Disclaimer: I own none of the characters here. I just use them for my own enjoyment and wish fulfillment. Everything belongs to JK Rowling and company. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Set after Harry's 24th birthday party. He had an epiphany and realized he had feelings for someone he never thought he'd have feelings for. His best friend, Hermione. Will he be able to tell her? Will she want to know? Does she feel the same? Harry struggles with this as he tries to cope with his wayward feelings, while keeping their friendship alive. Harry/Hermione obviously

Author's note: I am rating this M to be safe, for language and eventual sexual situations. Also in this story world, Hermione got her parents back and restored their memories. Just in case anyone is confused why she keeps talking about them. But they're back.

It's been brought to my attention that some of my words and phrases are not "English enough" or improperly used in England. Sorry for any of that, but as an American I'm winging it here! And I watch a lot of British TV and movies, so I'm doing the best I can. But if you are British and see mistakes, sorry. I'm just a lowly American girl doing her best. Hope you still enjoy the story!

Masquerading As Your Best Friend

The moment of truth had arrived, and it was time for Harry and Hermione to go visit her parents for dinner. Harry was a bit nervous, but Hermione kept reassuring him that he had nothing to worry about. Everyone had built up this meeting like it was going to be something outlandish, but Hermione's parents knew Harry very well already. He wasn't a stranger. And this wasn't at all like the disastrous time she brought Damien home once and had her father actually get up and leave the table because he disliked him so much. They never even spoke privately, as Hermione's father didn't wish to give him the time of day. Hermione had been embarrassed that evening, but she couldn't deny her father was right to walk away. Damien said something about Muggle's feeling useless and how jealous her parents must be having a magical child. Damien was not known for his tact, and Mr. Granger didn't take too kindly to the insult. And Hermione didn't either. She laid into Damien afterwards and accused him of being an elitist snob, but really he was just an idiot. But she knew Harry already got on well with her parents, so he was fretting for nothing. He walked out of his bathroom as Hermione lay on his bed waiting for him, and he was dressed in a suit.

"How do I look?" he asked her smoothing down his tie.

"You look like you're going to a funeral. Harry, it's just dinner with my folks. You don't need a suit. I'm wearing jeans!" she pointed out, showing him her casual attire.

"Right. It's too much. I look like a salesman or something. I just wanted to look respectable," he told her.

"They already know you're respectable. And they also know you don't lounge around in suits and ties in your spare time. Might as well break out your old dress robes from school, while you're at it. Maybe you can borrow Ron's ruffly ponce outfit from the Yule Ball?" she giggled.

"Shut up," he joked as he threw his tie at her as he ripped it off. "If I wore that ridiculous get up, they'd laugh me right out of their house."

"I know, which is why it's so funny," she giggled as she picked up the discarded tie and played with absently.

"Besides, I'm fairly certain Ron burned that outfit first chance he got," Harry told her.

"I don't blame him. But seriously just put on jeans and a decent shirt. This isn't the King and Queen we're visiting. These are my very laid back Muggle parents. They don't dress fancy. They wear scrubs all day long at work. They're not the type to dress up simply because their daughter is coming over."

Harry took off the suit and tossed it on a chair, and then he got out some regular clothes to put on. He looked much better being more relaxed in attire and didn't look like he was trying too hard. She went over and helped him button his shirt and she smiled at him happily.

"You look perfectly handsome in this. I love this shirt. It brings out the green in your eyes," she remarked as she buttoned the last button and kissed him on the nose.

"Thanks. You look great too. But you always do. Whether your dressed in fancy clothes or jeans or nothing at all," he smirked as he pulled her closer and kissed her.

"Come on, we'll be late. Let's get a move on," she told him, as she broke out of their kiss and took his hand to lead him downstairs.

They apparated right into the backyard of her parent's house, which was the most secluded spot there was in the suburban neighborhood where they lived. They landed in a pile of dead leaves her father had undoubtedly raked up and forgot to put in the bin. They brushed off their clothes and walked around to the front of the house where Hermione just opened the door and announced their presence.

"Mum? Dad? Harry and I are here!" she called out into the house.

Her mum poked her head out of the kitchen and came running out to greet them.

"Oh hello you two! So glad you made it!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed, pulling them both into hugs. "Your father is just upstairs getting ready. I told him not to wear his scruffy yard working shorts. He looks ridiculous in them," she chuckled.

"I hope he's not dressing up, as Hermione told me to wear these," Harry indicated his faded jeans.

