Now and Forever

Chapter 10: Back on Track

After the healers gave the OK for him to go home, he wasted no time in signing out. The smell and the quietness was just all too much for him. "Alright I think we have everything?" Mrs. Weasley asked looking around the room. He sat on the edge of the bed buttoning up his shirt.

"Did I even have anything here?" he asked.

"All the gifts, cards and candy of course!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

Lupin walked in with Hermione moments later and announced, "The papers are cleared, and you're good to go, Harry." Hermione came over wrapping an arm across his shoulders. He looked at her smiling and resisted kissing her.

"Well I'm ready," he said standing up as his feet regained balanced. The four of them took the lift downstairs and stepped out through the glass window. Creeping into the ally way, they apparated back to the Burrow. As they walked through the doors of the Burrow, Tonks, Ron and a few others rushed through doorways to greet him.

"Glad you're back mate, it's been too quiet around here," Ron told him.

"You're telling me, that place is quieter than when people stared at Snape!" The few of them laughed a little as Hermione led him over to the couch to sit.

"Let me fix you up some lasagna, you need some food in your system," Mrs. Weasley said rushing into the kitchen.

"So how've you been, Tonks? Haven't seen you around much," Harry said to her.

"I've been great. I've been overusing my work hours so I've been getting more and more time off which has been nice, which is always good," she replied nodding.The whole group of them sat in the living room eating leftovers Mrs. Weasley fixed up. He looked around and it seemed that everything was put back in place if it'd been messed up the night or so before; on the bottom half anyway.

"Oh I forgot to ask, did you find out how the Death Eaters got in?" he asked sipping on some hot tea. Mr. Weasley shook his head.

"No we haven't. Kingsley and a few others at the Ministry are just as puzzled as I am. For now though, they've put up extra protection again." He frowned a little thinking back to before Voldermort was defeated and everything they had to go through to protect them. Thankfully this wasn't as bad. He noticed most of them were staring at him and turned away to act like he was interested in his plate of food. But the truth was that right now, he didn't really feel like eating anymore.

"Maybe you should go get some rest Harry," Hermione suggested putting her plate on the coffee table. He'd been sleeping for the past two days; it wasn't his first priority right now.

"Yeah, I think I'd like some," he replied to Hermione getting up. If he didn't seize the opportunity now, he'd be here much longer.

"Take care," Tonks said hugging him.

"Oh, thanks," he said kind of surprised when she hugged him.

"Yes get some rest, I was missing the old Harry," Lupin smiled and nodded at him.

"I'll walk you up," Hermione said to him. The rest of the group bid him well rest as the two of them headed up the stairs and into his partial room with Ron.

"It's been two days, and they act like I've been gone for a month!" he told Hermione laughing as the door closed behind him.

"We just worry for you Harry...I mean it's hard not to with what's happened with you-know-who and all," Hermione replied.

"You do know you don't have to say that anymore right?"

"Say what, you-know-you?"

"Yes," he laughed a bit.

"What's so funny about it?" Hermione asked confused.

"I don't even know, it just is," he continued to laugh. They both sat on his bed and he wrapped his arms around her. "I missed spending time with you, even if it was two days," he said to her. She smiled and tilted her head away embarassed a bit.

"Well thank you Mr. Potter. I sincerely missed your company as well," she replied in a joking formal matter. He smiled and laughed, something he hadn't done enough of since the attack.

"Now Mrs. Granger, would it be a crime of Mr. Potter to kiss Mrs. Granger on the cheek?"

"Well...I don't think it'd be a crime at all for Mr. Potter. I think Mrs. Granger would quite appreciate it." He leaned in and then kissed her cheek lightly, took her hand and kissed her other cheek too.

"What if...Mr. Potter kissed Mrs. Granger's lips?" he asked leaning in and kissing her deeply. Hermione giggled a bit and told him in-between kisses, "Not one bit." She kissed him as he placed his hand on her cheek. They continued to kiss for a few more minutes, and he then broke apart.

