Title: Let's Not and Pretend We Did
Summary: Seven time Harry and Hermione almost kissed. Seventh year; celebrations and mourning.
Disclaimer: I own the books and DVDs.

LAST CHANCE?

Inside Shell Cottage a very loud and very energetic party was happening. The occupants and their guests were celebrating the arrival of Teddy Remus Lupin, the shining new beacon of hope and light on an otherwise dark horizon.

Teddy Lupin's newly appointed godfather Harry Potter was a little overwhelmed at the moment. He had escaped the cramped cottage for a few minutes of solitary reflection and to give Dobby the good news.

'I don't know how to be a godfather, Dobby. Sirius was in Azkaban for nearly my whole life and I don't have anyone else to ask.' Harry knew not to expect answers from a grave but just talking out loud about his problems and concerns made him feel a little bit better. And he liked to think the energetic and slightly maniacal Elf was somehow listening. 'I'm honoured and thrilled, it's just… I don't know if I'll survive this war long enough to meet him even once.' Harry sighed and fiddled with the jar of sea lavender that Luna had placed as her own personal marker for the Elf that had rescued her from Malfoy Manor. Harry inhaled the crisp and slightly salty night air and gazed up at the stars, suddenly remembering a Muggle rhyme. Star light, star bright…

'Knut for your thought.' Speaking of star bright...

'You think my thoughts are worth a Knut?' he said, keeping his eyes obstinately fixed on the night sky. Hermione sat down beside him and dug into the beaded bag she had tied to the belt loop of her jeans.

'You're right.' She held out a large gold coin. 'Is a Galleon enough? I refuse to go any higher.' He closed her hand over the Galleon and pushed it gently away.

'Just ask. I am yours for the taking.' Hermione licked her lips slowly and smirked.

'Why are you out here when the party is in there?' She thought she already knew the answer. Harry had his brooding face on.

'Just…thinking.' Hermione rolled her eyes at him and sighed.

'Listen to me Potter, because I'm only going to say this once.' She waited until she saw she had his attention before she continued. 'It. Was. Not Your. Fault.' She ended each word with a hard poke to the chest. Harry resisted the urge to rub his chest and glared at Hermione.

'I'm the one who…'

'Blah, blah, blah.' Hermione interrupted with another eye roll. 'I've heard this song before Harry and quite frankly, I'm sick of it. You are not to blame for everything that goes wrong in the world.' She took a deep breath in and out. 'Harry,' she said her voice softer now. 'If Dobby had a do-over, he would still die to save you. That's just the kind of person he was.' Harry sniffed, wanting desperately not to cry right now.

'What about you? You were hurt because of me.' Harry whispered. He still heard her screams in his nightmares and some nights would sneak into the girl's bedroom just to watch her breath, to remind himself she still was able to. Hermione placed her hand over his and rested her head on his shoulder.

'Harry, if it was my torture that brought you and the others time to escape, then yes, I would go through that again. But just remember, I'm fine and I'm not going anywhere.' Harry tried to surreptitiously wipe away his tears and Hermione politely pretended not to notice.

'Why?' he croaked.

'Because you're everything.' She said in a matter of fact tone, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He scoffed.

'Yeah, the bloody hero of the wizarding world.' He spat bitterly. 'So you'd die for the Chosen One…'

A firm hand gripped his chin and turned his head forcefully. He was a little scared to see the anger in Hermione's bright brown eyes. She was giving him her patented "don't mess with me" look, the one that once had Fred and George Weasley quaking in their dragon hide boots.

'Harry, you idiot.' She hissed. I don't mean you're everything to the wizarding world, the hero that will save them all. I mean you're everything to me.' She let go of his chin and her eyes sparkled with something that wasn't anger but Harry couldn't identify.

'Harry, all those adventures I followed you on. All those times I stuck by you even when I knew I may die. I didn't do those things because you're the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One, the prophesied warrior against Him With The Made Up Name Who Doesn't Have The Common Decency To Stay Dead. I did all those things, and would do them again in a heartbeat, because I love you, you great stupid prat.' She swooped in and Harry didn't know if she had been aiming for his cheek or his lips because while most of the kiss landed on his cheek, the very corner of his mouth was caught. Before he could blink it was over and Hermione was standing up and walking away.

'Come in soon. Remus is about to leave.' Then she was gone and Harry swore the spot where she'd kissed him was burning up.

Harry knew what a kiss felt like. Cho had kissed him fifth year, if that could be called a kiss. He and Ginny had spent the better part of two months snogging. Harry was no novice when it came to kissing. So why was he left alone in a cottage garden asking himself was that really a kiss? Did Hermione Granger just kiss me? He only felt slightly guilty that he hoped the answer was yes.

The End...

I'm kidding. Still have the epilogue to go. I won't say how it ends. And for those who already know-no telling.

Oh and don't short change me on the reviews.