"Oh nonsense, he's not dressing up. But those work shorts of his are caked in mud and a bit too short, if you ask me. But he says they're comfortable," she told them both.

"See I told you we didn't have to dress up," Hermione poked Harry slightly in the side.

"You two sit down, and I'll bring out some snacks before supper. You like cucumber sandwiches, right Harry?" Hermione's mum asked pleasantly.

"Love them! They're wonderful, thank you," he said with a grin.

She departed and Hermione looked at Harry.

"You were right on the money. She always serves those. At least you actually do like them," Hermione whispered to him.

"I don't like them a lot, but I can have a few. Why don't you just tell your Mum you can't stand them?" he whispered back.

"I don't want to hurt her feelings."

Just then, her mum brought out the tray with the finger sandwiches and a teapot with cups and laid it on the coffee table. Then she sat down and smiled at the two of them and wouldn't stop.

"Mum why are you smiling all weird like that?" Hermione wondered, feeling awkward.

"I'm sorry, dear. It's just I'm so tickled by this latest development. I mean you two! Together! This is what I've wanted since the day I first met Harry," she beamed over at Harry, who was munching on a finger sandwich.

He swallowed it quickly and smiled at her.

"Really? You wanted me to be with Hermione for that long? We were just kids when I first met you," he told her with some amusement.

"Well, yes, you were children. But you were always such a handsome boy. And polite. And well, Hermione never stopped talking about you and how brave and amazing you were. I felt like my daughter ought to be with someone like that. Nothing against Ronald. He was a lovely young man. I just always felt you and my daughter were better suited," she admitted.

"Does Daddy feel the same way?" Hermione wondered.

"Oh yes. Definitely. You'll see his excitement once he finally shows his face."

"Well I'm flattered, really. I'm nothing that amazing. I'm just Harry. Same person I've always been," he said, feeling his face flush slightly with embarrassment.

At that moment, Mr. Granger came bounding down the stairs happily.

"I thought I heard voices! Hermione! My princess!" he said as he went over and hugged her from behind as she sat on the couch.

"Hey Daddy."

"And Harry!" he exclaimed and rushed to hug him as well, leaving Harry slightly startled.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Granger," Harry said as he was released from the strong embrace of the other man.

"Please, call me Dad now. If you want. I realize I'm rushing it a bit, but you're like family anyway," Mr. Granger beamed at him happily.

"Yes, you can call me Mum as well. We want you to feel at home," Hermione's mum spoke up.

"Wow, really? Thank you. I wasn't quite expecting that," Harry admitted.

Mr. Granger sat down next to his wife across from Harry and Hermione.

"We just want you to feel like an official member of the family. Even if it's not official yet. But it will be someday, right?" her dad asked hopefully.

"Daddy please. Don't put us on the spot like that. We've been together a week!" Hermione chided him.

"I know, but it's really been more like years in the making. It's not you've just met him. It's Harry! I sure do hope you don't wait too long to make things official," her dad said to them.

"I'm sure it won't be all that long. But perhaps more than just a week?" Harry said with a small smile. "I was actually planning to speak with you properly and privately and ask you if it was alright for me marry Hermione someday, but you've sort of beaten me to the punch."

Both her parents laughed slightly and her father shook his head.

"There's no need for such formality, though I appreciate the gesture. I believe it's a woman's right to choose who she marries. Not her father's choice. Although if she had wanted to marry that Damien bloke, I might have had a small stroke over it," her dad chuckled.

"I'm glad you like me better than him," Harry said with a grin.

"I think we'd love the Ebola virus more than him," Mrs. Granger laughed.

"Mum! He wasn't that bad. God, you make him sound horrid. He was just a little weird, that's all," Hermione said with embarrassment.

"He kept calling us Muggles and said we were useless!" her father reminded her.

"Well you are Muggles, but you're not useless. He just said you must feel useless. There's a difference," she said defensively, even if she wasn't sure why she'd defend someone she didn't even like anymore.

"I know the terms you guys use, but the way he said it was so insulting. Over the many years, I'd say we know a fair bit about magic, even if we can't do it ourselves. Useless my arse," her dad griped.

"I don't think you're useless at all. And I don't really think of you as Muggle's. Your Hermione's folks. You know all about everything. It is different. Some people just get stuck on things like that though. But I think we're all pleased, Hermione included, to say that Damien is history," Harry told them.

