(One month later)

Hermione took out the crystal ball from her pocket. She was glad that no one had taken it from the creek where she had left it for almost a month. But then it was completely covered in mud and looked more like a black stone than a crystal ball.

Now that it was all clean and shiny, she smiled as she looked into the brightly glowing colors of red and purple that swirled and changed into yellow and orange.

Hermione stepped out of the Hogwarts Express clutching the crystal ball to her chest.

Upon arriving, Hermione looked up at the Hogwarts castle in a distance and took a deep breath.

To forgive me

One of the toughest dares I've ever given Hermione.

But she never liked things easy.

It took her time...

Maybe a bit too much.

Meanwhile, my father's reasoning got to me.

Hermione found Harry in the library, buried underneath stacks of thick dusty textbooks. Hermione smirked thinking how different they both turned out to be after just seven years. Then again seven years wasn't exactly a very short time.

Hermione Granger emerged from behind the bookshelves dressed in something quite different from the usual Hogwarts uniforms. Clad in pale yellow dress robes that had a tint of tangerine that shimmered when she moved, Hermione turned heads as she walked past the aisles of long tables and shelves. On her head was a matching scarf that she used as a headband to keep back her brown curls which she had tamed with Mrs. Bobbin's Hair Fixer-Upper. The sleeves of her dress hung just a little off her shoulders, revealing much of her pale the glowing crystal ball in her hands, Hermione looked like a walking glow of sunlight in the middle of the dimly lit library. Madam Pince was preoccupied in the Restricted section far in the back, after an unusual explosion caused a stack of Banshee book of Banshees to start wailing uncontrollably, so she couldn't be there to admonish Ms. Granger for not being in the proper attire to enter the library.

Hermione was three tables away from Harry when she looked down at herself, a tiny blush tainting her cheeks, as she took another deep breath.

Hermione slowly approached a table, setting the crystal down in the middle of an open book.

She pressed her lips together as she took a seat.

"Don't say a word." She started. "Let me talk."

Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she continued, "You missed me? Because I missed you. You're a real tyrant, you know. It's so hard to be mad at you. But don't kid yourself, I still am. I want to talk and forget the game, just for once."

Silence.

Hermione smiled shyly as she smoothed down her dress, "Like my dress? I hesitated. Nicked it off my sister. She has another red one, like an overheated Chinese Fireball. Ha. That's the one I should have worn."

Silence.

"I must have spent, what, three hours in front of a mirror. My reflection almost walked out on me. Quite funny, really. But I got there, see? I'm pretty. You better like it. Or I'll kill you." Hermione bit her lower lip after she said the last bit.

She noticed some movement across her and she quickly said, "No! Wait!"

Silence.

She looked down and fidgeted slightly with her hands, "Where was I?"

Silence.

"The problem is... that even if you said 'I love you'... I wouldn't believe you. Harry, I don't know if you're playing around with me or not anymore. I'm lost."

At this Hermione looked up, her eyes glistening with fresh tears.

"Don't get up. Please. I'm not finished." She whispered desperately, "Tell me you love me. Tell me. Because if I tell you first you'll probably think it's just another game. Save me Harry... I beg you..."

She felt two warm hands close over hers on the table.

"B-B-Blimey!" Neville Longbottom breathed, a tear in the corner of his eye.

Hermione smiled forcibly, sliding her hands off the table and wiping her eyes, "Thanks Longbottom. A real lifesaver, you are."

She picked up the crystal ball, giving Neville an awkward smile as he watched her walk away, mouth agape and eyes still mesmerized at her practiced confession.

Hermione approached her real intended listener carefully. Harry, in turn, was preoccupied with his note taking, he didn't notice her standing next to him until she dropped the crystal ball in front of him.

Harry looked up.

"Hi." He greeted after a few seconds.

"Hi." Hermione replied.

When he said nothing, Hermione started, "Harry, I—"

"Came to study?' Harry asked as he pulled out a fresh roll of parchment from his bag.

Hermione fidgeted with her fingers again, completely forgetting what she was suppose to say and instead replied sarcastically, "You bet!"

"Not now, please, Hermione." Harry sighed as he turned his attention back to his books.