"I especially missed being able to do that," he said smiled and keeping his forehead on hers.

Hermione blushed a bit but smiled, "Me too." He pecked her lips a few more times before she finally told him, "I would love to stay..."

"Well why don't you then?" he asked wrapping his hands around her waist so she couldn't move very far.

"Everyone's downstairs...it'll look weird if I don't go back and all..." He smiled and pulled her down and rolled over on top of her smiling.

"Well you can't go back if I keep you here can you now?" he asked laughing a bit.

Hermione laughed and said, "Mmm Harry you're making this harder then it even should be!"

"That's because..." he started to say kissing her gently, "I...love...you," he continued between each word between kisses. She rolled her eyes laughing a bit and kissed him back lightly.

"I love you too Harry. But really, you should get some rest please?" she asked looking at him. He smiled and nodded sitting up as she propped herself too. "Is there anything else I can get or help you with?" Hermione asked straightening her shirt a bit. "Besides staying here to snog with you," she added on smiling. He began to tare down his bed and looked over and shook his head.

"I'll be alright. Mrs. Weasley stuffed me to last another week and all I need is some more rest." She smiled and came over and kissed him lightly. "Thanks anyways," he said as she headed for the door.

"It's no problem, really. Sleep well," she said smiling and heading out of the door. He smiled back and climbed into the bed. At first he thought it'd be harder to fall asleep, but almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out.

Over the next few days, he and Hermione mainly stuck around the Burrow. They'd take a few walks along the yard or the drive, and just hang around inside too. Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley were taking shifts checking on the house at night, which worried everyone else too. Today Ron was off on job interviews at the Ministry, Fred and George were at the shop, and Lupin was somewhere with Tonks today. He found himself walking along the drive with Hermione because he knew no one would that was actually in the house would follow them. He wrapped his arm around Hermione as she leaned her head on his shoulder walking.

"This is nice isn't it?" he asked looking to her.

"It really is...you sure you're alright with walking like this...?" she asked not knowing how to word it.

"Hermione, I've told you before that I'm perfectly fine now. I'm the old me again," he replied. She nodded and leaned in to kiss him lightly, and he kissed her back willingly.

"I know you are...I just worry too much is all. Haven't you learned that from the past already?" She asked letting a few laughs escape.

"Yes I guess that's true too," he said as they came upon a small grassy area with a rather larger tree and remotely small pond. They both sat down as she leaned back in his arms.

"Mmm no Ron, no Fred and George chasing us around for blackmail...just us," Hermione said more to herself closing her eyes a bit.

"When do you go back to work again?" he asked her as he leaned back against the tree.

"Tomorrow," she replied frowning a bit, "What about you?"

"Two days I think. I'll have to check my schedule again. But I think I need it, I'm getting bored hanging around here all day."

"Yes that's true, but hanging out with you helps a bit I'd say."

"Just a bit?"

"Well, maybe more," she said leaning in and kissing him deeply. "Minus the lack of privacy part."

"Now that last part is definitely true," he said kissing her back.

Because neither he nor Hermione had their own house, they were both living at the Burrow, making it nearly impossible for them to do much together. The extra bunkhouse was removed after the wedding because it took up garden space. Yes there was Grimmauld place, but he wasn't going back there for a while if he could help it. Although he was under the impression that Tonks was thinking of letting them use her and Lupin's home if things got too hectic. These past months had been so amazing with her, and now they'd been closer than ever. The two of them sat relaxing as she stroked his hand and he ran his fingers through her hair.

"I love you Mione," he said to her. She smiled as she turned to look at him.

"Harry, I love you so much too." He lifted her chin to kiss her and thought about how much he wanted to spend every moment with her, and cherish times like these. And if it was up to him, he was going to make that happen. It became cooler outside and defiantly later. He had something in mind but knew not to push Hermione for anything more until anything was official.