"See, this is why we love you. You're so polite and wonderful. Oh, this is such a great development!" Hermione's mum clapped her hands together happily.

"You were raised by non-magical folks, so you have a better kindness for us, I think," Mr. Granger said to Harry.

"Oh, my upbringing has nothing to do with it. I rather hated those people. But not because they were Muggle's, but because they were dreadful. I just think of the two of you like the parents I never had. You and the Weasley's have been especially welcoming and kind to me. So thank you," Harry told them.

"Yes, you know all about how dreadful Harry's family was. Hermione told us. Remember?" Mrs. Granger poked her husband slightly.

"Right, right. I sometimes forget they weren't nice people. But you do keep in touch, am I correct?" he asked Harry.

"Um, with my cousin, a little bit. Not my aunt and uncle. They don't really want anything to do with me. And the feeling is rather mutual. But Dudley remembers me saving his life once, so he admitted the magic thing was kind of cool. But he'd never tell his parents that or else they might disown him too," Harry chuckled slightly.

"Well I guess your aunt and uncle won't be at the wedding someday. They don't sound like people I'd like to meet anyway. But we'll be your family now, Harry," Hermione's mum smiled and reached over and patted his leg.

"Thank you. And I have the Weasley's too. You know them well, I'm sure. Molly and Arthur were like the family I always wanted when I was younger. They always included me in family gatherings even though I wasn't family. Plus Ron is my best friend," Harry explained.

"Yes, the Weasley's. Lovely people. A little bit odd at times, that Arthur. Once I showed him my computer and he wouldn't stop playing with it, even though we were supposed to be eating supper. Do you remember that Hermione? It was ages ago, when you were with Ron," her dad asked her.

She laughed slightly.

"I definitely remember. He was fascinated that information was just sitting inside that box at his fingertips. He's rather obsessed with Muggle things."

"Well they'll all be invited whenever you two are ready to tie the knot. It's going to be spectacular. Please don't let us wait forever. Hermione isn't getting any younger," her mum said with a raised eyebrow.

"Mum! I'm not even twenty five yet. I'm not seventy. You act as if I'm an old spinster," she scolded her mum.

"It was beginning to look that way! When I was your age, I already had you."

"I know, but I've got plenty of time. Is supper almost ready?" Hermione tried to change the subject.

"I'll go check. Why don't you come with me, dear?" she said to Hermione.

Hermione got up and followed her mum into the kitchen and left Harry alone with her dad. Harry just kept picking up the little sandwiches and eating them out nervousness, even if so far, everything had been pleasant. But now he was alone with her dad and Mr. Granger kept staring at him. Finally Harry looked at him, because the weight of the stare was too much to ignore.

"Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?" Harry asked.

"No, no. Sorry. I didn't mean to stare. It's just you seem nervous. Why is that? Something I should know? Hermione isn't pregnant is she? Please tell me she's not," her father said imploringly, causing Harry to choke a little on his finger sandwich.

"What? No! She's not pregnant. We've only been together a week!" Harry reminded him.

"Well yes, that's what you said. But that doesn't mean something wasn't going on sooner."

"It wasn't! I swear. And I promise she's not pregnant. I'm only nervous because Ron told me you scared him witless when he began dating Hermione. I'm waiting for the serious talk to begin. The threats to my manhood, and what not," Harry admitted.

Hermione's dad started laughing.

"Oh no, I'm not going to do that! Hermione is a grown woman now. When your friend showed up here with stars in his eyes for my little girl, I didn't trust him all that much. They were just kids to me. Even if I realized that Hermione was no child, after all she'd been through. But I didn't experience her growing up into a woman, and had a little trouble thinking of some boy putting his hands on her. But my wife told me I was being silly anyway since we were eighteen when we met. But you see, I did remember that, and I knew the things we did. I think I just had a father's heart attack realizing my baby was all grown up and I'd missed it happening," he explained.

"She is all grown up now. And I'm glad I'm not going to get the same 'bits in a blender' treatment Ron did," Harry laughed slightly.

"No, no speeches like that from me. It'd be futile anyhow. I know how life works. I'd be too late, am I not wrong?" he asked Harry with a raised eyebrow.

Harry cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat and wished Hermione would come back into the room, but she didn't.

"Uh, yeah, it's a bit late for the speech. Sorry. But I'm gonna take good care of her! I promise you that. She's the most important person in the world to me. And I promise to always treat her as such," Harry told him sincerely.

