Disclaimer: Nothing of Harry Potter belongs to me

Chapter Four

Presence of Her

Harry awoke and felt something warm and soft on top of him. He opened his eyes and looked down to find Hermione sleeping, her features soft and innocent. He realized his arm was around her and saw how possessive and protective it was. He smiled; he had awoken to bliss.

He looked about and, as he took in his surroundings, remembered that they had fallen asleep in their common room on the couch.

Hermione stirred on his chest and he looked back. She had moved her face to his neck and was holding him tightly. He smiled as he felt her warm breath dance across the skin of his neck. He was content to just lie there with her in his arms.

Hermione stirred once again and this time she muttered, "Morning, Harry."

"Morning, Mione," Harry replied as he kissed the top of her head.

She looked up at him and smiled. Smiling back, he ran his hand through her hair and kissed her nose. They lay there for a moment before Hermione pushed up off of Harry a bit. She looked own into his eyes, appearing to be deep in thought.

"What?" Harry asked finally.

"I just…just can't believe it!" she exclaimed, still looking slightly confused.

"Believe what?"

"This. Us. I never dreamed-well yes I dreamed about this-but I never thought it would actually happen!" Her eyes lit up as if it finally hit her that this was all real.

Harry laughed softly and sat up, embracing her in a tight hug. "I know," he whispered.

She held him close and sighed quietly. After a few moments she seemed to have suddenly realized that life was still going on beyond the walls of their quiet comfort, and she pulled away, wide-eyed.

"We're going to be late!" She then jumped up and pulled Harry to his feet and started pushing him towards the stairs to his dormitory. "We need to get reading! Go!" With a final push, she scurried off to her room.

Harry laughed at her behavior but made his way to his room and changed into some clean clothes. After getting ready he went back down to the common room and was not surprised to see Hermione waiting. As usual, she came over and grabbed his hand, pulling him to leave.

Harry stopped her and she looked back at him, confused.

"Mione?" Harry started. "I think we should keep this, us, quiet for now."

Hermione was quiet for a moment before she nodded and smiled slightly, seeming unsure of something.

"I just don't want the whole school bothering us. I don't want to deal with them right now."

"Alright, I understand." She then smiled and leant up and kissed him gently on the lips.

He smiled back and said, "Thanks, Mione."

They then left the common room for the Great Hall. They ate, side by side, without Ron, not having seen him anywhere.

Harry was having a hard time not touching or looking at Hermione, knowing that if he did he probably would end up revealing their new relationship to the school. In an attempt to distract himself, he started looking about the Great Hall. His eyes fell upon Ginny. He watched her for long moments. She sat alone, staring at her plate, looking very pensive and dark.

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked.

He spun around, startled, and watched her for a moment before remembering that she had asked a question.

"I just… It's Ginny, I think I need to talk to her."

"Oh. Yeah, you probably should. She hasn't been herself since you…well, broke up with her."

"I want to talk to you tonight too, alright?" Harry asked. He needed to tell her everything and to hear everything from her.

"Sure. After duties?" she suggested.

Harry nodded his agreement and looked back to Ginny before finishing eating.

The day went on and Harry continued to avoid touching or looking at her. It felt odd to, since they had just become so much closer but he figured it would be easier this way. He was wrong. It was torture. Just sensing her close to him made him crazy. He slowly made his way through the day, craving to be alone with her once more.

Classes came to an end and it grew darker and later. Harry hadn't seen Hermione for a couple hours now but figured she had started on her Head duties. He started strolling through the halls; wishing time would pass more quickly, when he saw Ginny heading to the Gryffindor Tower. He had to talk to her now.

"Ginny!" he called jogging up to her.

She turned and seemed shocked to see that it was Harry.

"I need to talk to you," he said simply as he reached her.

"What about?" she seemed to be trying to hold something back.

"I need to clear things up with you," he started.

She waited for a moment. "Clear things up?"

"Yes, about us." There was silence again and Harry took a deep breath. "We-I…You know I care about you, right?"

She simply nodded her head, waiting for him to continue.

"I do care, deeply, but…what we were, what we had, was something pure and sweet. It was something to show us what was out there; it gave us a glimpse of what more there is…" He wasn't sure how to continue but he didn't have to.

"You're telling me that we won't be, that you don't love me, that there is something better out there," she said sadly as she looked into his eyes.

He nodded. "Yes, that's what I'm saying." He paused for a moment. "I will always care for you, Ginny, I will always love you but in a different way."

Her eyes started to water and he felt pained that he was causing this.

"You're dear to my heart but more as a sister. Ginny, I love Hermione. I wanted to tell you before anyone else found out. I didn't want you to hear it from some random person."

She smiled sadly and nodded. "Thank you, Harry."

He tried to smile back but failed.

"Can I ask for one last thing, Harry?" she asked hesitantly.

He watched her and nodded. "Sure, what is it?"

"Can I have a final kiss?"

He remained still for awhile and gazed at her.

"I just want one last kiss. Then I'll be able to move on. Please?" Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she spoke.

He slowly nodded his head. She smiled to him and leaned forward. Their lips met for a simple kiss that lasted a few seconds. They pulled away and Ginny was smiling at him with shining, appreciative eyes.

Something caught Harry's eye and he turned to see Hermione standing there, mouth agape, staring at them.

A/N: I know it's been terribly long and it's short too! I was going to write a lot more but decided to make it a new chapter. Sorry!

I know the whole Harry getting caught kissing Ginny thing is used a lot but I gave an explanation for why he wouldn't have pulled away. Plus Ginny isn't made evil.