"When, then?" Hermione asked. "Tomorrow?"

"In a year." Harry replied, not looking at her, "I'm sorry."

"Spare me your apologies Harry." Hermione scoffed.

She noticed the title of the book Harry was taking notes from and she took it, "Muggle studies? You? Doesn't suit you."

"Give that back."

Hermione ignored him, "Your little trip down Spinner's End wasn't enough to enlighten you about Muggle living?"

Harry took back the book from Hermione's grasp and slammed it back on the table causing a few people to look at him.

"You know," Harry began, "We never did speak about the future."

Hermione's expression was unreadable.

"I mean... both our futures."

Hermione nodded and muttered, "Both our futures? Funny. I would have said 'our future'. The present not enough?"

Her hands were trembling a little now.

"I guess... I saw us going on like this for years. What rubbish..." Hermione said as she shook her head.

Harry stopped writing and looked back at her.

Hermione forced a smile as she rolled the crystal ball towards Harry, "Here. Pass your exam. Game or not?"

"I'm sorry, Hermione." Harry said not taking the glass orb.

" 'I'm sorry Hermione.' Right..." mocked Hermione as she turned her back towards Harry.

But before she walked away, she said slowly, "You know Harry. We did talk about the future. Once. And we weren't too far off."

Hermione looked back at him, "You becoming a tyrant and me a treacle tart."

With this, she left Harry at his study desk.

When she had disappeared from his sight, Harry tried to get back to work but knew that it would be impossible now.

He dropped his quill and raced after Hermione.

He caught a glimpse of her pale yellow shimmering dress just outside the library and Harry caught up with her.

"Hermione! Stay." Harry said as he jogged behind her.

"No, I really don't want to keep you from your work." Hermione stated acridly as she walked faster.

Harry grabbed her arm and dragged her into the nearest classroom, which fortunately, was empty.

"Come off it, Hermione!" Harry yelled as he pressed Hermione against the door.

Hermione was unmoved even with the sudden closeness of Harry's shoulder against hers.

"Go work. It's not a problem. I've got exams to pass too." Hermione replied in the same sardonic tone.

"I'm studying men."

Harry glared back at her, "Really? I don't recall sociology being part of the curriculum."

"Not humans, you bloody git," Hermione retorted as she suddenly grabbed Harry's testicles through his jeans, "Males. Guys. Hot blooded wizards. And I've got a lot of catching up to do."

Harry knew how to play her game, so he countered, "Well, look where we are. A classroom. No better place to learn. You game?"

"Game." Hermione answered without hesitation.

She then reached under Harry's robes and without breaking eye contact, started to unbuckle his belt.

Harry looked around uncomfortably even though no one was there. He then regretted his taunt and tried to stop her from continuing, "No. Stop. It's stupid."

But she didn't listen and started to reach her hand into his boxers.

"I said STOP!" Harry said as he pulled away from her grasp.

Hermione smirked, "Why? It was just a dare."

Then her smile faded as she continued, "Well. Back to my studies, then. See you in a year, Potter."

Hermione ran out of the classroom. But Harry was determined to have the last word.

"Hermione!" he called out to her, catching up with her again just as she reached the outside of the Great Hall.

"I'm leaving Hogwarts, Harry. I'm taking the Express back to London. I'm not coming back." She said as he held unto her arm.

"I thought you had exams."

"I lied. I finished a long time ago. I don't even need to be here anymore. I did tell you to sign up for earlier exam dates, didn't I?"

"And your current studies?" Harry asked.

"They're personal ventures." Hermione replied, not missing a beat in their exchange.

Harry grew silent as he looked at her.

"Anything else?"

"You know what I want to say.." Harry said looking into her brown eyes.

Hermione placed her hands behind her back and shook her head, "No, I don't. Say it."

"It's not that simple."

"It can't wait a year?"

Harry's jaw tensed as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a tiny blue bottle, "Here. Study with care."

Hermione didn't have to look at it closer to know what it was. Hell, every sexually active witch or wizard knew what it was. The blue bottle. Most well known and widely used contraceptive and male enhancement potion in the wizarding world. Probably just as infamous as the Muggle condom.