Her father sighed.

"Yes, well, I certainly do hope so. I trust you, Harry. I know you're a wonderful bloke. And you've always made my daughter happy. I'm not sure you even realize just how happy. But she always used to speak of you so fondly and I could tell how much she loved you. And how much you loved her. I think that's another reason I'm not bringing out the scary father routine. You don't need it. I've seen you two together for years, and I know what affection you hold for one another. I'm not worried. And if I have to let my little girl go and give her to someone else, I'm pleased it's you."

Harry was incredibly flattered and he smiled at Mr. Granger.

"I won't let you down, sir."

"Please, it's Dad remember?"

"Okay, Dad. I won't let you down."

"That's better. And I know you won't." He patted Harry's leg and smiled widely at him.

Just then the women emerged from the kitchen with the dinner of a roast lamb and potatoes with greens on the side. It smelled delicious and Harry and Hermione's father got up to join them at the table. They passed around a bottle of wine and everyone enjoyed the food and the company. The Granger's really did treat Harry like family, but then again, they really always had. It was just a tad bit more official now. Harry realized he fretted over nothing, and Hermione realized the same. Her mother had spoken to her and assured her that her father would not interrogate Harry. But she hadn't been too sure until she'd seen them both smiling too much for it to have been a terrible experience. Once dinner was over, the women cleared the table while Hermione's dad ushered Harry outside to show him his vegetable garden. This left the two women in the kitchen for some girl talk.

"So, what on earth really did take the two of you so long to realize you loved each other?" her mum asked as she dumped food into plastic containers to save for later.

"I don't know, Mum. We were stupid. We were both highly concerned with ruining our friendship to admit we had these wayward lusty feelings for each other. It's complicated. Have you ever been best friends with a man before?" Hermione wondered.

"No, I haven't. I had friends, but never close ones. They're usually husbands or boyfriends of my friends. I never really had a male in my life I'd call a best friend, except your father."

"Daddy doesn't count though, because you're married to him. But with Harry, we were best of friends for years. It's hard to change that when you're unsure how the other person feels! Plus, the time was just never right before, I don't think. It's hard to explain."

"How did it happen then? I'm insanely curious. Did he say something? Did you say something? You never actually told me how this happened!" her mum told her.

"Well, it's kind of a long story, but he kissed me. And things just sort of took off from there. I'm not sure where he got his nerves from, as I was freaking out a bit myself, but he just kissed me. And then I was a goner. I mean, it was fantastic," Hermione said dreamily.

"Ooh, fantastic eh? Tell me more!" her mum urged her excitedly.

"There's nothing more to tell! We kissed and that's how we knew. End of story," Hermione shrugged.

"That's hardly the end of the story. I know you did more than kiss him. You as much told me that on the phone. Was that fantastic as well?" she prodded.

"Mum, I don't want to talk about this with you. It's weird. I like teasing you about it, but what shall I say? Give you a play by play of what we've been doing every chance we get? A mum doesn't need to know that!" Hermione protested.

"Every chance you get? I remember those days, with your father. Couldn't keep his hands off me, the little scamp. But you didn't see me complaining. Although your grandfather, rest his soul, was none too pleased to catch me and your father in the back of his car in our driveway one evening. That was such a horrid night. At least after we got caught. But before that? Your father was an animal!" her mum giggled, slightly tipsy from the wine she'd had at dinner.

Hermione smacked her arm playfully.

"Yuck! I don't want to hear this! I do not want to think of you and Daddy in the back of a car. Or papa finding you being animals together. It's very disturbing."

"Your papa got over it eventually. All parents do. Our babies don't stay babies forever. Soon they start having their own babies. Is that something you want to do?" her mum asked as she rinsed off the dishes.

"Again you're rushing things," Hermione scolded her. " But yes, of course I do. Someday. But let's not plan the next five years of my life after me seeing someone for a week!"

"I realize it's been only a week, but it's been longer. And you know it. It's not as if you just met him, Hermione."

"I know, but this is still new. Everyone needs to relax and let us go at our pace. Just because we've known each other since we were eleven doesn't mean we've being waiting to get married all this time. It's been one week, Mum. One week! Start bugging us in a year or something," Hermione told her.

"A year? Well that's a long time," her mum said disapprovingly.

"The honest truth is, I don't know what Harry wants or when he wants it. You guys are going to scare him away if you keep talking about marriage and babies! He's barely gotten used to calling me his girlfriend. I just don't want everyone pressuring us," Hermione admitted.

