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The air was cold and as the breeze picked up Harry felt Hermione step closer to him as they stood there looking over to where Ron was practicing quidditch with the rest of the team. The breeze had been too much for them to stay in the stands and at times it had felt like they would be blown away. Standing down next to the stands they were blocked from the harsher gusts and even though they had to tilt their heads far back to watch they were enjoying themselves.
"Why didn't you rejoin the team?" it was something that everyone had been asking him lately and something that he had avoiding answering for over a week now.
But this was Hermione and she hadn't said a word about it while everyone else was shocked and some were even angry. He could tell her.
"After everything, well, I don't really feel like it." and it was true. Somehow quidditch was no longer a must in his life. He hadn't even bought a new broom yet. He knew he would eventualy but right now just wasn't the time.
"I don't want to be in the air again." she said, looking up as one of the team meambers flew over head, "The only thing I would be able to think about was that ride from the Dursley's."
He knew how she felt. Even now, months after the end of the Dark Lord, Harry saw Voldemort glide out of the dark sky in his dreams and come straight at him.
Ignoring the other die hard Quidditch fans from their house, Harry turned and stepped in front of Hermione, blocking her from view of those close by, "That was a year ago." he took her hand in his and smiled, "We're safe now."
"I know." she smiled at him as her hair flew about her face in the breeze, "It's just not something I'll forget easily."
It had been a month. A complete month of stolen kisses and quiet weekends lounging on the couch in front of the radio. And it was still their secret. Harry had never felt more relaxed or over all peacefull in his life. His grades were staying high and he had really taken an intrest in his classes this year. There wasn't a cloud looming over head with the threat of some evil waiting to attack.
"Your hands are cold." Hermione quickly took Harry's reddened hands into her's, "We should go back inside."
The concern in her voice made Harry grin but he agreed and they walked back up to the castle slowly. Hermione insisted that Harry wear the gloves she had in her pocket and kept asking him if he needed her scraf as well.
"No." he looked down at her as they walked, her nose and cheeks were pink from the cold air, "I would never forgive myself if you froze because of me."
"Harry, I'm fine." Hermione huffed, "Honestly, if you need my-"
"How about we walk quicker? That'll warm me up." he quickened his pace as she glared at him for cutting her off but she followed after him anyways.
"There." Harry panted as they slid to a stop inside the great hall, "I'm warmer already." they had run the last few yards because the wind had decided to howl when they reached the top of the hill close to the school entrance.
"I'm frozen!" Hermione wrapped her arms around herself and shivered, "I can't imagine being on a broom in that!"
"We should probably head back home." Harry said as he looked at his watch, "Kreature will have dinner waiting for us. We can warm up by the fire and listen to the radio."
"And have hot tea." Hermione shivered again and Harry smiled as they walked around the corner, heading for the tower only to run right into Lavander Brown and Cho Chang, both of whom seemed to have heard their conversation.
"Home?" Lavander asked, her eyeborw raised, "It sounds like the two of you live together." she laughed but stopped quickly when she looked at their faces. Harry was sure they looked shocked and comepletely found out.
"You live together?!" Cho covered her mouth, "I thought Ginny had been lying. We all know how much she loved being the girlfriend of the famous Harry Potter..."
"It's not like that." Hermione finaly found her tongue and tried to smile as she said, "I go to Harry's to wait for my parents. They live close by so it's easy to spend weekends with them if I leave from Harry's."
They didn't look convinced.
Harry shrugged. If they fought too hard to explain anything then they would sound less believable, "Let's go." he said lightly, "You still have to pack those books for your mum."
"I almost forgot." said Hermione smiled and they walked away, trying to seem relaxed and cool but as soon as they were out of sight of the two girls they both dropped against a wall.
"I'm sorry." Harry sighed, "I didn't think anyone would be there."
"It's ok. You covered really well." Hermione smiled at him before straightening back up, "Well, it's just another thing we have to be more carefull about."
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Harry was sure he had dozed off while they were listening to the radio and hoped that he hadn't drooled or anything. He looked over, hoping Hermione hadn't noticed him sleeping only to find that she was asleep with a book across her chest.
It wasn't even that late at night. Harry had to grin as he leaned over and removed the book. Hermione had been yawning all through dinner but had said many times that she wasn't tired.
"You're a liar." Harry whispered as he smiled down at her, "Hermione?" she didn't move, "Hermione?" Harry ran his fingers up and down her arm, watching as she slowly woke.
"Hmm?" she squinted as she looked up at him, "What time is it?"
"Around ten." he smiled and kissed her gently, "And here I thought you weren't tired."
"I wasn't untill you fell asleep." she stretched, tilting her head back and Harry watched as the muscles in her neck tightened and then loosened, "Are we going to bed?" as soon as the words left her mouth she blushed, "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"I know what you meant." Harry laughed. Her blush made his stomack tighten. He wanted to kiss her again. He was always thinking about kissing her when they were in Grimmauld place. It was really the only safe place to kiss her at all. Of course that never stopped him from stealing a quick peck before bed or when no one was around.
As if reading his mind Hermione leaned forward and kissed him gently. Harry's hands tangled themselves in her hair to keep her close as he kissed her back, leaning into her as she sighed. This was his favorite part of the kisses, the part where he could feel her entire body relax as her hands moved up his back and his hands moved to her waist. This was heaven.
"Master?" Harry jumped when Kreature spoke right next to them, "There are a few of the Weasley's in your kitchen. I had them wait there, telling them you were possibly in bed."
"Uh, thanks." Harry sighed, resting his forehead againts Hermione's shoulder, "I'll be right there."