Hermione smirked, not willing to succumb to his callousness, "Trying to hurt me, Harry? Don't be thick, you know you never can."

She walked past him and strode towards the castle's front doors which were wide open as students were coming in and out of the castle.

Harry followed Hermione all the way to the Hogwarts Express station.

"Will you wait for me?" Harry asked before Hermione could get on.

Hermione looked back at him, "Is that a dare?"

"No."

"Then you'll see."

The whistle of the train interrupted them as the conductor looked at Hermione, "All aboard Miss."

Harry gazed at her for a moment before nodding slowly and turning away.

Hermione watched him, her eyes not willing to look away just yet.

The train started to move.

"Miss! Are you coming aboard?"

Hermione swallowed hard as she finally transferred her gaze towards the conductor and nodded.

The man helped her climb unto the moving steam train and she disappeared into it.

That was when Harry turned back around and realized that Hermione had gotten on board.

As the train moved away from the station, Harry immediately started running beside it.

"Hermione! Hermione!!" he cried as he banged his fist on the side of the moving train, "I love you! Get off the train! I love you Hermione!"

But Hermione couldn't hear as she was sitting inside one of the compartments, tears falling from her eyes.

When she mustered the courage to look out the window, she saw a lone figure standing at the edge of the station's platform but the train was already too far away for her to see the figure's face.

Harry watched as the train moved away till it was nothing but a speck in the distance.

He fell on his knees and hands as he panted heavily.

"Hermione....."

What a git!

Look at him, on all fours like an animal, wheezing as an excuse for grimacing.

Excuses!

Wouldn't it be easier to just hold her close

And hold her fast, the magic spell she casts?

When you press her to your heart

You're in a world apart

Oy! I'm talking to you!

D'you hear me?

Of course you do. That's just it.

What a total bloody git!

And your troubles have only begun.


(4 years later)

Harry Potter walked into a Muggle cafe in London and after a quick look around, found what he was looking for and big grin spread wide across his face.

It's been so long. But he still hadn't forgotten. It took a lot of energy and resources trying to find her after all these years. He had travelled almost halfway around the world in search of her. It was almost quite a laugh when he finally found out that she hadn't left London at all. Typical Hermione. A downright mind trickster, that one. Sometimes the most unexpected places are those right under your nose.

Harry approached the counter slowly, dragging his hand through jet black hair which had grown a couple of inches as he took a seat on the stool.

"Excuse me." He said to the waitress who had her back to him as she fumbled with the coffee cups.

"Be right with you." Came the reply.

Harry waited till the waitress turned around and asked, "Can I help you?"

Her beautiful brown eyes grew wide with surprise and her jaw dropped just a little. Her bushy brown hair was kept back in a ponytail and she wore the cafe's white uniform dress which ended mid-thigh, a black apron was tied around her waist.

Hermione almost dropped the steaming hot coffee cups she was holding but regaining her composure quickly, she set them down on the nearest tray and pretended she hadn't just received the shock of her life.

"What are you doing here?"

Harry grinned, "Dedalus Diggle was right."

Hermione clenched her jaw as she looked away muttering, "Midget bastard."

Harry was still smiling when she finally looked back at him, saying "Got a dress robe for an enchanted evening? Or have you foregone anything that has to do with magic?"

"Keep your voice down." Hermione mumbled as she wiped her hands on her apron.

"Well?" asked Harry.

"To answer all your questions: No."

"Doesn't matter. I already got one for you. And dinner tonight is on me."

Hermione scowled at Harry's bright and cheery disposition as she busied herself with the next order.

Harry waited patiently until she finished, "I've something important to ask you."

Hermione responded with, "What'll you have?"

"Well, now that you mention it, a coffee and a--"

"A coffee and that's it." Hermione said tersely as she poured freshly brewed coffee into a dainty cup.

"Hermione. Can we talk?"

Hermione nearly slammed the cup down on the counter, "No."

"No?"

Then she gave her trademark sarcastic smile, "Sorry, Harry dear, but we never hit it off, you know. Especially on certain matters. Stupid little matters like... like..."

"Like?" Harry prompted.

She paused as she looked him up and down, "Like your taste in clothing. Your pants for example."

