is spending the night with her parents and doing her best to ignore the looks being exchanged. She knows they are displeased with her choice, but they will just have to suck it up and deal.
A knock sounds and her father goes to answer. Murmurs drift through the door, too soft to be discernible.
Dan comes into the living room, wearing a big grin. "Honey." He stands aside and there is Harry, looking nervous and determined all at once.
She puts down the book as her heart flutters, wondering what Harry's presence might mean for her. She barely notices when her parents leave the room.
Harry is looking at his feet as he scratches the back of his head.
"Harry?" Hermione prods gently, unconsciously fixing her hair before putting her hands back in her lap when she realizes what she's doing.
When Harry's eyes meet hers, Hermione feels her breath catch in her throat. Swirling in the depths of Harry's eyes is so much emotion. But above everything she sees, Hermione sees what she craves. Still, despite her Gryffindor bravery, she's too cowardly to make the first step. It needs to be Harry.
Harry sits in the comfortable sky blue armchair that is usually reserved for her father. He clears his throat. "Over the last few weeks, I received a lot of unsolicited advice. All of it was pretty much the same, but even so, I didn't know if I was going to actually follow it. But I decided I have to try. I don't want to live my life with regrets and 'what if's' rattling around in my head. And if I kept silent, that is exactly what would happen."
"Yes?" Hermione knows her voice contains hope, but she can't stifle it.
Harry stares into her eyes, leaving himself wide open to her scrutiny. "I love you. There is no better way to put it. I've tried and tried to push my feelings down for Ron's and your sake. I thought Ron could make you happy and that's all I've ever wanted. Others seem to have different opinions. If you want to be with Ron, forget I said anything. I'll get over you with time. But if there is any chance for us—"
Harry's ramble is cut short by Hermione's lips on his. The kiss is gentle and sweet, nothing like their coming together before Australia. But still, Hermione feel herself being ignited on the inside. Hermione's fingers skim at the hem of Harry's shirt, starting to go up his stomach.
Harry pulls out of the kiss, moving a respectable distance away. As Hermione's confusion is probably plain to see on her face, he smiles and elaborates. "We're still in your parents' house."
Hermione flushes, not believing she was ready to strip Harry right on her father's couch.
Harry takes her hand and they sit in silence. Hermione is looking at her lap, but a squeeze to her hand makes up look up to meet Harry's eyes.
Harry is frowning. Even with the war over, he still acts like the weight of the world is resting on his shoulders. "Are you sure you want to do this? It may mean giving up the Weasleys."
Hermione sees Harry is seriously only thinking of Hermione's wellbeing instead of his own. "I will always have my parents. What about you though? The Weasleys have always been the only real family you've ever known if you don't count Sirius and Remus. They won't like you dumping Ginny and taking me away from Ron."
Harry nods. "I know, but I figure that if they really love me, they'll forgive me eventually. As for Ginny, even if you say no, I will still not be with her. I don't love her and it's not fair to either her or me."
"Harry, you could have anyone you want. Why me?" This is something Hermione really needs to know. Otherwise, she'll never feel secure, will always wait for the other shoe to drop.
Harry brushes Hermione's hair out of her eyes. It's such a touching gesture that Hermione feels as if her heart is melting just a little bit. "That's a very easy question to answer. For one thing, you're beautiful. Don't you dare object." Harry adds when Hermione opens her mouth.
Her mouth snaps shut with an audible click.
"You're beautiful naturally. You don't try which makes you all the more appealing to me. You're intelligent and you always try to help people and do the right thing. You're sweet and generous, not to mention loyal. Even when Ron left me, whether it was during fourth year or on the Horcrux hunt, you never swayed. Most importantly, you see me for me. Most of those girls only see the boy-who-lived, the hero of the wizarding world. I'm not even sure Ginny sees pass that persona. But you see me as just Harry. You know all of my flaws and care for me in spite of them. That's what makes you special."
Hermione's smile is soft, her heart pounding erratically. "Harry, you are so special and not just because you saved the world. You had to deal with so much bad in your life, especially as a child. It's amazing you didn't turn out to be as bitter as Tom Riddle or even Severus Snape. You strive to be good, despite all of your obstacles. I've made my own mistakes, especially during our sixth year. You seemed to have forgotten that I wasn't very loyal that year, something I will always regret. But you forgave me and still treated me as a friend. You have this amazing capacity to forgive. Some may call it being a pushover, but I believe it's illustrates how big your heart really is. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have you love me and I would love the chance to earn that love, to be there for you in every way possible."
"Really?" Harry's asks in wonderment.
Hermione nods and they're kissing again. Harry's hands are on her cheeks, caressing as Hermione's mouth opens to Harry's tongue. Hermione feels Harry's back muscles bunching through his shirt as her hands grip him tight.
They're interrupted by applause and break away to see Hermione's parents clapping. Even Dan Granger looks happy and that's saying something because of how he was just forced to see his daughter manhandled.
"This is more like it." Jane nods, obviously pleased with Hermione's choice.
"Now son, you will make an honest woman out of my little girl, right?" Dan asks sternly.
"Dad!" Hermione exclaims, blushing hotly. "We just started—"
Harry's hand on her shoulder stops her. "I plan to...after we date for awhile that is."
Hermione continues to blush, but for a whole different reason now.
Hermione can't wait for the future.
It's definitely looking brighter now.
Harmony ~ Harmony
Notes: I almost decided to have Harry stand up when the preacher says, "Speak now or forever hold you peace" at the wedding. But I couldn't see Harry ever doing that. He doesn't like to be the center of attention after all.
I've decided to make this a series of vignettes. Each chapter will hopefully be able to stand by itself, showing different moments in the relationship of Harry and Hermione. But instead of coming up with the moments myself, I'm leaving it up to you as the readers. I have my own ideas and I'm hoping some of you want to see the same things as I do, but I'm leaving it up to you. Whatever you want to see, just let me know. It may be out of order; it may not. It depends on the order of the requests. I'm going to attempt to write them in the order they're requested. Let's see if that actually works of course. So, tell me what you want to see in the lives of Harry and Hermione.
I'm also in the market for a new title. Let me know if anyone has any ideas.