"Think we should start heading back?" he asked Hermione stroking her hair.

She sighed and replied, "Probably...as much as I do hate to move." He laughed as he moved her forward and crouched down motioning for her to climb onto his back. She smiled and wrapped her legs around his side and arms around his neck. "So I get free transport?" she asked leaning a bit to the side of his head.

"Hmm...I don't think I'll consider it free..." he said laughing a bit.

"What's the cost then?"

"Oh I dunno...It has to be something good and worth while though..."

"Oh that's a toughie," she laughed some more kissing his cheek.

"Actually, it is," he replied as they came up over the hill with the Burrow insight.

He lowered her down and wrapped his arms around her, leaning in and kissing her deeply. Hermione frowned a little keeping her lips on his and asked, "Can I take a rain check on the payment...?" She was tempting him he knew.

"Well...I guess that's gonna have to do," he sighed rolling his eyes playfully. Their lips were still barely touching, and this killed him even more so he couldn't resist. He pressed his lips to hers, and she did the same eagerly. He brought his hand up to her cheek and stroked it a little for a few minutes, as she kissed him back more.

"Harry," Hermione said in-between a few kisses, "We should probably go back, it's almost dinner," she added on.

He kissed her a few more times and then smiled and told her, "Alright...C'mon, let's go." They walked back to the Burrow and entered with the smell of dinner cooking.

"Is that you Arthur?" Molly asked peering from the kitchen. "Oh it's you dearies. Come on in and have a seat, the stew will be done shortly. Ron's in here too," she added on waving her hands to hurry them in. In the kitchen Ron sat at the table and smiled as they walked in.

"Hey you two, where've you been?" Ron asked. Hermione took a seat on one side of Ron as he took a seat on the other.

"Just spending the day out for a bit is all," Hermione said taking a glass of water.

"Just spending the day?" Ron asked smirking. He smiled shaking his head as Hermione became flustered and pointed her wand at him threatingly.

"Say anything more Ronald and I'll jinx you. We did nothing serious," Hermione scolded at him.

"Alright fine, I won't," Ron replied throwing his hands up innocently and making a few odd faces.

"Hermione dear, do you think you could help set up?" Mrs. Weasley asked her. "I'm running a tad behind."

"Oh of course," Hermione replied getting up and taking some plates. He figured now was as good time as any to talk to Ron alone.

"Hey Ron, mind coming with me to our room. I've gotta show you this...thing," he suggested.

"What thing?" Ron asked confused. He rolled his eyes at him and tugged him by the shirt as Ron gave a "umph". Back up in the room he silence spelled the room and locked the door.

"Alright, what I'm about to say cannot leave this room understood?" he asked.

"Sure thing...what is it, mate?" Ron asked leaning on his bed.

"Alright," he sighed before continuing, "I have this...somewhat crazy idea. I've been thinking lately about Hermione and I, and things really are going great. But you know we're both working and living here, which makes it hard for privacy and all...Anyway I was thinking of...proposing to her." Ron gasped and looked at him.

"Really? I think...I think it's a great idea actually. You two are happy with each other," Ron said. He was actually relieved to hear this. He was afraid Ron's old inner secret crush and jealousy was going to come out and punch him in the face.

He smiled and replied, "Thanks Ron, I'm glad you agree. So you think I should go for it?"

"Of course! Harry, why else would she have stuck around this long? Think about it," Ron said to him. He smiled and punched Ron playfully ruffling his hair a bit too.

"Thanks again. C'mon, we better get down to dinner before your mum spazzes," he suggested back as they headed back down the stairs. Entering the kitchen again couldn't stop smiling when he saw her.

"What're you looking at?" Hermione asked carrying some food to the dinner table.

"Nothing really..."

A/N: Alright I'm finally back. Had some writers block for a bit, but now I have a few ideas where I want the story to go. If you have any suggestions of what you wanna see, feel free to tell me too. Thanks and reviews are lovely.