"My pants?" Harry asked.

"You don't wear gray socks with dark blue pants. Honestly, you look absolutely ridiculous. And your belt it's dark brown while your shoes are black. You're lack of utter color coordination and disrespect for proper fashion decorum irritates me. I can't even listen to you!"

Harry threw his head back and laughed, "Are you serious, Hermione? You've known for years that I've always the worst taste in Mug—"

"Drink your coffee. It's on the house." She interrupted as she pushed the cup towards him.

"Did you expect me to come sashaying in here in my 'proper' wizard robes?" Harry chuckled.

"I said keep your voice down!" Hermione growled under her breath as she wiped the counter.

Harry leaned towards her with his elbows on the counter and whispered, "You can't expect me to just take them off, do you?"

Hermione grabbed a tray with more coffee cups and walked around the counter, "Up to you, Harry. You're the one who wanted to talk. I finish at 7 every Monday. Come by later."

"Okay." Harry answered, still amused as he watched Hermione serving customers.

When she came back to the counter, she suddenly shook her head, "No, actually. I just remembered that I have an appointment at the Department of Mysteries after my Monday shift."

"Department of Mysteries? But I thought—" Harry said, a little confused.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, "You really are dense, aren't you Potter? This isn't my life. It's just a job to pay off Dad's debts. And, well, Ministry interns aren't exactly rolling in Galleons, are they?"

"Wait. All this time you've been in the Department of Mysteries?" asked Harry incredulously.

Hermione smirked, "I know all about your secret hunt for me, Potter. And unlike you, I'm not as predictable or as stupid. I go by a different name there and... well, literally, an entirely different person."

"What are you going on about?"

"Polyjuice potion, Potter! Honestly, and I thought you were suppose to be one of the top Aurors in the Ministry."

Harry narrowed his eyes, "Who do you go as?"

"Not like I'm telling you I don't appear to be that shipwreck you probably imagined me to be. I've been living."

"I didn't imagine anything." Harry replied. "Glad to hear you're working for the Ministry. Planning on becoming an Unspeakable?"

"Why what's it to you?"

"Nothing. Just that..."

"What? Think I can't handle being one? Think that it's not a job tailored for witches like me? That's so you, Harry. I mean honestly..." Hermione stopped, "Look at me. I said I wouldn't talk and here I am blabbering, giving you all the information that I've been keeping to myself all these years."

"Maybe it's time to share a little of it. Maybe over dinner?" Harry said.

Hermione shook her head and placed two fresh croissants on a platter, "Your pants, your shoes... distractions. Get rid of them! I'm trying to work."

As Hermione went about pouring tea and coffee, Harry bent down and took off his shoes. Then he started unbuckling his belt.

A plump old lady in a flowery dress and a straw bonnet that sat nearby, looked at him with amusement.

Harry looked towards her and nodded his head, "Hello."

"Hello." She replied with a laugh.

"Nice day, outside, eh?" Harry asked with a polite smile as he unzipped his pants, as if taking off one's pants in public was as normal as reading the newspaper.

Harry dropped his pants and placed it on the counter along with his shoes.

"So, are you coming with me for dinner or not?" Harry asked as he stood there in his blue boxers and gray socks.

Hermione turned around, took one look at him and started to laugh as she covered her mouth with her hand. But she immediately cleared her throat and resumed her indifferent composure. "No."

She took off her apron and hung it on a hook by the back door. Then she picked up a black purse that was hanging on the hook beside her apron.

"And where are you going?" Harry asked.

"Your questions are really starting to make me doubt your intelligence, Potter." Hermione replied as she headed towards the doors.

"But I thought you finished at 7 on Mondays!" Harry said aloud.

Hermione turned around to look at him just as she pulled open the door, "Today's Tuesday, you twat."

Harry laughed silently to himself as he grabbed his pants and shoes from the counter and jogged after her.

"Hermione! Wait!"

Hermione stopped and looked at him, trying to stifle a laugh as Harry struggled to put his pants and shoes back on.

Later that night,

Harry and Hermione were walking arm and arm as they headed to one of the top restaurants in the wizarding world. Situated somewhere in Paris, France.