"I'm sorry. No pressure. It's just this is the first time I could actually see it working and something wonderful happening. Forgive me and your father for getting carried away. We're just happy, that's all," her mum told her sincerely.

"It's okay. I'm being a little touchy, I guess. It's just everyone keeps asking such things and I'm afraid it's going to make Harry run off. Men don't like to feel obligated or pressured when it comes to things like this."

Hermione's mum put down her dishes and wiped her hands on a towel. Then she took her daughter by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eye.

"I promise to stop asking about babies and marriage, but you have nothing to worry about. Harry isn't going anywhere. You of all people should know that. You two are like peas in a pod. Wherever one is, the other isn't far behind. That's how it's been forever. And I know all about the 'adventures' you had together while we were in Australia, since you told me about it all. Neither of you would ever leave each other's side for any reason. Even I know that much. And if this scares him, well then, he's not the right person after all, in my book."

"I'm pretty sure he's the right person, Mum. I just don't want to ruin it by being overzealous or badgering the poor sod. All our co-workers and friends are already asking for wedding invites and we're not even engaged! Or engaged to be engaged. We're just two best friends who finally realized we'd like to see each other naked, that's all," Hermione told her with a small smirk.

"See, now you're right. I don't need hear that part. But I understand. And I'll keep my lips zipped. Promise."

Outside in the vegetable garden, Harry was being treated to a very thorough tour of everything Mr. Granger was growing. And there was a lot of it. Some of the things Harry wasn't even sure who would eat them, like purple tomatoes and white carrots. But he said they were heirloom and delicacies and it was his pet project to have the best garden there was. He even had a patch for pumpkins that were starting to sprout nicely, but still had a ways to go before they'd be big enough to harvest.

"This is really fantastic. You certainly have a green thumb," Harry told him, trying to act as interested as possible.

"Have you ever eaten a purple potato? It's amazing. Next time you come over, we'll serve those."

"Sounds great. But why grow strange vegetables and such? What's wrong with normal ones?" Harry wondered curiously.

"Normal is boring. No, I want a garden people will marvel at. I used to grow hybrid orchids as well, but I haven't had time as of late. Do you garden?" Mr. Granger asked him.

"Me? No. I haven't a clue about it, honestly. I'm not very good with plants or fish. They all seem to die on me easily," Harry admitted.

"Hermione always used to help me in the garden when she was a girl. Perhaps one day you'll have a garden of your own? That is if my daughter ever makes time for it. I know she works so much."

"She's brilliant at her job though. She's doing a lot of good. You should be very proud," Harry smiled.

"We are very proud. Even if we don't really understand fully what she does. Or what you do. Except Hermione says you're like the Wizard police," he chuckled.

"I am. That's the best description. I was incredibly busy right after the war, but these days, it's mostly investigating people doing illegal spell work. A few power hungry wizards that need a talking to. It's pretty tame compared to what it used to be."

"It's safe then? I mean, lord knows you two have done some incredibly dangerous things in your lives. But I'd like to know you're safe. And that Hermione isn't going to lose you because of some crazy bad guy with a knife or something."

"Well our bad guys rarely use knives. It's mostly wands. And I'm perfectly safe. I never go alone. I always have a partner," Harry assured him.

"But you can't guarantee anything though? Someone might be crazy and do you in," Mr. Granger said with worry.

Harry sighed a little.

"Well yeah. I suppose so. But to be frank, that could happen to anyone, no matter what job they have. Even you could get in a car accident or get squashed by a falling piano. No one ever knows, do they?" Harry reasoned.

"A falling piano? Boy, you've seen too many cartoons," Mr. Granger laughed. But he nodded his head. "I guess you're right. I mean I got bitten the other day at work! Never know when someone might have a disease. Bit straight through my gloves."

"You got bitten? Ouch. Did they break the skin?" Harry wondered.

Hermione's dad showed Harry his hand with little teeth mark shaped scrapes on the knuckles.

"Yes sir. Look at this. Little boy didn't take too kindly to me poking in his mouth and he just chomped down on my hand."

"I don't know how you do what you do. I wouldn't want to get bitten. What if he was a werewolf?" Harry pondered with amusement.

"A werewolf? I hadn't considered that. They really exist?"

"Yes. I thought Hermione would have told you that."

"No, she didn't. But she did tell us dragons and unicorns were real," he told Harry.