"Talk about bad timing." Hermione laughed, running her fingers through Harry's hair.
"I'm sorry about this." Harry looked up at her, realizing they had somehow ended up laying back on the couch with him on top of her. He was very glad Kreature asked the weasleys to wait in the kitchen. He could almost hear Mrs. Weasley now.
"There will be more time for kisses." Hermione smiled.
"And for this?" Harry asked hopefully, talking about the way they were laying.
Hermione laughed, her cheeks turning pink as she pushed him to sit up, "Harry!"
Harry just grinned and straightened his shirt before heading to the kitchen where he was sure he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
"Sorry to intrude so late, Harry." Mr Weasley gave Harry a weak smile, "An old friend from the ministry has died. I was hoping you wouldn't mind a few extra people for the weekend while Molly and I go pay our respects."
"Not at all." Harry said at once, seeing how tired Arthur looked, "You know you and your family will always be welcome here."
"Dromedia will be here to drop off Teddy as well. It seems she went to school with poor old Miles." Ron was looking at his dad, watching him talk and Harry found himself also watching.
Mr. Weasley looked like he wasn't sure what to do with himself at all. Just standing there and explaining the situation was almost too much for the man.
"Go, dad." Ron said as George added, "We'll be fine
Arthur just stood there for a second staring at the three redheads before him before turning to Harry, "We owe you one."
"You don't owe me anything. Now, go." Harry stepped back as Mr. Weasley disappeared in green flames.
"Miles Wilks was the first person dad ever worked with at the ministry. An old guy but always nice to everyone." Ron shrugged, "He helped dad a lot."
"Well, we'll just go up to our rooms and drop off our bags." George nodded towards the door and his siblings folllowed him without question. Ginny hadn't even taken the time to glare at Harry yet.
Turning towards the livingroom Harry saw Hermione step forward into the light, "Did you hear?" he asked.
"Yes, but I didn't want to come in in the middle and confuse Mr. Weasley anymore by making him feel like he had to explain the whole thing over again." Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and laid her head on his chest, "I hope he's ok."
"He will be." Harry moved Hermione out of the way as green flames sprang up in the fireplace and out stepped Dromedia.
"Has Arthur already been here?" she asked, handing the sleeping baby to Hermione and the baby bag of clothes and diapers to Harry.
"He just left." George smiled at Dia before taking Teddy from Hermione, "Mum and dad will meet you at the Townstens."
"Sorry for the short notice." Dia gently caressed Teddy's cheek before stepping back into the fire, "But I can't not be there."
"We'll take good care of him." Harry said just before she disappeared.
"He's getting big." George said, looking down at the bright haired infant.
"Six months." Hermione beamed.
Harry left them with the baby as he carried the bag and a few other of Teddy's belongings upstairs. Next to the fireplace Dia had somehow placed a playpen and a high chair all while holding Teddy and the bag. Harry didn't even know how she had been able to use the Floo while carrying so many different things.
Teddy had only ever stayed the night once before and as before Harry set up the playpen next to his own bed so he would hear any noise the infant made during the night. The high chair he had left downstairs, along with the bag of baby food and formula. He wasn't stupid though. In the bag of clothes he had brought with him he had stashed two of the baby bottles with water in them. He would call the formula up if he needed it and heat the bottles with magic just like last time. He just hoped Teddy would be sleeping more than he had last time.
There was no doubt in his mind that Hermione and George would be a big help but Ron wasn't exactly a baby person and Ginny would probably spend the night and next day closed up in her room.
When Harry turned to leave his room Hermione, with Teddy in her arms, stood in the doorway.
"Will he be ok over night?" she asked, looking at the playpen.
"He'll wake up alot to be fed but that's normal." Harry took Teddy and laid him gently on his own bed. Teddy could stay close untill Harry was ready for some sleep himself.
Hermione sat on the bed and watched as Harry made a sort of nest with the blankets around Teddy.
"You're good with him." Hermione said suddenly and Harry smiled.
"I love him." Harry ran his fingers over one small chubby hand, "He and I have a lot in common. Only he is lucky to still have his Gran."
"He's lucky to have you." Hermione smoothed the bright teal colored hair that now covered all of Teddy's head instead of just a patch in the front like when he'd been first born.
"It makes me wonder what growing up with Sirius would have been like." Harry said quietly realizing that someone was once again in his doorway.
Ginny just stood there, looking lost for words for a few seconds before saying, "Your owl just dropped this off." she thrust out a piece of parchment in Hermione's direction before running from the room.
"I think she heard all of that." Hermione bent down and grabbed the letter, "It's from Neville." she frowned and started to read it, her lips moving as she rushed through.
"Is everything ok?" Harry asked when Hermione continued to frown.
"Draco malfoy approached him and wants to talk to us tomorrow while everyone's at the Quidditch match." Hermione put the letter down beside her, "Ron and Ginny need to be back there at ten for the game. If we leave a half hour after them we can meet him in the library."
"Why leave after them?" Harry asked.
"Because you know Ron will want to go if he knows Malfoy wants to talk to us. He'll think it's a trick." Hermione stopped talking when Teddy made a noise in his sleep.
"Good idea. You're right as usual." Harry sighed and hoped everything was alright. It wasn't like Malfoy to just want to chat.
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A/N: I am soooooooooooooooooo tired. This chapter took forever. I must have restarted it about four times.
People have mentioned the way I have Ginny acting in this story so let me just be clear. I don't like Ginny and yes, I am having fun making her be so bitchy. This is fanfiction, just let me enjoy it. :p
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