With the Eiffel tower in the background and the River Seine flowing right by the side of the restaurant, it was the most romantic place on Earth. With floating candles and each table having its own self-playing violin, couples found it easy to get carried away by the atmosphere. The smell of roses and champagne scented the air and the view wasn't too bad either.

Hermione was dressed in midnight blue dress robes, a minx jacket around her shoulders and a diamond jewelled hair pin holding up her brown curls, all courtesy of Harry.

Harry was dressed in the traditional formal dress robes of high status wizards: black with silver linings and a single red rose on the lapel of the front robe.

Hermione laughed as Harry entertained her with his story about a horde of fire crabs that were set loose inside the Auror's office.

"Half the desks were on fire and Kingsley's robes were almost completely singed! Even after five hours, the bloody fire crabs just kept shooting fireballs out of their arse. Are you dating anyone?"

Hermione stared at Harry after the sudden shift in topic, "What?"

Harry repeated, "Do you have someone... in your life?"

"In my bed, you mean?" Hermione replied back with a sly smile, "Why do you want to know, Harry?"

Harry chuckled and took her hand in his as they entered the restaurant, "No reason. Just making conversation."

The maitre d' took their coats and seated them at a table overlooking the river, with the Eiffel tower in the background. The violin floating above them started to play a slow, moving French piece and fresh white rose petals fell from out of nowhere and landed on their table.

Hermione giggled as Harry brushed a petal out of her hair.

"So..." Harry began. "Are you in love?"

"I've no one in my bed, if that's what you're asking. At least, no one I can't change with the sheets." Hermione replied, leaning forward on her elbows.

"He's a Quidditch seeker." Hermione continued coyly, "His name is Viktor Stanislav Krum. Or was... I dumped him this morning."

"That's quite a mouthful," commented Harry.

"That's why I spit him out." Hermione said as she gave him a smug smile.

"And since this morning?"

"Apart from Viktor?" asked Hermione resting her chin on her palm, "There's Charles, his best friend and Ivan, his father. A Scot. A couple of Johns. The Princes of England. Goblins from Gringott's. Nothing too serious, a heart up of grabs."

Harry chuckled at her answers.

Hermione looked up and saw two floating glasses land on their table followed by a levitating bottle of Dom Perignon champagne which poured itself into the two glasses.

Hermione looked out at the river then back at Harry, "Fancy restaurant. Expensive champagne. You do things so well, Potter, I'd have sworn you were coming unto me."

Harry merely smiled back. "Does it seem so unlikely?"

Hermione wanted to ask what exactly he meant but was interrupted as a waiter approached and served them what looked like a large white dragon's egg on a silver platter.

Hermione's eyebrow lifted as she looked at Harry but Harry said nothing and pushed it aside.

A group of three witches passed by their table and the dress robes of one of them caught Hermione's eye.

The black-haired witch in pale yellow robes with a shimmer of tangerine took a seat and was laughing giddily as her other friend made a joke.

Hermione smirked and looked at Harry, nodding towards the woman, "See that girl?"

Harry looked behind him to see who Hermione was pertaining to.

"She's wearing the same dress robes I did last time. How long ago was that? Four years ago?"

Harry looked back at her and nodded.

"Doesn't suit her." Hermione stated as she took a sip of champagne, "A real blob! Did I look that dumb in it?"

"Don't say that, Hermione. You don't even know her." chided Harry as he fingered the stem of his glass.

"Well neither do you! What's it matter?" Hermione replied as she bit back a laugh.

Harry didn't reply as a he gave her another one of his crooked smiles.

"Anyway, enough about that. I reckon your N.E.W.T.s didn't turn out so bad after all, given your status and popularity in the Auror department." Hermione said, redirecting the conversation.

"My N.E.W.T.s were purely tactical." Harry replied.

Then taking his champagne glass, he lifted it up, "Let's make a toast."

Hermione grinned as she in turn lifted her glass, "What shall we toast to?"

"To us." Harry replied, a softness in his eyes, "To the present. To what I have to say."

He clinked their glasses together, "I've been waiting for years, Hermione."

Hermione's smile suddenly felt forced, "To talk about what?"

Harry drained his glass before setting it down.