"Well werewolves are real too. We actually had a professor who was one. But he's gone now, sadly. He didn't survive the war," Harry said feeling a tinge of sadness.

"You're sad about it? I would think you'd be glad," Mr. Granger shook his head.

"No, you have it wrong. Most werewolves are just normal people. They can't help what happens to them. And if they're careful, they can lock themselves up on the full moon and not be a danger to people. They're very misunderstood. Although, granted, they're not all like that," Harry admitted.

"Well I'm fairly certain I won't turn into a werewolf from this seven year old's bite. But thanks for the nightmares," Mr. Granger chuckled, slapping Harry on the back a little too hard.

"Should we go see if the girls are done with the dishes?" Harry wondered, suddenly wishing he hadn't told Hermione's dad he might become a werewolf now. That was a stupid idea to give him.

"Yes, let's see if they're done. We have a trifle for dessert. I hope you saved room!"

"Sounds delicious!" Harry smiled as they made their way back inside.

They found Hermione putting the trifle on the table and her mum was setting out a tray with coffee on it. They both looked up when the men entered the room.

"Dessert time!" Hermione's mum said to them with a grin.

They all sat down and Hermione held Harry's hand under the table and leaned over and whispered to him.

"Has my father been behaving? Nothing scary right?"

Harry shook his head.

"No it's been fine. He's really very nice, just like always. But I think I have him a bit of a scare though."

"A scare about what?"

"I told him he could have been bitten by a werewolf, but I was really just joking!"

"What?" Hermione asked confused.

"What are you two lovebirds whispering about?" Hermione's mum asked, dishing out the dessert and passing it around.

"Nothing. Just personal stuff," Hermione smiled. Then she looked at Harry again and mouthed the word 'werewolf' with a confused expression.

Harry looked back and mouthed the word 'later' to her. So she shook her head and scooped out some of the dessert for her and Harry. She wondered what he meant, but she figured it must not be important. At least until her father brought it up over the coffee.

"So Harry told me werewolves were real. Why didn't you tell us that?" her dad prodded.

"Didn't I tell you? I'm certain I did. Remember Professor Lupin? I mentioned him," Hermione said with some slight confusion.

Her parents didn't seem to recall him, and Hermione realized this had to be one their memory gaps. It was a side effect of the spell she'd done. The healers did a marvelous job getting them back to normal, but there were certain things they still didn't recall. And this had to be one of them.

"I don't remember a Lupin. I remember a Lockhart. He was dreamy. I remember all those books you had to buy of his!" Hermione's mom giggled.

"Yes, well, he was a ponce in the end. But no, there was a Lupin. I guess I just forgot to say. He was a werewolf. But he was very nice! And why on earth were you two talking of werewolves," she asked her dad.

He held up his scraped up hand.

"I got bitten by a little boy. Scamp. And Harry said he could be a werewolf. But I'm sure that's rubbish, right?" her dad asked, looking slightly unnerved.

Hermione laughed and shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure it's rubbish. Harry was teasing!" she smacked Harry's arm a little too hard. "Plus last night was the full moon, and I think you'd know if you turned into a wolf."

"Ooh Daddy was missing last night for several hours and when he came home he smelled like raw meat," her mum said with wide eyes.

Hermione and Harry both just looked at them and Hermione felt the floor going out from under her. At least until her parents both started laughing.

"I'm joking! It was a joke! Your father fell asleep in his chair at ten and I hauled him to bed near eleven. He's not a wolf. I thought you'd know I was joking! But your faces were so horrified!" her mum giggled, shaking her head.

"Mum, that's not funny! It happens to people! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Hermione said clutching her chest.

"Yeah, you really freaked me out too. My God," Harry said, feeling his heart beat out of his chest.

"Oh you two! Can't take a joke? Do you honestly think a child werewolf goes to the dentist? Are there even child werewolves?" Mrs. Granger asked.

"Actually, yes there are. But I'm relieved that's not the case. I'm sorry I ever said anything! I was just joking too," Harry explained.

"Hmm, well it does make a person think twice about putting their hands in someone's mouth," Hermione's dad pondered.

"I'm sure you're both safe. Let's not talk about this. You lot are horrible. I thought Daddy was a werewolf for a minute!" Hermione said shrilly.

"Fine, fine. No more jokes. Are there vampires as well?" Her mum wondered.

"Yes, and no they probably don't get their fangs polished at the dentist, so don't worry," Hermione informed them.

