Ch.7

Harry shot an angry glance at Hermione before ripping open the letter. But she didn't look mad or scared or hurt. She looked relieved and happy and about to burst. Not only did this confuse him, but it made him even more incensed. How could she be so happy? He wanted her to feel the pain he had felt those three years without her.

As soon as Hermione recognized her letter any fear or doubt or worry that Harry would never forgive her vanished. She knew the only way he would ever get that letter would be if he truly loved her back. Hedwig settled on her shoulder and she stroked her while she watched Harry's eyes speed along the parchment in front of him, his face growing softer and softer the further his eyes traveled.

June 4, 1999

Dear Harry,
If you are reading this letter, it means you love me. Really love me. Not the kind of friendship, brother-sister love, the way we used to be. Nor the sickeningly sweet "I love you more" "No I love you more," puppy love. A deep, burning, through mud blood and tears love. A love for the ages. Not the kind of love people write songs for; a kind of love people live and die for. A love that forgives but never forgets.

You may wonder how I know this. Well, as you can see, I've known since at least our Hogwarts graduation, the day I'm writing this. And in truth, I hadn't known much longer than that. When Ron died, I kept going. I had suffered a great loss; I love Ron, as did you. But I kept going. I dwelled a lot on the matter and soon realized if it had been you that had died I wouldn't have kept going. If we hadn't learned how we felt when you were alive I would've died and gone to tell you. That is how I knew.

I don't know what will have happened by the time you read this, but I hope it doesn't take too long.

Harry, if 'm standing in front of you when you read this, please drop it now and kiss me. If I'm not there, drop it and come and find me and kiss me. So what are you waiting for?
Love,
Hermione

Harry stood there for a moment, dumbstruck, gaping open mouthed at Hermione.

"Well, are you going to or not?" she asked with a sly grin.

He quickly came to his senses and launched at her. Hedwig fluttered to the top of the cupboards with an indignant hoot. But Harry didn't kiss her. His left hand settled in the small of her back. His right caressed her cheek. She closed her eyes and turned her face toward his hand. He caught the single tear that she had let slip. She opened her eyes and looked at her single glistening tear, shining perfectly atop his long slender finger. She kissed it away and looked up at him. She finally had the only thing she had wanted that past seven years. It had been a very long seven years.

Harry looked down at the woman he had loved since he was eleven. His love may have changed over the years, but it never faltered. He bent his face towards Hermione's to taste the lips he had missed for so long. Her hands traveled through his messy raven hair before settling at the nape of his neck. His hands traveled down her sides and rested on her hips. He smoothly lifted her up onto the counter, their lips never parting. And they never would again.