"About me." He replied.

Hermione had to keep herself from snorting, "About you? Well, I don't know why I'm surprised. That's all you used to do anyway."

"Then, let's say... about my heart."

Harry reached over and held Hermione's hand, gently squeezing it.

Hermione was silent as she gazed at their hands.

"Hermione, I'm in love." Harry confessed.

It took her few moments to register the words before she looked back at him, "In love? Just like that?"

Harry shook his head slowly, "No, not just like that. It's been years. Years of silence."

Hermione felt her heart start to beat just a little faster.

"I want to get married." Harry whispered.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh as she covered her mouth with right hand, nearly knocking over her wineglass.

"Do you agree?" Harry asked.

Hermione's laughter slowly died when she saw the seriousness in Harry's eyes. She took another sip of champagne to calm herself, swallowing hard as she tried to the find the words,

"W-what are you saying, Harry? Am I game? Remember at my sister's wedding? You told me you were 'game' about not getting married."

Harry leaned closer as well, "Well... what do you say today?"

Hermione looked at Harry harder trying to figure out if this really was happening.

"Do you— do you really want to, Harry?" she asked.

Harry smiled, "Well, for that, I need you."

Hermione stifled a laugh again, "Well, obviously, you can't just get married all by yourself."

Harry reached into his robes as Hermione held her breath. To her surprise, he pulled out his wand.

A fresh batch of white petals fell again unto the table, and with a swish of his wand, they petals came together and in a sparkling flash of light, formed two beautiful silver wedding rings.

The rings floated into Hermione's open palm as gently as the petals that formed them.

Hermione felt as if all the air had been knocked out of her.

Harry reached out and brushed his finger against her hand, "I'm entrusting them to you until the ceremony."

"Harry, listen—"

"Do you accept?"

Hermione tried to look up at him but she couldn't.

"Hermione, do you accept?"

She felt tears at the corner of her eyes as she nodded. Slowly at first then more vigorously when Harry repeated the question.

Harry laughed, "You accept?"

Harry pushed his chair back to stand up and applaud. "She accepts. She accepts!"

People from the surrounding tables applauded as well. Hermione looked up at Harry again, smiling with closed trembling lips.

Harry walked over and kneeled before Hermione taking her hands in his and kissing them, "You have no idea how much this means to me, Hermione. Thank you. Thank you for accepting to be my witness."

Witness.

Hermione's smile was wiped off her face so quickly at the mention of the word. The gleam from her eyes suddenly darkened and her jaw grew tense as she stared at Harry.

Witness?

Harry released her hands and then stood up. He held his hand out towards the witch dressed in pale yellow robes, who stood up beaming as she took Harry's hand.

Hermione could not believe what was happening. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment and anger. She balled up her hands into fists, the weddings rings digging into her palm.

"Meet my fiancée, Cho. Pretty, isn't she?" Harry smirked as he circled his arm around the woman's waist.

"No." Hermione replied laconically.

Harry looked at his fiancée fondly, "That same dress, I bought it for her."

Hermione exhaled hard as she glared at him.

Harry's expression turned serious as he approached Hermione, "You said I couldn't ever hurt you Hermione. Well... Game."

Harry took the dragon egg that was on the table and opened it.

Inside was the brightly lit crystal ball shining in all its vibrant hues.

"It's yours." Harry whispered mockingly. "Now, we're even."

Hermione nodded again but this time with suppressed fury rather than joy.

"Harry, dear, why don't you introduce us?" Cho said as she held unto her fiancé's arm.

Hermione forced a smile and stood up, not willing to let herself undergo even more embarrassment. She knew when to back down and when to step up with a brave face on.

"Cho, this is Hermione. Hermione, Cho."

Hermione shook Cho's hand firmly.

"My future." Harry said as he brushed Cho's black hair from her face before looking back at Hermione, "And my past."

Hermione took Harry's hand and said in a rather mock example of Cho's voice, "Harry, dear, I have something to show you."

She took the crystal ball in her hand, placed it in Harry's and then forced his hand to fling the glass orb into the River Seine.

The crystal ball glimmered for a moment in the water before sinking into the shadowy depths below.