"Vampires and werewolves. It's like a TV show! Have you ever seen that show on the telly about the vampire slayer? It's such fun. But I thought it was rubbish," her mum said to them.

"Yes, I've seen the show. But let's just say, if someone dreamed it into existence, it probably really exists. Let's just leave it at that," Hermione said, sipping her coffee.

The rest of the dessert experience was relatively quiet and mostly consisted of everyone complimenting the trifle and drinking their coffee. Hermione's mum realized her joke wasn't that funny, and she also realized just how scary her daughter's world was. She knew she had memory gaps, but they rarely showed themselves these days. But sometimes she would get surprised about things that she supposedly already knew, because she had no memory of learning them. And often, they were things she didn't want to remember, which might be why she had the memory gaps. But she wasn't going to chastise her daughter for what she'd done. Not again. She'd already heard enough about it right after they regained their memories. Or at least 99% of them. All the important stuff was there, and the stuff that wasn't, well, there was probably a reason she didn't want to remember. Her daughter's life was fascinating yet not exactly the one they'd dreamed for her as a small child. Both her parents expected their brilliantly smart daughter to become a dentist as well. They had high hopes for that. But it was all changed once they got the letter and the visit from Hogwarts, telling them their daughter was a witch. They'd not be on board with the idea at first, and almost didn't even let her go. But Hermione was very convincing and they had gone along with it. And since then, they knew their daughter's life had been filled with all sorts of danger and creatures and magical entities that tried to kill her more than once. Hermione's parents just tried not to think about it. And Hermione assured them that now life was much less dangerous and complicated. She claimed it was even boring most days.

Once everyone was finished, Harry and Hermione felt ready to leave. They'd put in their parental time and decided to hug and say their goodbyes, until next time. They were told not to be strangers, and they went into the backyard and disapparated and ended up in Harry's backyard again. They looked at each other and then Hermione smacked Harry's arm.

"Ouch! What was that for?" he asked her curiously.

"Why did you tell my father he might be a werewolf? God, they gave me a coronary with that tasteless joke!"

"I never said it seriously! It was a joke! And I thought your parents already knew about them. And in my defense, I'm not the one who scared you. Your mum did that. So don't smack me!" he protested.

She sighed.

"Sometimes my parents don't remember things I've already told them. It's a side effect. A few scattered memories are just lost. But apparently my mum has a sick sense of humor."

"It was a little bit funny when we realized it was a joke," he admitted with a hopeful smile.

"It was not funny! If my father was a werewolf, I don't know what I'd do," she shook her head, as they walked towards the house.

"I suspect we could have built him a little cage or something," Harry shrugged.

"Just stop. My parents are lame sometimes. I am just ready to take off all my clothes and crawl into bed."

"Hmm, sounds like a plan to me," he smirked.

"Is your mind always in the gutter?" she smirked back.

"Yes. Always. It lives there," he said as he opened the back door and let them inside.

Then he grabbed her up and kissed her passionately. She melted into his kiss and when they pulled back they just rested their foreheads on each other's, and looked into each other's eyes.

"So my parents didn't freak you out with all the marriage and babies talk?" she wondered curiously.

"Of course not. Why did it freak you out?" he wondered back.

"No."

"Well then why would it freak me out? You must know it's what I want. I've spelled that out pretty clearly," he chuckled slightly.

"I just don't want you to feel pressured. I think we shouldn't rush. There's no hurry. We've got time," she whispered.

He deflated slightly, only because he didn't want to take a lot of time, but he also knew she was being the voice of reason. It would be slightly mad to get married right now when they'd only been a couple for a week. He managed a smile.

"We'll wait as long as you like," he whispered back, kissing her forehead.

"Okay. I just think it's smart to wait."

"Right. It is."

"It would be completely bonkers to get engaged like next week or something," she laughed slightly.

"Completely bonkers," he agreed.

But what neither of them knew was that the other person wanted to be completely bonkers. Waiting didn't sound like much fun. Not when something felt this right, or was this long in coming. But Hermione was trying to be level headed, as usual. And Harry was just going along with her. But if they both had their way, they'd probably just do it right now. That's how sure they were that they wanted to spend their lives together. But for now, that desire would have to remain a secret. They were going to be level headed and smart and not rush into anything. But they both wanted to.

To be continued…Please leave feedback! I hope you're all enjoying this so far! Thanks to all those who have commented! Keep 'em coming!